Hazel was feeding Jack some sardines that Rex had brought back from town. The Eldritch being seemed happy enough with the offerings. “He stopped growling at Rex about a month ago but… It took a lot of sardines.”

She was blushing by the end of it and nodded, “He’s… important to me too.” Hazel got concerned as she got up. “The chickens are going to start rolling because of her… I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again. You are giving them the right amount… Maybe spending every three days at your parents and not coming here to do chores is a bad thing…” She helped him sit before she grabbed some herbs and started to pull the briars off and rub his legs in the soak.

“How does that feel?” Once she got the briars out she got up and got a basket. “I’m going to go down into the root cellar and get some tea to make us… Behave,” she booped Rex’s nose before she went outside and down the stairs.

Coming back up she had a nice bag of tea, “I just made this out of some of Simone’s plants. I think it turned out pretty good.” Hazel was proud of herself as she set to brewing the tea and handing it out. “Did you want to weigh me by the way? It has been a while but I feel like I’ve been on weight a little. Rex said I’m a little heavier to pick up but not in a bad way.”

When Hazel went downstairs to the root cellar, Rex realized that he had been left alone with Xeik. Other than the usual Terrowin checkups, the two really hadn’t had too many conversations.

“So…how’s Rhenakos?” Rex asked finally. “Do you see him often?”

“No, not really. He lives in Jayou, so he tends to go to Leilah over the smaller stuff. I’ve seen Reva, though. She’s doing well. Quite the healthy and happy baby,” Xeik said with a smirk. “Rhenakos and Osiria have really turned themselves around. Sure, they still argue a bit, but whenever I see them with Reva, they’re almost entirely different people.

Rex frowned. “You sure? Izzy still isn’t really happy about it. She’s jealous of Reva. Thinks they love her more than her.”

“Yes, well…” Xeik sighed. “They love Izori a lot, but it’s really a simple matter.” The healer knew a few things about the girl that weren’t public knowledge. “Let’s just say…for simple terms, Izori is much stronger than Reva is, and it’s quite difficult to keep her in check if she goes off. Coupled with Rhenakos’ temper…”

“Still, he could have tried harder,” Rex snapped back.

Xeik sighed, “Well…maybe that’s a discussion that you need to have with Rhenakos. Anything I say probably won’t matter.” He didn’t say it in a bad way, but once the words came out, Rex realized what was happening.

“…sorry, Xeik. I don’t mean to…get mad.”

“Just…talk to him when you’re ready. But…remember that he’s in a high risk job. You decide when you’re ready, but…you may miss out on your chance.”

Rex was going to say something when Hazel returned and started to make tea for everyone.

Xeik shook his head at Hazel’s question, “I don’t need to weigh you. I can tell that you’re healthy at the moment. I’m not too worried. It’s nice for the records but not a requirement. Next time, though, I’ll probably have you come to Elysia for the check up. I want to make sure you and Jack are okay, and that requires a little extra.” He took a sip of the tea. “It’s delicious. Simone does grow some amazing herbs and spices, doesn’t she?”

“So…” Rex said as he leaned back in his chair. “That’s it then? You’re done with the check up?”

The Divine Mender nodded, “I am. Unless you want me to check up on you.”

“Nooo thanks,” Rex replied flatly. “I’m good…”

“Oh okay! I told Rex we should go see Angela’s beach sometime anyway. It would be a change of pace and people don’t look at me weird that.” Hazel sipped on the tea and looked pleased with it. “Yeah, it’s been a lot easier getting the things I need since Rex started to take me to Benin and Simone grows a lot of different stuff because she’s bored.”

Getting up Hazel went to go get some fruits and plopped them down, “Afraid in the terms of snacks I don’t have anything fancy just these. The trees are finally in season. Pawpaws.” That was when she saw a flash of red outside.

“Speaking of… things that happen once in a while…” Hazel opened the door to Rhenakos getting ready to knock. “You can come in… I made tea.”

This house was feeling crowded but at least they were sitting around the table this time. Three chairs but Rex was quick to pull her down onto his lap. He could be a chair and he was happy to do so. It just got a blush out of her. “What kind of hunting stuff do you need?” She didn’t know what else Rhenakos could be coming to her for.

The house was definitely getting crowded, but Rex was fine with it. With the limited amount of space, that meant that Hazel should sit in his lap, and with that decided, he pulled her into his lap with a satisfied grin.

Rhenakos sat down across from the happy couple, and nodded to Xeik. “Evening,” he said. “Just got a few things,” the demon hunter said as he listed off a variety of herbs that were used in smoking out demons. “I don’t need them immediately, so I can pick them up next week if need be.”

Xeik leaned back in his chair and sipped his tea. “Rex can probably get them after his break. It looks like he gathered up everything I asked for without Hazel’s help. It was quite impressive.” He smiled at Rex. “You catch on quickly with the names and associations. It’s not an easy thing to do.”

Rhenakos looked at Rex with a curious gaze, and then to Hazel. “You got him to do that? And to dump all of his old girls…and start to consider settling down?”

“I guess?” Hazel replied.

The demon hunter gave a half smirk. “I’m impressed. You’re like a slut whisperer or something.” He had heard the term used about for other things, and thought it applied here quite well.

Xeik about choked in the tea he was sipping. “Okay…with that, I need to go…”

She nodded a bit, “I think I have some of this one down in the cellar.” She was looking over the list. “Yeah, he wanted to help me more so I would eat and brush my hair. He’s been working really hard.” Now that one looked at her Hazel’s hair had gotten quite a bit longer in the past few months thanks to Rex helping her.

Once Rhenakos called Hazel the slut whisperer she choked on her tea and looked up at Xeik, “Okay, tell me when you want us to stop by Elysia…” She knew that Rhenakos was eccentric. He always had been.

Now that a chair had been freed Hazel went to move but she found herself laughing at Rex as he pulled her tighter, “Nah…” Rex laughed as he pushed the chair away.

“Fine. Fine,” Hazel gave in and she watched Rhenakos. “We should be able to go do it right now if you want to wait. Let me go see what’s down in the cellar.” She took the time to kiss Rex before heading back down. She figured a kiss was going to be the only way to actually getaway.

Coming back up she nodded a bit, “So, all I have are these ones but Rex knows where the other ones are. We just had to retrieve some for someone else the other day. He’s been insistent I do not work so hard these days.”

There was an awkward silence between the two when Hazel left. Rex and Xeik had just been talking about how it would be a good idea to talk it through, and here it was, the perfect opportunity to do so. The teen opened his mouth to say something.

“Rex,” Rhenakos said as he looked down at the table. “I… I’m sorry I wasn’t there for you, or for your mother. I had no idea what had happened, and if I had known….” He paused. “No. I can’t lie like that. The reality is, even if I had known, I don’t think I could have done anything. I was wrapped up in my open shit for so long that I can’t believe Osiria even managed to get through to me.”

Rex was surprised at the sudden information that Rhenakos was giving. Still, nothing of what Rhenakos had said really changed anything.

“I’m a shit parent,” the demon hunter admitted. “I’ve done what I can for Izzy…and Reva. Hell…I’ve even taught Hazel a few things, but…” He sighed. “The reality is that I couldn’t handle being a parent. Hell, I can’t even handle it now, but I don’t really have a choice.” He looked up finally, meeting Rex’s gaze. “So I’m sorry…”

Rex had never felt so awkward. “You’re sorry…” The words that he had wanted to say seemed to slip away. The chance that he had to lay it all out was slowly fading, and suddenly the boy didn’t feel quite so bold. “Well…at least I have a real father now, to take care of me.” The words weren’t meant to be said in malice, but they seemed to hang heavy in the air.

“Oh. Right…” Rhenakos said after a moment. “Well…you’re doing well for yourself. And Lewis does provide a good home…”

Hazel came up, offering the herbs that she had gotten. Rex nodded, and went out to retrieve the remaining things that Rhenakos had asked for. The two didn’t say another word to each other, and Rhenakos left with a quick thanks to Hazel.

When Hazel asked what was wrong, Rex seemed to look away. “I…just need time to think.” That was the only answer she would get, no matter how hard she tried.

—-

Days turned into weeks, and then into months. Time passed, and soon the weather started to turn hotter. It was on one of these rather hot days that Rex and Hazel made a trip into town. For the most part, the glares they got as outcasts seemed to wane. There were more important matters to attend to than to waste time on nothings like them, and instead it was a focus on trade. With the season changing, it meant a boom in business.

“Okay, Hazel,” Rex said as he offered her a fruit. “I know you missed breakfast, so eat this please.” He held it up in front of her, letting her take a bite. “And here… “ He wiped the juice from her chin. “Such a mess…” He smiled as they left the stall. “Okay. you need more flour, and we need to visit the butcher. Oh, and the curry spices…”

Hazel smiled up at him and took his hand, “Fine, fine…” She took a bite from the fruit and chuckled as he scolded her playfully. “I’m sorry that I’m such a messy eater.” She bumped his hip with her own as he cleaned her face. “Surprised you didn’t lick it off.”

“You’ve been favoring curry lately.” She took his other hand once the fruit was done and was walking backward pulling him. “You like it when I cook?” She was becoming comfortable in public ever since Rex showed up. She kissed him lightly before letting go of one hand and walking next to him.

“To the spice man,” she found the people more willing to sell her things as long as Rex was with her, and slowly they were getting more comfortable with her. She took a deep breath as she dealt with the merchants.

They got everything they needed and were on their way back. “Hey, Rex?” Hazel’s eyes were full of giddy energy. “What if you think… if we…tr–”

While she was flirting with Rex there was a blast of eerie green magic headed their way and somehow Hazel ended up on the ground. She was dizzy, not sure of what was going on.

At her surprise to him not licking it off, Rex smiled deviously. “Oh, I know what fruit I could lick later…” It was horrible, but for some reason Hazel thought it was amusing. “And of course I love your curry,” he replied quickly. “It’s delicious. Everything you make is delicious. Silva makes good curry too, but yours has a…I don't know…a twist? It’s tasty…I like it.”

The rest of the shopping went well, and soon they started to head back. Rex was carrying most of the heavy stuff, and talking with Hazel about the prices of things and if she was okay on money. He was worried she might have to go on another job soon, and he knew he needed to prepare. He was still no closer to getting stronger, though.

For a moment, everything seemed fine. But something felt…wrong. Rex saw a brief flash of green, and instinct took over. He slammed his shoulder into Hazel, knocking her to the ground before getting blasted square in the chest with a powerful green burst of magic. The impact knocked him back a few feet, leaving Hazel confused.

“What a waste…” a sultry voice called out. A figure walked out from the shadows of an alley, draped in a hooded green robe. The voice, though, was easy to identify. “The damned woman said it only had one charge. And here I was hoping it would have been used on you…” She was close to Hazel, now. “I guess I can settle for a dagger to the throat, though. No one will miss you, bitc-”

A shadow leapt from behind Hazel, and slammed into the green robed girl, knocking her to the ground. The hood fell back, revealing Natayl.

“What the hell!?” Natayl called out in anger.

There was a spine tingling growl as a crimson red wolf lowered itself, baring its razor sharp teeth. The ends of its hairs stood on end, but it was clear that it only had eyes on Natayl. As the girl stood up, its eyes never wavered. When she moved, it moved to stand between her and Hazel.

“You mangy fucking dog,” she yelled, lunging with a kick. The wolf tried to bite, but seemed to miss. The kick hit it, and with a yelp, the wolf seemed to rethink its position for a moment. “Get the fuck away, you…” Her eyes widened. “Oh…oh that bitch…she fucked up the spell…” Still, she seemed amused. “Oh but…this is almost too precious…” Now she was laughing. “Yes…that’s appropriate for you, isn’t it? A mangy dog…”

Hazel was happy with Rex and she even blushed when he appeared worried for her. However, when the green hooded figure showed up she instantly went on the defensive as soon as she could. “Rex?!” She didn’t have time to look for him as she got ready to defend herself.

“A hex?” Hazel blinked a bit as she saw the wolf now get between her and Natayl. “Don’t hurt him Natayl!”

“DON’T YOU EVER LET MY NAME LEAVE THAT FILTHY MOUTH OF YOURS,” she blew up at Hazel.

“You thought a hex would work on me?” Hazel was laughing and there was a smile on her face, “I almost wish it had hit me but no you had to go and hit Rex.” She went to fire her own magic but before she could a black bird with blue flames came out of nowhere and attacked the girl.

Lewis came running behind her, “Simone saw Rex’s vitals go weird so we rushed over.”

The bird transformed into Simone and she was on top of Natayl as she began to punch the girl over and over until Lewis had to pull her up, “You should be considering yourself fucking lucky I don’t kill you right now!” Simone was screaming and struggling as Lewis held her back. He was just as pissed as she was.

“WAIT,” Hazel got in between the hurt girl and Simone and Lewis. “I can fix Rex but… Natayl shouldn’t die. That will just make things worse for Rex and me.” Her eyes stared at Simone until she calmed down.

“What the hell did she do to my boy?” Simone dropped down and held her arms out to the wolf. “Come here Rex, please? I just want to make sure you are okay. And what do you mean you wish it hit you?!"

"Well… I ward myself daily against hexes and the like because of my job… It wouldn't have worked and she would have looked stupid." Hazel came close to Rex as well and lovingly rubbed his fur. "I'll fix you."

Normally, Lewis would have enjoyed watching Simone beat the living shit out of someone, but today was a slightly different day. Rex seemed confused as to what was happening, and was barking and yelping. Lewis looked at Rex and nodded.

“Yes, I know. It’s weird. I’m sure you’ll get used to it,” Lewis said as he looked at Natayl and Simone. There were more barks from Rex. “Yeah, I know..I really should stop your mother from committing murder in the streets…but I kinda want to-” Another, sharp bark. “Fine, fine…” He ran up to Simone, and pulled her off of the young woman who had cursed Rex.

Rex was confused. Everything was larger than he was now, and for some reason he couldn’t talk normally, though Lewis seemed to know what he was saying. For the most part, at least. He let out a series of barks at Simone as he trotted over. He seemed to stumble a bit, unsure of his legs.

As Hazel came over and started to rub his fur, he let out a weird whine and a few yaps. He seemed happy, though, when Hazel rubbed his fur. He let out another series of barks. He spun around in a circle and then sat down, staring at Hazel.