Chapter 1: How You Found Me
Summary:
Big thanks to Arkin for the cover art! Go follow him on his socials!
Chapter Text
Febuary, 201M2014 B.C.
As the remaining ember of my cigarette dies off, I drop it on the ground and stamp it out with my high top.
Reaching into my uniform pocket past my phone, lighter, and pack of cigarettes, I grab my name tag that I stashed away before coming out here.
Pulling it out, I look at it and sigh.
June Arno
Receptionist
This is where my life has gotten me for the past couple of years after I finished high school; I have just been drifting through life. I attended college, did what was expected of me, went through the motions, and whatnot…
Only to end up a gym receptionist.
What a fucking joke.
You live with your parents because you can’t make ends meet on your own, you smoke, drink, and party at mixers because you are a lonely bitch… and that lands you where? At a dead-end job.
Fuck me.
I wish I had time for another smoke; I hate feeling like this.
Time to get back to work. Time to be a fake bitch and give my most plastic expression. Whatever it takes to get through the day, honestly. Just so I can do the same thing all over again tomorrow.
And the next day, and the next day…
Why can’t I have what August has? She meets a good guy in college, and now they’re getting married! And here I am, still single and wasting my life away in this–
“Miss?” A voice interrupts my thoughts. Ah shit, someone’s here to check in. Right, work. Work work.
Smile. Be polite. And don’t show any–
–Weakness?
My eyes trace the slab of meat right in front of me as I lose myself for a moment. He's human, looks to be in the best shape of his life, and I’ve never seen him here before.
Must be new, I guess.
“W-Welcome to Silver’s Gym, how can I help you?” Crap, I stuttered a bit.
He’s sculpted like a Greek god with short brown hair and hazel eyes. I didn’t think human eyes could look like that.
His smile is warm as it spreads across his face. “Yes, I’d like to sign up for a gym membership here. My trainer recommended this place to me.”
My wings twitch a little as I focus on the task at hand. “Ah, I see. Well, you’ll have to fill out this form for me if you can.” I reach over into the stack of papers in the bin marked ‘New Memberships’ and pull a sheet out, attach it to a clipboard, and place a pen on top. “Fill this out and return it, then we can get you in there. Don’t worry about paying today.We are currently running a promotion for a one-month trial for gym membership, but we will need a credit card on file just in case.”
Well rehearsed, well done. Duh, I’ve been doing this forever now. I’d hope I’d be good at it.
Remember June, your job is to sell gym memberships and answer customer questions. Nothing else.
But seriously, what’s a human doing here? This gym is mostly saurian with saurian-rated equipment! Can he handle that? If he can’t, then I might not see him again. Last thing I need to deal with right now is another accident, or Raptor Jesus forbid, a fatality.
The man in front of me hands back the clipboard, completely filled out, and with his debit card on top. Damn, that was quick.
“Let me enter this into the system, and then I’ll print you out a card, okay?”
He nods and smiles once again. “Of course. Thank you.” As I type the guy’s information into the computer, my gaze flicks to the second monitor on my desk that was showing the security cameras. I can’t help but glance at the angle that’s showing his backside.
Hmm. Not bad.
Not that I ever really paid much attention to humans. He’s got a pretty decent face.
Okay, maybe even cute.
Oh my God, please don’t let this guy see my tail wag. That smile of his is infectious.
Focus, damn it! Type this information into the system and get him his card. I bet he doesn’t want to wait to get into the gym. Besides, these guys are all about their ‘rountie’ and crap. The last thing I want to do is get him angry and lose my jo-
He leans onto the counter, sipping his pre-workout as he surveys the gym, derailing the mental train in my mind and killing dozens.
“Not many humans here, huh?” He muses to me or maybe to himself.
“U-Uh, no. Not really.You’d be the first we’ve had in a while.” I chatter back as I try and type his name into the system for what feels like the millionth time now.
Daniel Jacobs
That name sounds familiar; I feel like I’ve heard it somewhere before. Oh, he’s around my age too, only a year younger than me.
I wonder if he can smell the cigarette smoke on me? Am I staring too much? I should look away. Look at the computer. Fuck, why am I so self-conscious all of the sudden?!
“A lot of the gyms here in Volcaldera seem to be mostly for saurians, the only places that I’ve seen that have human-rated equipment are the ones in Skin Row…” He trails off, the smile fading from his face. I briefly pause in my typing, flicking my gaze up at him.
Skin Row? I’ve only been there a couple of times, and it’s never good. It’s a hellhole shit-heap of a slum where the city dumps its vagrants and undesirables.
If it were not for my parents, I would have ended up in that terrible place.
If only that worthless pig commissioner Aaron would do something about the crime there, maybe it’d be a nicer place.
But everyone knows he never will and Skin Row will remain ugly, at least until another meteor comes to fix it.
Ugh. Asshole. He makes all pterodactyls look bad.
I bet his kids sure love him.
“It must be difficult for you to find a gym then.” I nonchalantly shoot off as I finally finish typing the last of his information in, moving onto the credit card.
He shrugs. “Somewhat? I have a place where I train during the season. But right now it’s off-season, so I figured I would give this place a shot.”
I hum as I finish entering the last of the credit card information and print out the membership card. “Well,” I muse as I hand him his membership card, "I hope you enjoy the gym, and if you have any questions, feel free to ask me or any of the other staff here.”
The human smiles and nods, adjusting the gym bag on his massive shoulders. “Thank you, and have a great day, Miss.”
“You too.”
He walks into the gym and disappears among the sea of sweaty meatheads and squat queens. I lean into the desk and sigh.
I’ll be honest, that’s the most I’ve ever talked to anyone here besides my co-workers. Something about that guy seemed okay, like, he was so easy to talk to. He seemed like a real person and not just another walking sack of muscle and hormones.
That’s not to say he isn’t also built like a shit brickhouse; I mean, holy hell, he could give some of the resident creatine-chuggers here a run for their money.
I wonder if I’ll see him again. He’s human, after all. They always come, but never stay committed after the free trials.
…
I kind of hope he comes back.
It’s been weeks since I first met Daniel. He didn’t come as many times that first week, but sure enough, right when I thought he’d disappear like I was thinking, his attendance picked up a more regular cadence. After that, he’d come in almost every other day on the regular, three to four times a week.
Always around the same time, too. It seemed like he was coming in when I was here.
Honestly, it was nice. I never imagined a human would stick with it at a saurian gym, but here he was proving me wrong.
We’d always talk a little when he scanned himself in; never anything crazy, just idle chatter about the weather or other small talk.
By the third week, he started addressing me by my first name. What a boy scout!
It’s kinda cute.
Oh my God June, get your head out of the clouds and just focus on work.
One month in, and I was starting to run into an issue: Daniel was on my mind constantly. It almost felt unhealthy how much I thought about him.
Every time I saw him, he was either smiling at me, making small talk, or doing both.
Soon enough, we started to become more like friends, moving past that awkward near-acquaintance phase of things.
We hadn’t gotten drinks together or anything like that yet, but he had invited me to come work out with him when I wasn’t on the clock. Through our mutual interest in fitness, I got to learn more about the human who just waltzed into my life all those days ago. As it turns out, he goes to the same college I do and is a professional lifter. The latter makes his choice of this mostly saurian-rated gym seem far more reasonable.
Seriously though, he goes to the same college too? What are the chances?!
Looking up his name on Gruugle also yielded some rather interesting results from past local strongman competitions.
Best physique for his weight class?
Quickest time on stone incline push?
Deadlifts?
B-Boulder toss?!
I don’t know what some of these things are, but they all sound quite heavy. Apparently, he’s a high performer for his weight class, especially for a human competing against saurians.
Nearly all these photos show his face clearly, and it's hard not to recognize it or that body of his either.
That and his damn smile.
Damn it, tail, stop it!
Close the tabs. Gah! Why can’t I stop thinking about him? What is wrong with me?! Why the hell do I have a crush on a skinnie!?
Eugh , that word makes my mouth bitter. Daniel definitely isn’t one, stop calling him that.
I’ll be damned if I said I didn’t like how I feel about him. Maybe today I’ll pull a page out of my mom’s playbook and tease him a little. It’s how she managed to bag my dad, after all.
But do I want this? Me? Having a crush on a human? What would Mom say? Or Dad?
Why do I give a shit? Just roll with it, June.
Oh, he’s here. 4PM, like clockwork.
As soon as he locks eyes with me, he’s smiling. I can’t help myself from smiling back as I summon the willpower to prevent my tail from wagging at the sight of him.
He pulls out his membership card and puts it to the scanner. “Hey June, how are you doing today?”
“Good, how about you, Danny?”
That makes him pause, a faint blush dusting his cheeks for a mere moment only makes me feel more confident and smug as I hold back the urge to giggle at the dork in front of me.
“G-Great, thanks for asking.”
Oh God, I can’t help it, I just wanna tease this guy!
With a smug look, I lean into the desk with my elbows and rest my snoot in my hands as I smile at him. “I swear, it’s like you’re coming to this gym just to see me or something.”
The nervousness on his face disappears as he looks at me and smiles.
“I am. What about it, June?”
*FWOOMP!*
My body responds faster than my brain is able to process his words. My wings shoot out to full extension.
Goddamn it.
I just popped a wing boner for the first time since I was a teenager; I’ve never felt so embarrassed in my life as I blush from tail to snoot.
I had fallen head over heels for him right then and there, and now he knew it.
…
“Hahahaha! He said that?!” My best friend, August says as she pours me another glass of water.
“Yes!” I hissed. “God, I don’t know what to do; I’ve never felt this way about anyone before!”
Her fiance, Jason, peeks over from the kitchen. “Did he take you out to dinner after that?”
“YES!” I groan loudly. “And it was wonderful…”
He chuckles as he walks in with a platter full of snacks. “It sounds like it wasn’t a bad thing.”
“It wasn’t! I just–ugh, I don’t know. I’ve never experienced this, this feeling of… love? Admiration? Desire?”
“Yep, you’re down bad for him, Junie.” My ptero best friend says as she leans into the table with a smug grin.
“Nothing wrong with that, it’s how I felt when I first met August.” The parasaur says while munching on an egg sandwich.
“Implying you aren’t still simping for me to this day, dear?” She banters back with a wink. Jason rolls his eyes.
“Still… he’s a human and I’m a ptero. What would my parents think?”
“June,” August begins with a suddenly serious expression. “It doesn’t matter if he’s a human. What matters is how you feel about him.” She prompts me further. “First and foremost, what do you think of him?”
I tap my fingers together. “I like how he looks at me, his smile… his calm and loving demeanor. When I talk, he actually, like, really listens. He has a lot of patience with me, and just seems to know the right things to say to make me feel better. I don’t care what my parents or what anyone else thinks of humans… Daniel is different, he’s special.”
She smiles. “Then there you go; you just need to be honest with your family about him when the time is right. I know your parents, girl. And I know they’ll come to like him.”
“You think so?”
“I know so, just look at Jason and tell me.”
He shrugs. “Our parents are like best friends now, despite me being a herbie and August being a carnivore.”
“We make it work because we love each other, that and we don’t give a flying fuck what society or anyone else thinks.” She states, lightly pounding her fist on the table.
“Love who you wanna love. Date who you wanna date. It’s simple, yet not everyone sees it that way.” He continues.
Is it really that simple? Because in reality, it almost feels complicated. Even saurian-on-saurian dating can be complicated. That’s why some people stick to dating their own species.
“Thanks, you two. It helps a lot.”
“No problem, Junie. That’s what friends are for.” She taps her wing against mine. “But that being said, we’re talking about this guy and we don’t even know what he looks like!”
“Yeah, do you have a picture of you two together or something?” The parasaur asks.
I pull out my phone and pull up a selfie we took together on our first date.
The couple stares at the picture for a few moments in bewilderment and then looks up at me with the same surprised expression.
“Does he eat other humans to look like that?” My best friend asks me nervously.
“He looks like he could arm wrestle Principal Spears at Volcano High and make him sweat. Raptor Jesus…” Her fiance says with the same tone, his last words trailing off in a whisper.
Do I tell them that Daniel can lift me onto his shoulder with a single arm? Or how much I think how it would feel to have him hoist me overhead like those particularly racy videos of caveman actors and saurian girls?
No, probably not. That's something I haven't even told Daniel about, though Raptor Jesus, I want to come clean to him about that one eventually.
A sense of accomplishment and pride makes me feel incredibly smug as I giggle.
“And he’s all mine.”
I’ve been dating Daniel for around six months now. And honestly? It’s been amazing.
He’s been a solid rock in my life—in more ways than one—supporting me and making me feel loved and appreciated. It’s something I never thought I desired before I had him in my life.
Who knew that just a single person could change everything?
I feel like I have a more clear path forward in life now. With his support, I’ve even been able to start kicking some of my worst habits; I’ve given up smoking, and have been able to moderate my drinking. I’ll only drink with him. Helps keep me more honest with myself that way.
The smoking part was pretty difficult, but thankfully he was there to help me through the worst of it.
Work is now something I look forward to because Daniel comes to visit me. Soon, I’ll be seeing him compete in the Arnold competition that’s coming up in the next few months. He’ll be up there with some giants, for sure.
Even if he doesn’t win, watching him chase and achieve his dreams makes me incredibly happy.
It’s my day off today, so I wonder what we’ll–
*Buzzzz*
*Buzzzz*
My thoughts are cut short as my phone buzzes with an incoming call alert. Wonder who that is?
My eyes widened at the caller ID and I picked up immediately. “Hey, Danny? You alright?”
If I know anything about this man, he doesn’t call without texting me first.
An uncharacteristic shakiness in his voice that’s apparent even over the phone makes my feathers stand on end. “Hey June. You free right now? C-Can I come over?”
“What’s going on?” I ask calmly.
“I just… I really need to see you right now. Please. Where are you?”
“I’m at my house. Come on over, I’ll be waiting for you.”
“Thank you, love.”
“Be safe. I love you.”
…
I paced around the house for what felt like hours on end, waiting for my big hunky dork of a boyfriend to arrive. I was so worried; I’ve never heard him sound so rattled like that.
Like someone put the fear of Raptor Jesus into him or something.
Both of my parents are at work right now, but still I texted them to let them know that Daniel was coming by and that it seemed like an emergency. Dad replies with a thumbs-up, and Mom says she hopes everything is ok.
If I hadn’t kicked the need for them already, I’d be halfway through a pack of cigarettes right about now with how stressed I am. My feathers itch as the urge to preen grows with every passing moment.
Be strong, June. Don’t give into those vices.
The doorbell rings, causing me to let out a small eep. I fast walk over to the front door, unlock it, and–
Raptor Jesus!
“Danny?!” He looks like hell, like someone threw sand into his eyes with how red and puffy they are.
“H-Hi, Junebug.”
I pull him inside and close the door, getting a better look at him. “What’s going on? What the hell happened?”
He rubs the back of his head and sniffles a little. “Well, uh… it’s– it’s my parents.” Okay, he definitely cried before he got here.
The mention of Daniel’s parents puts a sour taste into my mouth as I cross my arms over my chest. “What about them?”
“They– they found out about you.” The words seem unusually forced coming out of him.
“And what did they say?” Those speciesist jackasses definitely said something really bad this time..
An increasingly frustrated look spreads across his face as his fists clench. “That’s the thing, they said nothing! All they did was pass it off like it was some sort of ‘phase’ I was going through. That soon enough, I’d be dating someone of my own species once I ‘figured out what it was really like’ or some other bullcrap. Fuck!”
… Did he swear? Daniel never swears. Never once while we’ve dated has this man uttered a curse. I stared, shaken to my core, at the revelation. I’d always been worried about this exact problem. Sure, I was told not to worry about it, but here it is in all its ugly glory.
Oh shit. This is really bad. His parents fucked up big-time.
Quietly drifting over, the massive hunk of flesh brings his hands over his face.
“I’m so fucking angry, June! My parents, they– they just treat this like it’s some big damn joke! Like I’m a teenager that can’t make up his mind. They don’t get it, they never have! They’ll always be the stupidest, pieces of shit speciesists to walk this earth! They never cared about MY dreams, MY feelings—none of it! It’s always about what THEY want for THEIR son!” His voice was getting hoarse near the end. I’ve never seen him this emotional.
This- this is massive. He’s opening up to me about something that he rarely talks about—something that I know has to behurting him deeply. In a strange way, the sudden openess feels… refreshing.
What I’ve come to understand about Daniel over our time together is that he isn’t just a physically strong, kind, and loving person, but that also hidden under that outer shell of strength is a more fragile side that he struggles to show. Deep down, he is a very emotional person, full of past hurt stemming from his family and upbringing.
He isn’t originally from Volcaldera Bluffs. When he told me how saurians were looked down on where he was raised in Salt Lake, it baffled me to no end how someone could go through what he did and not come out messed up. Not to mention the crazy things he went through with his parents.
It explains why he moved here as soon as he could.
Humans may not be looked upon particularly highly here, but he definitely had a better chance here than there for sure.
Daniel’s voice is just above a whisper as he looks down at the floor. “Why don’t they understand? Why can’t they understand me, Junie? I keep telling them you guys are fine, but they don’t believe me!”
At one point in my life, I asked myself the same question.
That’s why it hit me harder than I thought.
Why don’t my parents understand?
Why can’t they understand what I wanted in my life?
Only when I hit my own metaphorical rock bottom did I begin to understand how my parents felt. And where I finally found the answers to both those questions.
I was being selfish and expecting way too much from others.
We can’t just expect people to understand by looking at us; some people can do that, but not everyone's the same.
To help my parents understand, I not only had to show them but also tell them. If my parents can understand our relationship, then why can’t Daniel’s parents do the same for him?
Even if it seems like yelling at a brick wall, there’s gotta be a way he can get through to them.
I spoke not a word as I walked slowly up to my boyfriend. Although I might be an inch or two shorter than him, I could still do this.
He looks at me, tears fighting to break free from the edges of his eyes and shaky breathing rasping in and out. As I draw closer, I can almost hear his heart beating wildly in his chest.
Daniel lightly gasps as I wrap my arms and wings around him tight. I buried my snoot into the crook of his neck, not saying a word. Part of me hopes that the silence speaks volumes as is—moreso the fact I don’t know what to say.
Whatever willpower he had to keep himself from falling apart fizzled completely at my actions as he shuddered and began to sob softly, slowly snaking his strong arms around the small of my back.
It’s gentle; he could crush me like a grape with his strength. Yet it’s that gentleness that's so charming and characteristic of him, that he can simultaneously be so strong but so delicate.
In his arms, I feel loved and protected.
And I hope that in my wings he can feel safe and seen, just as I am in his embrace.
“I love you, June.”
“I love you too, Daniel.”
It’s later in the evening now, and things seem to have calmed down. After we talked some more and cuddled for a bit, Daniel headed home. He said he needed some time alone today after all that had happened earlier. As much as I wanted him to stay, I don’t blame him.
Mom’s making dinner, and here I am on the couch left to my thoughts as Dad watches one of his shows on the TV. It’s usually good to be in the company of my parents, but especially after today I’m grateful to know that these are my parents and that I wasn’t stuck with ones like Daniel’s.
The scent of arroz con pollo makes my mouth water, a nice distraction from thoughts swirling about in my head. Eventually the delightful smell isn’t enough and I start to think more deeply about everything that happened today. Especially how I felt hugging my boyfriend when he was feeling his worst. How it felt to hold him in my arms and wings when he was so vulnerable.
Thinking about how it felt to have someone I wanted to cover with my wings.
How it felt to want to protect someone.
It’s like the stories and tales I heard as a little girl from my mother and the history lessons that both my parents have passed down to me about pterodactyl culture.
We are a matriarchal-led species of saurians and in olden days we would find a mate to ‘share our wings with’.
Of course, that saying was meant to be between two pteros. A male’s leather for a female’s feather. It’s symbolic and slightly outdated now in my case.
But the tradition of giving a feather remains, that and choosing someone to be your mate. Even if it’s not something that many couples do nowadays, it’s something I’ve always wanted since I was a little girl.
And today, at long last, I think I know who I want to share my wings with for life.
With a huff, I stand up from the couch and march over to the kitchen, much to my father’s confusion.
Mom is humming softly to herself as she tirelessly works on her famous home cooking. I feel like I’m taken back to the days of my youth, when I would come home from soccer practice and she’d be cooking something.
Damn, do I love her food, especially anything from her stash of classic Iberian recipes.
Food is an important part of the culture she grew up in, something she will happily share with everyone.
Isabella Arno. My mother. We’d be a splitting image of each other if she weren’t a couple inches shorter, and her once black long hair hadn’t turned almost completely gray.
She can be a fiery pterodactyl at times, which is why some come to call her ‘ The Poblano Pterror’ . I would have clocked those morons if Mom hadn’t taken a shine to the name and rolled with it.
Now everyone in this neighborhood respects and loves her.
Other times, like now, she maintains a calm and motherly tone that could set anyone's mind at ease.
It terrified Daniel for some reason, but Mom kept feeding him more food. Never seen someone so happy to eat in my life.
‘¡Está creciendo! Necesita comer. Le hará más guapo.’
A growing boy? More handsome? Really Mom?
If that man got more handsome than he already is, I wouldn’t be able to keep my hands off him.
I already struggle with that daily as is!
Ugh, the things that man does to me, focus June, talk to your mother.
“ Mamá, do you have a moment?”
My mother’s wings twitch slightly as she turns around from what she’s doing and smiles at me. “ Hola, hija mía. Of course I do, what is it?”
“I wanted to ask you something.”
“¿Qué necesita saber? ”
What happened? Him and his dumbly cute face, that’s what happened!
Ugh, God, I feel stupid and embarrassed for asking this but–
“How did you know when you wanted to give Dad your primary?”
Mom’s eyes widened as the spoon she was holding dropped to the floor, her wings poofing out in surprise.
“What happened while we weren’t here?”
I rub the back of my neck. “Can we talk about it over dinner?”
“And that’s what happened. After all that, he returned to his apartment. We both figured he needed some time alone to process his day.”
A table full of empty plates and all with full stomachs mark the end of the feast my mother prepared. Now a silence lingers uncomfortably in the air.
My parents sat still in their seats. Mom looked horrified about what had happened with Daniel today, but Dad?
Jonah Arno is usually a quiet, reserved, and mild-mannered pterodon. But at the moment he looks pissed.
“Unbelievable. How could they do that to their only son?”
Mom is still in a state of disbelief. “Surely they misunderstand your intentions for him, otherwise they wouldn’t be doing this, right?” The concept of speciesism isn’t something she understands very well. For my father, it was something he knew all-too well from his time in the Marines and other travels overseas.
I shake my head. “No mamá, muy terco. Too stubborn for their own good.”
Dad crosses his arms and huffs. “That poor boy. Tell him I’m open to talking to him about anything if he needs to get something off his chest, man-to-man talk, okay?”
That’s just the way my father is, always willing to help someone out in need. It’s something I’ve always admired about him. A smile breaks across my beak. “Thanks Dad.”
He uncrosses his arms and sighs. “Now, what was this I heard about your primary?”
Words catch in my throat before I can speak. Raptor Jesus, why am I so nervous?!
Mom clears her throat. Keep your snoot shut, June.
“Sweetheart, understand that giving someone your primary feather is very serious, it’s like a marriage proposal before the actual marriage proposal. Do you understand?”
I slowly nod. The gravity of what I want to do settles in as I listen closely.
She closes her eyes. “When pteros mate, we tend to mate for life. It has always been like this, dating back to the oldest customs in recorded history, no matter which species we choose to be with. It's something that we did before the modern concept of marriage came along. I want you to understand before proceeding with this…” She leaves the last bit unspoken.
Her eyes open and sharply focus on me, causing my spine to tingle. “What does Daniel mean to you?”
She pauses for a second, looking down at the table and then smiles back up at me. “While you think of your answer, close your eyes and envision him. See what you see in him and tell us.”
I heed her instruction and close my eyes.
In my mind, I can see Daniel. Not just a vague concept of him, though… I can see every part of him.
What defines him– His emotions, mannerisms, and body language.
I can picture in my mind’s eye everything that I’ve come to know and understand about the man in the past six months. And honestly, he’s exactly the same as I met him; that hasn’t changed.
But that isn’t true, this I now know. There’s more to him than what’s on the surface.
In his strength, there is gentleness.
In his smile, there is a deep hurt from his past.
In his open arms, he hides nothing.
Daniel loves me for who I am.
He makes me want to be better for my parents, for him, and for myself.
He stepped into my life out of nowhere.
And now?
I can’t imagine it without him.
As I open my eyes, I notice my mother dabbing her eyes with a napkin.
What happened? Why is she tearing up? Wait. Did I--?
“ Querida hija… that is so beautiful. Wouldn’t you agree, dear?”
Oh my God I was thinking out loud, so much for keeping it in your head…
I look over at Dad, who’s trying his best not to cry as he shakily sighs. “Yes, I agree. Our little girl has found a mate. Have him come by soon once he’s feeling better, please? We want to talk to him.”
Nothing like throwing your boyfriend to the wolves, eh June?
I’m so sorry Daniel, but I love you so much.
I don’t plan on letting you go.
Ever.
Chapter 2: To Choose, To Love
Summary:
"A home isn’t always the house we live in. It’s also the people we choose to surround ourselves with."
- T.J. Klune
Notes:
Big thanks to MeisterTea and SmoothRock for proofreading this chapter. Enjoy!
Chapter Text
Three Months Later…
Daniel Jacobs
Ten hours to drive to this forsaken city… Gah, I should have taken a plane for God’s sake. The reason I’m here isn’t for any sort of regular visit.
No, I’m here to see my parents one last time. Maybe deep down part of me wants to give them one last chance to understand. After what happened the last time they called, I was distraught. More than that, I was furious. Furious that they couldn’t see June the way I do.
Part of me bets they wished they had another kid, one that wouldn’t date a “meteor dodger”. Or whatever other insults they liked to use when saurians weren’t looking.
God, that phrase is disgusting. I think I hate it more than any other slur.
In all honesty, I wouldn’t be giving my parents the time of day for the comments they’ve made about my beloved, and they haven’t even met her. Hell, they refuse to meet her!
I was about ready to call them and tell them I was going to marry June and regardless of what they have to say would then cut them out of my life completely. But my feathery angel, being the voice of reason in this case, told me it would be better to tell them in person what I plan on doing. As much as she doesn’t like the fact that they are speciesist, she convinced me to at least give them one last chance, or at the very least some kind of closure before I vanish from their eyes forever. She said that once I make this decision, there’s no going back.
And she’s right. My parents can be stubborn, but I shouldn’t give up completely without trying. Although, I really don’t have high hopes for it.
As a part of the trip, we’ll be going together so I booked a hotel close to downtown Salt Lake. At the very least, we can spend the night and get some sleep before heading back. Also gives me a chance to decompress, which I’m anticipating needing. I’m glad we’re making this trip together, it’s nice to get away from the hustle and bustle of the Bluffs once in a while. I just wish it wasn’t spent doing this. Maybe next time we can go visit somewhere nice like Yosemite. The idea of spending day and night with June in the middle of the woods, no city noises, and simply enjoying the quiet? It sounded perfect.
Instead of that, though, I’m returning to my childhood home. I’m doing this in good faith with encouragement from my mate and with the little respect I have left for the people who brought me into this world. I want them to be able to understand my feelings and what I want in this life.
If her parents can accept me, why can’t mine accept her?
Scratch that. I know exactly why; it just hurts and makes me feel disgusted even thinking about it.
June is my feathery angel, my beacon of solace in the stormy seas of this world, and I refuse to let her go. It doesn’t matter that she has scales, wings, and a tail; she is unique and wonderful, full of passion and love.
It’s the little things that she does and how she reacts to some things that makes my heart float and put a smile on my face. And her eyes… Oh, how I adore those beautiful jade gems. I feel like I get lost in them whenever she looks at me.
I’ve already accepted the feather she gave me. I am her mate, now and always. I’ve committed myself completely to her in this life and the next.
There is no going back now.
It was a long drive to get here, but we made it.
Salt Lake.
It’s a big city, the biggest in Utah, and it was here that I was born and raised.
Not much has changed with the city since I last was here, which was last… Christmas I think it was? I didn’t expect it to be back so soon; the lack of decorations really changes the whole vibe.
It’s been at least four years since I left this place behind and started anew in Volcaldera Bluffs. Moved far away, both from my parents and all that I knew, to fulfill my goals and dreams. Ones that I would have not been able to fulfill here.
Yeah, Dinofornia is more expensive, it’s not as accommodating or welcoming for humans, and the weather is quite different too. The mountainous climate here brings colder weather, leaving humans, simians and neanderthals as the majority, while saurians are in the minority. Windy City is a better example of this population difference, but that’s just the Midwest in general. The skew towards more warm-blooded species only gets worse as you go further east across the Great Plains, with Windy City being known as ‘Skin City’ for good reason.
I wanted to get away from all that and come somewhere different. I took the good with the bad when it came to Dinofornia and thankfully it’s been much better there than here.
“Mormon capital of the world,” I muttered to myself with thinly veiled spite as I pulled into the neighborhood I knew well.
It’s a pretty bog standard place as far as middle-upper class neighborhoods go, around a fifteen-minute drive to downtown. Most of the kids I knew from school growing up lived here as well. The houses here are cookie-cutter, all looking the same with only the slightest variations in building material, color, and age.
Time has taken its toll; old infrastructure that was decrepit twenty years ago has seen no love and continues to decay. New apartment complexes have shot up since my childhood and until now. It doesn’t compare to the amount over in Volcaldera Bluffs though, and these are hell of a lot nicer than the apartments they have in Skin Row.
My first year in Volcaldera was not an easy one; I’m still haunted constantly by my year-long tenure in that godforsaken place. But it was just one of many sacrifices I had to make to get to where I am today.
This neighborhood was once my home but now it’s just a memory. There were the good memories, yes, when days were better, or rather when I was more innocent. Then I developed a conscience.
My parents despise saurians, despite living in a big city where they're very common. It’s just a known fact that there are more saurians in this world than there are of any other sentient beings.
I accept that fact and I don’t see them any differently from humans. The only real difference is that they have scales instead of skin, and tails, wings or spikes. Whether you are human, neanderthal, simian, or saurian; we all bleed the same crimson blood. We all live on this earth together.
Hatred is not something we are born with, it is taught and passed down from generation to generation. I would have carried the same hatred that my parents had if not for the friends I made and the teachers and mentors I’ve had.
I wanted to be the one that broke the chain in the Jacobs Family. June is the final strike that will shatter it for good.
Ugh, just thinking about doing this is making me have second thoughts. I don’t want to be here, I want to be back in Dinofornia with my Junebug. Hell, even just nesting up in the hotel with her for the rest of the day would be better than this.
Come on Daniel, you can do this, do it for her, and do it for you. You need this.
I eventually arrived at my parent’s house. It hasn’t changed a bit, though the neighborhood around it has. Lots of new families with all kinds of saurian kids running around.
My eyes also spot a few hybrid kids with their clearly interspecies parents nearby. Oho~ , that has to piss my parents off to see. This brings a smile to my face as I place the car into park and run my hand over the lump in my pocket. The box that sits inside is intricate and contains something very precious to me.
The ring I plan on presenting to June soon. This trip presented the best opportunity to pop the question on our way back.
I’m thinking somewhere scenic, somewhere mountainous; needs to be somewhere beautiful.
I hope she doesn’t mind that I didn’t go with a traditional diamond. The stone that is set in the gold band is an emerald, the shade of which is similar to green jade. It’s really pretty and almost similar to a diamond. It’s a good thing she mentioned what her favorite gem was when we went through the forest preserve near the Bluffs.
She has a habit of telling me that I’m a good listener. Seems that’ll finally pay off big time after all.
But first, the task at hand.
Dear ol’ Mom and Dad.
Better keep the ring locked away and out of sight in the car. God forbid Dad or Mom see it and do something that they’d actually regret for once. Exiting my vehicle, I shut the door and look around at the surrounding neighborhood. I wonder if any of my old friends are here still or if they all moved on from this place as well?
I sure have. And hopefully they would understand why.
Walking up to the front door brings back memories, few good, some bad, and others–
Yeah, I don’t want to think about that. Not right now. Focus, damn it. Control your emotions.
Compared to how it was then and now, you could easily snap your old man like a twig. I’m a lot bigger than the last time I was here.
It probably makes me a bad son to only visit on major holidays or when they ask, but I don’t like being here. Maybe they don’t deserve for me to be a ‘good son’; God knows they haven’t exactly been exemplary parents to me either. The city is fine enough though, I like the sights, shops, and restaurants of Salt Lake.
Arriving at the front door, I take a deep breath and think about who I’m doing this for.
June… my love. My feathery gray angel. I’ll face them for you.
For us.
I knock on the door, knowing that there is no going back now. This is my last chance, in my eyes, to be able to break through to my parents. I’m trying my best to stay positive, but knowing my father and my echo chamber of a mother?
I’m afraid that this is going to go poorly.
My mom answers the door. She stands at 5’3” and has brown hair like me. We also share the same eye color. I’m honestly glad I got her looks and not Dad’s.
“Daniel, sweetheart! Welcome home. Honey! Danny’s here!” She yells back to Dad.
“Hey Mom.”
She steps out of the way and lets me come into the house, the door closing behind me as I glance around at everything.
Nothing out of place, nothing has changed. The air is stale and all I can hear is my beating heart. It’s strange, the home you grew up in should feel like somewhere you can return, somewhere you feel safe.
But every fiber of my being is screaming at me to leave.
“You’ve gotten bigger, son.”
The sound of my father at the end of the hallway makes me stand a bit straighter. The man is slightly taller than I am, but I’m stronger in every meaningful way. Of course, Dad doesn’t work out like I do, but the army kept him on a regiment.
We look nothing alike, I have an almost sadistic sense of satisfaction that it’s this way.
“Hey Dad. How have ya been?”
He comes closer with no handshake, no hug, nothing. Just his usual stern self.
“Good. You? Still uh… doing that fitness stuff or whatever?”
“Strongman competitions.” I corrected him. “And yes, I’m still doing that and finishing up my Health and Wellness degree at Volcaldera Public University.” I resist the urge to punctuate my statement with a jab about how he should already know that.
“ Mmm ,” He hums. “And are you still dating her? ”
Oh for fuck’s sake, are we doing this already!?
“Dear, why don’t we sit at the table and have some coffee? Maybe we can talk more there,” Mom suggests, showcasing a shred of tact.
Well, good job mother dearest. Crisis averted?
Dad simply grunts as we move through the house and into the kitchen. I take my place at the table and my parents do the same. Mom’s got a coffee pot full of whatever swill they drink. Not wanting to cause a blow-up over the shit brew, I reluctantly take it.
There is nothing provided to sweeten it with; ‘Drink it black; it will put hair on your chest.’ Thanks, but I prefer to enjoy my hot beverage.
I don't like my coffee black. I'd prefer my hot drink with a spoonful of creamer and a little sugar, or iced, like those coffee drinks at Snootbucks. June loves iced coffee.
The thought of her happily drinking her favorite order from Snootbucks puts a smile on my face as I sip my drink, resisting the urge to wince at the bitterness.
It felt like I was there for hours on end, listening to my parents talk about what's going on in their lives. And when they talk about certain people they know, it's like they expect me to understand exactly who they are talking about. Even if I’m certain these are people I’ve never actually met, they keep insisting I should know.
I’m pretty good at nodding along with it for the most part. Part of me misses June and wishes she could be sitting at the table with us.
That part also wishes that my parents could get along with a saurian, let alone have one in their house.
But no; good ol’ Grandpa Jacobs had to be Asshole Supreme and pass down his hatred for dinos to the next of kin.
Maybe that’s why Grandma left him.
“So Daniel, as I was saying…” Dad drones out as my focus snaps back at my name. Wonderful, not only is my coffee is empty but now the focus is also on me.
Great. Super. Awesome. Fuck.
“You’re still dating that scaled girl, yes?”
Here we go.
I nod. “I am.”
That seems to irk him, as his mouth contorts into a frown. “And how’s that going?” The words seemed forced coming from him.
He’s probably called me a ‘Race Traitor’ or ‘Scale Hugger’ in his mind and to mom and his friends.
Oh, what betrayal of our pure bloodline! Bah. What bullshit.
“It’s going good, we’ve been together for nine months now.”
He chews his lip while Mom fiddles with her hand on the table. “That long? Don’t you think it’s been long enough?”
That makes me pause. “What do you mean?”
“Son, you need to get serious. This whole ‘experimenting’ thing has gone on too long. Find yourself a nice human girl, preferably not one of those Dinofornia hippies. I know plenty of families around here with girls your age who are single and looking for someone like you.”
I gave him a flat look. “ Experimenting? Is that what you call it?”
My mother steps into the conversation. “It’s like we’ve said in the past, dear. You could date one of them but no further than that.”
Anger builds up inside of me as I attempt to control myself. “And who decided that? ”
“We did. Learn about them all you want, get some experience you can take to a proper marriage bed with a human, but getting hitched to one? Making half-breed spawn with them? Off the table, permanently. End of discussion,” he says, with a grin that’s borderline prideful.
What the fuck did he just say? Half-breed?! Jesus Christ . What I’d give to wring his stupid neck–
NO! Stop it. This isn’t how we handle this. Be level-headed and reasonable Daniel. Violence will not fix the problem.
Rip the bandage off. You know why you’re here. There’s no sense in avoiding it any longer.
“I’m in control of and responsible for my own life. My choices, who I want to love, and who I want to spend the rest of my life with.”
They are listening, but the quiet is unnerving.
“And it’s my choice, my decision, and my God-given right to decide to spend the rest of my life with June.”
My father's eyes go wide with disbelief. “What?” My mother puts a hand to her mouth, acting as if she’s surprised.
He does a double take. “Say that again, son. I want to make sure I heard clearly. What the hell did you just say?!”
My voice is low and my grip is firm on the table as I deliver the news again with no ambiguity. “I’m going to marry June. There isn’t another girl like her in this world and I want to start a family with her. That is my decision.”
He slams his fist on the table. “Goddamn it, Daniel! I told you that this wasn’t a joke, so stop fucking around! Dating one was fine, but wanting to marry one of them? Breed with them?! Are you fucking kidding me!?”
I resist the growing rage inside of me as I sigh. “Saurians are no different from us, I’ve been telling you this for years, Dad. I’ve come to know June and her family for the past nine months now and they are the most wonderful people I know.” I point at him. “You just won’t give them the chance because you’re as stubborn as an oak.”
“Daniel,” My mother steps into the conversation. “I have no doubt that they are nice people or that this June girl is wonderful like you say she is. But consider this; do you know what happens with interspecies children?”
As much as my mother is a doormat for my father, I might as well hear what she has to say.
“Humans and scaled-folk will look at the children and be appalled by them, they’ll be bullied constantly by others, and their lives will be hell. Do you really want that for your future children?”
Oh for crying out loud–“Of course I don’t. I want to protect my kids as much as I can from that kind of harassment.” My answer is honest, though I can see where she’s trying to go with this.
I’m not seven anymore, I’m not stupid.
“Then the best thing you can do for June is leave her and find a nice human girl to be with. It’s the only way to guarantee that your children will have a better future. No doubt she can find another man to make her happy. One of her kind.”
Her kind? Seriously? I expected to at least get through to you, Mom.
I’m so glad I can keep my emotions in check with these people I have the misfortune to call my parents. My time training and learning how to lift has taught me many things about patience, humility, and self-control.
A younger me would have exploded at my parents for what they are saying.
But now? I feel nothing but pity and disappointment for the ones who brought me into this world.
And this isn’t about just me anymore, this is about June and I.
“I’m not leaving June. That’s final.”
A visible vein appears on my father’s head. “You will listen to us, boy . We are your parents.”
There it is. Now I’m not a man, I’m just a boy. My hands clench the table tightly as the wood strains under my iron grip.
Keep it under control, Daniel. Deep breaths.
“It’s my life to live, my choice to make. I’m allowed to love who I want to love, and date who I want to date. It’s called free will and I’m going to exercise it, Dad. ”
He slams his fist into the table. “I won’t permit it! You are not going to marry that featherback!”
The wood in my grips nearly cracks at the word he used.
But I maintain relative calm as my mind is set on my Junebug, reiterating in my head that I’m doing this for us. “Do you know how long interspecies marriages have been legally recognized in the United States? At least 50 years.”
My glare is sharp as I stare at the brick wall-like excuse of a man before me. “But even before there was a law, saurians and humans were mixing long before that, even different species of saurians were getting together. Just because something is a law, doesn’t mean people will wait to do something. Saurians, humans, neanderthals, and simians have been on this earth since the dawn of time, and we are allowed to fall in love with other sentient species we share this planet with. Do you remember the prohibition? When the government took away the ability to purchase and consume alcohol, did that stop people from acquiring it and drinking it? No.”
I can see a visible twitch in his eye. “You consistently refuse to understand, both of you, and neither of you have even met her. You reject her just because she’s a saurian, no other reason! All you have done is slander June and call her things she doesn’t deserve to be called. If you could put aside your hate for something for a moment and see her how I do, then maybe you’d change your mind. But no, you chose to hold onto hatred for someone who has done nothing to offend you but simply exist in this world.”
They are both dead silent.
“But more than that…” I pause, gathering myself for a brief moment. “You don’t care about my feelings, my dreams, and what I want to do with my life. It’s always been about your expectations, your desires, and what you want me to do. I am my own person. I love lifting, I love learning about health and fitness, and I love June. I’m done living how you want me to; I’ve been done with that for a long time. You can stay stuck here in the old ways.”
I stand up from my spot. “But keep me out of it. I’ve moved on from this garbage. Do what you want with your lives, I’m gonna go spend my life with someone who actually gives a damn about mine.”
Thank Raptor Jesus I still have my shoes on so I can just walk straight out the door. I don’t need anything here; I took everything I needed long ago.
I’ve made my peace and said what I needed to.
My feet are taking me to the front door when he calls out. “Daniel David Jacobs! Come back here! You think you can just walk away from us?! We’re your family!”
I turn around with my hand squeezing the door knob. “I will walk away and you cannot stop me. It was my mistake to think you would change.”
Family isn’t just the one you are born with, it’s who you choose to surround yourself with as well.
“It’s her or us, Daniel. There is no going back from this.” He said in a low tone, but there’s also a hint of fragility in it. And Mom looks mortified. I don’t think she was expecting him to say that.
Hell, I wasn’t either.
But here we are, my father having just given me an ultimatum. I blink. I knew it might come to this, but here it was, laid out for all of us to finally see what happened next.
The choice presented before me: To stay with the people who raised me, the ones who tried to pass down their hatred for saurians and force their desires for life onto me? Or go with June, the one person who really listens to me, supports me and my dreams, makes me feel loved and feel like my life is worth something in this indifferent world?
The binary decision doesn’t require any second thoughts.
In every universe. In every timeline. In every reality.
I will choose her.
With one last look of disappointment and frustration, and with no words left to say to them, I open the door and step outside, closing it firmly behind me with a thud as I walk toward my car. It might be the blood rushing to my ears, but whatever my father has to yell at me from the doorway isn’t registered. All I can hear is my breathing and my heartbeat.
My answer has been given. I can no longer return here. I don’t want to, I don’t need to.
There’s nothing worth left to come back to.
Not anymore.
With those final thoughts, I take off from the neighborhood I grew up in, not giving it a second glance as I speed back to the hotel.
My mind was single-tracked with thoughts transfixed only on getting myself back to the hotel.
Back to June.
We aren’t going to stay long in Salt Lake now—maybe one night—but after that?
We’re leaving and never coming back.
A strange lull of calm washed over me as I drove back to the hotel, even after all that transpired back at my parents' house.
I felt like I was on autopilot the whole way there, my mind not focusing on anything in particular except her.
It was only when I finally parked the car in the hotel parking lot that reality settled in and it all came crashing down at once. Trembling, my hands shook on the steering wheel as I clung to it like a lifeline and my vision swam as the stress and tension both let go while hitting me full in the face with this new reality.
I just disowned my parents.
They are gone—for good. For the rest of my life, I will never have to listen to, speak to, or worry about what they want from me ever again.
There really is no going back from this. Whatever family I have here might as well not exist.
I’m alone.
Goddamn it, I’m alone.
That, more than any kind of yelling I expected, or even a possible fight with my dad, hits me like a freight train. No one is here for me.
Nobody except the one who really matters, the one I chose over them.
It’s like I’m walking through water as I enter the hotel and mindlessly look for our room.
Can’t this damn elevator go any faster?! The slow muzak coming out of an old speaker seems to grate my nerves raw with its offbeat tune. Somehow it seems to make the metal box I’m in crawl to a snail’s pace. The walls feel like they’re curling in around me and it isn’t because I’m wide and built.
I’m really feeling claustrophobic in this small elevator, almost borderline sick to my stomach. My lungs are heavy, my eyes sting, and I just wanna collapse onto the floor.
But I can’t. No, not here, I need to get to June. I am not having her drag me to our room unconscious.
The mobile metal box finally arrives at my floor after the arduous journey; I’m practically in a full sprint to get to the room as I fumble with the keycard at the door, only for it to open so fast that I nearly tumble inside.
As soon as I regain my balance, I’m tackled into a hug by a flurry of gray feathers that I know very well. They smell freshly cleaned and feel so very soft. My hands cling onto a firm back, using it as an anchor to keep myself from tumbling free in my maelstrom of thoughts.
It’s calming as I forget the terrible emotions and feelings I’m drowning in as I melt into my mate’s embrace.
She’s looking up at me from my chest, her snoot nearly touching my chin. “Hey.” She says softly.
“Hey…” I monotone back, staring deep into the eyes of my mate.
A pregnant pause laid between us before she spoke up. “Wanna talk about what happened?”
My voice croaks as I nod. “Yes.”
So here I am now, laid on our hotel bed, using my mate’s thighs as a pillow for my head as I talk about how it went with my parents. All the while, she’s rubbing my scalp softly as I’m letting everything out.
I am all over the emotional spectrum right now. Anger, sadness, indignation, disappointment—so many feelings wage war while dancing in my head and chest, all of them trying to dig in and not let go.
Tears slowly flowed down my cheeks as I told her everything that transpired in the past few hours. Despite my own ship threatening to capsize to the raging waters, my anchor in the storm holds firm. She says nothing; she only nods and rubs my head. On occasion, she leans down, wipes my tears, and kisses my forehead.
I don’t deserve her, but I need her. Now more than ever.
After what felt like hours of mostly one-sided talking, as the dim day turning into a quiet night, June finally spoke up.My gaze was locked, staring up into her jade green gems as she looked down at me.
“You did all you could, Danny. You tried, and that’s what matters.”
“But could I have done more? I know that they’re stubborn, but… I really hoped that this time I would get through to them.”
She sighs as she looks out the window toward the lights of downtown Salt Lake. “You gave them a chance to change, and they made their choice on the matter. We have to live with it, and so do they.”
It’s true, there is nothing more I can do at this point for my parents other than let them live their life and go on with my own. Other people have gone through similar experiences; many far, far worse than mine.
Not that it makes my situation any less awful than it is; it’s entirely fucked up in every way possible.
But what else could I have done? Begged them to give June a chance? Done anything else to gain their favor?
No. It’s irrational to think there was any other way. There was no pleading with them.
They chose their hatred for saurians over their only son. Their only child. Sacrificed my happiness for their stubbornness and pride.
June’s brown, medium-length silky hair flows with the air conditioning in the room, the smell of her bathed body fills my nose, and the feeling of her scales, cool and smooth on my skin. It’s the comfort that I feel every time I hold her within my arms in our most private moments.
It’s those moments that remind me how small she is compared to me. That I could possibly hurt her if I don’t keep my strength in check and my desires under control.
It’s the one thing I’ve been hesitant about ever since the beginning of our relationship. The day we take it a step further and get more intimate as a couple.
We are mates now and the door to that kind of intimacy is wide open.
It’s my fear that I will hurt someone I love with the strength I possess. I’m afraid of saying something terrible and hurtful or doing something that would push them away.
The strength I worked for is meant to lift others up, to protect the people I love, not to harm anyone.
I wouldn’t be able to forgive myself if I hurt June in any way.
I sit up from where I was laying, turning to place myself in front of June. We are face to face now on the hotel bed. God, I could get lost in those green eyes of hers forever.
June is incredibly patient with me. Our most intimate moments are when we are alone at night. On ones like this her standard fit is one of my shirts she “borrowed”, which is clearly too big for her and has wing holes crudely cut out on the back, and a pair of tight-fitting boy shorts.
Wow. Those don’t leave much to imagination. Hot damn. No complaints for me, it makes the monkey in my brain do cartwheels and smack cymbals together, and I’m a-okay with that.
Stop staring at her hips or you’ll start drooling like an idiot.
Her smile is soft, and her lips are inviting. My heart beats rapidly inside my chest.
We’ve been together for months and she still has this effect on me.
She’s gorgeous, she’s beautiful.
I love her, everything about her.
How the hell did I get this lucky?
“Daniel…” She coos softly, her wings spread out from behind her as she reaches for the hem of her shirt and–
Yes!
Wait. No. Waitwaitwaitwait!
What are you doing? Return to monke!
No!
My hands shoot out to stop her, grabbing her hands, making her lightly gasp. I only now realize how close I am to her, my face a mere inch from her snoot.
“What’s wrong?” She asks, the confusion in her voice carries over as I look down and sigh heavily. Damn my nerves.
“I uh–listen, June. I’ll be honest, I’m–” I take in a sharp breath. “I’m nervous.”
She lets go of the hem of her shirt, snaking her hands around my grip and placing her palms on mine. “Why?”
Alright Daniel, you have the floor now. Heart, take it away will ya?
“You’re so important to me, June, the most important person in my life. And now? You and your parents are all I have left.” She nods.
“And I’ll be honest, with how strong I am, I’m worried that I might… hurt you in some way if we were to be really intimate. It sounds dumb, but I’m afraid of what might happen if I lose control of myself.”
She looks at me for a moment, thinking deeply as her eyes trail off me for a moment before she closes them and smiles. “Danny.” She giggles and then looks me deep in the eyes. “Babe, you are the biggest, sweetest, and dorkiest teddy bear that I have known, and I know for a fact you wouldn’t hurt me. You’re so damn gentle with me in every way. Besides, I’m a saurian, we’re built tougher and a lot stronger than you think.”
I let out a nervous chuckle. “Heh, well… I couldn’t help but think about it, ya know? I’ve never done anything like this before with anyone.”
My ptero mate raises an eyebrow. “Such as?”
“Well, show my bare self to anyone. Or like, have, you know… sex.”
That damned smile of hers makes me smile wider in turn.
“Neither have I,” she says, those jade gemstones shining even brighter.
My fingers interlock with hers. “Then tonight will be a night of firsts?”
“Lots of firsts. Good thing I stopped by the pharmacy while you were gone and prepared beforehand.” Wait, she did what while I was out?
She leans in slowly, a smug grin in place, and whispers in my ear. “I’m on the pill. Take me, you stud. ”
Oh fuck. Well, I don’t think either of us will be sleeping tonight.
Not that I mind. I’ve got a woman to please.
Time to get my v-card revoked.
Sunlight from the window hits my eyes as I’m awakened to the sound of birds outside. I don’t remember what happened after that conversation, I need to refresh my memory somehow.
And wipe the sleep from my eyes. Good Lord, I’m starving.
There’s a weight on my chest that gets my attention. A familiar, warm, and comfortable feeling presses on my bare skin as I look down to see what, or more appropriately who, is on top of me.
Ah, now I remember what happened last night. Holy shit this is heaven.
June lays comfortably on my chest, her legs between mine, and her wings draped over us like a blanket. The hotel bed blanket can’t compare to this; I love those downy feathers.
She seems to stir at the same time I do, opening her eyes slowly to reveal those beautiful green gems I’ve come to love and admire. Her smile is warm and her face takes on a loving expression as she looks at me with half-lidded eyes. “G’mornin’.” She slurs.
I smile at her. “Morning, Junebug. How are ya feeling?”
“Mmm… I can’t feel my legs still. And I’m hungry as fuck.” There’s a slight wince on her face as she grunts. “Actually, I can’t walk at all. I’m going to stay right here and starve.”
Raising an eyebrow, I couldn’t help myself from chuckling as I reach down and rub her crest. “I’m sure they have complimentary breakfast out still if we haven’t slept that long, otherwise–”
She perks up, walking her fingers across my chest. “Otherwise…?”
“I know this great breakfast place I used to go to all the time with some school friends growing up. It is downtown, and they have bomb-ass pancakes.”
Her tail wags under the covers. “Yeah, you had me at pancakes. Alright we’re going, but I want more cuddles first. You’re so deliciously warm and I don’t want to go out into the cold air.”
My mate nuzzles herself into my chest, wrapping her wings around us tighter than they were before.
Yep, no escape. I’m good with this.
We lay in comfortable silence, covered in dried up God-knows-what from last night; I’m enjoying my wing and scale blanket and June is enjoying her personal heating rock.
“Hey, Danny?”
“ Mmm? What’s up?”
She’s quiet for a moment before speaking again. “Do you think about the future? About kids?”
Kids? Of course I do, I’ve always wanted to be a dad.
“I do. A lot. Why? Whatcha thinking?”
She giggles softly and tightens her hold on me. “Nothing, I just–I’m really happy that you’re mine.”
Dear Raptor Jesus.
It’s me, Daniel.
Thank you for giving me this woman.
…
I think I know what else to do today besides treat her to breakfast.
Screw popping the question on the way back, I’m doing it today .
There will be a ring on her finger by the end of this day. And I know the perfect place to give it to her.
To my June.
My beloved mate.
And hopefully soon, my fiancé.
Chapter 3: One, Two, Three
Summary:
Ah, to marry a ptero...
Chapter Text
Six months later…
June 10th, 201M2015 B.C.
To say I’m nervous would be an understatement both so insane I’d probably be sent to an asylum. I’m an emotional wreck of nerves and muscle held together by nothing but sheer willpower.
Today is a special day for June and I, one that we have both been looking forward to since the day I proposed to her.
We’re going to get married in the church that she grew up going to on this beautiful summer day.
Yes, the proposal was perfect; the weather was fair and downtown wasn’t overly busy. The fountain near The Gateway made the perfect place to get down on one knee in front of June and ask her to be my wife.
Of course, she said yes; I totally had no doubts about that, and as a bonus? She tackled my ass to the ground in public and kissed me many, many times.
We left Volcaldera Bluffs as mates and returned as an engaged couple.
The memories of Salt Lake will be of the proposal and the night we spent together beforehand. Both of them are moments I will never forget.
But that was then; this is now. Our wedding day.
I’m dressed in an admittedly amazing-looking suit. The gray three-piece comes with a green tie to match June’s eyes and my face is freshly shaved for the occasion.
She loves it smooth, she says. I can’t say I blame her; kissing beard hair must feel weird.
At the same time, I know June is on the other end of the church with her bridesmaids getting ready for the ceremony. No doubt they were putting the finishing touches on her dress that I haven’t seen yet. There is a non-zero chance I may explode when I end up seeing it for the first time when she’s walked down the aisle by her father.
I’m trying my best to not melt into a puddle from all these wedding day jitters.
They’re not that bad, really. If I just think about June, it’ll all be–
Who am I kidding? That’s a major lie, I can’t remember the last time I was this anxious.
On the bright side, I'll be surrounded by the people I care about the most; June's family, mentors I've had here in Volcaldera, and other people that I've come to call my close friends will fill this church.
Speaking of family, there’s something I need to get off my chest right now. I’d rather call her parents Mom and Dad than my own. It's a little weird to be thinking that going into my wedding, but mine certainly don’t deserve the title anymore. Not after everything that’s happened; not after everything they did or failed to do.
The admission still stings, since I never did invite my parents to the wedding. I did broach the subject once or twice to June when we were planning it. She said something along the lines of, ‘You don’t have to if you don’t want to,’ or ‘Do what you feel is right, but remember, you don’t owe them a damn thing.’
She’s right. My parents made their choice by rejecting her and continuing to be their hateful selves.
They said I was making a big mistake. If anything, they’re the ones who are making it.
The family dynamic we had was toxic and it was something I wanted to escape from in my later high school years. My gym coach knew of my situation; it was he who set me down the path of pursuing fitness. First it was as an escape, then it turned into an enjoyable hobby, and now it’s become both my passion and my career.
Now, I wasn’t exactly ‘unhealthy’ in the past, I was just a lot leaner in high school. Didn’t exactly have an interest in sports either. My goal was to get through school and get the hell out of my parents’ hair like they apparently so badly wanted.
My stringbean form was a thing of the past the moment I got serious with working out. I ended up bulking up immensely during senior year. Discovering protein powder and creatine made a world of difference. Much like my protein coffee, it led to June’s consistent ridiculing of my tastebuds.
Teenage me was not nearly as built as I am now, but I was still pretty strong for a kid my age.
My parents judged me for wanting to get into health and fitness, even more so by making a career out of it. They didn’t understand that my dreams were beyond just being a personal trainer, or competing in Strongman competitions.
Their ambitions overrode my own. I wanted to open a gym, and I still do. But they didn’t care about that; my father was more concerned with passing down his legacy than actually being a good father. My dreams didn’t matter to them; it was theirs above all else.
For years, I tried so hard to prove to them that they were wrong about saurians, and that what I wanted to do wasn't a wasted effort. But it is now that I realize that the real wasted effort was trying to get through to them. What I wanted to do with my life wasn’t what they imagined for me.
I didn’t latch onto their beliefs, or what they expected of me. I had to find my own way forward.
It’s that thought that reminds me of my father’s final desperate attempt to keep me in check.
‘It’s her or us!’
A choice, an ultimatum, given to me; a point of no return I’d reached. One I knew the answer to immediately. The fact he even asked it still makes my stomach churn.
It was that final confrontation with them that ultimately led to the decision to not invite them to the wedding. I still feel conflicted about it, even now. I want them here, yet I don’t.
It’s so confusing. It makes my head hurt from the stress of thinking about it.
Come on Daniel, think about something else. Think about where you are right now. It’s a day of love and celebration.
I sigh as I lean back into the couch. I’m glad this church has an extra room behind the sanctuary for me to make sure my outfit is in order and to prepare myself mentally.
At least one of those two is done.
It might just be the wedding day jitters, but my mind is full of questions about what happens next.
You find someone, figure out if you want to spend the rest of your life with them, commit to it, start a family, watch them grow, retire, spend your remaining days with wishes and wants, and then die.
… Okay, that seems a bit pessimistic, but the point is there’s a lot more than just getting married and starting a family. It’s something I’ve had to learn very quickly in preparation for today.
I know for a fact I can’t keep relying on competing in strongman competitions to bring in money, or to rely solely on personal training. Someday, I will have to retire from Strongman, for my sake and for my soon-to-be wife’s. While I do make a decent chunk of change doing that, it won’t be enough to support June and our future flaplings.
Babies? Flaplings? Hybrids?
Kids, yeah, our kids. I do like the sound of flapling, though.
Maybe I can do what I dreamed of and open my own gym. Things like those require huge investments, not to mention that while I might be good with money management, I don’t know the first thing about running a business.
As I’ve learned in college in my economics course, sometimes you have to spend money to make money.
But I certainly won’t be alone in that venture, should June want to help with that. I’ll need to talk to her first, though.
That’s way down the line; I need to focus on the here and now.
The agenda for the next few months is we get married today and then find a new place to live together instead of me living at my apartment and June living with her parents.
Jesus, we have to buy a house. Or rent at the very least.
The thought of Dinofornia house prices makes me grimace. But also, rental payments. And taxes on top of all of that!
Ugh. Finances. Money is not my favorite subject.
My mind is racing with so many things to think about, it’s our wedding day, damn it. Get a grip, Daniel!
A knock on the door gets my attention. “Who is it? Is it time for me to go up there yet?”
The door opens and in walks June's mom, Isabella. She’s dressed up for the day, a beautiful crimson dress dotted with silver. She smiles as she looks my way. “No, it is not time yet, Daniel. I just came to check in on you. You okay?”
Huh, I’m surprised she isn’t with June right now helping her get ready.
Am I really okay?
Maybe?
… Who am I kidding?
I rub the back of my head as she comes to sit next to me. “Not really, I’m pretty nervous.”
She lightly laughs. “Well, that’s to be expected. It is your wedding day after all,” The ptero matriarch looks me straight in the eyes. “But it’s more than that, isn’t it?”
I swear, this family of pteros can read my mind like a book. I’m not good at hiding my emotions.
“Yeah, it is. I know this sounds dumb, but I was thinking about my parents.” She nods in quiet understanding. While she might not have as much vitriol for them like June does, she’s made a stab here and there in Spanish that I’ve picked up on pretty easily despite not really knowing what she said. The anger transcends language barriers.
It’s not hard to connect the dots on who my soon-to-be wife gets her fiery personality from. Like mother, like daughter.
“A part of me wanted to invite them here because they are my parents, but at the same time I don’t want anything to do with them after all they’ve said about June and other saurians. It’s still something I can’t wrap my mind around, how people can so easily hold onto hate and not think about how others feel, especially their own children”
She chews on my words for a moment, deep in thought. It isn’t long before she turns back to me and peers into my eyes with her green gems.
Man, am I glad that June got those from her mom.
“When I was around your age, I was still living in España. I met Jonah when he was stationed in the country not long after the Guam War. We hit it off pretty well, and the next thing I know, he’s asking me to marry him.” She chuckles. “That man was a bundle of nerves in his full uniform on our wedding day.”
“Did you two get married in Spain?” I ask.
She shakes her head a little. “No, we moved to the States first.””
The matriarch sighs. “My parents and immediate family weren’t happy that I was moving away from everything I had ever known to start a new life with the love of my life in another country. And frankly, it was a terrifying experience. But I would do it all over again for the good it did in my life and for the new opportunities it granted me.”
She takes a quick breath before locking eyes with me. “Daniel, life is full of changes, whether they are good, bad, or something we can’t quite understand. The more we try to understand why things happen, the more confused we become. And eventually? We become lost trying to find an answer for the unanswerable.”
The ptero matriarch places a clawed hand on my shoulder. “But, I will say that it takes courage to stand up for yourself and the people you love, especially when it involves your family. You may not understand it completely, and that guilt might never fully fade away, but know that we’re proud of you. You’re the man that June needs in her life, and the man we’re happy to call our son-in-law.”
Oh God, I know I’m gonna cry a bunch today, but seriously? What is it with this family and bringing me to tears?
Isabella hugs me and rubs the back of my head as I return the tight embrace. “T-Thank you, Isa- Mom.”
She deserves to be called that; there’s no one else in this world that I would want to call that other than her.
“You’re very welcome, dear.”
We break from our hug as she hands me a tissue to wipe my eyes.
Isabella heads for the door to leave, but turns around before she can step out. “Remember, this is your day, both of you. Enjoy it, and be glad.”
I nod at her and smile. With that, she steps out, leaving me to me, myself, and I once again.
But this time, I feel more confident than I did before.
Standing up from the couch, I dust off my suit and give myself a once-over in the mirror.
Looking sharp. Razor sharp.
Keep it together Daniel, you only get to marry this beautiful woman once in your life.
Breathe in, breathe out.
Let’s do this.
With my mind set, I head for the door and step out into the church.
Ready or not, here comes the groom.
One year later…
Early April, 201M2016 B.C.
June Arno Jacobs
“Yes mamá, I know it’s that time of year again.”
“You know it’s the perfect time to start trying for kids, dear.”
I groan as I lean back into my office chair. “We both know that, it’s just… been difficult.”
“Having trouble?” Mom asks, a mixture of concern and teasing in her voice.
My eyes trail away, looking for a distraction from the topic at hand. “Maybe, I don’t know. Look, when we know something, we’ll tell you. Okay? Please enjoy your vacation with Dad, and don’t worry about us.”
“Ah, mi bebé, you know I can’t help myself. Say hello to Daniel for us, okay? Love you, sweetheart.”
A smile graces my beak. “Love you too, Mom. Talk to you later.”
I end the call, drop my phone on the desk before me, and sigh heavily. I drag my hands across my face in growing frustration. Damn estrus season and damn me for not taking Suprestrus this year.
It only adds to the growing agitation and edge I feel deep within my body and mind as I try to relax. If there’s one thing that my mother is right about, it's that it really is the perfect time to conceive.
The problem is that we’ve already been trying for six months with nothing to show for it. It’s been incredibly disheartening; I’ve even had moments where I’ve felt like I’m failing Daniel, failing us.
Some people had their viewpoints on the matter, especially with how early we are in our marriage. They tried to dissuade us, told us to wait a while longer, at least a year or two before we get serious about having a kid. But we want to be parents, this is something Daniel and I have discussed and both agreed to.
I want to be a mother and he wants to be a father. Heat week is nearly here, and I’m fucking ready. The estrus tracker on my phone says otherwise.
No blockers to wage chemical warfare on my brain and body. Just the coolers, my hubby, plenty of cuddles, deep massages, and his spear.
All a ptero in heat could ever want and need.
… Fuck me, I need to get up from this chair. All this thinking about estrus is getting me to sweat. I should really stretch my legs and my wings, I’m getting sore from sitting here.
Standing up from my spot, I stretch both wings and make my way into the main area of our home. It’s not much right now, with what little we had from both our old living situations. But someday, we’ll get there and fill this home to the brim with everything we need for our hopefully soon to be growing family.
The house is laid out like most others in this neighborhood, a single-level with a basement and attic.
There is one master bedroom, three bedrooms, and two and a half bathrooms. It seems like a lot, but realistically it isn’t due to the square footage. Mom and Dad helped with the down payment for the house and we took out a mortgage on the remainder. We’ll be paying it off for years to come, but it was worth it.
The nearest school is St. Hammond High, which is about five minutes away by foot. I hope my future kids will not want to take the bus and will be willing to walk to school when the time comes.
With the thought of how close that school is, it’s been on the forefront of my mind to apply for better jobs now that I have my degree and I’m out of college. Daniel has been able to work and make bank with personal training at a local gym.
For me? I quit that job as a receptionist at the other gym so I could focus on getting a job working as a secretary at a school. I’ve always wanted to work in a school and with kids. But teaching is something I don’t think I would have wanted, so I decided to focus on the administrative side of it. I found I was better at handling paperwork and the movement of information than hordes of tiny gremlins running around. Leave the teaching to someone like August, she loves working with her kindergarteners.
I won’t lie, I’m slightly jealous, but at the same time, I’m not. Managing that many kids sounds like a hassle, on top of the prospect of having your own to deal with.
… I wonder how my kids would feel about having me work as an admin at the place they’re going to someday?
The neighborhood we live in has many benefits on top of being close to good schools and having access to great amenities. There are many young couples and people that live around here. Those are two big reasons we chose this place. And the third one?
I’m next door to my best friend and her husband. Talk about the right place and the right time.
In the kitchen, I can see our wedding picture hanging in the foyer area. It brings a smile to my face as I remember it like yesterday…
Our vows.
The chapel.
My Daniel, looking incredibly handsome and delicious in his suit.
A part of me hated that it covered most of his body, honestly. Because the muscles he has contained underneath are something I love seeing.
The suit made a perfect present to unwrap later that night. Jesus, that man gets me hot and bothered in all the right ways. Just thinking about him ruffles my feathers and gets my scales to quiver. Estrus certainly is helping with that right now, as it seems only to amplify the warm feelings.
Actually, it’s a lot warmer than I thought it was, it’s almost like a searing heat in my loins. Whoa. Shit, it’s actually getting worse, that can’t be good. Whoawhoawhoa.
I grab a hold of the counter in my haste to not fall over, trying my best not to carve the granite with my clawed fingers.
W-What the fuck? My loins are on fire; that only happens during heat week! I’m in a full on panic as my mind swims with the familiar cocktail of chemicals that makes me want to get thoroughly worked over by my husband.
This almost feels like heat week, shit, my coolers… I need the coolers right now!
My breath is hot and heavy, my heart rate is through the roof, and my feathers are standing on end as I reach inside the medicine cabinet in a panic for the heat-reducing medicine. But as quickly as I reach them, the heat leaves and I’m left panting as I slump down against the floor, holding a hand to my heart.
What the hell was that?! That felt like the heat week just hit me!
It’s way too fucking early to be feeling like this!
I regain full control of my motor functions as I shakily stand up and grab the bottle of coolers.
Thank Raptor Jesus you don’t have to be prescribed these and can simply buy them over the counter. The white bottle contains tiny, blue chewable tablets that act as relief for the symptoms of Estrus. The effects are almost instantaneous, which is scary to think about, but great nonetheless. As soon as they are chewed, the chemicals of the medication rush to the hotspots in our bodies.
If it wasn’t for that, there would be no relief from the natural chemical explosions within us.
I just wish they wouldn’t make them so chalky and bitter; I always need a glass of water after I take one just to get the taste out of my mouth.
After that experience I just had, I think I’ll keep them close by and pop one now just in case.
The chalky tablet is supposed to be blueberry flavored, but it’s a piss-poor attempt at it as I let the medicine dissolve in my mouth. Relief floods my body as I sigh happily, my whole body seemingly relaxing as the drug’s effects kick in
Reaching into the fridge for a bottle of water to drink, I pull out my phone and decide to ask Grungle a question.
‘Heat week symptoms before predetermined heat week?’
The results all come up the same to my shock. Some saurian women go through something known as ‘Preheating,’ meaning the special week can come earlier than expected. It serves as a sign that it is here early; the symptoms are hitting hard and fast for the first day.
I don’t normally trust the internet when it comes to stuff, but this is from a local reputable source. One of the OBGYNs at Volcaldera General, Dr. Violet, has written articles about estrus related topics and practicing safe conception during saurian heat cycles; they have been very helpful with planning for heat week in advance.
And what do you know? She has an article about ‘preheating’ and ‘overheating’ too.
Ugh. Goddamn it! Heat week isn’t supposed to be here yet, I’m supposed to have more time!
This is way too soon, what should I do?!
I’m horny, I’m freaking out, and I desperately need my husband right now.
Looking down at my pants, I can smell it.
Oh God, it’s really here already.
I guess… that pushes everything up to this week, huh?
Do I call him? Text him?
Or maybe surprise him instead?
… I think I’ll surprise my husband this time.
Better get myself prepared then.
Please come home soon, Danny.
I need you.
Badly.
Daniel
One hour later…
Man, I’m glad to finally be home after a long day. Days like this make me especially happy to come back to my comfy house and see my lovely wife.
I don’t mind personal training, but man does it drag on and on and on sometimes. Especially with some of the new clients. They’re nice people; I just have to put more effort into their sessions.
Patience is a virtue, Daniel. You won’t have to work for some time because of June’s heat week coming up soon. I’m both nervous and excited at the same time at the idea. This will be the year we hopefully get kids. We haven’t had any success these last few months, but according to June, we should have a very good shot at things finally working on account of her being more fertile during estrus. And unlike my first season with her, this time I’m prepared and armed with more knowledge.
I intend to use it with the utmost care and responsibility, of course. All for my lovely and sexy ptero wife.
First and foremost, fuel. Lots of it. For me and for her. I’m having pre-made meals delivered to us for this upcoming heat week so neither of us have to cook. I also stopped by our local wholesaler and bought a large pack of sports drinks for us both and protein drinks for me.
Electrolytes, my old friends.
Second, pampering the hell out of June. We already have most of the supplies necessary for that. My secret weapon this year is these special scentless bath salts my mother-in-law recommended that are good for helping saurians relax and melt away their aches. The benefit from being incredibly strong and fit isn’t just for me, but for her as well. I can really get into the toughest, knotted muscles in her wings and back with a deep tissue massage to make her feel amazing.
Thank God I took those courses in physical therapy. And thank the lifting gods of the past, present, and future for me being in the best shape of my life.
Third–and this is the easiest one out of them all-- lots of cuddling and spending time together. For the next week, I’m her personal heating boulder.
Yes, boulder. She calls me that; she said it wouldn’t do it justice to call me a rock. I won’t lie when I say I’ve been bulking up and intensifying my personal workouts for this occasion.
I need the extra resilience when having to handle my saurian wife while she’s a slave to her natural urges.
A smile breaks across my face thinking about my Junebug as I enter our neighborhood.
I can’t believe we’ve been married for almost a year now. It feels like I’ve known her for so much longer than that.
I still remember the day I met her on my first day at the Silver’s Gym. When I first saw her I thought, ‘Wow, she’s got some really pretty eyes.’ But her demeanor spoke otherwise; she looked sad, guarded, and smelled of cigarette smoke. Her hair was a bob cut, and the bags under her eyes told of a tiredness that didn’t stem from just a lack of sleep.
June was clearly miserable at that point in time.
I guess what I was thinking then was that she needed someone to talk to, someone who could listen. I think the first time I heard her laugh a week after meeting her was when the realization hit me like a falling piano.
I had a crush on the gym receptionist. The really pretty saurian gym receptionist. And I don’t regret it for a single moment. Because now she’s my beautiful wife. My brash, funny, adorable, and sexy mate for life.
God I love her.
Pulling into the driveway, I spot Jason, who’s also carrying stuff into his house. We both gave each other a look, and a nod of understanding.
We both know of the undertaking that is to come. Ah, to marry a ptero…
With the supplies in hand, I walk to the front door, unlock it, and step inside. One foot kicks back to promptly close the door behind me so that I can set down my load.
“Junebug? I’m-” I didn’t get to finish the sentence as I’m tackled into a tight, warm hug by a flurry of gray feathers.
Wings tight around me, June is in her familiar hugging position of looking up at me from my chest, leaning her snoot against it as I look down at her.
“Welcome home, honey.” She coos and kisses my chin.
She smells nice, like she took a shower and used some special soaps for today.
Orange blossom, cherry… Oh hell yeah, that tickles all the right spots in my brain.
As my mate breaks away from the hug, I look down at her attire, which has the monkey part of my brain doing backflips as I struggle to maintain my composure.
She’s wearing a tight-fitting shirt, not unlike what she would wear when she comes with me to the gym or when we would go on a morning walk on the weekends. And her shorts?
Ptero women are generally regarded as petite, but that’s just a stereotype, really.
June is not a petite woman. She has cake, and the hips to go with it.
God have mercy, I can’t help but stare.
Down boy! Woof.
“How’s your day been?” I ask as I pick up the supplies and take them to the kitchen, my mate following me closely behind.
“Oh, it’s been okay, I guess. Just keeping busy and looking for a job. The usual, nothing special.”
I sigh as I put the protein shakes into the fridge. “You’d think one of these schools would take you by now. You speak fluent Spanish for God’s sake, you’re bilingual. It would be a huge benefit for one of them to have someone like you working for them.”
She leans into the counter next to me as I load the fridge. “Tell me about it. Most of them are looking for someone with ‘more experience’, but I did find one recently that’s my most promising lead so far.”
Closing the fridge, I turn to her with a look of surprise on my face. “Really now? Where?”
A smug grin breaks across her beak. “St. Hammonds. They need a secretary, and the principal there is desperate for someone to fill the position. In fact… I have an interview with them after the estrus season is over!” She says with excitement.
A swell of pride fills my chest. “That’s so good to hear love. I’m proud of ya.”
Her tail wags happily behind her as she closes the distance between us and nuzzles into my chest. “I ever tell you how much I love you?” She says sweetly.
“Plenty. Love ya more, Junebug.”
Maybe now would be a good time to address the mammoth in the room. “Hey love, why are you wearing your workout gear? We weren’t planning to go out to the gym today, were we?”
She shakes her head. “No, not the gym, but there’s some…” she pauses for a moment before looking away, “Some stuff that needs done in the backyard, so I was gonna go out there and work on it.”
While we do love this house, it is a bit of a fixer-upper, meaning there’s a lot of work needing to be done on it. Just one of many side projects in my life.
Her tone struck me a bit odd, however; it seemed like she was hesitant at the idea of doing stuff in the backyard. Eh, maybe she doesn’t want to do it by herself and wants me to tag along? Makes sense to me.
“Want me to help?”
She nods happily, almost enthusiastically. “Please do, I need an excuse to watch you sweat.”
Ah, that too. Knew it. “Heh, you just wanna see me take my shirt off.”
June gives me a hungry look as she bites her lip. “Always~” She purrs, her tail loaf wagging behind her.
That monkey in my brain is doing cartwheels now. Jesus, that can’t be healthy. You know, if we weren’t going to do stuff in the backyard, I would be pulling her to our bedroom right about now.
Man she smells nice, I’d love to get a taste of her-
No, stop it. Begone horny thoughts, help your wife with what needs to be done, then you can have your cake.
And eat it too.
And when I mean cake I mean that bakery she hauls arou–
“Let me get changed into something I don’t mind getting dirt all over first," I quickly say, swerving my thoughts as I plot my escape to our bedroom to get out of my gym clothes and into more suitable clothing for yard work.
“Don’t keep me waiting, stud.”
My heart hammers in my chest as I quickly make my way to our bedroom.
The things this woman does to me, Raptor Jesus.
The things I want her to do to me. The things I want to do to her…
I’ve been completely and utterly ruined by this angel covered in scales. Not that I’m complaining, though.
Sigh. I really am a feather fiend.
We’ve been outside in the backyard for a while, and it’s pretty hot out for April. It worries me just a little because that means the summer that’s coming is probably going to be that much hotter.
Not that I can complain, more heat means more sweat, and more sweat means more fat burn.
Hurray for health benefits.
Speaking of sweating, June’s getting a good sweat in as well as we dig at the dead bushes left behind by the previous occupants. Seriously, who does that?
At least we’ll replace them with hydrangeas. I love the smell of them and so does June. She’s got pretty good taste when it comes to botany-related things. Must be another of those like-mother like-daughter things; Her mom loves to tend to her garden.
I have no complaints.
I’ll have to remind myself to build a new garden so we can grow some vegetables together.
As June goes over to wash her hands with the garden hose and I take a quick water break, the scent I smelled earlier hits my nostrils again.
The same smell is clearly coming from June.
I’ve come to notice how nice it is, even now I can still smell the orange blossom and cherry from earlier on. It’s strange how strong and almost earthy it is, considering she has a strong sense of-
Smell.
Wait a minute... the smell, the excessive amount of sweating, and the level of intimacy that she’s giving me…
The realization hits me like a truck as I look down at my shirtless form. June uses scentless soaps when it comes to bathing because saurians have a better sense of smell than humans do. The smell coming from her is definitely NOT soap.
How could I forget what that scent means?! Oh shit!
As I turn slowly toward her with panic creeping up my spine, I see she’s eyeing me up like we’re in the bedroom, thinking of every possible way under the sun to devour me.
But isn’t her heat week supposed to start next week? Was the cycle tracker wrong? Did I not pay close enough attention?
The sexual tension in the air is so thick I could cut it like cake.
That’s when I see it, she turns to me with a lewd grin. “Dannyyy~”
Oh shit.
Heat week did come early.
Now I get why we are in the backyard, it’s a sign. A sign that there is fertile earth to be worked and seeded.
Holy shit, why am I thinking that, and why is that so hot?!
Okay, think for a second, dick-for-brains. We aren’t in the house. We are out in the open. In public. There’s no way we are getting down and dirty in the backyard. There might be a fence for privacy, but there are kids that live around here for Raptor Jesus sake!
Nobody wants to watch a human man laying claim to his ptero mate in public! Only weirdos and perverts do that! We’re not like that!
I can still carry her into the house and go from there, right? Probably should take her into the shower. Good idea, brain.
Slowly I stood up from where I was sitting, holding my hands in front as if to create a small barrier while trying to placate my wife. It feels like I’m trying to ward off a predator.
Like that particularly racy scene involving those raptor women and the human protagonist in Jurassic Love: World Tour. How they managed to show that in theaters still baffles me to this day.
But June has other ideas as she slowly stalks toward me, her wings at full span and her green gems now slitted. Eyes on the prize, the spear she seeks is hidden behind the fabric of my shorts.
She bends forward slightly to ruffle her wings outwards, trying to crowd and corral me. My escape paths are cut off.
Oh fuck, she is hissing and clicking that damn beak of hers! Looking down at myself, I think her heat is getting to me, too.
Sound general quarters, brace for impact!
It’s not time yet, damn you! Stay down!
The fact I find this hot only proves the fact I am completely and utterly down bad for this woman I have the honor of calling my wife.
I can't help but chuckle at the absurdity of the situation I’m in.
Hehe. I’m in danger.
I might not survive this season.
As soon as I take one step back, she tears off her shorts and- Wait, tearaway shorts? That’s what she was wearing? Holy hell!
Black lacy lingerie covers her lower area which does even less to hide her arousal. Her scent is even more pungent now.
Oh wow, the sunlight is catching those things just right. Ook ook.
Get a grip, muscle-for-brains! Focus on self-preservation!
But before I can, she jumps onto me and leglocks my waist. “Give me that spear, stud, give it to me! Out here! Right now!”
Holy crap that is hot.
Alright brain, how are we doing? Still working on a plan of action?
Flight or fight?
No, no fighting, she’s my wife.
… Flight or fuck?
Fuck, we literally ballin’.
Acknowledged. Return to monke mode engaged.
Okay, I guess I’m not gonna be able to take her into the house at this rate, that leaves only one place we can have some privacy.
Running towards the house would have her jump on me and literally ride me stupid on the patio. Going for the fence would have the same results, but let the neighbors get a potentially better look.
Bushes are an automatic pass; I do not want to bleed while doing the dirty. Then again, she has claws, I might be paying the blood tax regardless.
The shed? That’s- Ah shit, oh my God am I about to fuck my wife silly in a gardening shed?
I am, aren’t I?
… You know what? Fuck it. This isn’t the weirdest thing to happen in my life, but I dig it. I’ll try anything once.
Alright body, you’ve trained for this. Don’t fail me now.
I walk backward toward the ramshackle housing as my wife starts to not-quite-dry hump me. My hands fumble for the latch on the door right when she uses her claws to start tearing at my shorts.
That’s going to be a problem.
Maybe once she is more tuckered out, I can take her back into the house so we can continue.
Of course, that all depends if I can survive the Jurrassic love making that’s about to happen.
As we swap spit and back up into the shed, I slam the door shut behind us.
The sin we are about to partake in inside here is something I’m bound to never forget.
One month later…
Heat week was brutal. The fact it came early didn’t help either. When June isn’t on Suprestrus, things get really heated.
Yes, the literal Jurassic love making that happened was great, but there was more to it than that.
I’m talking about the emotional, physical, and mental toll that estrus takes on saurian women like her. It certainly was a trial to help her get a grip on her emotional and mental stability most days.
Estrus season is more than just ‘Haha, horny dino.’ No, it’s an emotionally charged time that should be taken seriously.
With June not taking any birth control or Suprestrus, it was incredibly serious. There were times when she would preen just for the hell of it, and that scared the daylights out of me. Other times, she’d get angry for no reason and nearly put some holes in my skin with those sharp teeth of hers.
Pissed, then lovey-dovey, then pissed again, and then crying her eyes out. Certainly a whiplash of moods. Now I can see why they need Suprestrus to help regulate themselves when reproduction isn’t the goal.
I can’t imagine what it was like when she was younger and before she met me.
The coolers were a necessary evil to help keep things from getting too hairy. She mentioned that they were chalky and tasted terrible. Almost sounds like an antacid to me.
Even now I’m still reeling from all the copious amounts of lovemaking and hardcore cuddling we did. I’ve been doing less gym time as a result, and my clients for my personal training have been put on hold until I’m fully recovered.
Somehow I haven’t lost any kind of muscle definition. If anything, my stamina has gone up.
When will I head back? Hell if I know. My pelvis is still sore.
We could use a vacation, maybe somewhere nice like Manu Ahi.
So here I am, taking care of what needs to be done around the house the best I can. Working on some of those various side projects I’ve been making a list of.
So far I’ve cleaned out the garage, fixed the lighting in the basement-thanks in part to my father-in-law, and I’ve gotten all of the dead bushes out of the backyard.
I could make a home gym out of the garage if I really wanted to, but maybe I’ll use the basement for that instead.
Though progress is progress and at least I’m staying active; it helps keep my mind off things, especially with what's going on today.
With the estrus season done, June is over at St. Hammond High being interviewed for the secretary position she’s been talking about. I’m hoping she’ll get the job, she likes that kind of desk work. Plus she’ll be able to help with kids.
I really hope they like her and offer her the job.
She’s been gone for around an hour or so; she should be back soon.
*click*
Ah, speak of the ptero and she shall appear.
My turn to greet her at the door.
June walks into the house, sighing and closing her eyes as she shuts the door behind her.
Her outfit consists of a light gray business top, matched with a white dress shirt and a light gray low-cut skirt. It looks almost fitting, if a little stereotypical, for a secretary position.
My wife is attractive in anything she wears, but man that outfit in particular does something for me.
I walk up to her as she’s finished taking off her flats and pull her into a gentle hug. “Welcome back, babe.”
She nuzzles herself into my chest. “Good to be home.”
We pull away from each other and walk to the kitchen together. She sits down at the table while I grab a sports drink for myself and a water bottle for the bedraggled interviewee. “So, how did it go?”
She shrugs. “Not bad, honestly. The staff at the school seem friendly enough, and the principal is only a few years older than us. Horrible coffee addiction though; I think she drank three cups during that whole interview.”
“Seriously?” I sit down beside her and hand her the water. “That can’t be healthy.”
I know for a fact it isn’t; I can feel my kidneys shuddering at the thought.
“Eh, she seemed fine. Scaler is a saurian, and we have a much higher caffeine tolerance than humans do.”
“Still,” I muse as I sip from my drink. “Too much coffee is never good for you.”
She smirks. “Says the guy who mixes coffee, milk, and protein powder.”
“Hey! It’s tasty, quick, and I’ll have you know that I only discovered it recently!” I playfully scoff.
We laugh together as she leans into me.
This is good. Just the two of us, enjoying each other’s company in our home.
It’s perfect.
“Oh shoot.” June says in sudden realization, causing me to jolt slightly.
“What? What’s going on?”
“I left something in the oven earlier and forgot to grab it.”
Raising an eyebrow, I look at the oven and back to her. “How did you manage that?”
My wife shrugs. “I’m tired as hell, Danny. Had a long morning. Don’t judge me.”
I sigh. “Well, I’ll go get it and deal with it. Don’t worry about it.”
She smiles. “Thanks honey, you’re the best.”
“You know it, love.”
Standing up from my spot, I walk over to the oven and look inside of it. It’s cold in there thankfully and nothing seems to be burnt or burning.
What does lie inside however leaves me perplexed as I reach in and pull it out.
A single hamburger bun.
That explains why one of them was missing from its bread bag.
“June, honey, I love you, but why did you leave a hamburger bun in the oven?” I look back at her, only to see her with a smug smile on her face.
Oh man, is she playing a joke on me?
She hasn’t said a word as I look at the bun. She hasn’t cooked it, at least. Maybe we could still-
My eyes widened as the dots began to connect.
A bun.
In the oven.
That damn smile of hers.
…
No fucking way.
“June?”
“Mmm?”
“Are you pregnant?”
She looks down, rubs her stomach softly, and looks back up with tears pricking the edges of her eyes. “I am. What about it?”
Oh, you cheeky girl!
I toss the bun behind me and raise my wife from her seat up into the air and spin her around. “We’re going to be parents!” She and I laugh happily as happy tears start to run free.
Holding her close, I feel her wings wrap around me. “I love you, my sweet mate.” She says softly.
“I love you, my beautiful wife.”
We stood in relative silence, holding each other close. Our future is now set before us.
A future where we can raise flaplings together.
…
“It was the shed, wasn’t it?” I ask, with a shit-eating grin growing on my face.
“Shuddup and don’t ruin the moment, dorkbuns.”
“Yes ma’am.”
Chapter 4: To Survive
Summary:
Life wasn't always so perfect.
Chapter Text
Years Prior…
Late Fall, 201M2013 B.C.
June Arno
My parents are deep asleep as I stumble into the house, locking the door behind me before making my way to my room. After so much practice, I’m pretty good at staying silent after returning from a long work shift or late night out.
Ah, I forgot to kick my shoes off. Eh, fuck it. I’m tired anyway. Just gotta step more carefully to not make any noise.
Entering my room, I close the door softly behind me so as to continue the veil of silence in my wake. I fall onto my bed, not bothering to take off my clothes from work. What an exhausting day. I’m so fucking glad its over.
So many newcomers to the gym, all of them needing help and having so many damn questions. And then there was that one family who brought their kids… I hope to God they don’t come back. That acid spit was terrible to clean up.
Staring at the ceiling, thoughts from the past year begin to wander to the forefront of my mind.
Work. Work. More work . Classes. Homework. Tests. Applications to better jobs. Rejection. More work. More classes. Sleepless nights. Frustration. Frustration. Work. Work. Goddamn work.
I’m close to graduating from college, at least. That piece of paper is my ticket out of this cycle. Maybe I’ll be able to work for a nice school district once it's all said and done, make bank, and live a comfortable life.
Maybe I’ll get lucky and work for a nicer school like St. Hammond.
Degrees bring jobs, right?
Right?
…
Just keep setting out lines on the water, June, you’ll get a bite eventually.
Something has to happen eventually. Otherwise all of this would be for nothing. All this effort, all this work to do everything right– for what?
I sigh to myself as I finally kick off my shoes and stand up from my bed, taking off my shirt and leaving me in just my undershirt and shorts as I walk to the bathroom.
Getting a glance at myself in the mirror, I notice just how exhausted and disheveled I look. My scales are dry, my hair is unkempt, and even my eye bags have bags. Must be from how late I’ve been staying out or how much I’ve been working lately. No amount of concealer in the world can mask these dark circles.
I’m constantly applying to new places to try and line up a better job after graduation.
Always trying and always failing.
Every time I apply somewhere, it’s always a new excuse.
"We're looking for someone more qualified for the position.’
‘We’re sorry, but we’ve chosen to not move forward with your application.’
‘Thank you for applying, but we’re looking for someone else. Good luck on your endeavors.’
‘We have decided to move forward with a different applicant. We’ll keep you in mind if there’s another opening like this in the future.’
Feh. More like, ‘You aren’t good enough, we don’t like you, fuck you, go bother someone else.’
Same bullshit response masked with slightly different shitty flavors.
It’s all so tiresome. But that’s why you keep trying until one sticks.
I just hope it isn’t some school buried deep in Skin Row. I'm not that desperate to apply to whatever cesspit grade school or high school is in that district . At least, not yet.
Just keep holding out, June. Once you get that degree, it’ll be fine.
The dark circles around my eyes and markings don’t bode well. My green eyes look dull. Brown hair looks wan and brittle in my reflection, still short due to the fact I had it cut this way. It made me feel tomboyish and I liked it at the time.
Now, I’m not so sure. Do I grow it out? Would I look good with it? I liked having longer hair when I was younger, my signature ponytail hasn’t been seen in years.
Would it change anything if I went back to that style? Would I be happier if I had my long hair again?
Mmm. Possibly. I don’t know. Not worth worrying about I guess. Not like it really matters anyway. But what if it does? What if they’re looking for a more traditional looking candidate? What if my short hair puts off employers? What if they don’t want someone who looks too ‘rebellious’?
What if I grew it out, and they hated that more? Damned if I do, damned if I don’t.
Fuck. I scowl at the thought internally, though I don’t have the energy to eek out more than a slight scrunch of my snout.
Speaking of things I might regret, the ink on my right shoulder still looks killer. My favorite flowers trail down toward my bicep and climb up toward my neckline.
It was incredibly painful. The linework wasn’t too bad, but the color session was agony. My artist was very kind and did his best to help me through, but even with everything the searing pain to fill in the beautiful floral hues felt like it lasted an eternity. Damn scales. Apes have it so easy with their soft flesh, needing smaller needles and less pressure.
And they can have theirs removed by lasers, I can’t.
It’s stuck with me until the day I die.
At least from what I’ve read, it’ll stay looking sharp way longer than smooth skin tattoos do. For better or worse.
My parents don’t even know I got this, or at least that’s what I told myself at the time. Dad saw it, and you know what he did? He showed me his ink that he got in the military.
No judgment, no reservations. Just understanding.
He obviously scolded me afterwards for not telling them beforehand what I wanted to do, but as he said, ‘Your body, your choice. Just be careful, it's the only one you got.’ We haven’t discussed it since; he really doesn’t seem to care.
Even when I’m being reprimanded, he doesn’t judge me.
Why can’t I find someone like him? Just a regular decent guy, someone who won’t judge me for being me?
All the men I have ever met just look at me like I’m a piece of ass to chase, another easy lay. A sad girl to take advantage of for a night of fun and never call again.
Nobody even wants to try to get to know me.
Maybe I am better off alone at this rate.
…
Goddamn it. I’m not that alone. I still have my parents. They still love me as much as I love them. I can at least bank on that.
Them and my best friend, August.
I wash my face with a sigh, patting it dry slowly. Leaving the bathroom and making my way back to bed, I check my phone for any new messages before trying to sleep.
A notification catches my attention immediately.
August left a message? I wonder what she wants. I couldn’t text back earlier because I’m not allowed to be on my phone at work outside of my breaks. And she texted a little bit after my last one of the day.
It’s been a hot minute since we’ve hung out or done really anything together. With college and our own lives keeping us apart, it’s felt harder and harder to see her as time goes on. God, has it been two weeks at this rate? And even when we do talk, all we do is catch up for a few minutes, chat about nothing important, and then go our separate ways.
Talk, walk away, feel bad, miss her, talk again, repeat. The same cycle, over and over and fucking over again.
It… It’s been weeks since I had a proper chance to sit down and actually talk talk with her. Talk about how I really feel and how things are kind of-- I guess just going along. As soon as I do that though, I know it’ll just burden her. I can’t throw my crap onto her shoulders, so I make do with checking in and seeing how she is, nothing more.
Not like I have much of a chance to do that with anybody else, really.
All this fucking working is keeping me away from having a decent social life. I hardly talk to my co-workers. And even when I do, it’s that same simple small talk I give everyone else. Routine, banal, empty, and pleasant to hear because nothing of note stands out.
‘Do anything fun this weekend?’
‘Crazy weather we’re having right now, huh?’
‘Did you catch the Thrasher’s game last night?’
And everyone gets to hear that inane little phrase from me, ‘I’m doing okay.’
I’m fine. It’ll be okay. Really. It will.
At least that’s what I keep telling myself. I can’t think of the alternative.
I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.
Everything will be ok.
My thoughts trail back to August as a smile grows across my beak, my head and crest sinking into my pillows. I’ve known this girl since we were both flaplings; been best friends with her since grade school. She’s like a sister to me.
Wherever we went we’d go together. Back when we went through Volcano High, we were aptly named ‘The Calendar Twins’ .
It was meant as an insult at first about our month names.
But we took it in stride and rolled with it. Fiery youths, tough and taking no shit from anyone. In time we wore it as a badge of honor.
June and August. The Ptwin Pterrors of Volcano High.
We scared some people stiff. I still remember the black leather jacket I used to wear all the time to complete the aesthetic. I still have it hanging in my closet.
I wonder if it still fits me?
It made me feel strong, like I meant something, that nothing could hurt me.
When high school was over though, reality came crashing in.
Life came marching right at me and no amount of rebelliousness or eye-rolling would stop it.
The tough girl act wouldn’t get us through life. August understood that clearly and she was able to apply herself in college. I tried to as well but it was difficult because unlike her, I had no idea what I wanted to do. I was so wrapped up in this idea of wanting to be something that I lost sight of the future I wanted to have. The future I should have been planning rather than dicking around in the moment.
I still carry the ramifications of that mistake with me today.
Regrets. Longing for a second chance. Wishing I had done things differently. Feeling like shit because I had the opportunity, it was right fucking there, and I didn’t take it. And now I just have to live with it. The movie is over, the credits rolled, and now I’m sitting here in the dark looking at a blank screen, wishing I’d paid more attention.
But it’s okay, it’ll all be okay. The past is the past. I can’t change it; I can only look forward, right?
Just keep working a dead end job as a gym receptionist in a hopeless attempt to build up enough funds to do… something, then piss them away on smokes or some dumb bullshit, and do the same thing all over again next week.
Living paycheck to paycheck, week to week, all while living off of Mom and Dad’s good graces.
Be a good daughter. Be a hard worker.
Do it every day, every week, again, and again, and again… until something happens. Or until something gives. Whichever happens first.
…
*Sniff*
No, don’t cry. Stop it. It will be fine. You’re an adult now, June. A big girl!
You’ll be okay.
Repeat after me.
You’ll be okay.
Everything will be ok…
…
I- I think I need to talk to someone. Mom and Dad are asleep, so that leaves one person.
August should still be awake. God knows it would help to hear her voice right about now.
I dial her number and put the phone up to my earhole.
Brrr-chk! … Brrr-chk! …
Please pick up. Please.
Brr–
“Junie! Hey girl, it’s good to hear from you!” Her chipper tone greets me. The small anxiety building in me vanishes as I hear her voice.
“Hey August, it’s been a while.”
“Yeah it has girl. Man you sound tired as fuck. You okay?”
I can’t tell her how I really am right now. I don’t need to burden her with that.
“Yeah, I’m fine, just a long shift today, that’s all.”
“Ah, well that kind of stuff happens. You’ll make it through Junie, I know you will. Iron Wing June, right? But yeah, did you see what happened? Did you get my picture?”
Picture? Putting the phone on speaker for a moment, I check the message she sent and open the attachment.
August is standing next to a parasaur guy. Decently tall, thin build, kinda cute. He looks to be around our age. She’s standing awful close and his arm is around her waist–
Wait, did she…?
“August Temple, did you manage to bag yourself a man?”
“I did! Oh my gosh, Junie. His name is Jason and he’s wonderful; he asked me out this morning after our psych class we have together. It took him a while to do it too. I swear he kept me waiting long enough! We’ve been hanging out and sending strong signals back and forth for weeks!”
A forced smile comes across my beak as I bring the phone back up to my earhole. “I’m happy for you. You deserve the best; you’ll have to introduce me to this guy at some point, you know?”
My tired voice clearly lacks enthusiasm. I hope she doesn’t notice.
“Oh absolutely! I can’t wait for you to meet him.” She pauses for a moment before speaking again, “Really though, Junie, are you okay?”
“I’m fine, honestly. Just working, applying for better jobs, and getting my college work done. Same old, same old.”
A partial lie, but a necessary one. She’s always looking out for me, but seriously I can’t put my problems on her.
August can tell when something isn’t normal, I just hope she doesn’t press the issue.
“Well… alright. We should hang out soon when we have the chance, okay? I miss you girl.”
“Miss you more. Have a good night, August.”
There’s a long pause.
“You sure you don’t want to talk about it? We just started talking. I’m ok to stay up longer if you need me.”
“Promise I’m ok, Aug. A good night of sleep will help me feel better. We can catch up more when we meet, maybe next weekend, ok?”
“Sounds like a plan, Stan.”
I blow air out of my nostrils. “Har-har. Alright, I’m about to fall asleep here, talk to you soon. Night Aug.”
“You too Junie. Peace peace!”
With the call ended, I put my phone on my nightstand next to me and force another smile onto my lips.
This is great, August found somebody to make her feel loved. This is a happy occasion, I should feel good about this and happy for her.
As soon as the smile comes, it fades. Unsettling little worms of the worst kind of feelings surrounding my heart and mind, bringing my earlier thoughts back with a vengeance.
If I’m supposed to be happy for her, why does it make me panic?
My best friend is moving on ahead without me, finding the happiness in her life, and where does that leave me?
No boyfriend, same dead end job, living with my parents…
Sweat comes from my forehead as my heart beats faster in my chest.
Why can’t I have that? Why does she get to have a better life than I do?!
Stop it, you envious bitch. It’ll be okay.
Everything will get better, just be patient.
A little while longer.
It will be okay.
Repeat after me.
It will be okay…
It…
Why can’t I be happy?
*sniff*
Tears flow freely from my eyes, the dam I built crumbles completely as I raise an arm over my eyes. A few sobs rack my body before my beak opens, gasping in air that quickly leaves in shuddered exhales. The outpouring of sorrow leaves hot streams running down my face as I struggle to maintain control over myself.
I feel so weak. So pathetic. Weeping like a… like a fucking little bitch.
This all feels so wrong. I don’t feel ok. I’m not ok.
I’m not okay at all.
I don’t want this. I don’t want any of this.
I- I just want to be happy again. I want things to be like they used to be. I want things to make sense.
Please, someone save me from this waking nightmare.
Someone!
Anyone!
~~~~~~
When I lower my arm, I’m not in my bedroom at my parent’s house anymore. I’m in a different bed.
Where am I? Did I fall asleep at another person's house?
Wait… no. This is my house. And these big, smooth, muscly arms wrapped around me, these are my husband’s.
Was I dreaming? Is this real life?
What’s today? Reaching over to grab my phone and not disturb my sleeping heat boulder, I turn on the screen.
June 10th, 201M2016 B.C.
The weather today will be a high of 90°F, with a low of 68°F, with a 0% chance of precipitation.
It was a dream. No, it was a memory that disguised itself as a nightmare. That awful moment of just a few short years ago where-- where everything was going wrong.
Where I finally hit rock bottom.
Now I have Daniel by my side and today is our first wedding anniversary. We finally have our first baby on the way. It still shocks me that I’m finally pregnant.
With my- no, our first child.
I could laugh, cry, and jump for joy.
To think that I have everything I could want and more. Something I thought was unobtainable for someone like me all those years ago. Happy tears flood down my face as I twist my head back to look at my slumbering husband.
The dark, dank misery I once was chained to, both mind, body, and soul is now gone. The one who dispelled all that darkness from my life came in like a beacon of light.
I thought I was unworthy of love, unlikable… I hated myself because I didn’t know what I wanted.
Yet, you proved me different, Danny. The one I dismissed as another ‘skinnie meathead’ at first wormed his way into my heart and my mind.
Who knew I could fall so hard for someone?
Oh Danny… my love, my darling, my mate.
You have no idea how grateful I am that you showed up to the gym that day.
I really do love you, Daniel David Jacobs.
Leaning in as gently and quietly as I can, I line my snoot close to his ear and whisper.
“Happy anniversary, babe.”
To this and the many, many more that we will spend together. Let it be known that you are the first thing that I want to see when I wake up and the last thing I see before I fall asleep.
I survived a lot to get to you. And I would go through it all over again. All for you, Danny. You helped me find the light in my life again.
Because of you, I can soar high like my ancestors. My wings finally have purpose.
You looked deeper than the surface of my scales and the whites of my eyes and saw something I couldn’t see in myself at the time.
You saw me. You saw the real me.
Because of that, because of you…
I’m able to love myself as much as I love you.
The woman I was back then is a far cry from who I am today.
I’m no longer just surviving and barely getting by, clinging to hope and ‘maybes’ like a lifeline.
I know I’m safe now, that everything will be okay.
I’m not just “living.”
I am alive, truly alive.
Chapter 5: In It Together
Summary:
When things seem uncertain and life gets hard... Hold onto one another.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
August, 201M2016 B.C.
June
The month of August is nearly at an end, and Summer’s End is around the corner as the season begins its final throes.
I’m nervously excited.
I don’t typically put those words together, but that’s how I can describe it. The fact I’m four months along in my pregnancy has made me feel both ways.
My parents were ecstatic to find out the news that they were being promoted to grandparents, and my best friend, August, was over the moon. She had news to share on top of that. She was pregnant too! I swear it must have been a full moon that night or the shed romp spread my estrus-based energy to the entire neighborhood.
Probably why I’m sitting in the Payne’s house with her and Mrs. Sophia Payne.
I was introduced to the Payne family through August, and by happenstance at the grocery store. Sophia is on her second pregnancy right now, and close to popping. Her son, Damien, is twelve, and their goddaughter Olivia is the same age.
I guess that the boy she’s going to give birth to is… well-
“He’s our happy accident,” Sophia says with a smile, putting down her cup of warm tea.
“Seriously, I’ll never understand how we neighbors managed to get pregnant in the same year, it’s almost like magic,” August says as she leans into the table.
“Or a full moon. Multiple full moons.” I say with a smirk.
Sophia has years of experience as a mother, which makes her a fountain of knowledge and wisdom. I’ve learned that she is involved in the school district. She was a grade school teacher at Caldera Elementary before having her first son. She kept with it for some time, but settled to become a stay-at-home mom when Olivia needed to be housed in their home.
Some women tend to do better with the stay-at-home mom thing than others. Others tend to return to working once their children come of age. There really isn’t anything wrong with either of those choices.
Who knows what the future has in store for me?
Thinking about the wheelchair bound baryonyx makes me think about her father, Mark. He explained why she’s living with the Paynes instead of him. It made sense given the nature of his job and his widowhood. The boys—my husband Daniel, Jason, Mark, and Sophia's husband Randy—are grilling and enjoying a beer in the backyard.
We’ve become quite a tight-knit group of neighbors and friends. It makes what I went through years ago feel like a passing memory.
To think, I had no hope left, living day to day doing the same damn thing and smoking my life away.
I have to wonder what the younger me would say if she saw me now?
“So June,” the motherly spinosaurus says, taking me from my trip down memory lane, “Have you found out what you are having?”
I shook my head. “No, I haven’t yet. But tomorrow, we’ll know. The ultrasound appointment is in the morning.”
August's wings flutter with excitement. “Oh girl, I’m so excited for you! And jealous, I want to see what my baby looks like.”
“Just another month, and you’ll be able to,” I say but not a moment later, I felt movement inside of me.
Oof, this kid is a mover for how far along he is. I get the feeling we’ll have an explorer on our hands once they’re out.
I get to see them for the first time tomorrow. To see how they are developing.
To see a life literally growing within me. It makes me feel every emotion I could possibly feel all at once.
Will it be a boy or a girl? Will they be human like their daddy? Or will they look like a tiny clone of me?
Or both of us?
It doesn’t matter to me, either way. As long as they are healthy, growing properly, and safe.
That’s all that matters.
The next day…
Volcaldera Our Lady Of Stone Hospital
As we gaze at the ultrasound scan of our unborn child growing inside of me, I am in complete shock, and the attendant in charge of it appears just as shocked.
It’s a boy, I’m going to have a baby boy. While a part of me is sad that I’m not having a girl first, I’m grateful to know that my child is alive and well.
But with that grateful feeling comes the new reality that sits before us.
One that fills me with dread of an unknown future.
Based on what I’m seeing in the ultrasound image in front of us, he isn’t just a regular hybrid.
Our son is a homosaurian hybrid.
I didn’t know the word homosaur existed until the ultrasound technician started to panically call our OBGYN. We wouldn’t know anything about it until she entered the room.
Should I be worried? They make it sound like something is very wrong with my son.
I don’t like it, and I’m scared.
Our OBGYN, Dr. Violet, arrived in the room quickly, huffing as though she had hurried here.
“Sorry about that. Phew. ” The parasaur doctor breathes out as she looks up at us with a reassuring smile. “Had to see this for myself. How are you feeling Mr. and Mrs. Jacobs?”
“A little nervous, actually,” Daniel says, his grip on my hand cinching tight like a vice. “They make this whole ‘homosaur’ thing sound really bad.”
Was my husband thinking the same thing I was? Then again, this is a pretty big concern for both of us.
She gives the technician a disapproving look. “ Did they now? ” The technician in question shudders and rubs the back of their head. The doctor sighs and looks back at us. “I’m sorry about that. Let me ease your worries, you two.”
Ah, a case of overblowing the situation. Well, that makes me feel better, even if it’s just a little.
The doctor pulls up a chair before us and sits next to the image. “You see, homosaurians are special. It’s rare to get one between an interspecies couple, and when it does happen, it's important we document it.” She points to various points in the image. “As you can see, your son has wings, but his body shape is mostly human. Phalanges, metatarsals, and what looks like the beginning of orbital flooring in the cranium are shaped to be homo sapien. Yet here–” She points at his legs. “Here, and here.” She continues to point at other areas, like his arms and shoulders, and around what I’m assuming is his buttocks. “We see various structures of scales forming. In essence, he’s showing clear phenotypes of saurian and sapien heritage. You may notice that he will be heavier than an average human baby, but that’s because homosaurian bone density is the same as a saurians.”
The deluge of information is a bit much. It… makes me nervous. “Does it affect their life? Having both human and saurian traits?”
The OBGYN shakes her head. “No, not physically at least. He will have feathery wings that will need to be maintained like any pterodactyl's would. The coverage of scales on his body will need to be determined at birth, depending on the hybrid type.” Her eyes look over a clipboard, scribbling away with a pen while going on. “I’m going to need to take some samples from you, Mrs. Jacobs. We need to determine some factors before the due date.”
“Tests?” I- Oh God, what does that mean?”
“Oh! Nothing bad!” Our doctor focuses on us with a series of rapid hand motions. “We want to get a feel for his internal workings with some bodily fluids we can draw at this stage. Later on we can do more to monitor him, but nothing serious at this time. Basic stuff. No worries. As far as I am concerned, your pregnancy is the same as anyone else’s.”
I sigh. The tension is still wholly nestled in my chest, but it feels less piercing.
“How rare are these homosaurs? You said it’s not often that you see one.” Daniel asks.
Dr. Violet chews on her pen. “I’d say… 1 in 100 million. Your son will be the first I have ever seen in my tenure at this hospital.” She hums before writing something down on her clipboard. “In fact, he’ll be the first one I have ever seen in my career.”
My eyes widened at that. “That rare? And you said feathery wings?”
She nods. “Correct.”
“But he’s a boy!”
“Homosaurian children tend to take on the biology of their saurian parent, this is much more relevant and common when the mother is saurian. We don’t know why ptero and human hybrids of this type only get feather-based wings instead of leather, but as I said before, it will not affect his quality of life. I’m sure you are aware of this, Mrs. Jacobs, but some male pterodactyls can be born with feather wings, and females with leather wings. It’s not common, but it happens.”
I get that it happens, but the social implications for these kinds of pteros are never good. Kids who end up born with the other gender’s features typically get bullied because of it.
It’s a sad reality we live in that in the eyes of some other pteros, males shouldn’t have feathers and females shouldn’t have leather wings.
Raptors have feathers on their tails and heads regardless of what gender they are! Why should it be different for our species?!
There are so many questions I have about our baby, but the one that burns at the forefront is- and I hate to admit it, but based on what the doctor was saying our child will have a different life than many.
“Will he face trouble in his life because he’ll look both saurian and human?”
The parasaur doctor frowns. “I’m not equipped to make that judgement call for you. But I will say that he will be unique.”
Unique?
Oh God…
Daniel and I share a look as our hands grip tighter.
What are we going to do?
Daniel
An hour later…
The haunting silence of the car ride home gnawed at me. It hung low, smothering our feelings and making our entire day feel less real. Even now I pace the living room and look out toward the blue sky from our backyard window. June planted herself in our room; I wanted to be by her side, but she said she wanted to be alone for a little while.
What was supposed to be a happy day of seeing our child for the first time turned into one of dread, sadness, and fear of the future. I couldn’t help but blame myself for all of this, this was a risk that was bound to happen when we wanted to get married.
My mother was right, and God I can’t believe I said that, but her words echo in my mind like an ‘I told you so.’
Fuck her, hell, both of my parents. I’ll prove them wrong somehow throughout all of this. And really, what did my mother know about any of that? She’d be the one doing the damn bullying!
They’ll never get to see their grandchildren, not as long as I still draw breath.
Despite what my kids look like and who they take after, I’ll protect them as best as I can from the hateful pricks that inhabit this world.
Homosaur… I never imagined such a word in my life. Not until the doctor told us about them during our visit. Hybrids have been around since humans, saurians, simians, and neanderthals began to cohabitate. But these hybrid types are rare. Even Grungle offers limited information on them based on what I’ve seen since coming home and looking it up.
Even with a name to go with what our son is, it doesn’t change a thing. These homosaurs exist among us in society, with dreams and wishes, prospects and goals. And our boy to be born will be counted among the rare few.
No matter what he is, he is our son. He will be loved by us, skin or scales, or both in this case.
My parents would never understand, nor would they care to. You love your child because they are yours.
No, it doesn’t matter, my parents don’t matter in this, they made their choice, they aren’t in our lives.
What matters is the child growing inside of June right now.
There’s nothing wrong with our son, the only thing that changes things is how he looks. And really, so what if he’s different? People across this world are born with missing limbs or missing chromosomes.
Does that make them any less than the rest of us? No.
But does that change how I feel about this situation? Also no.
I can’t help but worry. I’m not the one that has to carry the baby to term, June is taking this hard, and all I want to do is be by her side through all of this.
If anyone is suffering, it’s her.
…
And you left her alone, you moron.
Goddamn it!
I run over to our room to see if she’s still in there, but I’m stopped by the sound of sobbing coming from one of the rooms on the way to it.
June… ah, my heart hurts to see this.
She’s on her knees in the room that the nursery will be in.
Our son’s room.
Wings are wrapped tightly around herself as she sobs and says something in Spanish I hear loud and clear.
“ I don’t know what to do, I’m scared, help me Father. ”
A prayer, a mantra, a cry for help. My wife isn’t super religious, but she grew up in a Catholic home.
Hearing her pray like this hurts my heart, but it also gives me the courage to do what’s needed.
Slowly, I approach June and lower myself to the floor next to her. My arms are wide open and ready to receive her. She shuffles into my awaiting embrace as I hug her closely, feeling the warmth of her tears soaking through my shirt as she grips onto me tight.
Sobs wrack her body as I rub her back and say nothing. Her wings slowly drape around us and block out the sunlight peeking through the windows, leaving the two of us in a feathery canopy.
I can’t imagine what she’s thinking right now, about all of this, about our son and our future.
Am I a bad husband for not crying like her right now? Am I somehow broken because I’m not reacting like her?
I just feel so… stressed? Confused? Everything honestly. God, I feel like I have no idea what to do even with my own reaction to this news. All that I can reliably do is just hold onto June and give her more support, even if I’m feeling scared at what this all means for us.
But we’ve gone through so much already, and I know for a fact that there is more to come. This is just another step up the steep mountain of life we have to take together.
I don’t know how long we stayed in the same position, but eventually, June finally stopped crying. Her eyes show how tired she is as we look at each other, the whites of her eyes are slightly red and irritated from all the tears.
“Can you-” she pauses before taking a quick breath. “Can you take me to our bed?”
“Of course.” My response is instantaneous.
I scoop up my wife gently, cognizant of the packaged deal she is in her state, as I slowly make my way to the bedroom and set her down with the utmost care on her side of the bed. I walk over to my side and lie down beside her.
She scoots closer to me, wrapping her arms around my abdomen, and I put an arm around her shoulder as we look at each other.
Her voice is hoarse, but she speaks anyway. “What do we do now? What are we going to tell my parents? Our friends?”
“The truth of the matter. We’re having a baby boy, and he's going to look like both of us.”
She groans. “But the whole homosaur thing!”
“Junebug,” Ah, geez I’m going to probably regret saying this, but- “Does it really matter?”
“I-” Thoughts are clearly moving around in that brain of hers as her eyes dance around before landing back on me. “I don’t know, it doesn’t seem to matter, but yet it does.”
That’s- Wow, okay, that’s pretty accurate to how I feel about it, too.
The indecisiveness, the fear of not knowing what’s going to happen, and not knowing what to do. But she needs to hear the truth on the matter.
“I get it, I really do, June.” Her snoot rests on my chest as she snuggles closer. “But we don’t have to figure it out today. As far as I am concerned, the doctor says that he will be physically fine.”
“But everyone might think he’s a freak!” She doesn’t mean that, I know she’s stressed.
“So? Fuck them. And fuck anyone who would even think that about our kids.” Her eyes widened at my frank statement. “They don’t get it, and they never will. Our son is unique, and regardless of what he looks like, we’re going to love him because he is our son. ”
Junes lips quiver as a smile begins to break across her beak, tears flow from her eyes. “Oh Danny… Oh my God you’re right. I feel so fucking selfish.”
My hand shoots up to her cheek. “No, you aren’t being selfish, you’re scared, and I’m scared, too. I might not show it, but I’m feeling just as confused about all of this like you are. All we can do is give our child the best life possible. We’ll make everyone see that he’s just like anyone else.”
“How?” She asks honestly.
I smile at her. “One day at a time. One moment at a time. Besides, we haven’t even named him yet.”
She returns a light, but tired smile. “Maybe later? Right now, I just wanna sleep in your arms and on your chest.”
“Fine by me, Junebug.”
We have all the time in the world, my love.
Our son will come, but not today. For now, we plan, and we wait.
Several months later…
Early December, 201M2016 B.C.
Christmas is nearly here, and the house is decorated as June wants it. I did all the work while she pointed and gave the orders because there’s no way in hell I’m making a very pregnant woman do any sort of labor.
The due date for our son is fast approaching. He’s supposed to be born around the end of the year, as stated by our OBGYN, who is an absolute godsend for all of our questions and worries.
Dr. Violet has to be the best at her job, because she not only provides the information we need, but she cares. And I mean really cares about every single couple that is expecting that comes through her doors.
As she says, every child is important, no matter how big or small, saurian or not.
We really do need more people like her in the world.
Our house is prepared for the arrival of our baby boy, from the stockpiling of baby related things like diapers, scale cream for newborns, and a comfortable crib for him to sleep in.
June and I went through a list of many names we’ve written down: August, Jason, June’s parents, and the Paynes have taken the liberty of writing down some names as well.
Names like Tommy, Matthew, and others. But the names didn’t stand out to me. Suggestion after suggestion and idea after idea were rejected.
We tried as we scanned through the list again and again, but nothing was clicking. Why was picking a name for our child so hard? It was mostly because it's a name that they would keep for the rest of their lives, so the pressure was high.
It seemed utterly hopeless for us, that is, until June saw it.
One name that means ‘strong and powerful.’ The name itself danced on my tongue as I said it over and over again. And then it began to feel right as I looked down at June’s belly and call him that.
It gave me butterflies to call our son a name. His name.
Roman. Even now, it tickles my heartstrings just right.
In the face of an indifferent world, he will stand out. He will be strong and powerful, not just by his own means but through us as his parents. We will lift him up, and he too will find a purpose for his wings.
I hope he’ll shine brightly in it. Our angel…
Looking at his name hanging on the door to his room makes me feel like he’s already in there sleeping. But as much as I want him to be in his crib, he’s still slowly cooking inside of June.
The day will come. Be patient, Daniel.
Soon. Very soon.
I can’t wait to be your father, Roman.
January 5th, 201M2017 B.C.
I’m nervous.
Okay, nervous is a huge understatement. I’m internally freaking out. Full level mental Three-Mile-Island!
Sleep hasn’t been coming to us lately because we are several days past the supposed due date for Roman. He hasn’t made it evident he wants to come out yet.
June’s dad made a little joke at Christmas about ‘the boy doesn’t want to leave the bakery’, and I almost laughed. But June and her mom gave him such flat looks that I decided to hold back.
Hell hath no wrath like a ptero woman scorned.
Now I can’t even crack a smile at the thought. I’m genuinely scared, and June is ready to have him come out already, it’s hard enough for her to walk around, or in this case, waddle.
Her feet are swollen, every part of her body aches, and she’s moody. I’ve made it a habit to carry her through the house whenever she’s feeling the worst of it.
Thank God this is a single-level home and we don’t have a second floor we have to climb stairs to get to.
With how far along my wife is in her pregnancy, I’ve taken the liberty of doing all the cooking, cleaning, and anything that needs to be done around the house.
Work is secondary compared to this. All my clients and potential new clients for the new year have been put on hold until this baby is safely delivered.
There may have been a moment where she looked down at her belly and grumbled about Roman overstaying his welcome… She wasn’t serious about that. Just a little frustrated.
I don’t blame her for how she’s feeling. When it comes down to it, I have a lot of patience for my wife. It’s necessary. Even more is needed when they are pregnant.
So here we are, going to bed for the night. We’re scheduled for tomorrow to go to the hospital to get her labor induced. Dr. Violet said it would be okay to do so, we can’t have him stay inside June too long or there would be complications for both baby and mother.
Just one more sleepless night. One more.
With my eyes closed and my arm around the one I love the most in this world, I dream of our son.
Will he look like me? Will he have his mother’s jade green gems? Will his wings be as big and beautiful as hers?
So many questions, and so much longing to see him.
…
…
Mmph… Why are my legs warm and wet?
“ Daniel! ”
Huh? Whuh-
“Wh- What’s going on Junebug? What time is it?” I’m woken from my deep sleep as I try to get a grasp of what’s got my wife freaking out.
It doesn’t help that the bed feels warm and damp.
… Wait.
“It’s time for me to get to the fucking hospital! My water…”
The realization hits me like an oncoming train as my eyes open immediately. I shoot up from the bed and look over at June in the darkness. Any tiredness or sleepiness I felt left me immediately when I saw it.
There's a massive wet spot where her legs are.
Her water broke? Now!?
“When did that happen!?”
“Just now! Ugh, oh God, he’s trying to come out!” June cries in pain. “He’s trying to crawl his way out! He’s ready!”
Looking over at the alarm clock, it says 3:00 AM.
You gotta be fucking kidding me.
My damn kid is going to be an early bird!
“Stay right there, babe.” My heart is beating at a hundred miles a minute as I dash from the bed and put on some clothes. Taking a quick peek outside shows that snow is coming down.
Damn it, now? Of all the times it has to snow in Dinofornia, it has to be now?!
Labor pains wrack my wife's body as I go into overdrive and grab everything we need.
Overnight bag. Extra clothes. Shoes.
Our coats for the cold weather.
June is in tears as she’s lying on the bed. “Danny! Honey, I’m scared! It hurts, oh fuck, it hurts so much!” The contractions seem to be coming at a steady rhythm. Already? I thought we would have more time!
“Breathe baby, we’ll be okay. I’ll get us to the hospital. Do you trust me?”
She smiles through the pain, her eyes wet as those green gems peer deep into my soul. “Always,” she grunts out. ”Now please get me to the– hnnrg –fucking hospital.”
I lift her from the bed gently.
We’ll be okay.
We’re together in this.
All three of us.
Notes:
Big thanks to Talonist_ for the insert art!
Chapter 6: Behold, An Angel
Summary:
A gift from the heavens for a growing family.
Notes:
Insert art by Ashtober!
Chapter Text
A couple of hours later…
If there is anything that I am thankful for, it's that Dinofornia traffic is quiet in the dead hours of the morning. Getting to the hospital was the easy part, the hard part was the waiting once June was admitted through the emergency department.
Roman did not want to stay inside of her, it was clear he was desperate to escape his mother’s womb.
That is, until we got to the hospital and the labor stalled. Just one thing after another, and the sun hasn’t even come up yet.
I know it’s standard procedure to have me wait a bit before being able to go back there, but Jesus. The tension does wonders for me after that high stress drive on the way here. Now I go from speeding down the highway to waiting out here? Right when June probably needs me the most? Goddamn wonderful!
Sleep isn’t coming my way, nor do I want to sleep—I’m not missing this. Though, I’m feeling a bit rough for the occasion, dressed in a sweatshirt, jeans, and I haven’t shaved for a week.
I wouldn’t be surprised if I was rocking a 5 'O'clock shadow.
I’m teetering on the edge here. But what takes me by surprise is a cup of coffee in front of my face, held by a familiar purple-scaled hand.
“Dr. Violet?” I say as I turn my head up to the parasaur in question. She smiles at me, even though she looks like she has just woken up.
“Not exactly the call I was expecting this morning. I’m glad you were able to get here in time. Take this, you look like you need it, Mr. Jacobs.” She says with a smile.
I graciously accept the styrofoam cup as she sits down next to me with a huff, clipboard in hand. “Let’s get down to business. The labor did stall, but there are still contractions happening, even if minor. I have a feeling the major contractions will begin again soon.”
A sigh of relief passes from my lips. “And how is June doing?”
The young parasaur doctor lightly frowns. “She’s exhausted. It isn’t exactly common nor practical to be woken up in the middle of the night by having your water break and go into labor. But the good thing is, she is trying and in good spirits. She’s specifically asked, well… demanded that you be there with her when the next major contractions happen.”
“Which could be soon.” She nods at my answer.
“A nurse will come get you when it starts happening, but all I can say for now? Stay strong, let us take care of your family. A homosaur being born is a rare occasion, but at the end of the day, it’s still a baby that we will do our best to deliver properly and with utmost care. This is the first homosaur birth I’ve seen in my career, and with the way everything is going nowadays? I doubt it will be the last.”
I smile at her. “Thank you doctor.”
“My pleasure, Mr. Jacobs. Do let me know if you need anything.” She pats my shoulder and leaves, heading for where they are keeping my wife.
Visiting hours should be starting soon, meaning her parents will be here.
I close my eyes and bow my head.
Raptor Jesus, it’s not often that I pray to you.
But please, I beg you, protect her, and our angel you blessed us with.
Amen.
I don’t know how long I’ve been sitting here since Dr. Violet came by to update me and plant much needed caffeine in my hands. Apart from getting up to use the bathroom, I can’t help but feel the anxiety starting to return. I’ve been attempting to distract myself by pacing around the waiting hall and texting friends and family about June’s condition.
My in-laws know the baby is coming. They more than eagerly explain they’ll be here when visiting hours begin. I can already imagine Isabella rushing my father in law out the door to meet her first grandbaby.
My foot taps the floor with an unsteady rhythm that is attempting and failing to match the pace of my heart. Damn it, I hate feeling like this.
So many emotions overwhelm my mind and body, forcing chemical explosions one after another to keep me awake. But all these emotions and thoughts, they all lead to the same conclusion. One I have told myself many times, but haven’t really thought hard on until this moment.
I’m going to be a father. Raptor Jesus preserve me. I’m going to be a dad to our baby boy.
Nothing will be the same again, in a good way.
The thought that I’m going to have a tiny flapling running through the house still baffles me even on the day we are welcoming him into the world. All of that waiting, those nine months of waiting… all for this very moment.
I didn’t think I was allowed to be this happy in life. Not after all I went through with my parents. I still remember how I used to tell myself I was never going to give my parents grandchildren and remain single just to spite them.
That thought made me wince a little, seeing as where I’m sitting now. Oh boy, that’s gonna be a hard one to explain to Roman and any of our future children. Especially when he starts asking questions on why we see June’s parents and not mine.
One set of grandparents instead of two.
Kids are curious, but he doesn’t need to know why we don’t see my parents.
Not until he’s older and can understand it fully.
One day at a time, Daniel, one day at a time. The future's not set in stone.
To my surprise, a saurian nurse comes running down the hallway and yells toward me. “Mr. Jacobs! It’s started again! Come quickly!”
Oh shit!
With my thoughts focused only on my wife, I quickly follow the nurse down the hallway toward the delivery room, throwing the empty disposable cup of coffee into a trash can along the way.
I can hear her pushing, grunting, and swearing out of her beak from outside the room.
“Get him the fuck out! Hnnng- WHERE’S MY HUSBAND!? GET THE FUCKER WHO DID THIS TO ME IN HERE RIGHT NOW!”
Yep, that’s my wife. God I love her.
“ SKREE-OONK! ”
Still love her. She’s just giving birth. And probably going through the most excruciating pain of her life.
I’m totally fine.
… Oh who am I kidding? I’m a damn mess.
With a deep breath, I walk into the delivery room, past the nurses and doctors working on getting the baby out, as I move to June's side. She lightly gasps when she sees me.
Sweat covers her entire body, tears stain her face, her hair is a nightmare, and the clothes she was wearing are now replaced with a hospital gown. There’s an awful snarl on her beak, and she’s got her feet stirruped in straps while they clench and relax in a constant rhythm as she glares at me.
Yet, above all that, those green eyes of hers make my heart warm with relief as I lower my hand down for her to grab onto. “I’m here, Junebug.”
The grimace disappears, replaced by a look of relief. “Danny…” Even through the pain, she’s focused on me.
“You’re doing great honey. I’m right here, and I’m not going anywhere.”
She pants heavily as the delivery doctor peeks over. “One more push, Mrs. Jacobs! The boy is crowning! We can see his head!”
My heartbeat quickens as I look down at my wife with excitement. “Did you hear that baby? He’s almost out! Come on, you can do it!”
“I-” She sounds weak. “I’m trying!” I quickly grab hold of one free hand, giving it a squeeze. She squeezes back and--okay ow. Oh wow, that is a hell of a grip on my bones, oh shit my fingers!
“Push!” The doctor calls out.
My wife groans and strains. With a kiss to her sweat-stained brow, I tell her my favorite three words. “I love you.”
“I- I love you, Danny- hnnrgh -”
With one loud, ear-piercing cry, another cry joins the bird song.
The sound of a newborn baby crying loudly.
“He’s out, and he’s singing!” Doctor Violet calls out from behind the curtain. “And good Lord, is he beautiful!”
Not less than a minute later, and with bated breath, she walks around with our newborn son, swaddled in cloth and crying.
She stands before us with a happy smile. “Congratulations, you two. You are now parents to a very healthy baby boy.”
“C-Can I-?” My wife weakly asks.
“Of course, Mrs. Jacobs. Take him into your arms slowly.” I let go of my wife’s hand and watched as the doctor gently laid the newborn into June’s awaiting arms.
The cries of our son slowly dissipate as June brings him close to her snout. Tears are rolling down her tired eyes. “Oh- Oh sweet Raptor Jesus, he’s so beautiful. Our baby boy. Look at him Daniel.”
He gurgles, reaching up to rub his eyes.
Before opening them, making everything in the room light up, and time all around me seemed to slow down.
I’m stunned. Overjoyed. Thrilled beyond words.
Baby blue diamond pupil eyes. As crystal and blue as the sea.
I hope they never change.
He coos in her arms as I lean in close and kiss June on her forehead.
“We’re parents.” She says softly.
“We are,” I replied.
Skin on scales.
Diamond pupil eyes.
And a tiny tuft of brown hair.
Welcome to the world, Roman.
June has been napping for a solid hour after she gave birth to the baby, so I’ve been taking care of our barely hour-old son. The hospital sure is hustling and bustling now that 7AM has rolled around, meaning visiting hours have begun and people are being admitted to the hospital normally.
I’ve seen lots of new mothers and soon-to-be mothers pass by. It’s amazing to see so much new life being born on such a cold and snowy day.
The classes we took to prepare us to be parents and for the day of the birth have come in handy. But I nearly forgot the skin-to-skin contact that I needed to do so that Roman would imprint on me and know I’m his father.
But that face of his is a dead giveaway of whose son he is. Like my tiny clone, only with scales and wings included. His jawline seems different though. Is it because it’s going to account for sharp teeth in the future?
Maybe the future is yet to be determined.
I took great care to support his head and neck using the crook of my dominant arm. My other arm is directly beneath to provide firm support to his bottom and hold him steady. He’s asleep, thankfully.
God, he’s so small…
A slight chill in the room makes me think of putting my shirt back on. Plus, the nurses keep peeking in and ogling at me.
Sorry ladies, this body is only for my wife. And for carrying my kids.
Roman is quiet as he sleeps in my arms. The process of being birthed was probably terrifying and exhausting, just as much as it was for June.
I could use a break. I really want to put my shirt back on, damn hospital air conditioning! Looking down at my son sleeping peacefully makes me slightly jealous.
A nap would be welcome right about now…
“Is this a bad time, dear?” A motherly voice quietly calls from the door.
“Mom? Dad?” June’s parents are at the door to our room as they quietly walk inside.
“We saw that you might be busy with the little one. Sorry for the intrusion.” Jonah says as he rubs the back of his crest.
“It’s fine. I was getting some skin-to-skin when June fell asleep. So I’ve been stuck like this for a while.”
They walk over, being careful not to wake June or the baby.
“Oh my goodness, he looks just like you sweetheart!” Isabella excitedly puffs out her wings and clasps her hands together.
“He looks like both of us, actually.” I smile and show the small wings poking out from the swaddle, lined with tiny, baby feathers.
A lighter shade of gray than June’s, but it still signifies that he is her flapling.
“My word… so he really is a genuine hybrid.” Jonah says with astonishment in his voice.
“In every way.” I say with a smile, wrapping my son back up again.
Made with love. Our love.
Roman yawns and begins to open his eyes, causing my in-laws to gasp, albeit a bit loudly.
“ Cristo Raptor, Jonah, he has your eyes!”
My father-in-law was slack-jawed at the sight. The blue eyes skipped a generation and passed right down to Roman. Genetics really are interesting when it comes down to it.
His lips quivered as Roman gurgles, reaching out toward his grandparents. Specifically, for Jonah.
“Can I hold him, son?” He asks, his voice sounds as fragile as glass.
“Of course you can, Dad.”
He looks over at June for a moment, before looking back at the baby in my arms and reaching out. A smile threatened to break across his beak as I settled our bundle of joy into the awaiting arms of his grandpa. I take the much-needed opportunity to put my shirt back on.
The older pterodon's eyes are wet as he gazes down at his grandchild with joy and love.
“God, he’s… incredible. I never thought this day would come.”
“ Mmmph- It came a little too early in the morning, but thank Raptor Jesus he’s out.” The voice belonging to my wife sounds throughout the room.
“June! You’re awake!” My mother-in-law clasps her hands together. “How are you feeling, dear?”
“Fine, mamá. Just had the best nap of my life and I’m still sore.” She looks over at her father and smugly grins. “Well~ looks like somebody was excited to hold their first grandkid.”
Jonah’s eyes dance around the room. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.” he grumbles to himself for a moment, “Anyway, what’s his name? I’ve been holding him and I still don’t know.”
“Yes, what is this precious little angel’s name?” Mom asks.
June and I look at each other and smile. We turn back to our parents and she delivers the news.
“Mom, Dad, meet Roman Jonah Jacobs.”
Isabella’s eyes widen as I reach in to snatch the baby from Jonah’s arms. His beak drops open.
“You’re kidding.” He’s completely stunned.
“Nope. We saw those blues on him and just had to. Besides, your name as his middle name works so well Dad.”
Not less than a second later, my father-in-law is in tears. The fully grown man was bawling like it was the end of a textbook romance movie. Isabella holds him tight and smiles at us. “It’s perfect, you two.”
Today is perfect. I’m surrounded by the people I love and am able to hold my baby boy in my arms.
He might have both skin and scales, but that doesn’t change a thing about how I feel.
Roman, know that you are so loved, and that our love made you.
No matter what the world thinks, you are beautiful, unique, and perfect just the way you are.
I can’t wait to take you home with us.
One month later…
It’s been one month since we’ve welcomed Roman into the world, and I won’t lie, it’s pretty hectic in our house.
The newborn phase is the worst as new parents. On account of changing diapers, feeding the baby, and being woken up in the middle of the night by him crying. June has been taking care of most of it though. She’ll let me help at times, but she gets pretty defensive about wanting to feed him and manage his baby feathers.
Isabella told me that it’s ingrained in saurian women to be the primary caretakers of their babies, especially newborns. Jonah told me many stories of nearly losing a finger or two for even touching June wrong when she was born.
I’ll tell ya, nothing puts the fear of God into me more than June hissing at me.
I’m trying my best to be patient. It’s a whole new world for me when it comes to being a new father.
Speaking of new fathers, Jason and August will be having their baby pretty soon. Not much farther now to the due date for their baby girl.
I hope Roman will be friends with her and Vincent, the Paynes newborn.
They’ll all be the same age, and maybe even go to the same school together. They can have sleepovers, so the parents can rotate having a night to themselves.
Ah… I can dream.
Today is a rare occasion as Isabella and June have taken Roman out with them to go walk around Volcaldera and have a sort of mom and daughter time.
Meaning I’m stuck in my house with my father-in-law, Jonah. It isn’t a bad thing, it's just that we’ve been sitting here watching football while having a beer together.
I’m feeling kind of restless, thinking constantly about my baby boy and my wife to keep other thoughts away.
The idea of sitting on the couch with my father-in-law watching football brings up bad memories I would rather keep buried. My father would do this all the time for the Sunday football games, whether it was college football or the NFL.
Memories of a younger me sitting with Dad on the couch feel bittersweet. Watching him smile and laugh when his favorite team scored. It was those days when I felt closest to my old man.
I miss the days when it didn’t matter, where we were normal and I had nothing to worry about. But now all I can think about is how I wished they could have changed.
Fucking Grandpa Jacobs, goddamn piece of-
“You alright, son?”
I snap out of my daze and look over to Jonah, who has a look of concern on his face.
He points to my hand. “You uh- you crushed your can.”
“I did?”
Looking down at the empty can, I did, in fact, crush it pretty good. Probably would have been more impressive if I had crushed it when it was unopened.
But that’s not the point, I feel a tinge of embarrassment and shame as I set the can on the ground and sigh. “Sorry about that. I was lost in my thoughts.”
He reaches over for the remote and turns off the TV, he then grabs his beer and stands up. “Come on, let’s enjoy the fresh air, grab yourself another beer.”
Jonah walks to the patio door, pausing before turning around to look at me. “Oh, and another one for me too, I’m almost out.”
Right, walking over to the fridge, I grab two more cans of beer and head toward the patio door and make my way outside.
We have lawn furniture now in our backyard, and the weather is just nice enough for February to sit out here. I take a seat next to my father-in-law and pass him the extra beer. He smiles. “Thanks.”
With both of us cracking open a cold one, we sit in relative silence for some time, before he speaks up.
“So, what’s on your mind?”
I snort. “What isn’t on my mind lately?”
He hums. “Well, talking tends to lighten your chest. And I say there’s a weight on it that even you can’t lift off, even with all the physical strength you possess.”
Damn, he knows something’s up.
Do I peel the bandage off and talk about my family? He’s right, it’s a pressing weight that hasn’t left me for years now.
There are things I still haven’t told June, especially about my grandfather. I’ve been meaning to tell her, but…
I worry that it will affect her view of me.
This is my father-in-law, one of the men I respect the most in my life. Open up to him, goddamn it.
“It’s about my family , well, mostly about my grandfather, really.”
He looks surprised. “That’s something you haven’t mentioned before. I know you’ve talked about your parents, but never their parents.”
I shrug. “My grandmother wasn’t in the picture, not since she divorced and left my grandpa when my dad was young. And probably for a good reason too.”
Deep breathes, Daniel. You can do this, he trusts you. Be honest, with him and yourself.
“What reason would that be?” He asks earnestly.
“Grandpa Jacobs was a registered member of the Human Liberation Party. A big shot, if you will.”
Jonah’s eyes go wide. “Raptor Jesus, son. I would get why you didn’t want to tell anyone that.”
I nod. “It’s a stain on my family’s name that’s stayed with us for years, even after the specieist asshole bit the dust. It’s a part of why my father turned out the way he did. Raised by a single father, and said father was as specieist as they can get.” I take a heavy swig of my beer. “Then he sent my dad off to the army to ‘shape him up’ and that was a whole other can of worms. I get why my dad never held my grandfather in high regard.”
Folding my arms over my chest, I huff. “But that’s the thing: why couldn’t he see the bullcrap right in front of him? Why did he buy what my grandfather was selling? Especially if he didn’t care for what my grandfather did to him when he was younger? Wouldn’t that resentment help-- I dunno, break the chain?”
He sighs. “You never know what a person is going through. Our minds are as self-contained as we want them to be. Talk as much or as little as you want. But really, you never know what a person has experienced or what they are really thinking.” His gaze falls on me. “I don’t talk about what happened in Guam in detail, for good reasons. I’ve seen the worst of both humanity and dinokind during that time, and had to photograph it as well. Isabella was my anchor in those choppy waters after I was stationed in Spain for the rest of my time in the service.”
Jonah takes a hearty swig of his own beer before putting the can down gently. “The point I’m trying to make is that the worst that life offers us affects us if we let it. We need to surround ourselves with people who care. I don’t know your father’s whole story, and neither do you. But he made a choice, and that choice led to where we all are today. Just don’t let his choices weigh down your future and what you have here and now.”
I swish the beer can and its contents around as I turn to him. “And what do I have?”
He smiles. “Us, June, your friends, and your son.” He puts a clawed hand on my shoulder. “Listen, I don’t know if I have told you this, but I didn’t know what to feel the moment that June brought you home for the first time.”
“Intimidated?” I say with a smirk.
“Somewhat, with those arms you have, you could break me in two.”
He pulls his hand away and sighs. “I’ll admit, I was… skeptical at first. Humans have always been a mixed bag in my eyes, good or bad, and I’ve served with many during my time in the Marines. Yes, there are the Skin Row junkies that you see on the news all the time, but all species are among that crowd of misfits and addicts, not just humans. It would be completely unfair and purely speculatory to say that all humans are bad because of Skin Row.”
Jonah looks deep into my eyes. “Know this, we are not defined by our species, or what other members of our species do. We are the decisions we make, the lives that we change, and the people we love and are loved by.”
That’s- That’s some solid advice if I have ever heard.
Not being defined by our species, but our character. Maybe that’s what Jonah and Isabella were looking at when I first stepped into their lives.
Maybe.
“Listen Daniel, you need to talk to June about what you told me about your family. She has the right to know, and I know that it will take some of that weight off your chest.”
“But it's a lot, Dad. And I don’t know what she’s gonna think the moment I tell her.”
“We all have skeletons in our closet in some form, son. Just be honest with her, and tell her everything. Talk to her. Communicating is essential in a relationship, even for empty nesters like Isabella and I, we still talk everyday, even if it’s just small things.”
Talking, huh?
I really don’t know what I’m worried about, maybe some sort of shame because of my family’s history?
But Jonah is right. It doesn’t matter now. What matters is what we have here.
My family, my friends, all of it.
Seriously, what did I do to deserve these wonderful people I get to call my in-laws in my life?
It’s late in the night. I’m taking care of Roman after he woke up needing to be changed again. He’s a bit restless, so I took him to the living room to tucker him out.
June needs sleep, and it’s my turn to take care of tonight’s duties.
Every time I look at my child, I think, ‘how lucky am I to be given one?’
I raise him into the air, much to his amusement and happy giggles and gurgles. His little wings flapping at the feeling that he could be flying so high.
It makes me smile.
And then, it hits me as I look at his scales intertwined with skin.
The gym idea. For some reason, looking at my son makes me think about my dreams of opening up a gym. Money be damned, I want to go out and do it. I want to open a gym that caters to all species and all weight classes, where everyone is welcome. Not like those Planet Fitness places, God forbid.
But starting a business is such a huge investment of money and time. Not to mention all that needs to go into it.
Equipment, location, staff… And I’m not opening a franchise based gym; this will be my own venture.
My own gym.
Looking into my son’s eyes and seeing his toothless smile, I think I know what I want to call it.
6 Months Later…
When I told June that next morning I wanted to get serious about opening up a gym, she was hesitant at first, seeing how we have Roman to take care of, as well as our own jobs on top of all of it.
She was rightly worried about the financial aspect of it, but it's something we both committed to. And then I brought up the idea to my friends and fellow Strongman competitors to see what they thought.
We were surprised that they wanted to pitch in, and other people in the community wanted it too.
It was an overwhelming thing, to see all the support come from so many people, no matter which species.
And before we knew it, we had the funds necessary to start the gym.
The location of it? Five minutes outside of Skin Row.
I chose this place for a good reason; I wanted it to act as a bridge between there and the rest of the city. As a way of bridging the gap between humans and saurians in a way.
Construction is complete, the facility is ready to be used, and all the equipment inside is inspected and ready to be used. We had it professionally inspected, of course, but that didn’t stop me and the guys from trying out the equipment first.
But today is the first day we are opening to the public.
With my angel, Roman, in my wife’s arms, and my arm around her shoulder. We put the key into the front entrance and unlocked it.
Today, I am no longer just a personal trainer.
I am Daniel Jacobs, proud owner and personal trainer of Fusion Fitness.
The present is ours to live in, and the future is ours to make.
I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but I’ll face it with my family.
With everyone who supports us.
Chapter 7: A Growing Family
Chapter Text
January 6th, 201M2018 B.C.
June
They say if you blink, time will fly right by you.
Well, I think they’re right. Today marks a special occasion in our household.
Our Roman is turning one! Oh, they grow up so fast!
Don’t cry, keep it together. Cry later, smile now.
My darling little angel has been going through so many firsts the past year that I feel like my head keeps spinning just trying to record everything or get a picture.
His first preening.
First bath.
First word…
And most recently, his first Christmas. Yeah, I still have my Christmas decorations up, but I took a long time to put them up, and I’m gonna keep them up for as long as I please, damn it!
Even if this year was a Dinofornian Christmas, meaning no snow whatsoever.
But enough of that, today is special! We’re having a party and have invited everyone, and I mean everyone.
My parents, the Payne family and their kids. August, Jason and their daughter, Hannah.
Gosh, she is so cute. She took after Jason by looking like a parasaur, but she has her mother’s scale colors, markings and sharp teeth.
Such beautiful lavender eyes… It makes me think that I want a daughter.
I’m so glad the kids are omnivores, it makes feeding them a lot easier. But we always account for Jason at parties by having herbivore-friendly foods available. Even Daniel will sneak some of his food now and then.
He’s become such good friends with Jason and the other guys in the neighborhood. It makes me happy to see my husband socialize and make friends.
As for me, working at the school has been beneficial for bringing in some money for us. Daniel takes care of the rest with his gym business booming.The New Year's resolution crowd is coming in, so more memberships all around.
This means he will be getting more money and, in return, investing more in the business. He’s talking about getting an indoor swimming area built for people who want to exercise using that. His inspiration for the idea came when he saw Olivia swimming in her pool during the last Summer’s End. Not to mention it would help draw in the aquatics crowd.
I didn’t forget what Daniel said the last time we had that party.
‘Summer never ends when I'm with you, Junebug.’
That cheeky man. My darling hunk of a husband.
He always knows the right things to say to get my feathers ruffled in all the right ways.
I swear to Raptor Christ, that man better get me pregnant again this year, or so help me-
Jesus, June. Keep yourself under control. You have guests, and Roman only turns one once.
Worry about family planning later, focus on the task at hand.
What were we doing again? Oh right, a small cake for my little angel to smash his face into while we take pictures.
“Come on Manny! Look at Grandpa!” My dad calls out, eliciting giggles from my tiny flapling.
It works because he’s looking directly at him. Oh, how he loves his grandparents.
This makes a perfect picture, my son’s face covered in cake, with a smile as wide as can be, and those crystal blues he kept for eyes.
Within a single moment, my father captures a picture.
One of many to join the growing pile of memories and moments of our child.
June 10th, 201M2018 B.C
Daniel
It’s a beautiful day today, both June and I have the day off from work, and on top of that, it’s our wedding anniversary!
I can’t believe it’s been three years since I said ‘I do’ to this beautiful pterodactyl I have the pleasure to call my wife. Every day, I find myself falling deeper for my Junebug.
Not just because she is the love of my life and my mate, but also because she is the mother of our child.
Nothing makes my heart lighter and filled with joy than to see her smile when handling Roman. It makes all of the stress and worry about managing the gym melt away in an instant.
I am a simple man; I see happy wife, I happy human.
But you know what sucks about having a kid in the house? Not being able to be deeply intimate with said wife whenever you want. Look, I don’t want to scar my kid for life. But when June bends over in front of me to do something with Roman, and I have to stare at all that cake and not have it?
It’s like I’m a man dying of thirst in a desert, but the oasis is right in front of me covered in a glass dome.
It frustrates me that I can’t indulge when our son is present. Good God, it is so hard to be patient and have self-control.
June kept some of the baby weight from pregnancy and pretty much radiates MILF energy in every possible way, and all that weight has gone into the right areas.
Which only makes me feel worse knowing I can’t capitalize on all that real estate she has going on. Damn you high sex drive!
She has ruined me completely, and I have no complaints. I accept my status as a feather fiend with pride.
I’d like to cash in on all this pent-up sexual tension at some point, but it looks like we aren’t going on a trip for our anniversary this year. June specifically requested that we stay home, but she had taken Roman to her parents for tonight so that we could have some alone time.
That means for one night we can be like how we were when we didn’t have kids in the house. No having to keep quiet, no restrictions on intimacy, and no child coming into our bedroom late at night after having a nightmare while his parents are doing the deed.
… Yeah. That happened. And it was awkward for everyone involved.
I’ve got everything ready for us to enjoy a very fancy date night at home. Some good quality large, red sirloins for me to grill, and for dessert? Cake. June’s favorite kind of cake in fact, German Chocolate.
We had to restrain ourselves for the estrus season this year because we had Roman around, and we had no one who was able to watch him for a week. For God’s sake, he’s only one.
It only made dealing with the season worse because of the chemical warfare going on within June. But surprisingly, it was less insane because she had already given birth to one child. Turns out having children does reduce the effects of estrus on the body.
I think we have both been pent-up lately and desperately needed a vacation, and today is that vacation of sorts.
Wait, wouldn’t it be called a stay-cation then? Eh, whatever works. I’m happy to be with her anywhere.
Maybe this year we’ll go to Yosemite like we said we would now that our son is at least one. She’d love it there.
Speaking of, she’s back.
June closes the front door behind her and sighs, taking off her shoes as I greet her at the door.
“Hey babe, welcome home.”
She smiles at me. “I’m back. Good to be home.”
I plant a kiss on her snoot and walk with her to the kitchen as she reaches into the fridge and grabs a bottle of water. “How is Roman doing? Will he be fine at your parent’s place for the night?”
My mate snorts. “Yeah, he’ll be fine. He loves my parents, remember? I’m sure he’d be fine if we left him there for a couple of days.”
I raise an eyebrow. “A couple days? I thought we were only going to keep him there for a night.”
She pauses and lightly chuckles. “Right, just for tonight, I must be that tired, huh?”
“We’re parents, we both work, and get just enough sleep to call it okay. I think we’re tired.”
“Mmm…” she hums “Then how about we take a nap before we have dinner tonight then? You go on ahead and wait for me in the bedroom.”
I give a mock salute. “Yes, ma’am.”
She lightly slaps me with her wing. “Ass, I love you.”
“Love ya more, Junebug.”
I get another look at her as I walk myself to the bedroom. She’s wearing a baggy sweatshirt and pants today, it must be one of those days she wants to be comfy.
She looks good in anything she wears, no matter what it is, though I do miss seeing her walking around the house in my shirts that she has taken and had holes cut into them for her wings. I only get to see that when we go to bed.
Just another sacrifice we had to make by becoming parents. Oh well, I have good memories to look back on at least.
As I sit on the bed and wait for her, I realize how long it's been since she sent me here. I’m getting kind of worried.
“Junebug? You okay?” I called out.
“Yeah, sorry, I had something to take care of.” She calls back from the hallway as I hear her walking down.
Oh thank God she’s coming now. I wonder what-
Sweet baby Jesus in His manger of stone.
June isn’t in her sweatshirt or pants anymore. No, what she’s wearing instead are some of the sexiest pieces of lingerie I have ever seen on her to date. They curve around her features in all the right ways, accentuate her hips and ass, and match the color of her eyes perfectly.
“J-J-” I’m stammering, unable to find the words as she sashays over, emphasizing the movement of her hips that I love so much. My brain is like melting ice as a single taloned finger comes to my lips as she leans in.
Holy fuck she smells incredible. Ook ook. Pretty bird woman.
“Listen here, Danny. ” Her voice is like liquid seduction as I nod immediately and vigorously. “We have both been working hard, I’m horny, you’re pent up, we have the house to ourselves for several days.” My eyes widen at the reveal as she nods. “Yes, days. I love our baby boy, but we both need this.”
It’s true, on top of having a kid to take care of, we both work tirelessly to be able to feed ourselves, pay for the house, and all the other money related things. Sex isn’t on the forefront of our minds.
Estrus season was the last time we got intimate. So it's been a while.
I was about to speak, but she shushed me, keeping her finger to my lips. “This is what is going to happen, stud, you are going to breed me senselessly for the next few days we have to ourselves. I want another kid, and by God, I don’t care how long it takes. You are going to be through and not waste a single drop. Do you understand?”
She pulls away her finger, allowing me to speak once more. I’m nervous in a good way as my voice slightly cracks. “Y-Yes, ma’am.”
My wife smiles down lewdly at me. “ Good boy~ ”
Good boy? Me? Hearing that does something to me that both makes my pants tight and sends a shiver down my spine. Gooseflesh runs along my arms and on my cheeks as she softly caresses them with her scaled fingers and palms.
Oh sweet Raptor Jesus.
I mean, I’m already ruined by her in all the right ways, but… I think she means to break me this time.
My brain is melting into a fine soup inside my skull as her hands trail lower, her claws slowly cutting my shirt perfectly down the middle like a piece of paper. Not a moment later, she rips off the ruined fabric and rubs her hands all over my chest.
This is a lot different than estrus season. She isn’t claiming what she wants; she already knows she has it.
She wants to rile me up in every way possible.
Oh my God, she really wants me to get her pregnant again.
… You know what, fuck it, I want another kid too. Maybe we’ll be blessed with a daughter, who knows?
If she wants to get my motor running, I’ll kickstart hers too.
My hands find purchase around her hips, causing her to lightly moan, then slowly, but surely, I reach for the tail loaf behind her with my dominant hand and give it a hearty slap.
It isn’t her most erogenous place, but it's enough to send the message across that I mean business.
June’s eyes become slitted, her breath gets heavier, and now she knows I’m willing. She lunges onto me, deeply kisses me, and all restraint is lost.
Thank God it isn’t the shed this time.
9-ish Months Later…
March 14th, 201M2019 B.C.
June
My heart is full as I sit on the couch of our home, with my two-year old son by my side looking up expectantly at me with another bundle of joy wrapped up in my arms.
I didn’t expect to go into labor on Valentine’s Day, but I’ll be damned if it wasn’t easier to give birth to my second one than Roman. It’ll take more than chocolate and flowers to top the gift I received that day.
My Clara. My beautiful daughter. Named in honor of my late grandmother. She’s almost a split image of me, while retaining the hybrid nature of a shorter snout and smaller crest.
But I have no doubt that she will take after me in every way physically.
“C-C-” My son is trying his best to say her name, bless him.
“Come on Roman, you can do it. Say your baby sister’s name.”
“C-C- Lala?”
Oh Raptor Jesus that’s too precious. I scoop up my other favorite bundle of wings into my other arm as he giggles. “Close enough, my adorable little flapling.”
It shouldn’t be long until Daniel gets home from work. I know he’d rather be here than at the gym, but he has clients he works with on top of running the gym itself. And recently, they’ve finished construction of the pool addition to the facility. Perhaps we could take the kids when they are old enough to start learning on an off day and have it for ourselves.
But for now, it’s the small blowup kiddie pool for these two, once Clara is old enough. Despite what people think, we can swim. It’s just that our feathers take a long time to dry.
Speaking of feathers, I need to preen this boy’s feathers today. He’s got a couple of bent ones that need taking care of. I’ll be able to get to it once I set Clara down for a nap.
I’ve assumed the role of stay-at-home mom. I don’t want to miss my kids growing up, and Daniel thinks I should be at home rather than work.
The gym makes more than enough to cover for both of us and our growing family.
Maybe when they are older, I’ll see if Edna would like to have me back at the school again. She was sad to see me leave, but she understood why.
My earholes pick up the sound of the lock being unlocked. Speak of my husband, and he shall appear.
Daniel slowly saunters in with a long face, closing the door behind him with a sigh. Roman hops out of my arms and onto the floor, waddling his way over to his father. “Daddy!”
My mate beams with happiness as he kneels down and opens his arms to his son, who dives right in and hugs him. Daniel picks him up and hoists him into the air. “Hey there kiddo. Missed you.” He plants a kiss on Roman’s forehead and walks over to me, sitting down, and placing him on his lap.
I didn’t forget the look on his face when he came home. Address it, and don’t let that shit stew in him.
“So, how was your day, Danny?”
He shrugs, looking through Roman’s feathers absentmindedly. “I had one.”
I give him a flat look. “Honey. What happened?”
He leans into my side and sighs. “A lot, honestly.”
“I’ll hear you out. Just tell me please.”
Daniel closes his eyes and breathes in and out slowly. Damn, that bad, huh?
“I had to kick a client out of the gym today and effectively ban him from returning.”
My eyes widened. “What did they do?” Daniel opens his eyes as they trail toward Roman.
No.
No fucking way.
Keep your language under control around the kids June. “What did they say about him?”
“When they saw the picture of me holding Roman I have hung up in the gym lobby as him being the inspiration for the name of the place, he made a really snide comment. Along the lines of ‘half-breed.’” He says that last bit with vitriol in his voice.
… What?
I can feel a vein bulging on my head. How dare that fucking piece of shit say that about my son!?
My baby!
Control yourself, damn it. “Did you work him over?”
“Wanted to, but I had simply told him that I was giving him his money back and to never step foot in my gym ever again. It’s just- God. I was this close to pummeling that smug-”
“ Daniel , ” he stops before looking at me, “breathe, honey. We can’t get worked up over this.”
I say that, but every fiber of my being is worked up.
This was something that was bound to happen, the comments, the rude remarks about our kids, all of it.
What Dr. Violet said years prior when he was born comes to the forefront of my mind like a hammer beating on a nail.
‘He will be unique.’
But behind that statement was a warning she could not give as a professional.
Roman will be a target. Someone who will be picked on because he’s not like everyone else.
He is a mixture of two different species.
Feather wings on a boy.
Scales on skin.
Raptor Jesus, I’m afraid.
I’m scared for Roman. I’m scared for Clara.
They don’t deserve the hate.
I can feel my hold around her tighten as I try not to shake. Don’t cry. Please don’t cry.
“Mamá," my son says softly. Crawling over from his father’s lap and into mine, he reaches up and touches my face. “No cry.”
Oh, oh…
That’s not fair.
I’m close to blubbering like an idiot as I bite the inside of my cheek, I smile at my precious angel and hug him close to me. “Mommy isn’t sad, she just- she just loves you so much. All of you.”
Daniel wraps an arm around and rubs Roman’s head. “That’s right, we love you and your sister.”
I can only hope and pray that love will be enough for now.
He isn’t ready to experience the harshness of this world.
Not yet.
Stay within my wings, my flaplings, I will protect you.
No matter what it takes.
Late June, 201M2020 B.C.
Daniel
The summer crowd is looking pretty decent for the gym today. Lots of recent graduates from local high schools have been coming here to apply and work out over the summer while they figure out their college prospects and what they truly want to do with their lives. Others have been enthusiastically approaching me, either for a picture or some advice on their lifting.
I’ve been out of the game when it comes to Strongman for a while, ever since retiring from participating in the competitions last year. But my name still makes quite an impact around here, a lot of young guys seem to be inspired by my story. Interspecies couples pat me on the shoulder and smile when they see the picture of my greatest motivator.
I don’t like the fame, but maybe I can do some good with it and not let it get to my head.
Roman has been running around the gym like the little explorer he is. I was trying to get him to watch me lift so that he could see what his daddy does for a job, but his attention was quickly lost as he went around to look at everyone else.
At least he knows most of the folks here, and they know him and love him.
But out of the corner of my eye, I see it. A new face.
A human kid with a bald head, blank expression, and green t-shirt. I’ve never seen him before.
But I know the brown ptero he was with, he’s been going here for a year now.
Ah shit, Roman’s curious.
Well, I better go grab my flapling before he causes trouble for the poor kid.
Then again, he looks like he has a lot on his mind, and he reeks of ptero pheromones. Damn, he has to be claimed by a ptero woman if I can smell that.
He doesn’t look any older than eighteen or nineteen. Pretty young to be mates with a girl, but you know what? I feel for him, I do.
If I had met June when I was that young, I would have been the same way.
I sigh as I make my way over. Don’t assume things, Daniel. You never know what someone is going through on the surface.
Just like with June. All you can really do is just talk to them. Start small.
You never know what will happen after.
Chapter 8: To Be You
Summary:
This is it, thanks for reading.
Notes:
(See the end of the chapter for notes.)
Chapter Text
September 6th, 201M2022 B.C.
Daniel
It’s hard to believe how far we’ve come to get to this point. One moment I was holding my firstborn in my arms in his first couple of days of life like the most fragile piece of glass.
Next, he’s up to my knees and ready to start his first day of kindergarten.
June and I both knew that someday he would have to leave the safety of our nest and head into the world of public education someday, but we didn’t think it would be this soon.
No damn way I was going to homeschool our kids.
Five years have passed, and I still can’t comprehend the prospect of my son growing up. My daughter can walk mostly unassisted and string together words.
Why the hell do kids grow up so fast?!
I feel joy, pride, and worry for my kids. The world isn’t always accepting or welcoming of hybrids, especially with the kind that Roman is.
If only everyone could see the loving, kind, and sweet child that he is. Not what he looks like, but his heart.
I’m glad that he will be in the same school with his friends from the neighborhood.
As soon as June opens the rear passenger door to our SUV, our first bundle of feathers flies out with excitement as he runs around in circles on the pavement in front of us.
“Come on Mom! We’re gonna be late!”
June sighs and smiles as she reaches in the car for his little messenger bag that he will use as a backpack. “I know, just need to make sure you aren’t forgetting anything, sweetheart.”
Clara sits in my arms as we look down at Roman. “Don’t want to have your first day of school ever without that.”
My daughter looks up at me with her emerald greens. “Me too?”
I chuckle. “No, sweetie, you aren’t going with your brother.”
She crosses her arms and pouts.
“Lala. We can play when I get home.” My son says, his sharp tooth smile melts my heart as Clara bounces in my arms.
“Okay!” She says happily.
Ah, you two better not change that dynamic you have.
With the car doors closed and locked, we make our way together toward the school.
Mesozoic Elementary School
This school has existed for a very long time; June first entered those very doors as a flapling many years ago.
And now, her child, our son, is going to do the same.
At least they’ve updated the school since those days.
Lots of children are being led by their families toward the school, as today is the first day of kindergarten for all of them. The rest of the grade schoolers have begun their day here, so it's just us.
In the distance, I can see the teachers welcoming the children inside, and among those teachers are a familiar face, August. She teaches one of the kindergarten classes here.
And thankfully, she’ll be the one to have watch over our son.
It’s a relief that’s the case, that and her daughter and Vincent will be in the same class as Roman.
A good feeling to have. But I still worry about him in general.
I always will, I can’t help myself.
This is the point where we have to let him go, to let him walk beyond our reach into a whole new environment, one that will drastically change as the years go by.
Elementary school, then junior high, then- high school.
Goddamn it, they grow up too fast.
We can’t protect him forever.
And that single thought scares me.
“Dad?” Blue eyes look up at me with a look of concern on his face, his small wings twitching behind him.
Crap, was I staring too hard? Did I make a bad face?
“Sorry, Roman. I was just thinking.”
He tilts his head. “About what?”
I kneel down in front of him and gently place my hand on his shoulder.
God, he’s so small.
“Do you know how much I love you, kiddo?”
He thinks for a moment, eyes dancing around in thought before landing back on me. “A lot?”
I chuckle a little. “Yes, of course I do.”
But there's more to it. If you love something, set it free. Don’t keep it caged.
For what is the life of a bird that remains trapped in a cage?
Is it really a life worth living?
No, you have to let them go, let them explore, let them see everything.
Just let them know that they can always return to you.
Our home is still their nest, no matter where they go, how far they are, or how lost they might be.
Roman will still be our flapling.
“Son, I want you to know something.”
“Mmm?”
I smile at him. “You are about to begin a journey that lasts many, many years. And there’s going to be a lot that you’ll go through. Good and bad. But just know, deep in your heart and in the wings you carry upon your back, that you are loved by so many. Today is the first step into a new experience, it might feel uncomfortable to adjust to at first, but remember, have fun and learn a lot.”
“And make new friends. We love you, sweetheart.” June says as she kneels down with Clara hanging off her back.
“Love big brother!” My beloved daughter squawks.
Roman jumps into our arms as we hug him, and June wraps her wings around us as we both try not to cry.
The school bell begins to ring, and the teachers call out to the remaining children to come inside.
Ah… time to let him go.
We break away from our hug, Roman picks up his satchel and smiles. “Bye mamá! Bye Dad! Bye Lala!”
He runs toward the school, with August waiting outside, a smile on her snout as she looks towards us and gives a thumbs up.
June and I stand up together, holding hands as we sigh in unison. “There he goes…” She says almost exasperatedly.
“Yep. Off into a whole new world.” We watch August guide Roman inside, and the doors close behind her.
“We’re gonna cry when we get home, right?”
“Most likely in the car.”
“Hungry.” Our daughter says absentmindedly.
…
I look toward my wife. “Ice cream?”
“This early in the morning?”
“Ah, good point. That Frappuccino stuff you like from Snootbucks then?”
She smiles smugly. “Oh you know me so well, Danny.”
“Hot chocolate!” Our daughter vibrates on top of June as we chuckle.
As we walk back to the car, I reflect mentally on everything that has happened in my life up until now.
Unlike how I grew up, I can give Roman the chance to keep that innocence and make it last.
To raise him in a home where his dreams matter, and he can be guided to pursue them healthily.
And to think, June was the first piece that made me feel more than what I was.
I didn’t think someone could complete me like her.
My other half.
In my soul, she’ll always be my better half, but for our family, she isn’t half, she is a quarter.
When the kids came along, they were the other quarter pieces.
And when you put them all together? They make us, the Jacobs family.
It’s what makes me whole.
What makes us whole.
To Be Continued in:
True To Yourself:
A Hybrid Love Story
Notes:
And that's You Make Me Whole. Thank you for reading this. I hope you enjoyed this short story about some of my OCS.
A big thank you to friends from the Snoot Club and SnootWani Station discord for their help.
As always, have a lovely day or night, and I'll see you in the next one.
-SwanFather
That_Old_Games_Nerd on Chapter 1 Fri 14 Mar 2025 09:53PM UTC
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Last Edited Thu 20 Mar 2025 08:44AM UTC
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