by Jamie Hawke
“You’re going to be a dad,” Twitch said, eyebrows raised. “I’m not sure what to think about that.”
“Shut up.”
“But… what does this mean?” Aegriss asked. “As in, going forward. Do we cancel the mission? Stay here?”
“No,” Andromida said. “I’m a super, so we won’t have to worry about overexertion. And damn powerful, so…”
“Are you sure?” I asked, the thought of losing her or the baby suddenly gripping at my heart.
She nodded. “Just try and stop me from coming with, or calling off the mission. I’ll eat your fucking… Well, I’ll be upset. Don’t test me.”
I gulped, grinned, and turned to accept hugs from the rest of them, Laurel and Harp included, along with more congrats. They took turns with Andromida too, and it was Gale who voiced what I was sure we were all thinking.
“You… Honestly, the scariest, toughest here in my opinion… and you’re the first mom.”
“Actually, with my mom’s powers around,” Andromida said looking at the other ladies. “Any of you could in theory get pregnant. That is, if you wanted to.”
“Not for me,” Aegriss said, grinning. We all were in on the ‘joke’ in that we knew she was actually an android, even if we didn’t act like it toward her anymore.
“I… might be tempted,” Twitch admitted.
“Really?” Shimmer asked, seemingly surprised.
“Yeah. I mean, I’m not as young as I once was, and… I could see that. A little baby, with some of me, some of Breaker? I’d love it.”
“That sounds nice,” Gale said.
I blinked, glancing around. The sensation of the deck moving washed through me again, and I had to balance against the wall.
“One baby at a time, maybe,” Laurel said. “You all are scaring him.”
I chuckled. “Not… scaring. But, it’s a lot to take in.”
“Laurel,” Charm said, confused, glancing her way. “If we aren’t from this galaxy, or if we aren’t the same species, exactly—”
“Would we have the same limitations on pregnancy?” Laurel finished for her, then scanned her belly. “If you’re asking if you are pregnant, the answer is no. But… I do believe you could be, if you wanted to try and your genes work for it.”
“Meaning?”
“She’s saying my sperm might not work with your eggs,” I said, the horror of the statement causing my voice to break at the end of the sentence.
“Oh.”
Judging by the look in her eyes, the thought of us not being able to have children was hitting her as hard as it was me. A few minutes before, it had never even seemed remotely possible. Now that one of the ladies was with child though, it seemed like the greatest thing in the world. Like nothing else mattered.
“You two can keep trying, though,” Shimmer said, a hand on Charm’s back. “You never know if you don’t try.”
Andromida was nodding, but as she did, a slight change in the blue of her skin was occurring, I noticed, so that she was becoming more of a lavender.
“Are you okay?” I asked her.
She frowned, noticing her hand, and laughed. “It seems the baby will affect me in more ways than one.”
“And with a baby, you’ll need rest more now than ever,” Gale said. “You should get some sleep.”
“Honestly, we all should,” Twitch chimed in.
We all agreed, so headed back. A flirtatious glance from Harp made me wonder if sleep was really going to happen, but when I yawned and felt my eyes closing before we even reached our beds, the answer was inevitable. I passed out, lost in dreams of holding a slightly lavender little boy, other little children—including some with fox tails—running around us, laughing.
23
I awoke to find most of the ladies gone, probably off training. Andromida’s laugh sounded from outside, so I pushed myself up and went to the door, where I lingered, watching her. She was talking with Navani and Sakurai, all three beaming, practically glowing with their excitement.
With all that we had been through, I had almost forgotten she was their half-sister.
Charm and Threed walked up, each looking a bit out of character—not their normally bubbly, slightly crazy selves.
“I get the feeling you’re about to tell me my dog died,” I said, eyeing them. “What’s up?”
“Since I’m the closest you have to a dog,” Charm said, tails waving in the air, eyes narrowing, “I’m not sure how I feel about that statement. But… point is, Threed wants to speak with Muerta.”
“Oh?”
“We thought it might be a good idea to check with you.”
“In case there’s any chance she’s still… not fixed,” Threed chimed in. “Maybe you should be there? You and Charm?”
Looking at this lady with her pink hair, sides of her head shaved, mismatched eyes and swirly tattoos, it was hard to imagine a vulnerable side to her. But there it was, staring me in the face, waiting for an answer.
“Of course,” I replied, and then gestured for them to follow.
“Not that way,” Charm said, indicating where I’d been going, toward the cells. “Hadrian had her moved to a room, for comfort. She was ready.”
“That’s… good news. Right?”
She shrugged. “I think so?”
This time, she led the way. The three of us were silent, which I didn’t mind because my brain was still waking up. It wasn’t a long walk, and soon I was knocking on the door.
“Muerta,” I said, then pushed on the door. “You have a visitor.”
The woman we had considered our enemy was on her bed, sitting with her legs pulled up in front of her, arms wrapped around her knees, rocking slightly. She stopped doing that when I entered, cocking her head and looking up at me with eyes that no longer glowed gold.
I stepped aside and Threed entered, followed by Charm.
“This is—”
“Threed!” Muerta was up in an instant, causing me to brace for an attack, ready to do whatever was necessary, but the woman had thrown herself at Threed and embraced her, even letting out a soft sob.
Threed stood there awkwardly, then hugged her back.
“I’ve heard so much about you,” Muerta said when she finally pulled back and looked the woman up and down. “Wow, exactly as your sister described you.”
“She was… under the influence?” Threed asked. “Possessed, or whatever you want to call it. Like you were?”
For a long moment, Muerta stared into her eyes, looking regretful, and then shook her head. “I wish I could say yes. I really do. But, no. The whole situation was an item of contention between us. She had her beliefs, a way of thinking that almost drove us apart. I wanted nothing to do with Ranger and the like, nothing to do with these strange outsiders. Only out of love for her did I agree to meet with Asterisk, to hear what she had to say… and that was the last time I remember having free will. After that I was… confused? It was like a dream, although I can still remember it all clearly. But, clearly as if watching someone else do it all, if that makes sense.”
Threed nodded, looking away. “She always was a crazy bitch.”
“Coming from you, that’s something,” Charm said, earning a chuckle. The two ladies glanced over as if they’d suddenly remembered we were there.
“You don’t know the half of it.” Muerta turned and lay back on her bed, staring at the ceiling. “Maybe it was her reckless abandon that drew me to her in the first place, I don’t know. Now that it’s over and I see what chaos it caused… it makes me want something more stable. More… secure. And less evil.” She turned back to Threed, propping herself up on her elbow. “Sorry.”
Threed waved the comment off. “I loved my sister, but… if things had kept going as they were, I might have had to kill her someday. I’m glad it didn’t come to that.” Her eyes found me. “It had to be done, and I’m glad it was you.”
“Really?” A weight lifted from my chest.
“At first, I mean, I
wanted to tear your throat out and piss down the gaping, bloody hole. But then…” She shrugged. “Then I remembered who you are and what you mean to people like Charm, here. Better someone with honor, someone who wouldn’t torture her, draw it out… you know?”
“I do. And thank you. For saying that, but also for not pissing in a gaping hole left by tearing my throat out.”
Her smile was full of sorrow, but also relief. “Yeah…” She turned back to Muerta. “And thank you. You know, for loving her in spite of all that. Somewhere, once upon a time, there was a version of her who deserved your love.”
“Threed,” Charm started, but her voice faltered, choked up.
“Hey, I can have a sensitive side to me.” Threed bit her lower lip, then laughed. “Fuck it. Let’s go blow some shit up, skull-fuck some alien bastards, right? I’m ready to eat this universe’s asshole.”
I couldn’t hold in the laugh. “Is that how the saying goes?”
“It does now!” Threed winked, went over and hugged Muerta again, and then headed past us to the door. “I’ll see you all back out there.”
After she was gone, the three of us were left staring at each other. Muerta cocked her head, eyes flitting between Charm and me.
“Muerta,” I started, but she held up a hand.
“This whole experience has been, I don’t know… therapeutic.” She stared at the ceiling, sighed, and said, “I can’t believe she’s gone, but it’s better in many ways that she is.”
“And you?” Charm asked.
“I want to help.” She turned to me, pointedly. “I want to be on the team.”
“Ummm,” was all I could say.
Charm frowned, arms crossed, tails rigid. “Excuse me?”
“You all are going back out, right? Well, I want in. I want to earn your respect, all of you. Whatever it takes—what does it take?” She approached me. She was tall, a good six inches or so taller than me. Slender, eyes glowing gold again, that half-face plate over one side of her face. Skin a tanned, almost gold shade itself. “All ladies and you, right? I get the picture, and I’m in.”
“That’s not how it works,” Charm interjected, stepping in between Muerta and me. “Even if we could trust you, which we don’t know if we can, you don’t just get to raise your hand, offer to suck his cock, and suddenly you’re part of the team.”
“Tell me, then.” Muerta turned to her. “Because if it’s your cock I gotta suck, I’ll do that too. With gumption.”
“With…?” Charm shook her head. “I don’t have a cock, but you—dammit, Breaker, I need a minute.” She stormed for the door, then turned, frustrated. “You coming, or what?”
“Oh, shit.” I gave Muerta a nod, turned, and jogged after her.
Outside, she spun on me. “Is that what you want?”
“What?”
“Her, on your cock. Is that what you want?”
“Charm, I—”
“You can’t tell me you don’t think she’s sexy. She’s fucking gorgeous.” Charm frowned, looking back, tails swaying as if in a wind that wasn’t actually there. “Damn, she’s hot.”
“Are you… jealous?” I scratched my head. “Or turned on?”
Charm spun toward me again, about to yell, but instead pursed her lips, then said, “I don’t know. A bit of both?”
I laughed. “Honestly? I agree with what you said. We can’t trust her. Yet.”
“But she would look damn good with her tight little mouth around your cock.” Charm stepped close and wrapped her arms around my waist. “I just want what’s best for you, you know? That’s how much I love you. If you’d like that, her…”
“Charm, I’m more than satisfied enough. You know this.”
“Right, but…”
“But nothing. This is about the team. We just added Laurel and Harp, right?”
Charm nodded, considering. “But… she’s hot.”
“Maybe I should be jealous.”
Charm pinched my nipple. “Never. I’m yours ‘til my dying day.”
“All the way ‘til then, huh?” I kissed her. “And I, yours.”
“Let’s do it, then.”
“Bring in Muerta?” I shook my head. “Charm, I’m telling you—”
“Get married,” she interrupted. “Isn’t that what you do on your world? Earth. Here, it’s not much of a thing anymore, but I’d love to be your wife. What’ya say?”
“I…” Caught off guard, I smiled, then said, “Hold on. Can we… start over?”
“Why?”
“Because I’d rather do it my way. Sorry, maybe I’m old-school but…” I went to one knee, holding her hand in mine. “I don’t have a ring, but,” I laughed at myself, using my powers to create a beautiful ring, complete with diamond and all, “never mind. Charm, will you marry me?”
She looked like she was completely caught off guard, as if this had been my suggestion and she’d had no idea. Putting one hand to her mouth as if in surprise, she nodded yes, then said, “YES!” as I put the ring on her finger.
A couple of supers passed and glanced over, curious, and one cheered. I laughed, stood, and kissed her.
“When we get back, yeah? And then we can discuss this Muerta business. Maybe bring her on the next mission, if there is one. I don’t know.” I kissed her again. “All I know is that you’ve made me the happiest man alive. You and the team. I don’t take that lightly.”
“And you, me,” she replied, leaning into me, hand on my chest where she could stare at the ring.
24
On our way back to the room, neither of us could keep our hands off each other. Passing the mess hall, I spotted a door closing as someone exited, and quickly pulled Charm aside.
“What are you doing?” she asked, as we found ourselves in a service hallway.
“I can’t wait,” I said, taking her by the hand and finding another door. This one opened up into a pantry.
She eyed me slyly, smiled, and pushed me in. The door closed behind her, leaving us in near dark. When she breathed in, though, her hands and tails lit up, giving us a pleasant glow. The glow cast shadows that accentuated her breasts when I took off her top. Her glowing hands pulled out my cock and she made a pleased, “Mmm” sound as she took it, shoving off her pants and straddling it.
“Quicky?” she asked.
“Doesn’t have to be,” I replied, and pushed her up against the wall, then slid into her. She was already wet, and her breasts tasted sweet like vanilla and milk. Instead of fucking her brains out as I had intended, I let each moment linger, slowly sliding in and out, kissing her, caressing her, unable to fully believe she was going to be my wife.
In a matter of minutes, she was pulling me tight, body clenching, biting down on my shoulder to keep from screaming in bliss.
Then she threw herself on the floor, caught herself in a bed of her tails, and said, “Fuck me hard, cum in me.”
I didn’t need to be told twice, and grabbed her, thrusting and feeling like we were one. My orgasm came fast, each throb as I let loose inside of her bringing with it the thought of my sperm meeting her eggs, creating little half-kitsune children.
“That’s why I tell you to keep the towels in the—” a voice said as the door opened, light shining right on my balls. I lay there, not moving.
“For the love of Oram,” a second voice said, then the door closed and there was laughter, followed by, “get out of there, and hurry, before someone else comes along.”
We did, giggling like caught teenagers, and made a beeline for my room.
“You were so hot,” Charm whispered to me as we entered, but then we froze. Everyone was gathered together in my room, standing in a group around Hadrian. Not just my team, but Drew’s as well.
“How nice of you to join us,” Drew said with a knowing smile. One glance at Charm’s disheveled hair, and it wasn’t hard to see why. I doubted I looked any less obvious.
“Celebrating,” Charm said, and held up her hand. The ring, to my relief, was sti
ll there—I wondered how much energy it would take to make it stay, and made a note to myself to get her a real one at some point.
“Is that what I think it is?” Aegriss asked, eyes wide.
“Well, I’ll be!” Drew strode over, clasped hands with me, and said, “Congratulations!”
“It’s for all of us, I’m sure,” Charm said to the rest of our team. “I mean, those of us who are ready. Oh, right, Breaker?”
“Of course,” I said, kind of caught off guard, but why not. Twitch, Gale, and Shimmer had been in this relationship as much as Charm, and I couldn’t imagine my life not involving them. The same could be said of Andromida and lately Aegriss, even though I knew it was a bit more of a stretch, considering how long I had known them. Then again, it wasn’t like I had really known Charm or the others so long, either.
It felt right, though, and that was all that really mattered.
“We’ll have to celebrate later,” Hadrian said, after offering his congratulations. “Right now, we’re ready to send you to the guild. The plan will be that Breaker and his team will go, and then when you get there just a few of you will go undercover. We need to find out why the other Per-Neter was taken there, and what they can tell us about the enemy location and plans.”
“Roger that,” I replied, anxious to get to it as well as to what came after.
“We came to see you off, brother,” Drew said.
“And you,” Lamb said to Andromida.
“Your dad had to leave already,” my mom said, suddenly stepping up behind us and putting a hand on my shoulder. “But I’ll be here for the ceremony.”
“You heard?” I asked, confused, glancing around.
She laughed, embracing Charm. “I did. I was behind you and didn’t want to interrupt the moment.”
“And… Sam?” Charm asked. “Muerta?”
“Sam will be on her own mission, working in her capacity as an Elder,” Hadrian said. “But Muerta—did you want her along?”
“If it’s going to be a smaller, low key mission?” I shook my head. “More drama, more people. No thanks. But afterwards, we might consider it.” I looked at my team to gauge their reaction.