The Fawx Bite

XXXIII.

One of my favorite things to do when I was a child was to watch the dancing droplets of rain on the windows. To me, it was fascinating to watch because of the unpredictability of the rain. One tiny droplet might decide to suddenly veer violently to the left. It would keep be entertained for hours when I was younger. And it helped distract me from the chaos of the real world when I was an adult. Funny how I was now a dragon rider when water had always been one of my favorite elements.

There was a gentle knock on my door. Marek – who had been napping on the top bunk bed, which was now mine – flared his wings and floated towards the door. He used his tail to turn the handle. It swung inward to reveal Jin. Surprise crossed my features before I smiled, "Hi."

"Hello," he motioned towards Marek. "I didn't realize how long it had been since I last saw you until he opened the door."

It was true on both accounts. It had been over a month since that night, and during that time frame, Marek was now the size of a Great Dane. I had already been warned before he turned a year that he would triple in size. "What have you been up to?"

"I think you have heard the most of it," Jin commented wryly. Marek waved his tail, already bored with the conversation and flew back up to the bed.

"Rumors," I shrugged. "Not anything concrete."

Jin gave me an expression of bored annoyance, "I took over Anthony Momsen's place within the PAU, and I am trying to rebuild everything to how it had been before. He did quite a lot of damage to not only the agents and the very integrity of the branch, but the supernatural community's opinion of us. And what about you? I heard that you opted to stay quiet for a month before you began classes at the Institute."

I turned away from him to face the window, "Yeah, I wanted some time to myself. So much happened in such a short time frame that I just wanted a little bit to be able to process everything." I still had nightmares about Sophie's head snapping back. The blood spraying along the wall and floor. There were other events that haunted me when I closed my eyes, but Sophie was the one that just wouldn't let me go. Sometimes I felt guilty, and other times I knew what I had done was the right thing. In the end. "Viola chose to start classes right away. She felt that it was a better way for her to cope with the things that she had gone through."

Everyone has their own way of healing. Marek whispered.

I know and I have accepted it. I smiled in his direction. I'm just happy I have you.

And I am happy to be here for you, Marek purred.

"And is it?" Jin asked.

"I don't really know. We have both changed so much. We're trying to heal, individually. And once we overcome that...then we can focus on our relationship and mend that as well. While we are not on bad terms, we are not the same as we were before. And we probably won't be in the same place as before," I ran my hands through my hair.

"You two aren't the same people as you were before either," Jin pointed out. "Of course your relationship will never be the same as it once was. How is Echo?"

"She is well, she has entered into an advanced training at the Institute. She says it is to better guide me along my journey. Her and Viola still cannot stand one another, which is depressing. But it is what it is." I shrugged, finally feeling confident in the control of my emotions, I faced him.

He was watching me intently. "Are you excited for your training?"

"I am," I let a small, genuine smile cross my features. "I am interested to see where this road leads."

He was studying me with his dark brown eyes. "Right now it is not a suitable offer, due to the fact that the organization is in shambles and you have yet to start class. But when the time comes, if you ever want extra experience or any sort of a job – since you can no longer lead an ordinary job – you are welcome to come to the PAU."

"Is that extended to me and Echo?" I asked, baffled.

"Yes. You two are a packaged deal, along with Marek. So of course. And I have already spoken with Viola about this as well." Jin admitted.

I struggled to hide the surprise that he had already spoke with Viola. "What was her answer?"

"She is curious and interested." Jin chuckled.

"Why would you offer this to us?" I asked, stepping closer to him.

"Because, not only did we go through quite the adventure together. But you have shown such an incredible resolve. One that I have so rarely seen in my many years. Your determination, loyalty, and inner strength is one that many can only imagine. And not only do I wish for us to remain friends, but that one day we can work together again and help others." Jin smiled at me; an expression that for once had no annoyance directed at me.

I smiled, suddenly shy. "We will see how everything goes, but yeah. I think that would be cool."

He came over and wrapped his arms around me, giving me a tight hug. Stunned I remained frozen for a moment before reciprocating. "Make sure you tell Echo as well. Otherwise I will have to look over my shoulder for the next decade. And I really would rather not do that."

I laughed and stepped back, "Alright, I'll tell her."

He didn't let me go; instead he continued to study me. "Are you okay though, Scarlet?"

Marek's head rose slightly to watch me. I kept the smile on my lips, "I am."

"Do you regret it?" Jin asked me.

"What?"

"Bonding with Marek."

I glanced over at the dragon, feeling nothing but warmth in my heart for the creature. I reached out mentally to him and he responded. Similar to how two people held hands, that was what our minds were doing. I looked back at Jin, "No."

"Why not?"

"Because – "

Marek began to purr.

"- who doesn't want a dragon?"