Just Cause, short story
title. Just Cause
series. Just...
author. Clay Kalle
rating. G
universe. Little Ezra
summary. Snippets of Ezra's life while the under the care of the remaining six peacekeepers.
"Here you are! Aww, gee, Ez, didn't mean to scare ya none, honest!"
Ezra Standish nodded wordlessly, accepting the apology quickly, embarrassed that he was caught unaware and about the humiliating display of fear while his heart hammered painfully in his chest. Feeling his cheeks warm up, the child turned around to hide his face, once more squatting beside a pile of hay that he had been guarding before being interrupted by JD Dunne, who -as expected- inched closer, curious.
"Y'know, Chris is mighty worried about you; you've been out of sights for a while now and he done made us all anxious enough to run around like headless chickens lookin' for you." JD continued as he attempted to discover what held Ezra's interest, missing the flinch and look of alarm that was quickly erased from the boy's face to be replaced by an expression of grim determination. Reaching the boy's side, the young man knelt beside him and exclaimed as soon as noticing the source of Ezra's distraction, "Kittens!"
The child looked away from the litter of sleeping babies to observe JD and Ezra was bemused at the childlike wonder on the man's visage as he leaned down closer to the newborn siblings, a grin dominating his youthful face.
"Look at 'em!" And he did, bringing his focus back on the tangle of small bodies laying on the hay, smiling as one kitten snuggled even closer to another, hiding its face into soft fur, yet never stirring.
JD stretched his arm, one digit out in an intention of caressing a black kitten that was sprawled over an unprotesting tabby, but a small hand stopped its progress before the finger could reach its destination.
"Don't, please." Ezra glanced at the young man before letting go of JD's hand. "Aunt Marjorie always said not to touch a young'un unless you plan on keeping it, else the mother would reject it; leave it behind."
JD's hand hovered in place for a moment, his brow furrowed at the strong conviction backing up the statement. He watched the child cross his arms across his chest, hands trapped effectively as he regarded the helpless creatures with longing, yet made no motion to give into his desire to pet the kittens, merely standing guard, a protector.
Making himself comfortable, the young man mused aloud as he watched the slumbering animals, "wonder where their mama is?"
"She must have a good reason to leave her offspring." JD turned his attention back to Ezra upon hearing the strong tone lacing the words once again, watched the myriad of emotions flicker across the young face that negated it. "Mothers might need to attend to pressing matters without the burden of children; getting food to provide nourishment, for an instance. In such cases, leaving them behind is the only logical option available."
JD blinked, his mouth imitating a circle as realization dawned on him, yet he was quick to halt the rush of words ready to tumble out when Ezra finally turned to meet his gaze, lips pursed tightly and stance defensive. Shrugging, the young man said instead, "guess she can't help it; everybody has to eat, now and then."
Ezra maintained his tense posture for a few seconds before unwinding. Returning his attention to the babies, the child hesitated briefly before sitting down next to JD, whose hand patted a small shoulder, lingering on the surprisingly relaxed muscles for a while, as they waited for one mother's return and dreaded the other's.
the end.
series. Just...
author. Clay Kalle
rating. G
universe. Little Ezra
summary. Snippets of Ezra's life while the under the care of the remaining six peacekeepers.
"Here you are! Aww, gee, Ez, didn't mean to scare ya none, honest!"
Ezra Standish nodded wordlessly, accepting the apology quickly, embarrassed that he was caught unaware and about the humiliating display of fear while his heart hammered painfully in his chest. Feeling his cheeks warm up, the child turned around to hide his face, once more squatting beside a pile of hay that he had been guarding before being interrupted by JD Dunne, who -as expected- inched closer, curious.
"Y'know, Chris is mighty worried about you; you've been out of sights for a while now and he done made us all anxious enough to run around like headless chickens lookin' for you." JD continued as he attempted to discover what held Ezra's interest, missing the flinch and look of alarm that was quickly erased from the boy's face to be replaced by an expression of grim determination. Reaching the boy's side, the young man knelt beside him and exclaimed as soon as noticing the source of Ezra's distraction, "Kittens!"
The child looked away from the litter of sleeping babies to observe JD and Ezra was bemused at the childlike wonder on the man's visage as he leaned down closer to the newborn siblings, a grin dominating his youthful face.
"Look at 'em!" And he did, bringing his focus back on the tangle of small bodies laying on the hay, smiling as one kitten snuggled even closer to another, hiding its face into soft fur, yet never stirring.
JD stretched his arm, one digit out in an intention of caressing a black kitten that was sprawled over an unprotesting tabby, but a small hand stopped its progress before the finger could reach its destination.
"Don't, please." Ezra glanced at the young man before letting go of JD's hand. "Aunt Marjorie always said not to touch a young'un unless you plan on keeping it, else the mother would reject it; leave it behind."
JD's hand hovered in place for a moment, his brow furrowed at the strong conviction backing up the statement. He watched the child cross his arms across his chest, hands trapped effectively as he regarded the helpless creatures with longing, yet made no motion to give into his desire to pet the kittens, merely standing guard, a protector.
Making himself comfortable, the young man mused aloud as he watched the slumbering animals, "wonder where their mama is?"
"She must have a good reason to leave her offspring." JD turned his attention back to Ezra upon hearing the strong tone lacing the words once again, watched the myriad of emotions flicker across the young face that negated it. "Mothers might need to attend to pressing matters without the burden of children; getting food to provide nourishment, for an instance. In such cases, leaving them behind is the only logical option available."
JD blinked, his mouth imitating a circle as realization dawned on him, yet he was quick to halt the rush of words ready to tumble out when Ezra finally turned to meet his gaze, lips pursed tightly and stance defensive. Shrugging, the young man said instead, "guess she can't help it; everybody has to eat, now and then."
Ezra maintained his tense posture for a few seconds before unwinding. Returning his attention to the babies, the child hesitated briefly before sitting down next to JD, whose hand patted a small shoulder, lingering on the surprisingly relaxed muscles for a while, as they waited for one mother's return and dreaded the other's.
the end.