It started the minute everyone got to work.

Maria was gathering sticks for the bonfire while Striker went to help Joe with some new wood for the barn thanks to the latest flaming twister nearly tearing it apart last week. She'd just gathered a pretty good armful when she caught the boys' words.

"He seriously just gonna stand around all day?" Ash asked.

"What the hell does Millie see in him anyway?" added Sam.

"Beats the shit outta me."

"That little pussy shouldn't even be here!"

"No shit. How much you wanna bet one of the cattle's gonna eat him alive?"

"Ha! Now that I gotta see!"

Maria tried her best to keep out of it, but she had a pretty good idea they were talking about Moxxie. Ever since dinner last night, she'd grown quite fond of the four new faces, him especially. In fact, after eating, the two had engaged in a great conversation about their favorite music. She was delighted to hear he could play guitar just like daddy.

She glanced back in the direction Ash had been pointing, only to see Moxxie leaning back against a specific pen. Inside was a cow and her calf, about a week or two old, the two of them among the sweetest creatures in the entire ranch. All of a sudden, the calf clumsily made its way over to the imp and started licking his hand.

Moxxie yelped at the sudden touch but smiled warmly seeing who'd licked him. "Hey, little guy. Who are you?"

The calf nuzzled Moxxie's hand as he petted its head. He briefly glanced worriedly at its mother but the look in her eyes seemed to tell him it was okay.

Maria decided to set her load down and come over. She could still hear the boys' rude murmurs but was a bit relieved to get away before she could do anything crazy and risk getting in trouble.

"You made a new friend!" The cow stood up on hearing the impling's voice and walked right up to her. Maria smiled affectionately, petting her. "Hi, Bluebell!"

"Bluebell? That's a lovely name, ma'am." In response, Bluebell moved her head towards Moxxie and gave him a lick.

Maria couldn't resist giggling, "She likes you!"

"Well, I like her too. Both of them actually."

"Say, what's going on here?" Millie was just now walking up to them carrying a basket full of eggs. "Oh! I see Bluebell's got a little one! What's his name?"

Maria didn't get a chance to answer as, once again, the boys' rude remarks caught her hearing. They just kept on coming, talking about how stupid they thought he was; wimpy, pussy, little shit, faggot, "Millie deserves better"... all of it seemed to stab her in the heart. And the worst part, Moxxie was right there in front of them blissfully unaware of all these insults being thrown at him.

Stop it! Can't you see he's right here, easily able to hear you?! Stop making fun of him, please!

Before anyone realized it, she ran right up to Sam and pushed him to the ground.

"STOP IT!" she screamed, getting everyone else's attention. "Stop it, stop it, stop it!"

"Maria, what's goin' on?" Sallie May asked running up to her in concern, Lin following suit. "Are you okay?"

"No, I'm not okay!" Maria yelled then glared daggers at the boys, who were gaping at her in surprise. "How dare you?! You don't know him! You've never even bothered talking to him!"

"Maria, sweetie, try to calm down and we'll-" Lin tried to speak but Maria pulled away. "No, I won't calm down! Not till these... jerkfaces apologize to him!"

"Hang on a sec." Sam stood back up. "Are you talking about what we've been saying about... him?"

Moxxie smiled sheepishly when the boy pointed at him and all gazes were now in his direction. Millie caught on immediately and boy was she pissed!

"You guys got a lot of nerve saying shit like that!" she snapped marching up to them. "Now, I know y'all don't like the fact the fact that I married Moxxie! Don't think for a damn minute I don't hear you talkin' shit about him when ya think we're not listenin'!"

"Now, Millie, there's no need for-"

"Let me finish, ma!" Lin stopped at once so Millie could continue. "If you got something to say about us, you can take it up with me! But, like it or not, I married Moxxie because I love him just the way he is!" Moxxie blushed, touched and flattered. "And I never, and I mean never, fell for any other man the same way I fell for him! Nothing is gonna change my mind, you understand me?!"

For a moment, there was a stiff silence. Finally, Moxxie placed a hand on his wife's shoulder. "Millie... it's okay, really."

"No, Mox, it's not okay. They're being rude. Doesn't it bother you?"

"Well... maybe a little. But believe me, I've heard way worse than any of this." Millie could tell he was trying not to let his hurt feelings show. "As much as I would like your family to be a little nicer, they do have their opinions. And so do you two."

Maria flinched a little on being addressed. She felt herself shaking from her outburst and what it'd just caused.

"Oh please!" Ash blurted out. "Opinion or not, it don't change the fact that you're a wimpy little pussy faggot!"

Before, anyone else could utter a word, Maria's emotions took over once more. "Stop it! Weren't you listening to me? No one cares about your stupid opinions! Just stop making fun of him! NOW!"

"Maria, that's no way to talk to your elders!" Lin scolded. "Your daddy taught you better than that!"

"Yeah, but he also taught me it's wrong to say bad things!" Maria's eyes filled with angry tears as she screamed. "Miss Millie's right! She loves him and he loves her! But all you're doing is being mean to him! You all better start liking him or... or... I'LL NEVER SPEAK TO YOU AGAIN!"

With that, she ran inside the house, slamming the front door.

"What's the matter with her?" Blitz asked just now approaching.

"It's nothing to worry about." Lin spoke up. "Just a little tension between her and the boys, but she'll calm down... hopefully."

"What?! Ma, are you hearing yourself?" Millie asked in shock. "She had every right to be upset! Especially after what ya just did back there!"

"Mildred! There's no need for anymore yellin' and screamin'! And that goes for all of you!"

"NO!" Everyone's attention turned to Moxxie, who was now red (or maybe redder) in face. "She's right! That girl did every right to be upset! Look, I'm aware that I'm not a strong, beefy dickhead, but I do love Millie with all my heart!" Millie gave her husband both thumbs up as he kept talking. "You have no idea what kind of shit I've been through before I met her! And let me tell you, that was the best day of my life! If you think for one minute any of your insults and condescending is gonna drive me away from her, well shame on you!"

"Aww, Moxxie, look at you!" Blitz baby-talked with googly eyes. "Speeching like a big boy with his big pants!"

Moxxie's bold demeanor suddenly vanished as Joe was now walking up to him. For a split second, he thought his father-in-law was gonna kill him. Instead, Joe placed a hand on his shoulder and he looked... rather impressed.

"That's some mighty big talk comin' from you of all demons. I gotta admit, I sure wasn't expectin' somethin' like this from ya. Maybe there's a good reason you found our Millie after all."

"You... really think so... sir?"

"Sure, boy." He leans down and whispers in his ear. "Just do yourself a favor and try not to die in the games. One year, we had some contestants eatin' each other alive."

Moxxie went pale as everyone else, save for his wife and boss, left.

"Bet you're starting to regret jumping in fast now, huh, fatty?" Loona snarked.

"Well, if it means anything, at least he's right about one thing." Millie spoke up giving him a kiss on the cheek. "There is a good reason you and me found each other."

"Y-y-yeah, I-I-I guess there is." Moxxie blushed once more. "Anyway, how does Titan sound for the little guy?"

The calf mooing in the background settled that right away.

No one ever noticed a certain cowboy watching the whole thing before slipping inside the house himself.