At Least We Didn't Die

Viper had trekked all the way here to say a final goodbye. Maxine was long gone by now, onto her next adventure. She had offered to take him, but Viper had chosen to stay behind. He wanted to be with his sons, even though Ivory had settled down with the Friendly Chemist and Loki...

He grimaced, crouching down on the rock he sat upon to protect his fragile body. Viper turned his head when he felt a small fluffy body press to his side. At least he had Snow. Bending to give his youngest son and good groom around the ears, Viper thought about the future.

He knew he would be staying close beside Friendly Chemist and Ivory. There was no way he would be leaving them. He had to stay put becauss Maxine promised she would visit. He wouldn't be alone. Rhapsody made a promise of a visit too before she went off with that big scary angel lion.

At the same time, nothing felt complete. Loki had passed, Ivory had his own problems, Snow was still so young. Despite all the company, Viper still felt lonelier than ever.

He was missing someone in particular. A fluffy moth-panther, to be specific. It had been nearly a month or so and Viper still missed Val intensely. He could feel and see the same sense of loss in Snow and Ivory as well. That was why he had chosen to leave the Dynasty behind in the end. Even with everyone who hated Val gone, it still felt like a hostile environment.

Viper had made a comfortable nest for himself and Snow in a little shack. They had moved in all of their belongings, most of which had been Val's, and decided this was their new home. Viper felt lighter than he had in ages. His fur had grown back and his eyes were a touch brighter. His improved looks were pitiful bandages over his completely shattered heart.

Even more so than after his first relationship ended, Viper felt that he could never love someone the same again.

"Why're you sitting there like that?"

The familiar bossy tone cut the silence. Viper blinked open his pink crystal eyes and stood staring at Cessna, Val and Alexei. Snow had already bounded off to wind himself around his father's fluffy legs.

"You're back?" Viper asked, clearing his throat hesitantly.

Shrugging, Val stepped over Snow and lumbered forward to touch noses with Viper. "I intended to sooner, but Alexei was rather hard fo find." The Italian rumbled. He hugged Viper close, tucking the Frenchman into his neck fluff. "I missed you though. You're looking better than you were." His voice was low, so that only Val and Viper could hear.

Shrugging, Viper fixed his glasses and looked up at Val. "You're looking as handsome as always. Where are you heading off to after this? Where have you been?"

"Well, after the Ruins went to shit, I got bored and came across Cessna. We decided to come and find you but... I wanted to find Alexei first. He was all the way by the Cartel, mooching, of fucking course. You weren't hard to find afterwards." Val explained, plopping himself down on the warm rock to sit. He sighed. "Where am I going next? I don't know. Where are you going?"

"Snow and I settled down here. Got a little home set up and everything. Ivory's close by." Viper explained. He stared at Val, sat between Val's large paws. Val nodded in agreement. Viper noted how tired he looked. Probably from all the travel. Viper was tired too.

Curling up against Val's neck fluff in a little spotted ball, Viper breathed a sigh of contentment. Cessna, Snow and Alexei arranged themselves around the pair for an afternoon nap in their new home. Val groomed Viper's pelt in long, loving strokes and Viper returned his appreciation with a soft purr.

"Love ya, French bitch." Val mumbled around Viper's cheek fur. Viper laughed, mumbling in return.

Finally, he could properly retire.