Chapter 33
Garou had to keep post over Drax who remained in Snek's room. Despite Amai protesting the notion that it was his weekend with him. "This is UNFAIR Garou, you know it! I was promised this, and I refuse to have it wasted!"
Garou refused to move from the doorway. "You saw him yesterday, he is in no condition to leave the house, even after the hot springs, Drax is too full from yesterday to go out today. I can't allow it."
Amai refused to accept the notion, he demanded Garou step off to the side, and went as far as grabbing his shoulder. Which prompted an instant response from Melee! She wrenched him away from the door and came between them instantly. There was a glare in her eyes, one that made Garou purr. "Did we forget what happens when you mess with me? It's not me you worry about, especially when I got kids to take care of?"
He was defiant though, Amai hissed aloud and demanded he get his last day in. "I waited for this! It is unfair that Snek got him the whole summer and I barely get a day with Drax. Why must I suffer!" he demanded.
Melee gave a low growl of her own. "You want something to do, help my son Goliath! He possesses your power now, he doesn't know what to do or how to handle it, help him!" she demanded.
"That wasn't for him to possess, why should I help him? I never said he could have my old skin to wear, it's his fault this has happened to himself."
As painful as it was to admit, Amai did have a point. Garou knew it too, he should have been more cautious with the discarded serpent skin. Especially when his children have powers to absorb the strength and abilities of others. Yet the deed is done, there was no going back now. "Despite that being true, it doesn't change the fact that I still have it."
Garou froze as Goliath came out from his room. He came between Amai and his mother before confronting the A Class Hero. "I need your help. Please," he said yet his voice was begrudging. "I don't really care how you train me, I just need to know how to control it. Your strength is something I couldn't quite comprehend, and I fear I may kill someone by accident if I don't learn to control it. Help me!"
Amai glared at him, yet he turned away in defeat. "Outside." He growled.
Goliath walked out first, Amai followed yet slammed the door. When they were a good distance away, Garou knocked on the door. "You're clear."
The doorway opened, Drax peered out and was relieved. Amai was gone for the moment.
"Thanks, I can't bring myself to leave the house today…"
"No apologize needed kid. You look better from yesterday."
Looking over Drax, Garou found he has nearly finished digesting everything he ate, yet he appeared to be ashamed of himself. "I do feel bad though. Sweet Mask was looking forward to this weekend with me. I… let him down."
Melee however laughed. "Don't think that way!" she said. "As kind as it was for you to do this with Amai, I think he wanted to prove something to Snek, that he could teach you just as well as your father could. But Amai didn't realize your limits. He just assumes most of the time without taking into consideration what you are capable of."
Drax slithered out of the room, he sighed aloud to it all. "Where's dad?"
"Sent him out to get stuff." Garou muttered. "He's been just as clingy you know, sometimes I think he can be a little over protective."
Suddenly, Drax started to giggle. He then gave off a laugh, much to the surprise of Melee and Garou. "What's so funny?" Melee asked.
He cleared away a tear before he was able to speak properly. "The thing is… no one has come to you for advice on being a dad, Garou! You're the one to talk to and yet neither one has asked!"
A smirk came over the human monster. "Yeah, but I am not the one really for advice on that either. I'm still learning too, despite the soon to be eight kids." He said and patted his stomach. "Besides, Amai's is too proud to ask, Snek is too embarrassed. Also it's fun to watch them try, I got to get some amusement out of this too you know." He paused. "Huh, I wonder though how Amai's is going to train Goliath?"
#
They were silent.
Neither one willing to speak to the other or say a word about the matter at hand. What could be said? Goliath kept peering back, Amai Mask was staring at him angrily for what has happened. Had he known his own body would have done this, the suits would have been burned long ago. Yet, it wasn't the only thing bothering Goliath at this point. If this were to have happened, he wished he had gone in a different direction.
"Stealing my strength… my power… you have some nerve." He heard Amai mutter.
"You aren't exactly my first choice," Goliath snapped back.
His comment repelled the A Class hero for a moment. "What do you mean by that?"
Stopping in his track, Goliath turned and glared down Amai Mask. "What the hell do you think? You believe I wanted to look like you, gain your strength and power? NO, in fact. I rather be like my brother and have Snek's abilities far over yours!"
He was stunned silent. Sweet Mask for a moment appeared as if he couldn't process what was said. "Wait… you rather have Snek's abilities over my own? I'm far stronger than he is or ever will be!"
"I don't give a damn!" Goliath snapped back. "The fact is I am taking on some of your personality, I don't like you to begin with! And yet, here we are! I wanted nothing to do with you, ever since you insulted Snek. I despised you for it, and… now… look at me!"
Amai's arms crossed rather bitterly. "You should at least be impressed with the strength I have…"
Goliath sneered. "Oh, yes, I am impressed, far be it from me to tell a man what he is already capable of knowing how strong he is…" He paused. "Damn it! That's your snide tone!" His anger was getting the better of him, so much so, Goliath failed to see the veins spreading from his arms, down his neck and all over his body. Yet, when he took notice of them, he panicked. "Oh God!"
"Calm yourself down." Amai said slowly. "You're anger does not serve you well at this point."
"How can I calm down? I am so upset!" he protested.
"Why do you think I wear such a 'sweet mask' in public then?"
Goliath paused as he stared at Amai. "My calm disposition isn't just to show everything is fine in my life. It's to hide the veins. You must settle yourself down, think of what calms you when you are upset."
He tried, Goliath thought over everything he could that settles him, but the only thing that came to mind was Snek when he was young. How he would let him sleep on his back, read to him at night and took care of Draven and himself when they were merely children. He could recall the good times at the park, the outings and restful night. Goliath felt his scales crawl as the veins receded, he was back to normal when his eyes opened again.
Amai sighed aloud. "There's no other choice is there, I have to show you how I control it so you can. It shouldn't be too difficult for you,"
"Please do…" Goliath whispered. He still wasn't happy with the fact that he has become more like Amai than anyone else in the family, yet he also knows that only he can change that.
They ventured deeper into the woods, far from the house in a small clearing. Amai coiled up as Goliath sat across from him. "Now, I can only assume you have learned a thing or two already about me, haven't you?"
Goliath nodded his head. "Yes, and you don't want them shared with others. I can withhold that information."
"See that you do. Now, let's see how well you can control this new strength of yours…"