The next morning
Bucky came to awareness and he yawned. He moved to get up but paused when he felt something tighten around his waist from behind. He looked down to see Phoenix's arms around his middle. His heart clenched a little. He had given her the space she wanted and had been unsure if he would ever feel close to her again. But sometime in the night, Phoenix had come to him. One hand rested on his chest while the other cushioned his neck. He could feel her chest pressed to his back. Bucky was taken back to that winter night in the mountains when he came clean about his love for her. He smiled gently to himself before slowly extraditing himself from her arms. Phoenix sleepily shifted onto her back and sighed. Bucky sat up and watched her for a moment. She eventually turned onto her opposite side and he looked at her back. He found himself wondering how the wound looked in her true form.
Sighing, Bucky leaned over and kissed her shoulder before getting out of bed. He headed out to the kitchen after watching Alpine take his place on the bed. He opened the fridge but paused. He wasn't alone but the presence he felt was familiar. He straightened up and looked over his shoulder. Standing in his living room was Queen Allianna. She was smiling gently, hands folded in front of her. Like the last time he saw her in a human form, the black veins spiderwebbing across her skin weren't immediately noticed but were thrown into sharp relief when he became less distracted by her inhuman beauty. There was only one reason why she would be there. Bucky would never understand it but facing her was scarier than it had been facing Seiryu. "I suppose you're here to tell me that I'm a bad influence," he sighed, coming into the living room and sitting on the couch.
"Not at all. I just wanted to see how you're holding up," Allianna responded. Bucky leaned back, looking up at the ceiling. "He told you everything?" he asked. The Queen just nodded, remaining standing where she was. Bucky looked at her before it hit him that he was being rude. "Sorry. Please sit," he said, motioning at his chair. Allianna smiled a bit before doing so. She smoothed out her dress and studied him. "Let me start off by saying you weren't wrong in anything you did after the fact, James. Leaving her where she was was the best choice for both of you. It allowed you both to have time and space away from each other. Believe me, if you had stayed, you would've grown to resent her. Never think you were wrong to leave. You honestly don't need me to tell you this," she said.
"Phoenix was in a very bad way, though. And she's sick now," Bucky said. "And how much worse would that have been if you had stayed?" Allianna countered. The man looked at her and the Queen leaned forward a bit. "Much like His Majesty, Seiryu High King, I can only be a third party to this whole situation. Believe me, I wish I could do more for Phoenix as a mother but I can't. I carried and gave birth to her…but thanks to her creator, that was the extent of it. I was robbed, both by station and circumstance, of my right to raise her. But all that aside, I know enough of the situation to look at it objectively. I know you wish you had stayed to support her but trust me, it was better that you didn't. Phoenix was going to suffer either way and you were in no shape to be of any help to her or to yourself. That's just fact," she said.
Bucky knew she was right. Allianna was roughly 200 years old now. She knew a thing or two. "Now, James, is there anything you want to get off your chest? I can tell there's an undercurrent of negative emotion. I'm here to listen," the Queen then said. The White Wolf looked down at his folded hands. He then leaned to the side and opened a drawer in his side table. He pulled out a handkerchief before standing up and unwrapping the object in it. Allianna saw it was a broken turtledove figurine. "I got a pair of these for Nix this past Christmas. When I got home, I ended up losing my temper and I broke her half of the pair. I haven't had the courage to tell her yet because I'm afraid of how she'll take it," he said.
Allianna smiled before setting her hands on his. "I can see why. Turtledoves are symbols of love and friendship. You believe she'll take this as a sign your relationship is broken forever," she pondered. Bucky nodded a bit before kneeling down. "That's not my only source of shame. I've only told this to one person but there was a moment when I considered hurting her back. You probably can guess how," he said, not looking the Queen in the eye. Allianna draped the corners of the handkerchief over the shattered bird before setting a hand on Bucky's face to make her look at him. "Say no more. This is something you need to talk about with her," she said, kindly. She gently got him to sit on the floor. "I probably don't have to tell you this is why pairings between humans and humanshifting animals like us rarely work out. We both live in very different worlds and cultures. And this is just in All World. You and Phoenix have the added difficulty of being from two different planets entirely," she said.
Bucky looked down but a hand under his chin made him meet her violet eyes. "But all that aside, the two of you have worked out well until now and I can tell you still love her. You haven't let what she is stop you and I commend you for that. I've been rooting for you two this whole time because I want my daughter to have a better life than I have," Allianna said before raising her hand to look at the Taint. "The fact she is with you is what gives her a better chance than me. I have no prospects, no hope for any more foals, and I have decisions to make that none of my ancestors ever had to make. If it weren't for Tempest…," she trailed off. "No prospects, huh?" Bucky ventured. He found that hard to believe. Taint and sterility aside, Allianna was a catch.
"Most of this is, admittedly, political in nature. It is what it is and I'm at peace with that. I choose to rule alone. Having a King to rule beside me would be ideal but I have to consider the possibility of what could happen should I die first. The Unicorn Nation started with my most ancient ancestors, the First Queen and King Macedon. It's only right their house ends with me. Sadly, the fact I was taken in by an illusion means it's difficult for me to trust anyone. Besides…there's only one stallion I would trust to be my King. However, the Nation would never accept him in such a role," Allianna explained. She then smiled serenely before ruffling Bucky's hair. "I have many years left in me. Things will work out," she said. Allianna looked towards the hall leading to Bucky's room. She assumed that was where Phoenix was resting now. "James…," she paused before looking back at him. "Please tell me your truth. Are you happy with her still? Were you happy with her before all this?" she asked.
Bucky studied the Queen for a moment. "I am happy. Nix was one of the best things that ever happened to me. And it started because she found me. Despite this bump in the road, I don't want to give up on her," he said. Allianna smiled gently. "Then my heart is at ease," she sighed. Their talk was interrupted by an exclamation of shock and the oddly loud meows of a very annoyed kitten. Exchanging a look, the Queen and the White Wolf headed down the short hall to the bedroom. They blinked when they saw Phoenix sitting up in bed, sheets to her chin and looking a bit stunned. Her hair had seemingly exploded in length and Alpine was trying to escape, kicking up a fuss. Phoenix came out of her stupor to see her visitors and her face went red.
"What happened?" Bucky asked. "I, er…don't know? I was, um, I was listening and suddenly, it was like my magic went into overdrive and next thing I knew, my hair…," she trailed off, motioning at her tresses. Allianna came into the room and gently soothed Alpine enough to extradite her from her daughter's hair. The kitten jumped up onto the dresser where her bed was and started grooming in agitation. The Queen then placed her hand on Phoenix's forehead. "James told me you were sick on top of recovering from your ordeal. You feel normal to me now. Your magic probably caused this because it suddenly lost an outlet," she explained. She had Phoenix lean forward and looked at her back. "Your injury is still healing but that won't take much magic. Your illness must've been more severe than you thought," she said. The Queen then started gathering up her daughter's hair so no one stepped on it. If Phoenix were standing, her hair would've been down to the floor with an extra two feet of length.
Bucky's stupor over the situation quickly turned to embarrassment. Phoenix was in his bed without a shirt on and her mother was right there. The unicorn in question seemed to sense the ball of nerves still in the doorway and she looked at him. She just gave him a kind smile but said nothing about how awkward this was to him and only him. "So what now?" Bucky asked, clearing his throat. "I can cut this. James, how about you tell me how you want this done," Allianna responded. "Right. Let's see," Bucky said, moving to the closet. He pulled out an old fitted sheet. "We can use this to hold the cut hair. It'll keep the floor clean and we'll decide what to do about it. I'll get some scissors," he said, handing the sheet off to the Queen and heading for the kitchen. Phoenix's eyes slid over to her mother before she sighed, letting a top reform over her so she could put Bucky at ease.
"Did I make a mistake being with him?" she asked morosely. Allianna brushed some hair behind her ear. "I refuse to believe so. Relationships are hard but I'm proud of you both for making this work. James told me he doesn't want this to end. But you know all that. You were listening for a while," she said, with a knowing smile. She kissed her daughter on the forehead. "Things will get better. You'll see," she said. Bucky walked in with scissors and handed them to the Queen. Allianna hummed in appreciation as she tested them out. "Do you have anything like this in All World?" he asked. "I'm sure something similar exists there. It would just be something the humans would use. Unicorns have their own methods," she said. She then looked at Bucky. "Let's do this in your living room. It would be better if Phoenix were in true form for this," she said.
Bucky and Phoenix looked at each other. "What difference does it make?" he then asked. "No real difference. It's just how it's done whenever a unicorn needs a mane-cut," Allianna shrugged. Bucky just pursed his lips before shrugging with a nod. He took the fitted sheet while Allianna helped Phoenix out of bed before taking hold of her hair. Bucky set the sheet on the floor and spread it out. Phoenix shifted back and in spite of himself, Bucky just whistled in appreciation of her true self. He could see why it was easier to do the cut as she was now. Her mane was naturally cropped in this form but because her excess magic was no longer fighting an illness, it used her mane as an outlet. Quite frankly, it didn't look right on her. The cropped look was clean. The long mane she had now interfered with her horns and being down to the floor was a hazard. Bucky had seen the Queen in her true form. The longest of her mane tips were down to the fetlocks. Super long but not hazard-long.
"We'll have to do this in stages. There's too much," Allianna said, getting to work. She pulled Phoenix's mane to one side and started to feel up near where the normal crop was. Bucky looked at Phoenix's scales. He noticed the discoloration and warping and he felt his heart sink. He caught her eye and she mouthed she was sorry while her mother was occupied with her hair project. He just gave her an encouraging smile. The Queen then started to cut. Because of the sheer length of the mane, she could only cut six inches at a time to make sure it was even. Allianna even cracked a joke that at least Phoenix only had a mane. If she had a regular horsehair tail, this would take even longer. As it were, it was likely going to take most of the morning and afternoon.
About twenty minutes into it, the Queen paused for a small break. She looked over at Bucky sitting in his chair. "If you want to find something to do, James, go ahead. This must be boring for you," she suggested. "It's fine. I'm actually finding this interesting. I never would've pegged you as knowing how to do this, if it's not too bold to say," he responded. They both caught the small smile Phoenix pulled. She was standing quietly with her eyes closed, periodically shifting her weight on her hooves. "It's a skill all foals in my Nation learn once they're old enough to shift. A healthy mane and tail are essential for a unicorn's well-being and it's always best for someone else to do things like this to minimize mistakes. Different herds have different signature mane- and tail styles. Tempest, for instance, once resided in the Elder Forest herd and their signature style was cropped manes for their colts and stallions. By the time he came to my forest, his mane had grown wild and unkempt. When he decided to live there full-time, he kept it long but in a basic style. I was the one to care for his hair for reasons," Allianna explained.
"I'm curious why Nix's mane is cropped like a zebra's," Bucky then mused. "It's likely because of the alchemical process that created me. All foals are born with manes like this that grow out as we grow up. Mine never did so the cropped look is natural to me. As for why it grows out when I become a human, it could be because of the inherent magic in me," Phoenix piped up. Bucky chuckled. "You never gave much thought to it, have you?" he asked. "Not really, no. It was just normal," she responded. Allianna cut off another six inches before pausing. "I need a break," she said, setting the scissors down. Phoenix shook her body out and shifted her weight. Her tail twitched. Allianna gave Bucky a pointed look. The White Wolf knew what she was telling him. Getting up, Bucky picked up the handkerchief the figurine was wrapped in.
"Nix, I have a couple of confessions to make," he admitted. Phoenix looked at him, patiently. Bucky unwrapped the turtledove and watched her look at it. "This was your half of the pair. I, uh, kind of lost it when I came home after everything went down. The guilt of breaking this ate me up and I was afraid to tell you because I was afraid of how you would interpret it," he explained. Phoenix was quiet before she closed her eyes, a smile tugging at her muzzle. She leaned her head to his chest. "It's okay. We can fix it. I have to believe that," she said quietly. Bucky felt Allianna take the bird from him but it never occurred to him that she was still in the room. It was just him and Phoenix. "My other confession is worse, to be honest. This whole thing started because I was careless in admitting that I would like to make love to you. About a day or two after I came home…I wanted…," he came to a halt. He felt a lump in his throat.
Phoenix felt her heart pounding. She somehow knew what he was getting at but she needed to hear it. Bucky took her by the horns. "I wanted to hurt you back. Had a number. Just had to hit the dial button…and I could've had a woman in my bed anytime. But I didn't. I couldn't do it. Felt like trash for days. I still do, Nix. I wanted to hurt you in the way you hurt yourself over," he explained. The chimera could tell the confession took a toll on him. She couldn't feel it but visually speaking, his grip on her horns was tighter than it had been and he was falling apart internally. Hearing it did hurt but at the same time, hearing that he resisted the temptation was more uplifting than she imagined. Bucky had every reason and opportunity to hurt her where it counted but he didn't. She wordlessly pressed her nose to his stomach.
Allianna sat quietly, a gentle smile on her face as she watched her daughter and the human she loved grow closer. They didn't see it yet but she could. James admitted to a serious temptation. That wasn't easy for humans. The Queen found humans to be a self-centered species but she didn't judge them for it. If anything, she pitied them. After all, the Enemy preyed on that self-centeredness and caused the Downfall by doing so. She and her daughter only had a 40-year-long relationship but it pleased the Queen to know Phoenix had inherited her heart and compassion for others. She could tell Phoenix was understandably hurt by what James had intended to do but at the same time, she seemed relieved that he never gave in.
"I'm sorry, Nix," Bucky said after a moment. "It's okay. I'm grateful your restraint prevailed at a time when you would've been justified in doing something for yourself when I can't," Phoenix responded. "There would've been no justification there, Nix. I know you don't see things the same as I do but this is one time where I need you to see things from a human perspective. If I gave in, then I would have to shoulder the fact that I cheated on you for revenge. If I gave in, then John Walker would've been right. I would've thrown you away for someone "better", no matter how temporary it would've been," he explained. Phoenix looked away for a moment. "He's right, you know," Allianna spoke up. Bucky jumped a bit. He had completely forgotten she was there and he had a sneaking suspicion it wasn't just because of the conversation. They looked at her. Allianna just sat serenely on the chair.
"Phoenix, you're a rarity among both your kind and among humanshifters in general. The ability was inherent in you from the start but it took a curse from the Enemy and a counter-curse from His Majesty Seiryu for you to actually use the magic involved. This isn't a strike against you but since you weren't socially integrated with humans the way some of us are, due to station like myself or through mutually beneficial arrangements, you lack some understanding of how humans work and see the world. This is why I approve of your relationship with James. He's teaching you about human culture and is the best one to do so. While it's true that herd animals like us don't view relationships the same way, he's one of those humans for whom monogamy is the only way. Learn from him. From what I understand, you've gained enough human understanding that you went to drastic measures just trying to be one," she explained.
Phoenix exchanged a look with Bucky. "That…wasn't the only reason I tried, Mother. I don't want a life after him…," she trailed off quietly. Allianna stood up and took her daughter's head in hand. "That sentiment rings true for everyone who loves another. But as hard as it is to accept, we all die alone and one will usually pass before the other. You're going to live a long time compared to James. But consider the opposite question. What if you die before he does? I'm sure he doesn't want a life after you either. You should both come to terms with that. Make the best of your time together, whether it ends in either of your deaths or if you decide to part ways sooner. I'll repeat what Seiryu High King has said: it's not easy to love a human. Now you both know why," the Queen said.
Bucky found himself in awe of her wisdom. She brought at least two centuries of experience to the table. Allianna looked at him and cupped his face in her hand. "Thank you for everything you've done for Phoenix so far, James. I rest easy knowing she's in good hands," she said. The White Wolf looked down bashfully. He let the Queen usher him into a seat so she could continue cutting Phoenix's mane down. He was grateful she was keeping the floor free of hair and he was grateful he had her vote of confidence. He caught Phoenix's eye and saw she was looking a little sad. He gave her an encouraging smile but maintained his peace.
It took several hours of careful cuts and occasional breaks before Allianna finally got Phoenix's mane back to its normal cropped length. The fitted sheet was full of her cut mane. Bucky whistled in appreciation. Allianna brushed Phoenix's neck clear of any other hair before she knelt down by the fitted sheet. Phoenix and Bucky watched her gather a small amount in a small bundle. The Queen used a loose thread from her dress to tie it together at one end and started braiding it before tying it off at the top. She then stood up and held it out to Bucky. "What's this?" he asked before taking it. "Consider it a gift. Let it remind you both that your bond is strong. Much like a rope is made of many strands and each strand adds to the strength of the rope, your bond is one of the strongest I've seen," she said with a smile.
Later that evening, after the Queen returned to All World, Bucky sat next to Phoenix on the couch. They sat quietly, watching Alpine eat her dinner. The White Wolf reached over and took her hand. Phoenix met his gaze and he gave her a small smile. "Let's fix the bird together, Nix. Let's fix it and continue to make this work," he said. Phoenix said nothing and just went with her next thought. She moved closer and kissed him. Bucky responded with no hesitation. Phoenix gently pushed him down onto his back and straddled his waist. His arms held her to him. He broke from her lips but started to kiss her neck, her fingers closing on his shirt. Bucky eventually raised her eyes to meet his. "I love you, Nix. In spite of what we are, what was done, and knowing I'm going to age without you, that will never change. I know you need time to come to terms with that but it's my hope that you look at what we have and that it's enough," he said.
Phoenix felt a couple of tears fall from her eyes. "I don't want you to age without me," she said. Bucky brought her head down to rest on his chest. "We'll be okay. One day at a time. There's no point in worrying about the future," he responded. Bucky rubbed her back a bit before sitting up, helping her off. He led her to the table and they sat down. The broken turtledove figurine sat in full view. Bucky got some ceramic glue and picked up the bird's body and the broken wing. Phoenix watched him carefully and lovingly glue the pieces together. When he was done, the turtledove figurine sat on the table. The cracks were still visible but they didn't detract from it much. "This bird is now fixed. Let's do the same for our bond, Nix," he said. Bucky then stood up and took Phoenix's hand. He pulled her to her feet and into his arms. "Come to bed with me, Nix. I want you with me," he whispered. Phoenix's eyes slid shut and she nodded. Bucky walked her to the bedroom and they changed clothes before getting under the covers. They said nothing more as they drifted off to sleep.