Falsely Emboldened

[nathanielgrayson]

Who: Nathaniel
When: A day or two after this
What: Others are emboldened by the Deputy's success

The kids were playing happily on the playground. The weather was unseasonably warm and Nathaniel felt they were all getting a little stir crazy at the Circus, so when Beryl and Khemrys went to check over things at the shop, he offered to drive the kids to the nearby playground. Their happy squeals were something he needed to hear after everything they'd all been going through since Jason's arrest.

He basked in the warm sun with a touch of melancholy: he didn't think they'd be letting Jason enjoy any days in the sun like this. It wasn't fair. Most days it was all he could do to get up and feed Asher and go to the club. He'd completely lost it when Beryl first told him the news and would probably still be in that state of despair if it hadn't been for the kids: they were so scared and upset, he couldn't just sit there indulging his own emotions. So he pushed everything aside to be their light until the quiet hours when they were asleep.

He watched the kids race over to the swings. They were all still a little too small to go on the swings without help, but all three flopped facedown over the swing's seat and began to spin, giggling hysterically. He couldn't help a giggle himself as he enjoyed their lighthearted play.

He heard the footsteps approach but hadn't paid much attention until the voice spoke behind him. "Taking a page out of your friend's book? Probably not the smartest move for a shifter right now."

Nathaniel stiffened, feeling the shudder down his spine. "I told you to stay away from me."

"I'm just out on my patrol, I didn't expect to see you out here," the cop said smugly. "And with what, three kids? Gotta wonder what you're doing out here with three little kids."

Nathaniel gritted his teeth. "They're playing. Just leave us alone."

"I'm sure that's what you want it to look like. You were one of Z's, you think I don't know the little tricks he probably taught you? What are you really doing out here with those little kids?"

Nathaniel's head whipped around angrily. "I know what you're trying to do. I'm not afraid of you, officer. You think your captain is gonna like all the attention if someone in his precinct tries arresting another innocent lycanthrope over nothing?"

The officer laughed. "You're far from innocent, Nathaniel."

Nathaniel fought a disgusted wince hearing his name come out of that cop's mouth.

"It wouldn't be hard to dredge up your past connections. And then being caught with little kids just like that shifter your boss was shacked up with?"

"Jason is her husband and he was set up!' Nathaniel spat.

Another laugh. "Husband my ass: it's clear she was being compelled to breed with him. You know how quick she jumped on my friend's dick once she was free of him? We should lock all of you up for what you've been doing to innocent human women."

Nathaniel blinked. Khemrys? Khemrys would never; but why would he think...

Eric. Of course; he knew Asher and Beryl had been buzzing about something the other night, but after feeding Asher and giving Eric a little pick-me-up snack he hadn't been too interested in what everyone was murmuring about. He would have to ask them what exactly had happened and let them know that the Deputy was already bragging to his friends about whatever Eric had done.

He hissed at the cop, fangs already on full display.

"Go ahead and give me a reason, you little twink whore. I'm sure your talents will make you real popular in that secure facility. Or you can decide to be nice, and we can make sure that doesn't happen."

The park was still and silent as that threat settled around them. Nathaniel glanced to the side and saw the children clustered together by the swings, their eyes wide with fear. Fuck, he thought in frustration. He glared at the cop. "This is the last time I'm going to warn you: leave me alone. Don't threaten me or my family again."

He stood and turned away, hurrying towards the kids and trying to plaster a pleasantly neutral expression on his face.

"Daddy?" Niki's face was screwed up in confused fear.

"It's ok. Come on, babies, it's time to go."

Kirion's thumb was already jammed in his mouth, but Nathaniel didn't try to stop him. A little dirt wasn't going to hurt him. He scooped the little boy up and secured him on a hip before reaching for Irias.

Her little voice wavered. "It's a pleeceman, Uncle Nat..."

He snuggled her under his arm next to her brother. "It's ok, Iri. Don't worry about him." He heard the chirp of the cop's radio and he snatched Niki up in his free arm.

"Daddy, is he going to take you away like Uncle Jason?" Niki's voice was hushed with fear.

Nathaniel didn't look back, but the sound of the cop reporting in about a suspicious shifter he was monitoring in the park echoed in his ears. "No, baby," he said breathlessly as he began to pick up speed. Don't run, don't run...

He just had to get them back to the car. He could heard the officer's radio crackle back a distorted answer and the footsteps started towards them. He got to the car and set the twins down, then jerked the door open to the backseat and started strapping Niki into a carseat. "Come on, Kirion, Irias, climb on up to your seats."

He could feel their fear vibrating through the small space in the backseat. His fingers fumbled on the buckles of the carseats, but he made sure everyone was secure before giving them all a strained smile. "Ok, sit quiet, ok?"

Kirion nodded with wide eyes over his thumb. Irias had her neck craned to see out over Nathaniel's shoulder and let out a frightened whine. He soothed a hand over her. "Shh shhh, it's ok, Iri."

He shut the door and turned; the cop had paused not too far away and was calmly describing Nathaniel's car and plate number over the radio. He narrowed his eyes and glared at him. He knew nothing would come up in their system, but he didn't like this guy having any more information on him than he already had. He held that glare for a long moment, swallowing back the growl that was crawling up his throat. Then he defiantly opened his door and climbed into the driver's seat.

The kids were already starting to sniffle and whimper. He started the car and turned on a Disney playlist before pulling out of the parking lot. "It's ok, kids. It's ok." He repeated it softly like a mantra. "Let's stop for some McDonald's before we get the Mommies, ok?"

The patrol car followed them from the park, casually passing by as they pulled through the McDonald's drive-thru but then reappearing when they pulled back on the main road. Nathaniel gritted his teeth. Was this cop actually going to try to arrest him over nothing? He wouldn't really risk that with all the attention the Deputy had stirred up, would he? No. No, he was just trying to scare him.

It was working.

Nathaniel pulled up in front of the shop and took a shaky breath. The patrol car inched past, the cop giving him a knowing look. Nathaniel glared in return, watching him pass without blinking.

When the car didn't return he sagged in his seat, taking deep breaths with his forehead against the steering wheel as he felt the shaking threatening to get stronger. And for the first time, he tuned out the kids as they started to cry while he tried to get control of himself.

Comments

[nathanielgrayson]

Kirion's large eyes followed Beryl as she slid into the front seat and he sniffled around the thumb jammed in his mouth. His twin and his cousin weren't nearly as quiet: Irias mooed mournfully at her french fries, which were still being slowly dug out with grubby fingers and shoved into her mouth while Niki, on seeing Mom show up, stretched her hands out towards her with a trembling wail of, "Mamaaaaaaaaaah!"

Nathaniel hadn't moved away from the wheel, but there was a subtle shift against her body. The tremor was still there, but whatever he was doing had kept him from full-blown shaking.

"Are you and Khem almost done?" he asked, his voice eerily calm but barely audible.

[roughcutgem]

McDonald's was never a good sign honestly. Sure they spoiled Niki with fast food more often than the twins ever got at home, but.

But.

At least Kir was clutching the little Paw Patrol Dalmatian from his meal in his other hand? If she remembered correctly that was fire and medic? "Just a second babies, we can go inside and let you help dig in the new bed okay?" Khem had been silent and shaking so busy work in the greenhouse for now.

Which also meant..."no idea babe. We'll take the kids inside and let half a dozen people keep eyes on them okay?" Then she'd take care of him.

[nathanielgrayson]

Nathaniel blew a soft breath against the steering wheel and nodded. "Ok."

He wasn't sure if it was ok, though. He just didn't know any other option: the twins were upset and one way or another he was going to have to explain to Khemrys why. And he wouldn't leave that up to the kids. Absolutely not.

He slowly straightened; his eyes were strained as he stared off through the windshield.

[roughcutgem]

She traced a hand along his ribs as he straightened; not to comfort entirely but to also judge how damn tense he was. He felt like steel cables that should snap at the next blow. Fuck.

She kissed his cheek gently, "can you move babe or do you need to sit? I can get the kids in, just tell me what you need," she noted softly.

[nathanielgrayson]

"I don't know," he whispered. Another slow, controlled breath passed through his lips. "I don't want to freak Khem out, she hasn't been looking too good lately."

Irias perked up at even the softly murmured mention of her mother. "I want Mommy," she lamented to Beryl. Well, to her french fries, but it was meant for Beryl. Niki was straining against her carseat, reaching her hands out to her parents.

Nathaniel sighed. "Can you? If Khem is worried just...just tell her it's ok and I'll be in soon."

[roughcutgem]

"Babe, Khem's in shutdown mode," she noted. "Numb and trying to deal, so digging. Kids can only help that, they're anchors," she promised gently. "She won't even ask. You just keep breathing for me, we'll be a minute."

That said she soothed a hand along his hair then turned to loosen straps on kids, "alright babies, I've got you, ready to file out? Remember to hold anything you're taking inside." Easier to have them free before going to the side door to release them!

[nathanielgrayson]

He nodded and tried to give her a smile. It only managed to be a strained, shaky smile. "Thank you, babe," he whispered.

He couldn't even turn while Beryl got the kids unbuckled and out of the car, but the second the door closed he switched off the Disney music and breathed in the quiet. He wasn't happy that Khem was in shutdown mode, but at least it could buy him some time. And he trusted Beryl to get the kids busy in the safety of the greenhouse so they could think about something other than the scare they'd had.

And then he'd have to figure out how to tell her what happened...and why. He closed his eyes. He didn't want to deal with any of this; fuck that cop. And fucking...Z. He choked on an isolated sob.

[roughcutgem]

Hey, they shared each other's nightmares as needed. He hadn't judged her for her fucking family or that Thomas backstory, she wouldn't judge her.

Everyone did what they had to in order to get to where they could be loved now.

She was sliding back into the car within ten minutes? "Khem is asking them what vegetables or fruits they personally want to grow just for them. Niki wants strawberries," she informed, arm sliding back around him.

[nathanielgrayson]

He leaned against her. "She does love her strawberries." He swallowed, making sure that the sob from earlier was long gone. "Everyone inside is ok then?"

She felt so solid and strong next to him; he wished he could just sit there and soak in that security. But he didn't feel safe here, even thought they were just outside Khem's shop. "Do you think Eric is awake?" he asked quietly, seemingly at random.

[roughcutgem]

If he wasn't still buckled she'd honestly drag him into her lap. Something very bad had happened and she needed him safe! "Yes. Between security, worried Nana's, and our poor employee it's solid and safe," she promised simply.

Huh? "He damn well can be at need if he's not," she promised simply. That was what best friends DID.

[nathanielgrayson]

He was nodding absently, though it was apparent what exactly he was nodding in regards to. He still hadn't nuzzled at her or anything: just that subtle lean against her as he stared off.

"I need to see him," he said to the windshield. He didn't suggest where, because honestly he wasn't sure where it was safe to go. Home meant the comfort of their own place, but if that cop had run his plates and knew where he lived...

[roughcutgem]

Oh fuck, either Nat needed a targeted hit or...

...or she didn't know. Fuck.

"Upstairs. Khem isn't staying here now anyway so we can use the living room as needed?"

[nathanielgrayson]

He cringed internally as he thought of Jason's arrest in that very room, but he swallowed it back. With the rats downstairs he hoped the risk would be...far less. "Ok." He reached for his seatbelt. "I...I'm going to make a tea before we go up. Can you call Eric for me, please?"

[roughcutgem]

"...yes," she watched him, worried. "Do you want me to come up with you or do you need space?" She asked gently.

[nathanielgrayson]

Nathaniel paused, considering. "Come with me, please?" he asked softly, not looking at her.

[roughcutgem]

"Always." Simple and firm as that. She got her phone out and was dialing Eric as she slipped out, free hand reaching, and waiting, for her husband.

[nathanielgrayson]

He pulled himself out of the car with very little of his usual grace. He shoved the door shut and grasped her hand as if it were a lifeline.

He was very glad that he'd helped enough in the shop to know where the tea he wanted was. He didn't even need to wait for hot water as he filled one of the shop mugs they kept for patrons wanting to sit and enjoy their tea in the peace of the shop.

[roughcutgem]

Her words on the phone were terse, just telling Eric to get his ass up to the apartment above the shop asap. Then she was assuming security blanket position, leaning on Nat's back and arms loosely clasped around his waist.

Not interfering, just present and shielding at need!

[nathanielgrayson]

He loved her so much. It wasn't a thought piercing through his mental haze, but he could feel that warmth that seeped through his core at her touch. It should have looked awkward, the two of them moving towards the stairs while plastered together, but they may as well have been one person the way they moved together.

Nathaniel froze seeing the living room, but with Beryl holding him he quickly recovered and guided them both towards the couch. He perched on the edge, sipping his tea and leaving space for her to wrap herself around him.

"Thanks, babe," he murmured.

[roughcutgem]

She settled and curled around him, basically a body pillow with her knees on one side and her chin on his other thigh. "I love you," she noted simply. "And none of us are okay. But someone or something pushed you." Obviously?

Yeah.

"I almost miss the other world where I can kill people who hurt you."

[nathanielgrayson]

He was about to breathe and nod, but her confession flooded his veins with ice water. He swallowed, his voice a hoarse whisper.

"I know you do, babe, but please...please don't. Please; I can't lose you."

[roughcutgem]

"I won't. Doesn't mean I don't want to remove everything that hurts you," she growled softly, nipping his thigh gently when he tensed. "Desire, no follow through. I will never let anyone separate us love."

[nathanielgrayson]

He actually made eye contact, though his expression was sad. "You know how much it means to me, right? That you hold back on that?" He sipped his tea that was still clutched tightly in his hands. "I'm not afraid of the violence. I'd be right there with you cheering you on, worshipping you and kissing away every blood spatter you earned. I just...I don't trust the people in charge of this world, babe. And they would take you away from me."

[roughcutgem]

"I know." She did. "We're going to change this shit, but if we can't, if it's too much, you say the word and we move babe. We move to Khem's world and we don't look back."

[nathanielgrayson]

He nodded slowly against his mug. "Just...not if Jason is still stuck there. I couldn't...I feel like I'd be abandoning him."