Summary: "This don't feel right." "Now it don't feel right? I could'a told ya that-"


Weird question, but have you ever had your ex-girlfriend's brother give you a sponge bath? I wouldn't recommend it.

 

I was woken up the next morning with my back in 17 pieces. Apparently sleeping slumped over against a bathtub was not good for the lumbar. After a few minutes of stretching, I could almost stand straight up. Fang wasn’t there, she must have gotten up earlier. The only proof she was there at all was the crumpled feather now in my hand. 

 

Then there was an awkward 35 minute bath. Naser had been correct about the hot water thing. The second I sunk into that water any strength I had was gone. I laid there for a good 20 minutes before I worked up the nerve to ask Naser for his fucking help.

 

Thankfully he was very professional about scrubbing my pits.

 

It felt like Fang was avoiding my gaze the entire morning as we ate breakfast. I didn't blame her, nerves were high last night. Instead, I focused on the food in front of me. My appetite was slowly returning, finally allowing me to savor a meal without the risk of throwing it back up. It was amazing. 

 

I helped Naser clean our drink mess from last night as Fang went out to ‘work’ on her car. It had sunk into the carpet, making a hard sticky mess that was an absolute pain in the ass to clean. We doused it in cleaner and laid a towel over it, out of sight out of mind, right?

 

“So..” It spooked me a bit as Naser’s voice broke through the silence. I think it was the first word he's said to me since the… bath incident. “What set Fang off last night?” 

 

“I don't know.” I really didn't. I haven't had much time to think it over. “We went to my apartment and grabbed my stuff, came back and everything was fine. She sat next to me while we ate, placed her wing on my shoulder then bolted before I could process anything.” I honestly don't know what to tell him.

 

“I don't think it was your fault.” Naser scratched at his chin. “Doesn't sound like you did anything to freak her out. Sometimes Fang just…” He twirled a hand in the air as he thought about what to say. “Snaps. Most times it's just a combination of little things that tips her over the edge. And once she's over she spirals out of control until she panics. It happens sometimes but she's getting better at it.” He hesitated and glanced at me from the corner of his eye. “Fang didn't.. do anything to herself, did she?”

 

I raised the only eyebrow I had left and waited for him to elaborate.

 

“She didn't hurt herself, did she? Didn't preen or nothing?”

 

I remembered the feather I tucked into my pocket. I wondered if I should lie for a heartbeat before shooing the thought away. Fang obviously trusted Naser to a high degree, I should as well.

 

“She didn't preen… I think.” She only had one feather so I don't think that qualifies. “But she did bite herself, hard enough to bleed.” I shivered a little at the picture of her on the floor, eyes wild as she sank her teeth into her arm.

 

“Knew she was hiding something.” He mumbled. “Still wasn’t as bad as it could have been.”

 

“How..” It felt wrong to ask but I did anyway. “Bad could it have been?” 

 

“You’ve seen her wings.” I had, and I hated looking at them. “She's sensitive about them, and when she preens she..” He scratched at his head as he thought. “Punishes herself. Last time she touched them she shaved her head.”

 

Oh so that's what that was all about. I would be lying if I said I wasn't curious about the new hair style. Was thinking she might have been stealing my due. Probably a bad time for a joke, but I don't know if I could survive being depressed much longer.

 

The door slammed open, Naser wisely sealing his lips as it ended our conversation. Fang trudged in, tugging at her sleeve as she purposely avoided my eyes. I couldn't begin to try and picture what she was thinking, but I can imagine it must be awkward. 

 

“I need to get to practice.” She mumbles, quickly crossing the room to sling her bass on her back. “Can't be skipping too often.”

 

“Take some breakfast with you.” Naser called as he tentatively used his foot to scrub the towel into the carpet. “You didn’t eat much and I know if you don't eat now you won’t till dinner.”

 

“Yeah yeah mom, I'll grab something.” And she did, splitting open a biscuit and tossing some totally not burnt bacon on it. “I'll be back dweebs, have fun with your whole science thing.” I wanted to say something, but I couldn't get my tongue to function. Instead I stared weirdly as Fang made it to the door, barely getting a hand up to wave as she gave me a nod back.

 

Then I was alone with Naser for the umpteenth time in the last few days. He had a frown on his face as he watched me, before glancing away and clearing his throat.

 

“So!” He said, eyes flicking away from me. “How we doing this? I was thinking here on the table so you could watch tv while I work.” Oh yeah… I kind of forgot about the whole study thing. Yesterday ended so hectically it slipped my mind.

 

I nodded, it seemed like the best place. Not like I had any preferences. Naser had a stack of books out in half a second, prying one open as he rapidly flipped through the pages. 

 

“Alright I suppose you can… get ready.” He scratched at the back of his head. “We can start easy, so take your shirt off and lie on the table.”

 

I nodded and followed his instructions. Honestly any embarrassment I would have felt was long gone after this morning. What's the big deal about being shirtless when he was just scrubbing me down?

 

We placed a pillow for my head and I was ready to zone out watching mindless tv as he did what he did. It wasn't too bad, gave me time to think about last night.

 

I was trying to piece together what had happened. It wasn't going well. Let it be known that I never claimed to be a smart man, more the opposite actually. But I wasn't completely retarded.

 

I could guess that drugs were involved somehow, and her wings and elbows were a dead giveaway for self harm. A stabbing pain overtook my chest as I thought about it. God I’m pathetic! Just a little pussy complaining about my life because I had no motivation. There's a million people in worse situations who are happy to have a roof above their head and I'm sticking a gun in my mouth because I didn't feel like putting any effort in life..

 

I shook my head, blinking away the tears before they could form. Enough self loathing you little bitch! Raptor Jesus that isn't helping! Fang probably had it a hundred times worse than you.

 

Welp that thought process sure as shit didn't make me feel better… Fuck me man. I have never felt more useless in my life than I did last night. And that’s saying something given how I ended up here. 

 

“Lift your arm.” I did as told.

 

“So what exactly is this thing going to be about?” I don’t know if I actually cared but something was compelling me to silence the voices whispering in my brain.

 

“Well I’m hoping it’ll follow the same direction as the dinosaur one.” I peeled my eyes away from the tv to glance his direction. He had a book opened, which I caught a glimpse of a nude human diagram. “Basically going to have a patient come in and receive some fake results. Blood pressure, work, iron levels etc. They’ll also have some fake physical symptoms. Shakes, sweat, maybe an injury.” He paused to think. “We’ll have to point out everything that’s wrong and possible issues that could cause some of the symptoms. More we list, the more points we get. Some worth more than others. I’m basically using your body as a cheat sheet for what a normal one should look like.” I raised an eyebrow at that.

 

“That doesn’t sound too helpful.”

 

“Oh no it is!” He glanced away from the book. “You can lower your arm by the way. But I haven’t been this close to a human before. Some things don’t translate well from pictures.” He thought for a second. “For instance, dinos don’t sweat unless under physical stress or sickness. Your armpit perspiration could indicate sickness in a dino that comes in, but is completely normal for a human. Bruises too. For a dino to bruise it means a severe trauma and could indicate internal damage. Humans can bruise from light bumps and as such aren’t of as high concern!” Naser went into a… enthusiastic explanation that I unfortunately toned out. It’s not that I wasn’t curious, honest! It was just… so boring.

 

Thankfully I was able to use his mind-numbing speech to pull my thoughts away from their self-loathing wines. The simple thoughts were enough to churn my stomach up again and make me nauseous. I would take any distraction I could.

 

“Can you undo your pants?”

 

“What?” I shook my head again as if I was hearing things.

 

“Your pants. You don’t have to take them completely off but I want to take a look at the muscles around your groin and hips.” Naser clarified. 

 

Oh, ok he just wants to look at my groin… fuck it he’s already seen the goods. 

 

I shimmed my pants down a bit and awkwardly let him look at the inside of my leg.

 

“Did you know humans and dinosaurs have different muscle groups in the arms and legs?” I shook my head. “It’s true. Humans beat dinos in the race of bipedalism, so y’all have had much longer for your bodies to adapt and change. Though it is theorized that eventually we will catch up. In fact most of a dinosaur's physical characteristics might have already disappeared if they didn’t become a beauty standard.” He paused as he wiggled a claw uncomfortably across a tendon in my thigh. “Hell, three thousand years ago pterdons could still fly.” His voice was suddenly soft, and as I watched his wings stretched out behind him. One diminutive and shaking as it tried to copy its other half.

 

“Soo…” Holy hell was I curious, but it definitely wasn’t the time to dig into his past. Especially not with his claws so close to my bits. “Dinosaur’s characteristics are part of their attractiveness?” It was pretty odd to me, I don’t think I really gave too much mind to them other than to notice they were there. I guess I focused more on body and face.

 

“Yup, there’s a reason most trikes will marry trikes and steggos with steggos.” His wings shifted back down into their resting position. “Thankfully it’s not as prevalent anymore, but if you’re unlucky you will still get some giggles behind your back.”

 

I couldn’t help but think of Naomi. I suppose with no wings she probably wouldn’t care as much about Naser’s… disability. 

 

I let Naser finish his exam as I tried my best to relax. I didn’t get much easier but thankfully he let me pull my pants up after only a few more minutes. 

 

“It’s kind of amazing how much hair humans have on their bodies yet lack on their heads.” Naser mumbled. “That space would be facing the sun the most, you would think it would be better covered.” 

 

“I wouldn’t use me as an average there.” I wiped at my bald head, running my had over its smoothness. “It’s not exactly common to be born bald.”

 

“Really?” He sounded surprised. “But Mr. Carldewskii was bald as well, and he had an extensive amount of body hair.”

 

“He's older, men usually lose their hair as they age.” Really Naser? You understand muscular differences between humans and dinos but didn't know about male pattern baldness? “Haven’t you seen any tv commercials or movies?”

 

“Well yeah but those are actors, you really think all those models have perfect horns and wings? Nah all implants or prosthetics.” He shrugged. “Kind of figured it was the same thing.” Well in his defense I assume most actors get implants as well. “Is there something wrong with you then?”

 

“What?” I mean I’m sure there’s a lot wrong with me but specially?

 

“You said it’s not normal to lose your hair so early.” He clarified. “But you're bald as an egg.”

 

“So are you.”

 

“Yeah but I’m a pterodon.”

 

“Fang has hair.”

 

“A male pterodon.”

 

“Reed had hair.”

 

“Not a pterodon.” He shook his head. “Look, it's a genetic thing. Male pterodons don’t have hair!” 

 

“Exactly it’s genetic, my fathers bald as well.” 

 

“But why are the diagrams and dummies all bald!” I don’t know man, why is this important?!

 

A sharp knock made me jump, Naser looking towards the door before checking his phone. 

 

“Lunch is a bit early.” He said as he stood and stretched. “Get your shirt on.” 

 

I had just finished pulling it on when he made it to the door.

 

“Hey come on in!”

 

With my back to the door I couldn’t see who it was but it only took one sentence to raise my blood pressure. 

 

“I brought subs!” A near diabetically sweet voice shouted.

 

I didn’t even want to turn around. I prayed my mind was simply playing tricks, that I had fallen asleep on the table.

 

“Hi! You must be Fang’s friend Nasers helping!” I finally worked up the nerve to turn towards the voice. And there she was, a white sweater and khaki pants. A smile that shined her stupid perfect teeth and a hand stretched out in front of her. “My name's Naomi! It's nice to…” she stopped for a second. “Meet you?”

 

We stared at each other as I could actually see gears turning in her head. She took her glasses off and wiped them before staring me down again.

 

“Have we… met before?” I saw her smile crack a bit at her question.

 

“Yeah, I would think we have.” I stood from the table.

 

“Oh..” She glanced at Naser, who only shrugged as he carried a takeout bag to the kitchen. “And would I be correct in assuming that you're Anon?” I nodded. “Wow thats.. Unexpected.”

 

“How so?” She lowered her hand when it was clear I wasn't shaking it. 

 

“Well you just sort of… disappeared there, no one knew where you went.” Naomi brushed off a seat before sitting down. “Then there was the whole, well, breakup with Fang as well. Just weird to see you here.”

 

“Well a lot of stuff has happened these past few years.” I tried to get a read on her. One thing I remembered about Naomi was that her true emotions were hidden beneath the sugar on top. She seemed to squirm under my gaze, apparently having trouble meeting my eyes.

 

“It certainly.. looks like it.” Her eyes went wide. “Oh that was rude wasn’t it! I'm sorry!”  She took a deep breath as her eyes darted away to look at the table separating us. “I wasn't saying it looked bad or anything! Just that you looked, umm.” She ended in a mumble as she failed to bring an excuse to mind. “Different?” 

 

“Oh you mean the whole.” I pointed at the bandages on my face.

 

“Mhmm.” Her eyes flicked again to my left side. “I knew Naser was doing some volunteer work for someone who was indisposed of at home, but he never mentioned it was you.” She sent a quick glare towards the kitchen. “Would it be rude to ask about it?” 

 

I mean it probably would be, but I would have to get used to this eventually. Plus I kind of owed it to Naser to play nice with his girlfriend. 

 

“No, it's not too big a deal.” Hmmm what would be the best way to say this? I guess the obvious way? I mean what is she going to do? Call me a liar? “I was in the Navy and caught a round to the face, sent me backwards down a flight of stairs and fucked up my ass and hip.”

 

“Oh my goodness!” Her hand covered her mouth as her eyes widened. “That sounds awful, are you alright?” Now I kind of felt bad for lying to her, but if Naser hadn't told her the truth I wasn't about to put him in hot water. 

 

“Suppose I’m getting better everyday.” And I was. Not a lot, but still better.

 

“How did you end up here at Fang’s apartment?” Hmm, that's a good question Anon, how did you get here huh? Did you think of that excuse you dumbass! Quick say something that doesn't leave room for questions.

 

“Fang… was still my emergency contact..” That could work right? 

 

“Wow Fang is your emergency contact?” 

 

“Yup.. I uh… don't have the best relationship with my parents.” There, perfect! No one wants to listen to unresolved family trauma!

 

“Oh, I'm sorry to hear that.” She glanced over her shoulder towards the kitchen. “Naser honey, are you alright in there?” Yeah, Naser where the hell are you?

 

Thankfully he decided he had had enough of dicking around in the kitchen. Entering the room with a stack of paper plates and the bag of subs.

 

“Sorry! We were out of plates so I had to find and open a new bag.” He choose the spot next to me and passed around the sandwiches. Naomi a veggie thing, me and Naser meatball subs. Oh does this take me back.

 

Thankfully we managed to keep our mouths full and the talking to minimum with the tv keeping the silence away. I used the new found solace to strategize any unplanned questions from the pink pansy in the room. She had already managed to throw me for a loop and I was going to do my best to make sure that didn't happen again.

 

“Sooo..” Naomi slapped her hands together as she straightened up. “How are you and Fang doing, Anon?” I almost choked on my food.

 

“Come on!” I coughed out before managing to swallow the chunk. “Really Naomi? Already going to start this shit again!” Fuck, you just got here! 

 

“Shit, wait no!” She stuck her hands up in a surrender motion. “I didn't mean it like that, honest!” She screwed her eyes shut and flinched away from me. “And I would also like to officially stop dodging the subject and just say that I am sorry for meddling in both your lives. I was out of line and I know that what happened between you both was partially my fault.” 

 

I dissolved into a coughing fit, slapping my chest as I tried to get my lungs to work. My breath was ragged when I finally got myself under control, vision swimming as I tried to breath. My head flared with a headache as I slumped back into the couch.

 

“Are you alright?” Naser had set his sandwich down and was watching me with a close eye. I nodded at him, hoping I looked less shaky than I felt.

 

“How long ago was the injury?” Naomi's voice was soft with concern as she watched me uneasily. 

 

“A few days ago.” I managed to croak out, noticing too late Naser swiping a hand at his neck with a frown.

 

“A FEW DAYS!” She screamed in a pitch so high it almost hurt my ears. “What are you doing out of the hospital!”

 

“It looks worse than it is.” I quickly tried to back pedal. “I went on a walk earlier and tired myself out. Just couldn't stand sitting still any longer, whole reason I left the hospital.” That sounded reasonable, right?

 

“Jesus Anon, I suppose you're tougher than I was giving you credit for. Navy must have done your body some good to be walking that off.” Her gaze sharpened a bit as she eyed me. “But follow your doctor's instructions! You'll walk yourself right into a grave if you try and skip a few steps of recovery.” My ruse worked too well, she was now lecturing me. I still let out a sigh of relief though. “As for what I meant earlier, it was more so about how well Fang has…” She waved a hand in the air. “Reacted to you, so to speak.”

 

“Better than I ever imagined she would.” Ain't that the truth. Never in my mind would I have pictured her being this welcoming to my presence. “I half expected her to finish me off right there… in the hospital bed.”

 

“That's good I suppose. Fang and I have been… tiptoeing around each other.” I could imagine why. “It's better now, but in the beginning I was scared to be in the same room as her. You know after that whole fiasco with Trish.” Naser suddenly cleared his throat, staring Naomi down hard. Her smile suddenly cracked. “Oh… you haven't talked about that…” She let out a nervous laugh.

 

“I..” really wanted to fucking know what she was talking about. Trish hasn't been brought up once since I got back, Reed either. What the fuck happened to Wurm Drama? But… I didn't want to hear it until Fang was ready to tell me, I didn't have a right to go digging in her past behind her back. “Don't want to know. If Fang wanted me to, she would have told me already.”

 

“Whew.” Naomi let out a sigh of relief. “Thank you. Fang already has enough of a reason to hate me, and we've only recently been able to sit in the same room together.” 

 

“She doesn’t hate you.” Naser cut in. Naomi just stared at him. “Really she doesn’t! It’s just.. awkward.”

 

Naomi just sighed again as she fiddled with her thumbs in her lap.

 

“Regardless, I don’t want her to think I’m doing stuff behind her back again.” That’s… fair I guess.

 

I suddenly felt like a dick. I don’t even know why. Shouldn’t I be allowed to be pissed at her? Or was I looking for an excuse to push my insecurities on her? Maybe.. but she said so herself that she was somewhat responsible right? I could get away with being a little rude.

 

- but when I was back home staring at the ceiling, I would feel like a complete asshole.

 

Fuck it Anon. Berating her wouldn’t absolve you of your own part in this. Wouldn’t make me feel like any less of a dick either with how she’s been acting. But I’ll be keeping her on thin fucking ice, any sort of sneaky bitchyness and small-town politeness will be out the window.

 

“So, Fang’s at practice right now huh?” Naomi seemed to be changing the topic to something less all around awkward. “How is the band doing? Sliver Dream was it? Or did they change it again?” 

 

“I think they’re sticking with Silver Dream this time.” Naser had gone back to munching on his sub, reminding me I had one of my own to polish off. “And honestly they’re not that bad, I think they’re getting over the whole identity crisis thing they had going on. They have actual fans now, saw a guy wearing one of their shirts last week.” He smiled, clearly a bit proud of his sister.

 

“Is Fang still playing bass?” Naser nodded.

 

“She’s good, don’t get me wrong. But it’s clear to everyone that she hates it.” He sighed. “Wish she would just let us buy her a guitar, but she hates feeling like a charity case.” I could sympathize, I absolutely feel like shit when I think someone is pitying me. 

 

A silence filled the room again as I finally managed to choke down the rest of my sub. It wasn’t as uncomfortable this time but every now and then I would catch Naomi's eye before she would quickly glance away.

 

She suddenly cleared her throat and we turned our attention away from the tv.

 

“I might be overstepping my boundaries here…” She said sheepishly. “But I feel I should afford you the same courtesy I give Fang. So, I would like to ask you personally instead of digging around for info from Naser.” Her hands gripped at her pants nervously. “What exactly are your plans with Fang. Again not meddling! Whatever your answer is, I will stay out of your business.”

 

“What do you mean by plans…” Better choose your next words carefully bitch. That ice just cracked.

 

“To be honest that probably wasn’t the best way to word it. It’s just… I’ve decided that when it comes to friends and family that I would always be upfront with them.” She reached out over the table, Naser doing the same as she grabbed his hand. “I almost lost something precious because I saw myself above everyone else. Because I believed I knew how to solve everyone’s problems.” Oh barf, anymore sweetness and I’ll make Fang’s backseat look like spit up.

 

I took a breath to steady myself. 

 

Relax, she’s at the very least saying it to your face and it’s pretty clear she wants to avoid any sort of misleading. Still owed it to Naser to hear her out.

 

“I know that you two didn’t end on the best of terms, so I’m curious on what kind of…” She waved a hand as she searched for the correct word. “Arrangement you both have? Like are you paying rent? Is it only until you’re back on your feet?” She hesitated again, letting her hand slip from Naser’s grasp as she fidgeted. “Are you.. trying to make it work again?” Now that one got Naser’s attention.

 

I… I don’t know how to answer that. What did I want from Fang? I think I wanted to be with her again, but it felt like such a selfish thought I probably wouldn’t pursue it. Where the fuck do I get off thinking I deserved a second chance? But what did I want then? I didn’t want to be away from her, I knew that. 

 

The image of Fang in tears on the bathroom floor flickered into my head again.

 

“I want…” I swallowed thickly and tried to ignore Naser's intense stare from beside me. “To help her.” That’s it. It was like a lightbulb went off in my head. “Fang was the first person I saw after… my accident. It felt like my life was over, and that I was done. Dying a nobody with no one. But I didn’t die.” Sometimes I’m not so sure about that. “Fang treated me like a person again. It feels.. like I owe her more than my life is worth. I want to be her friend before anything else.”

 

The room was silent after my speech. I was suddenly very self conscious as the silence dragged on, trying to get a read from either of the dino’s in the room. Naomi had a smile on her face, one that didn't look as forced as the ones she's been wearing. Naser’s was not so easy. He sat hunched with his hands bridged in front of his face, eyes peering out from above as he stared at me.

 

“I think that is exactly what Fang needs, Anon.” Naomi said softly. “It sounds like you've been through a lot, and I'm not pretending that I know what you're going through. But I don't think you’re a nobody. You’re Anon, and it's up to you to make that worth something. I know that you used to have a.. difficult personality.” She let out a quiet chuckle. “But it would be a bit hypocritical of me to judge you. I think I would like to try and be friends. For real this time, no sneaking around, no master plans.”

 

Did I want to be? Maybe, if she was telling the truth. Could I trust her was the real question… I guess if Fang of all people was on speaking terms with her, then I could try at least.

 

I gave her a little nod, making her give a little ‘yay!’ as she clasped her hands together next to her face. Naser clearing his throat brought my attention over to him. And then he didn't say anything as he stared at me down, each second making me feel smaller and smaller as he slowly analyzed me. 

 

“If..” He finally spoke. “What your saying is true, which at this point I'm liable to believe, then I guess I'll keep changing those bandages for you.” He let out a chuckle. “Man, maybe you should have been shot in the face a long time ago. Dad might have been on to something.”

 

“Naser!” 

 

“Right, sorry!” He laughed again. “I don't know why I keep joking about that, I really am sorry!”

 

“You've done it before?!”

 

“Yeah, it was the first thing he said when he saw me. He’s kind of a dick!” I couldn't stop the chuckle that came out, didn't even try. My emotions were so done with the sad, weepy bullshit and had decided to flip on the giggles. I wasn't even laughing hard, but for the life of me I couldn't stop. It wasn't even that funny! Eventually my giggle fit turned into a coughing one, forcing us to calm down as my head strobed in pain.

 

“Oh.. uh.” Naomi pointed a digit towards my face. “It's bleeding again. Is that bad?”

 

I reached up, brushing gingerly around the bandages but couldn't find a wet spot.

 

“No, it's fine, just time for a bandage change is all.” Naser’s face popped into my field of view. “It’s barely soaking through. The coughing probably irritated it. I'll go get some new ones.” 

 

Naomi tried to look very nonchalant as she scooted her chair closer. It didn’t work as the recliner screeched across the floor. 

 

“...Want to see what it looks like?” She nodded rapidly.

 

“Oh, but only if it's not like a sensitive issue or anything of course.” She looked a bit guilty as her eyes locked onto the table between us.

 

“I'm going to have to get used to it eventually, It is my face after all.” This was most likely going to be something I would have to live with for the rest of my life. 

 

 Naomi’s curious gaze never left the left side of my face as Naser slowly undid the bandages. Curiosity quickly turned to shock as she covered her mouth with a hand.

 

“I thought you said it wasn’t as bad as it looked!” She gasped.

 

“It’s not, just a deep graze.” I grimaced as Naser dabbed at a spot right above my cheek.

 

“It’s fine, really.” Naser added. “Only issue is pain, but the doctors keep him hopped up on the good stuff.” You little liar…

 

“Maybe I shouldn’t have gotten such a close look…” A shudder passed through her shoulders. “That looks awful, I’m so sorry Anon.”

 

I gave her my best ‘it is what it is’ shrug. 

 

“Hell, I think it’s an improvement.” 

 

“That’s a… positive outlook at least. Women like scars, right?” I don’t know, you’re the only woman in the room.

 

Naser finished his cleaning, making me try and stone face the pain as he disinfected the wound. I’m record time though I was wrapped up and ready to go.

 

“I’m getting pretty darn good at this.”

 

“It’s like you’re Naser’s first patient!” I rolled my eyes.

 

“As far as free health care goes, I guess he’s earned 5 stars.” Again, I owed you man.

 

“You’re doing much better.” Naser said, arching his back in a stretch. “Redness is down, no sign of infection still, you’re cleared until the next change.”

 

I gently moved my head a bit, testing the limits imposed by the tape. It didn’t even hurt, well unless I scrunched my face up. Either I was getting used to the pain, or it was lessening. Hopefully the latter.

 

“Well I better skedaddle.” Naomi stood and brushed her pants off. “Fang should be getting back soon and I don't want to push any boundaries with her. Sounds like she could be in a pretty volatile state and I've heard I make a really good target.” She giggled. “It was good to see you again, Anon. I really hope you heal up fast.”

 

I didn't give her an answer, choosing instead to give her a curt nod. I watched as Naser walked her to the door.

 

“I'll be home shortly, just going to check up on Fang and then I'll head out.” He nuzzled her cheek and she left with a smile on her face. Gag

 

I let all the pent up stress escape as I deflated on the couch. Fucking Naomi… Yeah I was not prepared for her to pop up unannounced. Raptor Jesus. But, I mean, she didn't really act that bad. Not how she used to at least. At the very least talking to her didn't make me want to blow my brains out… uh, fuck me poor choice of words. 

 

Anyways, she didn't sound fake. That plastic smile was gone.

 

My emotions were rollercoasting again. I wanted to fucking blame her for everything, but that whisper in my mind knew I would be making excuses. Fang was apparently trying to move past it, so what right did I have to hold a grudge? 

 

It made me think about what could have happened to you in that time. I wasn't the same person I was on that beach…

 

Fuck! Why can't I just be a dick to people still!

 

Fine… New Naomi gets one chance. One. If she fucks it up then she's going in the trash next to manipulative bitch Naomi.

 

Naser plopped down next to me as I finished my internal debate. 

 

“So.. what did you think?” 

 

“What?” What did I think of what? “Naomi?”

 

“Yeah.”

 

“She’s… different I guess. Less of a bitch ack!” My arm shot down covering my side, shielding myself from Naser’s fist.

 

“Yeah, don't call her a bitch.” Alright. Dick. “But she has been trying hard to make amends. Our relationship was hanging by a thread, but now I think it's better than it ever was!” He had a big dopey grin on his face. 

 

“Congratulations I guess?” I'm so proud you have such a nice relationship. All the virgins on 4chan are soo jealous. Seriously what are you doing here man? Bragging?

 

The front door popped open, pulling my attention as Fang strolled through the doorway. She walked with a slump in her back, her boots clomping hard as she drug her feet. 

 

“I’m back nerds.”

 

“Welcome back.” Naser stood from the couch and stole Naomi’s spot on the recliner. “How was the session?” 

 

“Good, better than last one.” Her claws flexed as she rubbed at the tips of her fingers. “We found our sound, now we have to work on making the new songs. Was that Naomi I passed on the road?”

 

“She brought us lunch while Naser poked every muscle I had.” 

 

“Whew, kind of glad I missed her.”

 

“Fang.” Naser gave her the side eye.

 

“What? I didn't say anything bad! I've been playing nice!” She stomped a boot into the floor. “It's awkward!”

 

“It was kind of awkward.” I 100% agreed. 

 

“Thank you!” Fang paced by me and tossed her bass into its corner. 

 

“Well you sound like you're doing alright.” Naser smirked. “So I think I'm going to head home a bit early, might have a romantic movie night with my awkward girlfriend.” 

 

“Gross.” She pointed a finger in her mouth in a gagging motion. “We don’t need to hear the details, go home and fuck.”

 

Wow she just came out and said it. Is… is this how siblings talk to each other?

 

“Don't be so crass.” A blush dusted his face. “You're sucking all the romance out of it!” That definitely wasn't a denial. I suddenly had the picture of Naser and Naomi doing the horizontal tango. A shudder passed through me.

 

“Gross.” I parroted. 

 

“Oh you are both such babies.” He stuck his nose in the air. “We're all adults, we should start acting like it.” He made his way towards the door. “Now I am going to go home to my girlfriend that I have been neglecting and give her the attention that she deserves. I bid you two adieu.” He slipped out.

 

I had to take a few minutes to force the images from my head. It took Fang plopping down next to me to finally banish the thoughts.

 

“Whew.” A stream of air bellowed out as she deflated like a balloon. She gingerly rubbed the tips of her fingers, claws flexing in and out. 

 

“How was practice?” I wanted to curb the silence before it began this time. 

 

“..Good. I think.” Her golden eyes flicked towards me. “A bit tougher than normal, working on a sound we want to roll with for a bit. But it's finally coming together.” 

 

“Do you…” I wasn't sure if this would be considered ‘dredging’ but I had to ask it. “...like playing?” She broke eye contact and focused on the tv. The silence was just long enough that I thought she was going to ignore the question.

 

“Yes. I do.” Her voice was barely a whisper.

 

“You don’t-”

 

“Look like it?” She interrupted. 

 

I nodded.

 

“I do like it, I like being in a band, creating music, and playing in front of a crowd. It's just..” Her head shook side to side. “It's no longer a hobby, it's a job. A lot more stressful as well.”

 

“And the bass?” 

 

“Getting close to dredging there, Anon.” Fang's voice held an edge of warning to it. “Just… I don't have a guitar anymore and playing the bass brings up bad memories.” Her tone said that was the end of the topic. 

 

I nodded, shifting my focus back to the tv.

 

“So…” I racked my brain for something to talk about. “Did you eat dinner?”

 

“Yeah, I had a snack at practice.” A snack wasn't dinner, but it didn't seem like it was worth risking an argument. 

 

The silence returned, though thankfully it wasn't as awkward. We sat and watched tv, the hours ticking by one by one. Fang was clearly being conscious of her wings tonight, keeping them pinned behind her instead of letting them relax.

 

“Oh yeah.” I cast my attention over to her. “Since you're kind of back on your feet again, I was wondering if you wanted to come to the pizza parlor tomorrow and watch us play?” She pulled her legs up to her chest and rest her head on her knees. “Jacob and Skyler wanted to meet you as well. Plus it could help to have another ear to listen and critique our sound, you were pretty good at that. What do you say?”

 

Meeting new people wasn't on my to-do list but getting out of the apartment sounded like such a good idea. Last thing I wanted to do tomorrow was sit here alone watching tv and trying to ignore the revolver whispering to me from the shelf.

 

“Yeah, sounds like a plan.” I found myself craving the taste of a cig. But I was an adult now, time to start acting like one. By the end of tomorrow I will be a genuine social butterfly.