And finally! After fighting with writer’s block for next to
forever,
here tis, a new chapter.
Okay, but a couple of author notes before you start reading.
A huge, enormous THANK YOU! to Alector who has so very kindly drawn chapter pics for me. Bow
down to your talent my friend. You so rock.
And I’ll also say thank you to Dancing Steef for all her wonderful drawings (finished Ixion is at the bottom of author's notes) and to Dark Elite_H2 who has been obsessively reading, and bugging me to update. I love you guys!
Ixion - finished version
Setting BoundariesIt was only when Bailey was her back in her room, sitting on her own bed, did she realise that she was shaking. Alika, who had followed the young human, saw her distress and sat beside her on the bed. The Steef mother put an arm around the trembling human’s shoulders. Bailey still shook.
“Oh my dear.” Alika said in concern, “What is the matter?”
“Haigar.” Bailey whispered, “What’ll happen to Haigar?” it was the only thing she could think of. Alika smiled bracingly.
“Haigar will be fine.”
“But Stranger-”
“Stranger will not hurt him.”
“What will he do?” Alika smiled.
“I wouldn’t worry about that dear.” The female Steef said reassuringly.
¤§¤
Stranger folded his arms sternly and watched Haigar with glittering green eyes. Haigar returned the gaze steadily, his own blue eyes gleaming.
“Why, Haigar.” Stranger growled, his fangs gritted, his fur bristling. Haigar sensed that his uncle was exercising every ounce of self-control not to beat his nephew to a bloody pulp for touching his baby girl.
“Why what Uncle Stranger?” Haigar answered, “I did not touch her.” He said, his voice and eyes becoming angry. He was furious that Stranger thought he respected Bailey so little. And he was fuming that Stranger seemed to have such a problem with him loving Bailey. Stranger sighed, and abruptly his stern mask fell, his eyes became tired, his expression worn. He rubbed his face.
“Why Bailey, Haigar, why her?” Haigar’s eyes clearly showed the emotions he was feeling. A jumble of feelings all mixed up. Surprise, incredulity, serious thought.
“I can’t help who I fall in love with Stranger.” He said simply in a low voice. “And I can’t just stop loving her. I won’t.” The last two words were said with an undeniable firmness that Stranger admired, but he would not give up Bailey to anyone, not even Haigar, unless he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she would be loved as fiercely as she was by him.
“But why her?” he repeated, “There’s plenty-a Steef.”
“They didn’t want me because of who I was.” Haigar shot back, slightly aggressively. “They didn’t want me, and I don’t want them. Bailey has been my friend since I was little, since you brought her Stranger, we’ve always been there for each other. She’s sees me Stranger,” his words became almost pleading, “She sees me for who I am, and she loves me for it.”
“And you? Whadda ‘bout yer feelings?” Haigar drew himself up slightly.
“I love ‘er.” He said. “I love ‘er and I always will, nothing you can say will stop that.” Stranger crossed one arm across his chest, propping up the other by the elbow, he rubbed his chin thoughtfully.
“I won’t have her heart broken.” He said after a pause, “I won’t have her hurt in anyway, coz if she is, it’s me that’ll be answered too.” Haigar remained uncowed.
“I would never hurt her, ever.” He said without hesitation or any hint of unassurity. Stranger let out a calming breath through his nose,
“What, do yer want Haigar?” he asked at last.
“Her.” Said Haigar,
“She’s my baby Haigar.” Stranger said, “I don’t want her to be taken from me.” Haigar’s eyes said he understood perfectly.
“She’ll always be your baby Uncle Stranger, and I would never take her from you. I want her and just her. I want to court her, but I’ll only ask if I have your blessing. I won’t make her choose between us, it’d kill her.” Stranger nodded.
“If I agree ter this,” he said, “
If I agree ter this, I’m settin’ yer bounds. Bailey ain’t a Steef, and she’s still a kid… So, listen good, you ain’t gonna treat her as a Steef, coz she ain’t one, she’s human an’ despite she’s been accepted in ter this tribe, she ain’t made as strong-a stuff – physically – as us, so you gotta take care o’ her. Understand?” Haigar nodded, watching his uncle intently, “You treat ‘er right, respect an’ honour an’ all that.” Stranger’s face became very stern and serious and Haigar knew better then to argue with whatever he said next, “You ain’t to pull another one like yer did now, yer ain’t gonna touch ‘er, yer know whadda mean?”
“I understand.”
“An’ I want you ter love ‘er. Whatever flaws she has.”
“She has no flaws.” Haigar said harshly.
Stranger, smiled.
“Good, we see eye ter eye on this. But I’m warning yer Haigar,” Stranger pointed a finger at him, “If I hear you ain’t treatin’ her properly, you hurt her emotionally, or, you lay a violent finger on ‘er, then Odd ‘elp yer kid, coz it’ll be the Odd yer’ll be facin’. Same goes fer an funny business. You got me kid?”
“I understand… Uncle Stranger?” Stranger looked at him,
“I didn’t mean any disrespect.” Haigar said, looking Stranger in the eye. Stranger broke into an easy grin. He stepped forward and laid a hand on Haigar’s shoulder.
“Don’t mention it.” he grinned, “Love does funny things ter yer ‘ead…an’ I’m glad, shows yer love ‘er and won’t be intimidated. Even by me.” He added ruefully, rubbing his chin again. “Haigar,” he said seriously, “I couldn’t think of anyone I’d want ter love ma Bailey more then you.” Haigar smiled, slightly embarrassed,
“Thanks, Uncle Stranger.” Stranger grinned wider and clapped his nephew’s shoulder,
“Yer should go to ‘er, she’ll be frettin’.” Haigar smiled and went to leave. “Oh, an’ Haigar?” the young dark Steef turned back, “When yer get Joined, to ‘er, I won’t expect yer to follow them rules…” Stranger smirked broadly, arms folded. “Yer can take that as yer permission.” He said.
Haigar broke into a delighted grin and he was out of the door in a flash. Stranger chuckled to himself. Maybe it wasn’t so bad after all. His expression became pensive, he just hoped Bailey would forgive him for his burst of temper…