We Don't Choose Our Monsters. They Choose Us.

That's the curse of life I suppose. Live long enough and you inevitably become the very thing you hate.

[masonalpha-blog]

Fighting Brothers

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

Cato rested his forehead against her shoulder, not taking too long to catch his breath. He looked up at her, his eyes gentle. “We should head back.” He said. 

Back at the village several of the villagers had tackled and tied Mason down. He didn’t fight them much, out of fear of hurting someone. He was starting to get worried that Annabelle and Cato weren’t coming back. 

[heiressofcommoners-blog]

Annabelle nodded sadly. “We should.”

She considered walking into the village with her hand in Cato’s; she wouuld have done, if she hadn’t heard the angry voices of her people raised even from a distance. With a glance at Cato, Annabelle slid her hand free and gathered her skirts, bolting toward the tribe.

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

Cato followed closely behind her and when he saw his brother he froze, looking around at the villagers. 

[heiressofcommoners-blog]

“What is the meaning of this?” Annabelle roared, storming into the middle of the knot of bodies and shoving away the man standing nearest to Mason. “Unhand him! Now!”

The man glared at her. “This is the second monster you‘ve brought into our tribe in as many weeks, Annabelle. What is wrong with you?”

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

Cato let out a low growl, storming into the crowd of people. “You can call us monsters, because that is what we were born to be, but birth doesn’t define our actions!” He growled. “I have not only never hurt any humans, but I defended this village with my life!” He yelled. “And my brother here, the brother that taught me that I could be more than a mindless beast, was bringing you all food.” He pointed at the discarded bag of rabbits. “And yet you tie him up to do what, kill him?” 

[heiressofcommoners-blog]

The man blinked at him as if he hadn’t expected any argument. Annabelle laid a hand on her dagger. “Untie him,” she ordered. “The only monsters I see are all of you. I am ashamed of your actions today.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

When they untied him Mason leaned towards the man. “For the record…had I wanted to, I could have fought back. I just didn’t want to hurt anyone.” He said. Cato gritted his teeth and stormed away from the villagers, wanting to be away from all of them. 

[heiressofcommoners-blog]

“All of the hunters, go. No. Leave!” Annabelle shouted. The men broke away,  dispersing, muttering to themselves. “Are you all right, Mason?”

[masonalpha-blog]

Mason shrugged and popped his neck. “Yes…I should head back, though…my mother actually notices when I don’t come home.” He nodded towards where Cato ran off to. “You should go check on him…he really likes you…and I think he’s upset.”

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

Annabelle looked at him wretchedly. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. She hurried after Cato.

[heiressofcommoners-blog]

The Shadow

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

Cato raised his eyebrows. “Ahh but my mother has Jack’s backing.” He said. “She despises humans…and angels.” He said. 

[heiressofcommoners-blog]

“Jack,” Annabelle cocked her head. “Such a common name for an uncommon evil,” she seethed.

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

“My family would have everyone believe that we’re not involved in this war, and most of us aren’t…but she’s been supporting Jack.” Cato looked down at Annabelle for a second. “I’d like to help your village.” 

[heiressofcommoners-blog]

Annabelle coiled with mistrust, stepping back from him. “Why should I believe you?” she demanded. “Or trust you? You’re beautiful and your tongue is smooth…so is a serpent’s.”

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

Cato tilted his head and frowned. “Because nobody hates my mother more than I do.” He said. “And you’re beautiful and I’d like to serve you.” He said, bowing slightly to her. 

[heiressofcommoners-blog]

Annabelle regarded him with a shrewd smile. “You do not seem the sort to serve a woman,” she raked him with her gaze. “Outside of the confines of a bedchamber, at least.”

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

Cato smiled again. “I’ll let you in on a little secret…I’ve only ever been with a woman once.” He said.

[heiressofcommoners-blog]

“How very underexperienced you are,” Annabelle pivoted on heel with a flick of her dress, moving toward the village. “If you truly don’t mean me harm…tell me your weakness.”

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

Cato watched the back of her head. “Love.” He said. 

[heiressofcommoners-blog]

“Hmm,” Annabelle purred, glancing back at him. “Then I’m afraid I have nothing I can use to weaken you. I’ll simply have to trust you at your word.”

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

“I don’t know my weaknesses, Annabelle, my family doesn’t know what I am. Nobody knows…except that I feed on blood and animal blood is enough to keep me going. Ive never tasted human blood.” He said. “But I can promise you I mena your village no harm…and I especially mean you no harm. You have my word.” 

[heiressofcommoners-blog]

“I’m certain you’re used to being taken at your word, charming as you are,” Annabelle stopped and turned back to face him. “But know that I don’t trust you yet, Cato. And I bring you to my village, not because I find you charming…but because I would like to know more about your mother’s movements.”

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

“I will earn your trust.” He said, nodding to her. “Anything you want to know, you’ll have it.” 

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

"Tell me why she’s sided with Jack,” Annabelle challenged. “My father told me the tales.This realm is meant to be neutral, as the angels and demons fight for their own territory. Why then is Eve showing partiality?”

[comicbookcollege-blog]

Lessons in Humanity

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

Cato sighed and looked down at his knees. “When you first met me, Bucky, I had it half off.” Cato looked up at Adam. “I think we should start with only turning her’s half off…and once she gets that completely under control we can work our way up.”

[comicbookcollege-blog]

“I’ll do it slow. I literally have forever,” Bucky swore. “And we can stop the lessons if you guys think its getting dangerous.”

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

Cato nodded to Adam and looked to Bucky. “It’s a lot safer if your trigger isn’t me.” He said. 

[comicbookcollege-blog]

Ever the student, Bucky actually pulled a pocket-sized notebook out of her jacket and started taking notes. “So do I just decide what my trigger is? Because when I got my memories back from DarkWind, my humanity turned back on immediately. So I think it being my kids is probably a good call,” she nodded.

[yellow-eyed-gentleman-blog]

Cato raised an eyebrow at Bucky and grinned.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“Kids first,” Bucky nodded vigorously. “Okay. Let’s lay down some ground rules? Tell me everything I need to know about how to turn off my humanity.”

[mommabearkitten-blog]

Vent

Ari knew she was raising hell, but she didn’t care.

She stormed around the kitchen, throwing things together for a haphazard dinner. Taylor danced around her feet excitedly and Ava was in her bouncer, cooing and banging on the rattle so loudly Ari wanted to rip her own ears off. Plain and simple…Ari was pissed. Chalk it up to hormones or the latest bomb that had gone off in the middle of normal, she just couldn’t get her temper in check.

[father-death-blog]

Crowley came down stairs with damp hair and no shirt on. He yawned as he walked into the room. “Whoa…you are fuming…” he said, raising an eyebrow.

[mommabearkitten-blog]

“What tipped you off?” Ari snapped, banging the oven shut and snapping t Taylor as he danced underfoot, “Would you please go lie down somewhere?”

[father-death-blog]

“Whoa don’t yell at the kid.” Crowley said, gently grabbing her shoulder. “What’s eating you?”

[mommabearkitten-blog]

Ari shrugged his hand off. “Did Mina tell you she’s pregnant?” she demanded.

[father-death-blog]

Crowley blinked at her. “She’s pregnant? Like with your dad’s kid…?”

[mommabearkitten-blog]

Ari grabbed Crowley’s face in her hands. “My half-sister,” she growled, “is going to be my future daughter-in-law’s half-sister. Do you understand how messed up that is?!”

[father-death-blog]

“This whole family is messed up, Ari. It comes with us all being monsters and not really having any normal friends.” He said.

[mommabearkitten-blog]

“I know, but…it’s my dad,” Ari insisted weakly. “He’s old…oh my God, I’m old! It’s a hundred and eight kind of too late for him to have another kid?!”

[father-death-blog]

Crowley smiled softly at her. “Ari…with all due respect I’m way older than your dad and I just had a kid.” He said. “We’re all immortal…no reason not to keep building a family.”

[mommabearkitten-blog]

“Stop being practical, you’re making me look bad,” Ari swatted his arm, then rested her head on his shoulder. “Maybe I’m a little jealous. I mean…Mina has something my mom didn’t have. Immortality. She’s not going to get torn to shreds. So that kid is going to have everything I never had…a stay-at-home family with a mom and my dad. And…yeah I sound like an idiot,” Ari sighed.

[father-death-blog]

Crowley kissed Ari’s temple. “Have you ever stopped to consider that, as shitty as it is, everything happens for a reason. Your dad is alive because of Mina.” He said.

[mommabearkitten-blog]

“I know, I know,” Ari groaned. “But couldn’t he have thanked her with some other part of his anatomy?” She was half-laughing as she said it….as usual, just venting to Crowley made her see with more clarity.

[father-death-blog]

“He loves her.” Crowley said softly. “And to be honest I’ve never seen Mina take a liking to someone like she has your dad.”

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

Ari cocked a brow; hearing that kind of comment from Crowley, who had known Mina for thousands of years, definitely left an impression. “I guess. And I’m glad they have each other. It just kind of caught me off guard, you know...I mean...that’s not even technically my dad’s body,” she snorted.

[daugtheroffireandsand2-blog]

Study time

[daugtheroffireandsand2-blog]

A familiar shadow filled Sam, passing through him from head to toe…the guilt. Usually he could keep it at bay. Being around Maggie and Soheila usually brought it closer to the surface. “I hope so,” he said. “Things that get lost in this family have a habit of findin’ their way back.”

Soheila looked up at Sam with teary eyes “Why does everyone else get to keep their daddies and I don’t?” she whimpered

[whitefangdiner-blog]

Sam frowned and folded his arms on Soheila’s knees, looking her square in the eye. “‘Cause your dad was the best there was,” he said softly. “So he did what heroes do. He saved everyone so the rest of the dads would have a chance to be that awesome. Well, that, and,” he half-smiled, tucking Soheila’s hair behind her ear, “So you’d have a chance to grow up safe, Soph.”

[daugtheroffireandsand2-blog]

Soheila frowned at Sam and wiped her eyes “Mama says he made a promise to come back. Is it a real promise sam?” she asked, chewing the corner of her lip. “I don’t want mama to find me a new daddy like Kelso from school. Her daddy left and then her mama found a different daddy”

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“Your parents are really, really good at waiting for each other,” Sam grinned. “I got to see a lot of the time they spent together when they were a lot younger. Your dad waited almost three thousand years for your mom. Bet you can’t even count that high,” he winked.

[darkwindofmagic-blog]

Showdown

[darkwindofmagic-blog]

DarkWind sneered. “I hope to send a similar impression when I send your body to Crowley in pieces.”

Naveen gave the sword a twist. Then he reached into his holster, drew his gun and fired. DarkWind brought up a cloak of shadows that broke the bullet’s path. DarkWind shot forward toward Maggie

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie didn’t budge. Flames shot up in front of her, blazing high and hot.

[darkwindofmagic-blog]

The heat of the flames made Naveen recoil, and DarkWind drew to a halt, slinging a stripe of water that doused the flames. Hatred contorted his face into a furious mask as he faced Maggie again. He lunged at her again, bringing up the shadows at her flanks again.

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie vanished and reappeared behind him, grinning. “I’ve been practicing you big dumb beast.”

[darkwindofmagic-blog]

DarkWind snarled furiously, trying to hook her legs out from under her with a shadow whip. Naveen shoulder checked him, hurling him against a nearby tree. The cord of darkness slapped Maggie’s shoulder instead.

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie fell back into the leaves, the breath being knocked out of her. She sat up quickly, ready to jump to her feet.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

DarkWind started to hurl fireballs at Naveen and Maggie, Naveen dodging and rolling to avoid them. He rolled up behind DarkWind and slashed at him to draw his attention; the sword slit hi clothes but couldn’t even pentrate the skin; Naveen swore, leaping backward, barely out of reach of DarkWind’s retaliatory strike.

[notatraitor-blog]

Ain’t No Game Like Family Games

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“Thank you, Princess,” Cyril glanced at her. “For bringing me into your life. Giving me a home and a family. When I took the task of capturing you for Jack’s people…I was aware it was going to change this game. I truly had no concept of how steeply.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie leaned towards him and kissed him. “I love you, Cy.” She said.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“And I love you,” he brushed the backs of his fingers over the curve of her cheek. “Take care of yourself out there, darling. Since I won’t be there to do it.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

“I’ll be fine. I promise, okay?” She said. “I can do this.”

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“I know you can,” Cy kissed her forehead. “You have a habit of changing worlds. I don’t see you doing any less than succeding utterly.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie smiled softly at him. “Well…” She crawled into his lap with a wicked smirk. “I could change your world tonight if you want?” She raised her eyebrows at him.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

Cy arched a brow. "I welcome it, darling," he purred.

[notatraitor-blog]

Ain’t No Game Like Family Games

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“Thank you, Princess,” Cyril glanced at her. “For bringing me into your life. Giving me a home and a family. When I took the task of capturing you for Jack’s people…I was aware it was going to change this game. I truly had no concept of how steeply.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie leaned towards him and kissed him. “I love you, Cy.” She said.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“And I love you,” he brushed the backs of his fingers over the curve of her cheek. “Take care of yourself out there, darling. Since I won’t be there to do it.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

“I’ll be fine. I promise, okay?” She said. “I can do this.”

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“I know you can,” Cy kissed her forehead. “You have a habit of changing worlds. I don’t see you doing any less than succeding utterly.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie smiled softly at him. “Well…” She crawled into his lap with a wicked smirk. “I could change your world tonight if you want?” She raised her eyebrows at him.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

"I welcome it, darling," Cy arched his brow, trailing his fingers from her thighs to her bent knees.

[notatraitor-blog]

Ain’t No Game Like Family Games

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“Thank you, Princess,” Cyril glanced at her. “For bringing me into your life. Giving me a home and a family. When I took the task of capturing you for Jack’s people…I was aware it was going to change this game. I truly had no concept of how steeply.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie leaned towards him and kissed him. “I love you, Cy.” She said.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“And I love you,” he brushed the backs of his fingers over the curve of her cheek. “Take care of yourself out there, darling. Since I won’t be there to do it.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

“I’ll be fine. I promise, okay?” She said. “I can do this.”

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“I know you can,” Cy kissed her forehead. “You have a habit of changing worlds. I don’t see you doing any less than succeding utterly.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie smiled softly at him. “Well…” She crawled into his lap with a wicked smirk. “I could change your world tonight if you want?” She raised her eyebrows at him.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

Cy arched a brow. "I welcome it, love."

[notatraitor-blog]

Ain’t No Game Like Family Games

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“Thank you, Princess,” Cyril glanced at her. “For bringing me into your life. Giving me a home and a family. When I took the task of capturing you for Jack’s people…I was aware it was going to change this game. I truly had no concept of how steeply.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie leaned towards him and kissed him. “I love you, Cy.” She said.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“And I love you,” he brushed the backs of his fingers over the curve of her cheek. “Take care of yourself out there, darling. Since I won’t be there to do it.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

“I’ll be fine. I promise, okay?” She said. “I can do this.”

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

"I know you can," Cy kissed her forehead. "You have a habit of changing worlds. I don't see you doing any less than succeding utterly."

[notatraitor-blog]

Ain’t No Game Like Family Games

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“Thank you, Princess,” Cyril glanced at her. “For bringing me into your life. Giving me a home and a family. When I took the task of capturing you for Jack’s people…I was aware it was going to change this game. I truly had no concept of how steeply.”

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie leaned towards him and kissed him. “I love you, Cy.” She said.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

"And I love you," he brushed the backs of his fingers over the curve of her cheek. "Take care of yourself out there, darling. Since I won't be there to do it."

[notatraitor-blog]

Ain’t No Game Like Family Games

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

"Thank you, Princess," Cyril glanced at her. "For bringing me into your life. Giving me a home and a family. When I took the task of capturing you for Jack's people...I was aware it was going to change this game. I truly had no concept of how steeply."

[notatraitor-blog]

Ain’t No Game Like Family Games

[notatraitor-blog]

Hank feigned a glare. “‘Least I outgrew it before I was five!”

“Dude, I thought we weren’t gonna bring that up again,” Sam complained, rubbing the side of his neck awkwardly.

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie rolled her eyes again. “You guys are definitely all bark.” She said.

[notatraitor-blog]

“Nah, you just don’t remember how hard we might, sis,” Hank smirked.

Ari appeared at the bottom of the stairs, having finally gotten Ava and Taylor both down for the night. There were dark circles around her eyes; she looked truly anxious.

[prophetprincess-blog]

Crowley looked back at Ari. “C'mere.” He said, gesturing towards the spot next to him.

[mommabearkitten-blog]

Ari sat next to him, propping her elbows on her knees and pushing her hair back with both hands. She looked around wearily at her kids. “Naveen called,” she said. “He and Fliss are going to be here tomorrow morning.” Her gaze settled on Maggie.

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie looked around at all the grave faces around the room. “I can handle it, guys.”

[notatraitor-blog]

“Yeah, we know,” Hank grumbked. “But we’re -”

“Your big brothers,” Sam finished. “So we’re always gonna worry. Whether you’re walking to the store or, you know…”

“Fighting abusive evil incarnate that you used to sleep with.” Hank finished.

[prophetprincess-blog]

“I’m getting rid of him.” She shrugged. “I can do it.” She said.

[mommabearkitten-blog]

“She’s got this,” Ari agreed. “She comes from good stock.”

With a faint rush of feathers, Cyril was in the doorway of the stairs, cleaning out from under his nails with his thumb, his other arm hooked loosely around his body. He glanced at Maggie, sayimg nothing. It was obvious he had been listening in.

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie frowned at him. “Let’s go upstairs, Cy.” She said, standing and nodding to him.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

Cyril vanished and reappeared in Maggie’s room, opening the window and stepping out onto the slope of the roof. He left the window open so she would know where he was.

[prophetprincess-blog]

She crawled out into the window and sat down beside him. “You okay?”

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

"Not precisely. But I'm certain I'll survive," Cyril shifted so their shoulders were touching. "Have I ever told you how you've changed my life for the better, love."

[notatraitor-blog]

Ain’t No Game Like Family Games

[notatraitor-blog]

Hank feigned a glare. “‘Least I outgrew it before I was five!”

“Dude, I thought we weren’t gonna bring that up again,” Sam complained, rubbing the side of his neck awkwardly.

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie rolled her eyes again. “You guys are definitely all bark.” She said.

[notatraitor-blog]

“Nah, you just don’t remember how hard we might, sis,” Hank smirked.

Ari appeared at the bottom of the stairs, having finally gotten Ava and Taylor both down for the night. There were dark circles around her eyes; she looked truly anxious.

[prophetprincess-blog]

Crowley looked back at Ari. “C'mere.” He said, gesturing towards the spot next to him.

[mommabearkitten-blog]

Ari sat next to him, propping her elbows on her knees and pushing her hair back with both hands. She looked around wearily at her kids. “Naveen called,” she said. “He and Fliss are going to be here tomorrow morning.” Her gaze settled on Maggie.

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie looked around at all the grave faces around the room. “I can handle it, guys.”

[notatraitor-blog]

“Yeah, we know,” Hank grumbked. “But we’re -”

“Your big brothers,” Sam finished. “So we’re always gonna worry. Whether you’re walking to the store or, you know…”

“Fighting abusive evil incarnate that you used to sleep with.” Hank finished.

[prophetprincess-blog]

“I’m getting rid of him.” She shrugged. “I can do it.” She said.

[mommabearkitten-blog]

“She’s got this,” Ari agreed. “She comes from good stock.”

With a faint rush of feathers, Cyril was in the doorway of the stairs, cleaning out from under his nails with his thumb, his other arm hooked loosely around his body. He glanced at Maggie, sayimg nothing. It was obvious he had been listening in.

[prophetprincess-blog]

Maggie frowned at him. “Let’s go upstairs, Cy.” She said, standing and nodding to him.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

Cyril vanished and reappeared in Maggie's room, opening the window and stepping out onto the slope of the roof. He left the window open so she would know where he was.

[hippywerewolf-blog]

Stillness Between

The heat of the sunlight fell in scattered lengths like a maiden’s skirt over the foothills of the mountains. Kai perched on the ledge, shirtless, his skin as golden as his hair as he relished in the high breeze. He could hear mice scuttling in the cracks of the stone, and the brush of wind through the feathers of the eagles that hunted them. And a certain squirming figure not belonging to the landscape.

Kai curled his lip. “I brought you up here to the mountains to enjoy the view. Not to fidget like you wish we were back on my mother’s lands.”

[graciewolfprincess-blog]

Grace whined softly and stretched out like a cat, part covered by the sheets “then perhaps you should help me regain my energy” she hummed

[hippywerewolf-blog]

Kai glanced back at the makeshift hide tent on the ledge, smirking at Grace where he could see her lying in the entryway. “That’s the plan.” He stood up, shaking himself off. “There’s something I want to show you.”

[graciewolfprincess-blog]

Grace sighed and pulled on Kai’s shirt, barely covering herself as she passed out to meet him “what is it you want to show me wolfy?”

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

Kai transformed and jerked his muzzle at his back, indicating she should climb on his back

[graciewolfprincess-blog]

Summer ball

[graciewolfprincess-blog]

Grace flinched but kept her cool “you walked out in spite of your mother being there… That’s brave” she whispered, gently raising a hand to his shoulder

[hippywerewolf-blog]

Kai arched his shoulder into her touch. “This is a very bad idea,” he growled.

[graciewolfprincess-blog]

“Then tell me to stop” she whispered, stepping closer so her body was flush against his back

[hippywerewolf-blog]

Kai shuddered, lookin over his shoulder at her. “You never listen to me when I say it, anyway.”

[graciewolfprincess-blog]

Grace smiled softly and chewed the corner of her lip “and you love it”

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“Shut up,” Kai growled, but there was laughter in his voice.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

Step in

[papa--monster]

“I’m assuming DarkWind isn’t one of them,” Cyril stretched his legs out, adjusting Taylor’s weight on his lap. “Bloody hell. This family is complicated.”

Adam shook his head “Oh no… Darkwind was an experiment. Eve used souls from the rack I think… could be wrong though” he said quietly. 

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“Good riddance,” Cy muttered. “Being a father complicates everything. Strangely worth it, though,” Cyril sighed.

[papa--monster]

“Wait till he gets old enough for school, then it’s an entirely different ball game” he chuckled at his own pun.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

Cy snorted. “I survived learning he was a werewolf…I doubt his school years could shock me.”

[papa--monster]

“We shall see” adam chuckled and clapped a hand on Cyril’s shoulder. “I’m always around if you ever want to ask anything” he nodded

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

“Thanks mate,” Cyril squinted up at him. “Best of luck with your adoptee as well.”

[papa--monster]

Adam huffed a brief chuckle and headed inside. Taylor shifted soundlessly in to the form of a small child, curled in Cyril’s lap.

[philosophersofshadow-blog]

"Bloody nudist!" Cyril chuckled, slinging his son over his shoulder and carrying him inside to put him to bed. Then, surrendering to his own exhaustoon after so much worry, Cy stretched out in thr bed next to Taylor and took a nap himself.