Necromancer For Hire- Arc 8

Arc 8, Chapter 9

The Friend

From his position on Umbra's shoulder, Victor shifted his weight. Exhaustion still hung on his shoulders, keeping him pinned to the bench, but he could at least keep himself awake. Several yards away, Matthew and the woman were in deep conversation, their voices hushed and frantic.

Concern brought out the wrinkles under Matthew's eyes as he spoke to her, aging him several years. He threw a worried glance over his shoulder, a guilty look that shook Victor to the core. However, as the woman continued to speak, his expression changed, and he grinned. She threw a playful punch at his shoulder, and Matthew laughed, shoving her.

What's going on? Victor thought, curiosity gnawing at him like an animal. He barely knew anything about his fathers. Matthew's and Umbra's lives before adopting him were a complete mystery to him. He frequently tried to pry any kind of facts out of them, but they quickly averted the conversation, steering Victor onto a new topic. He couldn't ignore the uncomfortable faces they wore any time the past came up.

“Hey, Dad,” Victor mumbled, tugging on Umbra's sleeve. Umbra flinched, dragging his eyes away from Matthew. “I, uh, I know I'm not really supposed to ask, but who is this?”

“I don't know,” Umbra rasped, a bead of sweat on his brow, “Matthew...he doesn't tell me much.”

The woman threw her arms around Matthew's neck, and Matthew hugged her waist. Victor felt a growl rumbling in Umbra's chest.

“She's all over him,” Umbra hissed, and Victor assumed that was supposed to be to himself.

Victor’s heart beat like drum as Matthew returned to them, an arm around the woman's shoulders. He pushed his glasses up his nose, his grin wide.

“Umbry, Vic, this is Morena Muerte,” Matthew's eyes shined, “She was my childhood friend. I haven't seen her in nearly sixteen years.”

Morena smiled, her blue lipstick matching her eyes. “I'm happy to see you with a family, Matthew.” She glanced at Umbra, expression wavering, “I just didn't realize you were….married.”

Matthew giggled, holding up his palms. “Oh, no. It's not like that. Umbry’s just a close friend.”

Morena leaned in, her thick eyebrows rising. “So you're single? I'm kinda surprised. You turned out real cute, Jürgen,” she punched him on the shoulder, “You're not waiting on me, are you? Remember when I proposed to you when we were seven?”

Matthew broke out into laughter, wiping his eyes. “You told me I was gonna have to wear the dress!”

“Sorry to disappoint you, but I don't think they make dresses for big boys like you!” Morena cackled, poking at Matthew's muscular arm.

Victor saw Umbra's upper lip rise up, showing off needlelike fangs. He slid in between Matthew and Morena, wrapping himself around Matthew's neck.

“Also, by the way, Morena,” Umbra murmured, rubbing his cheek against Matthew's, “We're not just friends, we're life partners. Deeper than brothers. I love him with all my heart and he loves me. Matt doesn't need a wife.” Umbra pointed at Victor, “And that's our son. We have two other kids too.”

Matthew blushed, gently pulling Umbra away from her by the scruff of his neck. “It's okay, Umbry. Don't worry.”

Morena touched her chin, staring down at Victor. “Hey, do you mind if I ask your son a question?”

Author's Note- umbra...is actually me??