#workanons

His lungs burned together with his legs, Who could not get him out of here faster.

 Joel never imagined he would one day run for his life but now he was, from an angry cult with their leader hot on his heels. The spores have worn off during the sermon and while under the influence his leader's words made sense, held truth but now without them? he was horrified by the words his leader so confidently spoke in front of the "resistance". That is what it all started as, a resistance. but it spiraling down to being a downright cult was something Joel didn't realize until it was too late.

 He found it funny at first, when Grian proposed the idea of a resistance.ha ha purple grass is better than green grass. It's about the principal! But it all made sense now. How the HEP members tried to convince him to leave, Lizzie's tear filled eyes begging him to come with her. Scar's worried eyes when he denied this being a cult. It all made sense now.

Gasping for air Joel ran past the giant mushrooms, he knew he was nearing the border of the premise. Soon he would be on HEP's land and be safe from mother spores. That was his last thought before something collided with his back, groaning in pain he tried to wrestle the person off him. Joel didn't recognize them, it was probably a newer member trying to prove themselves to mother spore. However he couldn't really waste his thoughts on that at this moment. "Shit let me go! I can't stay here!" He shouts over the struggle, his words falling on deaf ears. A second follower arrived shortly after, both of them now shouting something, Joel didn't care he needed to get out he needs to warn HEP-

A harsh hit to his head left him dazed. Confusion filled his mind as what just hit him before he was manhandled onto his stomach, his wrist and legs tied together with rope. "Are you out of your mind?! You could have killed him!" The other voice spudded in alarm. "Well what else was I supposed to do?! Quick before he gets his bearings! " More members surrounded him and he was carried back to the base. His screams and warnings were ignored by the group, his attempts to break free were met with violence to the point he was left with a throbbing headache.

His right eye hurt and he already felt the start of a bruise forming, 'great a black eye' he thought bitterly. Letting his head hang low he mulled over his options, they were bringing him back to Mother spore, his betrayal was going to be a spectacle for sure. Would she kill him? A stunt like this was a huge embarrassment to her, the leader's right hand suddenly being against everything?He could only hope that some members would realize his words held truth. A grunt of pain left his lips as he was thrown on the dirt ground, in front of the building Mother spore only held sermons. Joel found it silly that she never called it a Church. White shoes lined with purple embroidery stepped into his vision, the white dress flowing with her steps. Looking up he saw the very person he hoped to get far away from.

Her veil was obscuring her face making it hard to read her expression, but her posture spoke volumes.

She was so pissed.

"I suggest we kill him for his betrayal!"

"Yes! He was trying to reach the HEP premise! He would have told them our plans!"

 "Kill the traitor."

More followers called for his death and Joel could only close his eyes in defeat. However he was surprised when the shouts stopped and Grians voice spoke so softly to the crowd.

 "Bring him to the rehabilitation center... I fear this is far more than a betrayal.." it sounded almost like she had to hold back tears. What was she planning?! Confusion spread across the crowd, Joel couldn't blame them. All traitors before had been killed, he'd be the first to not die by the cults hands. 

"What do you mean this is not a betrayal?!" Another member cried out and he opened his eyes to look up at her again. Her head was turned to the crowd now, her posture expressed her sadness perfectly. Holding her hands tightly together, a thumb soothing over her knuckles. 

"I saw the evil in his eyes. That is not my Joel. I know those eyes so well and back there, that wasn't him. An evil has possessed him and I am willing to fight for him, to save him. This is not like the cases we faced before, this is so much greater than what this commune has faced." Joel was baffled that she was willing to lie to the entire cult but that didn't explain why. What was she doing? Why was he worth saving?

 Without further explanation he was lifted up and brought to a hut further away from everyone else. His restraints were removed and was locked in the small hut. His gaze flickered around the room. He only ever heard of this hut from members that went through a believer crisis. Some had a harder time believing as he was told and spent days here to find themselves again. In the corner a mattress was on the floor and a bookcase stood near it. Looking closer at the spines he read that most of them had something to do with mushrooms. Other than that the room was empty save for a bucket he could very much imagine was his restroom. 

Hours passed before he heard the telltale click from the door again and there in her glory mother spore stood. Closing the door behind herself she never let him out of her sight, a shiver ran down his back.

 "Joel.. what's going on..?" She spoke so softly, it was a front that wasn't grian anymore. Before she could say anything else he spoke in a harsh tone, raising up to his full height. Towering over the leader. "You are leading a cult! That is what's going on!" He growls, making sure to get all up into her personal space. Startled, she let herself be pressed against the door, her mushroom hat falling off after its edge hit the door behind her. He had never seen her so scared before.

"Joel I don't underst-" "YES YOU DO!" he now grabbed both of her shoulders, he so desperately wanted his grian back. The friend he had before all this seems so far away now. "This was all just a silly joke to get back at scar G! Remember you wanted mumbo to win!" Instead of fear there was now confusion on her face before she made an attempt to push him away. "First of all...for you it's mother spore! Next, Yes and? It was. Now it's a peaceful community where we spread the mycelium over the shopping district! I don't get why you are so pressed about it!"

 Letting go of her he instead made a grab for his own hair in stress. How can he tell a cult leader that their ways were wrong?! "So drugging your members with spores is peaceful?!" That seemed to be the wrong thing to say as he was now faced with a very pissed Grian. The sickly earthy smell hung now heavy in the air, telling him that she is currently using her spores again. 

Pulling out a handkerchief he held it in front of his nose to prevent mind control. "Is this your response to being questioned?! Drugging me again?! How am I supposed to believe this isn't a mind-controlling cult?!" That seemed to snap her out of and she even had the gull to look horrified. "I- Joel it's not what you think.. I didn't mean.." "didn't mean to drug me? Keep me under to have full control over me?!"

Joel had to give it to Grian, looking so scared and horrified. Was he truly unaware? "No...I've never meant for you to get hurt.. please just let me explain?" For a very long and tense moment both parties just stared at each other, not daring to even speak. Slowly Joel removed his handkerchief, he was willing to listen and the smell of the spores was gone now in the small room. "Go on.." Grian avoided his gaze, instead looking at his hands that fiddled with his dress. "You are right this has gotten out of hand...and I'm sorry I used the spores on you..I only ever wanted to use them as a relaxing experience. Some members were homesick and it helped them stay calm and sleep..." Grian now looked at him and those beautiful eyes were now on him. "The first time you freaked out I didn't think about it! And then you had complained about these headaches...Joel I am so sorry...I've never wanted to hurt you. Or anyone else in the resistance." And he wanted to believe it. So badly he wanted to believe what she was saying.

 "I am not only upset about the spores G. I'm upset that you are running a cult!" Fuck. She looks so sad now.

"It's not one and you know it...we are just spreading mycelium to annoy Scar..I'm not sacrificing anyone.. I don't gain any money from this. We grow our own food here on this land and anyone can leave at any time." 

"Then why can't I leave?"

The question seemed to have made time stop for a moment and Joel wondered what bullshit lie she would come up with now.

"Because I love you."

Breathless both separate and with dopey grins they pressed there foreheads together. He wished he could stay like this forever with her, just them holding onto each other and just soft touches, promises and kisses.

 A heavy blush spread across his face, for a moment he didn't know how to breathe. Mother Spore was in love with him? He knew he was special but this degree? "When you joined you were such a great help..." Slowly she stepped closer to him as she continued to speak. "But not only that, you have such a cunning personality. that every time you were near I had to hide my blushing face. Everytime you said something funny I had to hold my laugh in." She was now in front of him caressing his chest, slowly sliding her hands up to his shoulders.

 Never taking her eyes off him.

 "When I made you my right hand I was met with so much backlash from the resistance council.. I had to fight to keep you close to me." Her black claws were now on his cheeks and he couldn't help but lean down closer to her. "And I won't let you get away again Joel. I will fight for your place next to me even if the entire resistance is against us."

 A kiss was placed on the bridge of his nose and a fuzzy feeling nestled itself in his mind. She was so sweet to him. "Stay with me my dear. I will tell everyone you are cured tomorrow morning and this will all be forgotten... Please Joel. Stay with me." She whispered against his lips before pressing hers against his and he couldn't help but melt into her, wrapping his arms tightly around her. Pressing their bodies close together, he never wanted to let her go anymore.

With a sigh Joel spoke up again, "yeah I will stay. I will apologize tomorrow to the commune."

A yawn left Grian's lips. Today was a busy day for the hybrid, cleaning the entire house, garden work and on top a lot of socializing. Normally that was Grians standard day but ever since he had the blessing of having his egg it became a slightly harder task for him.Sure he could be a bad parent and just leave the egg in the nest all day without protection and warmth. OR he could use the wrap carrier on Jules and keep them warm underneath his sweater. The second option was just too appealing to him. Absentmindedly he slips a hand under his sweater again and was satisfied at the toasty warmth underneath it. His egg being safe with him dimmed his instincts screaming at him, often that side forgets that Jules is with him and not forgotten somewhere in a corner. But carrying the big egg was it's own challenge. The added weight made his bird like feet ache , his talons scraping way too often on the surfaces he walks on, his ankles swollen. Oh the sacrifices he does for his baby.

Tired from the day he made his way to his beloved nest, the soft pillows and blankets calling him.

As he sat down he pulled his right leg up to massage his tired feet only for Jules to be in the way again. A frown formed now on his face, Jules was safe at his stomach yes but boy did they keep getting in the way. During garden work Jules always tipped off his balance to the point that crawling through it was safer for the egg, just not for Grians joints and back. The most annoying part of having Jules with him was during his hours at the permit office, standing around with a huge egg strapped to his body was torture for his feet and despite just having some paperwork and phone calls to do he wished he could be anywhere else. He didn't care if Cub wanted him to stand when he was at the front, he will take the chair thank you very much. Shifting his position a bit he massages his thigh, instead feeling the soreness in them. Leaning back into a more comfortable position he remains in that position closing his eyes to just relax for a few seconds. Another yawn left his lips and he now was faced with a new challenge, getting up. Jules was now heavy in his lab and the warm feeling wants to make him just lean back and close his eyes, however he was hungry now. Really hungry. When was the last time he ate? Was it at breakfast? Ugh. Grian made a sad attempt at getting up, being a perfect copy of a turtle on its back before he gave up at the second attempt. Screw food he can just rest for a while. Was easy said than done, his sore feet seemed to pulse with each heartbeat and his entire back felt stiff and just uncomfortable to lay on. His wings were itching for a preen but then again his arms just hurt too much. 'im so miserable ' he whines in his head.

 Shifting his eyes to the clock he was disappointed that Joel had still an hour left until he comes home. Flexing his feet he hissed at the sore feeling in his talons, telling him that they gotten way to long and desperately need a trim. His hand strokes the egg bumb, Jules being a grounding sensation was welcomed. But the thought of removing the egg from the cloth carrier so he could go and take care of himself sounded like the worst thing he could do now, he didn't want to part from his egg just yet. His mind fills with the events of the last few days, Joel was a great co parent. Taking over without grian having to beg first and it warmed his heart every time he saw him talk to the egg. Oh he is going to be a great father he just knew it.

A low chirp left him at the thought. He misses Joel... Well he can just call him.

With a shit eating grin Grian quickly typed out a ominous message for Joel to return now. Without any context oh he is going to be so worried. It didn't take long before he heard the front door slam open and Joel calling out his name, well now he felt a little guilty for worrying him. "In the nest!" He called back and it didn't take long for him to stand at the door out of breath. "Did you run home?" Grian hat to surpress a giggle at Joel's state who now had a pissed expression on his face. "Yeah I did! I thought something happened! "

"Well something did happen, Jules has trapped me and I can't get up!" Now Joel looked really pissed, uh oh. "Then take them out of the carrier! I can't believe I just left work thinking God knows what! I thought you tripped and cracked the egg or something!" Well now that was not the approach grian was going for. He must have made a face that stopped Joel's rambling, his brows furrowed in confusion and let out a heavy sigh. "Alright ok...you can't get up?" He made his way over to him and grian had a weird sense to protect the egg from Joel. Maybe it was because Joel was hostile a few moments ago or perhaps that Joel was suddenly so calm that stressed him, letting out a warning hiss as Joel approached. The man's stopped his attempts to come closer immediately, not even daring to move a muscle. He already knew from experience that an attack from him would do more than just hurt. 

"Ok...I'm sorry, I apologize for being angry. How can I help you? Do you need anything?" Fuck. Now grian felt guilty, extremely so. He just hissed at him like a wild animal, the parent of his child. Great now he was crying. "I'm sowwry.. " he hiccups, while both Joel and him were aware that he didn't lay the egg he couldn't blame it on hormones like other parents. He was just being difficult. 'well your natural instincts tell you to protect the egg, if anything is really your hormones G. It's how orphan baby's survived in the wild!' he faintly hears Scar in his ear. The zookeeper was a big help in the process of hatching the egg, sometimes it was surprising how much the guy knew about Hybrids considering that he was a zookeeper. He should call him sometime he really needs his talons trimmed. 

Suddenly hands cupped his cheeks and he was met with Joel's face. "Alright this is how we are going to do this. YOU, take a shower. You smell. And I... Will watch the egg and make you something to eat sounds good?" Grian wanted to object, but the guild of being difficult for his partner made him reconsider. Nodding he slips his shirt off revealing Jules snuggly and safe in the egg carrier. Joel lovelingly helped him slip out of the cloth and held Jules to his chest.

With a final sad puppy look at the both of them he made his way to the bathroom. Avoiding the mirror he instead just undressed, standing under the nice hot spray of the shower. Fluffing his feathers up he allowed them to wash away the old feather oil, dust and smell off the day. And just for a few minutes grian simply exist.

For a few moments he wasn't a parent, A lover, a friend, a coworker. He was simply grian. Grian who was taking a nice relaxing shower with no worries.

His mind seemed to clear more and more with each step of his shower routine, just as he turned off the shower and wrapped the towel around himself he fully was aware of his behavior the past few days. He cringed. Hed been so brooty lately that he barely could leave the egg by itself, even with Joel. The poor man had barely a break form him without him being all up in his personal space to the point he thought himself that it was very out of character. Sure Joel loved the extra snuggles but surely the egg thing gotten a bit out of hand. Flushing red he looks at himself in the mirror. His reflection always weirded him out to a extend, but right now he looked nothing like the face that weirded him out. His hair has gotten longer, his feathers were messy and the eye bags snitching on his sleepless nights. Many worrys about the future keept him up late into the night, worry about how Jules would develop, grow as a person, all trivial things he knew didn't matter now. With a sigh he brushed out his hair and applied his skincare products on his dry skin. Relishing in the refreshing feeling of the cooling cream, briefly he thought about how bird hybrid were cursed with natural oily skin that quickly dried out after a simple shower.

Stepping out of the bathroom he made his way to his closet, pulling out some comfortable sweatpants and a T-shirt from Joel he had modified long ago to fit his wings. With a nother yawn he made his way to the kitchen after a alluring smell caught his attention. There he saw Joel taking out a plate of leftover spaghetti from the microwave, placing it on the dining table. Jules was strapped to Joel's body in the cloth carrier and his heart just melted. Mindlessly chatting to the egg he prepared a second plate to heat up. "Gosh, I can't wait for you to try my cooking when you hatch Jules! Screw scar's elven cookies they nothing against my food! Ok.. I learned most from auntie Lizzy but I gave them my own twist! Oh and Lizzy is so excited for you." He humms, stroking the shell of the egg. 

"She is really hoping for you to be a girl. No pressure on that. But she already has knitted so many cute outfits to the point she has boxes full of them. I bet she is going to be disappointed when your a boy but that would be really funny, Hm?" Joel stopped his chatter by now having his attention on him instead. A fond smile spread across his lips as Joels face reddens in embarrassment. "You heard all that..." He said only to be cut off by the microwave ping. Grian couldn't help but snort. "Yeah I did..." He simply states. Sitting at the table he took a fork to start his meal, in between bites he looked at Joel who joined him. "Thank you, I still don't know what came over me there..." "Nah it's fine. But don't think I'm done pampering you." Is all Joel said before going back to his food. No amount of 'what do you mean?' And 'joel what are you planning?!' got him an answer.

After there shared dinner was ate they made both there way over to the nest again. Jules in there own safe section so the both of them had plenty of room to cuddle. Quickly Grian found out what Joel meant. Cuddled up to his chest he silently listened to Joel's heartbeat and breathing, while Joel's talented hands were making progress on preening his wings. Scratching carefully the keratin tubes off his new feathers, fluffing them out and taking out old loose feathers. Grian's hand rested on Jules shell feeling the egg move and little vibrations, telling his tired brain that there kid was alive and well. Soon the egg will hatch and grian can't wait until the day. "ugh I keep forgetting how bad your feather oil smells G." Joel complained as he spreads the natural oil over his feathers. To grian the smell was natural, similar to smelling sweat on someone but he understands that the smell is not pleasant for others that don't have wings. "Then don't smell your hands when you are preening me" he chuckled. "By now you know it smells bad, just like how you get my feather dust on your emo closet." He teased only to yelp as Joel grabbed his torso, his fingers squeezed his sides slightly. "Well if you are feeling better you can take over for me while I do your talons?" It was a half question and it surprised him that Joel was offering to even cut them. His Talons were thicker that his fingernails and normally he went to scar for cutting them, the zookeeper just had better equipment when it came to files and clippers. Grian was jumped out of his daydream as he felt a hand near his ankle, the skin there was drastically different than the human skin above his knee. While his skin wasn't thicker or thinner than human skin it has a different feel to it, the first time Joel had touched it he was weirded out by the rougher feel to it than smooth human skin. But Grian guessed that it was mostly to the fact how different his bird like feet were to humans. That reminds him... "HA" Grian exclaimed, grabbing Joel's wrist with his foot. Successfully making Joel jump who was busy setting out the files. "Geez man don't scare me like that you jerk..." The other grumbled before he started to clip the tips of the talons. In a strange way grian loved it when Joel would do something nice like this for him, be it washing his hair after a hard day, helping him preen, helping applying moisturizer on, a massage or even brush his hair. He had always felt strange to like it, wondering if it was too far to ask Joel to do this for him. But Joel always assured him that he himself liked to help make Grians day by simply doing a nice gesture.

Before he knew it Joel was done and was applying the coconut oil on his feet, grian making a small game out of it by grabbing Joel's hands, slipping out of his grasp to wrestle the offending hands. Joel himself had a smile on his lips as he finally finished. "Alright don't lick the oil off again. I know you like coconut oil but it's gross when it was on your feet." He jokes, making a slight jab at the other, slight gagging inwardly at the memory.

Joel had the unfortunate confrontation a few weeks ago to find a Grian eating spoonfuls of coconut oil, at the ungodly hours of 1 am. He was aware that birds like that stuff but even he thought that it was a bit much. "You are never going to let me live that down are you? It's like eating a chocolate bar for me!" Grian defended only to be smothered and littert with kisses to his face. giggles broke out between the two as kisses were reciprocated. However the moment simmered down to snuggling and grian couldn't stop the yawn from escaping. A glance at the clock told him it was a reasonable hour to go to sleep so he didn't fight it when his eyes slipped shut. "Good night Joel, good night Jules..." 

Joel's scowl was almost permanent now on his face.

The afternoon sun beating down on him like it was whipping him, making him sweat like a sinner at church. His exposed skin definitely was sunburned, he should perhaps look for some ointments to prevent this getting worse. His head hurt and he was dizzy, it makes him wonder if it was because of the lack of water or the smell of the mycelium that was giving him this stinging headache.

The endless harvesting of mycelium was tiring and it didn't help that their leader demanded more of it every day. Already a great portion of the land was covered in mycelium, fields full with mushrooms and the purple grass. Soon they will have won the war.

Spread the spore, spread the mycelium. It's about the principal.

His hands were almost stained black by the oxidized mushroom juice and mycelium. The smell of dirt permanent on his skin. But in an odd way it all felt worth it in the end when he saw the sweet smile of mother spore. That happy glow she admitted when he did a job well done, a kiss as a reward and it all didn't seem so bad.

He did know he got special treatment too as the kisses were something only he received, others got some light touches and a smile. He was special to mother spore and he prided himself in that knowledge.

"Joel! Mother wishes to speak to you." He didn't even look up to see who is talking to him, it would only waste the precious time his leader had to wait. His mind swirls with reason on why she wanted to see him, did he do a great job? Did he mess up? Was there a mole? Countless scenarios filled his head, he mostly dreaded the ones that envision his leader to be upset.

Walking into the room was almost a blessing, the cool air a relief from the hot sun outside that he almost felt ashamed of spreading his sweaty smell near his leader. His gross from shouldnt be this close to the glorious mother spore.

His gaze flickerd to her, sitting in her chair with a wine glass containing a purple mixture in her right hand. She took a sip of her glass, her gaze never leaving him.

She sat at the meeting table with a elegance to her that it amazes Joel that it looked so inviting and open. A stark contrast to her when the other resistance members were here too.

The meetings with the resistance members was boring at best and Joel always zoned out for most of the time except when he saw his leader finishing her glass of water, quickly refilling it for her. Her smile was simply to die for.

"Joel~ I've missed you. Come close." She beckoned and almost in trance he stepped closer, kneeling befor her feet and was quickly enveloped by his leaders wings. Here behind her wings it was just them and only them that she even pushed away her veil for him so he could clearly see her Beauty. Midnight black eyes stared into his own brown and for a moment his gaze landed on her lips before correcting himself and meeting her gaze again.

Her black claws caress his jaw and a light kiss was pressed on his nose. "You been working so hard lately my dear. You must be so exhausted." She tutted, brushing his hair out of his eyes. And for a strange reason it lifted his headache. Made it more bearable. His eyes were so tired.

"I'm so proud of you, my Joel. You make me very happy." Oh how sweet she was to him. Her right hand went to the back of his neck, tugging out his ponytail and a reliefed sigh left his lips. "Rest now my dear. You earned it." Gently she pushed his head to her legs and he welcomed the silky smooth texture of her skirt. Loved her smell, loved her gentle touch in his hair, he loved.

He knew this was manipulation, he knew she was just using him and he knew she definitely used the spores on him again to make him compliant with her suggestions. But he didn't care, she took his pain and filled his sad heart with pride and love. He loved his leader and he hoped one day she would love him the same.

-----

It wasn't fair, and he desperately wants to cuss out the entire Forest for his stupid mistake. On his hunt he was dumb enough to walk too close to the mountains, upsetting a bear family who recently had their cubs. He couldn't blame them for protecting the newborns but he didn't expect them to be this hostile and chase him through the mountain range. It was just his luck that he slit down loose rubble and sprained his ankle badly, squealing out his pain. In the first few moments where his ankle was stunned by the force of his fall he was convinced he broke it. But just laying there for a few minutes and taking mental notes of his body's status he was relieved it was just minor bruises and a few scratches that were bleeding.

Though the pain in his ankle was undeniable. With a huff he pulled out his wildlife map, checking quickly over where the closest outlook he could get to. To his luck one wasn't that far, normally it would only take a few minutes of walking but with his injured ankle he knew it's going to be a long walk. With a sturdy looking branch he found he heft his backpack back on, checking around him in case he dropped some and made his way to the outlook post.The walk was excruciatingly slow, having to stop for a few minutes to get his hurt ankle some rest. Joel wasn't a wimp and took pain like a champ, but the pain felt like he was actively stepping on glass shards again and again. When lifting his foot off the ground to give it rest it felt like it was pulsating, the pain getting so bad he had sweat bullets on his forehead and felt like he might pass out. However he made it to the outlook, and didn't care he crawled up the many steps on all fours.

Out of breath and sore hands he unclipped his heavy backpack. For a few minutes he just lays there getting his breathing back under control, choosing to ignore the throbbing pain in his ankle. Rolling onto his back he looks for a talky or a radio of some sort, he needs help there is no way he would walk back out of his hunting reserve with his ankle. After spotting one he scoots closer to it on his bottom trying his best not to jostle his leg too much, upon reaching for the radio he quickly unhooks it from its station and fiddles with the frequency. "Jimmy. Jimmy come in" For a few seconds he feared he selected the wrong one before a crackling static filled the silence. "Joel? What's up mate?" Biting his lip he hesitates. Sure he needs help but normally it was Jimmy who called for help and now he had to tug his tail between his legs and accept defeat. "I got hurt, I need you to get me from the outpost near pheasant lake..." For a few minutes there was silence before

"you're joking..are you actually?"

"I am not! I did not get chased by an angry bear and fall off a mountain only for you to accuse me of lying Jim! My foot hurts! So get your ass here! I did not crawl all the way from the mountainside to here to prank you!"

Briefly he felt guilty for losing his shit at Jim but the throbbing pain constantly reminding him didn't help stay calm. "Alright! Geez just stay calm I'm getting the pickup truck alright? Stay hydrated up there.." and with that he was left alone with his thoughts. Placing the radio back on the table he decided to at least do first aid on himself, leaning over to his backpack he pulled it closer with his healthy foot and looked for his med kid. Frowning at the contents of his own med pack he grabbed a bottle of almost empty disinfectant. Only he could blame himself for not stocking up his medpack, having procrastinated on restocking it for a few weeks now. Technically it was empty save for the small puddle of it left in there, despite it he took some gauze and drenched it quickly wiping away the dirt off his few scratches. It barely hurt assuring him that he wasn't too badly hurt save for his ankle, moving on from his wounds he made a move to remove his boot. Hissing in pain, despite having the entire boot untied, it was a painful progress almost making moving a mountain seem like a breeze. After he finally got the boot off he peeled away his sock, having to bite his jacket in pain and yep. There is bruising. Now Joel had a new dilemma. While he has swelling plus bruising, he was now unsure if he broke his ankle or just sprained it. Both outcomes suck but broken means being out of commission for a few months, meaning he had to rely on Jim to nurse him back to health...yeah right. He has to stabilize his ankle if he wants to avoid hurting it further, looking around there were not many options. A few empty crates, some cans, a pack of bottled water, a small kitchenette which has a portable stove. Praying that the kitchen had some wooden spoons he lifts himself up. Sitting down on a nearby stool and began rummaging through the drawers and cabinets. He was excited to find a wooden spoon in one of them and quickly placed it near his ankle and wrapped the gauze around it. Inspecting his work, he deemed acceptable for now before pulling his sock over it. Popping quickly some pain killers in the hope his ankles pain won't make his head spin anymore.

The wait for Jimmy to come quickly became boring and Joel had no other choice but to sit outside with his binoculars and scan the terrain for a light blue pickup truck. The Forest of course hid a few roads and he wasn't sure from what site Jim would come from, so he quickly changed his interest and tried to spot a few resting spots or feeding spots of the animals in the reserve. Happy he noted down on his map a few resting spots and even saw a group of fallow deer drink at the lake, noting down the time next to the location. However his mood soured a bit after spotting a red deer with an amazing rack, a work of nature. The fur is a nice brown with a reddish tint to it and antlers on its head that looked like wings sprouting from its head.

It would make a pretty mount for collectors and would give him a pretty good income. But at last, his ankle wouldn't allow him to track the animal and judging by the height and distance between him and the deer he was certain that his shot would definitely miss and only spook the animal. His rifles only could shoot a distance of three hundred and wile he managed to hit a target further than that he simply wouldn't risk fucking it up and making the poor thing suffer. However his thoughts came to a screeching halt when a voice sounded behind him. "What doing?" Joel's ears pulled back, his head turning quickly to the sound that he could have broken his neck. And truly a pheasant hybrid was sitting on the outlooks roof smiling at him in that annoying shit eating grin that makes him want to shoot him.

"YOU!" He barked, already pissed despite the hybrid barely having done anything yet. "Yes me~ what are you up to, puppy boy?" Oh he really came to rub salt into the wound. "Fuck off I'm not in the mood for your taunts." A chuckle sounded that made him want to blush, why was his laughter so beautiful? "I can see that, but don't worry I totally didn't hear your scream from the mountain range and definitely didn't see you get chased by a bear and absolutely didn't see you fall down." He laughed. That laughter only served to make his blood boil, but he knew he couldn't chase, couldn't engage in their usual fight.

Grian seemed to have noticed as well his teasing smile vanishing. "Are you badly hurt?" It was strange, the pheasant never showed this much concern for him before. "...not too bad, I have a friend pick me up here." His eyes scanned the other and he found himself lost in the shimmering feathers of the other, the sunset catching his frame in a golden light. Almost like an angel.

"I was worried when I saw you fall..." That did snap his attention back to the other's face. "And then I didn't see you... I didn't hear any shots... For a moment I thought you got eaten by the bear..." Silence sat heavy between the two, Joel wasn't a fool. He knew Grian worried about his only protection against other hunters. "Did you break your foot?-" "stop pretending, I'm fine and will gladly Chase you in a few weeks."

The pheasants' face twisted in confusion before it was quickly replaced with annoyance. "Typical for you hunters... All you care about is your next hunt. When you get to take another life!" The cheek feathers fluff up in defense and Joel couldn't help but feel like he had to defend himself. "That's not true and you know it. I hunt animals that have grown in population rapidly...like the red and fallow deer." The pheasant's gaze left him looking over to the Forrest line that was drowned in gold."I don't hunt for fun or to just shoot for the heck of it, these animals don't have natural predators here. You know Forrest as well as me." Joel was amazed at himself at how composed he was right now, normally conversations between them were short and quickly turned into threats, escalation close behind with physical attacks. Funny how a hurt ankle managed to keep him calm enough to have a conversation with the other. The silence stretched on between the two before Grian jumped down and approached him with caution, a lazy smile placed itself on Joel's lips as he leaned against the railing behind him. "Don't worry I won't bite~" he jokes, eyeing the bite mark on Grian's neck. The pheasant gave him an unamused look. "Yeah and I don't scratch, let me take a look at you.." he let the blond fuzz over him for a while, quite enjoying the attention, but was unamused when the focus landed on his main problem. "I wrapped it up pretty tight with a wooden spoon on it- OW." He squealed as grian touched his bandages. "Yeah and wrong let me redo it" hot white pain flashes in Joel's vision and all he could do was grip Grian's shoulder as he re-wrapped the spoon. It was over fast but the shock of the pain left him breathless.

Both men locked eyes and still high on adrenaline from the pain he crashes their lips together. It was messy, primal and just so them. With his other hand on the pheasant's shoulders he pushed him to the ground, getting on top of the bird hybrid, straddling his hips. Sharp claws were against his stomach slipping between the jacket and the shirt, he was aware of the danger he was in. One cut of those claws at his stomach and he would lose all his organs. His tail wags at the thought, grian was dangerous but so was he.

Breathless both separate, the yellow eyes sparkle of the Bird hybrid and in an odd sense it felt almost domestic. The moment was broken by a harsh slap to his cheek and a kick to his stomach, confused Joel got off the other and was met with a very mad and flustered grian. "What is wrong with you?! Don't touch me." 'back to chase and catch ' Joel thought before he decided to lay down on the wooden floor. "Alright, whatever..." Closing his eyes Joel listens to the sounds around him, the soft breeze rustling the leaves, the faint mating calls of the wildlife around them, his own calm breathing and Grain's labored breathing. 'but no car...' slowly the pheasant hybrid approaches him and he makes no move to grab or move and to his surprise the other actually lies next to him, draping a wing over him. The wing was soft and warm like the sun on his face. For a few minutes no one of them speaks until... "I'm sorry..." "It's alright." Joel knew Grian wanted to say more, hesitant "we are a mess...when you were on top of me I knew we were just kissing...but I got..." "Spooked? Yeah I have that effect on prey hybrids G." A look was shared between them both before grian leaned over giving him a kiss on the cheek before resting his head on his shoulder. "Get well soon Joel, this Forest is going to be boring without you." A snort. "You act like I'm dying, G" "who knows perhaps you are, your so mellow puppy. It's so unlike you." Rolling onto his back he took Grain's hand, pressing a kiss to the others knuckles. "Don't worry song bird soon I'm back to hunting you through the Forest and one day I will catch you and keep you in my home where no one can hear you scream~" the thought sounded too appealing but both of them knew that it wasn't what they wanted. Joel too much enjoyed the chase and grian to be free. This fantasy shouldn't become reality. "You best believe that I won't stop a day to get out of it." The pheasant teased back, leaning down again. This kiss was much sweeter and gentle. The constant thump thump thump against the wood floor from his tail was the only noise in their shared moment. Separating again felt worse than the lack of breath in their lungs, but the view of Grian made up for it. Ruffled feathers, a deep blush on his cheeks and freshly kissed lips.

"Then I will have to catch you again, such a pretty angel can't get away." Both basked in the evening sun some more, soon the sun will be behind the mountains and cast the forest in shadows. But the haze of soft kisses and touches was broken by Jimmy.

'I'm so sick of myself.'

Thoughts like those were nothing new to him and he made sure to delete them from the report system, if the lead coder ,mumbo caught any wind of him being in any form sad it would surely cause some panic. The Android was well aware of his feelings but he doubted that the staff would think it was normal for their very expensive android to suddenly have depression.

Humorous, a non living being thinking it had a very much human mental illness. It will be surely seen and treated as a error in his code.

Wandering the empty lab after closing was a comforting thing to him, it was a nice change for the busy lab during the day. It gave him time to snoop and collect more data on the staff, his favorite desk was Joel's. Often stealing the pack of cigarettes from his desk and hiding them in the roof plates. So far he had 23 packs hidden up there and after opening the drawers he happily took the 24th one. It was funny that Joel never checked the security camera and saw where he hid them but rather got a new pack every time.

Perhaps Joel knew why he hid them, cigarettes for humans aren't healthy and he prefers to have his favorite person be around much longer. Oh gosh... One day he will out live everyone he knew.

Pushing those sad thoughts away he climbs on the desk, stretching carefully above himself to push the pack to the others in the roof.

Smiling he continued his walk, stopping at the lead coder's one. Mumbo was a shy but nice man, too tall for his own good. He was extremely smart and was responsible for most of his coding. Without him perhaps he wouldn't be developed this fast.

Mumbo had a framed picture on his desk with him and another man. Null's LEDS began to analyze the other man's face and was able to connect it to 'Scar goodtimes' from a lower level, an off limits level even for him.

'I'd rather be anyone else.'

Null thought as he finished his search for Scar. His social media is filled with pictures of his cat's named jelly, Katy bee and Finnegan. Many post about movies and rants about those too, from the tone he concludes that scar was a great fit for Mumbo, The shy man needed a friend that gives him some energy in his life. However the most interesting thing he read there was that him and mumbo were apparently a thing. Not officially but testing the waters.

'Jealousy' was the best to describe the feeling in his chest, an emotion he never felt before, an emotion he didn't want to have. He loves his staff, he loves his little family but being jealous? Of their life's?

He knew he would never experience life like they did. He would never grow up, never grow old. He would never travel the world and try foods from around the world. He would never have children...

'And I see everyone getting all the things I want and I'm happy for them, but then again, I'm not.' It was the best way he could describe his jealousy. Mumbo was able to find love. No one would love him like humans love each other. Love was only for humans.

Glancing to Lizzy's desk he summoned her social media on his visor. Thousands of posts of her, friends and family processes at a millisecond.

'Just cool vintage clothes and vacation photos. I can't stand it, oh, God, I sound crazy.' he thought bitterly, Lizzy was a sweetheart and often got him out of trouble. How could he be so jealous of an angel like her? She was everything Null wishes he could be as a human.

Smart, pretty, kind, sweet, and yet he was jealous of her. ‘I can't help getting caught up in it all, comparison is killin' me slowly' null knew if he could he would be crying now, a phantom feeling of his throat closing up, his head filled with irrational thoughts.

He didn't like feelings anymore. They were messy and made him feel things he didn't want.

His system accessed the official website of the project xelqua line, before he could stop himself he had read through everyone's social media pages.

'All your friends are so cool, you go out every night.' Why couldn't he have that? Friends who take him places, he was funny and he could try to have a great time.

'In your daddy's nice car, yeah, you're living the life.' He didn't have parents to give him nice stuff. The closest to parents were the staff but even them didn't fit the mold. They more let him learn things on his own while he reads through many articles to learn. The Internet was not a great substitute for a parent either.

'Got a pretty face, a pretty boyfriend too.' his mind switches to Joel, how he turned down so many of his attempts at flirting or downright ignoring almost all of them. Switching topics, drawing his attention somewhere else or just fleeing the lab to a section he wasn't allowed in. And as much as he would love to refuse the command of staying in the lab he couldn't break his code.

Falling to his knees he curled up on himself, hugging his middle in an attempt of comfort. his hands grabbed his upper arms, squeezing the silicone there. His sensors sent a ping to him about the pain there, but he chose to ignore it. He knew if he were human he'd be sobbing his heart out. A heart he did not have.

'I wanna be you so bad and I don't even know you' everyone was so much more successful than him. A Diploma, a good paying job. Achievements he would never reach because he was not human.

'All I see is what I should be: Happier, prettier. I'm losing it. This comparison is killing me slowly.' with that he disconnected himself from the Internet.

His red LEDS illuminated the white tiles below him. He could never be like everyone else. No matter how much work everyone puts into his coding, his design and his training. All the world will see him as a dumb robot to do the dirty work.