Chapter Text
Ben all but fell upon the couch, far too exhausted to do so gently. The couch's springs and supports squeaked in protest. His body ached all over, and Ben was sure he was bleeding from somewhere. "I hate this time war," Ben grunted, running a had through his brunette hair, which was starting to gray a bit around the edges.
"Were you able to find Paradox?" a rich and deep voice, that always sent pleasurable chills down Ben's back, said.
Ben pulled himself upright and smiled as he saw his husband of eighteen years walk towards him. Rook Blonko had changed over the years, and yet, he was still the same. He now sported a beard, much like the one his father had, as black as the spiky mohawk upon his head. A small silver hoop hung from his left ear while his right had a chunk missing from, what was once, the pointed tip.
Ben smiled and threw his legs off so that his husband could sit with him. "Yeah, I found him. Maybe with his diplomatic skills we can reign in the Chronosapiens."
"And Maltruent?" Rook asked, now seated next to Ben.
Ben sighed before rubbing his closed eyelids with his thumb and forefinger. "We're on our own. Paradox offered to talk him down, but, we both know nothing short of being handed all of time and space on a silver platter will please that monster."
Rook nodded in understanding, looking quite weary himself after hearing the news. Now taking a good look at his husband, Rook said, "Are you in need of medical attention?"
Ben chuckled and replied, "Nah, just a few bumps and bruises. Maybe a scratch or two. Makes me dream of the good 'ole days when all we had to worry about were Khyber, Malware, and Psychobos."
Rook smiled before placing his left hand on Ben's cheek, and pulling him in for a kiss. It was slow and soft, the both of them needing comfort for the hard times ahead. After all these years, they were still so very much in love with each other.
A shuffling sound had them pull apart and turn around to see a sleepy six-year-old Revonnahghander girl standing at her bedroom's doorway. Her name was Bailey, and she was quite unusual. Unlike normal Revonnahghander children, she'd never had a tail. Her hair was not the normal black, but a caramel brown. Also, the pupils of her eyes were perfectly circular, not sickle-shaped, and her irises were jade. "Daddy? You home?"
"Hey, Bai," Ben called, motioning with his hands for his daughter to come to him, "What are you doing up so late?"
Bailey slowly shuffled over to her daddy, who picked her up and sat her on his lap. "Couldn't sleep," she mumbled, "had a scary dream."
"What happened in your dream?" Ben asked.
"You didn't come home," Bailey said, tears slowly gathering at the corners of her eyes, ready to fall at a moments notice, "Aunt Gwen said you were gone...that you couldn't come back...that you were-"
Ben wrapped his arms tightly, making soothing sounds as she silently sobbed. Rook watched helplessly as his daughter practically fell apart in his husbands lap. Bailey loved her father, but only her daddy could hope to soothe her.
Eventually, the child fell asleep again, and once Ben was sure he wouldn't wake her, he stood up and, with Rook at his side, took her back to her room.
Once Bailey was tucked back in her bed and snoring much like her daddy (Ben had received no end of flack from Rook for that), Ben and Rook turned to the other end of the room to check on it's other occupant.
Bailey was a fraternal twin. Her brother, Renoir, 'Ren' for short, was human...mostly. In much the same way that Bailey appeared to be a Rhevonnahghander, save for a few traits, so too did Ren appear to be human. His pupils were sickle-shaped, and his irises were orange. His hair was caramel brown, but only grew in a thick vertical strip along his head (just like his father) and was generally a messy tangle. He also had a cute little brown tail.
As Ben watched his children sleep, with his husband standing behind him with his arms around Ben's waist, he couldn't help but thank an old friend for these two precious gifts. Both his children and their conception were unusual, but Ben couldn't care less; they were his children, and he would love them, and die for them!
Ben silently bid Bailey and Ren goodnight, before he was carried to his and Rook's bed for a goodnight's rest. The war would soon see it's end.
END INTERMISSION