TAMED

Together Always

The court room was silent as Ares sat in a wheel chair, Vince and Levi at either side of him. His body face, legs, chest and back, shoulder, and both arms were bandaged. He wore loose hospital clothes as he remained quiet, listening intently. He'd needed a skin graft on his left shoulder and calf. It had been a long road to recovery, and he wasn't there yet. Because of the fire he had little feeling where the most severe burns had occurred, especially in his left leg. The doctors had told him that he would have to learn to walk again as he adjusted the lack of feeling due to nerve damage. It wasn't likely that he would ever again be able to sprint how he did before, at least that's what the specialists had said.

"Bioengineered or not, this young man risked his life to save others and was able to control himself in the face of possible death." The judge spoke, his voice aged but firm. He sat upon his throne like a wise old wizard as his gray mustache hid his lips completely. "I've studied this soldier's history extensively, and his only true misjudgment was during an active duty mission."

Levi listened calmly as Vince tried his best to avoid bouncing his leg up and down with anxiety. They'd been through so much, the road had been long and grueling. All of this time Vince had only grown closer to Ares, even when he'd turned his back on him to follow a corrupt master.

"Ares, please explain to the court why you deserve to be pardoned for your crimes? There are many families now that are still suffering from the loss of their loved ones, all because you lost control of yourself and confused the enemy with the innocent. It won't be easy for me to excuse you from this."

Ares stayed quiet for a time, the white bandages framing his face and giving him a rather helpless image. He swallowed hard and his friends watched as he grunted and huffed as he placed his bandaged hands to the armrests of his wheel chair.

"Ares no, don't stand." Levi insisted as Vince attempted to stop the soldier, but was unsuccessful.

"Please...let me do this." Ares pleaded through misty green eyes. At seeing his sincerity, Levi and Vince stood back in worry and watched closely.

Ares tenderly stood and braced himself against the podium.

"Your honor..." He spoke softly, at first keeping his eyes downcast, but then raising them to meet the blues of the judge. "I was born in a laboratory. I never knew the warmth of a mother. I never knew th-"He paused to cough as his scorched vocal cords took a moment to breathe. "I never knew the feeling of holidays...and gatherings..."

His legs trembled as he forced himself to stay upright and speak the most he ever had in a single moment.

"I-I was born and made. I wasn't raised." He explained,  salty warm tears now spilling over and wetting the bandaging that wrapped his cheeks. "On the battlefield, all I knew was how to kill efficiently. So I did what I was told to do, and I did it thoroughly."

The room listened intently, all of the witnesses being highly decorated military officials and those involved with the production, management, and fulfillment of the Hound project. In the room as well, were Ares' brothers and sisters. They sat quietly and with disciplined posture, yet their eyes were filled with emotion and connection for their youngest brother.

"I want to live." Ares said with a firm tone. "That, may not sound like a good enough reason to let me, but before I met Vince and Levi, I didn't care if I lived or not. It wasn't my duty to care. A weapon doesn't decide its own fate or care about it." He sniffled, and for a moment nearly fell. Fortunately, his two companions supported him enough to help him stay upright and regain his stature.

The judge listened quietly, thoughtfully taking in every single word, and every single hint of humanity from the defendant.

"I care now, because I learned how to care. I didn't know what family felt like. I didn't know what it felt like to have friends." He paused again, glancing at Vince who still wore his concerned expression, then back to the judge. "I learned what love feels like. So I know now why we don't take lives. Lives have value, and much greater value than their threat level in a database." His voice rattled as he again fell into a coughing fit, his head was aching and pulling forth so much verbal ability. He'd never had the opportunity or drive to use his voice beyond basic commands really.

"I know-I won't hurt anyone. I love Vince and Levi, and..."He stopped short as his eyes teared over more and he finally collapsed, his weakened body unable to support his weight any longer. Levi captured him before he hit the ground and delicately replaced him in his wheelchair. "I'm begging you, please let me live so I can have a family and have love like a normal person. I-I don't want to be a weapon anymore, and with my body as broken as it is...I can't be of any use to the military anyway...just please-don't throw me away."

Exhaustion took hold and he was forced to catch his breath in silence as he closed his eyes. His heart raced in his ears as it tried to handle the recent strain on his body.

A few of the people in the room tried to wipe their dampened eyes without the noticing of anyone, but everyone knew what was going on. The whole court room had gone through a change of heart at hearing Ares' words. The once stoic, aggressive, emotionless, machine of a soldier had become just as human as anyone else. He had pain, he had fear, he had a taste of something that he didn't ever want to lose...family.

The judge watched and listened to be sure that Ares had nothing else to say, and then after a moment of examining his paperwork again, brought the gavel down with a loud clack.

...

Vince and Ares sat on the steps of the front deck and welcomed the cool evening breeze. Vince was exhausted from the pressure of the last few months. It had been three since Ares had been pardoned for his transgressions while under the influence of the United States military and while manipulated by criminals. He'd been given the opportunity to live in peace at the estate house with Vince and Levi. The only catch was he had to get permission anytime he wanted to leave the state or country, and he had to have supervision from Levi if he were to be anywhere children were likely to be present, such as schools, public parks, etc. Ares was still in physical therapy for his injuries, and he was still in speech and occupational therapies, but overall he was healing wonderfully. He was still, and would always be, a bit winded if he used his left leg for too long, as the nerve damage was still an issue. Yet, it didn't seem to bother Ares at all. He was just happy that he could live free of the chains that had bound him his entire life. No collar, no leashes, no commands...no more.

"Come on can't I have some?" Vince pouted as he jabbed Ares in the side with his finger playfully. Ares rolled his eyes and grinned, handing over a single green M&M candy.

"There..." The ex-hound teased, only to receive an unamused scoff from Vince.

"Really...?" The blonde wondered as he laughed and tried to nab the box of candy, of course without success. Ares evaded easily and pinned his boyfriend's hand away.

"H-Hey!" Vince argued but laughed innocently. "I thought we agreed no fancy moves from your training..."

Ares chuckled as he flicked Vince in the head but was careful to not truly hurt him.

"You threatened my candy, that changes things..." He snickered but then dumped a few on Vince's lap and set him free.

"You're a brat, but I love you anyway." Vince huffed as he planted a tender kiss on Ares's cheek.

They both turned their attention to the left as Levi pulled up in his car with a few bags from a local fast food joint.

"Hey kiddies...you guys hungry?" The man asked as he beckoned them forth and handed off the food, then reached back into the car with an aged groan and picked up the drink holder.

Ares didn't wait, and quickly shoved his hand into one of the bags and yanked out a handful of fries before Vince or Levi could stop him.

"Hey!" Both Levi and Vince argued in sync, not fast enough to catch up to the boy before he expertly hoisted himself up onto the roof. Though he wasn't as nimble as he was before, he could still climb up onto the roof if he needed. He smirked down at the others playfully.

"I call dibs on the bag fries...once I get those ones then I'll come down!" He teased and laughed out right at the looks of disbelief his family gave him.

"Really?!" Vince laughed and launched a pebble at his best friend. "Fine...what's a few right?"

Levi smiled lightly and clapped Vince on the back as he walked into the house, taking not only briefly of the low thunder rumbling off in the distance. They'd been through so much, more than anyone would have believed even if he had wanted to tell someone. Still, some how the experiences they had shared together just made them believe in each other even more. They knew that no matter what, they could get through this train-wreck life and live to tell the tale. One day at a time, they could push forward as long as they always had each other's backs.