[NRP] Quinn & Lirilei's Journal (201 views)

[Lirilei]

Growth Spurt
((Fayth is growing up! Growth reaction rp))

SPOILER: Click to show

Quinn
It had been a long day for Quinn, he'd not been sleeping well in awhile now, and he had circles under his eyes as a result. Nothing bad, just a few sleepless nights. Tonight was turning out to be the same way. He'd put Fayth to bed some time before, after a long walk with her, playing with some toys, before doing dinner, bath time, a couple of stories, and cuddling her till she dozed off. Then he'd gone around and done some house work.

Now, he was laying in bed staring at the ceiling, and waiting for sleep to find him. He was thankful that Urban had gone through and packed away all the reminders of Dream, it had helped in a way. Though he had a picture of Dream holding Fayth in her room for her. He wouldn't deny her that. But, it didn't make sleep any easier to find.

Fayth
Waking up with a growling stomach was the worst. Finding herself stuck in torn clothes that were way too tight was almost as bad. Fayth pulled and tugged, grunting until all the material was off of her before sitting up. In sleep ridden frustration she brushed back strands of longer hair away from her face until it stood up like a mane around her skull. Something was...off. Fayth just couldn't place what it was. At least, until she stood up in her crib and found herself able to lean over the railing. Her first reaction was to be afraid, since now she was so much higher, but...if she was bigger then she wouldn't have to wait for daddy to help her...so as nimbly as she could, which wasn't very, Fayth scrambled her way out of the crib and onto the floor. She slipped out of the open doorway onto wobbly legs, finally deciding to go down into a half-crawl as she meandered her way into the kitchen. Where was all the good stuff? Fayth opened a cabinet, found nothing but bowls, slammed the door and opened another, continuing the process until she found the fridge. Oh, what a find!

Quinn
He had almost found sleep, when he began to hear noises coming from the house and he stiffened, listening to rustling and rummaging. To a cabinet slamming, and he was on his feet quickly, moving to where his gun safe was. The combination was entered quickly, able to do so in the dark thanks to plenty of practice, and he withdrew a small gun before closing it back, and slowly making his way towards the sound.

The kitchen? Must be a thief after silver…not that we have that at least. he had the gun held in his hand, the safety off as he crept silently through the house, not wanting to wake Fayth. He must’ve forgotten to set the alarm or something he figured.

Fayth
Sitting infront of the opened fridge was a little naked girl, covered in a mixture of cottage cheese and yogurt. The easier containers of food to open were already picked over; corpses of half eaten packages lay scattered around her. What she really wanted was a pickle, but for the life of her Fayth couldn't seem to get the lid off this one! She grunted, trying her best to twist it like she'd seen daddy do, but between her lack of strength and slippery fingers it wasn't budging. Then a noise caught her attention and she looked up, but was unable to see thanks to the island being in her way. For the first time that night she felt afraid. Fayth clutched the pickles to her chest, and backed behind the open door to shield herself.

Quinn
Quinn was wearing just a pair of shorts, and he cursed himself for not grabbing his shell vest from the hook, but now wasn’t the time to fret over it. He needed to find and neutralize the threat before it became a danger to him, or worse his daughter. He was in hunter mode, and as he heard the noises in the kitchen quiet, he stopped moving, listening. Damn. Must’ve heard me coming…. he figured the intruder was still in the kitchen though, and swiftly, he was slamming his hand on the light switch, gun extended and pointing at…. Nothing?

There was no one he could see unless they were hiding behind the island which was possible he knew, and so keeping the gun held firmly in hand, he came around…only to pause again seeing the food all over the floor half eaten, or entirely gone. He followed the mess to the fridge, where he blinked a moment, and there went his safety back on, and the gun set onto the island for the moment.

“Fayth? What are you doing out of bed?” though as he looked her over he realized she didn’t look like the same baby he’d put to bed a few hours before, and blinked a moment in surprise.

Fayth When the lights abruptly came on Fayth whimpered, and covered her eyes with her free hand. She rubbed at her crimson eyes while they adjusted and when she looked up...Fayth could only smile when she saw that the scary noise was her daddy. "I was hungry." Looking over the mess in the light the little girl's smile just grew. "Really hungry." She tried to stand up, but walking for the first time, especially with a new body, was harder than it looked! At first she used the pickle jar as a balance aid, with it on the ground in front of her, but it didn't take her long to slip and fall back down in her mess.

Quinn
He couldn’t help but laugh softly at her explaining just why she was out of her bed, and sitting in a pile of empty packages and all. He saw the death grip she’d had on the pickles, and stepped in as she fell down, scooping her up quickly. “You are a mess my darling girl. Were you trying to get a pickle?” with her in one hand, he grabbed the jar with the other, and easily popped open the jar even with holding her. He fished one out and held it out to her, looking at the mess on her and the floor. “Still hungry? Or ready for another bath?” he kicked the fridge shut with his foot, he’d clean that up once she was back to bed. Once his hand was free he took the gun off the island, and tucked it in the back of his waist band. He’d get that put up in a moment.

Fayth
Fayth squirmed around in her daddy's hold, looking around with wide eyes. It all looked so different now! Still big, but smaller, too. She squealed happily and took the whole pickle into her hands, nomming on the end in utter contentment with her little ears perked. "Can I eat my pickle in the bath?" The possibility of playing in the bath again was nice, but if she had to leave her pickle...the horror! "Daddy why I am..." Fayth struggled with the word and scrunched up her brows, chewing on her pickle in intense thought. Finally she growled in a huff and pouted, unable to think of it and too frustrated to keep trying.

Quinn
He laughed at her asking to eat the pickle in the bath, and mentally shrugged. Why not. He did detour to the bedroom long enough to return the gun to the safe and closed it back up before he headed to the bathroom. “You can have your pickle in the bath yes. Just keep it out of the water.” He was making mental note to go shopping the next day for more food for her. But first…clothes would be needed. Which meant calling Wendy. “You’re growing up baby, it happens to everyone. I just didn’t think you’d grow so much so soon. Your dad is going to be surprised when he sees you next time.”

Once the tub had a decent amount of water in it, he set Fayth into the water then pickle and all. “I think you might need a big girl bed now.” And possibly bigger meal portions….he recalled growing up and eating all the time. The Munchlax was strong in this one.

Fayth
It didn't take the girl long to make it halfway through the pickle thanks to her big, eager bites. The sour taste was always something that caused her lips to pucker, but in a good way. Not like the puckering she did when her dad was mentioned. "Gotta see me to be surprised." In truth, Fayth could barely remember the man and that was only because of the one picture that was still around. She'd looked at it enough times to still remember him even after the transition. She sank down into the water up to her head, blowing bubbles around the pickle even after being told not to put it into the water. It's not as if it stopped her from eating it. Sitting up, she bounced up to put her elbows on the tub rim. "Is it gonna be big like yours?"

Quinn
His heart ached at her words, but she was right. He’d have to see her to be surprised. Quinn got child support regularly from him, there was always money in his bank account to care for their daughter. He reached in to snag the now soaked pickle from her, rolling his eyes a moment at how well she listened. Silly child. “Not as big as mine darling no. But it’ll be bigger than your crib is, with room to grow. And no bars to climb over.” He chuckled softly, and got the washcloth he used for her bath earlier, and began to wipe the food off his daughter. “Grandma is going to be surprised to see you, I’ll have to call her in the morning so she can bring you clothes that fit. Or watch you so I can go buy them.” But he had a feeling it would be Wendy. He wouldn’t deny her the chance to shop for her granddaughter.

Fayth
Fayth made grabby hands for the pickle, and pouted when it was taken away from her completely. "Wasn't done!" She whined. Sitting back, she tried to keep up her pouting face, but there was something about water that calmed her. It didn't take her long for Fayth to start splashing and playing around, making a seemingly simple bath all the harder for a tired father. "Ya think so? Oooh oooh, maybe you don't tell her, so when she see me, she gets all surprised like you!" Fayth held out her hands and gesticulated while she talked before laughing. Her thick tail thumped on the sides of the tub.

Quinn
“Nope no more pickle. It’s in dirty water now.” Which to him made it inedible. He knew though at this point, it was more a case of eat it all, regardless of location. He’d just make sure she had large, filling meals, and plenty of snacks as needed. “I am more than certain she’ll be surprised to see you. I’ll call her in the morning to have her come over. For tonight, I’ll give you one of my shirts to sleep in.” it’s all there was for her after all. He’d make sure that larger sizes were bought, in case of a repeat down the road. He chuckled at how happy she was in the bath, these moments made him forget how tired he was, and he ran a hand over her hair gently. “You sure do love the water. I swear you’re more like me than your dad.” He mused quietly. Dream always did say Fayth didn’t like him for some reason. And for being part Vulpix, she seemed more at home in water than near hot things.

Fayth
Fayth blew more bubbles in the water, and flipped around onto her back, using her feet to push her up into a sitting position with her back to the faucet. She preened under her daddy's affection and reached her hands up to slosh around the last remnants of food into the shampoo. "He's too hot," Fayth snubbed her nose and shook her head, tossing little clumps of suds here and there. "Like sun or soup hot." She didn't like that, nope nope! Especially when she was stuffed up in itchy blankets and warm clothes. Some of the soap ran into her ears, giving her a case of the chills. "Ew ew ewewwewewew, it's in my eaaarrrr! Daddy get it out!"

Quinn
“He’s too hot? Well he is a fire type…but you partly are. I guess my genes are a little stronger than his are though if it bothers you. Your auntie has noticed the same thing, you tended to fuss a lot when you were first born, and she’d hold you.” It was definitely an eye opener though look at him laugh softly, chuckling a little and he grabbed a dry washcloth, and held it to her ear and tipped her head to the side so the water could run out. “How’s that darlin’?” he carefully rinsed her clean before the bath water was drained out, and he grabbed….well not her usual hooded towel and instead a bigger towel. “I’ll have to get you a new hooded towel baby. You’re too big for yours.”

Fayth
"Sololol?" Fayth asked. "Solololol is hot too, daddy." She squirmed a little as the suds came back out of her ear, but it DID feel nice. "Better." Reaching for the bigger towel, she pulled it over her head like a hood, "I already got one though. See?" Now that she was properly cleaned up Fayth knew it was time to get out of the tub, but she struggled with getting moving. It was tricky business, but Fayth was nothing if not determined to get it right. So when she got out of the tub on her own, even though she was holding onto her dadddy fiercely, she gasped, "I did it!"

Quimm
He chuckled at her name for her aunt, it was adorable really. He was amazed at how well she was talking already, and he knew it wouldn’t take long for her walking to steady. He felt a pang. She was growing up so fast. It was almost frightening, and he felt a brief moment of panic that he quickly fought down. He just wished Dream would spend time with her. He sighed some. He needed to get over him, and move on. But even his dates with Bethanne, and even Aatami, had just ended up feeling almost awkward though he had two great friends now as a result. He was especially pleased to reconnect with the Leafeon, and invited him over to just spend time as friends as often as the teen could manage around school and all.

There was a laugh at her pulling the towel around herself like a hood and he smiled at her, watching as she got out of the tub holding his hands. “Great job darlin’!” he cheered on her efforts before he was rubbing his hands over her towel to dry her up, ruffling it over her hair. “Lets get you one of my way too big for you shirts, and I’ll brush your hair, and get you back into your crib, and tomorrow, once you have clothes, we’ll buy you a big girl bed and you can pick out what kind of sheets you want and everything.” Why not? But first…her to bed…and his kitchen recleaned.

Fayth
As soon as she was rubbed down, Fayth dropped her 'hood' and a bush of obsidian hair flopped out. Were it not for her very Vulpix bangs one might have thought she'd been attacked by a black furball. She didn't like the drying off part nearly as much as the bath itself, so every attempt to clear her of water was met with dodging and laughter. "But...but I don't wanna! Not without you." Daddy was tired too, she could see it, and anything that needed to be done could happen tomorrow, right? That's what tomorrows were for!

Quinn
He laughed at the sudden puff of hair from under the towel, shaking his head at the mess he had created. That would take a bit to brush out. With the towel still wrapped around her, he picked her up and headed for his room, and located a shirt from his dresser and held it out. “Arms up, and we’ll get you dressed.” He’d taken a look at her room before coming to his, and he studied her crib, then her. It looked too small to easily contain her for the night. “How about tonight, and tonight only you can bring your pillow, and blanket and favorite toy, and sleep in my room. I think your crib might be too small for you.” And he didn’t want her getting stuck in the bars! He stifled a yawn, just barely. He was running on empty just then really. “I’ll be sure to set snacks up for you, if you wake up hungry again okay? Even put some pickles in an easy to open container for you.”

Fayth
Fayth obedied and held her arms up, delighting in wiggling her longer fingers. Once dressed, she smoothed her hands over his shirt before tucking her arms back through the sleeves. "Look, no hands!" Fayth wriggled away and while a little wobbly, she nodded fervently. That sounded like a great plan! She moved back into her room, popping her arms back out and retrieved as much stuff as she could. Of cousre she couldn't pick out a favorite toy; that was impossible! So she grabbed as many as she could and toddled back to his room, dropping toys in her wake before flopping her haul onto his bed. "Bed, daddy, then we can eat pickles together." Fayth burrowed her way under the blankets, taking her things with her.

Quinn
He laughed softly seeing her walking around like a little ghost, an amused smile on his face. No matter how tired he might be, she always brightened his world up, and he knew that he wasn’t in the wrong to have wished for a family with Dream. Even if the ‘with Dream’ portion hadn’t worked out. He had a small part of him in his life, in their daughter at least. He had gone to hang up the towel and grab the brush he used for her, scooping her dropped toys up along the way. Normally, he’d clean the mess up right away but he was bone weary, and figured it’d take less time to do it fresh from sleep than while exhausted. “Alright, let me try to tame your hair a little bit before we go to sleep. In the morning you and I will clean the mess up together, and have pickles tomorrow too.” The sight of her with all her toys was amusing, and he shook his head some as he handed her the rest. “You dropped these.”

Fayth
Fayth took her toys into hand and placed them in various spots around her like a little protective barrier. The softest were placed near her head so she could cuddle up to them. After all was well in her little world, Fayth reached up for her daddy's hand to pull him onto the bed with her. She yawned, but she wasn't sleepy, at least that's what she told herself. Cuddling up close to him, she tried to make it easier for him to brush out her hair, but it was obvious the little one was fighting sleep at this point.

Quinn
Quinn smiled watching everything be set ‘just so’ around her, and he made quick work of her hair, brushing out the worst of the snarls, so it would be an easier battle come morning. He set the brush on his side table, before he was climbing under the blankets with another low yawn, and brushed his hand over her hair. “Go to sleep darlin’, and I’ll see you in the morning my little love.” The clock was reading two am. No wonder he was so tired. They both should have been asleep! His fingers brushed through her hair carefully, to lull her asleep.

Fayth
Cuddling up to her daddy, Fayth let loose a wide yawn and closed her eyes, clutching a stuffed Vulpix close to her chest. It wasn't hard for her to find sleep, and soon came the dreams of a new life that she could hold onto with her own two hands.

[Lirilei]

Car Wreck
((Dream suffers a car accident...but will the repercussions of it, actually be...good?))

SPOILER: Click to show

Dream
Ysolde tapped her foot against the tiled floor, and punched in a familiar number into the desk phone. A few of the nurses were trying to calm a doctor in training just steps away from her, and it was almost comical how the Leafeon shook.
Almost, but not really.
When the first call hit voicemail Ysolde hung up, only to call back immediately after that. The scent of antiseptic was strong enough to choke her, even at four in the morning. Tiredly she ran a hand across her face, cursed when voicemail kicked on again, and dialed Quinn like it was the only program still working in her brain.


Quinn
Quinn’s phone had been ringing, but he hadn’t heard it as low as he had the ringer for the night, and for how late he’d been awake before once more falling into an exhausted sleep. Finally the ringing worked into his brain and he shifted with a tired yawn and reached for his cellphone, and flipped it open though he didn’t recognize the number. A tired “Hello?” coming from him around another large yawn as he took a glance at the timefour am!? someone had better be dead or dying was his only thought as he waited for noise on the other end. He hadn’t noticed he had voice mails sitting there for him.


Dream
“Finally.” Came Ysolde’s exhausted reply. She turned so that her back was against the nurses desk. By this point the doctor in training was calm enough, and bandaged, to come to her side. She held up a finger to stall him for the moment before starting in with the man on the phone. “Quinn, this is Ysolde. Get to the hospital as soon as you can. Room 5203. It’s about Dream-“

Aatami took the phone from Ysolde and hissed into the phone, “Don’t you DARE come here, Quinn, do you hear me! He’ll eat you alive! I said one thing about you and he got out of his bed to chase me-“
There was a scuffle on over the phone line, and when Ysolde took the phone back there was audible crying in the background. “Dream was in a car accident yesterday evening, and it’s critical. I can’t control him anymore; I thought he was picking himself up, but goddammit, it was a DUI, Quinn. He misses you and I thought….” She sighed and ran a hand over her face. “…I thought he was on the right track. We all did.” She laughed a little to stifle a tired sob. “Guess we were wrong. Look…just get down here, okay?”


Quinn
“Finally?…it’s four am, I just barely fell asleep a couple hours ago.” Words mumbled some, though he heard the exhaustion in Ysolde’s voice, and wondered what was going on to have her calling him. Though the moment she said the word hospital, and Dream he was suddenly as awake as if someone had thrown ice water on him. “Dream!?”

The name was choked out, about the same time he recognized Aatami’s voice on the phone. “Aatami!? Are you okay? Wha-“ his words cut off as he heard the scuffling on the other end of the line, and he stared at his phone in frustration even as he was getting out of bed to get dressed. Obviously he needed to get to the hospital, so that required more than sweats.

“Yesterday afternoon and I’m just finding out!? What the hell Ysolde!?” pissed? Why yes, yes he was! But he quieted hearing it was critical. How critical could it be if he could chase Aatami around? “I’ll get someone here to watch Fayth. Urban I think…I’ll be there as soon as he gets here. Is Aatami okay?” there was genuine concern for the Leafeon in his voice, especially since he was sure it was him crying in the back ground!

He was dressed finally though, and once he heard about Aatami’s well being he’d be disconnecting and calling Urban, a simple “It’s an emergency. Dream is in the hospital. Can you come watch Fayth for me?” being met with a ‘Give me 10’. It would be another twenty or so before Quinn would be in his truck having tucked Fayth in snuggly, and he was making his way through the streets as quickly as possible. He barely bothered to let his truck come to a full stop before he was wrenching the key out of the ignition, and he beeped the lock and slammed the door, running for the doors.


Dream
“Don’t act like I knew the entire time, Quinn!” Ysolde hissed back at him. “I only found out a couple of hours ago when the hospital staff dug around in his wallet and found my card.” There was muffling, like someone covered the phone with a hand, and Ysolde returned, “He’s fine, just shoken up. I guess when Dream was lucid enough for the kid to check in on him something happen to make Dream chase him down with an IV stand. They had to tranq him.” Groaning, she pinched the bridge of her nose. “Aatami is fine, just a few bruises. Honestly I’m not even sure how Dream got out of bed, let alone moved down the hall as fast as he did…”

Miracles of irrationally drugged anger, she guessed. Right now the energy was gone from the Ninetales and Ysolde…well, she would have rather had him beating HER down with the IV stand if it meant he was well. Once she was off the phone with Quinn, Aatami was taken away by nurses sent to help calm him down while Ysolde herself sat in the waiting room by the elevator, waiting the inevitable.

Down the hall in 5203 was a pathetic sight. What was left of Dream was strapped to a hospital bed, gown askew and speckled in blood that was a mixture of his own and Aatami’s. His left arm was visibly missing, taken from above the elbow and even in his drug induced sleep he jerked from the pain.
The Ninetales was a far cry from the fashionista who had taken the modeling world by storm. He was battered, with bandages around his head, braces on a broken hip and tubes running into his nose just to keep him breathing. The scratches on his face did nothing to hide the dark bruises around his eyes that very well could have been there long before the crash itself.


Quinn
“Sorry Ysolde. Sorry.” He was sorry for the assumption that he was just barely finding out after it being known for awhile. “I’m glad Aatami is okay. Thank you for checking for me.” It was good to know his friend was alright, honestly.

Quinn came running in, got directed to the elevator when he explained who he was, and why he was there. Getting off the elevator, he rounded the corner…and ran into Ysolde sitting there. Quinn looked like hell himself. Still dark circled, and now tousled hair, and he had lost more weight since Dream had left. Oh sure he was eating now though not in the quantities a man his size ought to be.

“Ysolde!” Quinn came to a stop by her, and rested a hand on her shoulder. “Tell me everything you know about what’s going on with Dream? And hell where’s Aatami, I want to find out why Dream went after him.” He needed to know what he was walking into, going in to see his ex. “He’s going to be pissed you called me Ysolde. You should have called Wendy. He left. He doesn’t see Fayth….” His words were soft, broken almost. “He won’t want me here.” No. Dream didn’t want him. Didn’t want them. It was obvious, he sent money out of duty, and that’s as far as it went.


Dream
Ysolde was about half-asleep when Quinn put his hand on her shoulder, and it showed by the way she jumped. After a few moments of careful breathing realization came to her, causing her to exhale with relief. “I don’t know all the details, but Dream was in a bad car wreck. No one else was involved, he…he hit the inside of a roadway tunnel coming back from a party. “ She hung her head, and shook it. The more she told the story the harder it became to tell. Honestly, the woman was at the end of her very long rope. “…it took emergency responders a few hours to get him out. Dream almost bled out on the scene, but they got him here in time. It’s still touch and go, but he’s woken up a few times.” It was obvious she was holding out on some things. A lot of things.

Grabbing his hand, Ysolde looked up and straight into Quinn’s eyes. “The reason I called YOU and not Wendy was because of the attack on that Leafeon boy. Quinn, that kid went in to check on him and Dream was barely conscious. He happened to mention he was spending time with you, hoping to elicit some kind of response just to make sure he was still in his right state of mind and when he said the word “date”…it was like he’d been possessed. They had to move him to a different floor because the floor he was on sustained so much fire damage.” She left that knowledge hang in the air. “I don’t know what’s going on in his head, I really don’t, but he’s killing himself, Quinn. I don’t give a shit what he says, he still loves you, and he’s never not wanted that little girl in his life.” By this point she was shaking so bad it was hard for the tears to even fall. “I-I can’t help him anymore…I’ve tried doing it his way, but he…he almost DIED doing that.”


Quinn
“Sorry Ysolde. I didn’t mean to startle you.” She looked as exhausted as he felt. He took a seat next to her, listening to the tale she was spinning, and he felt the blood drain from his face. Hours to get out? Almost bled to death on the scene?

Though, there was a faint quirk of a smile to his lips. “Yeah….two dates with Aatami…which led us to realizing it wasn’t more than friendship. I saved his life once when he was still just a kid..and an Eevee.” Words murmured some. “He of course knows all about Dream. So makes sense why he was saying things to get a response.” Though he blanched hearing about fire damage. Well shit.

He squeezed her hand gently, and laid his hand on to of hers. “I’ve never stopped loving him Ysolde, even though I tried.” It was the sad, sorry truth. He couldn’t get over Dream despite efforts to do just that. He shifted then, and he wrapped the poor woman up in his arms and gave her a tight hug. “Thank you Ysolde. For doing all you have to this day. I think without you, he’d have self-destructed a long time ago.” Which was a frightening thing. “You need to call a cab, not try driving yourself home. You’re exhausted, and not fit to drive.” He reached into his wallet and pulled out some money, close to fifty dollars and shoved it into her hands. Money from Dream. “Go get some rest. I have your number. If anything changes I’ll call you. I’ll go find Aatami…find out exactly what he said…and find out if I can go in and see the sorry excuse for a Ninetails.” Words ground out slowly. DUI. That pissed him off to no end. He could have killed some poor innocent!


Dream
It broke her heart even now to hear it. “You have the same look in your eyes that he’s had since the day he left. “ She reached up to pat his cheek. Of course the difference being that Quinn was able to stand up in the face of heart ache for the betterment of his daughter, while Dream fell from grace. Ysolde hugged him back, hanging on for a moment longer than necessary before letting go.

Normally she wouldn’t have taken the money, but Ysolde knew he was right. “Go ask one of the nurses, they should be able to point you in the right direction. I let them know you would be coming.” She stood to leave, and smoothed out the wrinkles in her suit skirt before looking down at Quinn. “I haven’t told Wendy yet. I think that call should come from him, but if he’s not able to do it I think it should be you.” Like it or not, to Wendy this was her baby boy, NInetales or not, so the call would be painful. Ysolde just wasn’t close enough to make it any less bearable. Working out a knot in her head, she walked off to get on the elevator.


Quinn
“I lost the love of my life the day he walked out on us Ysolde. I tried…for Fayth…to move past his leaving. To date again. Solange and Urban said it would be a good idea, especially with Fayth so young. That maybe I’d settle down and she’d have two parents at home. Out of the dates I had…Aatami was the closest to being a good fit…but he’s no stubborn Ninetails.” Words sighed some.

“I’ll make the call if he can’t…or won’t. Go get some sleep okay?” he moved away from her and headed for the nurses station and asked…not to see Dream though she’d said he was critical. But Aatami. He was being a coward he knew, but he wasn’t ready to face the man who took his heart with him when he’d left, and left him more than a little broken. So instead he would check on his friend first. Find out what the hell happened…and work up his courage to go see Dream.

It brought a bitter smile to his face. Big bad bounty hunter, afraid of facing his ex-fiance, how fucking pathetic was he at this moment? He ran a hand through his hair tiredly and explained to the nurse who he was looking for, and followed her to the room Aatami was in. “Knock knock, doc.”


Aatami
Turning around from his seat, Aatami stood up to face Quinn, before running over to his friend and clutching his shirt front in tight fists. It was obvious the little Leafeon had been crying and rightfully so. His tanned skin was bruised, parts of his hair singed, and his once pristine white coat was covered in a myriad of things, least of all the burnt holes.
“Y-you shouldn’t be here, I TOLD you not to come here! How could…how could someone as sweet as you ever…and Fayth is so, to be half of…” The younger male was shivering when he stepped back, wrapping his arms around himself to pace the room.


Quinn
He was stunned to see the state his friend was in, the burnt patches and all, the agitation, and he followed after him as he stepped away, and very simply wrapped his arms around his friend from behind. “I had to come Aatami, you know as well as I did I couldn’t stay away. If nothing else, so Fayth has answers when she’s older.” Words soft.

“I can handle myself, wouldn’t be the first time I’ve had to use a water move on him honestly. If he somehow gets out of hand I can do it again. Now…what in the hell happened to you? You said he chased you?” confusion and concern were all over his face as he let go of the smaller teen, waiting for answers. Dream had obviously done something to seriously upset him!


Aatami
Aatami didn’t move out of Quinn’s hold; he simply hung there, too shocked by everything to move. He had never seen a patient that agitated before in such a precarious condition…it had been utterly terrifying. The Leafeon couldn’t count the number of panic attacks he’d fought through this night alone. “Fayth…” He murmured. That poor girl. No matter what happened tonight her life would be forever marred.

“Don’t! No, you can’t, you can’t do anything that’s going to strain him, even if he attacks. The least little bit of activity and he could…” It hung on the edge of Aatami’s tongue, but he knew. Right now Dream was out of the woods, but barely. Pushing himself too much could end it. Aatami stepped away from him, and turned to face Quinn. “I tried to bring him around by any means necessary. I mentioned you, and it got him to open his eyes, but he was still dazed. Then I kept talking, and when I mentioned the date…at best I thought he would say something snarky, but he…lunged at me! Then he fell out of the bed and when I tried to help him up he saw the blankets on fire, so I…I..I ran.” Aatami covered his face in shame. “I-I-I-wanted to get security, but he followed me! At first I thought he was using the IV stand to walk with, but he threw it at me like a javelin when I tried to get in the elevator. He was on top of me by the time they tranqed him. Dream kept screaming that I was taking you away from him, that it was my fault he couldn’t think straight, and he…he was crying. A LOT. So they moved him to the psych ward and he’s under 24 hours monitoring now.”


Quinn
“Yeah Fayth. You should see her…she’s grown up a bit recently…walking and talking and eating me out of house and home.” There was a fierce note of pride in his voice as he spoke of her. Something that would forever be present when he spoke of her.

It was that reaction though, that stunned him. “And he could what Aatami? Die? Ysolde said he was critical…” he swallowed hard as he listened to what had happened. To what Dream had done to poor Aatami and he felt anger take root. Anger and fear once he heard the words psych ward. “Shit.” He staggered back, and leaned against a wall as if he’d been physically struck. It was almost too much to process. “I need to see him Aatami. Can I?” he stood again though, and he brushed a hand gently over the others singed hair. “I’m glad you’re not hurt worse than you are. I’m so sorry he attacked you. He has no right no be jealous. He walked out on me, not the other way around.” He sighed deeply. Was Dream really jealous? Or just reacting out of spite and not wanting him happy? He really couldn’t say at this point.

“I need to see him. Please.” The words not much more than a whispered plea to his friend. Despite all the pain and heart ache he’d gone through in the last few months because of the Ninetails…he couldn’t walk away now. He couldn’t go home and wait for a call. “If nothing else, I need to get an update on how he is….and call Wendy….” Words soft. It was a feeble excuse for going to see Dream and they both knew it. Dream. The big reason it couldn’t work between him and Aatami. If he could have gotten over the fiery male, it could have been a sweet pairing with the Leafeon. But….where his heart should have been, was a cold fireplace, waiting for the blaze of a certain firetype….he knew there could be no other for him.


Aatami
The way he spoke of his daughter told Aatami volumes. “I’d like to see her again. I’m sure she’s turning into such a pretty young lady.” And a sweet one, since she lived with her one sane father. After taking a moment to compose himself, Aatami put his doctor’s façade up on the front line and placed a hand on Quinn’s shoulder, even as the other touched his hair. It was almost comical, given the size differences between them. “There’s nothing for you to be sorry about, and…nothing for him either, really. Given the trauma he was under and the medications we should have expected as much. I’m not going to lie to you, Quinn; it’s bad. I don’t want you to get your hopes up, but you can see him if you want. I’m sure that woman gave you his room number, but I’ll walk you there anyway.”
Taking Quinn’s hand in his own, the Leafeon led him back down a few hallways into a secluded area of the hospital and stood outside of the door. It was obvious he wouldn’t be going in himself. “There’s a red button near the headboard on the wall. Press it if there’s cause for alarm.”


Quinn
“She is Aatami, she’s really turning into something special.” He was smiling, the first genuine smile since he’d arrived there. Speaking of Fayth brought out a softer side of him. One that could turn hard as a Steelix if anyone ever thought of harming her, and deadly should the need arise. He would protect her at all costs, even if it meant his own life…and his own happiness. This was another reason he had to see Dream. He had to see if there was a father in there for his daughter to welcome into her life…or nothing more than a memory that would only be kept alive thanks to Quinn’s stories, and the man himself kept at a safe distance. A wrenching decision he could make to keep her safe he knew.

He could see his friend sliding into doctor mode, becoming more professional, and he gave a light smile. He was turning into one hell of a doctor. The smile slid from his face as he listened to the grim prognosis for the other, and he sobered up immediately. He wondered if he’d been foolish in waiting to go to Dream, but no. He knew that he’d done the right thing. He had to go into this dressed for battle, mentally and emotionally.

There was a nod at the mention of the red button and he squeezed his friends hand, before he was stepping in, and around the curtain, listening to the beeping of machines and he stood there transfixed for a few moments, staring at the bloody, battered body of the man he loved, even after all the hell he’d been put through, he couldn’t deny that love was still present. But this…looked nothing like Dream, and it was painful to look at him. His hand came up to cover his mouth, stifling a soft noise of distress as he took a half step towards the bed.

He could see the missing arm. The brace along the hip and leg, all the blood still, and he closed his eyes, took a deep breath and sat down in the chair next to the unconscious teen, and he reached out and very simply took the hand that was laying there into his own, squeezing gently. “Oh Dream….” The words were soft, pained. His thumb brushed lightly over the others hand, across his palm. “Don’t you die Dream…I swear to the Gods I won’t forgive you if you leave again….”


Dream
For the longest time there was only a void. It wasn’t dark, nor was it light, but it was frigidly cold. No matter how much fire Dream seemed to pull out of himself he couldn’t bring an ember to life, and the pain as chilled numbed his body seemed to eat him alive.
Words like murmurs broke through, and when he finally heard them Dream fought to open his eyes. They weren’t open wide enough for a clear view, just muted colors, but the scent accompanying them was one he’d never thought to be near again. Surely this must be death, but at least…at least he was with him. Dream squeezed Quinn’s hand, folding his aching fingers around Quinn’s thumb as best he could before tiredly letting it fall back against the mattress. “I think…” His voice was barely above a whisper. “I’m already dead if you’re here.”


Quinn
There was a shudder from him as he felt fingers curling around his thumb, as he heard words, it was a small bit of relief to hear Dream speaking to him. He’d been afraid he wouldn’t ever wake up as bad as he looked. “You’re not dead, but it’s a miracle you’re not.” His voice was soft, and choked with emotion. He cleared his throat softly as he blinked back tears.

“Ysolde called me….to tell me what happened.” His words were soft, and despite Dream’s hand dropping to the bed, he didn’t let go. He didn’t know how much time he’d have with Dream, and he wasn’t letting go any sooner than he had to just now. “Poor woman deserves a raise.” His words were an attempt to lighten the situation, even as his fingers curled a little tighter.

Finally though, he had to ask “Do you want me to go?” for all he knew, Dream didn’t want him here. If that was the case….well he’d leave. He heaved a deep sigh as he waited for the answer, afraid of what he’d be told, really.


Dream
“Too bad…I can’t pay her more…” Dream tried to chuckle but it came out a forced, pained cough. He squeezed Quinn’s hand hard as he tried to rise up in bed a little in an unconscious response to the pain. Even without the straps, which had been taken off just hours ago, he still couldn’t move much. When he settled back Dream sighed, and lolled his head back against the pillow.

At least, until Quinn’s question. He turned as best he could and fought to get his eyes to focus. It was harder than it looked, and he visibly struggled with it. “I…don’t know. I don’t, but I do. She shouldn’t have called you…you shouldn’t be here…” The only ones who should see him this beaten were the women in his life because frankly, they had no choice. Quinn DID. Dream had given that to him, but now he was here and the teenager was utterly confused on what he wanted.


Quinn
He gave a feeble smile to that response to Ysolde being paid more…or not as the case seemed to be. He worried about the reaction to the coughing, wondering when the last time he’d had any pain medication was.

But it was that response though that made Quinn’s breathing catch, and he felt the tiny spark that had kindled where his heart had been snuff out again. There was a soft “Oh…” a pained sort of sound, and he pulled his hand loose from the others grip. Swallowing hard, Quinn pushed back the chair he was sitting in, barely flinching at the legs scraped along the floor. He forced his voice to come out steady…and even. “I’m sorry that she called me then, and asked me to come down here. I’ll leave now so you don’t have to be bothered with my presence any longer.” The pain he was trying to conceal was leaking into the words, and tears were filling his eyes as he took another look at the other and rose to his feet, turning away before tears could fall.

Fine. He would go. “I’ll call Wendy….she can come and be with you. So you’re not here alone.” His words were hollow. He wasn’t wanted. Not to mention Fayth. He couldn’t even bring her up just now. No, Wendy could talk to him. Show him the picture taken of Fayth just days before he knew she had in her wallet. “Goodbye….Dream…” he hoped it was just a goodbye for now..and not case of getting a call from Wendy a few hours from then that Dream had died. The thought made him tremble, but he forced himself to keep walking….one foot after the other. He wouldn’t beg…couldn’t….wouldn’t force himself on Dream as much as he wanted to beg him to take him back. To take them back.

This was the hardest thing he’d ever done.


Dream
Wait. Dream felt his idle brain working around the panic settling inside of him. It took a while for the injured teen to identify it, but this wasn’t the way it was supposed to work out. Wait. Bothered with his presence? Dream was happy he’d even showed up! He could barely see Quinn, though he didn’t have to to be able to identify the sounds of distress. Wait!
Dream’s breathing was coming out more ragged than before. As the tempest built within him he pulled himself up, stifling a cry of pain before hopping from the bed. He didn’t have to take out the iv; the stand was on wheels and traveled behind him, but the probes that had been attached came off, which send the machines into a frenzy of panicked beeps.
“Wait!” Dream’s voice broke halfway through his shout and he stumbled, reaching for the wall to hold himself up. Even with pain killers standing was brutal. His tails hung behind him, acting as a broom of sorts to make sure his legs didn’t become jumbled up on his mad dash to stop his ex from leaving him for a change.
He didn’t stop until he had caught up to Quinn, and he all but collapsed against the other teen. “Not…not what I meant…please, please don’t leave me. I don’t care if you’re going back to him but just stay for a while…”


Quinn
He hadn’t gotten very far at all. Barely beyond the door. It was hard for him to walk away from Dream. Every part of him was screaming at him to stay there, but if he wasn’t wanted…he couldn’t force Dream to accept and want him. His heart was ground into fine dust with every step he took closer to that door. He’d paused a few steps away from the door, a hand on the wall to collect his composure, when all he wanted to do was fall to his knees and sob. He was being sent away.

He could hear the cry of pain in the room, and vowed to have a nurse check on him…and medicate him so he wasn’t in pain. It was the frenzy of beeps that had him whirling around in a panic, preparing to charge back into that room, wanted by Dream be damned! He couldn’t walk away knowing he’d just stopped breathing, or his heart beating or something!

In fact he turned just in time to catch the other teen as he was fallen against, his arms automatically curling around him and holding him close. Those words though….they brought a sudden, broken laugh from him. “Stupid fucker…there’s no one else but you for me. The doctor, Aatami…he’s that Eevee I rescued when he was a kid. We tried a few dates, it didn’t work. He’s just a friend. The day you walked out on me you took my heart with you. The only place I’d be going would be home to Fayth. There’s no one else…never has been, never will be.” He was crying openly now, he couldn’t help it. Dream was here. In his arms…and the stupid shit was hurt as hell.

He could hear the mad dash of carts and feet running his way. The calls of Code Blue along with the room number over the speakers, and he held Dream closer. “You need to get into bed!” he was frightened for the other at this point. Moving carefully he tried to carry Dream back to that bed. To get him settled. “I’ll stay…if they let me.” He knew the room was about to get very crowded…very fast.

[Lirilei]

Car Wreck (continued)

SPOILER: Click to show

Dream
There wasn’t time for Dream to really catch his breath. Even slumped up against Quinn as he was the teenager still felt as if he were running. His visions swam, causing the ninetales to tilt to one side with a groan. The lone arm hung limp, twitching every few moments in a pathetic attempt to grab onto something.

Thank Arceus. There was no one to stop Dream from making things right. He wouldn’t stop Quinn from moving on, but dammit if there was a chance…Dream just couldn’t let it go. The teenage clawed at the larger man –no, boy- and tried to pull himself up to look at him better. His breathing was coming out in harsh pants as if he would drop at any moment. “I’m not going back there…without you…not again…” Dream tried to fit his hold, but honestly, laying back down in the bed lifted pressure from his damaged hip. “Lock the door if you…if you have too…” He was agitated now, and rising from his bed, a corona of heat building around him.
When the first doctor showed up it was as if they knew what to expect. It was really quite sad when security flanked the medical staff in a practiced motion. Dream fumbled for Quinn’s hand.

Instead of looking to Dream, the doctor turned to Quinn. “I heard all I needed from Aatami. If you can keep him calm and in bed this time, you can stay.”


Quinn
He was concerned with Dream being up like he was, given all the tubes, and the brace on him and all. How the hell is he even moving!? it was sheer will power he was aware, an adrenaline rush that caused Dream to be able to get around like this but it still worried Quinn to have it happening. He needed to be laying down not hobbling around!

“Alright Dream, alright I’ll stay for awhile. Urban is with Fayth right now, so I don’t need to leave right away.” No, he knew the other would either take her home, or just stay put. So he was fine with that. ”Not locking the door, and risking security breaking it down and dragging me out. You probably need looked at again anyhow.” No that was just dumb.

At the doctors words, he gave a relieved smile, and helped Dream back to the bed. “Hear that? Now, you into bed, and you need to calm down.” He smiled at the doc. “Tell Aatami thank you…and I think things are settling here.” He looked to Dream again and smiled. “Maybe later he can come see you’re not going to burn him to a crisp. I promise he’s nothing more than a friend. A failed date aside.” Nope, he wasn’t hiding a thing.


Dream
Dream had to fight a snarl when the doc got a little closer. He knew the routine all too well, and wasn’t looking forward to it. While he was concentrated on turning his attention back to Quinn a few of the medical staff moved in to check on things. To his credit Dream remained still through the proceedings, mostly because of the fresh injection of painkillers pumped into his IV drip. “…So long as he stays a friend.” Dream really had no right to be jealous, but even now his voice sounded pouty past the slur.
“If he gets riled up again we’re going to have to ask you to leave. So long as things remain calm…we’ll just play this by ear.” The doctor stepped back, and frowned. The hip brace would need adjustments, though he would wait until morning to do so. “I’ll be sure to let Aatami know that his friend isn’t being mauled.” Even the stoic doctor had to grin as he made his exit.
“So you did date him.” Dream turned his head. His tails were fanned out on either side of him, acting as buffers between the battered teen and the bed railing. His hair, though, was just a mess underneath his head. AT least he hadn’t lost it in this accident. “But Fayth….how is she?”


Quinn
“Dream, behave, let the doctor help you out.” Words quietly concerned really and who could blame him! He could hear the barely restrained snarl from his ex, and he didn’t want to see him fighting the doctors on his care. “He is nothing more than a very good friend, I’d wager he’s probably my best friend to be perfectly honest.” He’d confided a lot to the smaller teen!

“I’ll do my best to keep him calm, sorry doc.” He was! He hadn’t tried to start trouble, it’d just happened. Though there was a soft smile. “I told him not to worry about me, I can handle what he dishes out to me no problems.” But it was sweet of the Leafeon to worry about him!

“I did yes. Two attempted dates, both ended with me unable to stop talking about you…and us realizing it was just better to be friends.” Which was something, really! The question about Fayth though…that earned a soft smile. “She’s growing up Dream…she recently scared the hell out of me. Thought someone had been stupid and broken in. Turns out she had a growth spurt and was needing a middle of the night snack.” He pulled out his wallet and held up the picture he had of her and showed Dream. “See?”


Dream
Quinn’s best friend? A best friend who had been close enough to warrant at least one date, Dream mused grumpily. Shaking off the thought, he turned his attention to current issues. If the doctor he’d attacked was really a friend of Quinn’s he would have to apologize most likely. Probably. Maybe.
The news of Fayth’s growth spurt hit Dream like a brick to the gut. He bit his lower lip on a sharp intake of air, and looked at the offered picture. Hesitantly he took the picture from Quinn and really studied her. There was something about the child that exuded innate confidence; something that Dream would never have. It made him proud and envious at the same time. Quinn got to see this change in her and Dream… “…I missed it all.” He stroked the picture with his thumb, and couldn’t take his eyes off her. Dream loved Fayth so much it hurt, but she terrified him. Visits from Wendy toting his daughter just didn’t compare to being woken up by a snack raider.

“She’s going to be tall,” he mused, really looking her over, turning to Quinn, and back to the picture with a little smile that faded into a frown. “Quinn…I’m sorry. It’s not enough, not really but I just…Arceus, she has to hate me.”


Quinn
He could see the look of annoyance on Dream’s face but didn’t address it. Let him be annoyed, he didn’t care. They’d been walked out on, and he knew Solange and Urban had been right that he couldn’t mope about forever, and raise a child on his own. That he should try to move on, and so he had done just that. It just hadn’t worked out like they would have hoped. Still he had a good friend for it all now.

“You missed dirty diapers, and spit up…you missed her climbing out of the crib and ransacking my kitchen and fridge…and making an absolute mess of herself and the floor all in the name of food, and a pickle.” There was a fond smile on his face, he not even thinking of the way he phrased it as ‘his’ kitchen. But then, it was his place now. “But…you haven’t missed out on this next stage. You can watch her do so much more.” It was something really.

“She’s already tall. I’m glad Wendy keeps buying her clothes, else sometimes I worry she’d have to just go around naked.” He gave a wry smile as he said that. “Dream…she can’t hate someone she can barely recall…she has a photo of the two of you in her room…that’s all she has to really keep you imprinted in her mind. She needs to get to know her other father….but not if you’re going to keep self destructing like this. I won’t allow her to see you if you can’t pull yourself together.”


Dream
It may have been something, but not what Dream should have done. He quite obviously regretted walking out, though on the same hand he hadn’t. There were real concerns swamping the entire thing for the teen mentally that had yet to be addressed. At least he had been there for them financially, though his sister was quick to point out anyone could drop money into a bank account; a real father was there.

“Wendy probably kept all of the clothes she bought for the girls in storage, and having a grand-daughter…It was all she ever wanted.” Granted, she got that two fold really, and both in unconventional ways.
Tightening his hold on the picture, Dream looked up at Quinn. He opened his mouth, ready to retort and the sharp words were on the edge of his tongue. It was so visible on his expression, and yet…he exhaled. The first thought in his head was that he couldn’t be denied seeing his daughter. Dream knew just how wrong that was. Wendy had even told him that when she had spoken about a “father” around Fayth, the girl had asked if her grandmother was talking about papa or Dream. He didn’t even warrant a nickname.
“This wasn’t even supposed to happen.” Dream seethed. “Do you think I wanted to lose my fucking arm? How am I supposed to….” The sentence was open ended as he struggled with a word. Hold his daughter, cook, dress himself, work…everything was ruined. He couldn’t even look at it. “…but I did, right? I took classes you know, on cooking. I can do it now; little things, but enough for her. I went back to work at the host club, I hadn’t had a drink in so long…” Dream growled and flopped his head back against the pillow with his eyes shut.
What had made him decide on last party was a good idea? “It’s not like it matters. I wouldn’t have been able to hold her, anyway…she hates it when I touch her.”


Quinn
“Pretty sure that’s what it was. She came over with a ton of clothes when I gave her a call after Fayth’s growth spurt. She’s been a real life saver for me…for us.” It was true, Wendy had been a big help for him since Dream had left. Had answered so many questions, and all for him. She was invaluable to him.

“I will keep her from you until you pull your act together. No drinking. None. I doubt you wanted to lose your arm, and she’ll have questions, but the truth of you were in a car wreck will answer that. As she’s older she can learn just how that wreck happened. But, I’m not having you around our daughter if you possibly pose a threat to her well being and safety. I love you Dream, that hasn’t changed, but Fayth relies on me to keep her safe and I’ll do that, even if it means keeping you out of her life, and mine.”

The words had been hard to say, but he meant it. He’d promised Fayth, long before he ever saw her face, when she was still just an egg that he would always protect her, and he would. Even if it meant from the love of his life. From her own father.

His expression softened as he listened to Dream explain that he had taken cooking classes, and he gave a soft smile….though there he sighed and nodded. “Solange and I were talking about that recently actually. Fayth doesn’t like when Solange touches her either, but Urban has no issues. I don’t know what’s going on there, but I’m trying to figure it out, I am. She handles Urban just fine, and me and of course Wendy. She’s iffy on the twins, and I’m not sure why…but I wonder if it’s something to do with fire types… she loves the water. Gets over heated easily…” he trailed off quietly.

“Where do we go from here Dream? Do we try again? Or…try to move on?” he doubted he could. Or even would move on though. So if that meant being a single father for the rest of his days, so be it. It seemed like Dream still cared but…maybe it was just possession talking, jealousy…and not love. He needed to know. Desperately.


Dream
Dream knew Quinn was right, but it didn't make swallowing his failings any easier. It wasn't as if he was an alcoholic, so he wouldn't have to go to those classes...would he? Arceus, he hoped not. The whole process would be worth it just to keep Fayth in his life. "Then I'll stay sober so you can't keep her from me." He said it almost petulantly, but there was underlining fear there. Would she even want him around once she learned the truth? "I'll sign a contract if I have to. If I'm caught with one ounce of the stuff then..." Dream took a deep breath. "Then I'll stay away."

It seemed that even medicated Dream couldn't sit still. He shifted, trying to prop himself up on his good hip but that only angered the injured one. Still, Quinn's words brought out an almost insane excitement in him. "See? I told you! It's not just me..." When it all hit him he couldn't stop smiling. It was as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders, and while many more remained, he could breath a little easier. "I don't know if it's fire types or not, but Quinn, we need to have her tested." If this could help settle his mind in any way, Dream had to have it.

Looking at his ex as directly as he could, Dream asked, "What do you want Quinn? I didn't give you a choice when I left, and right now you need to think about what's good for you. I love you, I really really do, but if it's just going to complicate things then I can step back....try to step back." He had to think about his earlier interactions with the doctor and it caused him to sigh. Letting go wouldn't be as easy as he thought.


Quinn
“I would like it very much if you stayed sober. I haven’t had alcohol in the house since the night you left. I had bought wine for us to have with dinner…” that bottle was long gone. He’d sent it along to Urban and Solange when the temptation to fall into it had grown too strong for comfort. “Who knows what the police are going to want you to do. They might make you go to AA meetings or something. I just don’t know.” Words soft.

“We’ll get her tested, it’s something that needs answered for everyone’s peace of mind. Especially yours.” He reached out and brushed his hand gently over Dream’s hair. “Easy now…need to stay still. Don’t even know how the hell you’re moving around so much.” It was baffling for as injured as he was! It had to have been the pain medicine.

That question had been unexpected, and his eyes closed as his hand slid down Dream’s cheek, caressing it softly. “You. I want you Dream. I love you…so much. I miss you…more than words can say. It’s been nice having your family around…and Aatami…he’s a good friend…always good to know a doctor…” he gave a soft, tired laugh. “…but they’re not you. I’ve loved you since the moment I laid eyes on you, even though I was there to haul your sorry ass in as a bounty…I fell in that moment, and I’ve never gotten past that. I don’t want you.”

Quinn swallowed hard, tears in his eyes over flowing in that instant. “Please….please Dream…” why yes....the mountain of a teen had been reduced to begging in this instant. Had laid his heart open, and bare for the other. The hand against Dream’s cheek trembled softly, his entire body shaking as he fought down a sob.


Dream
The police were a force to contend with another day. Whatever they had in store for him would seem like a cake walk compared to what he had been through...and what was to come. He relaxed under Quinn's gentle touch enough to find the bed comfortable. "I'm sure once this stuff wears off I'll be grateful just to sit up on my own." Every once in a while he would feel a little pinprick but Dream couldn't honestly say he was in "pain".

At the angle he was laying he could put his hand on Quinn's, but he could reach out to put it on his leg. "Then I'll never go again. Until the day I die I'll stand by your side, Quinn. Leaving was the hardest decision I've ever made, and definitely the worst. I've hurt you so much..." He reached up to smooth away some of Quinn's tears with the pad of his thumb before cupping his face. Just seeing his love tearing up had brought out them out in Dream as well. "I want to go home, Quinn...I just want to go home, and that home is with Fayth, with you."


Quinn
“I’m sure they’ll keep you pretty drugged up for awhile…you look like shit honestly. Though given what you went through it’s no wonder. I’m just glad it wasn’t any worse. We can work around you missing part of your arm, I’m more worried about your hip, honestly.” Especially with all the running around he’d been doing!

Quinn leaned into touch on his cheek his hand coming up to rest against it, holding Dream’s hand there. “Soon Dream…soon you can come home…” but first the hospital stay…who knew if he would need therapy for the hip and all and if that would require a stay in another facility…and of course Dream needed to prove he could come home… needed to clean up his act. “I love you, so much.” He breathed softly, shifting his head to press a kiss to Dreams’ palm. “Later…you should meet Aatami, properly. Apologize too…not right now…but at some point. I’d like my friend, to be your friend as well.”

He couldn’t cut out Aatami. Not when the Leafeon really had helped him to keep his sanity. It wouldn’t have been right to do that honestly. For now though….for now it was good to just be here with Dream. “Rest…you’ve had a long night. I’ll stay awhile longer…but I should be there when Fayth wakes up, even if she likes Urban.”


Dream
"Thanks," Dream rolled his eyes on a weak chuckle. If he looked half as bad as he felt then Quinn was looking at a human-esque Muk. "I think they said something about a wheelchair for a while?" As if he would be caught dead in one of those. This wasn't his first bang up, so he was just going to have to work it out and bounce back, right? Denial ran strong within the Ninetales, and as drugged up as he was it was easier to put it out of his mind than to think about it. "Last benefits of a being a big shot...good healthcare." Too bad it was likely sucking out his savings just to breath in this place.

Dream nodded. "I'll try to be nice...no promises but no more fire.." He yawned, and shook his head. "It's alright, go to her. Just...come back?" Truthfully, Dream would have kept Quinn there forever, but he couldn't be that selfish. It was something he was learning. Fayth needed a father, a stable one, and waking up without him was only going to worry her.


Quinn
There was a quiet smile on Quinn’s face, he wasn’t about to sugar coat it. “A wheelchair wouldn’t surprise me, and if that’s the case, I can make sure you can get around the house when you come visit.” He knew deep in his heart Dream couldn’t just move right back in. As much as he wanted him to. “I’m sure Wendy will bring you over often though.” Because he was certain she would want Dream with her to help him out while he healed up. “We can work on fixing us, while you heal up too.” It was t he only way to go about it, really.

“Nice is good, and no more fire better. I know it’ll be hard for you, but I swear there’s nothing there but friendly feelings for him so you don’t have anything to worry about.” He leaned in, and pressed a soft kiss to Dream’s cheek. “I’ll come back later in the day I promise. I’ll get Wendy to watch her for awhile so I can. I need to let her know what happened anyhow…” words soft as he pulled away. “You stay in this bed, and rest. Heal. Listen to the doctors okay?”


Dream
Visit? A bit of Dream's calming bliss seemed to chip away. He should have known he wouldn't get to come back right away; these things didn't work like that. It wasn't as if he'd gone on a week's vacation, after all. "Oh Arceus, Wendy...." Explaining to a child why one of her daddies was hurt would be so much easier than breaking the news to a small woman in a purple apron. He couldn't even begin to think about how she was going to react.

Dream held his hand up to Quinn until the moment he began to pull away. "Okay." He was exhausted, and the lack of stronger doses of pain meds in his veins was beginning to show. As much as he was relieved to see the nurse poking back through the door, he was still saddened to see Quinn go. What if I didn't come back?


Quinn
He could see the look on Dream’s face and he curled his fingers gently. “You know you can’t come back right away. For one, the house can’t handle a wheelchair. Two, Fayth should be warned and all before you do come back. Just because it’ll be a big change. As much as I want you to come back as soon as you’re released from here, I have to be realistic…and put her before my own wants.” But oh did he ever want Dream to move back in right away. “I’ll call Wendy at a reasonable hour…probably from here honestly. So I can play buffer for you when she comes storming in. Maybe I should ask Urban if Fayth can come over for the day…” might not be so bad. He’d figure it out when he wasn’t so worn out mentally and emotionally.

“I’ll be back, I promise. If it wasn’t for Fayth…I’d stay.” He didn’t go for the cheek this time, no, this time was the lips, and he kissed softly, slowly, body trembling at that simple kiss. He’d missed that so much. Tears dripped to Dream’s face as he pulled away. “I’ll be back before lunch. Need to sleep a little..and all so I’m not exhausted.” Which would make driving dangerous.


Dream
"I know, just sucks." His voice was small, but Dream wasn't pouting. It was just a part of this entire ordeal he was going to have to deal with. "When I can take care of her on my own...that's when I want to come home." Until then he would still be a nervous wreck, and Fayth wouldn't be comfortable. They would both be miserable.

Dream couldn't have explained what it felt like to be kissed at the moment if he tried. He was shaking with a raspy sort of breathing that only make him grin. The injured teen didn't try to wipe away Quinn's tears anymore than his own.

The nurse knocked on the door frame before moving fully into the room. "I'm afraid we're going to have to limit visitors until his condition has stabled. At this time it's just a few hours, adults only." She wasn't trying to be rude, but having a child around might rile him up too much. The nurse moved to change out IV bags, and reactivated the morphine drip, obviously having been a little flustered coming in on such an intimate moment.

"Sleep and get something to eat. You're too skinny," Dream murmured. Now that the medication was really taking effect he felt his entire body relax, taking his eye lids with it. It didn't take long for it to knock him out.


Quinn
“That might not be bad idea… then we don’t have to worry about her accidentally hurting you either.” Which would have been downright terrible and not something he wanted to experience. So waiting till Dream could care for Fayth on his own was for the best.

Quinn pulled away about the time the nurse had knocked on the door, and gave a soft smile. “I hadn’t planned to bring our daughter here anyhow. Hospital’s aren’t a good place for kids.” They had to be careful and quiet after all. “I’ll be sure the people that would be coming to see him know it’s not for long periods of time.” Wendy, Solange, maybe Ysolde…and himself.

He waited till everything was swapped over, before he was sighing, another, soft kiss to Dream’s lips, but he was laughing quietly. “I’ll try. I make no promises. I’ve not had much of an appetite since you left.” He ate yes, but not as much as he should have. One could almost say he was wasting away from heartbreak. He gave Dream one last look, before he was stepping from the room, heart feeling a little lighter than it had in ages now. He felt…hopeful.

[Lirilei]

Re-introduction ((In Progress))
((Quinn and Dream work on a reconciliation, and Dream gets to meet Fayth as more than an unhappy baby))

SPOILER: Click to show

Fayth/Dream
Wendy pulled her hatchback into a familiar driveway, and put the near ancient vehicle in park. Leaning back in her seat to undo her buckle, she turned to look at her “son”, who had gone noticeably quiet. He’d begun to fidget; tapping the fingers of his sole hand on his thigh the last few miles or so. It had to be a nerve wracking experience for him, but Wendy was in no mood to coddle. She stretched across the console to undo his seat belt, ignoring his surprised protest.

“It’s going to be fine, honey. Just take it easy and be yourself; no more of this dodging business. Do you need help getting out?”

“No…No I’m fine.”

“…You tell me if you need me. I’m going to get the casserole out of the back.”

Taking a deep breath, Dream opened the car door and stepped out onto what used to be HIS driveway. The act sent a spasm of pain up to his hip, but it wasn’t so terrible that he couldn’t walk it off. His accident had been weeks ago, and though he had barely gotten out of the hospital, Dream was eager to put things to right. He no longer had to walk with a brace, which was nice, and his bruises had healed. All that remained was the ever present act in his bones. Oh, and the horrific stump he was left with. It was a rare occurrence that Dream even acknowledged it. At least all that hospital food had managed to ‘fatten’ him up a bit, which didn’t feel as bad as he thought it would. He was nowhere near pudgy, but having a full stomach felt nice.
Not so nice when he felt like hurling it up, though.

Fayth sat up on the back of the couch and watched the outdoor proceedings through the slates in the living room blinds. This was the first time she could remember seeing her other father, and he looked…weird. Like her, but not. It scared her. What was he doing here? Hadn’t he left? She noticed the way he leaned to one side, as if putting too much pressure on his left side hurt him.
Sitting up further, Fayth all but climbed onto the back of the furniture to get a look. He had so many tails! And they were poofier than they were in the pictures! How did he fit in the car? Absently, she gave her own little tail a flick, suddenly glad she wasn’t fluffier.

He could have left at that moment, and she might have been happy. Papa wouldn’t be, though, so she was going to get through this. But did she really HAVE to? Couldn’t she just go with Grandma Wendy and get ice cream instead?


Quinn
He had been cleaning house for a few days now. Everything was beyond sparkling clean at this point, ever since Wendy had called to say they’d be coming over. They. Her. Dream. His name, even in thought made his heart skip a beat, and put a falter in his step. Dream was coming home. For a visit only to be sure. One step of many needed to set things right in their lives. It needed done this way though, no rushing into things. No, everyone had to get used to everyone after all. Still, he was a bundle of nerves that had a hard time sleeping from anticipation, like a kid waiting for their birthday or Christmas. This felt like all of that rolled into one.

“Fayth…out of the window baby girl.” He didn’t want the blinds messed up after all, or worse her to somehow fall through the window! The house smelled like a combination of faint cleaner since it’d thankfully aired out since his panicked cleaning spree, fresh baked cookies since he had some sitting on a plate and his cologne he knew Dream liked.

He’d heard the car pull up out front and he was anxious again. Should he get up to answer the door now or wait till they knocked? It was hard to decide and he was fidgeting in his seat horribly. So he settled for getting to his feet, and reaching for his daughter and pulling her into his arms. “Come here you. We’re about to have company so we should have the couch clear.” He squeezed her gently, smiling at her.


Fayth/Dream
Scowling, she pulled away from the blinds, and flipped around to sit on the couch. This was so…so…wrong! How come she had to get all dressed up just because he was coming in? Fayth even had her good shoes on; indoors. The concept baffled her.

I’m not going to hug him. Someone was going to make her, and she was ready! Still…what if he wanted to hug her? What if he asked her too? What if he cried? She really, really hoped he wouldn’t. Papa would be angry then. Grandma too, but grandma always caved; Papa wouldn’t.
When her Papa pulled her up, she couldn’t help picking up on his anxiety. What if…what if he didn’t like her? If he left again Papa would be sad and that was bad, but…ugh! Curling up her nose, Fayth looked at Quinn critically, “You smell weird.”

A moment after there was a knock on the door before Wendy let herself in. She had a casserole dish in her hands, and a smile on her face. “Grandma’s here! And I’ve brought someone else with me- Get your ass up that landing and into this house!” Her smile turned into a stern frown as she looked outside. “Chin up, chest out and-“

“I got it.” Dream grumbled as he walked through the door. He was dressed ‘casually’; meaning, for once in his life, he had voluntarily left his the house in jeans and a t-shirt. His bandaged stump was clearly visible, but the easy access the short sleeves gave was worth it when it came time to clean the damned thing. He was nervous; his nail flicking behind him almost constantly. “Hey Quinn.” He smiled nervously.

Fayth couldn’t help thinking how he looked like a hobo and a dandelion wrapped into one.

Of course she wouldn’t have noticed the fine cut of his jeans, or the scent of Dream’s own cologne. All she saw was his solid crimson eyes, taking in both her and her Papa. He didn’t seem like he was breathing for a moment; almost like the surprised look she gave when her Papa surprised her with something big, like cake.

Dream stepped shuffled out of his slip on loafers and stepped forward, noticeably leaning on his right side. “Fayth…?”


Quinn
“Do I? I’m wearing cologne today.” He hadn’t thought about it smelling weird, it was a scent he liked, and he knew Dream did as well. He looked and felt almost relieved as Wendy let them in, that was easier and less awkward than answering the door himself. Wendy was welcome to come in as she wanted honestly, as much as she’d helped him with Fayth it was just natural to him really.

The scent of Dream’s cologne filled the air as well, a smile on his face though it was a nervous one really. His arms tightened slightly around Fayth as Dream came near not wanting her to squirm away or worse he accidentally lose his hold on her from Dream coming so close. God it’s so good to have him back in the house. though he realized there was no photos out anywhere of the two of them. He’d never gotten an answer from Urban on where they were and now he wished he had some sitting around. It felt weird to have Dream here and none of their photos around.

Quinn’s eyes slid to the girl he held, and his voice was soft. “Fayth, baby…this is your dad…. Dream…this is Fayth…our daughter.” His voice was soft, nervous really. Arceus…why’m I so nervous?


Fayth/Dream
If cologne was what made everyone smells so weird then Fayth wasn’t so sure she liked it. It smelled nice to a point, but it felt like they were both trying too hard. She wrapped her arms around Quinn’s neck, leaning against him while watching Dream come closer. To her credit the girl didn’t shy away from him, but neither did she make any moves to close the distance. “No he’s not, Papa.” Fayth looked up at Quinn, before turning to look at Dream, and back to her papa. “I’ve only got one dad; you.”

Dream might as well have been sucker punched in the balls. The shock on his face was coupled with a sharp inhale that he held onto until he was calm enough to release it. What had he expected? For his little girl to instantly latch onto him like she did Quinn? She didn’t know him anymore than he knew her. “That’s…that’s okay, Fayth.” He knew she was going to be big, but why was she that big? She was a child! Wasn’t there usually some toddling years? Had he missed those too? “You don’t have to call me dad if you don’t want to, but is it alright if I come to visit with you?”

She seemed to think on it for a while. “…I guess.” The girl couldn’t have sounded more put out if she’d tried.

He looked to Quinn, and gave a sort of sad smile. This was a step; however small. And one he was going to commit to.


Quinn
Those words hit Quinn hard so he could only imagine how hard it hit Dream. Still he staggered just slightly as if he’d been struck, and frowned softly. “No baby girl you have two of us. You just have to get to know him too sweetie.” His voice was gentle, but there was a hint of sternness. She wasn’t getting out of this one bit.

He sighed some at their conversation, shoulders slumping a little. “Well she can’t very well call you by your first name either…and has to call you something.” he looked to Wendy then, a look of ‘A little help here?’ thrown at her. Maybe she could intervene slightly. Her and Fayth had a way together…maybe she could get things taken care of somehow… boy did he hope.


Fayth/Dream
“I don’t have have to do anything.” She pouted stubbornly, giving the same fiery frown that her own father famous for. It would have been cute outside of this situation. Even if Papa wanted her to, she didn’t have to do it. She might agree to talk to him, but that was it!

“Really, Quinn, it’s alright. I’ve been called worse things than my own name.” Dream smirked sardonically. When standing for too long began to tire him, Dream sat down on the couch, awkwardly moving his lone arm to prop his hip on a cushion. If this was the only argument he had with his daughter then he would be a blessed man. Even if he wasn’t happy with it, conceding to this might open some doors.

Seeing how her resigned her son was to the change, and Quinn’s little look, Wendy sighed. She moved to take the casserole into the kitchen, but when she returned her attention was on Fayth. “Honey, like it or not, you’ve got two daddies. You don’t have to call Dream dad, but you can’t ignore that he is your dad, okay? We’re not asking you to like him, just to try.”
Fayth furrowed her brow. “Fine.”

“Sassy one, aren’t you?” Fayth turned sharply to look at Dream, surprised to see him smiling. “It’s cute. I like that you’re not afraid to say what you think; that’s good.” It was a quieter compliment, but it made her take stock of him.


Quinn
“I think I might’ve called you worse when we first met.” There was a low laugh from him as he sat down on the couch as well, minding Dream so he didn’t jostle him too badly. He kept Fayth in his lap while he sat, grinning a moment.

“I can’t imagine where she gets that from Dream. You’ve never been afraid to say what you think. It’s a quality I’ve always admired about you. I’m glad she got that from you.” It was true! He was relaxing a little with each passing moment, and turned to Wendy. “Did I see you brought a casserole? Thank you for that.” He smiled at her with a fondness that had developed as he got to know her better. He had been so thankful for her presence through all this really.

Finally he let Fayth go, so she could go to Wendy if she wanted and he looked back to Dream. “You’re looking good.” so good…damn….. His heart thudded painfully again as he looked at him, inhaling a little sharper than he had meant to. Damn this felt like falling for him all over again.


Fayth/Dream
“I did! And it’s going to get cold if we don’t eat it soon. Fayth, will you help me set the table?” Wendy held her hand out for Fayth, who left her Papa’s side hesitantly. She wasn’t so sure about leaving them alone, but she would be close enough to protect him if he needed her. No one was going to make her Papa sad while she was around!

“Can I get the biggest piece?” She asked, trailing off with Wendy into the kitchen.

Dream watched her leave with a little chuckle, and turned back to Quinn. If at all possible he seemed to have calmed after his accident. Maybe it was the physical trauma, or the shock into reality, but he felt…lighter. “Let’s hope that’s all she got from me. I want her to be calm and level headed, like you. She’ll get into less trouble that way.”

His ears gave a little twitch. “You too. The house looks great, smells like…” Now that he was closer to Quinn, he could pick up the hint of cologne. Dream closed his eyes, taking in a deep inhale with the broadest of grins. The scent was all Quinn, and reminded him of better days. “Arceus, Quinn, I’ve missed you.”


Quinn
There was a relieved expression as Fayth went to go help Wendy serve up the food, it felt a little less awkward with her slight hostility missing from the immediate picture. He knew she was worried about him, he’d been a mess for so long really. Hearing her ask for the biggest piece made him laugh softly. “That’s my little Munchlax.” It was why he made sure they stayed well stocked up on food all the time.

“Maybe that has something to do with the water in me, and yours is more to do with the fire in you. Hopefully, she’ll be a perfect balance of us both as she grows up.” He could only hope, but it was hard to say, there was plenty of time till she grew bigger really.

The comment on the house made him grin sheepishly. “When Wendy called to say you’d be by today…I got nervous and I cleaned the entire house top to bottom twice…in a few hours.” He ducked his head slightly, amused by his reaction now more than anything really. His hand reached out and lightly resting on Dream’s leg. “I’ve missed you too….I’m so glad you’re here today.” His voice was soft, and he scooted a little closer to the other without realizing he was doing so. It was like two magnets being pulled together.


Fayth/Dream
“That’s so nerdy.” Dream quirked his lip. It made perfect sense, but it was so basic, too. And he wasn’t so sure she had any fire in her at all. Sure, she looked like him as a kid, but there was that matter of shying away from him…Maybe now that he was out of the hospital they could finally get that figured out.

“A few hours?” Dream twisted around to get a good look at the place; it was spotless. “How did you manage to get all that done with Fayth around? Quinn, you know the place could look like a wreck, and I would still come over, right?” It looked like home, but then, it didn’t. All of his little touches were gone; as were the pictures. Instead he saw toys, couch pillows that Quinn very likely didn’t pick out, and drawings taped to doors.
Distracted by Quinn, Dream looked back to the other teen and placed his hand on his. His fingers trailed along Quinn’s, turning his hand over to interlace his fingers with the larger man’s. “I wouldn’t have missed it for the wo-“

“Tables set!” Fayth called out from the doorway, her hands on her little hips. She had spied on them long enough to know she needed to step in. At first the girl had been content enough to help her grandma with table setting, but after a while her curiosity had gotten the better of her. Why were they looking at each other like that? It was weird!
Dream snapped back like she’d squirted him with water, pulling his fingers away from Quinn’s.


Quinn
“Guess I’ve gotten a little nerdy reading all these books to Fayth each night.” He chuckled softly as he said that, losing himself in Dream’s eyes for a few moments. Though he grinned a moment. “It’s amazing what a sudden bout of nervous energy can do to a soul. Only thing I really has to do today was straighten up Fayth’s toys again and revacuum. I got that done while cookies baked.”

He was more than happy to hold Dream’s hand in his, his own fingers curling gently, his heart racing again, as he looked at Dream. This just felt so right. He knew this was why things couldn’t have worked with Aatami. Oh sure the little Leafeon was adorable and all, but he was hopelessly stuck on Dream.

Fayth’s little voice breaking into their little world startled him, but there was a fleeting frown as Dream pulled his hand away from his own, the bright look in his eyes fading a little before he cleared his throat and got to his feet. “Thank you babygirl, we’ll be right there. Here let me give you some help.” He held a hand out to the Ninetails, to help him up off the couch then.


Fayth/Dream
Fayth wasn’t sure how she liked her Papa staying around Dream, but she didn’t have much of a choice. She didn’t want to walk away, though. There was too much uncertainty in her with the whole situation; why was everyone acting like he was an old friend, when he walked out? Wasn’t that a bad thing?

Clearing his throat, Dream took Quinn’s hand and stiffly pulling himself up off the couch. It took more effort getting started than it did to walk and it showed in the way he gritted his teeth. Once he was up and stable, he exhaled, opening his eyes to catch his daughter watching him.
“What’s wrong with you?” She asked frankly, watching him with childlike curiosity.

The abrupt question stunned Dream. He looked to Quinn, giving him a sort of ‘help me out here’ look. Ironically, the same look Quinn had given Wendy not a half hour ago.

“Fayth, honey, come in and sit down.” Wendy called out from the kitchen, but she stood firm. She wanted to know why Papa was being so special towards him.

“In a minute. I wanna know.”


Quinn
“Easy…take your time on getting up.” His voice was soft and worried, he didn’t want Dream to move too fast and hurt himself. He recalled how badly off he’d been in the hospital, and so he was surprised he was even up and walking and not in a wheelchair, or brace of some sort.

He couldn’t help the low laugh at the look shot at him, he knew that was the very same look he’d given to Wendy after all, and still holding onto Dreams hand, he turned to Fayth then. “He was in a car accident baby girl, and he was hurt really bad. So now it’s hard for him to move around easily, and probably will be for awhile.” It was the truth, though not the entire truth. When she was older she could get the whole story if she wanted it.

“Go on, go get seated at the table with grandma Wendy, and we’ll be right behind you, I promise.” He wasn’t about to let Dream make the short trip to the table on his own. Nope, his hand was staying wrapped around the one in his hand, it was as simple as that really.


Fayth/Dream
It was out of sheer force of determination that Dream wasn’t held down with a wheelchair or some aid. The pain meds were even to ease it off enough so that he could walk in short bursts. That was all he needed, really, with his level of activity these days.

What’s wrong with you?

The question kind of burned him. It was one he had asked himself on more than one occasion, and even though he knew she was only asking what was physically wrong it still got him to thinking. Thinking was bad for him, though, so he tried to push it out. “I just got out of the hospital a few days ago, so go easy on me.” He tried to smile at her, but she seemed uneasy. Like she was going to be sympathetic, and didn’t necessarily want to be. It was amusing to see.

“I’m sitting by you, Papa.” She held up two fingers to her eyes, then motioned to them and back to her before walking off. The little hybrid found her spot at the table and claimed it by putting her rump down firmly in the chair. Wendy quirked her brow at the child, but chose not to say anything. Fayth was relatively quiet…until she saw the cookies. “Can I have one?”
“Not until you’ve had your supper.”

“What if I eat them at the same time? Can I have one then?”

Dream could hear her from the other room, and turned to Quinn, “What kind of cookies are they, anyway? They smell really good.” This coming from the normally strict eater was something of a change, even for him. The Ninetales was trying not to go overboard with his food experiments, but temptations were strong.

When he stepped forward, he kept his hand in Quinn’s and relied heavily on the larger man for balance. It wasn’t something he was expecting, but it felt nice to have that stability back. Especially since the closer he got to the table the more he wobbled, his entire body tense.


Quinn
“Alright baby girl, you can sit by me.” He could see that she was uncomfortable with Dream being there, and he figured conceding in this was for the best at this point. It would be easier than a fight at this point.

He could hear the discussion from the table about the cookies, and shook his head in amusement, the question about the kind had Quinn grin some. “Well…I have chocolate chip and m&m cookies…and I have peanut butter…and I have oatmeal raisin….” It helped to keep busy by baking…and Fayth seemed to like the fresh cookies.

He kept his hand wrapped around Dream’s, supporting him in that walk to the table, almost carrying him the last few feet to his chair so he didn’t over do it. “Easy now…I’ve got you…just lean on me darlin’.” Nope, not about to let Dream go at all.


Fayth/Dream
“Ooh, oatmeal raisin.”

Dream couldn’t think of who had said it first; him or Fayth. She looked up at him with a look of shock, one that had Wendy chuckling. “You two would pick the worst cookies to love.”

“Nuh, uh! They’re the best.” So…maybe Dream wasn’t so bad. At least his taste in cookies was alright. Granted, she hadn’t tasted a single cookie that she hated, but oatmeal raisin was her favorite.

Giving Quinn one last squeeze, he slipped down into his seat stiffly, wiggling around until he found a comfortable position. More than a few of his tail were used as extra support on his bad hip, helping to ease the aches. “Thanks, babe.” Before he got truly situated, Dream leaned up and gave Quinn a chaste kiss on the cheek. It was a brave move considering their situation, and the look Fayth gave him could have killed Dream in an instant.
“Here you go, sweetheart.” Fayth watched as Wendy brought out a special bottle of something greenish for Dream to drink. Oh, now he got his own special juice?

“What’s that? I want some too.”

Dream quirked his brow. “I don’t think you’ll like it. How about orange juice instead? Or apple?”

“I can handle it.” Sitting up her seat, she gave off the air of a puffed up house pet in a pack of wolves. Dream shrugged and handed the bottle off to her. She unscrewed the cap, looked at the weird liquid inside, and gave it a healthy gulp. Then immediately spat it back out; all over Quinn. “Ewww! What’s in this?! It’s nasty!”

“That…would be the Wheatgrass.”


Quinn
The fact they both had the same reaction to the cookies at the same time made Quinn laugh softly, it was amusing to hear them both say that, to see one more thing they had in common with one another. “They’re not so bad. Not my favorite cookies but still really good.” He hadn’t even made the ones he had a preference for.

“Any time.” The words soft, fingers brushing over Dreams’ hair gently, a soft smile on his face, and he completely missing the killer look from Fayth. If he’d seen it…he might have chastised her a bit for it. Though it stood to reason she got punished enough by insisting she wanted Dream’s drink.

Hearing what it was, Quinn couldn’t help it, he snickered at the disgusted look on their daughters face. “Maybe next time someone tells you that you won’t like something, you should listen to them baby girl hm? Now, do you want apple juice with dinner tonight?” he was more than a little amused to be perfectly honest.


Fayth/Dream
Curling her nose, the little hybrid just nodded her head. Apple juice sounded amazing compared to that nastiness. “Who drinks grass juice, anyway?! That’s just weird.” There really was something wrong with Dream, and it wasn’t his injuries! She tried scraping it off her tongue, but the flavor stayed.
Shaking her head at the whole thing, Wendy started dishing out portions onto the plates before moving back to the kitchen. “I’ve got it, Quinn, so go ahead and get comfortable.”

Dream reached for the remainder of his juice, and tipped it in a mock salute to Fayth. “It’s not that bad once you get used to it. You might even like it.” Or she could just hate him more. That was always a possibility.
When Wendy returned, she handed the apple juice off to Fayth and sat a drink in front of Quinn before taking her own seat. Watching Quinn interact with their daughter was something out of a tv show for him. It was surreal. He had imagined it happening when she was still in her egg, but had never been around to see it. Well, to see her respond back to him beyond gurgling, anyway. What wariness she held for Dream was dropped the moment Quinn gave her attention. Even Wendy had full sway over her. Would she ever look at him like that? With that full amount of trust, and love?
“So, Fayth, what kinds of things do you do with your dad? Do you play sports? Dance?”

“…I like guns. I can take a 40 cal Glock apart and put it back together really fast.”

Dream gave an arch stare at Quinn as if to say ‘Do you do anything NORMAL with our daughter?’.


Quinn
“It’s a healthy drink. Your dad can get me to drink it on rare occasion. It was decent for when I was trying to get into better shape.” Gross, but decent. He’d gotten to the point he could drink it down without much of a face though he didn’t care for it anyhow. So that Dream enjoyed it, well good for him.

“Thanks Wendy, I appreciate it.” He really did! He had just taken a sip of his juice when Fayth easily rattled off what they did together, and he get that look from Dream. Choking on his drink a moment he coughed, and cleared his throat. “Darlin’ you know what I did for a living, is it any wonder I’ve taught our girl how to handle herself around guns? Never know when I have to have my gear out for something, and I’d rather she know the right way to handle it and herself around it, than risk her getting hurt.”

He was grinning a proud papa grin though. “She’s real good at learning….I was thinking of taking her to the ranger with me sometime soon, see how she shoots.” Completely the truth, and not something he’d mentioned to Wendy even. But really, goggles, and ear plugs and she’d be just fine there with his supervision and teaching. Still, he waited for dirty looks to come his way!


Fayth/Dream
“It’s better than soda and bottled juice, that’s for sure.” Drinking with his left hand wasn’t so odd, but picking up the fork was. Dream had always been right handed, so now using his less dominant hand was something of a task. He had to be fully aware of what he was doing at all times just to make sure he didn’t drop anything. So far he had yet to master how to use chopsticks, which was a damn shame, considering how much he liked Asian cuisine.
After taking a bite, he pointed the now cleared fork at Quinn and swallowed. “I thought you’d at least wait until she was a little older. She should be playing with dolls, not learning how to handle guns.”

“Oh, she’s got those too, trust me,” Dream turned to Wendy, who was busily munching down on her food. She shrugged her shoulders. “What? I think it’s healthy for her to take in interest in his work.” Of course the pilot would say that. Dream had nearly forgotten how early she had taken her girls into the skies with her.

“Papa’s right, I’m really smart and I know what to do.” Fayth nodded. Someday she wanted to learn how to shoot with two guns, but right now she was barely allowed to practice with one. Little steps, he said, but she knew she was ready. “I know how to reload a fresh clip while focusing on-“
“I get it, you know what you’re doing.” Dream interrupted. The thought of his little girl with a weapon in her hand of any kind though gave him a heart murmur. If his own actions didn’t put him in an early grave, then Quinn would dig the hole for him while Fayth punted him in. “Could we…try to do something else, too? How about gymnastics, or dance.”
It was the second time he’d brought up dance, and Fayth still wasn’t impressed. Gymnastics though…that didn’t sound too bad. She wasn’t sure what it meant, but she DID know that people went to the gym to train. All kinds of strong people and poke’mon went to gyms. “I could do gymnastics. But only if I can go to the shooting range with Papa, too.”


Quinn
“I don’t do the soda thing anymore, and bottled juice only once in awhile. I’ve been getting our juice from some orchard that does the juicing process there, so it’s fresh. Mostly unsweetened too. It’s kind of nice, try a sip?” his glass was lifted and offered out to Dream to try then.

He was pleased when Wendy took his side on things, and relaxed slightly. “She really has taken an interest. I’ve told her a few stories. Tame ones I promise, but stories none the less, and she’s been a very good student. She wants to learn to dual wield guns, so once she’s good with one, I’ll be showing her that. I have a feeling it won’t take her long.”

The mention of gymnastics made him thoughtful. “You know, that would probably be a really good thing for you to go too. Your dad and grandma can take you to those lessons how’s that? Seem’s more up his alley, and I’m sure he’d enjoy spending time with you and getting to know you better. Besides, gymnastics can teach you all sorts of neat things your ol’ papa here isn’t limber enough for. Could be helpful for you as you get older.”

He looked across to Dream then. “That sound good to you darlin’? You getting her to gymnastic classes and staying with her through them?” he was extending a measure of trust to the other teen here, allowing her to be alone with Dream and all. He wanted to be able to give him the benefit of the doubt.


Fayth/Dream