As soon as I woke up the next morning, I checked the news. Well, after taking both an aspirin and an ibuprofen for my headache, that is. I plop onto my couch and flip on the tv, scrolling to find the news. It was before noon yesterday so I have to find a channel with a 'recap of yesterday's events'.
There's footage from below of the first visible flames of my fire, then it skips to when Falcon entered the picture. I was wondering how he got in, and my question is answered when I see him crash through a window. A frown overtakes my features at that stunt.
There's a few minutes where nothing happens, then Falcon appears in the window. As suddenly as he came he disappears from view, and I'm momentarily puzzled; why isn't he escaping?
My breath hitches a second later when he leaps out the window, plummeting down as his wings unfurl slowly. I wince as I remember his broken wing and ribs.
The video ends, but a news woman says he was seen flying toward the park, and that one report said his wings seemed to shimmer in and out of existence while flying.
If his wings disappeared while he was still flying, who knows what could have happened? Obviously he wouldn't still b win his Falcon form, but he would still have his suit on. What if he broke his legs in the fall?
I throw a coat on, grab my keys and wallet, then at the last second pack a few extra clothes into a backpack.
I speed only a little as I drive to the park.
***
I've been searching for hours, and am ready to admit defeat. It's noon, I'm hungry, my headache came back, and I've searched every inch of this giant park twice over. He must not have stopped here after all.
I finally stop underneath a giant elm, my resolve to stay tough crumbling as I plop onto the grass and bury my face in my hands. I hate how worried about him I am, it's not like me. Ever since my brother I have tried to stay away from people, to avoid getting attached and starting to care about them.
For some reason when Calen showed up at my door I thought it would be different with him, like because he was my enemy I would be able to control my feelings. And maybe if he had still been my enemy, Falcon, I would have. Maybe if he hadn't turned into a kitten, I would have. Maybe if he hadn't looked so adorable in my hoodie, I would have.
But he wasn't, and he did, and he was, and I couldn't, so now here I am moping in a park waiting for him to appear out of thin air even though I know that's impossible.
When he does, I almost jump out of my skin.
My legs stretch out in front of me, and I have my arms propping me up so I don't fall. I stare at him in shock, not immediately noticing the way tears well in his eyes and his hands shake in his lap while he kneels next to me.
"Plea-Please don't be-be angry with m-me." He pleads, shifting ever so slightly closer on his knees and hesitantly leaning forward to nuzzle my shoulder.
It snaps me out of my shock, and I slowly reach up to brush my fingers through his hair, being careful to avoid his fuzzy ears. "Of course I'm not angry with you, Darling." I coo softly.
It seems to be invitation enough for him to move closer to me, and when I don't react he straddles my legs and hugs me tightly, nestling his head under my chin.
"I-I'm sorry. Didn't mea-mean to be ba-bad." He trembles on my lap, his fingers curling into the back of my coat. "Please forg-give m-me." I feel his tears beginning to soak through my shirt, and it finally registers what kind of situation I'm in.
I have to get him to my car all the way across this public park, hoping nobody sees his suit, ears, or tail. I feel a bit better when I remember I packed clothes.
I run my free hand up and down his back, then settle for cupping his neck with my fingers in his hair, my arm holding his tightly against me. "I forgive you my Lovely. How about you change now so we can go home?"
He nods quickly, leaning back and peeking up at me when I release him from my hold. "M... brought c-clothes for Ki... me?" He stumbles over every other word, cheeks flushing more with each passing second.
I nod, smiling contentedly as I shrug my backpack off. His presence is oddly calming. At least, when he's in this form and not in distress.
I'm about to pull the clothes out of my backpack when I realize we should get off the trail first, in case anyone decides to walk this way. A lot of people come here on their lunch breaks around this time, and I would greatly like to be gone by then.
I stand up swiftly, hooking an arm under Calen's thighs as I do. When he squeaks a little and wraps his arms around my neck as I start walking, I can't hold in my smile. I'm so glad he got out of the fire, and appears unhurt.
Once we're far enough into a clump of trees that no paths are visible, I set Calen down next to a tree he can lean on. I crouch and open my backpack again, pulling out the jeans and hoodie I brought for him.
He seems eager to get out of his suit, wriggling it off before I can try to help. He steps out of it, hugging himself and shivering in his boxers. I want to smirk and make a joke about it, but instead I only allow myself a smirk as I hand him the jeans.
I look away while he puts them on, then back at him when I hear a little annoyed huff. I chuckle quietly at how big they are on him. They're too long by a couple inches, and only slightly big at the hips. I hand him the hoodie then dig through my bag for a belt, groaning when I don't find one. I find a ribbon though, which should work for now.
I hand it to Calen, only to take it back when he starts wrapping it around his seemingly dirty fingers and hand with a fascinated look on his face, reminding me of a cat with string. He pouts at me, looking much too adorable for his own good.
I have him hold his hoodie up slightly, ignoring his cute blush as I thread the ribbon through his belt loops. After I tie it off I grab his hand, then remember how dirty it seemed. I move to wipe off some of the dirt off, my eyes widening as I do. This is not dirt.
I flip his hand over to look at his palm, sucking in a breath at the sight. "Shit." I breathe out shakily. I really shouldn't be this shaken; I get scraped up all the time, but something about it being on him makes it so much worse.
He pulls his hand from mine, and when I look at him questioningly his ears are down and he looks a little frightened. "So-Sorry didn't me-mean to-to make mad." He stutters out as he looks down at his feet, which I now realize are bare.
"What?" I ask, bewildered. "I'm not mad at you, why would you think that?"
He clasps his hands nervously. "Old foste-ter parents wou-sa-said bad words wh-when ang-mad at me."
A frown appears on my face. I hadn't even realized I said a 'bad word', let alone that it would upset him. Then I frown deeper when what he said really sinks in. The more I hear about these old foster parents the angrier I get. Maybe I'll look them up when I get home.
In the meantime, I step forward and slowly tug Calen closer to me. "Well, I'm not angry at you." I say softly, nuzzling his fluffy brown hair. "Now, wanna go home?"
He seems to perk up, nodding quickly and almost bumping his head into my chin. I grin and start walking, then stop again to put his good up. "Remember to hide your tail, Cutie."
He nods again, smiling shyly at me. I wink at him teasingly, my grin widening when he blushes and looks down. I automatically follow his gaze and sigh, remembering he doesn't have any shoes. I know it won't hurt him to walk on the path with no shoes, but at the same time I'm not sure I want to take the chance.
After a lengthy metal debate about to pros and cons of carrying him, I decide that I'll risk the one con of people seeing. It's not like they have any right to judge or say anything about it anyway.
I swing him into my arms with no warning, letting him wrap his legs around my waist and cling onto me like a koala. I wonder if he has a koala form, I bet it would adorable.
I walk in a content daze all the way back to my car, thinking about what food Calen would like, or ways I could get revenge on his foster parents. They're probabaly still alive, right?
My stupor is broken by an almost inaudible, questioning whine from Calen, and the sight of someone resting against the hood of my car.