The Cast (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
random_xtras) wrote in ![[community profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/community.png)
randomplaces2011-02-22 09:41 pm
random_xtras) wrote in randomplaces2011-02-22 09:41 pm
Entry tags:
Breaker 'verse 2
He woke with a yelp as something pinched his chest hard enough to draw a blister.
There was a startled movement, then a soft sound, and he looked down to see Star looking back at him with friendly interest.
"Oh...hey, Buddy...." He managed to work his other arm free of Dove's wings and rubbed his eyes, then squinted toward the clock and groaned as he saw that it read seven am. "Ugh...lemme guess. You're hungry again?"
Star wriggled enthusiastically, then licked the front of his T-shirt.
"Yuck, don't do that. I already wore it one day." He tried to get away from Dove, then sighed and gently ran his fingers over her ribs.
She murmured a protest and turned away from him, her arms and wings wrapping around herself.
Alvin sat up quickly, then blinked as his head spun. Little dehydrated. Feels like I've been sweating like a pig. All the more reason to keep Buddy from licking my shirt.
He got up and washed the bottle one-handed, then took another can of formula out of the box and poured some into it. Wincing and biting his lip as Star got a death grip on his thumb, he started the stove and set the bottle in the saucepan, then tried to distract the baby before the end of his thumb popped off.
"Easy there, little buddy. Uncle Alvin needs that thumb." He managed to squeeze the digit out and replace it with a fold of his T-shirt. That won't hold him long. Come on, heat, heat, heat.
Heat seared the side of his hand as Star started to suck on it.
"That's not the heat I meant, buddy." He danced, trying to distract the baby long enough for the saucepan to do its job.
Star made happy sounds and kicked his feet, then paused and went stiff with surprise as his diaper suddenly got strangely warm.
There was a moment of silence, then angry wails that sent Dove tumbling off the bed and crying out fearfully.
"Oh, boy." The comment seemed fitting for the moment. Remembering the many times he had helped his sisters with his nieces and nephew, Alvin swiftly changed the tyke, sighing in relief as the howls lowered down to playful coos.
Dove watched, silently creeping closer until she laid a clawed hand on his leg, causing him to start.
"Oh, Sweetheart. You startled me." He gave her a big smile.
She perked her ears at him. "Baby eat?"
"Ja. Baby eat. Dove eat?" Alvin blinked as a hissing and fizzing sound came from the stove, then yelped and bounded over to yank the pan off the heat before dancing around and waving his much-abused hand.
"Great flamin' goobers of Gilead..." he trailed off at the forward tilt of Dove's ears.
"Goobers?" she asked, standing and putting a hand on Star, who was watching Alvin with pleased interest.
"Um..." He thought quickly while fixing the bottle. Using the shirt as a hot pad yet again, he handed it to Dove, letting her feed the munchkin while he ran cool water over his burnt hand. "Goobers... like a nut. Um. Nuß. Noot."
"You lost me," she said, her own accent mixing with his to make her words nearly incomprehensible.
He waved at the sack of groceries. "Hungry? Dove eat?" He pulled out several different items for her to look at, starting with the peanut butter.
She sniffed curiously, then put her ears back. "Nr."
He frowned in near shock. She doesn't like peanut butter? "Here, try it." He grabbed a bent butter knife from the drawer and scooped some out on it, then took a bite himself and nodded. "Gut. Sehr gut."
"Nr." She took the empty bottle from Star and set it down on the floor beside her, then hunkered down and turned her face away. "Dove nicht eat."
"Dove." He tried to muster a fatherly tone that would brook no argument but not frighten her. "Sie müssen essen. Ich benötige Sie, mir mit Stern zu helfen. Ich benötige Ihre Hilfe." He folded some peanut butter into a slice of bread. "Essen Sie. Bitte. Für Stern." (You have to eat. I need you to help me with Star. I need your help. Please eat. For Star.)
"Not food." She wrapped herself in her wings, thin shoulders once more shaking with sobs.
"Ja, food." He took a bite and chewed, then added a sip of milk. He even dabbed a bit of the peanut butter on a finger and let Star taste. The baby smacked his lips and chomped down on the finger.
"Ouch! You little goober!" He shook his hand again, then reached into the grocery bag and pulled out a pepperoni stick. "Dove eat?"
She tipped her head back in another 'no', then shuddered and closed her eyes.
"Sweetheart," he whispered, setting the things down and picking her up. She was hot to the touch, way hotter than before. "I need help." He bit a lip, wondering who among his military buddies could come through in a pinch like this.
Mentally, he ran through a checklist of those he knew he could find. "Doc is in Africa... Lifeline is on a carrier... I wonder..."
Star gave an indignant squawk and arched his back demandingly, tiny ears turning back.
"The only one close by is Snakes but he's... so... silent." Alvin shrugged and decided that lack of conversation couldn't hurt so long as he had the help he needed. He pulled a blanket around Dove as she shivered, trying to insulate her to him without overheating his chest. Grabbing his cell phone, he scootched onto the bed next to Star and dialed as the baby snuggled close and fell asleep like turning off a light.
When silence answered the phone, Alvin spoke. "Hey, Snakes, it's me, Breaker. I... have a favor to ask. I really need some help and I think you might be my best bet." He heard two clicks. "I'll send you my coordinates via text message. See you soon. Thanks, buddy."
Dove moved against him, her shivers drawing a sleepy snort and sigh from Star. Alvin looked down as she moaned faintly, then clenched his jaw as she suddenly went still.
"Oh, Lord, I really don't know what to do here." He pulled her tight, flipping the comforter over the both of them. "Stay with me, here, Sweetheart. Stay with me..." He rubbed her back through the heavy covers, trying to encourage circulation. "Come on, Dove..." He closed his eyes, praying that SE would have a fast trip with no obstructions and arrive quickly.
Time passed with painful slowness, the breathing silence of the room broken only by the skitter of cockroaches and the roar of the occasional vehicle on the road.
Then Star woke up wet and hungry again and loudly let the world know his opinion of it.
Alvin wanted to move, but Dove was fueled up like a super furnace and the heat had sapped his strength. Just when he seemed at the end of his... patience, rope, limit? the stillness of the air was broken by a loud motorcycle pulling up.
A quiet rap at the door was followed by the knob turning. The door opened, letting in sunlight and a tall stranger.
"Snakes," Alvin rasped. "I need some water."
The silent man moved quickly, assessing the situation. He had Alvin propped up and drinking before taking care of the baby, not batting an eye at the strange little boy crying on the bed. Star found himself wrapped tightly and slung on the quiet man's back, causing more coos and happy noises as his ride moved around the room. Alvin tried to sit up with the mound of covers over he and Dove but he still needed assistance.
SE took one look at the little white girl with wings and stopped dead still. His impassive face never changed, but his whole attitude was suddenly focused on that small still form.
GRIEF, he signed. DESPAIR.
"Oh, man." Alvin noticed the shaking of his friend's hands.
The silent man moved toward the pair, intending on picking up the child, but could not bring himself to touch her. Her sorrow was overwhelming to him. Instead, he helped his comrade to a sitting position and fixed a glass of the baby formula with a small towel. Miming dipping and dropping drops on her lips, he handed it over.
Alvin took it and carefully did so, his face creased in concern as Dove showed no response.
"Come on, Sweetheart," he murmured, swallowing. "Just try. Star needs you." He repeated the words in Dutch and German, then gently wet her lips again and stroked her throat. "I'm going to find your mama 'n daddy, Sweetheart. If it's the last thing I do. I promise. They'll be glad to see you, huh?" He translated once more, then glanced at SE as the silent man dropped into the chair with Star snuggled in the crook of one arm. "Don't let him suck on your hand unless you want blisters."
Dove twitched suddenly, and he looked down quickly. "Sweetheart? Can you hear me? Come on, wake up."
"Moeder?" The word was only a breath.
"Yeah." He smiled shakily. "We'll find her. You just gotta get better."
"Uncle... Alvin?"
"Yeah." His grin widened as she licked her lips and sank into a lighter sleep.
Pulling a hand free from Star's grasp, SE signed HEART BOND YOU.
"Huh?" Alvin frowned slightly, his distracted mind absorbing only half of the meaning.
GIRL. SE motioned to the sleeping Dove. HEART BOND YOU.
Alvin stared at him for a moment, then looked uneasily down at the little girl in his arms and clenched his jaw at the surge of fierce protectiveness that went through him. He wasn't a father, and had no experience in being one. But suddenly he could understand what drove fathers to do some of the things he'd wondered at. These weren't his children, but he would do anything to be sure that they were safe and happy.
He blinked and glanced at SE quickly, then surreptitiously wiped a knuckle across his eyes. "Sure."
The silent man looked at him for a moment, then started and lowered his eyes to Star as the baby latched onto his finger.
"Told ya." Alvin chuckled.
SE's only reply was to suddenly stand and peer through the side of the window.
POLICE. He pulled his jacket around Star.
"What?" Alvin pushed himself to his feet, covering Dove's head with the blankets and looking out himself. "What does Kevin want?"
As he watched the lean young deputy walked up to the door and tapped on it respectfully, then stepped back and waited.
The two men inside the room exchanged a glance, then the silent man stepped back into the shadows behind the door and nodded.
Alvin made sure that Dove was covered, then turned the knob and pulled the door open. "Yeah?"
Kevin stepped back in surprise. "Al? What're you doin' here?"
"Takin' care of a sick kid." Alvin didn't have to feign the bleariness with which he blinked at the deputy. "What do you want?"
"The manager said he heard a baby cryin' in here last night," said Kevin. "You know about those kidnappings."
Alvin growled, then smoothed Dove's back and made soothing sounds as she flinched. "Dangit, Kevin, these are my kids. And Dove's not feelin' good."
"I didn't know you had kids." Kevin blinked. "Is that where you disappear to all the time?"
"Somethin' like that." Alvin shifted on his feet, then glanced down and tucked a lock of white hair back under the blanket.
"Can I see the baby?" asked Kevin. "Just to make sure?"
Alvin gave him a look. "It's hotter'n blazes, I ain't takin' Buddy outta the air conditionin' just so you can make sure I didn't steal him."
Kevin gave him an answering look. "I gotta make sure."
"Dove... eat?" came a soft voice from under the blankets.
Alvin started and turned back into the room automatically, then stopped and scowled at Kevin.
"Okay." The deputy held up his hands in surrender. "Is there anything I can get you or anything?"
"No, we're good. Thanks." Alvin grinned at him, then gently closed the door and headed for the glass of formula.
SE tapped on the counter to catch his attention and he turned, frowning when he saw the other man's amusement. "What?"
The silent man spelled out F-A-T-H-E-R-K-N-O-W-S-B-E-S-T, one eyebrow quirked like a grin.
Alvin scowled, then chuckled as Star, who had been nuzzling SE's leather jacket, suddenly gave a massive sneeze and headbutted the silent man in the chest.
SE's eyes widened as the breath left his left lung with a whoosh, then he walked over and slowly lowered himself into the chair again.
"You okay?" Alvin sat on the bed and uncovered Dove's face, feeling his own split into a grin as he found her big eyes looking up at him.
SE nodded, then looked down at the baby with wonder. STRONG.
"Tell me about it." Alvin said, not taking his eyes away from Dove as she licked her lips and drank the formula he'd dripped onto them. "Nearly took the end off my finger this mornin'."
The silent man pulled out a heavy duty rubber covered billy club from his gear bag and offered it to the baby. The wee babe licked it experimentally, then sighed gustily and settled down to sucking on the hard plastic.
"Baby?" Dove turned her head slightly.
"Baby's good, Sweetheart." Alvin dipped the towel in the glass again, then dropped it as Dove gave a cry of fear and shrank against him. "Hey, what's wrong? Oh, that's just Snakes, he's a friend." He repeated the words in the other languages, smiling at her reassuringly. "See, Star likes 'em."
Dove eyed the silent man doubtfully, then swept her ears forward. "Friend? Don't be afraid, I'm a friend?"
Alvin frowned, then looked up in surprise as SE stood suddenly.
Then the silent man sat down again and looked down at Star, who had both tiny hands clenched firmly on his new toy as he slept the sleep of the new and innocent.
"Snakes? What was that about?" asked Alvin.
NOTHING. SE glanced at the clock and settled back more comfortably in the chair. SLEEP ME.
Alvin frowned at him, then looked down quickly and caught the glass as Dove poked one wing hand out of the blankets to reach for it. "Who said that, Sweetheart? Wer das sagte, Schatz? Wie dat zei, Liefje?"
"Snakes?" She watched drowsily as he dipped the towel, then closed her eyes and succumbed to sleep.
"Huh..." Taking his cue from his friend and the children, Alvin leaned back on the bed, letting Dove snuggle close to him and grinning as a wing snuck around his arm. Checking to be sure he had a water bottle close, he grinned at his new little family and drifted off to dreamland after them.
next
There was a startled movement, then a soft sound, and he looked down to see Star looking back at him with friendly interest.
"Oh...hey, Buddy...." He managed to work his other arm free of Dove's wings and rubbed his eyes, then squinted toward the clock and groaned as he saw that it read seven am. "Ugh...lemme guess. You're hungry again?"
Star wriggled enthusiastically, then licked the front of his T-shirt.
"Yuck, don't do that. I already wore it one day." He tried to get away from Dove, then sighed and gently ran his fingers over her ribs.
She murmured a protest and turned away from him, her arms and wings wrapping around herself.
Alvin sat up quickly, then blinked as his head spun. Little dehydrated. Feels like I've been sweating like a pig. All the more reason to keep Buddy from licking my shirt.
He got up and washed the bottle one-handed, then took another can of formula out of the box and poured some into it. Wincing and biting his lip as Star got a death grip on his thumb, he started the stove and set the bottle in the saucepan, then tried to distract the baby before the end of his thumb popped off.
"Easy there, little buddy. Uncle Alvin needs that thumb." He managed to squeeze the digit out and replace it with a fold of his T-shirt. That won't hold him long. Come on, heat, heat, heat.
Heat seared the side of his hand as Star started to suck on it.
"That's not the heat I meant, buddy." He danced, trying to distract the baby long enough for the saucepan to do its job.
Star made happy sounds and kicked his feet, then paused and went stiff with surprise as his diaper suddenly got strangely warm.
There was a moment of silence, then angry wails that sent Dove tumbling off the bed and crying out fearfully.
"Oh, boy." The comment seemed fitting for the moment. Remembering the many times he had helped his sisters with his nieces and nephew, Alvin swiftly changed the tyke, sighing in relief as the howls lowered down to playful coos.
Dove watched, silently creeping closer until she laid a clawed hand on his leg, causing him to start.
"Oh, Sweetheart. You startled me." He gave her a big smile.
She perked her ears at him. "Baby eat?"
"Ja. Baby eat. Dove eat?" Alvin blinked as a hissing and fizzing sound came from the stove, then yelped and bounded over to yank the pan off the heat before dancing around and waving his much-abused hand.
"Great flamin' goobers of Gilead..." he trailed off at the forward tilt of Dove's ears.
"Goobers?" she asked, standing and putting a hand on Star, who was watching Alvin with pleased interest.
"Um..." He thought quickly while fixing the bottle. Using the shirt as a hot pad yet again, he handed it to Dove, letting her feed the munchkin while he ran cool water over his burnt hand. "Goobers... like a nut. Um. Nuß. Noot."
"You lost me," she said, her own accent mixing with his to make her words nearly incomprehensible.
He waved at the sack of groceries. "Hungry? Dove eat?" He pulled out several different items for her to look at, starting with the peanut butter.
She sniffed curiously, then put her ears back. "Nr."
He frowned in near shock. She doesn't like peanut butter? "Here, try it." He grabbed a bent butter knife from the drawer and scooped some out on it, then took a bite himself and nodded. "Gut. Sehr gut."
"Nr." She took the empty bottle from Star and set it down on the floor beside her, then hunkered down and turned her face away. "Dove nicht eat."
"Dove." He tried to muster a fatherly tone that would brook no argument but not frighten her. "Sie müssen essen. Ich benötige Sie, mir mit Stern zu helfen. Ich benötige Ihre Hilfe." He folded some peanut butter into a slice of bread. "Essen Sie. Bitte. Für Stern." (You have to eat. I need you to help me with Star. I need your help. Please eat. For Star.)
"Not food." She wrapped herself in her wings, thin shoulders once more shaking with sobs.
"Ja, food." He took a bite and chewed, then added a sip of milk. He even dabbed a bit of the peanut butter on a finger and let Star taste. The baby smacked his lips and chomped down on the finger.
"Ouch! You little goober!" He shook his hand again, then reached into the grocery bag and pulled out a pepperoni stick. "Dove eat?"
She tipped her head back in another 'no', then shuddered and closed her eyes.
"Sweetheart," he whispered, setting the things down and picking her up. She was hot to the touch, way hotter than before. "I need help." He bit a lip, wondering who among his military buddies could come through in a pinch like this.
Mentally, he ran through a checklist of those he knew he could find. "Doc is in Africa... Lifeline is on a carrier... I wonder..."
Star gave an indignant squawk and arched his back demandingly, tiny ears turning back.
"The only one close by is Snakes but he's... so... silent." Alvin shrugged and decided that lack of conversation couldn't hurt so long as he had the help he needed. He pulled a blanket around Dove as she shivered, trying to insulate her to him without overheating his chest. Grabbing his cell phone, he scootched onto the bed next to Star and dialed as the baby snuggled close and fell asleep like turning off a light.
When silence answered the phone, Alvin spoke. "Hey, Snakes, it's me, Breaker. I... have a favor to ask. I really need some help and I think you might be my best bet." He heard two clicks. "I'll send you my coordinates via text message. See you soon. Thanks, buddy."
Dove moved against him, her shivers drawing a sleepy snort and sigh from Star. Alvin looked down as she moaned faintly, then clenched his jaw as she suddenly went still.
"Oh, Lord, I really don't know what to do here." He pulled her tight, flipping the comforter over the both of them. "Stay with me, here, Sweetheart. Stay with me..." He rubbed her back through the heavy covers, trying to encourage circulation. "Come on, Dove..." He closed his eyes, praying that SE would have a fast trip with no obstructions and arrive quickly.
Time passed with painful slowness, the breathing silence of the room broken only by the skitter of cockroaches and the roar of the occasional vehicle on the road.
Then Star woke up wet and hungry again and loudly let the world know his opinion of it.
Alvin wanted to move, but Dove was fueled up like a super furnace and the heat had sapped his strength. Just when he seemed at the end of his... patience, rope, limit? the stillness of the air was broken by a loud motorcycle pulling up.
A quiet rap at the door was followed by the knob turning. The door opened, letting in sunlight and a tall stranger.
"Snakes," Alvin rasped. "I need some water."
The silent man moved quickly, assessing the situation. He had Alvin propped up and drinking before taking care of the baby, not batting an eye at the strange little boy crying on the bed. Star found himself wrapped tightly and slung on the quiet man's back, causing more coos and happy noises as his ride moved around the room. Alvin tried to sit up with the mound of covers over he and Dove but he still needed assistance.
SE took one look at the little white girl with wings and stopped dead still. His impassive face never changed, but his whole attitude was suddenly focused on that small still form.
GRIEF, he signed. DESPAIR.
"Oh, man." Alvin noticed the shaking of his friend's hands.
The silent man moved toward the pair, intending on picking up the child, but could not bring himself to touch her. Her sorrow was overwhelming to him. Instead, he helped his comrade to a sitting position and fixed a glass of the baby formula with a small towel. Miming dipping and dropping drops on her lips, he handed it over.
Alvin took it and carefully did so, his face creased in concern as Dove showed no response.
"Come on, Sweetheart," he murmured, swallowing. "Just try. Star needs you." He repeated the words in Dutch and German, then gently wet her lips again and stroked her throat. "I'm going to find your mama 'n daddy, Sweetheart. If it's the last thing I do. I promise. They'll be glad to see you, huh?" He translated once more, then glanced at SE as the silent man dropped into the chair with Star snuggled in the crook of one arm. "Don't let him suck on your hand unless you want blisters."
Dove twitched suddenly, and he looked down quickly. "Sweetheart? Can you hear me? Come on, wake up."
"Moeder?" The word was only a breath.
"Yeah." He smiled shakily. "We'll find her. You just gotta get better."
"Uncle... Alvin?"
"Yeah." His grin widened as she licked her lips and sank into a lighter sleep.
Pulling a hand free from Star's grasp, SE signed HEART BOND YOU.
"Huh?" Alvin frowned slightly, his distracted mind absorbing only half of the meaning.
GIRL. SE motioned to the sleeping Dove. HEART BOND YOU.
Alvin stared at him for a moment, then looked uneasily down at the little girl in his arms and clenched his jaw at the surge of fierce protectiveness that went through him. He wasn't a father, and had no experience in being one. But suddenly he could understand what drove fathers to do some of the things he'd wondered at. These weren't his children, but he would do anything to be sure that they were safe and happy.
He blinked and glanced at SE quickly, then surreptitiously wiped a knuckle across his eyes. "Sure."
The silent man looked at him for a moment, then started and lowered his eyes to Star as the baby latched onto his finger.
"Told ya." Alvin chuckled.
SE's only reply was to suddenly stand and peer through the side of the window.
POLICE. He pulled his jacket around Star.
"What?" Alvin pushed himself to his feet, covering Dove's head with the blankets and looking out himself. "What does Kevin want?"
As he watched the lean young deputy walked up to the door and tapped on it respectfully, then stepped back and waited.
The two men inside the room exchanged a glance, then the silent man stepped back into the shadows behind the door and nodded.
Alvin made sure that Dove was covered, then turned the knob and pulled the door open. "Yeah?"
Kevin stepped back in surprise. "Al? What're you doin' here?"
"Takin' care of a sick kid." Alvin didn't have to feign the bleariness with which he blinked at the deputy. "What do you want?"
"The manager said he heard a baby cryin' in here last night," said Kevin. "You know about those kidnappings."
Alvin growled, then smoothed Dove's back and made soothing sounds as she flinched. "Dangit, Kevin, these are my kids. And Dove's not feelin' good."
"I didn't know you had kids." Kevin blinked. "Is that where you disappear to all the time?"
"Somethin' like that." Alvin shifted on his feet, then glanced down and tucked a lock of white hair back under the blanket.
"Can I see the baby?" asked Kevin. "Just to make sure?"
Alvin gave him a look. "It's hotter'n blazes, I ain't takin' Buddy outta the air conditionin' just so you can make sure I didn't steal him."
Kevin gave him an answering look. "I gotta make sure."
"Dove... eat?" came a soft voice from under the blankets.
Alvin started and turned back into the room automatically, then stopped and scowled at Kevin.
"Okay." The deputy held up his hands in surrender. "Is there anything I can get you or anything?"
"No, we're good. Thanks." Alvin grinned at him, then gently closed the door and headed for the glass of formula.
SE tapped on the counter to catch his attention and he turned, frowning when he saw the other man's amusement. "What?"
The silent man spelled out F-A-T-H-E-R-K-N-O-W-S-B-E-S-T, one eyebrow quirked like a grin.
Alvin scowled, then chuckled as Star, who had been nuzzling SE's leather jacket, suddenly gave a massive sneeze and headbutted the silent man in the chest.
SE's eyes widened as the breath left his left lung with a whoosh, then he walked over and slowly lowered himself into the chair again.
"You okay?" Alvin sat on the bed and uncovered Dove's face, feeling his own split into a grin as he found her big eyes looking up at him.
SE nodded, then looked down at the baby with wonder. STRONG.
"Tell me about it." Alvin said, not taking his eyes away from Dove as she licked her lips and drank the formula he'd dripped onto them. "Nearly took the end off my finger this mornin'."
The silent man pulled out a heavy duty rubber covered billy club from his gear bag and offered it to the baby. The wee babe licked it experimentally, then sighed gustily and settled down to sucking on the hard plastic.
"Baby?" Dove turned her head slightly.
"Baby's good, Sweetheart." Alvin dipped the towel in the glass again, then dropped it as Dove gave a cry of fear and shrank against him. "Hey, what's wrong? Oh, that's just Snakes, he's a friend." He repeated the words in the other languages, smiling at her reassuringly. "See, Star likes 'em."
Dove eyed the silent man doubtfully, then swept her ears forward. "Friend? Don't be afraid, I'm a friend?"
Alvin frowned, then looked up in surprise as SE stood suddenly.
Then the silent man sat down again and looked down at Star, who had both tiny hands clenched firmly on his new toy as he slept the sleep of the new and innocent.
"Snakes? What was that about?" asked Alvin.
NOTHING. SE glanced at the clock and settled back more comfortably in the chair. SLEEP ME.
Alvin frowned at him, then looked down quickly and caught the glass as Dove poked one wing hand out of the blankets to reach for it. "Who said that, Sweetheart? Wer das sagte, Schatz? Wie dat zei, Liefje?"
"Snakes?" She watched drowsily as he dipped the towel, then closed her eyes and succumbed to sleep.
"Huh..." Taking his cue from his friend and the children, Alvin leaned back on the bed, letting Dove snuggle close to him and grinning as a wing snuck around his arm. Checking to be sure he had a water bottle close, he grinned at his new little family and drifted off to dreamland after them.
next