Title: Human bound Fae 1/3 [True Blood]

[pairatime]

Previous Part


***Chapter Four***

“Yep that was a vampire all right, any idea what killed it Sheriff Bellefleur?” Sookie asked looking from the blood pile to Andy.

“Not yet but god damn it I was hoping we were wrong. The last thing we need with all these killing is vampires added to the mix, fuck,” Andy complained, looking around the scene.

“Do you think the same thing that got them did all those other killings too?” Sookie asked, “Any ideas just what’s doing it all?”

“You know I can’t share an ongoing investigation like that,” Andy answered, hands on his hips as he gave Sookie his best I’m the Sheriff, do what I tell you look.

It didn’t work. Sookie just crossed her arms and glared back. “Really, you know I can just ask my brother, or just stand here and wait for you to think about everything you know. Which really won’t take that long.”

“What? Hey you can’t just go around threatening to do that. You keep out of my head,” Andy yelled, backing up from Sookie.

“Then just tell me what I want to know. Who or what do you think did this?” Sookie demanded to know again.

“Yes, do tell, who’s been killing my vampires and their blood banks?” Pam asked, speeding into the middle of the crime scene, looking it over, raising an eyebrow when her gaze landed on Andy. “Well? I haven’t got all night.”

***

“Damn it Hoyt, it’s barely been three hours. Go jerk off in the shower,” Jason half muttered and half yelled as he tried to push Hoyt away while shoving his head farther under his pillow.

“Jas!” Hoyt yelled back, turning red as he glanced toward the open doorway leading into the hall and living room where Claude and Joshua were waiting. “You need to get up, and dressed,” he added in a low tone, trying to pull the pillow off his lover’s head.

“But I don’t want to get up yet, five more minutes,” Jason complained, holding the pillow even tighter around his head.

“Jason…we have a fae in our living room and you need to deal with him,” Hoyt ordered as he grabbed the blanket that Jason had wrapped around himself and gave it a yank.

“Wh-fuck, Hoyt,” Jason shouted when the blanket pulled up from under him almost sending him to the ground. “Fuck man I’m up, I’m up,” he added, frowned at Hoyt.

“Good, now you can deal with your clone,” Hoyt told him, crossing his arms with the blanket still wrapped around them.

“Clone? What the fuck are you talking about?” Jason muttered mostly to himself as he made his way down the hall not even bothering to grab any more clothing than the boxer shorts he had on, “So who’s my damn clo-you!”

“Yes, Wyld One, me,” Claude replied. “Now if you would open a portal to the fae Realms I will be leaving,” the winter Sidhe went on to say while opening the front door, “anywhere will do.”

“What? Hold on, why do you need me to open a doorway and what the fuck happened to you?” Jason demanded to know, waving at Claude’s clothing, “And it’s fucking cold out there. Close the damn door I’m just in shorts here,” the Wyldfae exclaimed marching over and pulling the door shut. “Damn, that’s cold.”

“Then get more suitable clothing on, I have been stranded in this realm long enough,” Claude demanded right back, glaring at Jason.

“Well hold your horse,” Jason told him, turning back toward the hall. “Not even away five minutes, this isn’t my life this is my sister’s life. How does she fucking deal with it,” he complained, digging out a cleanish pair of pants and shirt, shoving on some shoes before returning to the door. “Everyone ready?” he asked, opening the door, leading the group to one of the nearby trees.

“You mean I get to watch this time? Fucking cool,” Joshua exclaimed, following them outside with a big grin on his face.

“Don’t get too excited, we aren’t going anywhere, you have school tomorrow,” Hoyt reminded the teen, whose grin fell a little.

“But I can go to the party tomorrow night, right? It won’t be a school night and the Cop has the time thing straightened out now,” Joshua pleaded, looking more toward Hoyt.

“Well, maybe-“ Hoyt started to agree, until Claude cut him off.

“Out of the question, you are not a WyldOne nor are you a Winter Sidhe, as of yet you don’t belong to either court and attending such a gathering would be a declaration of which court you wished to join and you are not ready for that yet, young one,” Claude made clear to Joshua. “So you are not to attend.”

“What are you my father?” Joshua scoffed, turning back to Hoyt. “Can I go, come on, you have to let me,” he continued to beg.

Hoyt didn’t answer right away but looked at Claude and frowned. “I’ll talk with Sookie and find out what the deal is from her and then we’ll see,” he answered.

“Can we get this show on the road already, I want to get back into my bed soon, and damn I’m dragging you with me Hoyt, its way too cold,” Jason grumbled, drawing everyone’s attention.

“Open the way and I will leave you to return to your bed,” Claude said plainly, gowning even more impatient than he had been before.

“Good,” Jason said as he knocked on the trunk of the tree.

At first nothing happened but then the bark began to ripple like water. The ripples spread outward from where his knuckles hit the wood, bouncing against unseen boundaries until the rippling bark formed the shape of a door.

“I only know how to go to Cnoc Meadha yet so…” Jason added with a shrug, leaning against the still solid parts of the tree.

“Cnoc Meadha? I will have to hurry then,” Claude said, stepping forward.

The Winter Sidhe let out a hiss and a curse a moment later, bouncing off the apparently still solid tree.

“Huh?” Jason said, standing straight as he looked between Claude and the doorway in surprise. “That should have worked?” he questioned, sticking him hand into the rippling bark, and right through it, sinking to his elbow before Jason stopped. “It works…” he added, unsure what he’d done wrong.

Claude glared at Jason and the tree, slowly sticking his hand next to Jason’s. The Sidhe’s hand stopped at the surface of the tree, not sinking in any deeper then he had a moment before. Claude leaned into it but still nothing.

“Hey, Hoyt can you?” Jason asked, half turning toward his love.

“Yeah…” Hoyt answered, pressing his hand next to Jason and Claude’s and all four watched as his mortal hand sunk into the bark just as easily as Jason’s had. “Ah…Jason?” he asked, pulling his hand back out.

“I have no fucking clue,” Jason confessed, pulling his hand back out.

Once Jason’s hand cleared the tree the rippling slowed and stopped, returning to its normal state.

“Your King seems unwilling to allow me into his realm…And you are unable to open a doorway anywhere else?” Claude asked, glaring at the tree before switching his gaze to Jason.

“From the grove sure, but every time I try it here I end up by the Throne,” Jason answered. “Well, I have only done it a couple times,” he added with a shrugged, “I guess I could try it again.”

“Yes, the Fields of Frost, where the Winter gathering is being called, try opening a doorway there,” Claude requested, pulling his hand away from the tree.

“Okay, here it goes,” Jason said to psyche himself up before knocking on the tree again. Once more the bark rippled, forming a door shaped portal. “Okay,” Jason said with a nod, sinking his hand into the portal before snatching it back. “Damn and I thought it was cold here,” he complained, rubbing his arm to warm it.

“I can feel Winter on the other side, I thank you Jason Stackhouse. And once I am able to return I will thank you properly,” Claude said with a smile, walking forward.

Cursing and hissing again as he pressed his hand against what was, for him, still a solid tree and not a doorway. “Blast him, I hope his trees burn and his leaves turn green,” the Sidhe threatened in a grunt,, kicking at the tree.

“Hey, that’s my King you’re talking about,” Jason objected, giving Claude a light shove away from the tree. “How would you feel if I started telling you your Queen should…you know melt or something.”

“Right now I would not care,” Claude stated bluntly. “It is not in his power to bar me from her realms,” he added before stomping back toward the house.

The other three traded glances for a moment.

Then Hoyt offered an idea. “Why don’t you call Sookie, Jas. She might have some idea what’s going on,” he suggested.

“She better, I need to get some more fucking sleep tonight,” Jason complained, patting around his pants for his phone but not finding it. “Now where did I leave it?”

“I’ll call,” Hoyt told him, rolling his eyes.

***

“And this is the first one with vampire remains?”

“That they recognized as such,” Pam answered her Maker over the phone, watching the humans and Sookie talking a few feet away.

“That town has seen its share of deaths, human, vampire and other. They’d know one if they saw it,” Eric reminded his progeny and Sheriff.

“You might be right, but two of the attacks happened near the river, they could have washed away and even I wouldn’t be able to find anything then,” Pam had to admit.

“Keep looking, and work with the locals. And be careful, that town has become the center of far too many unnatural events for my liking,” Eric warned.

“There is no way I’m dying in a shit hole little town like this,” Pam made clear, picking a piece of dirt off her otherwise spotless dark blue outfit.

“Good, and Pam. Make sure Sookie stays safe too,” Eric added.

“Really?” Pam started, narrowing her eyes as she turned to look at the woman herself, “That-“

“As your Maker I command it,” Eric ordered, cutting off Pam’s rant before ending the call.

“Well damn,” Pam said, slipping her phone into her pocket.

“Eric know anything useful?” Sookie asked, looking confused at the dark glare she got from Pam for moment before the Vampire’s face returned to its normal annoyed look.

“Yeah, because we’ve got nothing,” Andy had no problem stating, “if we’ve got vampires getting killed then no way in hell is this some wild animal. I don’t know what the fuck it is but it ain’t that, that’s for damn sure. You people aren’t that easy to off.”

“Thanks…I think,” Pam responded. “The King wants this solved so everyone can be nice and safe,” she added dryly looking at Sookie. “So let’s figure what did do it so I can kill it then leave this, nice little town.”

She then started toward the river at a human speed, stopping a few feet latter to look at the others. “I’m not going at this speed for my own sake.”

***

Llamhigyn Y Dwr was crunching down on the carcass of an alligator when they came. Barking, they dashed through the wild growth of the swamp island telling the Darkfae what had happened.

“What it is?” Diana asked from where she had been sitting above Llamhigyn Y Dwr, waiting for the next part of her revenge to begin.

“It would seem a Sidhe and even a corrupted mortal has joined the mortal protectors in their hunt for us, but still not the false Sgiath,” Llamhigyn Y Dwr said, translating the Gwyllgi’s barks and growls for her.

“A Sidhe? I may know of the one they speak of. She played a part in the death of our King and have intervened each time my family sought the Sgiath death,” Diana explained, remembering how the Sidhe had held her back as the Wyld one had mortally wounded her brother.

“And still the Sgiath does not show himself?” Llamhigyn Y Dwr asked the pair of Gwyllgi, even Diana understood their response.

“We have waited long enough,” Addanc growled, slapping the water with his tail. “The Sgiath hides and sends out others to fight us. We should ignore all others and kill the Sgiath, weaken the false King,” the dark wyldfae demanded.

“These water grow boring,” Llamhigyn Y Dwr confessed with a flap of his wings, “the Sgiath plays the coward, let him play no more. You know the dwelling he calls home? Take us there,” the fae ordered Diana, leaping from the island to the water in a single great leap.

“Gladly,” Diana answered, her form becoming more translucent and pale green as she launched herself into the air.

Addanc grinned a toothy grin and thrashed in excitement before following the other two, as the Gwyllgi raced along the water’s edges, letting out their barks of death.

***

“It would seem the Dark ones have grown tried of waiting for your champion,” Mab noted, looking into the well to see the image of Llamhigyn Y Dwr leading his Dark one through the swamps of Bon Temp.

“Then their time to die is upon them,” Finvarra said amused. “That they could stand against my Sgiath, what fools they are. Just as was their once King.” He mocked.

“Perhaps, but your Champion may not be there to greet them,” Mab added, nodding to the crystal waters as they shimmered and changed from reflecting the Dark one to show Jason and the others at his place. Jason was standing before the tree again, getting ready to knock.

“What is this?” Finvarra asked, curious as he watched the group.

***

“Just don’t take too long, okay Jas,” Hoyt told Jason as the two men walked from their home back toward the tree that Jason has created the doorway in earlier.

“Come on, Bubba, I go in, ask a couple questions and come right back home. Even I can’t mess this up,” Jason joked, bumping shoulders with Hoyt as they neared the tree.

“Yeah…I just wish Sookie would have answered her phone. Then you wouldn’t have had to be doing this,” Hoyt answered, kicking at the dirt.

“What’s wrong? And don’t tell me nothing because I may be dumb as a rock about most things but you, you I know and something is bugging you,” Jason asked, focusing intensely on his husband.

“I…ah hell nothing…” Hoyt started but stopped, unwilling to lie to Jason’s face. “Yeah there is but... Not now, go and we’ll talk later, just us,” Hoyt promised. “Which will be easier without someone crashing on the couch.”

“Right, then lets get him home,” Jason said knocking on the tree as he gave Hoyt another kiss, “back in ten, fifteen tops,” he added before ducking through the portal.

“I hope so,” Hoyt asked, folding his arms together against the cold as he waited.

He didn’t notice he was being watched.

***

“This is just so much fun,” Pam said plainly as she looked over the river, seeing nothing.

“If it was easy we would have already found that whatever the hell it is,” Sookie countered, giving Pam an annoyed look.

“If you two put half your energy into looking and not snapping at each other we would know what it is,” Kenya added, getting glares from both of the other women.

“Please God, just kill me now. I don’t know how much more of this shit I can take,” Andy muttered to himself, heading back to his patrol car.

***

“Welcome, Sgiath, you wished to speak with me?” Finvarra asked as Jason stepped out of the portal.

He stepped into the large natural cravenness chamber that held a massive stone well in its center. The glow radiating from the waters lit the whole chamber with its rippling radiance.

“This place is fucking cool,” Jason said, turning around and taking it all in., “This isn’t part of Cnoc Meadha is it?” he asked his King, but it was the third in the room that answered.

“No Champion, We stand beneath the Citadel before the Mirror,” Mab answered before any other could.

“The Mirror” Jason repeated, looking around before frowning, “…I don’t see a mirror just this pool,” he remarked.

Mab raised an eyebrow as she turned to Finvarra.

“The pool, as you call it, is the Mirror Sgiath,” Finvarra explained. “It shows and knows all, and only truth exist within its light.”

“Cool,” Jason said, impressed, peering over the edge of the well to look into the waters which were crystal clear. It showed no image or reflection at the moment so Jason was able to see the sandy bottom, sand that seemed to shine and twinkle, generating the light that filled the space. “Very cool.”

“Indeed, but you did not come to look into the Mirror, Sgiath,” Finvarra said drawing Jason’s attention away from the waters.

“What? Right, it’s about Claude, he’s this Winter guy that-“ Jason started to explain until Finvarra interrupted him.

“I know of him and his banishment to the mortal realms,” Finvarra told his Wyldfae, his tone final, “and that will not change.”

“Oh, So….why?” Jason asked looking between the two monarchs of the Fae. “Because he really wants to go home.”

Mab smiled as Finvarra narrowed his eyes at Jason.

***

“And you enjoy living here? With the Wyld one and the mortal?” Claude asked, trying to make himself comfortable in the armchair was sitting in.

“Yeah, it’s cool. Hoyt’s a great guy and being around someone weirder then me is a nice change,” Joshua answered, handing Claude one of the sandwiches he had just made, “and it’s way better than the streets or the other foster homes, no one’s trying to kill me, regular food, and showers, all the fucking showers I could ever want. Fuck I think I want one now,” he added, glancing toward the bathroom. “You might want to take one too, no offence but you kind of stink.” He went on, waving his hand in front of his nose.

“I…I’m unused to these mortals…was it truly that bad for you before you came here, child?” Claude asked. “I am sorry for that, perhaps I should have taken steps sooner…” he started but then trailed off.

“Huh?” Joshua asked around his sandwich.

“Nothing that can be changed now,” Claude said, dismissing the subject, poking at the offered food. “Maybe I should see to cleaning myself, if all goes well I will be standing before my Queen soon. I should not look as I do.”

“Yeah man, your Queen is the ice one right? She looks scary,” Joshua commented as he jumped up. “The shower’s right there,” he added, opening the bathroom door and pointing to the shower stall.

“Do not let Queen Tatiana’s looks deceive you, she is no less cunning or lethal than my Lady is,” Claude warned as he stepped into the bathroom, looking around. “Thank you, should I need further help I will-“ Claude stopped mid-thought as a burst of bright daylight came from outside.

“Fuck was that?” Joshua yelled, rushing toward the front window, only nothing was there. “What the?”

“That was a Summer Sidhe,” Claude answered the teen as he more cautiously approached the window, “leaving I believe.”

“When did they show up? And why?” Joshua asked still looking everywhere he could from inside, “wait…where’s Hoyt?”

***Chapter Five***

“There, that is the Sgiath dwelling,” Diana announced as she and the other reached the edge of Jason and Hoyt’s property.

“Summer is strong here,” Addanc growled, thrashing his head about as he looked over the area.

“But it fades, unlike the stench of the traitor who sides with the false king,” Llamhigyn Y Dwr crocked. “It was a strong summer…but they are gone, it is time the Sgiath dies.”

Llamhigyn Y Dwr flapped its great bat wings and leapt closer to the house just as the front doors opened and Joshua and Claude stepped out, looking around for Hoyt.

But what the Winter fae saw was Llamhigyn Y Dwr.

***

“What the hell-“

“Calm yourself, mortal, you have nothing to fear,” Tatiana’s golden voice said soothingly behind him.

Hoyt spun around to see the Summer Queen standing beside him in her sun-spun gold gown. Hoyt took a step back, then another until he felt rough stone walls behind him. “You’re one of the Queens. Where am I? And why did you take me, I was waiting for-” Hoyt tried to demand, but his voice kept faltering as he tried to inch farther and farther from the Sidhe Queen, then when casting his eyes about to try and find a way out he saw Jason on the other side of the massive chamber. “Jason!” he called out.

“He cannot hear you,” Tatiana informed Hoyt, slowly walked closer to where Jason stood with Finvarra and Mab around him.

“What? Is this a shadows of things that were thing?” Hoyt managed to say, edging closer to Jason.

“I do not understand?” Tatiana said, giving Hoyt a studied look. “We are merely shaded from his sight,” the Summer Queen told him.

“I finally make a joke about that damn book and no one gets it,” Hoyt muttered to himself, becoming more nervous under the scrutiny of Tatiana gaze, until at last he bolted for Jason’s side.

But he jerked to a stop before reaching his husband when Finvarra and Mab both stopped and turned toward him. Finvarra didn’t look away but Mab turned almost at once toward Tatiana.

“They, however, are not fooled by the shade that blocks you from the Wyld One’s sight,” Tatiana added with a hint of a smile.

“This is all her,” Hoyt shot out, giving one last dash until he was at Jason’s side.

“Well? I get that he messed up but you’ve got to forgive him sometimes right…hello? Something wrong?” Jason said, frowning at the spot where both the Winter Queen and Autumn King had first noticed Hoyt.

“Games, more games,” Finvarra answered, looking toward Tatiana briefly before turning back to Jason. “The Winter fae’s game lead to a battle in the very heart of my domain, and the death of many of the Daoine Court. I would have seen him dead if the choice had been mine alone,” he explained to his Wyldfae, his voice growing darker and harsher at the reminder of what had happened.

“Who…You?” Jason asked, turning from his King to Mab.

“Yes. I would not see one of mine killed so outright,” Mab informed Jason.

“Good then maybe-“ Jason started, but Mab wasn’t done yet.

“I will have him suffer first. Become one of the pawns he thought himself above before death takes him,” Mab finished coldly.

“Ah…he’s not leaving the mortal world is he?” Jason asked, already knowing the answer as he nodded to himself.

“No,” Finvarra answered anyways, “but now I have matters to attend to. But before you go, Youngling, I believe the Queens wish to speak with you,” he added, letting his eyes drift over Mab, then Tatiana and last Hoyt who was standing next to Jason, looking calmer than just moments before.

“Okay,” Jason responded, watching as his king vanished from view before turning toward the only other one visible to him. “Hello. What you want to talk about? And can we make it fast? I really do need some more sleep before my shift.”

***

“Get back,” Claude yelled, shoving Joshua back into the house, sending them both sprawling to the floor just beyond the doorway, the moment he spotted Llamhigyn Y Dwr.

“What the fuck was that,” Joshua exclaimed, scrabbling to get back up, his eyes wide.

“That was a very powerful dark one,” Claude explained, pushing himself up as he shouted out, “Queen Mab help your servant. Claudine! Stackhouse!” he kept yelling, still shoving Joshua back away from the door.

“Dude! Did one of those things get Hoyt? Because that’s so not cool,” Joshua hollered, trying to push back toward the door.

“I don’t know but you will not be going out there to find out, we need help, even with my full powers I would be a fool to fight Llamhigyn Y Dwr at a time of his choosing, and he did not look alone. We need help.” Claude shouted back.

“Help?” Joshua thought, “who the fuck can we-“ he started to say before spotting Jason’s extra radio on the kitchen counter, “fuck it, the Cop trusts them,” he said before grabbing it.

“What are you doing?” Claude asked.

But he didn’t get an answer right away as a loud crash and crunch filled the air as they heard the front wooden steps being ripped away, along with the door. “Run,” Claude ordered as they bolted toward the back and through an unopened window.

***

“This is rather dull. Do you do this every day?” Pam asked from the back seat of the patrol car, bored almost to true death.

“Only on good days,” Andy answered grouchily as he drove them to the next scene.

As they had no better ideas, they were double checking each of the older attack sites hoping that something could be seen or found by Pam’s enhanced senses. So far, nothing.

“Only three more to go, then you can stay at my place, Pam, that way you don’t have to go all the way back to Shreveport if you don’t want, since you are being really helpful,” Sookie offered, surprised at the level of help clear in her voice.

“You’re too kind. My maker told me to help so I’m helping. It’s what I do,” Pam complained dryly. Just as the radio started crackling to life.

“Help…Frog thi…woods….Jason…t missing….ookie…” came the broken and half garbled transmission.

“Isn’t that Jason’s kid’s voice?” Kenya asked from the back set next to Pam.

“Yes it is, that’s Joshua,” Sookie seconded grabbing for the radio mic, “Joshua!” She yelled into it.

“Give me that,” Andy ordered, grabbing it from her hand, “you don’t need to yell, that’s what the kid’s doing wrong,” he said before pressing down the speak button, “Joshua, this is Bellefleur, where are you?” he asked, depressing the button even as he pulled a U-turn to head closer to Jason and Hoyt’s place, lights and sirens blaring.

The car load listened for a couple of moments but the message didn’t change, “Where are you, where in the woods,” Andy requested again but it was becoming clear that Joshua couldn’t hear them.

“He’s not letting go of the button,” Kenya guessed as she hung on to the door as best she could when Andy took a turn without slowing,

“Kids these days don’t know nothin’,” Andy complained, pushing the peddle down harder.

***

“Why do you stay with the mortal?” Mab asked, cutting to the heart of her fellow Queen’s question.

“Yes, why indeed,” Tatiana seconded showing herself, but not Hoyt, as she stepped next to the mystical well.

“Fuck? Where did you come from,” Jason said in surprise looking at the other Queen.

“Why do you stay with the mortal when you will only break his heart when you leave him,” Tatiana repeated the question, lightly touching the waters, filling the chamber with a great burst of light.

“I’m not going to break his heart, I love him,” Jason shot back, glaring at the Queen.

“Really?” Mab humored as she watched Hoyt smile, “he is mortal, he will grow old and die as you stay ever young, you will wander from his side, just as you have before,” Mab added, looking at the image that now covered the surface of the well, the image of Jason sleeping with one of the former receptionists at the police station, three years before.

“What that? That was just sex not love. Hoyt knows I still love him. He knows I love sex, but that was the last time I’ve had sex with someone other than Bubba, I haven’t even wanted to,” Jason said proudly, crossing his arms as he returned the looks the Queens were giving him without looking away.

“I know, I trust you to always come home to me, Jason,” Hoyt whispered softly, reaching out to touch Jason, stopping his hand just short of contact.

“And as he ages?” Tatiana questioned the Wyldfae, waving her hand over the waters to change the image to a much older Hoyt with a grown up Joshua while Jason looked just the same standing beside them.

“What, huh?” Jason asked, shaking his head. “Sorry I felt, never mind,” he told them dismissing the moment as he looked toward the well. “That is cool, can it show anything?” Jason asked, reaching out to touch the water.

“Do not touch the water,” Mab ordered, stepping forward and Glaring at Jason until he withdrew his hand.

“Okay, okay,” Jason said backing up, his hands in the air, “not touching anything.”

“He and the young Sidhe will age Wyld one, you will not. Will you still feel the same in the years to come?” Mab asked, her eyes drifting from Jason to Hoyt, who had started glaring at her.

“You may be a queen and all that shit here but you don’t know much about mortals do you? Or love.” Jason stated bluntly to the two women.

“Jason,” Hoyt hissed unheard by his side, seeing the dark looks the Queen of Ice and Snow was giving his lover.

“I love Hoyt. And I’ve loved him almost my whole life,” Jason started to explain, “now I may not have realized it then, but I did. Back in high school, hell back in fucking grade school I loved spending time around him more than anyone else and that hasn’t fucking changed.”

“Wyld One-“ Tatiana began but was unable to finish.

“Look, Lady, you may have my sister’s respect but you’re both losing mine. I love Bubba and he loves me. He’s mine and I’m his and all that lovely dovely crap you read about,” Jason ranted, just building up steam, “and yeah I may live longer and when Hoyt’s too old to want to make love it may be tough but I will still love Hoyt.”

Hoyt looked on as the two Queens watched Jason become more animated with each word, and then he began to change, slowly the two Jasons became visible, both speaking in unison as they ranted at the high Sidhe.

“And after he and Joshua are dead, I’ll remember them, I’ll look after and take care of their families because they’re my family and if either of you have a problem with that then screw you both,” Jason finished, his voice echoing and reverberating throughout the cave.

“You dare speak to us in such a way?” Mab hissed, clinching one hand into a fist that began frost over and glow with blue-white light.

“Mab, remember where we stand,” Tatiana called out, reminding her fellow Queen of the well with a gesture.

“This disrespect will not be forgotten,” Mab threatened, her voice cracking like thunder as she vanished in a flash of darkness.

“You truly love him? With all your essence. I had not…” Tatiana said in almost awe as she turned from the two men toward the well. “Has your King told you of this place?” she asked.

“You mean the fae realms? A little but I was kind of on a honeymoon,” Jason shrugged, taking a step closer to the pool but not near enough to touch, “and that was more important, he is important.” Jason added, his eyes falling on the image of Hoyt, gray haired and leaning heavily on a cane.

“I’m not the only one,” Hoyt whispered, stepping to Jason’s side, never taking his eyes from Jason’s face, either of them.

“I speak of this mirror, for it is the mirror of truth. It reflects only the truth and only the truth can exist in its light,” Tatiana explained. “Your words were said in passion and in the heat of the moment but they were also the truth for you could speak nothing else,” the Queen of Summer added, looking toward Hoyt. “It would seem you have nothing to fear from him, mortal.”

“Mortal? I thought you said I wasn’t--Hoyt?” Jason stopped abruptly, his eyes growing wide as the mortal faded into view next to him. Without hesitation Jason grabbed his husband and held him close for a long moment, each settling into the other when Hoyt brought up his own arms. “I needed this, I don’t know why but I did,” Jason whispered softly as they reluctantly pulled away.

“Yeah so did I,” was all Hoyt said in response, looking awkwardly down at his shoes for a moment before looking up at Jason. “So you’re never going to leave me for all this?” he asked at last.

“What? Never,” Jason stated without hesitation, then pulled Hoyt into a deep kiss. “We’re for life, no matter how long,” he added after the kiss was over.

“Yes the mortal’s heart will be fine,” Tatiana said to herself as she watched the two men. “Now it is time you were sent back,” she said and with a wave of her hand both men saw, and felt, the world around them change into a golden mist which then dispersed, leaving them in their front yard.

“Not a bad way to travel,” Hoyt commented, not letting go of Jason.

“I could get used to it. I’m really going to have to talk to Galway about lessons; I think this is one subject I could get into,” Jason answered back with a smile.

“And Galway would b--fuck!” Hoyt’s question was cut off mid word as he spotted their front door, several feet from their front doorway just as a shot rang out, followed by another.

***

“What the fuck is that,” Pam said, her voice betraying her shock as they saw a misshapen creature with a crocodile mouth and most of its body but with a wide beaver tail come crashing from the trees right in front of the patrol car.

No one in the car even tried to give an answer, everyone in the car tried to brace themselves as the car slammed into Addanc going at its high-speed, the car half flipping to its side, skidding forward on its driver side doors even as the darkfae gave out a pained cry, being dragged along.

It was a few moments before Pam broke off the door, sending it flying into the swamp before speeding out and then yanking off the front door for Sookie, “Are you hurt? Eric would be annoyed if you are,” she said dryly.

“I think I’m fine but I can’t undo the buckle and I think I’d fall into Andy if I could,” Sookie said, pushing the airbag from her face. “What bout the rest of you?”

“This is not my day,” Andy growled, punching at the air bag to make it go down, then giving out a shout when he saw Addanc penned under the front of the car, struggling to move as dark liquid flowed from its body. “What the fuck is that.”

“Road kill,” Pam answered, giving Addanc a look over, “or almost. Give it a few minutes.”

“Very funny,” Andy shot back. “Hey Kenya, how are you back there?” Andy asked, as he tried undoing his seatbelt. But he started twisting around to see the back when Kenya didn’t answer, “Kenya? Kenya, answer me,” he started demanding.

“Oh god Andy we have to get her out of here,” Sookie shouted as she was able to turn enough to see Kenya, the deputy was unconscious and the window next to her was turning red as blood filled the spider web of crakes that were spread out across it, centered right where her head lay. “Pam lay the car down, just pull it flat,” she ordered, trying to undo her belt.

“You are so lucky the King has a soft spot for you,” Pam answered sourly as she did as requested and pulled the side of the car down until the cop car was back on four wheels again.

Less than a minute later she was rolling her eyes again as she cut her wrist with her fingernail and let some of her blood drop into Kenya’s head wound. She had been pulled from the car by Andy and Sookie who were both able to get out rather easily once the car was back on all four wheels. But even with the blood Kenya didn’t move.

“What’s taking so long?” Andy asked frowning down at his deputy.

“It may be magic but it still a head wound, wait,” Pam answered pulling her arm back as the cut healed itself. “And we should be heading that way,” she added pointing toward the other side of the road where Addanc had been going. Tree branches were mangled and bushes upturned as far as they could see.

“Yeah, You’re probably right,” Sookie agreed but then looked toward Andy and Kenya and then Addanc, “but what about Kenya and whatever the hell that thing is?”

“I’m staying with Kenya, I’ll see if I can get the radio through to Kevin,” Andy told her, “and as for that thing, that’s easy.”

And with that Andy pulled out his gun and leveled it at the still struggling Addanc. Addanc snapped its powerful jaw at Andy but couldn’t get its feet to stand. After three shots it stopped moving at all.

***

“I don’t know how much longer this will work,” Joshua cried out holding out his hand, keeping up the thin shield of light, the only thing between himself and Claude and Llamhigyn Y Dwr and the Gwyllgi.

“Just keep picturing the barrier in your mind, hold them back,” Claude repeated his instruction even as he held out his own hand, but nothing happened, just as all the other times, “By the covenant of the Throne of Winter, work!” he cursed, jutting out his hand at Llamhigyn Y Dwr.

Nothing happened but the Water Leaper laughing before flashing out with his tongue, almost reaching through the light before it was jerked back. “How long can the child hold out? Not long, then we will began our feast on Sidhe flesh,” he mocked, darting out his tongue again.

This time the pink tongue forced its way into the light, pushing past it, striking the tree behind the two Sidhe, sending shards of bark and wood flying.

Joshua let out a cry as he moved his hands to shield himself from them, breaking the barrier of light.

Llamhigyn Y Dwr pulled back and flashed out his tongue again with lighting speed even as one of the Gwyllgi darted forward, its jaw wide and filled with teeth.

“NO!” Claude yelled, lashing out with a kick and sending the Gwyllgi yelping backwards while he shot out and grabbed Llamhigyn Y Dwr’s tongue in his hand and yanked, hard, before throwing it back at the Leaper. “You will not harm my blood,” he declared.

“What?!” Joshua shouted, his eyes big and wide as he stared at Claude.

“Not now, your light, use it,” Claude ordered, never taking his eyes from Llamhigyn Y Dwr.

“Too late, I will eat you both!” Llamhigyn Y Dwr crocked, his tongue shooting out again, this time aimed straight for Claude. Far too fast for him to catch.

“I don’t think so,” Sookie countered.

Sookie’s voice was accompanied by a wave of white light, shielding Joshua and Claude from Llamhigyn Y Dwr even as it forced the darkfae and two of the Gwyllgi back and away from the Sidhe.

The other Gwyllgi did not move, one broken and lifeless, it fell from Pam’s hand even as she hissed, fangs out, at the darkfaes, “I don’t know what you are but get the fuck out of my territory.”

“You think to stand against me, corrupted mortal? I fear you no more than I fear the blasted Sidhe,” Llamhigyn Y Dwr said, letting out a great croak as it let loose its tongue again.

***

Hoyt had no idea how he kept up with Jason, but he did.

At the sound of the first gunshot they ran as fast as they could in the direction of the sound. Within seconds, they found the trail of broken trees and uprooted plants and raced down it.

They only stopped a moment by Andy and Kenya’s side, she was now awake but Andy was still keeping her on the ground until the medics arrived and cleared her. They stopped just long enough to see Addanc and be told about Joshua’s frantic call.

With a shout, Jason told Hoyt to stay put as he ran after his sister but Hoyt ignored the words, he stayed by his side until they reached the others.

That was when Jason tackled the giant frog and he placed himself between Joshua and everything else.

***

“Your Champion is in need of a lesson in manners,” Mab said coldly as she stepped beside Finvarra.

The Master of the Wydlfae was watching a cascade of falling leafs, each one showing fleeting images of the fight happening in the mortal world. Every so often he would pluck one of the leafs from the fall and give it an intense look before dropping it and resuming his viewing of the others.

After dropping the latest leaf he had taken he glanced toward the Queen. “You confront him before the Mirror on matters of the heart and you expect something other than unrestrained passion?” he asked idly.

“I am a Queen of the Fae, I expect, and receive much,” Mab declared fiercely.

“But not from all of mine,” Finvarra told her, taking another leaf. “Your Fae has told his child, he helps protect the Sidhe from the dark ones,” he added holding out the leaf toward her.

“The child has powers, he does not…He has done so much for the boy,” Mab admitted, taking the leaf and looking into it. “A boy that may follow his father into my court,” she speculated, tapping the leaf with her finger tip, covering it with frost for a moment.

“You would help him. After his actions,” Finvarra said, heat entering his voice.

“You spoke the truth, your Wyld ones do not answer to me, and neither do my Sidhe answer to you,” Mab answered coolly.

Finvarra narrowed his eyes at her for a moment before returning to his leaves.

***

Sookie let out a cry as she watched Jason be thrown by Llamhigyn Y Dwr, tumbling in the dirt. As Jason struggled to get up the, Water Leaper turned toward Sookie. The tongue almost shot right through her wall of light, stopping only when Jason smacked the frog with a fallen tree truck.

The wall of light held but weakened around the edges enough for one of the Gwyllgi to charge at Joshua, Hoyt, and Claude who were still by the tree. They were protected just enough by the light to keep them safe but not enough for them to risk making a break past both Gwyllgi that guarded them.

Joshua raised his hand to try to cast a wall of light but the field of light was faint and dispersed, offering no barrier to the dark dog. It easily dodged Hoyt’s kick, to flank the adults. Keeping the mortal between itself and Claude, it lunged at Joshua’s throat.

“Not mine,” Claude yelled, diving forward, trying to shield Joshua even as he reflexively threw out his hand.

Only this time something happened. A ball of shadow burst forth from his hand slamming into the dogfae and sending it backward, tumbling right to Pam’s feet.

“A gift for me? You shouldn’t have,” Pam said snapping the fae’s neck before looking at Claude, “Mind telling me why you waited so long to start doing that?” she demanded to know.

“Things change,” Claude remarked, sending a blast of shadowed light at the last remaining Gwyllgi with a grin, “Joshua, stay near Sookie,” he ordered marching forward and herding the dog way from the others.

Joshua didn’t move until Hoyt give him a light shove on his shoulder. “Stay safe,” Hoyt told the teen, holding up the stick he’d grabbed and turning towards the two remaining dark ones he could see, as Joshua joined Sookie, still staring at Claude wide eyed.

That is when Diana entered the fray; she had followed the other fae from above and stayed out of it at first, hidden by the high leaves and branches of the trees. But when she saw Hoyt standing alone, unguarded by any fae, she acted.

She dove right for him, hitting him with a wave of green energy that sent him tumbling across what had become the battlefield, away from the Sidhe who could shield him. She followed to charge again but pulled herself back just in time to dodge the stick that Hoyt swung toward her.

“You,” Hoyt said in surprise, remembering her as she darted back, using the time he’d bought to get to his feet.

“Yes, mortal, me,” she hissed as she blasted at him with a tight ball of green light.

Hoyt barely managed to dodge it, ducking behind a tree as he called out, “The King let you live, why don’t you just, you know, live your life,” he asked, sticking his head out to look at her and dive from the tree when he saw she was going to blast it.

“My family is dead. If I could have burnt the Throne they would have died for a reason but you stopped me,” Diana ranted, shooting off balls of green light randomly toward Hoyt as she did so, “they died and I still failed, because of you.”

“Fuck,” Hoyt swore, tumbling to the ground to keep from being hit by any of the balls of light flying toward him, glancing around for anyone who could help.

Jason was still fighting the giant frog along with his near twin. The frog was strong and fast enough to still be able to keep harassing Sookie while fighting off both the other Fae, forcing Sookie to keep up her light to protect herself, Joshua and Pam.

Hoyt was on his own, so he charged.

Diana saw him diving toward her and she let out another blast, catching Hoyt in the shoulder.

He grunted in pain but he didn’t let it stop him. He propelled himself forward and into the Dark One sending them both to the ground.

From across the field Jason heard Hoyt and watched his lover take the hit before tackling the fae. It was only the ever present tongue of Llamhigyn Y Dwr that kept him from rushing to help Hoyt. But he had to trust Hoyt to look after himself until he could finish this fight.

Which is when Jason stepped up his game and this time when the tongue lashed out toward him he didn’t just smack it away or dodge it like he had been. He grabbed it and yanked back, hard just as Claude went for one of its wings.

Llamhigyn Y Dwr’s cry of pain echoed for miles.

Everyone turned toward it, even Diana and Hoyt stopped in their struggle long enough to watch the water leaper rearing back in agony, half its tongue in Jason’s hand, black-green blood gushing from the dark wyld one’s mouth. The same liquid flowed from it’s now misshapen wing that hung limp next to Claude.

Jason barely took another step toward Llamhigyn Y Dwr before Finvarra appeared in a whirl of fall leaves. “Yield to the will of your King and Master and his Sgiath, Llamhigyn Y Dwr, or die as have the other Dark Ones that stood beside you this day,” he ordered, glaring at the Water Leaper.

Llamhigyn Y Dwr’s body was racked by a trembles as it croaked its plea for mercy, barely able to raise itself on its legs before crashing back to the ground.

“Return to your island. Do nothing but wait and I will speak with these later,” The Master of the Wyldfae ordered, waving a hand and causing a swarm of red and golden leaves to rise from the ground and surround the beast. Then a gust of wind whisked them away, Llamhigyn Y Dwr nowhere in sight.

“Someone going to tell me who the leaf master is and why he wasn’t here twenty minutes ago,” Pam asked the crowd, eyeing the Autumn King.

Sookie’s whispered, “Pam,” giving the Vampire a gestures to be quiet but no one noticed or paid either of them any mind as that is when Diana chose to act again.

“No, no... you... no not again- no,” Diana screamed a yelled, her hands glowing pale green as her whole body shook with rage. “I will have blood, someone will die,” she spat out glaring at Finvarra then Jason but it wasn’t until her eyes fell to Hoyt, mere feet from her that her lips twisted into a smile.

She dove at him.

Hoyt didn’t even have a chance to move, he knew this was it as her glowing hands reached at his chest, then they stopped, a hair’s breadth from his shirt, his skin.

“I’ve told you not to touch him before,” Jason reminder her, his hand clamped around her neck. He flung her into the trunk of a tree next to him. “Last time you hurt Hoyt my King saved you life, this time he won’t,” he made clear.

Diana didn’t even have time to see what was happening before Jason’s fist had planted itself into the tree, passing through her chest to get there.

Jason didn’t watch as she slowly slumped to the ground the glow in her eyes fading. He was already back at Hoyt’s side.

“You okay, Bubba?” Jason asked, kneeling down next to his love.

Hoyt couldn’t answer at first. Again he was seeing both Jasons, the one he grew up with and the one that looked every bit the Wyldfae Hoyt knew his husband was. But this time they weren’t two different Jason, they were just Jason, even his eyes both looked timeless and dangerous but still held love and worry, in one set of eyes.

“Bubba?” Jason repeated, lightly cupping Hoyt’s face with one hand, “She didn’t…” he trailled off, his eyes darting all over Hoyt’s body.

“I’m fine,” Hoyt answered, startled into talking at the increased worry he saw, “She didn’t hu-“ his words were cut off with a hiss when he moved his shoulder, feeling the effects of the one hit he had taken.

“Hoyt, damn, she’s lucky she’s already-- Do we need this looked at?” Jason asked concerned, turning to Finvarra.

“It will leave no lasting harm but I will see to it still. Deal with the others,” Finvarra ordered, kneeling by Hoyt’s side.

Jason was hesitant to go but another go from Finvarra and Sookie waving him over finally got him to move.

“Remove the shirt Fortenberry,” Finvarra ordered, running his rough bark-like hands over the shoulder once Hoyt had slowly pulled his shirt off that shoulder.

Hoyt had expected it to hurt but rather than feeling coarse, his fingers felt soothing, relaxing his shoulder. “Thank you,” he said after a moment, casting a look toward Jason, watching him.

“You see him differently now,” Finvarra said, his tone amused.

“Yes how-what--changed in him?” Hoyt asked, still watching Jason.

“In my Sgiath, nothing. The change was in you,” Finvarra answered, sitting back, pleased with Hoyt’s shoulder.

“That’s a lot better,” Hoyt said, stretching it before looking back at Finvarra. “What do you mean me?” he asked.

“It was never truly my Wyld one that was divided, but your view of him through your bond. You came to see him as two for reasons I do not understand. But it would seem Tatiana understands mortals better than I had thought she did. Her actions before the Mirror with you and my Sgiath seem to have helped you deal with whatever mortal reason caused you to see your beloved as two being,” Finvarra explained before standing up. “But that is enough, mortal, tell my Sgiath I will see him in the field of frost for the last dance of winter.”

And with those words, Finvarra vanished, no leaves or flashes of light or doorways, just not there any longer. Hoyt blinked. He wasn’t sure if he was ever going to get used to things like that being part of his life.

***

“It seems Finvarra’s champion was well chosen after all,” Mab remarked, sitting beside Tatiana in her glade of endless summer.

“Yes, it would seem he is very capable when properly motivated,” Tatiana agreed, dropping a handful of flower petals onto the shimmering lake before her, banishing the last image of the fight which she had been watching.

“Motivated by love perhaps?” Mab asked, raising an eye brow as she gave the other Sidhe a look.

“There are few things more motivating,” Tatiana pointed out.

Mab leaned back and studied Tatiana for a long moment. Tatiana responded by picking a seed from the air and growing it into blossoming flower with a smile.

“Why?” the Queen of Winter asked at last.

“Sometimes even Finvarra needs to be reminded of the weaknesses of his Wyldfae. Lest Autumn become too much like Spring,” the Queen of Summer answered, throwing the flower to the wind.

***

“Well that was fun, I can tell the King everything’s been dealt with?”

“Yes, I don’t think that thing is coming back, what was it anyways?” Sookie answered Pam before looking at Claude and Jason as he joined them.

“A big fucking pain. I can’t believe he’s letting the frog live,” Jason frowned, folding his arms with a huff.

“I’m sure he had his reasons,” Sookie offered weakly, clearly not believing it herself.

“Llamhigyn Y Dwr is a creature of ancient legend. You do not kill those lightly,” Claude said entering the conversation.

“Maybe,” Jason said, glancing over toward Hoyt and Finvarra just as the King was standing to leave.

“Well, whatever his reasons, if that…thing shows up again, Eric and I will do more than watch,” Pam informed them. “But now I need my beauty sleep and it’s almost 3.” And with that Pam vanished in a blur.

“Why do you spend time with such vile creatures?” Claude asked, looking at Sookie, bewildered.

“They are-“ Sookie started to answer, but Jason didn’t let her finish.

“Oh yes they are,” Jason made very clear. “Oh one or two might be fine but on the whole, those fuckers are well…fuckers.”

“Jason, they aren’t all that bad,” Sookie said with a frown. “And you are going to give Claude the wrong idea about them.”

“Have no worries, my sister has seen to my feeling for such dark beasts,” Claude informed them with an amused smile.

“Your sister. Oh-Claudine is going to be so pissed at me. She came looking for you- damn I told her I’d tell her the moment I heard anything about where you were. Claudine!” Sookie explained before yelling into the air.

“I wouldn’t expect any response,” Claude said, looking to where Finvarra had been standing.

“What? Why wouldn’t-“ Sookie began to asked when a cry interrupted her.

“Claude,” Claudine was calling out, loud and filled with emotions, before the glare that she had appeared in had faded. “You’re alive. I was so worried.” She added, embracing Claude tightly.

“This is unexpected,” was all Claude said in return as he let his sister hold him and even half hugged her in return.

“Guys? Shouldn’t we find out if Andy and Kenya are okay first? Then have this talk somewhere else,” Hoyt suggested, joining the group just in time to see Claudine arrive. “Say someplace with food, because I’m hungry,” he added, stepping toward Joshua and Jason and pulling an arm around his love and then the teen.

Joshua let him.

***Epilog***

“Oh hell. Why do I have a feeling I’m about to hear some more tall tails about fairyland,” Arlene said as she watched the door of Merlotte’s open despite the closed sign hanging from said door. .

“Fucking fairyland and the fairies…oh present company excluded,” Andy added, glancing between Jason, Sookie, Claudine and Claude, his gaze suspicious when they landed on the latter siblings.

“I’ll fuck whoever can just pour me a drink,” Kenya barked plopping down at the bar. “And don’t give me any crap about it being past last call,” she included.

Andy sat right next to her as Tommy set two glasses down before them. “You didn’t miss a week did you? Because I’m sure I just saw you all last night…well not all of you,” he amended looking at Jason’s doppelganger with a puzzled look.

“You must clean up nice,” Alrene added, taking a good look at Claude, “maybe the whole fae thing isn’t all bad after all if they make twins. You’re a lucky man there, Hoyt,” the waitress said, giving Hoyt a wink before looking back at Claude. “...you are a fairy right? Because the dirty thing is making me wonder,” she pointed out, waving her finger around Claude’s grimy clothing and body.

“Being trapped in the mortal realm is going to be tiresome,” Claude said by way of not answering while he followed Jason, Hoyt, Joshua and Sookie to one of the tables not far from the bar.

“Look I know it’s late but there’s always something sitting back there,” Sookie said, falling into the chair.

“For you, always. And any friend of yours,” Sam said stepping out of the hall that lead to his office.

“Good, then can someone just bring out the grub?” Joshua demanded.

“Teenagers,” Sookie said amused, watching Joshua.

“But he has a point. Eating would be good,” Hoyt added, patting his belly.

“We can compare notes and shit after,” Jason said in support of the idea, eyeing the kitchen.

“As you do that I will see to my brother,” Claudine said pulling Claude toward the back tables and out of hearing of the others. “You’re alive.”

“Yes, Finvarra did not just want me dead. He wanted me stripped of my powers and stranded in this realm, My lady agreed with him…for a time,” Claude explained, calling forth a small ball of shadow.

“She had not relented completely. She told me I would be called to you soon but I still had to wait for Sookie and…” Claudine stopped, hesitant.

“What is it?” Claude asked, narrowing his eyes.

“Let me fix these, you shouldn’t be dressed so,” Claudine said pointing to his clothing, with a golden glow they, and he, become fresh, his dirty clothing and appearance gone, taking the odor with it.

“Claudine,” Claude warned, giving his sister a hard look, “what is it?”

“You…you’re still banished,” Claudine finally said.

“Ah.”

“Ah?” Claudine parroted, puzzled. “I tell you that you’re to remain in this realm you hate and you say ah?”

“I have my powers restored, and this realm isn’t without its advantages,” Claude informed her, looking over at Joshua.

“Will you tell him?” Claudine questioned when she followed his gaze.

“No, he already has a family,” Claude told her with a smile before he headed back over to join the others.

***

Hoyt smiled as he watched Jason jumping around the iced over lake, catching snowflakes along with a dozen other fae, both Sidhe and Wyldfae of all shapes and sizes.

The Winter gathering was slowly winding down but Hoyt hadn’t moved since the play and performances by the fire had finished and Jason had gotten up to mingle.

The others had mostly ignored him but he didn’t care, Jason was having fun. He was so focused on watching Jason that he didn’t realize that someone was trying to get his attention at first.

Not until he felt fur brushing around his arm did he look down to see Seanchas fluttering around, chattering wildly.

“Well hello there,” Hoyt said sitting more upright, “I didn’t think I’d see you here. I thought you had to stay near your bush,” he commented. “But it’s nice to see you.”

Seanchas just kept chattering away, his language meaning nothing to Hoyt but his meaning was clear. He thought it was nice to see Hoyt too.

***The End***

Master Post