Matt came down and joined them a little later, sneaking in and dropping the cubs on them. Al chuckles hugging one. Ro grinned in delight, snuggling as many as she could.
Though it did bring back the thought of them leaving again..
*You can always visit,* Matt patted his shoulder.
*Thanks.* Al smiles softly.
*I wouldn't keep them from you, honestly.* Matt smirked, flopping onto the couch.
Al grins wrapping an arm around him.
As soon as Matt sat, the cubs attacked. They piled on him, smothering him in a wave of fur. Al wiggled laughing. Catching small spots of brown among all the white. Al's cubs managed to wiggle through the mess to get to Al, happy little noises coming from them.
He smiles nuzzling them.
*Daddy!* A tiny voice blossomed in his head.
Al blinks in shock, looking down.
Kenai sat with his paws on Al's chest, grinning at him.
*..Hello?*
*Daddy!* he bounced excitedly.
Al chuckles, bubbly but bewildered at the same time. The cubs bounced excitedly.
*Matt did you hear that?!*
*What?* Matt turned to him, still fighting off his own litter.
*Kenai just talked!*
*No way!* Matt grinned. *Mine have been babbling, but no one's made a word yet!*
*But it was in my head..* he frowns curiously, *Like you are now..*
*I know. I think it's from Bear and Eagle..* Matt smiled warmly. *I think they're special...*
Al grins brightly, hugging his cub. Kenai snuggled close, licking his chin. Al chuckles softy, he'd have to tell Ivan when he got the chance, hopefully the riots wouldn't last long.
"You two are awful smiley," Molly smirked over at them. "What are you chatting about?"
"They can talk.."
"Really?!" both girls perked up instantly.
"Yeah."
"Why can't I hear them?" Ro asked.
"I guess we never did tell you.. Matt and I can talk to each other in our heads, apparently so can they."
"Oh..." Something else she was left out of...
Al frowns softly, he didn't mean to bum her out again..
"That's pretty cool," she offered, trying not to bring the mood down again.
*I think I messed up..* Al grips her hand gently. She squeezed back tightly.
*She's still trying to figure a lot of things out,* Matt assured him. *It's not your fault.*
"Anyway, um Molly could I talk to you for a sec?"
"Sure honey, what is it?"
Al stood asking to meet him outside.
She followed him out. "What's wrong?"
"I wanna talk about Ro.."
She pulled him into the kitchen. "Something on your mind again?"
"She's just gone through so much.. I know it's impossible for everything to go back to the way it was before, but if there's any chance we can give her something to hold onto maybe she'll handle things better.. I'm just not sure what we can do..
"If you had something specific in mind, I might be able to help you... As it stands, I can only recommend making sure she feels loved and wanted... Hopefully getting her into school will distract her just a little bit..."
"I-I dont know.. Just some piece of her old life that she can have back, It might make all these changes more manageable to her.. Her magic even, it's still there but it changed shape to something foreign to her."
Molly frowned softly, thinking. "If her magic is still there... Yes!" she grinned suddenly. "We can just change that back!"
"Really?!"
"Hell, sure we can! It's a long process, and it might be uncomfortable at times, I'll probably need Iain, but it's doable. Magic is pliable. If we put our minds to it, we could probably slowly shift eagle into a duck."
"I think he would kill you for that." Al chuckles hugging her tightly. "Thank you.."
Molly snuggled in for a moment. "You give the best hugs, y'know..." she hummed, pulling back. "Honestly, I just want Ro to be happy again. I don't know if we can bring her wings back, but we can give her her powers back."
Al smiles softly heading back to the den. Matt and let Ro curl into him, the cubs snuggling in where they could.
Al sat down again pulling her into a cuddly hug. She seemed a little surprised that he pulled her from Matt but hugged back quickly, least he let go. Al just grins brightly. Ro blushed softly, snuggling in.
Matt smirked quietly. *You gotta learn to share bro.*
*I know, I just think things are starting to go up now.*
*What did you ask Molly about?*
Al leans onto Matt, joining him into the huddle. *There might be a way to give her a little fairy magic back.*
*That's great!* Matt grinned, snuggling them both. The three huddle together happily. Molly smiled softly at them before seeking out her brother.
*Matt? How long till you leave..?*
*...Three days...*
Al rubs against his shoulder. *You'll be ok?*
*We'll be fine,* he assured him. *I'm going to miss you guys though...*
Al smiles softly.
*Keep me up to date on everything, okay?*
*Sure.*
He relaxed slightly, squishing them playfully. They settled together till late night. Ro drifted off between the twins, clinging to them both. Neither one felt inclined to move anyway.
Not until the cubs decided it was time to play. They bowled about the lounge, knocking things over. Al groans softly, he wasn't going to have anything left standing if this kept up.
*We can take then outside?*
*Yeah that'd be good...*
Matt wiggled up, herding the cubs towards the door. Al glanced to Ro. She just grumbled, cuddling into Al more.
Well he didn't have anywhere to be anyway.. She looked too peaceful to upset... Again... He settled back on the couch instead.
The room felt kind of empty now...
He hugged her, uneasiness settling in. Soon, even she wouldn't be there...
He'd be fine.. He's handled being alone before, shouldn't be to hard to get used to it again.. And he always had family just a phonecall away.
Al closed his eyes trying to dose off. The silence rested over him heavily. His dreams where filled with nothing but emptiness..
When he woke again, it was dark out and everyone was in bed. Ro sat staring up at him with tear-filled eyes, hands trembling on his shirt.
"What's wrong..?'
"I-I... My tummy hurts... I-I feel wet..."
Al frowns shifting up. There was definitely something sticky on the couch but it was hard to see in the dark..
"Come on let's get to the bathroom.."
She nodded softly, keeping hold of his shirt as she got up and waddled to the bathroom with him.
Al turns on the light as they came in. The back of her shorts were stained a nice dark red...
"Crap.."
"What is it?" she asked, trying not to panic.
"Um I should go wake Molly up.."
"O-okay..." she just wanted someone to tell her what was going on here! Al quickly took off to wake her, you could almost say he was fleeing.
Molly was sprawled across her bed in just t-shirt and undies, trying to get around the sticky nighttime heat. She snored softly, hair everywhere.
Al shook his head of the image and shook her franticly.
Molly snorted in shock as she spluttered awake. "What is it?! Someone broken in?"
"U-um R-ro kinda needs you.. S-shes in the bathroom.."
Molly frowned and got up. "If she okay?"
"Mostly..?"
She gave him an odd look before rushing off to the bathroom. Al just shuffles back to the hall awkwardly.
Molly swept out then back in again with clean clothes. She shut the door then started up the shower.
Al sighs rubbing his face.
What a time... Poor thing was scared out of her wits, waking up to that.
He slid down onto the floor hugging his knees.
Molly pottered out again with Ro's dirty clothes, set them in the wash then sat with Al. "Okay?"
"I guess?"
"She's washing off," Molly hummed, hugging him gently. "Bit of a scare but no real harm done. Except your couch maybe ..."
"I should probably clean that.."
"I can sort it," she offered. "Either way, Ro wants to help. She feels bad about this, it'll clear her conscience a bit."
"Alright."
She sat with him until the water stopped then went back in to Ro. Al took the moment to try and compose himself.
The girls came back after a few minutes, Ro jiffling uncomfortably.
"Hey.."
"All sorted," Molly hummed brightly when Ro just shrank in embarrassment.
Al tries to smile it off.
"Right," Molly yawned. "I'm knackered, so how about we all go to bed and worry about cleaning in the morning."
"Yeah.."
Ro nodded too. Molly wrapped an arm around her waist. "Sleep with me tonight? I'm jealous, I want someone to cuddle!" she was just teasing, but Ro turned scarlet.
Al smirks softly getting up off the floor. Molly tugged Ro off to her room, hugging Al on the way. Al watched them leave then shuffles off to his own room by himself.
Morning came far too soon by their standards. Al hadn't slept much, the bed felt awfully cold last night..
At least the couch was clean when he came down. Molly was curled up on it, sleeping with a bottle of cleaner in her lap. He smiles softly, moving off to make coffee.
The smell slowly roused the redhead. She looked around, disoriented and sleepy. Al had poured a cup and set it to the side for her while he made his own.
She shuffled through, hugging him before taking her cup and sniffing in the smell. "I love you, coffee..."
Al chuckles softly hopping up to sit on the counter.
"So it seems we have a lady in our midst," Molly hummed after drinking some coffee. "I honestly wasn't expecting that."
"Yeah... I think I might have panicked a little.."
"You were a wee bit out of your depth," she chuckled. "Lord forbid Arthur had been the one to handle it. He'd have passed out!"
He ducked into his cup shyly.
Molly just nudged him playfully, smiling brightly. Al smiles softly.
"I hear someone moving," she sang, giggling as the floorboards creaked. "Place your bets, who's it gonna be?!"
"My guess is a mass of bunnies.." he was still a little wary of getting run over..
She cocked her head then grinned. "I think you're right."
Almost as if summoned, all ten rabbits came thundering down the stairs, Arthur strolling behind them.
"Mornin."
He nodded, smiling warmly. "Lovely day for it."
"Coffee? There's still a little left."
"Don't mind if I do," he hummed, emptying the pot into another mug and adding sugar.
Al sat watching the bunnies hop around, he could almost say he got used to the thunder of little paws. Shame they'd be going soon...
His heart clinched a little but he shook it off.
He'd still have the nest. And probably Jules for a while. Not that he'd really seen the phoenix chick properly in a while. Gil never brought her down to socialize. Gil would probably stay as she most likely didn't trust anyone else just yet.
At least he wouldn't be totally alone then. Right not totally alone, just more alone than before.. Damn this was depressing...
Al tore his gaze away from the floor.
When he looked up, Ro wad stood in front of him in baggy pjs, looking tired.
"Oh, hey."
"Where's Molly...?"
"Right here honey," she hummed brightly, closing the fridge. "Does your tummy hurt again?"
Al glanced between them. Ro just nodded softly.
Molly tutted softly, handing her a bar of chocolate. "Go snuggle on the couch and eat that, I'll bring you something to help."
"...is it always going to be like this..?"
"Hard to say," she shrugged. "It could be because its her first and her body is still getting used to the changes."
"Oh.. Um.. I should.. Go feed my kids then.." This was just a little out of his range..
"I've got her," Molly just chuckled kindly. "Don't worry."
"Thanks." He smiles softly.
"Its fine," she busied herself by making a hot water bottle. "One second!"
Al slid off the counter back to the floor.
Molly popped out, settled Ro then bounced back. "Right! ...What were we talking about?"
"Uh I don't know?" Al heads to the fridge himself for bottles and meat.
She shrugged, heading back the way she came. "I'll sit with Ro then~!"
Al fixed up what he needed and went off to feed. He should probably eat something himself though..
He'd get his ass kicked about four times over if he didn't.
Eh, kids first.. The rest could wait.
A couple days passed in this happy lull, everyone pottering too and fro. Today however, was the day Al had been dreading...
Matt paced back and forth around the house, gathering bits and bobs and sorting everything he needed to before going north with the cubs.
Al had hardly let his own out of hand. Much to the chick's jealousy. And Kenai and Koda's annoyance. They wanted to get down and play.
Eventually Al relented and let them loose, it would be a long ride up north and it'd be best to let them burn out now.
They took off to the garden to join Matt's pack. Al sighs sitting on the back porch to watch.
"Room for one more?" Ro padded out onto the porch quietly, smiling softly. The last couple days had been tough for her, but she was settling into her changes now.
"Hey, you feeling better?"
"A little bit," she came and sat with him, leaning against his arm. "I think its stopped for now, Molly said it comes and goes..."
Al nods hugging her gently.
She snuggled in, humming contently for a moment. "...So... Do you feel a little better today? You were kinda grumpy yesterday..."
"I'm fine.. "
"If you're sure," she hugged him tight.
Al grins brightly hugging back.
"I'm gonna miss Mattie..."
"Me too.."
"Do you think he'll be okay...?"
"He'll be fine."
"I hope so..."
Al smiles petting her arm. She snuggled in, just enjoying it for a moment.
"It'll be fine.."
"Its all changing so fast again..." she muttered musingly. "It's kinda scary..."
"I know.. But sometimes change is a good thing.."
"...You're not going to change, are you..." she asked softly, big eyes pleading softly.
"No I'm not."
"Promise...?" she pouted, holding out her pinkie.
Al grins "Promise." He wraps his around hers.
She squeezed tight, nodding firmly. "Okay."
He smiles.
"So... I think Molly finally went mad..." Ro grinned. "She was putting tea in the fridge."
"Really?"
She nodded quickly. "The coffee pot too! I think her brain got too hot."
"Well she could always have made iced tea?"
"What's iced tea?" she frowned curiously.
"Ah that's a specialty of mine." He smiles. See it's usually made for hot days. It's a cold tea that is usually sweet or have fruit flavors added in. Some people even add lemon juice though I don't really like it that way myself.
"That sounds confusing," she whined. "Can't we just have warm tea with milk and sugar?"
"Because America has to be different." Al chuckles.
"You're strange," she teased, poking his side.
Al chuckles tickling her neck.
She whined, squirming away from him. "You know I hate that!"
Al grins.
"Bully," she pouted, hugging him again.
He smiles snuggling in. He was going to miss this.. Arthur already had a sneaking suspicion that his phone bill was going to suffer...
How long did they have anyway? The rabbits have been getting adventurous but the cat's had been content to stay indoors for now..
"Arthur said we need to go soon..." she muttered, almost as if reading his mind. "The rabbits are too big to live in a garden..."
"I'll miss you.."
"I'll miss you too..." she muttered, hugging tighter. "I don't wanna go..."
"It'll be ok.." He rubs her back.
"What if Arthur gets fed up with me...?"
"I doubt that could happen.. If he put up with my rebellious teenage years I'm sure he could manage with you."
"I get really moody and needy... I heard him say so before..."
"Yep that was me.. I didn't want to do anything he wanted me to."
"But I don't wanna make him mad..." she fretted. "He's helping me with so much, I don't want to upset him...!"
"Trust me you'll do fine. He's been through a lot, one more moody teenager isn't going to break him. He's had several already."
She hummed uncertainly. "Okay..."
Al smiles warmly hugging her. They just sat and cuddled for a while before a commotion from inside startled them out of their lull.
Al glanced up turning to look inside.
Gil was shouting, absolutely fuming. Matt was still trying to get ready to go, even with the angry albino tailing him. "I already told you Gil, the cubs need the cold."
"But a whole year?! What am I going to do without you?!"
"I don't know, but I need to go," they were both stressed. "I've been telling you for weeks now, so don't try and blame me!"
Gil whines latching onto the taller man's back. "But you pay attention to me.."
"Gil, everyone pays attention to you," Matt sighed. "It's really hard to ignore you..."
Not that Gil had problems making himself known, he was just paranoid about being forgotten. He was stable now as 'East Germany' but that didn't state his fears..
"Gil, seriously, just let go," Matt pushed at his arms. "I have a plane to catch and eight bears to get ready!"
The Prussians arms slid away, but he still didn't look happy about it.
Matt turned and kissed him strongly. "You'll be okay."
"You better come back.."
"I will... I couldn't stay away from you..."
Gil smiles sadly.
"Please don't fight..." Ro popped up beside them, reaching for a hand each. "I don't like when you're sad..."
Gil sighs softly. He was too much of a sucker for cute things..
"We're not fighting," Matt sighed, slipping out of her grasp. "Gil, go play with Ro, I'm sure she'll amuse you for hours."
"Alright.."
The duo stood, watching Matt sweep away to finish getting ready. Al stepped back out unable to watch. He sat with his nest watching the chicks stumble around.
"Al? Hey, there you are," Matt joined him outside a moment after. "I need your cubs."
"They're out there with yours.."
"Okay. Keep an eye on them while I get the crates?"
"Yeah."
Matt slipped off again, leaving him to mull over how little time he had left with the cubs. Al sighs watching them romp.
They didn't care... They were happy without him... So would the chicks eventually.. Then Ro..
*This is why we stay solitary,* Eagle's voice resonated solemnly through his thoughts.
*Doesn't make it hurt any less..*
*All young must fly someday,* he soothed. *Even the little robin you've grown so fond of.*
*I just don't like being left behind..*
*Then fly with them. The sky is big enough for all winged creatures.*
He smiles softly.
*I just wait for the day you befriend a hunter rather than prey...*
Al chuckles at that.
Eagle had his moments... He was like Scotland in a way. He did care, but didn't always feel a need to show it. Then again what did you expect from a raptor? Regardless, it was nice to have him around.