Life is good. I can’t believe I’m saying that. With how disastrously I left my old life behind in Rock Bottom and came to Volcaldera Bluffs hoping to slide through the school year unnoticed. I’ve never been so glad to royally fuck something up. Now, instead of being a miserable loner with my head up my own ass, I’m sitting in my science class next to my drop dead gorgeous, Goth, Ptero Girlfriend just a few days after she absolutely fucking rocked her prom performance. And God was she beautiful in that dress…

 

“Mumbling, dweeb,” Fang muttered under her breath, shifting in her seat next to me.

 

“Damnit, sorry,” I whispered back, refocusing on the packet in front of us. There were only a few weeks of school left before graduation, and the teachers were making sure all the students were ready for finals. At least this isn’t anything new, just reviewing earlier in the year.

 

“At least it wasn’t about my ass this time,” Fang teased with a nervous chuckle, an amber orb glancing over to see my awkward blush of being called out, granting her a satisfied grin. Fang and I continued to go over a few more questions when her phone, which was lying screen down on the table, buzzed. Fang partially flipped it to see who the text was from before setting it back down, finishing writing down the answer to a question about gravity. It continued to buzz while we worked.

 

“It’s not like you to ignore a chance to look at your phone during class. Am I that captivating?” 

 

“You wish,” Fang snorted. “It’s just mom and I already know what it’s about.”

 

“Is something wrong?”

 

“No, I’m just debating whether or not to do what she’s asking me to do,” Fang shrugged, and we solved the next problem before I returned to the conversation.

 

“And what is she asking you to do?”

 

“I was going to wait until lunch, but I think I remember enough about this next part to be distracted. She wants me to invite you over for dinner.”

 

“And you weren't sure about whether or not to invite me?” I questioned with confusion in my voice.

 

“Because dad will be there?” Fang turned to me and raised a brow. Ah, yes, the threat of the nine-iron. 

 

“Aw, you do care.” Fang jabbed her elbow into my side, some of her feathers poking at me more sharply as she rolled her eyes. “But, well, shouldn’t I? Your mom will at least keep him from, well, maiming me. And avoiding him probably isn’t the way to win him over, as much as he scares me…” I swallowed as my mouth dried remembering his taloned grip on my shoulder.

 

“Stop being right,” Fang sighed. “Naomi is going to be there too.”

 

“What’s she going to do?” I shrugged. “She tries to pull something, we spill how she went behind Naser’s back to manipulate me into ‘normalizing’ you into invisibility. Princess Peach finds herself down a boyfriend, even if your parents somehow approve. Besides, free food.”

 

“Good point. Mom wanted to know before she started cooking though. She’s making salmon and some veggie crap for Naomi.  Figure you want the salmon?”

 

“Yeah, fish is good.” Fang and I returned to our review packet as a train of thought continued. “Does that mean Naser is Mario?”

 

 

            As the day went by, Fang told me that her mom had insisted I didn’t need to wear anything nice. That should have meant that Fang and I would just head straight to her place, but then my dumb ass had to go and spill some ketchup on my shirt during lunch. When I moved here, I was so much of a cynical nihilist that I didn’t think I needed to pack any nice clothes. My usual green jacket and white shirt would only invoke the disapproval of the Pterofying father figure. There is no way in hell am I going to see what showing up in dirty and stained clothes does to my approval rating. The least I can do is get a fresh set and button up the jacket. Thankfully Naser agreed to pick Fang and I up from my place a little over an hour after school let out. His only condition is that this time he’s not stepping foot out of the Nascar. Acceptable terms.

 

While I wasn’t sure why Fang wanted to go with me, I wasn’t about to complain. We had some time before the bus made it to Skin Row featuring Casa Del Anon so we talked as usual about our day. Fang was speaking with Trish again, with us even having lunch in the auditorium with her and Reed like old times. And in music class I actually watched as another student asked Fang if she had any tips to pass along. Probably the only student other than Fang that actually cared about the class itself. Highschool popularity might not count for shit after graduation, but for people like Fang and I who spent so long at the bottom of that social ladder, it’s nice to actually get praise for once instead of ridicule. As usual, no one else got off at the bus stop on my street, except for Fang following behind me. At least the bus driver had stopped giving us the questioning stink eye now that they were used to seeing her get off the bus with a skinnie on Skin row, and still show up to school the next day. It was only when I unlocked the door to my apartment that I learned the true reason Fang wanted to come with me.

 

“Why are you going for the nuggets? We’re about to have dinner.”

 

“A snack. Besides, it’s gonna take mom a bit to finish cooking,” she shrugged, already dumping a small pile of dinosaur shaped chicken onto a paper plate and shoving it into the microwave. Well, at least when it comes to her nuggies, Fang had a bottomless pit for a stomach. I couldn’t help but smirk; it was cute how her tail started wagging excitedly as she watched the nuggets begin to rotate. Well, we still had some time before Naser would get here, changing would only take a minute, and I don’t want to start up Rock Ring for only one match. Might as well take a quick shower, but first… I made my way over to the desk, picked up the box of cereal and poured a few flakes out for a Shitposter’s best friend. Raymba darted out of the little Raymba house I made for him to enjoy his meal.

 

“Hey, Fang? I’m gonna hop in the shower. I’ll make it a quick one if you want to take one after me.” She turned to look at me, still waiting for her nuggies as I spoke up. She tilted her head to the side in thought as I spoke.

 

“Naser will be waiting for us if I do, it takes forever to wash and dry my wings.” An impish smile crossed her beak. “But maybe someday I’ll let you help with that.” Fang giggled as my face began to look like a ripe tomato and I fought down the… enticing mental image that came to mind. Brought back to reality by the beeping of the microwave, Fang shooed me into the bathroom to enjoy her snack as I shut the door and stripped. Arguably the only benefit to being bald at eight-fucking-teen? I don’t have any hair to wash in the shower, making it a quick process. I was in and out in five minutes with a fresh set of the Anon seasonal collection and a fresh application of deodorant.

 

Fang was sat on one of the two cheap folding chairs I had bought for us and using the equally cheap folding table for her plate and phone while she had one of her music videos playing. I watched as she tossed up a dino nugget freshly dipped in sauce in the air just to snap it between her beak. I was never sure what made her decide between eating like that or eating normally, but she always seemed to be having more fun when she made a show out of eating. Fang only had one nugget left as I joined her at the table. I wasn’t hungry, and I knew better than to take any. But it did give me an idea. As Fang was focused on the music video for a moment, I laid a hand on the table while I pretended to look at my own in my lap. Every few seconds I would inch my hand towards her plate. I was halfway towards my true target when Fang tore her gaze from her phone, fixing me with a glare.

 

“What?” I asked coyly, inching my hand closer again.

 

“Mine,” she warned.

 

“I know, I don’t want it,” I reassured, my hand inching closer again.

 

“I will bite,” she hissed.

 

“I promise, I don’t want your nugget.” I moved my hand closer, and she leaned forward to block her plate with her arms. Perfect.

 

“Then why are you-” Fang cut herself off as she made my job easier, allowing me to take hold of her hand from across the table. My dastardly scheme had come to fruition. Pre-marital hand holding. “Fucking dweeb,” Fang blushed as she noticeably kept her hand in mine and ate her last nugget, her skin and scales hiding her blush marginally better than mine. 

 

It was satisfying watching her do her damndest to focus on her music video, her amber eyes occasionally darting back up to look at mine before returning to her phone. She was pouting every time as she tried and failed to hide the fluster. Soon enough though, Fang’s phone buzzed with a text. She tossed the paper plate in the trash behind her and stood, our hands parting. “Naser’s pulling up,” she explained. 

 

We hurriedly left my apartment to give Naser as little time as possible to begin a racially motivated panic about being stopped in Skin Row. We were out the door just as he was parking along the curb, visibly breathing a sigh of relief at already seeing us. He quickly looked around as if he expected to see thugs already approaching him and his precious baby of a beat up car while Fang and I slid into the back seat together. Naser was already pulling away the second the door closed, I hadn’t even gotten my seatbelt on yet.

 

“You in a hurry or something Naser?” I grunted as the jerking movement of the car unbalanced me, clipping the seatbelt in place. Naser’s driving skills have never exactly inspired confidence.

 

“Hey, you know how I feel about Skin Row. It almost took the Nascar from me once when I first came here. I’m not giving it another chance.” Naser glanced into the rearview at me. “Huh, the jacket buttoned up actually doesn’t look half bad. Not the best, but like you gave at least a bit of a shit.” Fang took an opportunity to look me over herself.

 

“Thanks. I’d have tried to spring for a polo or something if I had time. Shopping for clothes just… hadn’t occurred to me,” I shrugged. 

 

“Naser’s right though. It’s nice. Looks good on you.” Fang agreed with her brother while making an effort to look away from me. Wordlessly telling me ‘But not that nice…’ in a silent lie.

 

“If you’re lucky, dad might even recognize that you tried, at least a little,” Naser added. 

 

“That was part of the goal. Think falling on the sword a little is a good idea? Tell him I was a stupid asshole that didn’t bother packing my nice clothes and that I regret it now?”

 

“I’d call it a coinflip depending on how he’s feeling. But it might make mom want to take you clothes shopping,” Naser warned.

 

“And… how is your dad feeling?”

 

“Like dad.”

 

“Well, no worse than usual is probably the best I can hope for,” I sighed. 

 

“So, did I win the lottery and Naomi had something come up to miss dinner or did she just stay at the house?” Fang asked.

 

“Trying to help mom cook dinner and getting shooed away,” Naser shrugged, the Nascar now entering the freeway for the most perilous leg of our journey. “You never did tell me why you slapped her, Fang.”

 

“She deserved it.”

 

“And? That’s it?” Naser sighed.

 

“She earned the slap. She hasn’t earned me telling on her. Yet.” 

 

“Anon?” Naser turned his attention to me through the rearview mirror. “Do you even know? I mean, I did see you flip her the bird from behind Fang on stage.”

 

“And you’re not mad?” I hesitantly raised a brow.

 

“...Unsurprised. Used to it, at least with Fang. I don’t know how much of her being so mad that night was from what she told me about feeling… shown up or the slap. Look I just feel like out of the four of us, I’m the only one left in the dark. It’s…weird.” I could see where Naser is coming from, feeling like everyone’s keeping a secret from you. And he probably doesn’t expect Naomi to keep secrets from him, I never did ask how long they’ve been together.

 

“I… do know. But if any of that was her being upset that she had to share the spotlight, at least with someone other than you, on High School Prom of all things, that’s really her problem. It’s not going to matter in a few weeks after all.”

 

“Naser…” Fang sighed. “It feels… up to her, to tell you. Like it’s not our place. She and I are even, as far as I’m concerned. I don’t… feel any need to get back at her, spite her, hurt her, or anything. I promise I’d tell you if it was something really bad or that you should worry about. Hell, I’d have murdered her if I found out she cheated on you. Besides…” Fang snuck her hand over to mine, gently taking hold of it and squeezing. “It turned out pretty well.”

 

 Naser took a deep breath and nodded to himself. “Ok. I’m not happy, but alright. And I can work with that. Thanks. Fang.”

 

“No… problem?” she answered a little unsure of herself. I squeezed her hand reassuringly. I may not have any siblings, but I know they’re supposed to always be there for one another. Naser’s always been there for Fang, but ever since the accident, it seemed like Fang thought she couldn’t be there for Naser thanks to the twisted and broken logic of guilt and grief. I shot Fang a warm smile, which she returned as she squeezed my hand back. I was proud of her, not that any of this was my doing. I just took Moe’s advice to heart and gave her support.

 

The rest of the car ride was spent in comfortable silence as Naser and Fang both mulled over their conversation. Naser even began driving like a normal and sane person, calmly slowing the vehicle down along the off ramp to Volcaldera Suburbia. A few minutes more and the Nascar came to a stop in the driveway of the Aaron household. As I followed the Pteros out of the car and to the front door I straightened out my jacket again and followed them inside, Fang muttering she’d be right back and heading upstairs. Mr. Aaron was sitting in his chair, an open beer bottle in his hand with the sound of a sports broadcaster coming from the living room flat screen. His patented death glare was at least not actively trying to kill me. Just reminding me of his disapproval and warning me simultaneously. Still, he must have noticed my attempt to look nice as he huffed to himself and rolled his eyes.

 

“Welcome home sweeties!” Mrs. Aaron called out as she poked her head from the kitchen. “Oh, and so glad you could join us, Anon! Aw now would you look at that! You look like such a handsome young man with that jacket buttoned up! Wonderful what such a small change can do!” she beamed a signature wide smile.

 

“Th-Thank you, Ma’am. I only wish I could have worn something nicer.” She opened her mouth to respond but was beaten to the punch.

 

“So why didn’t you?” Mr. Aaron grumbled, his wife shooting him a glare of her own. Naomi was just coming back to the living room from somewhere down the hall during this conversation.

 

“You don’t need to worry about that at all now dear,” Mrs. Aaron huffed. “You look fine as you are.”

 

“Well… he is right, though,” I awkwardly rubbed at the back of my neck. Naser at first ran through equal parts shock and confusion before remembering the conversation in the car while Naomi kept the expression of surprise, and the off-duty Police Commissioner squinted at me, expecting me to be playing some sort of game with the unexpected answer. “When I moved over here, I was a loner and an ass-”

 

“Anon,” Mrs. Aaron interrupted with a judgmental stare. Right, should watch what I say.

 

“Yes ma’am, sorry. A loner and a jerk. I didn’t expect to make any friends, let alone… Fang. I refused to pack the few nice clothes I actually had as if to make some… spiteful point to myself. It was a shortsighted mistake that I regret.”

 

“Now isn’t that just sweet! Oh, your parents must be so proud of how you’ve been growing up here!”

 

“Heh, heh. Yeah…” Not trying to make this some pity-party for me. I’ll humble myself in front of the waiting pterror, but no one wants the sob stories. At least his expression softened as he leaned back into his chair, accepting the answer, if not me. As for Naomi, she looked like she was still trying to determine if I was bullshitting or not. Least I could do was give her a professional and relaxed greeting which seemed to set her back on track for the evening. I got myself a glass of water after making a point to politely ask but getting it myself before the Matriarch could try and get it for me. I joined Naser on the sofa casually watching the game while Naomi slipped in beside him opposite of me for small talk with Naser. Fang came back downstairs a moment later, sitting down beside me and lounging herself out while typing away on her phone.

 

“So Anon, I know so little about you,” Mrs. Aaron rounded the kitchen corner, pulling a chair from the dining room table to sit on. “It’s so hard to get Lucy to tell me anything about you, and Naser says he doesn’t know that much about you either. Where are you from?” she smiled. Oh, you are a sweet woman, but Raptor Jesus I can only see this snowballing. And like hell am I telling them the details of that slideshow.

 

“I’m uh, from Rock Bottom, ma’am.” Mr. Aaron barked a laugh, clearly finding that fitting as both Fang and the mother hen glared at him.

 

“Oh, well I’m sure it can’t be all bad like I hear about,” she encouraged. 

 

“Eh…” I apologetically scrunched my face. “It’s not great. I don’t think I ever saw a house this nice in my time there.”

 

“I’m sorry to hear that,” she played with her hands in her lap. “Well, did you and your family move here for a better opportunity then?” Treading into some dangerous territory now.

 

“Actually, it’s just me here. My family is still back in Rock Bottom. I… needed to leave my old school.” Fang, Naser, even Naomi and I all shared a look as we remembered the presentation. “My Dad sprang for a lease on a small apartment.” 

 

“That was very nice of him, at least. I’m sorry you’ve been away from your family all this time! The day my babies move out, well that’s just unthinkable. What are you going to do after the lease?”

 

“I haven’t decided yet, that won’t be until around the new year,” I shrugged. “Dad’s ultimatum is college, or I enlist. But Principal Spears has been taking an active role in encouraging me to go to college. He’s even offered to help me throw some applications around after finals. If I somehow get a good enough deal, well, that’s better than possibly dying in a desert across the world,” I half joked. Fighting back the existential dread of an unknown future. Fang shared a somewhat nervous glance with me, brushing against me slightly as she pretended to readjust.

 

“Wait,” Naser interjected. “Your dad gave you some ultimatum like that? Military or college? Why? And what was he going to do if you, I don’t know, went to trade school? Or just got a job?”

 

“I don’t know, he’s just… always been like that. And I figure he probably would have cut me off until I did one or the other.  Maybe.” Mrs. Aaron was playing with her hands again, almost as if it was a nervous tick.

 

“It’s very nice of Principal Spears to be helping you with college applications. You’re a smart young man, I’m sure you’ll have plenty of good choices. I’ll go check on dinner.” Mrs. Aaron got up and left for the kitchen.

 

“Sorry,” I whispered to Fang and Naser beside me. “I know she’s just trying to be nice.”

 

“You’re cool, man. You’re not lying and you’re not getting too into it anyways,” Naser muttered back. “Didn’t know Human families were harsh like that.”

 

“Tha-wait, what?”

 

“I mean… at least your dad didn’t leave or something right? Isn’t that common in Human families?” Naser… I swear to God man. At least you mean well.

 

“No, humans don't have anything to do with-nevermind. It doesn’t matter,” I leaned back in the couch.

 

“Ok?” Naser shrugged to himself while Mr. Aaron seemed to be smirking at my expense. “If you want, I can ask her to lay off the questions.”

 

“No, I don’t want her to feel bad. I don’t… mind answering these questions, except for why I actually came here. I just don’t want it to look like some ‘woe is me,’ crap, you know?” It was getting harder to keep our voices down, and I had a hunch Mr. Aaron was able to hear more than we wanted. “Part of me feels like I should just lie, but… I swear she looks like she’d just know.”

 

“That’s mom,” Fang huffed. We heard the oven open, and a metal tray slid out and stop on top of the stove.

 

“Dinner’s ready! Get some drinks, take your seats!” she sang out.

 

“I’ll help bri-” Naomi began as she stood from the couch.

 

“Not another word, dear. You’re our guest! You and Naser get comfortable, I insist.” I took the cue to refill my water while Mrs. Aaron prepared plates. The salmon looked good, well-seasoned. Two cuts for the Pteros, one for me with some mashed potatoes, while Naomi’s herbie dish looked and smelled like Brussel sprouts, completely overpowering the scent of anything else in the kitchen. I took a spot at the table. Fang joined me first with a can of soda, followed by Naser and Naomi. Naser sat across from Fang while the Pink Panther sat across from me, and Mr. Aaron took his spot at the far end of the table. The silverware was already set, though I hope Mrs. Aaron didn’t keep anyone from helping her with that as well. In no short order she came out beaming with two dishes at once, Naomi’s and my own. I struggled to hide the smirk as I watched Naser try his hardest not to gag at the smell of the Brussel sprouts while Fang made no such struggle, holding a hand over her nostrils at the base of her snoot. Mr. Aaron grimaced but it passed. I didn’t enjoy the smell any more than they did but their noses are probably just more sensitive.

 

“Smells great Ma’am!” Naomi smiled as her plate was set down. Figures it smells like something other than a dog park trashcan to her.

 

“Anytime, dear. Now, Anon, I wasn’t sure how much Humans eat, but we have plenty more for seconds if you want it.”

 

“Very thoughtful, thank you.” I at least knew enough about table manners to wait for everyone to have their food and for Mrs. Aaron to join us first before eating. I half expected her to start saying grace but the moment she scooted in, Fang had already picked up her silverware and cut off a piece of salmon to eat. I swear Pteros must have a great metabolism. And as I began eating, it was a perfectly nice home cooked meal. Better than my family’s home cooked meals at any rate. Conversation at this point was minor, just small talk interrupted by the sound of silverware on ceramic and bites being taken. It was when the Pteros, and then myself, had all gone for a second helping as Mrs. Aaron decided to try asking questions again.

 

“So, Lucy, how was your performance at prom?”

 

“It… went well, mom.”

 

“A standing ovation is only well?” I teased, earning an elbow to the side as Mrs. Aaron squealed.

 

“I’m so proud of you, my little rockstar!”

 

“She even had someone ask her for tips in music class today,” I remained steadfast as Fang kicked the side of my leg under the table.

 

“Really? That’s great, Fang!” Naser smiled at his sister.

 

“I need to ask if this was recorded at the next PTA meeting, I need to see it,” Mrs. Aaron exclaimed.

 

“Actually,” Naomi interjected, pushing her glasses up as if she knew she was replicating an anime character. “It was. And I happen to have brought a copy with me.” Alright, why the hell would you do that Naomi? You were seething when someone else took the spotlight. Fang and I shared a glance while Naomi feigned innocence amidst Mrs. Aaron squealed again. Mr. Aaron just grumbled to himself.

 

“Play it! Play it!” Mrs. Aaron demanded.

 

“Sure! I have it on my phone, but I could connect to the TVs Blueclaw. If you don’t mind the interruption to your game, Mr. Ripley.” Mrs. Aaron shot her husband a look before he could protest. He knew better than to resist.

 

“Fine, game’s practically over anyways…” I racked my brain to figure out what her plan was while she went over to the TV and entertainment center to connect her phone. Mrs. Aaron eagerly ran over to take a seat on the couch while Naser and Mr. Aaron took their plates to the kitchen sink.

 

“Any idea what her game is?” I whispered to Fang as she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.

 

“I have a guess,” she muttered. “The kiss.” What about the-Oh. Oh no. I glanced at the trophy wall of mounted animal heads, easily imagining my head joining them. My throat went dry, and my eyes widened in fear. Naomi had just successfully connected her phone. “What do we do?” Naser and Mr. Aaron joined the others in the living room. The former was oblivious and looking forward to the repeat show on the couch and the latter returning to his chair with a fresh beer.

 

“I… don’t think we can do anything. Trying to stop it is going to be suspicious, same as running or hiding. Will only delay it anyways…”

 

“Shit,” Fang murmured back. “Just… sit on the far side of the couch from him. I’ll be between the two of you,” she looked at me with a bit of fear and took my hand. “Just as I was starting to think we’d be done fighting in this house…” That hurt to hear, an exhaustion filling her voice. All I could do was squeeze her hand. I’m still here. We returned our plates to the kitchen and joined the others on the couch, Mrs. Aaron pleading with us to hurry as she was bouncing on her seat and sitting between Fang and Naser in the middle. Naomi beside Naser and closest to the local incarnation of Death. Mrs. Aaron gleefully snagged the hands of both of her children as Naomi began the video. It was a camera mounted near the back of the gymnasium and focused on the stage. Principal Spears had just shooed off Naomi and gave his introduction for Fang. I could make out Reed in the King Rex suit near the back, having left his booth for the show while Trish was beside him. I imagine she must have had a hard time seeing from back there. Towards the front I could catch glimpses of my bald head in the crowd. Stella and Rosa seemed to be off to the side already cheering for Fang’s entrance. I felt a pang of regret, they didn’t seem all that close to Fang and co, yet they had been showing staunch support at least since the concert at Moe’s. And I certainly could have been less rude to Stella. I’ll have to do something about that.

 

Fang strutted up on stage as Spears descended. That same look of apprehension before she spotted something in the crowd and smiled. Taking a deep breath and began to play our song. Mrs. Aaron at once began swaying to the music, making a point to bump into her kids as she did so. Despite the dread, I couldn’t help but lose myself in the song again. Of all our time writing and practicing it. Fang brainstorming lyrics for this version of it. Everyone else would always know the song as ‘Goodbye Volcano High,’ but Fang and I at least knew it by a different name. As much as she pretended to hate it. In spite of the fear, I smiled and looked at my girlfriend, losing myself in those brilliant amber eyes again.

 

“Dweeb,” she muttered as a blush began to form. Leaning just a little more against me. I squeezed her hand again and gauged how harsh my impending demise might be. Mr. Aaron still wore his usual scowl but… his eyes didn’t seem as intense in their focus on the performance and… no fucking way. He was hiding it, but he has a finger tapping on the couch along to the song. I looked back at the screen, the crowd of students were beginning to sing along now. I could see Naser and Naomi watching from the side of the stage while Trish was hopping up and down to see better before King Rex just picked her up and sat her on his shoulders. Naser released a short burst of laughter at the sight. Alright, that I wouldn’t have minded seeing, but I had something far better to focus on. 

 

Though the moment of truth was upon us. Fang ended the song to a silent crowd. There I was starting the applause which kicked off to roars and cheers from everyone watching and Fang’s apprehensive look of fear on stage melted away into a beautifully wide smile. God, I love that smile. Fang held my hand in a death grip as past me pulled myself on stage and held her.

 

“Oh, my sweet baby girl! That was amazing! I’m so proud of you!” she squealed with motherly pride. Mr. Aaron was watching intently while Naser was smiling but tilted his head. If I had to bet, he was wondering why it was still recording. 

 

There it is. My life flashed before my eyes as Fang took my head in her hands and mashed her snoot against my lips to a roaring crowd. Naser froze on the couch in fear as realization hit him. Mrs. Aaron somehow managed to squeal louder, though exclusively in joy. Naomi, the bitch, slipped a fraction of a smug glare in my direction as I noticed Mr. Aaron begin to crush the can of beer in his hand and grip the armrest of his chair. His eyes planted firmly on the recording of Fang and myself. I could see the teeth of his beak as his scowl hardened. I looked back to the recording, Fang and I parted as she and I both looked back to the crowd. Fang raised her arm high, cheering right back with them. Screaming her thanks with the biggest smile I had ever seen. Larger even than after the concert at Moe’s. The peers and classmates who had rejected her and ridiculed her were now accepting and celebrating her. As she truly was. Fang being her best self.

 

I checked in on my executioner again to see… holy shit? He looked sad? He was staring at Fang in the recording, the sheer joy and radiance coming from her. And he just deflated, sinking into his chair. Fang was watching with me and seemed just as confused. The video ended, the screen going black, and for a moment silence hung in the air as Mrs. Aaron caught her breath. The tension could be cut with a knife, and yet…

 

“What did you think, dear?” Mrs. Aaron prodded at her husband. “Didn’t our baby do wonderful?” Mr. Aaron was quiet for a moment.

 

“She… she did. Lucy did a good job,” he looked down at the floor.

 

“W-what? Dad?” Fang asked quietly. Mr. Aaron cleared his throat and tried to recompose a stoic façade.

 

“It was good, Lucy. And you looked… very happy. Up there.” I couldn’t help but notice the sad look in his eyes as he and Fang just stared at each other. I wasn’t even sure she was breathing. Naomi and Naser both looked confused. I squeezed Fang’s hand to snap her back to reality and I heard her breathing resume.

 

“Thanks… dad.” Mrs. Aaron helped break the tension by asking Fang questions about the song and eventually everyone except for Mr. Aaron eased up. Though a hint of disappointment lingered with Naomi. I wonder if Naser could even hazard a guess that this was deliberate on her part. Though the reaction clearly was unexpected by everyone.

 

It was maybe a half hour later, while Mrs. Aaron had insisted on showing me old scrapbook photos of family vacations. Before Naser’s accident, judging by the age of both Fang and Naser in the pictures. I almost couldn’t believe I was seeing a younger Mr. Aaron smile. Real smiles. God, they really all just look like an exact picture of a perfect happy family. Fang and Naser were practically joined at the hip, hugging each other and beaming in most pictures. Holding hands with their taller parents, everyone smiling. Even both kids sitting on Ripley’s shoulders, both forearms up as if he was flexing to the joy of his kids. He seemed to be mid laugh. Looking at these pictures, you’d never guess this family would have the problems they do now.

 

“You have any pictures of later vacations?” I asked as I acted on a hunch. One I hoped I was wrong about but doubted that I was.

 

“Ah… no,” Mrs. Aaron kept her smile that didn’t quite reach her voice. “As the kids got older, and Ripley got busy with work, oh it just became so hard to plan vacations, you know?” A knot formed in my stomach as I read between the lines.

 

“Yeah, yeah,” I nodded along, forcing my own smile. “Well, I hope you can all go on more soon, right?”

 

“And we’ll be happy to make room for you and Naomi too, dear! It warms my heart seeing you make her smile like you did there. Young love is so precious.” At least that smile was genuine. And there’s the blush again.

 

“Mom, please,” Fang muttered.

 

“Anon. Lucy.” Mr. Aaron cleared his throat calmly. We turned to see him standing from his seat. “Can I speak to you both privately?” His stance remained firm, but his brows weren’t set, they were raised. His eyes strained in an attempt to remain that of a hardass but failing. One of Fang’s wings instinctively unfurled in front of me as if to protect me and I swear I saw Mr. Aaron wince almost imperceptibly. Fang looked back at me with shock and confusion. Was she looking for guidance? Or was she seeing how I felt? Fang caught me glance back at the scrapbook and the Aaron family’s memories of a happier time. I could see Fang’s breathing catch and her wing came back to rest in its normal position behind her. She looked back to her father and nodded. “In my office.” We followed him down the hallway behind the stairs past a Bathroom and Guest room. In a room at the end was a large office chair and spacious desk with three monitors. Noticing there was only one chair he decided to stand. The silence was deafening.

 

“Dad?” Fang asked. 

 

“Just… give me a minute,” he held up a single claw as he looked away from the both of us. He opened his mouth as if to start more than once before just closing again, occasionally grumbling or muttering under his breath. Until Fang got impatient.

 

“Dad, I don’t know what’s so hard for you to say or why it has to be so hard. But you’ve been our biggest nightmare for the entire… us! Wondering how you’re going to kill either of us for Raptor Jesus knows what. So, for once can you drop the fucking strong guy, hardass, macho, whatever the fuck act and just say something!?” Fang’s outburst seemed to push a knife into him. Instinctually Fang pulled back defensively, keeping herself between me and her father.

 

“I deserve that, don’t I…” he sighed. “Fine. I’m sorry, Lucy. I only know how to be like this. I-”

 

“You weren’t always…” Mr. Aaron winced again as the knife was twisted. 

 

“...I know. I’m not going to apologize for being protective,” he stressed, regaining some of his lost presence before releasing it again. “I’ll never apologize for wanting to protect you, Lucy. But maybe I was too… aggressive. Anon, I thought you were another punk swooping in while my daughter was vulnerable and confused. Maybe you are still a punk, but you’re not just taking advantage of her. And… I can see how happy you make her. It’s… been a very long time since I’ve seen you smile, Lucy. Let alone like that.” Mr. Aaron fixed his daughter with a sad look. “So… I’m going to back off. A little.” Fang and I just stared at each other for a moment.

 

“Do you… mean that?” she asked.

 

“I believe I do.”

 

“I don’t really know what to say, Dad.”

 

“Can you… do you want a… hug?” he questioned just barely below his breath.

 

“Sure, dad. I would like a hug,” she played along. The two awkwardly approached each other before joining in what I could only describe as a shy hug, parting just as awkwardly.

 

“I would like a word with Anon as well.” Fang looked at me with concern, but less than before. “I won’t hurt him.” Fang’s lingering doubt was not lost on her father.

 

“I’ll be alright, Fang. Go ahead,” I encouraged. She slipped her hand in mine for a squeeze before leaving the office. Mr. Aaron breathed deeply.

 

“I’m backing off, but if you hurt her,” he trailed off.

 

“Sir, I’m already a better person because of your daughter. And she makes me want to be a better person still. If I hurt her, I deserve whatever you, Naser, and her do to me. And if anyone else hurts her-”

 

“I gut them, but I’ll let you help. Do we have an understanding?”

 

“Yes sir.” Mr. Aaron offered a hand and I, somewhat reluctantly, accepted. His grip was not the hydraulic press I expected. But just before I thought he would release he tightened it slightly. 

 

“I swear to God, Anon. If she gets pregnant anytime soon, I will beat you within an inch of your life. And that’s just so the kid can have its dipshit father.”

 

“Loud and clear, sir.” Hello again, fear of God.

 

“And don’t think I’ll go any easier on you, Lucy,” he raised his voice somewhat. “I know you were eavesdropping. I waited for a response that never arrived, maybe he noticed something I didn’t. They probably have better ears and eyes than I do anyways. I was dismissed and left the office hurriedly. Fang was waiting just in the hall, leaning against the wall. There was an awkward blush on both of us, serving as my confirmation that, yes. Yes, she had heard that.

 

“So… should we do anything about Naomi? We both know how she wanted this to turn out, after all,” Fang found a different topic to focus on.

 

“But it backfired. Honestly, I am just both relieved and fucking exhausted that I do not care to start more shit with her. If the prom queen wants to act like a child, it would be kind of funny if we of all people show her up as the adults,” I shrugged.

 

“Good point. Since when did responsible maturity start sounding fun?”

 

“I’ve spent my free time over the years shitposting dumb jokes, getting people mad, and calling people slurs on an internet forum. What makes you think I know?”

 

“Because it only ever started after you came here and planted yourself in the middle of the two people I had convinced myself I only cared about.”

 

“Another thing to thank Naomi for?”

 

“Hell no. All she did was put us around each other. Nothing would have happened if you weren’t secretly a nice guy who gave a shit about me under a few layers of… whatever we were a few months ago.”

 

“And if you weren’t the most interesting monochromatic weirdo I had ever seen.” Fang snorted in laughter.

 

“Monochromatic weirdo, huh? That’s a new one.” She was smiling in spite of herself.

 

“If you two keep flirting in front of my office I’m going to change my mind real fast,” Mr. Aaron warned us through the door. We took our cue to return to the living room. Mrs. Aaron had taken the liberty of picking out a board game, and we had nowhere to run. Before we knew it, it was already past nine. The last bus I could use to get back to my apartment would be leaving sooner than I could make it.

 

“Shit, man. I really don’t want to go that deep into Skin Row this late,” Naser hesitated. “But I don’t want to drop you off at the end just so you can get mugged. Wait. Hey, Dad!” Naser called out.

 

“Yeah?” he answered from upstairs.

 

“Can you call someone from the station to take Anon back to his place?”

 

“Did I somehow just imagine that you have a car of your own for the last two years?” He grumbled from somewhere on the second floor.

 

“It’s uh… it’s on Skin Row,” Naser lowered his voice.

 

“Goddamnit,” I heard him grumble.

 

“Naser! Why would you tell him that?” Fang hissed.

 

“I thought you guys were doing better now?” He held up his hands defensively.

 

“He can stay. In the guest room.” He stressed. “Without Lucy.”

 

“See? We’re good!” Naser grinned in relief. Well, at least it was the weekend tomorrow. No need to get up early enough to get my backpack from the apartment.

 

“Thank you, sir!” I called up.

 

“Don’t thank me, thank Samantha.”

 

“You’re welcome, honey!” Mrs. Aaron’s voice also came from upstairs.

 

“Meanwhile you two,” Fang smirked. “Get to go upstairs together with that mankini. Double standards.”

 

“Raptor Jesus,” Naser threw his head in his hands as Naomi somehow turned more pink. “Why did you even look in my closet?”

 

“I was looking for homework to cheat off of,” Fang shrugged.

 

“And maybe I should go through yours sometime, huh?”

 

“As if you would,” Fang scoffed. “You’d never have the guts to rifle through my dirty clothes.”

 

“Damn it.” Fang snickered at her brother’s expense.

 

“Let’s just… get ready for bed, Naser.” Naomi suggested, fighting back the blush.

 

“Uh huh. Well, thanks Naomi,” Fang remarked. “For playing that recording. Was really nice of you.” Ah, I see. We may be letting Naomi off the hook, but we’re not above letting her know we are.

 

“Ah… yes, of course,” she faked a smile back, noting the satisfied smirks on the both of us as she dragged a confused Naser behind her quickly. Now that we were alone, Fang took a deep breath and looked at me.

 

“So, today went… a lot better than I expected. About as exhausting, but better.”

 

“I still have all my blood. Not even a pinprick. That’s a pretty solid win I’d say.”

 

“Hah,” she laughed, running a hand through her silver hair before leaning in for a hug. “You know, I never thought I’d see my dad drop that… persona again. It feels… really good, to have talked like that. Even a little,” she murmured into my ear as her snoot rested on my shoulder. I gently stroked my hand on her back between her wings, feeling them twitch in response. We stayed there a minute before she pulled her head back. We didn’t say anything, but we moved in for a gentle kiss. I took the opportunity to run my hand through her hair. From the top of her head, around her crest, and down her back. She cooed into the kiss before she pulled back and just smiled. “Thank you, Anon. I don’t know if I’d have been able to do that without you.”

 

“It was all you, Fang. If anything, I just helped you realize you could.”

 

“Shut up, dweeb,” she muttered.

 

“Your dweeb.”

 

“My dweeb.” Another short kiss and Fang got up from the seat. “I should get upstairs before Dad comes down to make sure we didn't sneak off. We don’t have any toothbrushes for you, but there’s some mouthwash in the bathroom down here.”

 

“Complaining about my breath?” I teased. 

 

“Well, I can still taste dinner on it,” she giggled, making her way to the stairs, her tail wagging excitedly. 

 

“Goodnight, Fang.”

 

“Goodnight, Anon.”