Chapter Ninety Two

...

Layla frowned at the number of cars parked in the Hive's parking lot, her frown deepening when she recognised Honey's minivan and Anita's car. Checking her phone to see if anyone had texted her or if there was an emergency of some sort, Layla hurried through the forest to the Hive.

There were no missed texts or phone calls, but maybe they hadn't had time to contact her? Or maybe everything was fine and she was just overreacting. Layla forced herself to stop and breathe deeply before opening the door, calming her nerves.

"SURPRISE!"

"Super Jesus, Craig. Did you have to do a Boomer shout?" Warren asked, wincing and trying to pop his ears.

Craig just grinned and slipped through the small crowd so he could hug Layla first. "Happy birthday, Lay."

Warren looked over to her sharply when he felt a piercing sting of anguish from his wrist.

Layla hugged Craig in return, closing her green eyes and smiling briefly. "Thank you, Craig."

"Anytime. Now hurry up and hug everyone else, 'cause we've got cake and presents, and Zach baked, like, a shitton of food."

"That's not an actual unit of measurement, but Zach did bake a lot," Ethan said, grinning broadly.

A stream of curses came from the kitchen, Layla stifling a laugh when Zach became creative with his swearing.

"What's he doing in there?" she asked, looking between them all, even as Anita and Frieda went to tell Zach off for cursing.

"Trying to make fondant. The heat isn't helping, even though I've practically turned the kitchen into a snow globe," Wendy said.

Warren scowled and muttered about his stove.

"Can I see?" Layla asked, grinning.

"Of course. Don't mind us, Zach; we're just looking at the kitchen," Babs called as she headed down the hallway towards the kitchen.

Zach made a noise in response or frustration, Layla wasn't sure. Her eyes widened at the sight of the dining area - Wendy hadn't been exaggerating about the snow globe - with small flurries coming down from the ceiling. The buds on the dining chairs were covered in a thin coat of ice, and Layla's wonder turned to concern when she saw Zach turning blue in the kitchen.

"Warren, help Zach."

"No! I've almost... got the... fondant," Zach said between chattering teeth.

"Oh, shit," Wendy said, her eyes widening at the sight of him, the flurries overhead disappearing instantly.

"Do not make me have to treat you for hypothermia, young man. Warren, warm him up. Slowly, please," Ida added, as Heidi hovered near her brother in worry.

Warren nodded and, ignoring Zach's protests, he pulled the tall blonde close to hug and warm him carefully. Zach's teeth stopped chattering after a long moment. Heidi was too distressed to sign or talk and simply clutched her brother's hand tightly, her expression somewhere between a glare and worry.

"I'm all right, Heids. Promise," Zach said when Warren finally pulled away and he saw his sister's expression.

She narrowed her eyes, then flung herself against his chest, burying her head against his chest as she hugged him tightly.

"Can you cool it down again, Wendy? I'm dying in here," Craig groaned from where he was draped over the table.

"How do you usually cool down when Wendy's not here?" Connor asked curiously.

"The trees outside provide lots of shade," Ethan said matter-of-factly.

Craig pointed in Ethan's general direction. "Yeah, that. But also, seriously, Wendy: do your thing."

Wendy rolled her eyes and created a small cloud above Craig, drenching him in rain within a few seconds.

"Shit! Not that thing!"

"C'mon, babe. Let's get you dried off," Jewel said, taking Craig's hand and tugging him towards the door.

"I can just - wait, never mind," Craig said, grinning under wet curls and letting Jewel guide him outside, Grant following after them quickly.

Adam shuddered. "I'm out. Call me for the cake," he said over his shoulder, leaving the kitchen for his hideaway.

"We should really keep them in separate rooms at parties like this or we'll never see them," Anita said, looking to the door where vines were blocking the trio from view.

"Someone's going to end up pregnant. Have you talked to Craig about safe sex, Victor? I assume Craig knows he can get pregnant while in a form with a uterus and vagina?" Ida asked, frowning.

"I - uh - no. I... didn't know?" Victor said, blinking in confusion and wondering why the very idea of the sex talk was just as awkward as an adult as it had been when he was young. He was a father to twins, for goodness sake!

"I'll talk to him, if you'd like?" Ida offered. "I did the sex talk with him and Adam when they were younger, I just didn't think of Craig changing to a female form back then."

"Yes. Please," Victor added quickly, hoping his cheeks weren't as bright red as they felt.

Connor grinned and kissed his cheek. "You'll be all right, darling. Just breathe," he murmured, rubbing his back. "I wouldn't mind if you talked to Ry at the same time, Ida. There's a few things I'm sure I missed when he was younger and as he's going to start dating sooner rather than later, I'd like him up to speed on everything that could happen."

"Papa!" Ry hissed, his cheeks red.

"It's nothing to be embarrassed about, Ry. I'll schedule a time with both of you and the kids," Ida said with a smile. Her smile slipped when Zach sneezed. "Let's find some blankets for you, dear."

"Heidi, do you know where the blankets are for Zach?" Anita asked, signing the words.

Heidi nodded and ducked around several people to go to the library.

"Don't go too far; we still have presents for you to open, dear," Frieda said, patting Layla's forearm before she could follow after Heidi and escape.

She forced a smile on her face and nodded.

"I say we open the presents while Zach tries to salvage the cake," Warren suggested.

"Just ice it, dude. Fondant tastes like sugary cardboard anyway," Ry said, wrinkling his nose.

Heidi returned with an armload of blankets, dropped them to the floor and worked on wrapping each one around Zach individually, glaring at him any time he tried to protest. She finally stepped back, nodding in satisfaction at the excessive amount of blankets Zach was now covered with.

"You look like an Eskimo," Wendy said, grinning.

"Inuit and Yupik people is the preferred name. The name Eskimo is considered derogatory in many places," Ethan said.

"Oh, I didn't know that. Well, you look like an Inuit and Yupik person, then," Wendy said to Zach, who grinned.

"Thanks! I might have to take some of the blankets off, Heids. I can't sign properly, let alone mix icing for the cake," Zach said, feeling awkward and bulky, no matter who he looked like.

"I'll do it," Heidi said, glowering when Zach opened his mouth to argue.

Anita and Frieda both looked determined to help as well, and Layla startled when Warren stood beside her, so closed off from her emotions that she could barely feel the heat emanating from him.

"C'mon, hippie, let's go outside while they're distracted," Warren murmured, guiding her outside.

"I'm fine, Warren. I... Really, guys?" Layla said with a sigh, seeing Craig and Grant shirtless and Jewel between them, kissing Craig and her gloved hand cupping the back of Grant's head, his hand resting against her ribs under her shirt. They pulled away quickly, Craig turning red when he saw Layla and Warren standing there.

"We were drying off my clothes," he said quickly.

"That doesn't explain Grant," Warren said, smirking.

Grant coughed. "Uh... Moral support?"

Jewel burst out laughing and picked up Grant and Craig's shirts, handing them to her boyfriends. "Just get dressed, babe."

Craig and Grant slipped their shirts on, Craig wincing at his still-damp shirt before changing to Warren's form to dry it off with his higher body temperature. "How are you not melting in this heat, dude? Ugh, seriously," he muttered, changing back as fast as possible.

"The heat doesn't bother me. Now get inside; Victor's talking about getting Ida to have a sex talk with you lot," Warren said.

Craig's eyes widened and he hurried inside, Jewel following after him.

Grant looked between Warren and Layla for a long moment, his brain taking in the tight grip between them, the fake smile that didn't reach Layla's eyes, and the concern on Warren's face. "I'll make sure you get privacy for as long as I can hold them off," he promised, then headed inside and stood in front of the door so no one would see outside.

"Around the side, hippie. And don't you dare lie to me and say you're fine, I felt it before and I know you're not," Warren said, guiding Layla around the side of the house. He checked that Adam's window was closed before sitting down and tugging Layla down next to him. "Do you want to sit on my lap and cuddle, or would you prefer not to be touched right now?" Warren asked, his fingers already slipping away from her skin.

Layla bit her tongue, tears welling up in her eyes, no matter how hard she fought to keep them at bay, and she looked out towards Eden.

"C'mon, hippie. You can't keep it all bottled up inside like this. Emotions fester, remember? You've gotta talk about them. What's going on?" Warren asked, reaching for her and letting his hand drop away, still unsure as to whether she'd appreciate his touch or not.

"I just... I never thought I'd have to go through a birthday without my mum," Layla said, broken and sobbing into her hands.

"Shit," Warren hissed. He was glad he was sitting down because the force of Layla's pent up emotions was like a floodgate being opened and he felt tears welling in his eyes at the pure anguish that Layla was feeling.

"Super fucking Jesus, you would not believe the traffic out there. I even left early, but it still wasn't enough," Honey muttered from the entrance, brushing away one of the inquisitive ferns that moved towards her. "An early birthday present from me. Put it on now or else we'll have to explain why everyone's about to burst into tears for no reason," she said, holding out a small gift bag to Layla.

Sniffling, Layla reached up to take the bag, pulling out a white cuff. She wanted to protest the need, but she could feel Warren shaking next to her, and Layla knew it wasn't just for her benefit today. Her fingers trembled as she clasped the cuff around her wrist and she rested her head on her knees as Warren stopped trembling from the force of her power and emotion. It was still there, constant but no longer drowning him.

"Hippie? Layla, please. Let me in; I want to help," Warren murmured, ignoring Honey for the moment; Layla was his priority and nothing and no one else mattered at that moment.

Layla turned her head to look at him, her eyes bloodshot and puffy with tears, snot running down towards her lip, and her cheeks blotchy and red. "You can't bring my mother back, Warren," she said, her voice wrecked and hoarse.

"No, I can't. I can help you with your emotions, though," he said, looking as though he wanted to brush her hair away from her face, but again not touching her without permission.

Layla sniffled and wiped her runny nose on the back of her hand. "You felt it; how can I possibly control that?"

"You don't control it, you replace it," Warren said firmly. He continued at Layla's confused expression, "Look, I could do the whole 'let yourself feel it, grieve through all the usual stages, join a charity to feel good' that sort of shit, but we both know that's not going to help you right now. So, for now, change the emotion from grief to something else, whatever you need to get you through your party. It's not the best coping mechanism, but it's a band-aid to help you survive the next few hours. You can still feel the grief later, but for now, bury it and let other emotions come through to the surface instead."

Layla turned her head back to rest on her forehead on her knees again, trying to breathe and bury the grief for the moment. Later, when she was alone and had the Hive to herself, she could grieve properly. For now, it was too debilitating to keep feeling this way and affecting her friends as well.

She felt another emotion starting to prickle along her skin, anger making her heart beat fast and her hands clench in rage. Her mother had died, she'd made her stay with a horrible woman who had treated her like shit the moment her own grief had passed, and her mother had left her alone in the world. She wasn't going to see Layla grow up or how her power had changed and she wouldn't be able to talk her through her emotions and ask about her day and -

Layla was crying again.

"Shit. Try a different emotion. Something stronger than grief," Warren murmured, his hand hovering near her shoulder, so close that she could feel the warmth radiating from his skin, but still not touching her.

Layla shook her head, struggling to breathe as the grief swallowed her down again, suffocating her and closing up her throat. "There isn't anything stronger," she whispered past the lump in her throat.

They were silent for a long moment and Warren let out a low curse.

"Can I touch you, hippie? Please?" he asked.

Layla nodded, her hair moving all that he could see.

Warren sighed in relief and tugged Layla until she was sitting on his lap. "Hey, look at me," he murmured, tilting her chin gently, his fingertips burning.

Layla swallowed past the lump in her throat and looked at him.

"We'll postpone the party, okay? No one will mind and you'll get the rest of the day to yourself," he said, brushing his thumb against the trail of tears along her freckled cheek. "What do you want to do?" Warren asked, looking into her brown bloodshot eyes as he took hold of her hand, threading their fingers together.

Layla curled in close against Warren's chest, listening to the steady thump of his heartbeat, the noise almost enough to drown out the noise in her own head. She closed her eyes and breathed in and out with Warren's heart; in-two-three-four, out-two-three-four.

A loud squeal of laughter from Heidi pierced through the sound of Warren's heart and Layla smiled at the sound.

"I want to go inside and celebrate with everyone," Layla said, squeezing his hand gently. "Will you stay with me later? I... I don't want to be alone. I thought I did, but..." she trailed off, unsure how to explain.

"I'll stay with you, hippie. Now, no offense to the birthday girl, but you look like a mess. Got anything in your bag to help with that, Honey?" Warren asked.

Honey laughed. "Of course I do. I had to prepare for everything, which is why I'm running late. Send Wendy and Jewel out for me, please? Oh, and Craig can help, too," she said, offering her hand to Layla so she could stand.

Layla let go of Warren's hand and stood up, touching her face gingerly and wincing at the feel of her wet cheeks and puffy eyes.

"Okay," Warren said, standing and brushing his jeans off. He pressed a gentle kiss to Layla's mouth, warmth flowing through her despite the chaste kiss. "Happy birthday, Layla."

"Wait."

Warren turned at Layla's command, uncertain as to what she was going to do or say, and not recognising the tone of her voice to attempt an assumption.

"Just... it's not a coping mechanism, okay? I- I want to kiss you," Layla said, touching her fingers to her lips, still tingling and warm.

"Okay."

Layla moved forward and kissed Warren firmly, her arms wrapping around his neck and pulling him close. Warren kissed Layla back, almost hesitant in a way he'd never been with her before, and she used the opportunity to lick into his mouth, chasing the warmth. Warren surged up against her, pressing Layla against the side of the Hive, grabbing her hips and lifting her so she could wrap her legs around his waist. His hands were burning against her thighs, his mouth slick against hers, his emotion and desire burning on her wrist.

The heat was almost enough to chase away her grief, and Layla buried her pain and anguish deep as love consumed her instead. She could feel desire and lust pulse, but love, love burned. It dried her tears and chased away the cold that grief had claimed on her blood and limbs, it pulsed through her body and burned her emotions from the inside out until she felt like her eyes were shining with their love.

Warren poured every ounce of love and emotion into their kiss, hoping that something he had was stronger than Layla's grief. He'd felt it for himself, but Warren knew that he'd only experienced a small part of Layla's emotion and everything he had might not even be enough, a mere drop in the ocean.

It wouldn't stop him from trying, though. He'd give Layla everything and anything she wanted.

"Would you guys stop it already? You're making my room hot," Adam muttered from his window. When they didn't stop a moment later, he muttered and grabbed a water spray bottle, aiming out of the window and spritzing them. "Control yourselves, dammit!"

Layla pulled away from Warren, laughing.

Warren looked over to Adam in the window. "Did you just spritz us?"

"I'd throw the whole damn bottle on you if it would make you stop. I swear I can see the outline of your bodies through the wall," Adam said, spritzing at them again.

Warren muttered under his breath and reached for the bottle, even while Layla continued to laugh, her legs fallen from his waist and her body almost doubled over in near-hysterical laughter. Adam closed the window and gave Warren the finger through the glass.

"Send the others out to help with Layla," Honey said as Warren went past to get his revenge on Adam.

Warren headed to Adam's door, telling Jewel, Wendy, and Craig to help Honey with Layla over his shoulder. He didn't look back to see if they'd done what he'd said, knocking on Adam's door loudly. "Open up!"

"Nope! You deserved it!"

"What happened?" Nina asked curiously, looking down the hallway.

"Adam spritzed Layla and me with water," Warren said, realising how lame it sounded even as the words left his mouth.

Nina snorted a laugh. "I'm surprised it was enough to get you two to stop. I've seen what you're like when you get all kissy." Heidi made a gagging noise behind her and Nina grinned. "Though, if it was enough to get you to stop, maybe I should buy a spray bottle for myself."

Warren groaned. "Super Jesus, Mum."

"I'm thinking of changing that to my official title: Super Jesus Mum. What do you think?"

"I think that's one of the more ridiculous things you've said this month, Mum."

"Yeah, I know. C'mon, kid, the cake's ready. Adam, cake!" Nina called, knocking on his door.

"I'll come out when Warren's gone!" Adam called back.

Nina shook her head. "You heard him. C'mon."

Warren only moved because he heard the back door sliding open and could see Layla's red hair over his mother's shoulder. "I'm going to get you back, Adam."

"Sure, sure."

Warren ignored him and headed to Layla, feeling for the vine on his wrist when he saw the makeup that hid her puffy eyes and red cheeks. There was a green tinge to her eyelids that could have been makeup or the vines inside of her, but Warren couldn't be bothered asking when other things were more important. "Are you okay, hippie?" he asked quietly.

Layla smiled up at him and cupped his cheek gently. "I'm okay. Thank you, Warren," she said, pressing a kiss to his cheek. "Now, I've been told the cake is ready?" Layla said, looking to their friends expectantly.

"Why is there icing on the wall?" Warren asked, frowning when he saw the state of the wall.

"Heidi got a little too enthusiastic about mixing the icing," Anita said.

Heidi signed quickly, 'Will clean after cake and presents'.

"It's bright green icing, Heidi. It will probably stain," Ethan pointed out.

Zach handed her a wet paper towel and Heidi sighed dramatically before moving to clean the icing. She winced at the bright green smear left behind, scrubbing at the mark harder until the wall was clean. When she was satisfied, Heidi threw the paper towel in the compost bin and waved everyone outside so they could open Layla's presents.

Layla squeezed Warren's hand as they followed everyone outside. Tree branches stretched from the forest line towards the Hive, providing shade and light filtering through bright green leaves. A table that Layla hadn't noticed before was full of presents, gift bags, and a large basket covered in green, red, and black cellophane to hide the contents.

"Are you sure you're all right, hippie?" Warren asked quietly.

"No, but I'll be okay. Stay with me?" Layla asked.

"Of course," Warren replied, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and kissing her temple. "Leave my present 'til last."

"The basket?" she asked curiously, receiving a nod in response.

Even more curious about the basket's contents now, Layla looked at it a little closer, but the black cellophane was bunched up too tightly and was too dark to see through. Preoccupying herself with her other presents wouldn't be difficult though, and Layla started to open the stack carefully, setting the paper aside to add to the compost bin later.

A DVD from Connor and Ry that demonstrated tai chi basics; seed packets for fruits, vegetables, and other plants from Honey; a gardening trowel, watering can, and a bucket from Jared and Sarah; a first aid kit and book from Adam and his parents; a blue and green dress from Craig, Victor, Edith, and the twins (Craig promised Elijah and Elliot had picked the dress themselves); a book on how to make wine out of grapes from Hyacinth, and a promise to try her first bottle; a language kit that Babs had created for her that Ethan looked ready to steal when she wasn't looking; a terrarium with its own weather cloud from Wendy and Donny; jewelled flower earrings and drop necklace from Grant and Jewel; a 12-piece baking set from Zach, Heidi, Ethan, and their parents that Warren looked ready to steal when she wasn't looking; and a gold member subscription to the Sweet Spot from Frieda that made both Layla and Warren turn bright red.

Finally, there was only the basket left, and Layla glanced at Warren, smiling when she felt his excitement and anticipation on her wrist. Pulling the curled ribbon away, she parted the cellophane carefully and looked into the basket, frowning when she saw a thick pair of gardening gloves.

"Is it sex toys?" Craig asked, laughing when Zach covered Heidi's ears.

"No; shut up," Warren said, rolling his eyes.

Layla pulled the gardening gloves out, her eyes widening when she saw the plant that had been hidden beneath the gloves. "You didn't..."

"I did," Warren said, grinning at her expression.

"How?" Layla asked incredulously. There was a reason she had asked for this a year in advance, as there was an abundance of red tape to go through to import something foreign, let alone this dangerous.

In the group around them, Honey couldn't hold back her snicker of laughter and waved when Layla looked to her, understanding filling her gaze.

"What is it, dear?" Frieda asked, looking between her daughters and Warren.

"It's a very special tree; one that I can't even grow. Not yet, at least," Layla said, smiling brightly and rising up on her toes to kiss Warren. "Thank you."

"Happy birthday, hippie," Warren said, his ears burning red as his mother and Craig both wolf whistled.

Layla replaced the gloves, hiding the label for the tree sapling: Hippomane mancinella, one of the most dangerous trees in the world. Soon, she might have a whole forest of them, Layla thought with a pleased shiver and smile.

"Why don't we go inside and cut your cake now, Layla? I'm sure everyone's looking forward to being out of the sun," Honey said with a grin, Eden practically empty by the time she'd finished speaking.

"Wendy, do your thing!" Craig called as he hurried inside, Layla and Warren a step behind him.

...

"Enjoy the rest of your birthday, dear. Oh, and do be safe! I'm too young to be a grandmother," Frieda said with a grin, kissing Layla's cheek.

In the kitchen, Warren either choked on air or his slice of cake. The green icing was far too sweet for most people to finish - Craig and Ry had bet each other on who would finish theirs first, only stopping when Ida took their plates away, her reason being that they were turning greener than the icing - and everyone was taking their cake slices home to finish later. The rest of the food that Zach had baked had been brought out as well, covering both the table and bench seats completely. Everyone had been too full of food to notice that Layla was quieter than usual and her smiles didn't always reach her eyes. Warren had packed up leftovers for everyone, and was currently serving the last of the leftovers for Connor and Ry to take home.

"Happy birthday, Layla. Enjoy the rest of your night," Ry said, smiling. "I'll go through the tai chi DVD with you later, if you'd like?"

"That would be great. Thanks, Ry."

Ry's smile turned to a full blown grin and he nodded. "Good night."

"Night!" Warren called, working on cleaning the kitchen.

"You're sure you're okay to stay here tonight? There's no bed or even a mattress," Connor said, frowning at the fact that there was no bedroom either.

"I make a frame out of wood and a mattress out of ferns. It's more comfortable than it sounds," Layla added at his disbelieving look.

"You're sure?"

"Positive," Layla replied, smiling.

"C'mon, Papa. I want to get home so we can put the food away already. I might eat some on the drive back," Ry mused.

Feeling as though he was being distracted on purpose, but not entirely sure why, Connor raised an eyebrow at his son curiously. He followed Ry out to the car, putting the containers of food in the back seat, just in case Ry decided he was hungry, after all. "If I have to pull over because you have to puke, I won't do any exercises with you for the rest of the week."

"Okay, I won't eat anything then! That's harsh, Papa," Ry said with a scowl.

"I know," Connor said, grinning and ruffling Ryuu's hair.

Ry ran his fingers through his hair to fix it, tying it up in a bun on top of his head. "Can we get the air conditioning going?"

"Of course. I may be harsh, but I'm not cruel," Connor said, sitting in the front seat to turn on the ignition and, more importantly, the air conditioning.

Ry glanced over to the Hive, mostly hidden by Layla's trees, and touched his hand to his branded shoulder.

Layla's anguish had been debilitating enough that all conversation between their friends had ground to a halt, the Hive filled with silence and confusion from the parents. Ry could remember the feeling of his heart breaking, of tears prickling at his eyes, of loss and grief and a small stirring of anger that wasn't enough to drown out the sorrow. Then the feeling had become muted, leaving most of them reeling at the sudden change. Ry had noticed his father's concern and had hurried to proclaim that he had bought the best present for Layla. Craig had, thankfully, taken up the argument loudly and the others had joined in until that thirty seconds of silence was pushed to the back of everyone's minds, but certainly not forgotten.

Heidi had laughed when icing flung out of the bowl and smacked Zach in the face, staining the wall as well. Ethan had cleaned Zach's face, a frown on his face as Zach had bent down to him so he could reach without straining. There was love and concern in that gaze as well - Ethan concerned about Zach's sneezing, no doubt - and Ry was surprised to wonder if anyone would look at him like that one day. Donny had looked to him, his surprise clear enough for the mind-reader to pick out from the others' thoughts, and Ry concentrated on his breathing so he wouldn't blush for seemingly no reason. Donny had nodded briefly - acknowledgement, respect, or something else entirely, Ry didn't know - and returned his attention to the argument around them.

Seconds later, even with Layla's feelings dulled and muted, love washed through each of them. It was almost as intense as the sadness had been, and Ry doubted he would ever love someone as intensely as that. Now that everyone had left the Hive, and it was just Layla and Warren inside, Ry could feel that same intense feeling of love once more and his heart ached in response.

"You getting in the car, Ry? The air conditioning is almost cool," Connor called, the passenger window open a crack.

Ry nodded and slipped into the passenger seat, closing his eyes gratefully in the semi-cool car as the window closed again.

Connor checked that they both had their belts on before checking the mirrors and back window, and then reversing the car out of the parking lot. They were both silent for a few long minutes as Connor drove them home.

"You good, Ryuu?" he asked, his voice soft as though he could see how fragile Ry was feeling.

Ry opened his eyes and lied. "Yeah, Papa; I'm good."

...

End of the ninety-second chapter.