Human! Mayhem

finding Harmony

Life in Floyd's parents' house was a mixture of chaos, creativity, and a strange sense of peace. Floyd and Dr. Teeth—now going by the names they had chosen for themselves rather than the ones given to them—found refuge in the warm, bohemian household of Komo and Ethan Pepper. It was a stark contrast to the rigid and judgmental world Dr. Teeth had just escaped from. Here, they were allowed to be themselves, no questions asked. And they needed that freedom now more than ever, especially with the unexpected arrival of Animal.

Komo Catan-Pepper was a whirlwind of color and life. A part-time art therapist, she spent her days either guiding troubled kids through painting sessions or diving into her own abstract creations. She had immediately taken a shine to Animal, even though they still had no idea where he came from. To Komo, the fact that this little creature was different made him all the more special. She often brought Animal into her art room, laying out jars of paint and bits of clay for him to explore. Animal, in his wild and untamed way, took to the space like a hurricane, smearing paint across canvases and chewing on clay with a joyful abandon.

"He's got a unique approach to art," Komo would say with a grin, watching as Animal created a mess that only he could understand. "I think he's a natural abstract artist."

Dr. Teeth and Floyd exchanged glances. They weren't sure if it was art or just chaos, but either way, Animal was happy, and that was what mattered. Komo became a sort of maternal figure to Animal, guiding him not with strict rules but with gentle encouragement. She was the nurturing presence that he needed, something neither Dr. Teeth nor Floyd felt equipped to provide on their own.

Ethan Pepper was the polar opposite of Mama Teeth. A retired high school music teacher, he had a laid-back demeanor and an easygoing smile that instantly put people at ease. He had met Floyd's coming out and transition with unconditional support, always saying, "You're my kid, no matter what name you go by." When Dr. Teeth moved in, Ethan welcomed him just as warmly, often inviting both of them to join him in his music room, a cozy nook filled with guitars, sheet music, and an old piano that had seen better days.

"You boys want to jam?" he’d ask, picking up his guitar and strumming a few chords. Floyd and Dr. Teeth would join in, sometimes with Animal banging on whatever object was closest, his unrefined rhythm somehow fitting into the cacophony. For Dr. Teeth, these jam sessions were more than just a way to pass the time; they were a form of therapy. He was slowly rediscovering his passion for music, one chord at a time.

Ethan would sit back and watch them play, a proud look in his eyes. "You’ve got something special here," he’d say after a particularly good session. "It’s not just music; it's family."

Floyd and Dr. Teeth both knew he was right. For the first time, they felt like they were part of a family where they didn’t have to hide or pretend. They could be themselves—eccentric, musical, and even a little chaotic—and that was enough.

Their daily lives were a blend of the ordinary and the extraordinary. Floyd and Dr. Teeth spent their days figuring out the legal mess left behind by Dr. Teeth's departure from his family, with Floyd guiding him through the process of disentangling himself from Mama Teeth’s control. It was tedious and frustrating, but Floyd was a pillar of support. Whenever Dr. Teeth felt overwhelmed, Floyd would simply say, "One step at a time, man. We're in this together."

Meanwhile, Komo and Animal developed a routine of their own. Every morning, Komo would lead Animal in a short yoga session. It was more of an attempt than a success; Animal couldn’t hold a pose to save his life. Still, he enjoyed the ritual, especially when Komo laughed and cheered him on. She treated his wildness not as a problem to be fixed but as a part of who he was.

"You're a force of nature," she’d tell him with a smile as he rolled around on the floor, having abandoned any semblance of yoga. "And that's a beautiful thing."

In the afternoons, Ethan would take Animal out to the garden. The first time they attempted gardening together, Animal had uprooted more plants than he helped. Ethan just chuckled and said, "Well, every garden needs a little bit of chaos, right?" Over time, Animal learned to appreciate the process, though he still had his moments of destruction.

Floyd and Dr. Teeth fell into a natural rhythm in the house. Their relationship, always complex and full of layers, deepened in this space where they had the freedom to explore who they were, both as individuals and as partners. Floyd was the steady hand, the grounding force who helped Dr. Teeth navigate the new path they were on. Dr. Teeth, in turn, was the creative spark, constantly dreaming up new musical ideas and pulling Floyd into his world of spontaneous jam sessions.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. Living under the same roof brought out their differences as well. Floyd was still recovering from his time in the army, and there were nights when he would wake up drenched in sweat, the echoes of past battles haunting his dreams. Dr. Teeth would hold him close, his fingers running soothingly through Floyd's hair, offering comfort even when words failed.

"We're in this together," Dr. Teeth would whisper, echoing Floyd’s earlier words. It was a promise, a reminder that they were no longer facing their demons alone.

And then there was Animal. He was a mystery to all of them, a tiny creature who had appeared out of nowhere and stolen their hearts with his unbridled energy. They didn’t know where he came from or what he was, but it didn’t matter. He was part of their family now. There were days when he was a handful—biting, scratching, and tearing through the house like a tornado. But there were also moments of tenderness, like when he crawled into bed with Dr. Teeth and Floyd during a thunderstorm, seeking comfort from the only family he knew.

Komo and Ethan were the glue that held this unconventional family together. Komo with her nurturing, artistic soul and Ethan with his patient, musical wisdom. They offered a sense of stability that allowed Floyd and Dr. Teeth to rebuild their lives. They accepted Animal without question, showing him the love and understanding he needed to thrive.

One evening, they all gathered around the living room. Komo had cooked up a storm, a fusion of Middle Eastern and Southern comfort food that filled the house with mouthwatering aromas. They sat around the table—Floyd, Dr. Teeth, Animal, Komo, and Ethan—sharing stories, laughter, and the occasional wild outburst from Animal, who had taken to drumming on his plate with a pair of spoons.

Floyd raised his glass. "To family," he said simply, his eyes meeting Dr. Teeth's.

"To family," Dr. Teeth echoed, his heart swelling with a warmth he hadn't felt in years. They clinked their glasses together, Komo beaming at them, Ethan nodding in quiet agreement, and Animal banging his spoons in approval.

In that moment, they knew that whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. They had found harmony not in perfection, but in the beautiful, chaotic mess of life. For the first time, Dr. Teeth and Floyd felt like they belonged. They had a home, not in a place, but in the people around them. And for now, that was enough.