Barking up the wrong tree. Lumity Fanfiction AU.

[40]

"You bit someone. Rules were to not step outside without muzzle til probation was over..You disobeyed, and now you're paying the price." He clipped on the muzzle.

Luz wailed, backing up and hitting her muzzle against the couch. She barked, ramming into the wall, whimpering when nothing changed. "I'll be back near night, and stop barking. I might just tape your mouth shut too.." He stepped over Hooty, walking off.

King rushed over to Luz, patting her head, "Are you okay?- Luz don't do that again! Y-You can make it worse hitting yourself-"

"I told you-- I told you--" Luz sobbed. "But you had to push it King-- You just had to make me feel guilty for having a safe space--" Luz covered herself. "Don't look at me..I'm a bad dog.."

King swallowed, lying down by her, "..I'm sorry.."

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Eda came home an hour later, panicking when she saw Hooty still knocked out on the floor. She dropped the grocery bags, running upstairs. "Luz- King?-" Eda opened the room doors. "Luz-!" She ran to the pup. "Good to see yo-..Kid..?"

She turned her head, eyes watery, "Hey Eda.."

"Kid, what happened..?"

She grimaced, then sighed, "King wanted to play catch..I said no..He pushed it, and we played for a bit..Then I was muzzled.." Luz whispered. "I'm not allowed to take it off unless I go to sleep, eat, or drink something.."

Eda softened, lying down on the sleeping bag with Luz. "I'm pretty good at magic y'know. Mind if I try to take it off? I promise I'll put it back on before they come."

Luz nodded slowly, sitting up. Eda brought Luz's head down, examining the lock, whispering a curse. She drew a circle, the muzzle glowing blue. Luz began barking, scrambling back as the lights flickered. She hit the muzzle against the wall, falling limp against it when she was shocked.

Eda, panicked as ever, screeched. "Oh my Titan Luz! Luz are you okay?? Kid-- I killed my kid-"

"Mm.." Luz growled softly, ears drooping. "Ouch..Ouch-- O-Ouch--" Luz whimpered, feeling her muzzle through the bars. "Ouch- Eda- Eda it hurts--"

"Kid it's okay-" Eda drew a quick circle. "Hush, it's okay..Go to sleep.."

The pup wailed, turning her head and crying into Eda's feathers. Slowly, she fell limp, closing her eyes and going to sleep. Steve came up the stairs, peering in, "I put the groceries awa- Oh my Titan!" He slithered over, pulling his keys out. "Take it off take it off take it off!!"

He handed Eda the key. She slid it in to the muzzle, quickly pulling it off, gasping softly. On Luz's muzzle, was the imprint of it, one of the scars having reopened. Eda held Luz close, gently preening her fur. Softly, Edalyn chirped, wings warming the pup as Steve summoned a medical kit.

Luz's muzzle had to be taped shut so the gauze could stay on better..

And when the pup awoke, she went to the corner of her room, curled up, and went back to sleep. Eda felt horrible. Trying to take it off made it worse, and she hurt Luz. "That thing needs to be kept off.." Eda uttered. "Steve..Are you sure I can't pay for it to stay off..?"

He nodded, "Ms.Clawthorne, you are aware punishments can be handed off, yes? Say you killed someone and another person took the blame, leaving you free?"

Eda stood, "How did you know I killed someone-- I mean!" She clapped. "Let's go get this sorted then! Heh-"

^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^°•^

Getting the papers, Steve, and Hooty, Eda went to the small station. She got fitted, Luz's muzzle was handed back and burned, then off she went back home. "So itchy." Eda shook her head, scratching her beak.

"Yes, it'll be like that for the first few hours." Steve blew on his tea, taking a small sip. "Guess I'm staying here for the next few days. You, sleep alot."

Eda cooed, "I sure do! Speaking of which, I need to bring Luz her dinner."

She stood, stomping to the kitchen and prepping a bowl and drink for Luz. Amity, Titan bless her, spent the previous day making food for Luz that were similar to the meal Luz liked. Eda brought up the food, Luz listening to a story by her mom.

"Knock knock." Eda chirped.

Luz lifted her head, turning slightly, "Eda--" She scrambled up. "You're--"

"Yup! Turns out, it's easy to take the blame." Eda offered the meal. "Kid, I'm real sorry for hurting you trying to take it off. And I know I said I'd help you through tough things, and I thought I'd take the muzzle. You need it off more than I do."

Luz lowered her head, "Eda.."

"Luz, you might not be my kid, but I'll treat you as such. Okay? I need to take care of you, so you're going go eat, grab your toy, and we can go outside to play catch. Sound good?"

Luz sniffled, wiping her tears, "M-Mhm!"

"I'd preen you but," Eda booped the muzzle. "I love ya Kid, come down when you're ready okay?"

Luz nodded, Eda stepping back and leaving the room. It felt weirdly nice, taking the blame for something for once. 'Maybe I have gone soft..' Eda shrugged. 'Who cares. I'm happy, and I've got my kids. As long as nothing happens to them, I'll be okay.'

To be continued.