Meet

He knew that he was being childish.

Del scowled at the ceiling as he leaned back in his smooth leather office chair. He'd blocked all thoughts from Buck since the evening he'd decided to actually give Magnus a try.

Of all people.

It wasn't that he was mad that he wanted some time away, but the hesitant hope, hints of appreciation and faintly growing feelings of fondness were not something he wanted wafting through his mind. If Buck wanted to see him, he could just come by... but he hadn't. In over a week.

Kicking his legs up on his desk, Del leaned back even farther and narrowed his eyes. He wasn't sure what time it was anymore, but considering the darkness that surrounded him and the lights far below his office window, he'd guess somewhere around two in the morning. He'd refused twenty hunt requests that week alone and, for the first time since his business had taken off years ago, he had a completely free day.

He honestly didn't know what to do with himself. Sleeping was out of the question, but he didn't have anything to catch up nor did he ever play video games or watch movies. Del glanced out the massive windows behind him and licked his lips. He could feel Mina somewhere in the city below, but the guy had never come close to his business again. Magnus hadn't reported seeing him around a second time, either.

It's best not to be seen when you live outside alone.

Del's heart jumped into his throat as he scrambled to sit up, but only proceeded to make himself fall backwards out of his chair.

Whatever just happened, I approve.

Out of habit, Del bared his teeth at Mina's mocking tone, but immediately shrugged off the humor he felt through their bond. It had been pretty dumb of him to fall out of his chair because of a simple thought communication. It had just startled him that much. He never expected Mina to want to talk to him again.

What happened?

Del considered not answering, but Mina was finally talking to him... and he even got a positive, if frustrating, reaction from him.

I fell out of my chair.

The cheerful emotion he felt immediately overwhelm their bond actually had him grinning as he sat up on the floor and ran his fingers through his perfect hair, unintentionally mussing it up a bit.

Are you laughing at me, Mina?

He expected a response, but at least a little bit of hesitation would have been appreciated. He got none.

Absolutely. That is hilarious, Del.

Without even thinking Del let himself lie down on his back on the carpet and sighed out a stressed breath.

Say my name again.

There was a quiet chuckle in the back of his mind as Mina repliled; I never technically said it.

Del rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling up at the ceiling as he said his thought response out loud, as well. Again Mina, please.

Their bond was quiet for a few moments before Mina replied faintly.

Del... what is your full name?

The question took him by surprise, making Del abruptly shut down their link without even thinking. He jolted upright with that realization as he tried to reconnect with Mina. It took a few minutes before he could feel the other guy again, but it was a huge relief when Mina responded.

You don't have to tell me. I was just curious. We can talk about something else.

It was tempting. So, so tempting. He never told anyone his full name. Buck was the only one who knew his real story, and that's how he'd always wanted to keep it... but a name didn't necessarily have to come with it's story.

My full name is Delete.

There was a long pause where Del could barely get himself to breath as he waited, actually horribly nervous.

Did you say Dylan? I'm having trouble with our connection. Kind of multitasking.

Odd, he wasn't having any probl—Did I get it right? I like that name if I did. It suits you.

Forcing back his want to correct Mina, Del actually felt the edge of his lips curving up slightly as he responded. Seems like a childish name, doesn't it?

I like it. You are childish sometimes, so it works.

Del narrowed his eyes and sat up again, trying to figure  out if he was more angry at being called such a thing or more surprised that Mina had dared to do it.

How the hell am I childish? He grumbled through their bond... then realized the answer to his question right away.

The humor that returned to him from Mina's thoughts made him pout, but only for a moment.

What are you distracted with, by the way?

Del waited nearly a minute for another response.

Trying to catch some dinner.

Dinner? At two in the morning? Or really, probably closer to three now. Del was about to tell Mina that he'd just buy him whatever meal he wanted... but again, three in the morning. He also couldn't cook all that great and doubted that Mina wanted to come to him, anyway.

Can I hunt with you? He asked instead, then winced at how dumb his question had sounded. He could easily go upstairs and get whatever he wanted out of the fridge.

I'm on the north side of town in the forest by the brook, if you want to come out. It's a good distance from you, though.

Distance wasn't an issue.

I'll be there in twenty minutes.

Del felt a tiny bit of confusion in response, but then humor and understanding.

Right. You can fly.

Del  left that comment alone as he hurried to the elevator and started stripping as it rose to the roof. By the time he stepped off and walked up the small flight of stairs to exit to the outside, he was already shifted. It was chilly even in his wolf form as he took off, but the exercise of flying soon warmed his body enough to be comfortable.

It took him less than fifteen minutes to get to the area he sensed Mina in, but once he landed, the guy wasn't there to meet him.

Where are you?

He could sense hesitation but was confused why. Mina had said that he could come out, yet he was hiding from him.

Can you catch me something to eat?

Del flicked his ears and wings, a little confused.

Yeah, just give me a minute.

He wanted to see Mina first, since he thought that they'd be hunting together, but he supposed that he could just see him after he brought him some food. With a bit more determination he took off again, and true to his word, it only took him a minute before he'd located a decent sized rabbit and managed to kill it with a quick dive from above. He was no hawk, considering his size, but he was fairly good at hunting silently when he was able to focus.

He returned to where he'd first landed with his catch, but still didn't see Mina anywhere.

Am I going to eat this all by myself?

There was another moment of hesitation in his thoughts before he finally felt Mina nearby. Del quickly turned in the direction he sensed him, then paused as his mouth slowly opened in shock.

You're...

Mina nervously licked one of his front paws and flicked an ear, but couldn't seem to lift his gaze to Del's.

An adult lion-cheetah cross? Yeah.

Del slowly stepped closer, allowing the dead rabbit to slip from his jaws.

You're pregnant.

Mina hunched down to the ground and grumbled, looking off to the side.

Condoms aren't one-hundred percent, it seems.

So it would seem, but the guy wasn't just pregnant. He looked like he was ready to pop at any second! That must mean...

Mine?

He wasn't sure how to react to the whole situation. He'd never wanted children. Ever. He knew that he was a terrible person and should never be allowed to be near children, let alone breed his own.

Sometimes things don't go as planned.

Del walked closer, nudging Mina's nose with his own. The action finally drew his attention up to him.

You've been out here all by yourself carrying that child?

He felt mad, upset, and betrayed, but he knew that he deserved those feelings. He'd driven Mina away with his lifestyle and unwillingness to change. He should have still told him... but Del couldn't see himself handling the news well if he wasn't face to face with the man like he was now.

I'm sorry that I didn't tell you. I wasn't sure how you would take it. Mina thought to him, making Del chuckle into his mind.

You know exactly how I probably would have taken it. Poorly.

Mina grumbled and finally sat back up, drawing Del's eyes down. Wait a minute. They were widening by the second, and for good reason.

That's definitely not just one cub.

Mina leaned up and nipped Del's ear abruptly before walking past him to start eating his rabbit dinner.

Mina, how many did the doctor say you were having?

When the only response he got was a flick of the lion-cheetah's tail as Mina continued to pick apart his meal, Del pinned his ears and narrowed his eyes.

You will go to the doctor first thing in the morning.

He could immediately feel a pushback for the order, but Mina relented after only a few moments.

When I wake up.

There were so many things he knew he had to suddenly plan for and figure out, but Del pushed away all of the extra thoughts and decided to just pick one thing at a time to focus on. So...

I'm going to go get you more food, and you're going to eat it all.

Mina looked up at him, chewing the remains of the rabbit hungrily.

I can do that. Please get me some more food, Dylan... then stay with me and eat.

He could do that.

I'll be back soon, Mina.

He got a simple nod in response, but that was more than enough to brighten his spirits. Mina would wait for him. He would be there when he got back. They would figure things out over time. Until then, one step closer was more than enough to make him happy.