That's Life

Bonnie beamed during the ride to East Wallace, in her little Renault Clio listening to old 90's pop music on the radio, lit by the white Summer sun as the traffic whizzed by and people traipsed through streets of high spires and bustling sidewalks.

Though of course, she remained curious as ever "You're not gonna tell me, How you managed to stop Kaz from expelling you are Ye?" She asked.

You lent back, closing your eyes and lounging without a care "Nope.

It was a calm and quiet journey, Bonnie seemed content all the way up until the vehicle emerged into the Academy's high gates.

She slowed and gestured to you expectantly "Do you mind--"

You slipped down the seat, hiding your tall form as best you could in the tiny car as to not let anybody spot you in the passenger seat; letting people know that You were... affiliated with Bonnie at School was probably a very bad idea.

She smiled apologetically "Thank you."

Carefully, she pulled into a space in the faculty parking lot, luckily hidden just behind the student lot in front of the dorms, thank god.

Bonnie took a careful look around, counting the cars to tell who was here and who wasn't. "Alright, I think it's safe."

"Turn the engine off." You requested.

"Umm, okay?" The key slid off with the engine, and you listened.....

You grimaced, shifting up quickly and looking in the back, stumbling to crawl into the footwell where you hid "Someone is coming from the left." You quickly whispered, Bonnie, matching your worry and looking around, her Emerald eyes catching on the figure approaching the car beside You.

The Brunette turned "Don't make a sound." and pushed open the door, ushering herself out and locking the door behind her.

Your eyes closed, as your focus zeroed in on the sounds around you.

"Good Morning, Bonnie." You knew the voice... but you smelt something... off?

"Morning, Francheska," Bonnie said to Miss Franklin, the sound of her waist touching the bonnet of her car as she lent on it.

"Please, Bonnie, Fran is fine. You're in early today." Ms Franklin had her strong but friendly tone, whatever this thick musty scent that offended your nose was, however... was not from within recent memory, no surprise there.

"O-Oh... yeah, I thought I'd stop being a lazy lump and get the office in order early for once, You know..." Bonnie was many things, but a good liar wasn't one of them apparently.

"Well..." Eyelids cracking open, A feeling of intense inevitability washed over you and peering out of the window where the two stood, You saw a single azure eye peering down at you subtly. The Wickedest, most shit-eating grin painted Ms Franklin's face "...It's good to see you. You have a good morning now." And just like that, the mature blonde History teacher took her leave.

"What is that smell?"

Fur... Little Chip, Fur and too much perfume.

Bonnie let out a long sigh as Ms Farnklin vanished behind the corner, opening the door for you as You stepped out, gazing quizzically at where she had stood. "That was too close."

She hadn't noticed... "Yeah... far too close."

You walked together no further than the end of that parking lot, Bonnie halting in front of you in her white coat and turtleneck, her brown hair tied up... she really was a vision "Okay, so split up from here?"

You smiled down at her angelic face "Do I have to?"

Her face scrunted up, peering around before getting up on her tiptoes and pecking your lips... coming back again for a deeper kiss, seemingly unable to pull herself away for a hot minute. Wrenching herself away she brushed away her gloss from your lips "God you're so bloody tall. I'll um... See you later?"

"Count on it." Ugh... you already missed her temperament and sudden lurches at you when you said just the right thing, the comfort, the smile.

She nodded, walking away with spring in her step and delight in her heels.

It was earlier than any of the students tended to wake up, that's why you managed to sneak back on-premises with relative ease. Travelling up the steps with a spring in your own, all the way to the golden suite.

Unlocking the door, you made your way inside, hoping for a long shower and short hour of relaxation before heading to class--

"AHHH!" You cried as a large, heavy body collided with yours, hoisting you up in the air and mushing you into her heavy breasts as she spun around, squeaking like a squirrel on crack.

"CHARLIE! OH THANK GOD YOU'RE OKAY, WHERE HAVE YOU BEEN YOU HAD ME WORRIED SICK YOU DIDN'T EVEN CALL WHEREHAVEYOUBEENYOUFOOLISHMANIHAVEBEENWAITINGALLNIGHT!!!!!" Daisy cried, crushing you into her lady pillows with her colossal strength.

"mmgmfmfmfmfmfmf!" You struggled for your life... the light... don't go into the light.

The Buxom blonde giantess paused as she noticed that she was tittie-choaking you, releasing her grip and smiling nervously as You drew in long violent breaths of air. "S-Sorry, Honey... Are you okay?"

Sighing and thanking the Lord for your life, you stood straight and nodded "Jesus, those things are like beautiful **** pillows."

Daisy flushed, nudging you "Don't be so vulgar. Where have you been? Miss Drake said that you never came back from your hunt ''oh don't worry Daisy he can take care of himself'' -- like that helps." She grumbled out Diana's voice mockingly.

You smiled "I'm fine, Daise, just had a bit of a hiccup. Stayed with a... friend."

Her eyes the colour of shining amethyst narrowed at you, her hand placed on her wide hips "And who was this new friend exactly?"

"Who are you, my Mom? Just shut up and come here, I missed You." You took her hand from her hip and led her over to the couch where she sat grumpily. "Come on... Don't be grumpy, I can survive a single night without you, you know?"

Her shining red lips pressed together "I was worried... Your sister said that you'd gotten into a fight. I don't want you to get hurt."

You reached out, cupping her pretty face in your hands... she was far too beautiful, her sunny face wrapped in worry? it was a crime. "Pain is like a leaf spiralling to the ground from a dead tree in fall. Suffering is a cube of ice melted by the summer sun, danger is like dust that settles on the sleeping. It all, means, nothing... not when I have someone like you who cares for me."

She sighed, relishing in your touch... until she paused "Your very warm, are you okay?"

Diana hadn't told her then, she likely figured that You'd want to tell her yourself... god bless that woman.

"I'm fine, more than fine. Although there is--"

"Oh, you're right." She cooed, cutting you off as she smiled "I get it, You're the big bad executioner. I'll try and stop worrying about you, Hon. Okay?" She shifted closer and spoke lowly as if what she was saying was the greatest secret in the world "I've been thinking about you... in other ways too. Yesterday, the way you stood up and made yourself heard... well, it was really... sexy, and I haven't been able to stop thinking about it, about you -- I really need to shut up and kiss you now."

Daisy bit her tongue and pressed against you, her breaths heavy and hot as she pursued your lips, sinking into you as her heat danced with yours in your slippering tongues, the tenderness of her touch rising in your passion... which stoked your matching flames.

Flickering between your bodies, hers large and soft, yours lean and strong, grew a heat that burned beneath the tissue, your skins flushing with fire, one Black as night; white of heart, and the other red as blood and orange as summer.

Daisy's eyes flew open, shock painting her beauty as the couch began to smoke under you, the fibres blackening as the blonde flew away from you, patting her arms to suffocate the flame as you slammed your neck and chest; quenching the shadowy blaze as you threw a few cushions over the smoking patches in the couch.

"Jesus... Note to self, fireproof all living spaces." You grumbled, turning slowly to smile nervously at Daisy, who stared with wide curious eyes.

"Wh---- wh---- wh----" She blew air out of her mouth, trying to form words.

You decided to help her out a little "What the fuck?" You spelt out for her.

"YES!" She exploded "YES, WHAT THE FUCK!? that's... impossible, you can't... You don't..."

"The Fires of the sun, that's what this is right?" You grinned.

Daisy stepped forward and leant into you, smelling you, touching your skin which was still red hot to the fingertips, comparing, analysing, though eventually she shook her head and went to sit down. "Oh my god.... she said nobody had the flames, she said nobody but me had the flames anymore, I'm not alone? I'm... not alone?" She took a breath and then another, rubbing her eyes, to reveal the seriousness on her face "Sit down." She commanded.

"Daisy..."

"I'm serious. Just sit down." Wow... no niceties, no politeness, just a clear command.

Sighing you walked over and took a seat at the small table. "This really isn't a big deal."

"I want you to tell me, exactly what you did, what happened, spare no details." She spoke quickly, concise, to the point.

"Umm, alright..." You proceeded to explain; the battle with the Moores, the Parish of the Crusade, and the bolt you took in the back, pointing to the now gilded black breastplate that streaked with golden veins, a hole punched just through the heart.

Daisy took this information calmly, though a look of deep concern followed as you concluded your story. "That's pretty much the gist of it." You said.

The Blonde shook her head and sighed, resting her head on her hand and twirling her blonde hair "Did I ever tell you about how I got the fires of the sun?"

You raised an eyebrow "You were born with it right? so... I was too?"

Her fingers skipped about restlessly "No. I was born with the flames, at first I didn't know why Miss Adat wouldn't tell me. Until I visited my Mama's for the first time, did some digging..." Daisy lent forward, a grim worry in her eyes "She died of cancer, immediately after I was born, the medical report said there was no other case like it in history. She had tumours on her tumours, starting in her abdomen and metastasized up to her Pancreas, lungs and oesophagus... she'd been exposed for 9 months, I was burning the whole in the womb. She was dead when she birthed me..."

There was confusion, as you processed what she was implying, then momentary shock... followed by deep horror as you frowned "You're... exaggerating, r-right... maybe the report was wrong, maybe--"

"--Every single doctor that attended my birth in the theatre, all died weeks-not months, weeks later; acute radiation poisoning. they had to demolish the building and shut down the area for... well, I doubt that even now it's still habitable" She answered sharply.

You shook your head, frowning as you felt your stomach churn in worry and disgust "So what? the fires of the sun are... radioactive?" The words sounded wrong even speaking them... danger from other sources was hard enough to stomach. But the immediate thought of you being dangerous... a hunger, a silent killer without intention, crushing the ones you love... that was too much.

"I need to get to get rid of it." You stood up and paced, wide-eyed as your heart started to thump.

"Charlie... it's okay, You can learn to control it." Daisy tried to assure, but your breaths only left in a further cyclone of fear, the blood pumping, Overdrive threatening to overcome you as your muscles tightened.

"Control? How the fuck are you supposed to control some, divine cancer ray? --A-And what kind of sick fucking god gifts powers of a tumorous nature, what the fuck!?" It was zero to a hundred in the purest form, Your body reacted badly to the sudden stimuli, it made your chest hurt, your breaths short, pupils narrow as heat arose in your skin, threatening to burst with black flame.

Daisy rushed to you as your mind slipped and panic overcame you're being "Honey, Honey listen to me, It comes very easily I know, but everything is going to be alright, I promise... It latches unto certain emotions, Mine are panic and Fear, I need you to tell me what You're feeling."

Your eyes, wide and wild fixed on her, a wild beast barely restrained behind the shadow of your orbs "Anger... rage... Wrath..." You whispered, feeling your fingers spark with a small dark blaze.

But Daisy Teresa only smiles, holding you close "Okay. Ya not an angry person honey, tricky, a little snappy, but you're a good man, and I know you'll fight to protect us. I love you..." Her words were soft like butter on your ears, soothing, but something soothed even greater than Madam Ostara.

Do not fret, My angel...

So low, just a whisper, gentle and kind.

You are a dragon... You were born of the fire, it cannot rule you, the right to rule, is yours alone.

"Are you okay, Honey?" Daisy asked softly.

You nodded your head, as breath filled your lungs with life, and you relaxed "Yeah... Yeah... I just need to clean up. I'm sorry."

She smiled "Good." but then she didn't "Seriously clean up, I'm not having you walk around like that Honey."

The Night was cold and stormy in the mountains tonight, drenched and stuck out in the icy plains of the Carpathians. This month's hunt had been less than fruitful, The Kids had been tracking and chasing for days and nearly had their pray... only for it to slip from their fingers. So, needless to say, it was a shitty night.

Still, the moon pierced into the dry space of the tree sheltered grotto, where they wrung out their clothes and looked miserable.

"I'm really not in the mood for your stories today old man." Bea shot at you, as You sat smiling on a log, helping the youngest dry off her boots and rubbing the rain out of her eyes.

Bill seemed to agree "We already know about the fires of the sun... and how you met Mother Murphy, can't we just skip this bit?" Bill and Bea ever the pair.

"I HATE THE RAIN, AND I HATE THESE STUPID STORIES!" Sunny stormed in, soaked head to toe, tossing her hunting knife with pinpoint precision into the trunk of an elder tree, quickly removed by little Vi who stormed out of your arms to whisper to the wounded pine.

"Don't attack the tree, what the frick did it do to you?" The small girl said sadly.

The Eldest's eyes widened after shaking the wet out of her crimson hair "Vi! Language!" Frankie protested.

"Oh shut up, Fran, stop trying to act like a Mom for once in your life!" Bea cut in.

"Don't insult her, it's not her fault! IT'S THE FUCKING RAIN, UGH!" The Air grew hotter as Sunny began to smoke, her blaze stirring yours violently.

"Let's just stop arguing and-" Fran was cut off by Bea storming at her.

"Stop trying to order us around!"

The Kids started to argue, voices upon voices of childish shit... ugh... Your eyes cast over to the corner, where outside of the grove sat on a rock, your boy, with his dark hair stood in the rain, enjoying the smooth pitter-pattering of the monsoon with a subtle smile. Oblivious of the Oblivion his Siblings wrought.

"Stop acting like a spoiled brat, jeez."

"Stop acting like an entitled bitch!"

Okay, that's enough. Standing tall, your shadowy body grew to a titanous size, Your ungodly form blocking out the moon as You stared down with eyes bleeding Crimson fire, the Kids all froze and looked up in relative fear as You bared your fangs, lips tight as they pulled across your jaws, a single word uttering from your wrathful maw, as the forest winced and the mountains shook

"SHUT. UP."

Your word crushed the world and rendered the grass around you into a desolated pit of ashen ruin. All eyes looked up at you, sorrowfully, worriedly as the error of their ways became clear.

Slowly you shrunk, the darkness retreating as the sky bled auburn tears and moon stained red.

Popping back into your normal form you smiled, flicking your black hair back and smiling "Thank you. Now, no more arguing. We are a team and a teams worst enemy is division." You cast a warm gaze at them all, looking guiltily at each other "but even more important than that, Is Family, and family..." You called.

They responded begrudgingly "...Stays together."

Your smile deepened "Damn right, now do me a solid and cheer up."

...

They weren't cheering up... they looked pretty miserable still.

"Can't we just skip the rest of the story for today, Papa?" Fran asked in exasperation.

You sighed, opening your arms to them "Come here, come on." You urged warmly "You too, rain-boy!" Louie turned to your beckoning and was sat with his brother and sisters in the blink of an eye.

"I know you're disappointed about our hunt today. and the rain. and each other. But we are Dragons one and all, a little rain isn't gonna stop us is it?" You asked softly.

Sunny folded her arms "I miss home, I miss mom and aunties." Her siblings unanimously agreed, they looked to her and Louie for leadership in times like these.

"I like the rain." Louie said in his quiet whisper "I miss my instruments though." He lamented.

They were down. But you knew just the thing to lift their spirits.

With a wicked smile, You reached up your hand and clicked your claw across your thump the blood sparking as you whispered "Mhalia." In a whip of blood your trusty six-string oozed into your fingers, holding its neck with an appreciative nostalgia as they collectively rolled their eyes.

"Please don't sing again dad, today is so shitty-" Bea started.

You cut in with hearty cord that echoed through the mountains, projected by your power, sweet as you shrugged and sang in a smooth tone

"Well that's life....that's what all the people say, Your riding high in April -- Shot down in May. But I knooooow I'm gonna change that tune..... when we're back on top...." Your form misted behind Fran, waiting expectedly.

She Frowned, her button nose flushing red, and sighed as she sang "Back on top in June."

Exploding up you twisted around elegant "I SAID THAT'S LIFE!" they cracked smiles as you belted like a joyous madman "...And as funny as it may seem, Some people get their kicks..."

"...Stomping on a dream" Louie whispered jingling along with a small smile

"YES LOUIE!, But we don't let it, let it get us down, Cause this fine old world, it keeps spinnin' around!!!!" Your form vanished, the kids looking around in confusion as you appeared on Bills neck, looking with your beady snake eyes, the mists strumming the guitar as you sang the words as He chuckled, tickling his neck with your scales, Reforming before them and dancing cheerily.

"I've been:
a puppet
A pauper,
A pirate,
A poet
A pawn and a King

I've been up and down and over and out, And I know one thing!" Sunny giggled as you mushed her cheeks.

Bill, Frankie and Frannie all joining in a quiet clicking of their fingers and whispering along.

"Each time I find myself, flat on my face. I pick myself up. and get..."

"...Back in the race!" Frankie fully stood, pulling up Bill who began to smile, dancing with his older sister

"That's life! I tell ya I can't deny it." You poked Sunny who chuckled, Her Twin offering a kind hand as they too began to dance and sing, His aura inflating the night, making each star above a torch bug as Sunny's body oozed a Beaming heat, setting little pits of dancing fire as You sang the night away, Grasping little Vi and waving her around in your mist form, her laugh sweet filling the grotto "I thought of quitting baby, but my heart just ain't gonna buy it. Aaand if I didn't think it was worth one single try?"

"We'd hop on a big bird, and then we'd flyyyyyy hahaha!" Vi cried joyously as you placed her by the dancing flames, engorging them with your black inferno, the Orange and Shadowy blazes turning in a sparkling waltz of beautiful embers that not a single drop of rain could reach past, warming their hearts and drying their soaked souls.

Joy filled that grotto, but one remained grumpy-looking and irritated, holding back her laugh stubbornly. You appeared in front of your daughter, kneeling before her as she hid her eyes from you. The others noticed, looking expectantly as You spoke "What have I been, Bumblebee? I can't seem to remember?"

She cringed at the other's stares, she really was her mother's daughter... in both ways, because she eventually gave in and jumped on your shoulders, the two of your swinging in the umbral beauty of that grand grotto as You all sung together.

Bea sang "Dad's been:
A puppet!"

Then Fran "A pauper!"

Bill bellowed "A pirate!"

Vi cried "A poet!"

And the Twins sang after one another"A Pawn...."

"and a King!"

You slid in amidst the flame "I've been up and down and over and out, And I know one thing! Each time I find myself, laying flat on my face... I just pick myself up and get back in the race, cuz' THAT'S LIFE AND CAN'T DENY IT! so many times I thought of cutting out but my heart won't buy it..." Your black flame died down, and the kids looked as you playfully shambled along "...Oh but if there's nothing shaking come this here julyyyy..."

You fained a limp as your skin drew paler and your form grew thinner, the Kids bursting out laughing as You wrinkled into a corpse and pointed at them with a cartoonish look of sorrow "I'm gonna roll myself up..... in a Big ball..... Aaaaaaaaannnd DIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYYYYUGH." Twisting around, you fell face-first into the grass, and played dead, Each of your kids dry and filled with warmth as they guffawed at your little show.

Oh yeah. You've still got it.