Neverwinter Forest i hate my boyfriend

Eleven kids. Eleven. Ten of which he did not know existed until now. He didn't know their names or what they looked like or how old they were. He didn't know who their moms were or what they were like. Cupid didn't know jack shit about anything and that pisaed him off.

He was up all night wallowing in anger. He tried his best to conceal it from @Caerus by walking outside and cursing under his breath.

It got harder and harder to get up as the evening went on. His chest never healed from the other day. The pain went from a subtle ache to something horribly unbearable. The anger and stress only amplified it.

Cupid was pacing around for the dozenth time when it began to happen. The circulation between his heart and lungs cut off so suddenly. It stopped him dead in his tracks.

He desperately gasped for air, but nothing was making it's way through. He tried to call out for help, but nothing came out. All he could do was curl up behind a tree, away from his son's eyesight. Cupid didn't want him to see this.

Caerus had spent the night sitting alone in the den. Things were not good. There was a strange pain like nothing he'd ever felt before in the boy's chest too- knowing that dad and dad weren't getting along. It made him uncomfortable, too. He always thought things were happy and perfectly fine and then Mal had told him that they weren't. He had told Mal I love you too, dad but things felt different. Like if he hadn't said it then, then when could he say it again? 

He pretended he couldn't hear the curses coming from dad.

He still didn't really know what this was about. Yeah, it had hurt him to learn his dad had made two other kids. But they were okay, despite being dumb, and sometimes they listened to his music. He had no idea about the other eight, and no idea that his dad had just learned about all of them at once. He didn't know what grown-ups fought about but it scared him either way. 

A desperate gasp from outside alerted him, and wondering if dad had seen something scary, he stumbled out into the open despite whatever direction he'd been given. Dad wasn't visible anymore, but Caerus had learned to track things today. So he stuck his nose to the ground as he had with Mal, following the scent until he saw the tip of Cupid's tail sticking out from behind the tree. He didn't round it just yet, but awkwardly uttered, dad? is you okay?

dad? is you okay?

It's the worst thing he could hear right now.

Cupid tucked himself closer to the tree. He wanted to say "I'm fine baby. Go back to bed." Couldn't utter a word. Couldn't even crack a reassuring smile.

What's more cruel: letting Caerus see him now, suffering but alive or shock him later when he saw his dad's corpse behind this tree. This was the first time Cupid had no control over whether he lived or died. It was fucking terrifying.

Tears began to form in the corners of his eyes. If it was time for him to leave the earth, he wanted to hold his son before he goes.

Cupid crawled from behind the tree towards his baby, gasping and wheezing quietly as he did so. When he was close enough he wrapped his arms around Caerus and squeezed as tightly as he could. A silent 'I love you'.

This wasn't like dad. 

It was like some corpse come to life. Unable to speak, crawling like a wounded animal. Shortened, stunted breath. Arms wrapped around him and Caerus threw himself into Cupid, fully accepting the embrace and knowing then that something was terribly wrong. He tried for a moment to subdue the upcoming sob as it fought for its place in his throat, and then it came, and with it, tears.

DADDD!! 

He did not know whether he was calling ffor the help of @Mal , or simply calling out of pain for Cupid alone. It didn't matter. Emotion overwhelmed him too much, and he sunk quietly into the fur of Cupid's chest, still wrapped in his arms, sobbing wildly against him. Willing the universe that his dad would regain his voice and find his footing.

She felt partially responsible for what had gone down between Mal and Cupid the night before. She had urged him to talk to everyone and be honest about everything, and if she had minded her own business, things might be different. But she just had to meddle. Now Mal was upset and afraid that Cupid would leave with Caerus. 

She hadn't slept the night before; after Mal had left to go see Aibreann, she had also left and spent most of the night near the borders as if she might catch Cupid leaving and try to talk him out of it. But she had ended up spending the night alone, stewing and growing more anxious over the whole thing.

So when the dark of night finally started to fade, she was no longer rational; she was going to just go and check on Cupid and Caerus, pretending to bring them food but really making sure they weren't leaving. 

She had stopped at a cache on the way and held a two rabbits in her jaws, one for each of them, as she approached the place they were staying. But she never made it to the den. The sight of Cupids crumpled form near a tree just ahead made her freeze. The rabbits fell from her mouth and landed at her feet with a light thud. For a second, she thought he might just be sleeping, but then he seemed to be struggling and she dashed forward. 

That was when she heard Caerus—had he been there before? And then he was sinking against his dad and wrapped in his hug. Simmik froze. She wasn't much older than he was when her own father had died, bloody and right before her eyes. Her heart began to race and she tasted bile in the back of her throat. So much of the trouble in her life was tied to that exact moment, and all she could think then was that she didn't want that for Caerus. She touched her nose gently to the boy's head. She wanted to lead him away, but she was afraid she was too late. She didn't know what to do other than call for Mal, so she leaned her head back and howled for him. Once he was here, she could lead Caerus away and try to console him. Until then, she looked over Cupid, unsure how to help him. Cupid? she said quietly. How could she help? She didn't even know what was wrong.

It still felt a lot like a disaster. Regardless of what might have happened in other threads, none of it felt good, but maybe it was just because of Cupid's reaction. It made Mal seem like a fool. But at least now he was up and trying to do his job, to make sure everyone was fed, protected. Blah blah. His heart wasn't really in it, but he figured he'd go spend a little bit of focused time with the twins and give Cupid some time to process it. Maybe in the evening he'd stop by and see how he was doing. Just briefly and all that.

Well. That was the plan until he heard the howl. Something was wrong. Something at Cupid's den. He kicked off into a sprint towards Simmik (and hopefully Caerus and Cupid too). The forest was a blur. They were gone, weren't they? His stomach dropped, and he expected that was the worst, but that wasn't what was going on.

But they were there. He'd heard Caerus' sobbing before he could see them and it only urged him on. Skidding to a stop, they were both there along with Simmik, but something was wrong. With Cupid? What. He came close, up to Cupid, tossing aside how angry he'd been the day before, sniffing at him, trying to figure out why he looked so awful, Mal's face was painted entirely with concern. Cupid? Aibreann's a healer. We can call her. He just wanted a nod. Give him a nod and he would, because Mal himself was certainly out of his depth. But the pups -- they couldn't be alone, hell. Could Kyr or Lenny meet her there? Because no, this was not allowed. He needed to be able to fix things. Things were not allowed to go spiraling out of control, his ears had folded back on his skull and he reached out to nuzzle Cupid's shoulder. Sure. He wasn't as important as Caerus, but Mal cared even if he'd screwed up. What could he do? He'd do anything.

Was he cursed?

The more he thought about death, the more scared he became. What would become of his little boy if he left him now? Cupid was reminded of his mother's death. That loss was the beginning of his life's downward spiral. He couldn't bear to know Caerus' life could go down the same path. It was very possible. One parent dead, the other too busy with a bunch of other kids to care about him. Caerus would be left alone in this cruel world just like he was. Cupid had to live to prevent that, but he was afraid he wouldn't be able to cheat death this time.

The tears began to run down his cheek when his son cried out. He hugged his son even more tightly. It's the only way he could console him. The fact that he was too weak too speak hurt him just as much as Caerus' sobs.

Things went from bad to worse by the time Simmik arrived. His chest was numb, the corners of his vision were beginning to go dark, his whole body felt as if it was aflame. He could barely stay upright, and when Mal came he was on the verge of collapsing.

Time was running out. He could feel himself slipping. His eyes locked on Mal's for a brief moment. He didn't want to leave his baby with this man. He was too much like Cupid's father. Promised to be there to watch his son grow up, and left as soon as the other kids came into the picture. What's stopping Mal from doing the same thing? He'd just have to put his faith in him. There was no other choice.

Take care of my boy, he thought as he nidged Caerus towards him. He fell on his side soon after.

Cupid kept his eyes on his son as his vision slowly went dark. If he could speak right now he'd say 'i love you' over and over as he slipped out of consciousness. 

I love you Caerus. I love you.

Dad hugged him tighter, comfort in a sickening moment. 

Then came Simmik, mentor and friend whose presence was not appreciated in the way it ought to be in this moment. At her touch Caerus recoiled, caught up in the moment with dad and disturbed by her interruption, whipping his head up in surprise. His expression was one of pure hate as he shot her an icy glare, don't touch me, and then he was falling back into Cupid and his embrace. He did not wish to be drawn away from his hurting father, and continued to wet the pale fur of his underside with tears. 

Then came dad. If Cae had known the full scope of the situation, he might've blamed this on his father somehow, let his anguish become irrational anger- but he still hadn't known what they'd argued about. There was no way for him to even try to connect dots, and though he did not lift his head from Cupid to greet his second father, he was inwardly grateful for his presence on the scene. No sign of it though as he continued to cry, breath coming in short and desperate gasps, nose sniffling and whines leaking from his throat. 

His ruby gaze was locked onto Cupid's face. There was a time when he grew accustomed to the crying, and softened into it, letting it become hyperventilation and quiet tears. He did not let the nudge move him, would not leave his father now. But when his father's eyelids fell shut, the second wave hit, and Caerus was wracked by a new set of terrible sobs that tore at his heart; a pain like nothing he had ever known on this earth. 

I love you, dad

Her affection was not met well. Caerus turned his head and glared at her, clearly wanting no comfort from her. She figured that would make things more difficult if she tried to lead him away. She didn't blame him, though, it all just made her feel even worse for him. She knew how he was feeling, and there was nothing she could do to help. 

Mal was there quickly, and she looked to him as he arrived, worry in her gaze as he skidded to a stop nearby. It was clear by his next words that he also had no idea what was wrong with Cupid. He suggested that they call for Aibreann, and she nodded her agreement. 

Then things after that happened quickly; Cupid nudged Caerus towards Mal and then collapsed to the ground. Simmik rushed forward to try and break his fall, but she couldn't move fast enough. Cupid hit the ground with a thud. She lowered her muzzle to his chest and watched, silently begging that she would see him take a breath. When she did finally see movement, she felt relief but only a little; his breaths were shallow and spaced far apart. That couldn't be good, right? She looked up to Mal He's breathing, she said quietly. Her gaze fell to Caerus before rising back to her friend. Maybe you should take Caerus to the den, and I'll call for Aibreann? She didn't want him to see anymore of this than he already had.

Of all the daft things that could have happened, whatever that was happening here shouldn't be. It was some sort of cruel joke to have things go so badly awry. He was supposed to be fixing things. If everything just ended like this.. No. It wasn't allowed to happen. 

And the look Cupid gave him wasn't the answer he wanted. Not at all. Then he slumped down, and Mal's expression turned from worried to near-anguish. Cupid! Then more hushed, No, no no no... This is not happening. Mal was panicking just a little, jumping forward and crouching down where Cupid had landed, nudging him, hoping he'd wake up. No, c'mon. Cupid! But it didn't bring him back to wakefulness. No, no no. Cupid wasn't allowed to die.

Simmik was most certainly the single clearheaded one here. Mal had only kind of listened to what Simmik had said, all he could hear was his own breaths and Caerus' cries. '... Call for Aibreann?' was all that registered, so instead of waiting for her to do so -- or doing anything other than this -- he let out a wavering, still-panicked howl for @Aibreann. When his voice cut off he reached out to embrace Caerus, both for the pup's comfort and his own, She can help him, she has to, trying to convince himself as well, and not moving himself or his son from Cupid's side. Details were left ignored -- the pups, her herb caches weren't here at Cupid's den, anything else like that -- he was just stuck here in the moment trying to hold himself together in a particularly unfamiliar scene.

Caerus vaguely heard it all, including Simmik's call that he ought to be torn away from dad, through a tunnel like if was all faraway. No. He couldn't leave. Mal reached to embrace him, and though Caerus would not pull away from Cupid, he would not stop Mal, either. His cries did not soften yet, though his second father's touch was appreciated. He just wanted this all to be over, for his father to suddenly breath again, to speak and rise and see.

Mal was too upset to really listen to reason, and so all he did was call for the healer while Caerus still clung to his unconscious father. This was all a mess, and she wasn't sure how to fix things, no matter how desperately she wanted to. 

When precious minutes passed, and there was still no Aibreann, she began to grow worried. She looked over the scene a few times before she was hit with the realization that the healer probably couldn't answer their call. She wasn't sure how to resolve things at first. She wanted to tell Mal to go stay at the den and send her here, but she wasn't sure he'd listen, and if their roles were reversed, she wasn't sure she'd want to leave either.

Finally, she spoke again, her tone as calm as she could make it. Mal, Aibreann probably can't leave the pups alone for very long. I'm going to go to the den and stay with them and send her here, okay? She wouldn't really wait for him to answer. She turned and sprinted off towards the healer's den without another word.

Adding on an ending!

Time was an odd thing. He wasn't sure how much or how little passed, just that Aibreann wasn't here yet, but at least he'd heard enough that Simmik was going to go find her. Oh yeah, the pups. Yeah, this was really bad timing about that. But she was the only one who could help Cupid. Right now, all that could be done was to wait. He just stayed there, holding Caerus and unwilling to leave Cupid's side. Even if Cupid totally hated him and would have wanted him to leave, Mal just wasn't gonna do that. That wasn't him. He whispered again, trying to convince himself more than anything, She'll help him. It'll be ok. Because it had to be.

It felt like forever, probably wasn't but it still felt that way. Aibreann did show up, though. A quick examination of Cupid and though Mal didn't really understand her diagnosis, he did get told to help move him across the territory towards her den. It was kind of precarious and not something he was exactly experienced at doing, but he helped scoop up Cupid and haul him the distance as carefully as she could. A good amount of what was going on wasn't exactly sticking in his memory too well. But he was here to help. He wanted Cupid to get better. But this was just the start of the journey.