10 min read
Poison No More
December 25, 2018
Snow blanketed the grounds of the Rothmore estate. The sun was just peeking over the horizon when Ryder awoke. He stretched his arms up above him and let out a huff and sigh when finished. He rubbed his eyes and looked towards his desk to see a present, neatly wrapped, upon it. The frei whipped off his blanket and floated over to the desk quickly to find attached to one of the ribbons, a note that stated it was from both Reuben and Evan. A smile grew upon his face as he picked it up and brought it into the living room. Nobody seemed to be home, which was strange only because it was Christmas Day. Normally Reuben and Evan would be talking over coffee, or Ryder would find his guardian reading tarot at the kitchen table (at least during the wintry months). But today, the house was eerily silent.
Ever since Evan joined the home, things had been different. Reuben used to celebrate Yule and have a friendsgiving with Calista each year, but this year they celebrated “Christmas” and “Thanksgiving”.
Evan brought in a sort of ‘life’ that the home was missing ever since Ryder was brought from the lab. A certain type of aura that the home had over the last few months was uplifting to the frei. It was nice to have Evan there. He brightened Reuben’s life as well which was probably why the home felt so much more fresh and free.
The tree in the living room was decked out in gold and white. There was garland strung up all around. Ryder sat the present on the coffee table before curiously going to see where his guardians might be. He checked their bedroom to no avail. He even went into the shop to see if there was any sign of life in there, but nothing. Nobody was around at all. Curious, Ryder went back into the house and floated throughout just to take one last look. It was strange to see the house so empty on a holiday like this. But, if the toadstool were being honest, he didn't mind the peace and quiet whatsoever.
After exhausting all possibilities, Ryder took to the living room. There he decided to find a comfortable position on the couch and leaned down to grab his present. He pulled the ribbons and released the tape from the sides and began to tear into it ever-so-slowly. Finally, he unwrapped it enough to reveal a basic brown box with a teal lid. He lifted off the lid to reveal a very beautiful mushroom pendant necklace and a note.
Ever since Evan joined the home, things had been different. Reuben used to celebrate Yule and have a friendsgiving with Calista each year, but this year they celebrated “Christmas” and “Thanksgiving”.
Evan brought in a sort of ‘life’ that the home was missing ever since Ryder was brought from the lab. A certain type of aura that the home had over the last few months was uplifting to the frei. It was nice to have Evan there. He brightened Reuben’s life as well which was probably why the home felt so much more fresh and free.
The tree in the living room was decked out in gold and white. There was garland strung up all around. Ryder sat the present on the coffee table before curiously going to see where his guardians might be. He checked their bedroom to no avail. He even went into the shop to see if there was any sign of life in there, but nothing. Nobody was around at all. Curious, Ryder went back into the house and floated throughout just to take one last look. It was strange to see the house so empty on a holiday like this. But, if the toadstool were being honest, he didn't mind the peace and quiet whatsoever.
After exhausting all possibilities, Ryder took to the living room. There he decided to find a comfortable position on the couch and leaned down to grab his present. He pulled the ribbons and released the tape from the sides and began to tear into it ever-so-slowly. Finally, he unwrapped it enough to reveal a basic brown box with a teal lid. He lifted off the lid to reveal a very beautiful mushroom pendant necklace and a note.
“Ryder,
You are so dear to us both of us and we want to wish you a very happy day. We will be home later this afternoon if you've decided to open this present as soon as you awake. We went to fetch Calista and will be back shortly for a small party.
We love you. See you soon,
Reuben & Evan
P.S. Please pick up and be sure to get yourself ready for the party this evening. Thank you!”
Ryder scoffed at the note, of course Reuben had to request for him to pick up the place a bit. Ryder looked about the house and didn't see a thing out of place. Maybe a couple of dishes in the sink or some dust on the fireplace mantle, but it was no near as bad as Reuben made it out to seem.
With that, Ryder pulled the pendant from the box and clipped it around his neck. It was very beautiful, exquisite even. That much made him happy. He twisted the necklace within his fingers a bit and looked down at it. It was perfect. His lips curved upward as he thought of what went into finding this piece of jewelry. Handmade, beautiful, and custom.
Ryder placed the note into his shirt pocket and closed the box, picking up the wrapping paper and scrunching it within his fist before floating it all over to place it in the garbage. He then began to do as was requested of him. He grabbed the sponge and began to wash the few plates that were in the sink, no doubt from Evan and Reuben's breakfasts. He then floated over to the mantle and began to wipe it off with a wash cloth soaked in all-natural dusting spray. He followed that up with wiping down other random furniture throughout the home before finding himself fully cleaning the counters in the kitchen, washing down the inside of the oven, and even sweeping the floor.
Wiping his forehead, the frei found himself finally finished, the house sparkled with cleanliness and it had been a couple of hours. Ryder decided it was high time to take a shower and get himself together for tonight's event.
Pulling a shirt from the closet, he laid it out on the bed. He was trying to utilize more of the clothing options that Reuben bought for him, thus, trying out new shirts. After all, that's what his entire closet consisted of. Shirts of all kinds. Nice old fashioned shirts that Ryder was able to pick out for himself and other, more modern shirts that Reuben had picked up for him while he was shopping. He wanted to surprise his guardian with a 'new look' and wear a shirt he had never even tried on before, but liked the look of. It was creative, imaginative even, the asymmetrical look of the shirt was what drew Ryder’s attention to it.
After his shower, Ryder heard some banging at the front door. With no time to actually put on his shirt, he scrunched his face and floated out to see Evan standing with a huge handful of presents in tow. The tower of presents was so tall, Evan couldn't even see past them. Ryder quickly fluttered over to the door and opened it.
"Evan, pray, let me aid you."
"Oh, Ryder, thanks but no, it's fi-AH!" Evan exclaimed, tripping over the threshold, presents flying into the air.
Ryder's eyes widened as the presents fell to the floor and Evan's face fell right into Ryder's bare chest. The two locked arms as Evan didn't fall fully, Ryder's wings were strong enough to keep the two afloat.
Evan jumped up and his eyes widened as he caught his breath and realized what he had done. "Ryder...I'm...oh god..." he expected that at any moment he'd have some violent reaction to Ryder's poison. "Ryder, why are you naked...and oh my god...when...is it going to happen."
Ryder quickly scrambled to pick up the fallen presents as soon as Evan was on his own two feet. A lump was caught in his throat as he floated a small handful of presents over to the tree and set them down quickly.
"I-I-I apologize, I had just heard the thumping at the door as I finished my shower. As for what occurred, you shall be fine, I assure you. Pray, do not apprise Reuben of this."
Evan stood there, stunned, afraid of what he was expecting to feel at any moment. But, as the moment seemed to never come, the man was confused. Ryder had never said anything about his poison power, or controlling it. The last time Evan experienced Ryder's skin poison, it was almost instantaneous and he felt high and drunk at the same time, even imagined Reuben being there with them. Though now, he felt absolutely nothing.
"Alright, here's the rest of the pres-huh?" Reuben stated, eyes widening as he laid them on Ryder. "Ryder, where's your shirt? What's going on?"
Evan shook his head quickly as to get out of the trance he put himself in. "Oh, it's my fault, babe. Ryder had just gotten out the shower and heard me bangin' the presents against the door and came runnin'...er..floatin' I guess rather, and opened it for me. Then I tripped and dropped all the presents and he's here helpin' me pick 'em up."
Reuben chuckled. "You're so clumsy. Okay, well, Ryder, why don't you go get dressed, eh? Calista is here and we're going to start cooking soon."
Ryder smiled, glancing at Evan with a nod of gratitude and retreated into the bedroom to put on his shirt and go do his hair. He adorned the pendant that was given to him and gave himself a look over in the mirror, pleased enough by the sight.
Later that evening, when Reuben and Calista were in the kitchen cooking and gossiping, Evan caught Ryder on the living room couch as the house was filled with popular Christmas songs. He sat down on the chair next to him and began to speak, "So, you gonna explain to me what that was all about?"
Ryder's heart dropped, if he hadn't known better, he would say it fell right out of his chest, past his ribbon, and onto the floor below. He had to say something, but didn't want to give anything away. The boy only had two options. He could tell him that he learned to control it, which would inevitably lead to more questioning or he could tell him the truth. Of course, the latter was not going to happen.
"Like I said prior, I apologize. Honestly, I have learned to control that part of myself. My poisonous skin shall no longer affect anyone in any way unless I will it," he stated, swallowing the large lump that accumulated in his throat and twirling the pendant in his fingers nervously.
Evan's eyes narrowed and he chuckled. "Well...why haven't you told us this before? That's awesome news, right?"
Ryder shrugged and then nodded. "You are aware I like my privacy and space. I did not see the necessity of disclosing that information. I apologize if you fear I have...lied to you." Ryder was even surprising himself at how convincing he was being. Luckily he had a few months to think of a cover up story had this exact situation happened with anyone. Ryder had definitely thought of that scenario and was well prepared for it.
"No, Ryder, it's fine. I don't feel like you've lied to me. But..isn't this something to celebrate then? Like...like a Christmas miracle!" Evan stated with a laugh as he stood up. "Hey Reu-" he began, being cut off by Ryder's hand grabbing his arm and pulling back a bit.
"I would greatly appreciate this staying between you and I, Evan. Pray, do not mention this to Reuben. I fear as though he would take this information and inflate it. I just do not wish to have that kind of attention placed on me. My powers are my own, and I would welcome your confidence in this matter."
Ryder was always a bit strange, Evan surmised. But with a smile, he nodded in agreement of Ryder's terms. What was the big deal? He didn't understand, however he did want to keep the faith of their relationship strong and enduring. So, he wouldn't say anything to Reuben until it was stated that he could.
"I shall forever be in your debt, thank you."
"Don't even mention it, it'll be our little secret."
With that, Ryder pulled the pendant from the box and clipped it around his neck. It was very beautiful, exquisite even. That much made him happy. He twisted the necklace within his fingers a bit and looked down at it. It was perfect. His lips curved upward as he thought of what went into finding this piece of jewelry. Handmade, beautiful, and custom.
Ryder placed the note into his shirt pocket and closed the box, picking up the wrapping paper and scrunching it within his fist before floating it all over to place it in the garbage. He then began to do as was requested of him. He grabbed the sponge and began to wash the few plates that were in the sink, no doubt from Evan and Reuben's breakfasts. He then floated over to the mantle and began to wipe it off with a wash cloth soaked in all-natural dusting spray. He followed that up with wiping down other random furniture throughout the home before finding himself fully cleaning the counters in the kitchen, washing down the inside of the oven, and even sweeping the floor.
Wiping his forehead, the frei found himself finally finished, the house sparkled with cleanliness and it had been a couple of hours. Ryder decided it was high time to take a shower and get himself together for tonight's event.
Pulling a shirt from the closet, he laid it out on the bed. He was trying to utilize more of the clothing options that Reuben bought for him, thus, trying out new shirts. After all, that's what his entire closet consisted of. Shirts of all kinds. Nice old fashioned shirts that Ryder was able to pick out for himself and other, more modern shirts that Reuben had picked up for him while he was shopping. He wanted to surprise his guardian with a 'new look' and wear a shirt he had never even tried on before, but liked the look of. It was creative, imaginative even, the asymmetrical look of the shirt was what drew Ryder’s attention to it.
After his shower, Ryder heard some banging at the front door. With no time to actually put on his shirt, he scrunched his face and floated out to see Evan standing with a huge handful of presents in tow. The tower of presents was so tall, Evan couldn't even see past them. Ryder quickly fluttered over to the door and opened it.
"Evan, pray, let me aid you."
"Oh, Ryder, thanks but no, it's fi-AH!" Evan exclaimed, tripping over the threshold, presents flying into the air.
Ryder's eyes widened as the presents fell to the floor and Evan's face fell right into Ryder's bare chest. The two locked arms as Evan didn't fall fully, Ryder's wings were strong enough to keep the two afloat.
Evan jumped up and his eyes widened as he caught his breath and realized what he had done. "Ryder...I'm...oh god..." he expected that at any moment he'd have some violent reaction to Ryder's poison. "Ryder, why are you naked...and oh my god...when...is it going to happen."
Ryder quickly scrambled to pick up the fallen presents as soon as Evan was on his own two feet. A lump was caught in his throat as he floated a small handful of presents over to the tree and set them down quickly.
"I-I-I apologize, I had just heard the thumping at the door as I finished my shower. As for what occurred, you shall be fine, I assure you. Pray, do not apprise Reuben of this."
Evan stood there, stunned, afraid of what he was expecting to feel at any moment. But, as the moment seemed to never come, the man was confused. Ryder had never said anything about his poison power, or controlling it. The last time Evan experienced Ryder's skin poison, it was almost instantaneous and he felt high and drunk at the same time, even imagined Reuben being there with them. Though now, he felt absolutely nothing.
"Alright, here's the rest of the pres-huh?" Reuben stated, eyes widening as he laid them on Ryder. "Ryder, where's your shirt? What's going on?"
Evan shook his head quickly as to get out of the trance he put himself in. "Oh, it's my fault, babe. Ryder had just gotten out the shower and heard me bangin' the presents against the door and came runnin'...er..floatin' I guess rather, and opened it for me. Then I tripped and dropped all the presents and he's here helpin' me pick 'em up."
Reuben chuckled. "You're so clumsy. Okay, well, Ryder, why don't you go get dressed, eh? Calista is here and we're going to start cooking soon."
Ryder smiled, glancing at Evan with a nod of gratitude and retreated into the bedroom to put on his shirt and go do his hair. He adorned the pendant that was given to him and gave himself a look over in the mirror, pleased enough by the sight.
Later that evening, when Reuben and Calista were in the kitchen cooking and gossiping, Evan caught Ryder on the living room couch as the house was filled with popular Christmas songs. He sat down on the chair next to him and began to speak, "So, you gonna explain to me what that was all about?"
Ryder's heart dropped, if he hadn't known better, he would say it fell right out of his chest, past his ribbon, and onto the floor below. He had to say something, but didn't want to give anything away. The boy only had two options. He could tell him that he learned to control it, which would inevitably lead to more questioning or he could tell him the truth. Of course, the latter was not going to happen.
"Like I said prior, I apologize. Honestly, I have learned to control that part of myself. My poisonous skin shall no longer affect anyone in any way unless I will it," he stated, swallowing the large lump that accumulated in his throat and twirling the pendant in his fingers nervously.
Evan's eyes narrowed and he chuckled. "Well...why haven't you told us this before? That's awesome news, right?"
Ryder shrugged and then nodded. "You are aware I like my privacy and space. I did not see the necessity of disclosing that information. I apologize if you fear I have...lied to you." Ryder was even surprising himself at how convincing he was being. Luckily he had a few months to think of a cover up story had this exact situation happened with anyone. Ryder had definitely thought of that scenario and was well prepared for it.
"No, Ryder, it's fine. I don't feel like you've lied to me. But..isn't this something to celebrate then? Like...like a Christmas miracle!" Evan stated with a laugh as he stood up. "Hey Reu-" he began, being cut off by Ryder's hand grabbing his arm and pulling back a bit.
"I would greatly appreciate this staying between you and I, Evan. Pray, do not mention this to Reuben. I fear as though he would take this information and inflate it. I just do not wish to have that kind of attention placed on me. My powers are my own, and I would welcome your confidence in this matter."
Ryder was always a bit strange, Evan surmised. But with a smile, he nodded in agreement of Ryder's terms. What was the big deal? He didn't understand, however he did want to keep the faith of their relationship strong and enduring. So, he wouldn't say anything to Reuben until it was stated that he could.
"I shall forever be in your debt, thank you."
"Don't even mention it, it'll be our little secret."