An Ancient Feud (Private, 18+)

[virtualoo]

Solaria loved the grocery store, holding his hand the entire time as long as he came with her. If he didn't seem to want to move, she would go to get the particular snack or the drink she wanted, getting herself some banana milk and sweet tea. She got her apple treat she wanted before going right back to Rens side. Tenmo thought the sight of the air was adorable, leaving them be to be cute or do what they wanted as long as they were happy. He got himself a melon carbonated drink and these cheese filled bread thing that also had peperroni that looked interesting.

[Sathenus]

When Solaria went to get the drink and snacks she wanted Ren had stood close to Kaine's side feeling a little unnerved by all the humans in the shop. His eyes kept darting around and anytime he sensed someone behind him he tensed. That was one thing that he absolutely hated, having people walk behind him where he couldn't keep an eye on what was going on. Solaria returning and taking his hand again helped him relax a bit but he was still a bit tense and his eyes kept darting over his shoulder to see what was going on. Kaine just rubbed Ren's back gently to try to ease him while he waited for Tenmo to get a drink and snack a small smile appearing on his face when he saw what his husband picked for a snack. Leaning over and kissing his cheek before leading the way towards check out. When they got their things he was happy to be able to walk back out into the fresh air and enjoy being in a more open space especially since Ren relaxed again. 

[virtualoo]

Tenmo could see Solaria was trying her very best to be supportive and comforting without being too much. She was staying by his side as much as possible, holding his hand with a warm smile. She was the first to hug him and smile wide when they got outside. “You did awesome!” She cheered, giving Ren a big hug. That made Tenmo chuckle as he was walking beside them. “Yes yes he did awesome” He agreed with her

[Sathenus]

There was a small part of Ren that liked hearing Solaria's praise and the big hug he received once they were outside. Even if the worst was still to come it was reassuring and made him feel a little less anxious about the park. His happiness only seemed to grow when his Daddy agreed and said he had done awesome as well a bright smile appearing causing Kaine to chuckle softly. The walk to the park was much more pleasant now and when they arrived Kaine made them a nice spot in the shade of a tree a bit further from the playground than he normally would have done. However, he wanted to give Ren what he hoped would be a sort of 'safe space' far enough from the playground that he could come destress if it became too much but close enough that they could watch the pair if they decided to play on it. There were plenty of other kids since it was a nice weekend day, and he could already sense the hesitation of Ren who was eyeing the scene warily. 

[virtualoo]

Solaria meanwhile was happily smiling her entire way to the park, already able to hear the children from there. She helped Tenmo and Kaine set up or at least wanted to grab her snack now. She sat down for a moment, nibbling on it as she looked over to Ren. He did not seem too happy with all the noise, must be overwhelming. “We can try the swing maybe? Or the slide? The swing you don’t have the other kids near you while you use it and you can sometimes go high if you want to stay low” She suggested with a grin

[Sathenus]

Ren glanced towards Solaria when she says they could do the swings or the slide. Expressing that when using the swings there usually weren't many kids around and you could go high or stay low. "I guess we could try it..." Ren said softly trailing off. Though he made no move say more and voice an interest in one or the other. Kaine gave his son a reassuring smile before he urged the pair to go play. Not wanting Ren to psych himself out and cause them to leave quickly when they had just arrived.

[virtualoo]

“I’ll push you! I’ll show you how to use the swing! It’s pretty fun” Solaria grinned, getting a bite of her snack into her mouth before standing up. She extended her hand and waited for him to take it before walking to the swings with a big smile.

 

Tenmo couldn’t help but smile warmly for the pair. No wonder she was his first crush, treating him so kindly and so patient with him. “No wonder Solaria is loved by her teachers. A sweet young girl” He said with a soft smile

[Sathenus]

Ren nodded and hesitantly took the hand she offered to him letting Solaria take him away from his parents who he shot an already unnerved and wary expression before he turned back to where they were going. At the swings there were less kids but that didn't mean he wasn't standing there nervously at first eyes darting around and taking in all the kids running around and screaming. He really was out of his comfort zone with all of the sounds and quick movements. But he tried his best to stay calm as he looked back to Solaria with nervous green eyes.

 

"That's for sure." Kaine agreed with a smile watching the pair. Solaria seemed to have things under control for now, they'd have to keep an eye on Ren to make sure he didn't get too overwhelmed but he knew this was good for him even if it was unnerving. Turning back to his husband he flashed the other a smile, "I just hope that she's not biting off more than she can chew with Ren and the playground." While he wanted to have faith in their son he knew this may not be something Solaria had ever handled before especially with Ren not being a human child. While there had been other kids and a lot going on back in the village where they had met Ash and Ren there were not as many children and it had not been as loud. Kaine was sure this more than anything was the reason why their son was having such a hard time not being used to so many kids or just how loud they could be.

[virtualoo]

“Here we go, you sit down on it” Solaria pat the seat and sat on the one next to him. “You hold onto the chains nice and tight and kind of get a head start like this. You pump your legs and it keeps you moving. It’s hard sometimes so I will keep and push you” She smiled, quick to get off and stand behind the seat. “I won’t go too high, promise” She tried to assure him

 

”I know dear, That much I can agree on. It worries me so much for little Ren. I want him to be able to be as fully integrated into human society as possible. It’s okay to be nervous in public and anxious but..you know” He smiled softly, kissing Kaines cheek

[Sathenus]

Ren listened as Solaria began to explain how the swings worked his eyes looking over the item and not really sure he trusted it but he moved to sit down like she had done in the swing beside his. While he sat there and looked down at the ground his mind was racing hands holding onto the chains though he wasn't really sure how he felt about that being what was holding him up. It was odd, but Solaria was so willing to help him out so he saw no reason to complain about it. Instead he glanced towards her as she moved to stand behind him assuring him that she wouldn't go too high. He nodded not really wanting to speak right now and just letting her take the lead with these things.

 

"It's just a shame really. I thought we'd have a hard time with Ash when it came to the humans and integrating himself among them and yet... Ash seems to be doing extremely well especially now that he's been dating. Ren on the other hand... our poor boy just seems so easily overwhelmed. It's heartbreaking." Kaine replied despite knowing that Tenmo knew that already and understood. They both felt for their youngest and it sucked to see Ren so easily overwhelmed around kids his own age especially seeing Ash doing so well even if he was spending most of his time with pack members. Ash still went to town with them and seemed to be fine and doing well at least from what they could tell.

[virtualoo]

“Nice and slow..promise” Solaria said as she was patient despite it being weird still how Ren acted. But she could understand a tiny bit, having a mother who was a wolf and needing to keep these secrets..kids making fun of her for either her gay parents or her supernatural obsessions, she knew what it felt sort of to be an odd duck. She gave him a gentle push, letting the other swing back and forth and giving him pushes at steady intervals.

 

“I’m sure he is struggling too in his own way. He was a fighter and didn’t get a chance to really be himself. I’m sure even if he was bothered, it would be much harder for him to break down, even if I’m happy at his progress” Tenmo sighed, hoping with Ren being younger it would have been easier. They made progress regardless 

[Sathenus]

Ren let himself enjoy the motion of the swing and the occasional push from Solaria to keep him swinging. After a few minutes of this he glanced over his shoulder towards her. "You can swing too." Ren said softly not wanting to be the only one doing so. It didn't feel right to be the one swinging and Solaria just pushing him. This was supposed to be something they did together. 

 

"I know you're right and Ash has his own challenges and may just hide it better but I don't like the idea of either of or boys struggling." Kaine sighed. After a few more minutes he decided to mention something else to his husband that he had been thinking about. "Do you think... We should take them back to visit the island sometime?" He questioned. Kaine didn't want Ren and Ash to forget where they came from or lose connection with their roots. So he wondered if periodic visits to the island would be a good idea or if Tenmo thought that it'd do more harm for the boys than good.

[virtualoo]

“Sure! Let me know if you want to push you again! Don’t worry I like helping” She smiled as she went to sit on the swing next to him. She gave herself a head start and started to swing, going a tiny bit higher than Ren. She laughed when she looked towards him in a way to show she was enjoying herself.

 

”I never thought too much on it” Tenmo said but he had a point in asking. “While I want them to be able to integrate healthily here, they will always have been born on that island. Having interaction with their own kind would be good and yet they were already outcasts it seems. But visits would be good yet..I don’t know..what do you think love..? Would visits be helpful for them or do you think otherwise?”

[Sathenus]

Ren felt a lot better when Solaria was swinging beside him even if she had voiced that she didn't mind pushing him again if he wanted that she liked helping. While it made him smile to know that he hadn't bothered her by letting her push him on the swing for as long as he had. But he really liked her smile now and how she seemed happy to swing beside him. For awhile he was happy just with this even if his green eyes watched the kids around them with hypersensitivity not missing a thing.

 

"That's true..." Kaine agreed when Tenmo brought attention to the fact that both boys had been outcasts on the island, Ren being an orphan and Ash being a gay male in a tribe that was focused on the future of their people. Still, they were members of that tribe and while Kaine was glad they had been able to become part of their family he did not want them to forget or lose touch with their roots. "I'm not a hundred percent sure. I'd love for them to be able to visit the island again and retain a connection with the tribe and their home. I just don't want them to forget that. But... the boys would know better than us if going back for a visit here and there is a good idea, both for them and the tribe." He voiced as he sat there thinking about it. "Maybe we should sit down and discuss it with them? See if they think going back and keeping in touch with the tribe is a good thing or not. If anyone could say whether or not it's a good idea it'd be them." The island was the boys' home after all and they knew and understood the tribe better than they ever could. If it was a bad idea the boys would know, even if there was always a chance that if they did go back for a visit the tribe may not be as happy to see them as the boys may have been to go back. "Even if they say it's not we can still take family trips to the amazon to let them at least keep that kind of connection with their birthplace." Kaine finally decided.

[virtualoo]

Solaria went a little bit higher but didn’t go too high, giggling and laughing happily to herself. She was having so much fun right now! And she had company with her to enjoy it with made it all the better! “Woooo!” She cheered, kicking her legs happily whenever she would reach to peak height on the swing.

 

“I suppose you have a point. I’m sure they will love seeing the old sights and give the tribe some closure that they are all right and doing well for themselves even if they are outcasts. And I do like your idea of the Amazon as a plan to maintain the roots to their native lands. The town isn’t exactly a jungle, although we have seen people act like quite the wild animal” He teased with a small chuckle 

[Sathenus]

 

"Very funny." Kaine replied with a smile and gentle eye roll nudging his husband gently. "We'll discuss the possibility of returning to Amazon for a visit soon. I would like them to be more comfortable here before we make such a trip but it doesn't hurt to find out how they feel about it now." While Kaine knew and understood that the boys could say they didn't want to do it now but change their mind later or vice versa it wouldn't hurt to discuss it with them ahead of time. Let their sons think about it and decide if it really was something they wanted to do and thought would be a good idea. It wasn't like Kaine didn't want to travel with them regardless but they definitely had to wait for Ash and Ren to be more comfortable with the modern and mortal world. "I'd like for us to travel as a family no matter what. Once they're more comfortable." Kaine voiced his eyes locking on his husband.

 

Ren was silently swinging not going very high but able to enjoy the motion of it and find it a little soothing. Not just that but he loved seeing Solaria have fun it made a small smile cross his face. While his discomfort with the humans around him was prominent he couldn't focus on that completely when she was having so much fun. It made it even more apparent how much he really did like her since it was easy for his mind to get distracted.

[virtualoo]

“Of course! That sounds like a plan regardless of where we go for it. I think they are slowly settling into the town or just starting to so it should be okay to go from there” Tenmo smiled before watching them play again. “I wonder dear..should we start trying to see if Ash should enroll in schools? After some tutoring or maybe a class or two, I think maybe he can try some basic classes maybe some of those classes they offer adults like at libraries or for adults that need help with things?” He asked curiously.

 

“I like jumping off and going through the air while tumbling but Daddy doesn’t like that too much. Always says I’ll hurt myself and I haven’t yet. He is what Dad calls a ‘worry wart’ about me sometimes” She laughed, hair swishing about with every back and forth motion 

[Sathenus]

His husband asking about possibly taking the next steps with Ash and enrolling him in some classes had him thinking about it for a moment. "He does seem to be coping well. It might be a good idea." Kaine replied with a nod. While their youngest definitely wasn't ready yet Ash was doing much better and doing some classes would be good for Ash. "I think he's ready." Kaine decided.

 

Ren listened as Solaria told him about her jumping off the swing and how her Daddy didn't like it too much and how her Dad called him a worry wart. It was a little amusing that he worried about her so much but he understood why. "But... you could get hurt... couldn't you?" Ren asked.

[virtualoo]

“If you’re not careful you could I guess or if you’re too scared to begin with. But if you are always too scared or too careful to try something new, you won’t enjoy things right? I mean you still need to be careful but I think I read in a book once “Don’t go through life walking on eggshells”. Experience life and it’s wonders within reason” She smiled, coming to a slow stop so another kid could have a turn on the swing.

“Let’s ask Ash when we see him again..give it a go. Then if he copes well, we can try more academic classes” Tenmo spoke with a soft smile 

 

[Sathenus]

Listening as she explained that you could if you're too scared to begin with. Ren felt like there was still a chance one could get hurt whether or not they were scared when attempting it but he didn't say that. Since she made a good point, to really experience life you had to take chances and some of those chances wouldn't always end well. As she came to a stop to let another kid have a turn on the swing he followed her lead deciding he had enough of the swings and wanted to go back to his parents instead. So he motioned in that direction before heading off that way. "You're really smart." Ren said softly. It was an observation from what she said when she talked and what she did in general. Solaria was a very smart girl and Ren felt he had a lot to learn from her.

"Sounds good to me. He'll probably be reluctant at first, we'll just have to encourage him to give it a shot." Kaine replied with a smile. He truly believed that Ash was ready to be around humans more often and to start taking some classes. If he did well then Kaine thought it would be time to finally enroll Ash in school, something he wholeheartedly believed would be good for their oldest son.

[virtualoo]

“I get told that a lot..wise beyond your years...But it’s nice coming from you” Solaria said with a shy smile as they were making their way back to his parents. She was always told she was smart and she knew she was, needing far more advanced work. But she was happy when Ren said it...She thought as she was back at the blanket.

 

”Hungry..? I guess it is time for a bite” Tenmo smiled when the two came back, giving Solaria and Ren some of the snacks they brought with them. He wondered where to start with Ash if he agreed or if he should choose one

[Sathenus]

Ren returned the shy smile as they settled at the blanket, happily sipping his apple juice and eating the snacks. His mind was roving and he was feeling a bit more comfortable with Solaria there. Though he still wasn't very enthusiastic at least he wasn't watching the other kids like they were some sort of prey or up to something. It was an improvement at the very least, even if he couldn't be himself as much as he really wanted to be.

Smiling as the two returned Kaine was glad to see that the pair were getting along really well. Turning his gaze to Tenmo he spoke again about their oldest. "We should probably gather some pamphlets about some of the classes he could take. That way he can look at them and see what interests him. It wouldn't be any good to put him in classes that he won't pay attention in." He told the other with a smile.

[virtualoo]

“Classes..? Does Ash go to school now?” Solaria asked as she only heard a part of what they were saying. She took a sip of her drink before taking a big bite of her snack. Ash was a grown up..it was weird to think of him going to school that wasn’t a college.

 

“We were thinking about things dear. Just to get him to try more new things” Tenmo said with a soft smile on his face. He wondered if his parents would know of anything interesting but Solaria was already advanced enough for a little girl that might not be on Ash’s level

[Sathenus]

Ren looked from Solaria to his parents when they talked about Ash going to school. He wasn't sure how he felt about that giving the two older men a curious look. At the same time though he knew it wasn't up to him and that they wouldn't do anything that was bad for them. If they thought Ash should take classes of any kind it was because they thought it'd be good for him. Still he wasn't sure what kind of classes they could find that would necessarily interest the other, not that he really knew what interests the older man had when it came to this new life of theirs.

"Exactly. Just something to help him make some more friends and find out more about how things work here." Kaine added smiling at Solaria. Some classes for Ash would be good for their son and he hoped it would also help him figure out what he liked to do. Maybe allow him to discover a new interest. Glancing towards his husband he gave Tenmo a curious look. "Maybe Asahi will take a class with him. It could help him be more open to the idea if he seems hesitant." He suggested. Figuring Ash would most likely be more willing if he was hesitant about the classes if Asahi was there with him. The two were incredibly close to each other already and they seemed to be spending more and more time together. Not that he minded at all. Glad Ash found someone who made him happy and that their son wasn't still hung up on Otso.

[virtualoo]

“Ooo that sounds like fun! I liked going to the stuff they have at school where you can make slime and all this other cool stuff! One time my science teacher did elephant toothpaste and it made this big mess of colors and it was aweeeesooooome~! There were so many cool things to do and everyone thinks I’ll have so much fun when high school comes and I get to do even cooler stuff!” She said with a wider smile

 

”Someone is eager” Tenmo chuckled, patting her head. “Don’t worry Ren, we just want you and your brother to try out as many things as you can at your own pace. We think he is ready to try the next big thing. One day, in the future, you can try too and maybe go to school with Solaria when you are ready” He smiled which made Solaria smile wider. “You would looove Mrs.Honey! She is my teacher and runs the Rainbow Club at my school. She lets me draw soooo many pictures and told the mean lady off that didn’t like my two dads”