The Start of the End pt3

The sun was already going down, the sky turning a smooth orange and pink before turning to a dusk blue.

Nepo pushed his hair back, his aching muscles complaining the whole walk home. He had made small deliveries today, but with how far apart finley lived and no transportation? Walking and flying was all that he’d done all day.

He stretched his wings out, hoping they wouldn’t be cramping in the morning.

Quietly, Nepo opened the door. Not surprising, he found Rue pacing. Something she’s seemed to pick up this past week. He hadn’t been able to figure out why.

Walking past her, knowing she wouldn’t be responsive, he walked up to Alexander. He ever so gently caressed the boy’s head. Nepo wanted so badly to spend time with him, but for some unknown reason Alexander always flinched away from his touch.

Nepo bent down to his level, sitting on a chair as he was. “How ya doin’, fella? All good?”

Alexander blinked at him slowly and curled in on himself. Nepo frowned. His ears twitched at the small growl. Was he hungry?

Nepo carefully picked Alexander up, feeling his stomach. It did feel soft. And empty.

He looked over at his still pacing partner. “Rue? Did you feed him?” When she didn’t respond, he called again. “Rue? Rue!”

Nepo huffed after Alexander flinched at his loud voice. “Sorry.” He sighed. The rest of the night spent taking care of Alexander before placing him to bed. By then, Rue was already lying down, eyes closed.

Nepo was honestly too tired to try and wrangle a reasonable answer from her tonight, so he slept lightly.

Morning came and Rue was gone. No note or anything. He squinted, thinking maybe she went to check the child. So he took his time stretching before padding to where he thought the two would be.

To his confusion, he couldn’t find either of them. Checking Alexander’s room, he found him curled up in a fur ball in the corner.

In the sunlight, Nepo could see how almost translucent his barely off-white fur was. The skin underneath was patched with pink, some parts darker almost red. His breathe caught in his throat. Was Alexander sick?

With Rue not there at the time, Nepo would be caring for him anyway. And honestly, maybe he should take Alexander for a check up. He had left the child’s care to Rue simply because she seemed to do a good job. And Alexander preferred her anyway…. But what if that had been wrong?

Nepo made it a quick travel to Dane’s clinic, something he should have done day one. But what he told Rue that day was more…. Aggressive encouragement, than anything else.

Dane, having finished up an appointment, glanced at him and the child. “Ah. The kit is back. Is everything alright?” Dane continued talking as he shifted through some papers and put them away. “I know Albinism is new to Whistler Crest, so I’m not surprised if there’s something wrong. We haven’t done all the research possible yet.”

Nepo stopped, confused. “Albi-wha?”

Dane looked at Nepo, confused. “Did your partner not tell you? Your child has Albinism. It makes their coats nearly white and their eyes are shades not normally found on other finley. Most often completely shades of red or pink. Sometimes blue…”

Stunned, Nepo looked down at his child. Then back at Dane. “Did they also have patchy red skin?”

Dane frowned, quickly closing the distance between them. He brushed the child’s fur aside, immediately seeing the different colored patches on the skin. “Come. Let’s take a closer look.”

Nepo followed Dane into a small room off to the side. A sterile table took up the middle of the room. Many cabinets and counters take up the left side, with a long small couch on the right.

Placing Alexander on the table, Nepo watched as Dane examined all of him. “Hmm…. There are many sunburns on their skin. With how some are lighter than others, these are different burns from different days…” Dane’s eyes met Nepo’s. He wasn’t glaring, but one could feel the censor in them. “The child is also thinner than they should be. Despite being born with dense fur, their fur is extremely thin as well. Possibly due to stress or malnourishment.”

Dane went about in one of the drawers nearby. He took out a small jar of yellow cream. “I’ll show you how to apply it. This cream calms the angry red on the skin. Keep your child out of the sun. With Albinism, their skin is weak to the harshness of it and tires them out quickly. Their fur should have been some form of protection, but with the thinning, you’ll need thin, breathable cloth to cover them. Please. Be careful.”

Remorseful, Nepo bowed his head in thanks. He gratefully accepted the jar, scooping his child into his arms. Regret weighed his bones down, but deep, deep in his gut was a rage he’d never felt before. But before it could even form properly, guilt overshadowed it.

Did it matter so much that Rue neglected and hurt their child? Yes. But.

He was also to blame. He hasn’t taken any responsibility. Willingly leaving Alexander in the claws of someone he KNEW had heartless tendencies. And thinking she was happy with their kid was no excuse.

Nepo blinked his eyes, tears warring to be free. He gazed down at his hurt child, whispering softly. “Im so sorry, Alexander… Never again.. I won’t hurt you ever again.”

Rue better watch herself.