The Hunchback's Perfect Family ✔

BONUS (THE END)

Pest, a rope in his grip, reached down with his free left and caught the hand extended to him. He was less than impressed with the nonsense.

"You've only lost the ability to hold your fairy shape, not the ability to walk. Stop this."

Now graying at the temples, his father growled. "This is the thanks I get? I lost my bedfellow, and part of my immortality, but pardon me if I want some help in this climb."

"What climb?" Pest protested. "It's not even that steep!" He meant to be steadfast as he stepped on another rock but when he looked down at his father and saw the hurt there, he sighed. "Should I carry you on my back?"

The man considered it.

Pest's jaw dropped. "I was joking," he attested.

"I was not."

Rather than carry him on his back, however, Pest hoisted him up on one shoulder.

"See? You're far more useful as an ogre son than a human one." He looked down at Pest and asked, "Have you told her?"

Pest feigned deafness. "Huh?"

His father laughed. "Coward."

That wasn't it at all. "I don't need to tell her." Far in the distance, Fanli walked on, a yellow fairy on her shoulder. Pest wasn't sure what to make of his mother. She'd come back, but hadn't let her husband see her. That spoke of shame but that was so unlike her.

"You should tell her," Father said, utterly unaware that while he rode on Pest's left shoulder, his wife, in fairy form, rode on Fanli's right. "Females like to hear such things."

Pest's chest tightened. "I do not have to tell her. She doesn't care."

A hearty laugh almost had Pest flinching.

"Coward."

It was rare to hear the man laugh so Pest didn't protest.

The man had the nerve to put his hands on his hips as Pest carried him.

"I hope Jeze is all right."

Pest glanced at him but thought better of broaching that topic.

"I suppose she's found someone to torment. Because good luck finding a new bedfellow. Ha!"

His words made Pest uncomfortable for different reasons. They were said in boast but the tremble of his voice spoke of anguish.

"What will you do?" Pest asked.

Father drew up his shoulders then let them drop. "Nothing. I can love her with all my heart. She must love me back a little some day. It was too exhausting otherwise." He gave Pest's head a slap. "So! I suppose that'll mean you taking care of me for a change."

Pest sighed. "You're not cripple."

"In my heart I am." He stared ahead and asked, "And why are we accompanying these morons again?"

With a sigh, Pest grumbled, "Fanli just wants to send Ved off. Now that he's chosen to go with the dragons."

"And you agreed? A fairy'd sooner find a way to do away with a bedfellow challenger. Not wish him well."

Pest gritted his teeth and admitted under his breath. "Oh, I want him out of this valley more than I want my next live rat."

Father laughed. "That was entertaining to watch, by the way. Did it really taste good?"

It actually had. Fanli nearly threw up just watching him, a fact that had Father laughing harder. Pest was trying to do what other ogres did. He didn't like the tusks but allow them to grow somewhat. To see both of his parents cheer him on in his efforts made the days easier. But Pest never regretted his wish.