Ugly Duckling (ManXMan)

Chapter 9

Haven't updated in awhile. I've been extremely busy with school and annoying people who think they have the right to talk crap. Lol But other than that, here's chapter 9. Hope you Enjoy it, more will be coming soon!

(PLEASE IGNORE THE TYPOS, I HAVEN'T HAD TIME TO EDIT!)

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"I think that'll do." Nyx stated as he sat the small tub of water on the table in front of me. The water swooshed around at the movement taking awhile til the shifts of it stopped spilling over and onto the wood.

"Ah, yeah." I sat up holding the cygnet to the water. It paddled its little flippers trying to get into contact with the water. Laughing at the work, I lowered it down watching it swim around the limited area in a circle honking out in joy. I smiled petting its soft fur before taking a seat on the sofa. Nyx doing the same taking a seat by me. His arm resting behind me as he let out a sigh of relief.

I glanced over at Nyx, he laid his head back closing his eyes. I couldn't help but think I had stressed him out. I mean keeping a secret like that was definitely for a reason, and it was a pretty scary one.

"Where'd you come from?" I asked. Nyx's eyes opening as he peaked at me from the corner.

"My mom?" He snorted closing his eyes once again.

"No, I mean where were you born."

"I know." He chuckled. There was a small break of talking as the cygnet splashed in the water sticking its head under. "The Western Lands of Essex." Nyx spoke pulling my attention back to him. "I lived there for awhile but with the way things were, me and my family had to relocate." Nyx informed. There was a coldness in his tone, it was easy to tell there were many secrets with this man now. "So now I'm here."

"You and Huxley?" I questioned wanting to know more. Who were his parents? How did they come upon having a curse like shapeshifting?

"Yes." He answered looking down at me. His orange eyes glowing, waiting from a response from me. He could already tell by now I was going to be running off at the mouth with questions. On the way back I tried to calm myself with questions. It was just me repeatedly asking Phoenix if he really was a fox. Like did he have everything, a tail, the ears, even the eating habits of foxes. Thankfully he said he enjoyed eating the meals similar to the ones he makes for me.

"No parents?" I let the words slip. Nyx knew about mine, but I could barely write a list of things that I knew for sure about this man... Not that I could even write a list at all.

"They didn't come." He mumbled laying his head back again. Nyx closed his eyes shutting me out from knowledge of him again. The pull at the edges of my lip making me frown up at his behavior.

I understood none of this was my place to say anything, nor ask question, but I couldn't help but let my curiosity get the best of me. What happened earlier was an example. I should have just went to my room and listened.. Was I listening now?

"Is there something I should do? Since I'm back?" I asked trying to change the main conversation topic into something else to help Nyx's stress.

Nyx shook his head as his eyes opened. The orange staring back at me for the millionth time today. "No, other than eat if you're hungry. I could make you something."

"I-i should cook! I need more practice!" I sat up quickly, the cygnet flapping at the loud noise and honked. A smirk spreading on Nyx's lips. I couldn't just continue to be useless. I needed to help, and stop causing trouble for Nyx when he was just trying to help me.