Declawed Terror

Chapter One

"I'm tired."

Crowx scowled sideways at the male. "You're always tired." Hero grinned at him goofily, then leaned over, giving him a swift peck on the mouth. Crowx batted his nose, but wasn't really troubled.

"How's Tojo?" Crowx asked him, snuggling closer. Hero sighed. "He's well. The little rascal gets into everything these days, really. Five years old and he's already yelling at me."

"I wonder who he gets that from," Crowx mumbled, nuzzling him. Hero rolled his eyes. "His mother, most likely."

"Spinel doesn't shout that much."

"Sure she does."

Crowx blinked, his curious emerald eyes gleaming in the golden sun. Hero adored his eyes. It was one of the things he had fallen in love with when he had first met Crowx. 

"Nice eyes," Hero had said when they had first met.

"Thanks," Crowx had barked. "Now, let me see yours."

Hero chuckled lightly. Crowx reached up and removed his hat from his head. "Zacharie, look at me." Hero looked at him with a slight frown. No one had called him Zacharie in years, and he had preferred it stay that way. 

Crowx cupped Hero's face in his hands, then pulled him closer. When their lips connected, though, it wasn't Crowx's movement that was giving him odd sensations. 

It was his claws, which were accidently hooked into Hero's jaw. 

He shivered as Crowx's tongue slipped through his teeth. He was a bit uncomfortable, but made no attempt to protest. 

Crowx pushed him onto his back, then climbed atop him. Hero began to panic a bit. 

His first mistake was telling Crowx to stop.

Hero jolted awake, blinking his pink eye open. His vision was blurry and tear-filled, searing pain ripping at his senses. What had just…?

He looked at his hands, then stood upwards. Where was he? Why was he at a stranger's house?

Hero stumbled around the hallway aimlessly, checking every room. Countless bedrooms. 

"Damnit…" he growled. It was fucking freezing. 

He finally found a bathroom, throwing the door open. He froze in shock as he caught a glimpse of himself in the mirror. 

Bruises marked his body all over. Not hickeys. Bruises, as one would have if they got beat. 

His arm was twisted in an unnatural way, a long claw mark twisting across from his elbow to his wrist. And his legs…

Hero slid to the floor. Tears were already streaming down his face. Had he really been…?

He let out a choking sob, gripping his coat. Why had this happened? Why? Couldn-

-

"Hey? Dad? Dad?"

Hero sat up in his bed. No, wait, Cubic's. He looked at Sage. "What…"

"You were crying in your sleep," his son said, looking confused. Hero ruffled his hair, wiping tears from his own face. "Where's your mother?"

"She went out to guard."

Hero rolled his eyes with a sigh. "That's all she does is guard that Tree. Sage nodded, beaming. "She said she loves you!"

Hero smiled. "And I love her, too, Sagey. Now go get your brother up, will you?"

Sage dashed out of the door without another word. Hero dropped his smile immediately. He hated having those dreams. Those terrible flashbacks. 

Not wanting to linger on his nightmare any longer, he walked out and made his way downstairs. He grabbed a bit of toast, then made his way outside. 

Ah, his friends were a chaotic bunch. C. Cube Cubic was a spiffy fellow. He was Fresh's assistant of corruption, and a handsome one, at that. He was definitely one of Hero's favourites. 

Lucas was Hero's e.x, but still one of his best friends. He was quite the shy one. Speaking of Lucas, he waved at Hero from the hill. Hero raised his good hand to smile and wave back at him. 

"Hello! Hero!" C. said, running over. Hero dipped his head as the corrupt cube ran around him in comical circles. "Cubic is by the Tree over there." 

"Thanks," he murmured, walking over to where his girlfriend always sat. And there she was, sitting as always. Her eyes were distant as if she were in thought. 

He sat next to her, not even needing to ask in order to snuggle up next to her. She looked at him. "What- oh. Hey." She faced the tower again. His appearance was nothing new. 

"Hiya," he said. All was peaceful. Well, for the most part. His nightmare still lingered. 

And he knew it always would.