Qrow.

Chapter 56 | Tuatara

The storm luckily had finally lightened up by the time Kuza and Croc were cleaned up. Rain was different here than it was on Earth. It truly cleansed away sin, leaving neutral ground. In time, the rain would turn to dark as Jasper's control on this realm tightened. For now, it had left a gentle clean smell in the air. Despite the fact that they hated the way it equaled out the energy, it was calming.

Croc picked his love up and carried him bridal style down the rocks. When they reached the beach, he set Kuza down and kissed his forehead. "I have some good news and some bad news. The bad news is Jasper wants me to go run an errand for him on Earth and I'll be gone for about six or seven days."

He crossed his arms and pouted, "And there's supposed to be good news? There's nothing that could cheer me up from that." 

With a sigh, Croc pulled him into his chest. He expected this reaction but it still upset him to see a frown on Kuza's face. "Sweetie, I promise, it'll make things a little better. See, the good news is you won't be alone. A few days ago the others found a tuatara egg washed up on the beach."

Kuza looked up at him like he'd grown a second head. "A what?"

He chuckled, "A tuatara. It's a rare kind of reptile. They look like lizards, but there're a lot cuter and they've got a lot more personality. They're feistier too. That's why I thought one would be a perfect companion for you. I want you to raise him and take care of him. He was lost, without a family at all. We need to give him one."

"Just like Happy. You truly haven't changed, have you, brother?" Covey spoke in his head. 

"Why do you automatically assume it's a boy?" Kuza wondered.

Croc shrugged, "Just assumed, I guess. The others said they thought it might be. They told me earlier that they think the storm will cause it to hatch. So, that's why I took you down here. Marla told me they've been keeping it in a small cave in the rocks."

"That doesn't mean Marla is here, right?" He asked as he followed him down the shore.

"Baby, one of these days you're going to have to get over your fear of snakes." He replied.

"I'm not scared of snakes. I'm scared of their venom. Any of them could kill me in two seconds." 

Croc glanced over his shoulder at him, "Why would you-" He paused, "Oh, that's right. You weren't in the room when Jasper told me that."

Kuza hurried to catch up. He wasn't short but certainly shorter than his mate. "Tell you what?"

"About his powers. He's got plenty I know he won't talk about, but he told me one of them. Anyone who bares his mark from a pact or branding can't die of anything other than old age. He said our contract will cover you in that deal too. Just don't get any bright ideas of jumping off of cliffs or anything." 

"I know I'm a sucker for pain, but not to that extent, Babe." Kuza responded, "But, it's really nice to know that I won't lose you. You worry me with some of the stunts you pull."

Croc smirked in his direction, "You know it turns you on to watch me fight."

"Well, maybe, but I still worry." He blushed.

He grabbed his little vampire roughly and tossed him over his shoulder. "Yeah, yeah. I know, pipsqueak."

"Hey! I am not a pipsqueak! You're just a fucking giant." He grumbled. Kuza didn't really mind getting the free ride, though. So, he didn't complain too much as his boyfriend carried him halfway down the beach. Finally, they stopped near a small cove. 

Croc placed him down again and gestured him inside. With a sigh, Kuza got down on his knees and glanced around. Sure enough, there was a small little egg half buried in the soil to keep it warm. It had a small crack in the top. The snakes seemed to be right. Rain and thunder did provoke the little guy to want to hatch finally.