Chapter Text
September
Three months since Vincent's Memorial
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Low clouds made the late September day sultry and humid. A day for the omega den or catching whatever breeze was coming off the lake, dangling feet in cold water.
Jensen’s feet were wet, soaked like the bottoms of his muddied plain canvas trousers, the ends of his sleeves and his sweat drenched hair. He had a wicker basket full of foraged pennywort weeds gathered high upstream from a languid stretch of water above a logjam. He wondered if the logjam was a long abandoned beaver dam.
The strong herbal smell from the overflowing basket was tickling his nose.
How could Misha stomach this? His omega friend was a firm believer in the plant’s wound healing properties. Buckets of Pennywort Tea, hours sitting in his small garden in the sun, and a demand that Matt make him laugh at least once a day; this was Misha’s self-devised recovery plan.
Last week on the day Jensen had visited, Misha returned his last tub of antibiotics to Matt’s dispensary but admitted he was resigned to taking the prescribed heat suppressants. The sups were the only chemicals he was letting pass his lips. Jensen had shaken his head in mild amusement, as he drank his own cup of herbal tea in Misha’s kitchen. Luckily Misha had gifted him with a cup of more pleasant and palatable chamomile tea. To impart calm patience for dealing with grouchy healing mates. Jensen had tried to defend Jared, but Misha had stopped him with a held up hand, and divulged that he was giving Matt chamomile tea too.
Somehow Jensen had got roped into climbing hills and wading in muddy streams for fresh pennywort to replaced Misha’s dried tealeaves with the real thing.
He heaved a sigh which turned into a chuff of self-reflective scoffing at Jared’s predictable horrified response when Jensen had teasingly promised to keep back some of the weeds to make Jared his own cups of the foul tea.
It took an extra measure of effort these days to manifest his mate’s dimpled smile.
Jensen understood that Jared felt in some way reduced, less alpha, by his impaired sight. His alpha had bit his tongue, changed the subject, when Jensen tried to draw him out about it. Burying emotions deep was a detrimental talent of Jared.
In many ways, life was better now. Jared spent more time in the den and with his kits. He took Devon and Alan to collect wild honey. He taught their older kits, Daisy and Elise to swim in human form. He told Hunter and Hillary stories when they went for their nap in the basket. He was warm and gentle when he wrapped himself around Jensen and held him around the waist when they walked through the pack.
On the other hand, Jared was frustrated that he was unable to effectively patrol and cursed under his breath when he adjusted the patrol rota. He used the time when Alexander was away at council meetings to tell Jensen he was glad to be at home, while his mood soured and the wick of his patience was short.
Jared had been unapproachable when he returned from Columbia where he had his final follow up examination at the end of August. An ultrasound, stinging drops for a retinal exam and various tests performed on the short tempered alpha had confirmed that his surgery had been a success and that the glasses were permanent. After twenty four hours of walking on egg shells, Jensen was rescued from tiptoeing around his mate, when Alan stole Jared’s prescription sunglasses and was found playing “Big Bad Alpha” stalking around his sisters in the hollow behind Samantha’s den. Jared had laughed long before retrieving his shades and cuffing his son’s unruly hair in fake punishment.
Hints of having more kits were dropped.
Jensen ignored them.
Crossing the stream at the stepping stones, Jensen picked up one of the extra communal water collection dishes from under the bush and scooped up a shallow bowl. Back in the omega den Jensen was careful not to disturb Bradley-fox who was curled up asleep, tail poking out of the blankets. He extracted his weeds and arranged them in the dish so that they could take up the water. Tony and Pasha were going to Lakeside in the morning and would deliver the proto-tea to the clinic.
There was a half consumed bottle of Bradley’s ginger ale on the table. The poor fox was laid low with his morning sickness. His diet consisted of irregular snacks; saltine crackers, cups of broth, lemon jellies, and gallons of ginger ale. Alexander was pulling his hair out with worry that Bradley wasn’t getting enough nutrients. Colin had made it his personal mission to find new foods that were palatable. Last night Colin’s mashed potato and butter had been a win.
Job done, his own quest fulfilled, Jensen pulled the old armchair away from the worktable and sat down for a breather. He tried to relax and not worry about Bradley, Misha, anything or anyone. It worked for zero point two seconds. Jennifer had fought with Cissy that morning and he hoped they had made it up better than the earlier Dada enforced apologies. Felix had petitioned Jared again for permission to go on a mating quest. Jared had refused again saying he was too young, not yet eighteen, but this time he offered to find out which packs were accepting suitors.
Sebastian popped his head into the chamber.
Jensen smiled and opened his mouth to say hello. There were tear tracks on the older omega’s cheeks and he was cradling his right wrist with his left hand.
Jensen sprang up from the seat. “Gods, Sebastian, what happened to you?”
“Amber said she saw you come up here. Would you mind? Could you have a look at my arm?” Sebastian asked timidly.
“But what happened?” Jensen repeated as he moved forward and gently eased the limb out from his body. Sebastian left his other hand underneath, taking the weight off. Jensen traced his gaze beyond the old puckered burn scars, across the new finger imprints and up to the tips of the fingers which were hanging limp.
“I deserved it.”
“What?” Jensen exclaimed in disbelief, “This was intentional?” He looked down at Sebastian’s small bump, astonished that someone would do any harm to a pregnant omega.
“I was disobedient, mon ami.” Sebastian hung his head in shame.
Bradley had woken and shifted at the spoken words. He didn’t even pause to wrap a blanket around his still slim waist, as he came to sling an arm around Sebastian’s shoulders. “Did Christopher do this?”
“Bradley, Jensen,” Sebastian sighed, “You don’t understand, your alphas, they don’t...”
Jensen didn’t pause to hear anymore. He was livid. He raced from the den, using the fox mind to send apologies to Sebastian and instruction to the pack second-mate to tend to the injury.
Jared was in the home den reading a letter from Ian, when Jensen dashed into their nest and snatched the papers from his hands.
“Jared!” Jensen barked.
“You have my attention.” Jared said with careful diction, aware of his mate’s boiling anger.
Jensen said nothing for a moment visibly trying to control his righteous fury.
“Ian and Candice have returned from London.” Jared looked more closely at his mate. “Have you been wading in a mud-pool Jen?” Jared offered to break the continuing silence.
Jensen was trembling with temper.
Jared reached a hand out, offering consolation, a lap to sit on, or perhaps a hug.
Steeling his resolve to be composed, “Jared-mate, you have to do something about Christopher.” Jensen spat out.
Jared crossed his arms, “I think I know where this is going. You don’t like the way he enforces Sebastian’s status in his family.”
Jensen ground his teeth. “He could have broken Seb’s arm. His pregnant mate! Jared, it can’t be tolerated. We have to do something.”
“Firstly, is Sebastian’s arm broken?” Jared narrowed his eyes, and Jensen knew he was in Pack Alpha mode, rather than Jen’s mate mode.
“Well. I don’t know. Bradley is taking care of him. He might need to go to the clinic for an X-ray.”
“Can you go back to the omega den and assess that for me? If he needs medical care I’ll get Stephen to drive and I will take him myself. Next, what incident prompted the discipline?”
“I don’t know. But it doesn’t matter. Even if Sebastian slapped Christopher, his alpha shouldn’t have injured him.” Jensen protested.
“Look Jen darling, it is a mating matter. I can’t and I won’t interfere unless you tell me that Christopher is beating Sebastian without reason or beyond reason.”
Jared’s lips were set in a firm line. His posture repelled argument.
Jensen blew air through his nose in defeat. He didn’t dignify Jared’s stance with a reply, turning on his heel and heading back up the slope to Sebastian.
He found Bradley strapping Sebastian’s wrist as the older omega sat in the chair Jensen had vacated.
“A sprain,” Bradley gave his verdict.
“Are you sure? Jared will take us to the clinic for x-rays.”
“No.” Sebastian jolted in the seat, “I don’t want to go to Lakeside.”
Jensen raised his eyebrows at Sebastian’s refusal. “Dear friend, what if you have a fracture?”
“No, Jensen. I broke my other wrist when I was a kit. It is not broken. Bradley is doing a beau job. It will be better in no time. I will rest it. Oh gods, Daisy is going to freak.” Sebastian squeezed his eyes tight, as if trying to block out reality.
Jensen crouched down next to the chair.
“You think you could do the sling, Jen?” Bradley asked, “I’m a little light-headed. I’m going to take the other chair and sip some ginger ale.”
“I’m going to rename this den the omega ward,” Jensen exchanged grins with Bradley, “When did you eat last? Colin will have your guts for garters if you skipped lunch.”
“Colin brought me soup earlier. Oh, I wish I was through this...” Bradley made a puking gesture with his fingers.
“Misha had it right up until his last trimester with Valerie.” Jensen reminded.
“Thank you so very much, Not-Pregnant-Fox.” Bradley sniped back in friendly sarcasm, as Jensen started to make the sling by folding a square of cotton into a triangle.
“Sebastian, can I ask you some personal questions?” Jensen asked all trace of fun gone.
“As my friend or my Pack Vixen?” Sebastian queried unable to meet Jensen’s gaze.
“Can it be as both?”
Sebastian nodded.
“Does this happen often? On a regular basis?” Jensen gestured at the strapped wrist.
Sebastian shook his head and sighed, “Je ne sais pas. C’est difficile. Not every day, ma Renarde, not even every week, but Christopher will dispense discipline if I fail to obey... He told me, this morning before he left on patrol. He specifically told me not to disturb Rosie in the nest. Poor Rosie, she is laid up with her beta cycle pains.” He rubbed at his bandaged arm.
“Is it painful? Do you want me to check the first aid store in the new cabin for some painkillers?” Jensen offered.
“No. It is bearable. I should feel it. I should be reminded.” Sebastian’s voice hitched.
“No. Sebastian. Stop that.” Jensen laid a hand on the other fox’s shoulder, “Don’t beat on yourself. Where did you get that idea? Did Christopher tell you that?”
Sebastian shook his head again, “I’m good, and it is not too painful. If it gets worse I promise to say. Ma propre petite fille Daisy wanted her Princess Zorra book. She didn’t want it for herself. She wanted to read it to Baz and Hunter. I woke Rosie getting it from the nest. Christopher walked in...”
“He punished you. They punished you, for that?” Bradley gasped from where he had retreated back to the blankets.
“I knew I wasn’t to go in there.”
“I really don’t think it is that simple.” Jensen sighed and scrubbed a hand over his jaw, “Did you tell him why you where there?”
“No. No way. It is not Daisy’s fault. I will not have him angry with her. Vous ne comprenez pas. Ca ne fait rein... I respect Christopher. He is a good fox. A good father. He loves his kits. Rosie is my friend. I have great affection for my mates.” Sebastian’s voice grew stronger but distressed as he spoke.
“But not desire or love?” Jensen asked gently, wondering if he was pushing too much.
“No, Jen. I don’t have any objection to Christopher mating with me. He is considerate of my needs and makes it comfortable for me. He doesn’t linger when his knot goes down. If I am not in the mood, he respects me. He is handsome but no, I don’t desire him. I will never love anyone after my true mate... mon Coeur mort...” Sebastian bit his bottom lip, “I apologise Jensen but I did adore Mark.”
Sebastian’s bottom lip began to tremble, and Jensen stopped himself from asking Sebastian not to talk about Mark.
“I can’t.... It is implicitly forbidden to speak his name in the pack... Daisy is asking me about her real Dada. I can see him in her...” Sebastian was quick to add “... not in a monstrous way. In the way she walks. The way she tosses her head sometimes. Her black fox form. It is bittersweet.”
It was difficult to hear about Mark without Jensen wanting to dig up his bones so that he could kill him again, but one look at Sebastian’s sad expression meant that he pushed his loathing aside and straightened up to wrap his arms around the other omega. They stayed in the moment, Jensen offering comfort. Then Bradley was wrapping his arms around both of them from the other side of the chair, offering his support.
“I have no solution,” Jensen whispered apologetically.
“I know. There is none. Only to live. I draw joy from my kits and the rest of the little hooligans. I can only do my best for my mates, have them be happy with me, if I can. Hope for a better life for my babies, including the new three.” Sebastian dropped his right hand to cup his belly.
Jensen left soon after, drained to the point of exhaustion.
Jared took one look at him and pulled him in for a full body hug. Jensen let himself relax. He turned his head into Jared’s chest and rested his hand to feel his mate’s heartbeat. Jared didn’t rush him but finally eased him down into their nest. He removed Jensen’s shoes and soiled clothes, wrapping him in their blankets.
“The gang are still up in James and Allyson’s den. Ashley is playing teacher again.” Jared lay down on his side so he was facing Jensen. He stroked Jensen’s hair and then kissed his temple. “Are we going to the clinic?”
Jensen screwed up his face in frustration, “Sebastian doesn’t want to, he says he knows his wrist is not broken.”
“We can go tomorrow with Tony if it seems necessary. How is Bradley?”
“Tired. They are staying in the omega den for a while.” Jensen sighed.
“But you’ll stay here with me for a while?” Jared rubbed his large hand over Jensen’s bare chest, pressing down in circular motions. He asked with affection, “You want anything Jen?”
Dismissing asking for a happier life for Sebastian, he replied, “What are you offering?”
“Hmmm, my secret stash of oat pecan cookies, if they won’t ruin your appetite for the evening meal.”
“We will get crumbs in the blankets, Jare!”
“Sweet crumbs, that we won’t feel through our fur later.” Jared laughed and moved over to scoop a box from the bottom shelf.
He halved a large round cookie and shared it with his mate. Jensen quirked a grin that Jared hadn’t broken it into smaller pieces and hand fed it to him, knowing instinctively that just now he preferred to nibble at it from his own hand.
“It was intense.” Jensen’s chest deflated at the recent events.
“I know.” Jared agreed, “I can guess. It is difficult to hear such things. You are a good pack vixen and a good friend. They know they can come to you, my dear vixen, and you will do your best to help them. I am so proud of you. I don’t say it enough Jen, but I am.” Jared moved closer to his mate so that their arms were pressed against each other.
“I still wish you could ask Christopher to ease up on him. No-one is perfect. We all make mistakes.”
Jared interrupted, “Please don’t Jensen-mate. We have already talked of this. If things worsen tell me and I will re-consider.”
Jensen was unhappy with the verdict. He resolved to keep Sebastian talking to him about his family and his alpha.
Gentle kisses landed on Jensen’s forehead, distracting him from his anxieties. Jared nuzzled against his chest. He murmured softly, possessive words; mine, my Jen, only mine.
“Only yours,” Jensen whispered in agreement.
Jared removed his glasses and set them carefully away from their nest. He turned back to cuddle tightly, rubbing the mating mark with the heel of his hand. Feather-like touches glanced on Jensen’s freckles with the tip of Jared's finger.
“I want our next kits to have your freckles,” he muttered into Jensen’s ear.
Too tired to argue, Jensen let Jared have his fantasy.
Jensen drifted towards sleep, half listening to a Jared monologue on naming future kits after Jensen’s mother and how The Anubis named one of his pups Isis, which he thought was a nice name for a girl-fox.
Finally Jared stopped babbling and they shifted together. Burrowing into the blankets their fox forms found each other. Bodies wrapped together they shared their scents, body heat and love, coming together in a shared dream of basking on sun-warmed lake side rocks.