Uuuugh... I'm getting pretty attached to this.. Maybe I'll add it to the time line after all.. It probably happens in the spring after healed but if it goes past the following Christmas where Doctor starts I'm not sure where to put it.. P.s. Juan is Mexico. I'm thinking about creating a character for him to use in Mad Doctor later.
A few hours passed before Matt returned, the Canadian looking very tired and haggard himself now.
Al frowns worriedly.
*They're on their way over...*
Al reached over offering a hug. He sighed and practically fell into it. Al held him close. This was all so sudden and stressful..
But then again Al couldn't help but feel a bit of.. Wonder? Elation? When it all came down to it, he had created the egg and Ivan had obviously... Fertilized.. They had 'children' now..
Did that make Arthur's litter his brothers and sisters? Or Matt's his nieces and nephews? It was a strange but thrilling concept...
He sits comforting Matt and thinking for a while. Eventually he spoke up. "Hey Matt? Could ya help me get to the library?"
"Yeah, of course," he smiled tiredly. "Will your eggs be okay?"
"It's just for a few minutes, I'm sure they'd be fine." None the less they covered them up thoroughly before leaving. They waddled to the library together.
He went off to one particular shelf reserved for special books. "Mom's people had so many different customs, cultures, and stories that I could never remember them all.. Being stuck on the east coast didn't help me interact much.. So I started collecting books on different things." He finds the one he's looking for, 'American Indian Trickster Tales.' (Real book)
"What are you looking for, exactly?" Matt watched him curiously.
Al flips through the book a few moments reading quickly. "Kuma was right about Coyote.. Not only does he do crazy shit, like dressing in women's clothes so guys would hunt in place of his lazy ass. He has the power of creation, shape shifting, and he's a horny old bastard.. Faked his death so he could screw his own daughters once.."
"Sounds like quite the charmer," The Canadian frowned disapprovingly. "So you think he did this to us for kicks?"
"Yep.. But at least now we have something we can explain to Dad and Pops.."
"True... How long do you think it is before I drop...?"
"Who knows.. These don't seem to be normal development times.." Al rubs his stomach. "But I do have an idea on how we can get back at him."
"I'm listening," Matt sat down, rubbing his own protruding stomach.
"We find the one person who could keep him in check," Al grins slyly, wiggling the book. "His wife."
Matt smirked evilly, drifting over to get a better look.
There was one story where they argue about how men and women they create should act, the one where he slept with his daughters he got busted cause he couldn't replace his four missing teeth and she chased him off with a skinning knife, she was just as old and powerful as he was it looked like.
She sounded strong fierce and just as pissed off with her husband as they were. "She looks perfect. Where do we find her?"
"I'm not sure, but I think we should ask Kuma and Mana to ask around."
"I'll ask Kuma now. He knew Coyote, so I'm guessing he met him before..."
"I'll call Mana in a bit, I'd kinda like to see Ro."
"We can head down together," Matt smiled, taking his hand. "You two can talk while I start the search."
Al smiles latching onto him. They shuffle down together, Ro still passed out on the couch. Matt had thrown a blanket over her and Kuma sat watch.
Al lowered himself next to her touching her shoulder. Matt took the bear aside. She whined softly, frowning.
"Ro wake up."
"Al...?" her eyes cracked open slowly, the red irises hazy with sleep.
He smiles warmly. She finally focused on him and gasped, hugging him tightly. Al grunts a bit, still sore, but hugs back.
She clung for a moment before pulling back. "Are you okay?!"
"I'm fine.. Just had a little unexpected surprise is all.."
"What happened? Mattie kicked me out and wouldn't explain and I got really scared and..."
"Hey it's ok.. Actually I need to go back upstairs anyway. Come with me and I'll show you."
"O-okay," she squeaked, gripping his hand.
He grips back forcing himself back up. Using the wall heavily but at least he was moving. She saw that and shifted to try and support him. She wasn't much use, but she could try...
They get back to Al's bedroom and he settled back in the nest, carefully unwrapping the eggs. Ro looked at them with a mix of confusion and wonder.
"Some very old and powerful trickster thought it'd be funny to make me pregnant.. Apparently he got Matt and Artie too. The thing is humans aren't supposed to lay eggs so we're not sure what's happening.."
"Okay..." She just nodded, listening. "So... These are your eggs?"
"Yep."
"..." She really didn't know what to say... Fae rarely reproduce - she'd never seen a new fairy and didn't even know how they were made. Humans confused her.
Al sat rubbing the eggs gently. She reached for one gently, just curious. Al watched, overwhelming protectiveness bubbling. But he knew she wouldn't try to hurt it.
She traced her fingers across the smooth surface then quickly retracted, like she could feel his tension.
He shook it away with a sigh. "Artie and France are coming over soon. And I guess you guys are staying for a while." He smiles softly.
She smiled back, scooting to let him have more space. She made a note to let the eggs be. "I like staying with you..."
"I like you staying." He grins. "I don't like being alone to long."
"I'll always stay," she admitted bashfully. "...will I have to go with Matt again...?"
"You don't have to, I just had to go out of town last month so that's why you were there."
"This is my home..."
Al smiles. "It always will be."
She seemed to relax a bit at that.
"So you wanna find some cards or something? It's kinda boring being alone in here."
"I think we have a pack downstairs!"
"Go get it, please?" He couldn't walk anymore today.
She nodded and stumbled up, running off for them. Al takes the free moment to rub away some pain and pull his eggs closer.
She soon returned with the cards, sitting outside the nest. "Found em!"
Al grins and they settle in for a few games. Matt joined them after a while too, quietly informing Al that Kuma was looking for Coyotes wife.
Al nods softly dealing him in. *So when do Dad and Pop get here?*
*Should be arriving in a couple hours. Dad's been getting really bad cramps...*
*I guess we should be grateful there's no bad side effects so far.. I've heard some scary things..*
Matt shuddered lightly. They sit and play a while. It was nearing one in the morning when they heard a cab pull up front.
Matt hurried down to the door. Arthur was relying heavily on Francis, his stomach already like a balloon! Al was trapped upstairs still. Francis glanced up as Matt came out.
"Papa! Dad!" Matt waddled over, hugging them both before taking Arthur's arm. "Let's get you inside, it's much too chilly out here!"
Seeing Arthur was worrying, with how many eggs Al layed compared to the norm Arthur must have been filled to the gills..
All the Englishman wanted to do was go back to sleep... They helped him up to a room and settled him down. Francis sighs covering up. Arthur settled with a pained groan, holding his swollen stomach.
Francis rubs his back. Was he developing faster or just incredibly full? Rabbits and cats tend to be unpredictable in numbers.. Cats could range anywhere between three and eight... And rabbits, well...
They might need to stock up on pet formula.. And painkillers...
Francis kissed him before stepping out to talk to Matt. Matt was downstairs making cocoa. Al had wanted some. Francis walks over to him.
"Hey, Papa," he smiled tiredly. "Would you like a drink?"
"I would thanks." Francis smiles tiredly.
He made him a mug of tea. "I'll be right back, taking this to Al."
Francis watched him leave curiously, sipping the tea.
Matt's bump was getting bigger and bigger, though Arthur was easily the biggest, even in comparison to Al with his eggs...
They were multiplying fast, and only a month in. It was terrifying but wonderful at the same time.
Just how long would it be though? Eggs usually only take a few days to develop, yet it had stretched out to four weeks before they came.
Just how long did Arthur have to suffer expanding? How big were the twins going to get? Only time would tell..
Matt came back, holding his stomach to support it. Francis glanced up to him. He looked like a tired pregnant lady...
"Are you alright?" Really it had only been a day since Matt got here..
"I'm exhausted, my back aches and I'm scared..." This was so unsettling... Seeing what Al went through and knowing it was coming for him too...
Francis set his cup down and hugs him. "I know.. I think we all are really.."
He sighed, snuggling in. "I want my body back..."
Francis rubs his back rocking lightly. Matt just stood clinging for a moment. They hugged close.
"So I guess they didn't get you," Matt croaked after a while.
"Well Arthur didn't give me a chance to." He smirks weakly.
Matt chuckled. "Well that's something, I guess..."
Francis smiles, "Come on let's get you in bed, we can all talk in the morning."
"Okay Papa," the Canadian yawned, snuggling into Francis's shoulder as they started upstairs.
"Do you want to stay with Al?"
He nodded softly, needing the company. They make the way to Alfred's bedroom Francis pausing, confused at the nest. Al was curled in the center, blankets covering him already asleep.
"...maybe we should just leave him..." Matt wanted his brother, but he wouldn't wake him.
"I'm sure he won't mind." Francis takes him over setting him down.
Matt found a gap and settled into it, sighing tiredly. He didn't have the strength to get back up again. Al hums leaning back into him. Matt smiled and snuggled, relaxing. Francis smiles softly going back to Arthur.
Arthur lay on his side, curled around his bulging stomach with a look of anguish on his face. He had developed so fast and it just hurt... Francis frowns softly crawling in behind him and pulling him to his chest.
Arthur curled in, whimpering. His own heart was hammering in his chest. Francis kissed his ear, gently massaging the bulge. It helped him settle a little but it was just too much to ignore.
They must be restless.. Francis sat wondering what they would look like. He didn't know they might not be human. Arthur just wanted them out...
Come morning Francis helps him down the hall, they needed to talk to the twins. The thing was though that Al was still tied to his nest.
Arthur shuffled along grumpily, supporting his bump as Francis supported him. At least Francis had rummaged up painkillers. They reach Al's room curious why they gathered in there. Al on the other hand was in the middle of turning his eggs. Thankfully his instincts were kicking in to help. Bird eggs needed to be turned 3-5 times a day so the embryo doesn't get stuck to the shell.
Matt smiled up at them as they came in. Arthur had his eyes on his stomach... Francis turns to Matt confused.
"Well... You see, um... Al?"
Al glanced up. "Huh?" He was so pulled into his task he didn't realize they were there.
Arthur looked up and frowned. "What on earth...?"
Al turns seeing them and flushed. Francis eased Arthur onto a chair Matt had brought up for him.
"Alfred, are those eggs?!"
"...yes.."
"Why do you have eggs?"
He twitched pulling them closer protectively. "...t-to keep them warm..."
"Okay, allow me to reiterate. Why do you have eggs?"
"What are they? They're huge.." Francis frowns.
"You've not been stealing eggs again, have you...?"
"No.." Al's back curved leaning over the clutch.
*Bro, you want me to tell them...?*
"...they're mine.." Al mumbles.
Arthur blinked, stunned "P-pardon?"
Al winced hugging his unborn chicks.
"Al gave birth to them last night, before you got here," Matt said softly. "I... We don't think we're carrying anything human... It's our spirit animals..."
Francis blinks stunned and worried. Arthur paled dramatically, arms wrapping around his bump.
Francis hugs him. "H-how is that possible..? Is it normal?"
"It's not a normal pregnancy... Al thinks we were cursed by this trickster... he slipped us something that sent us all wappy and this..."
"Well Kuma said he smelled him.."
"So, some magic little bastard decided to mess with our bodies?" Arthur asked softly, just trying to make sense of this.
The boys nod.
He frowned deeper, hugging a little tighter.
"..will we be normal again after..?" Francis asks.
"We don't know yet... We think so, but we can't say for sure..."
Francis sighs gripping Arthur. Al just fiddled with turning his eggs again. Arthur gripped tight, wondering about what was inside him. If he was full of kittens and rabbits, it was no wonder he was so full...
"We do have a payback plan though.." Al put in quietly.
That got their attention again..
"Coyote seems to be one of the oldest and most powerful, but then again so is his wife. Some stories say she helped him design humans so we figure she won't be too happy about this."
"Your plan is to find someone who lives in a story book?" The pregnancy was making Arthur irritable. "Bloody fantastic! Let's call Tinkerbell next!"
Al flinched "They aren't my stories.." A pang of sadness hit him.
"No, your stories have to do this to us!" Arthur was pissed and the pregnancy hormones didn't help!
"I have no control over the spirits! They're older than I am!"
"My legends are older than I am and I still manage them!"
"They aren't mine! I don't even know most of them!"
"Clearly you know enough, if you know which of the bastards did this!"
"Kuma was the one who told us."
"I should've squashed it out when I took you for the empire..."
"What are you talking about..?"
"Your mother let her people believe any old shit, the stupid bat! See what it does?!"
"Don't talk about her like that!" Al's emotions were going haywire. "Just because she wasn't as advanced as you didn't make her any less human! Do you even know how she died? Long term genocide! Small pox, war, racism, my own selfish greedy citizens forcing her people of their ancestors land and into a death march just so I could expand!" He still felt terrible guilt over it.. His bosses had forced him into the task of helping at times.
The trail of tears had hit him hard, not to far into the trip he had just shut down. Hundreds of people a day just flat out dropping dead of exhaustion and sickness, not even getting proper burials as the rest were forced to move on. None of the officers accompanying him on the hike could get him to speak a word the whole time.
So many languages and traditions were lost and forgotten as they were forced to accept new ways. The wants of the people over powered his own love for her, and in a way he pushed her into death... "Ya know I wouldn't be surprised if this whole mess was actually to get some long deserved revenge on me!" He was trembling now, so close to breaking.. "And you! You started it! If it wasn't for Columbus and the fuckin race to the new word, Matt Juan and I probably would nave never been born! I wouldn't be there to kill her!"
"Then maybe I should have stayed to the end," Arthur said coldly, voice soft as he hefted himself up. "I could have killed her legends with her." he waddled out, letting the door swing behind him.
Al sits trembling. Francis frowns sadly but had a hint of understanding now as well.
"Al..." Matt shifted over to him, his own voice catching.
Al shrugs him off moving to the large bay window. *Take care of the eggs..* he throws it open and jumps out disappearing.
Matt watched him go, too dumbstruck to stop him. It took him a good few minutes to move again, heart pounding, head spinning with the sick feeling rising in his throat.
Francis helps him up towards the on suite bathroom. Matt just managed to grip the sides, heaving into the bowl.
Francis waits until he's finished before hugging him close and rocking gently. "I think I finally understand why he runs off like that.."
"I wish he wouldn't," Matt whispered, choking up.
Francis pets his hair. "He's afraid of himself.. He spent his whole life fighting.. He fought to survive as a colony started from nothing, fought to gain freedom, then to remain whole, then to steal land from his family (the tribes and the New Mexico territories) and survive the fighting of the rest of the world. All that power he has gained and he caused his own mother's death with it, he's afraid of it happening again.."
"Papa, I-I still need him," Matt sobbed, hormones and stress coming together to kick him into a breakdown. "I'm selfish and disgusting because I know what he's been through a-and I still need him to feel safe..."
"I know.. But you're in no condition to go after him right now.. Just calm down a little then we'll go look ok?"
Matt just clung and cried, self hate digging a deep pit for his heart to sink into. Francis held him all the while.
He died down to sniffles eventually, but rather than get up to find Al, he just crawled into the nest, hugging Al's eggs into his chest. Francis sat with him petting gently.