With a relieved sigh, Talon slipped back into the pool, his powerful wings momentarily disturbing the tranquil water. Kev, the rush of adrenalin residing, resumed his leisurely laps, the rhythmic strokes a soothing balm to his muscles.
Talon, inspired by Kev's effortless movements, attempted to mimic his strokes. But his large wings, unaccustomed to such confined spaces, proved to be a hindrance. He flapped and splashed, creating a miniature tidal wave that sent Kev sputtering and laughing.
Just then, Sabrina emerged from the mansion, her wheelchair expertly navigating the patio's smooth tiles. She was clad in a bright red bikini that accentuated her curves, a pair of oversized sunglasses perched on her beak.
"Now this is more like it," she declared, parking herself in a sunny spot and basking in the warmth.
Talon, a mischievous grin on his face, splashed water at his sister, eliciting a playful shriek.
Kev, energized by the cool water and the playful atmosphere, showcased his swimming prowess, effortlessly transitioning between front crawl, butterfly, and backstroke. Talon, determined to keep up, attempted to mimic Kev's movements but struggled to maintain his pace. His large wings, though powerful in flight, proved cumbersome in the water, slowing him down and hindering his strokes.
After a few laps, Kev took a break, retreating to the shade of the oak tree. He lit a cigarette, enjoying the contrast between the cool shade and the warmth of the sun on his skin.
Sabrina, propelled by her new wheelchair, rolled over to join him. "Why hide over here?" she asked, a playful lilt in her voice. "It's beautiful out." She paused, her gaze fixed on the joint in Kev's hand. "Also, gimme a hit."
Kev chuckled and passed her the joint. He watched as Talon continued his valiant but ultimately futile attempts to master the butterfly stroke.
"Sunburn," Kev said.
"Sun what?" Sabrina asked, passing the joint back to Kev.
"If I'm out in the sun too long, my skin burns," Kev clarified.
Sabrina burst into laughter, her voice echoing through the garden. "Wow, sucks to be human," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.
Sabrina, ever the inquisitive one, leaned back in her wheelchair, a sly grin on her face. "So, how did it go?" she asked, her voice a playful chirp. "Did Fang finally court you last night?"
Kev coughed, a surprised laugh escaping his lips. He passed the joint back to Sabrina, his cheeks flushed with a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "I invite him back to my room every night," he confessed, shaking his head. "The only night he wasn't too busy, he fell asleep before I could even use the bathroom."
Sabrina held in her hit, her eyes widening in surprise. She nodded slowly, a thoughtful expression on her face. Then, with a mischievous glint in her eyes, she passed the joint back to Kev.
Sabrina took a long drag from the joint, exhaling a cloud of smoke that swirled in the warm afternoon air. "From what I can tell, Fang's a typical alpha," she remarked, her voice a mix of amusement and understanding. "Gotta be solving problems If you want him to focus on you, just give him one. Say something like, 'Baby, I'm so lustful for you. I cry every night when you aren't there to smother me in kisses. My eyes might wander if you don't quench my thirst, hot wolf daddy.'"
Kev burst into laughter, surprised by Sabrina's boldness. He couldn't imagine himself ever saying something so overtly suggestive to Fang, but the image of the wolfman's flustered reaction was undeniably amusing.
Talon, who had been silently observing their interaction from the pool, looked over, his brow furrowed in confusion. "What's so funny?" he asked, his voice a low rasp.
Kev and Sabrina exchanged a conspiratorial glance, their laughter subsiding into giggles.
Kev, eager to change the subject and showcase his swimming skills, took another puff of the joint and grinned. "I've got one more swimming style I know," he announced, his voice filled with playful confidence. "Breaststroke."
Talon frowned, a puzzled expression on his face. "Breaststroke?" he echoed, his voice a low rasp. "That sounds... vulgar."
Kev laughed, shaking his head. "Just watch," he said, diving back into the pool with a graceful arc.
He swam a few laps using the breaststroke technique, his movements smooth and rhythmic. His body undulated through the water, his arms and legs propelling him forward with a powerful yet controlled motion.
As he reached the edge of the pool, he pulled himself up, water cascading down his toned chest. "It's a different set of movements than the others," he explained to Talon, who was watching intently from the poolside. "Maybe your wings won't stick out as much with this one."
Talon, his curiosity piqued, nodded slowly. "I'll give it a try," he said, his voice a determined rasp.
He dove into the water, his powerful wings momentarily disrupting the surface. He surfaced a few feet away from Kev, his expression a mix of concentration and frustration as he attempted to mimic Kev's breaststroke technique.
Talon, with his natural athleticism and keen observation skills, quickly picked up the breaststroke technique. Kev watched in admiration as the eagleman glided through the water, his wings tucked neatly against his back, his movements smooth and efficient. It was a stark contrast to his earlier struggles with the other strokes.
Talon, sensing Kev's approval, beamed with pride. "This is much easier," he remarked, his voice a satisfied rasp. "My wings don't get in the way at all."
Sabrina, who had been lounging in the sun, suddenly sat up straighter, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "Race!" she declared, her voice a playful chirp. "Loser does a lap around the house!"
Kev and Talon exchanged glances, a competitive spark igniting in both their eyes.
"You don't have to do this, Kev," Talon said, a hint of concern in his voice. "I'm sure your human feet would get pretty sore if you had to run all the way around the mansion."
Kev grinned, a playful challenge in his eyes. "I think I can manage," he retorted. "Maybe your legs are just soft from flying around so much."
Talon's eyes narrowed, his competitive spirit ignited. "How many laps is this race?" he asked, his voice a low rumble.
Sabrina, her voice echoing across the pool, declared, 'Four laps! Loser runs around the mansion. On your marks… onetwothreeGO!'
Kev and Talon lunged forward, their bodies slicing through the water with powerful strokes. The race was neck-and-neck, Talon's raw strength and athleticism pitted against Kev's refined technique and determination.
Lap after lap, they battled, neither willing to yield an inch. But as they approached the final turn, Kev pulled ahead, his streamlined breaststroke propelling him towards the finish line with a burst of speed.
He touched the wall, gasping for air, a triumphant grin spreading across his face. Talon, mere inches behind, surfaced with a frustrated caw. He'd lost, fair and square.
Sabrina, perched by the edge of the pool, clapped her hands in delight. 'Looks like you're going for a run, brother!' she teased.
Talon, his pride wounded but his sense of honor intact, nodded solemnly. 'A bet's a bet,' he muttered, climbing out of the pool and shaking the water from his feathers. He then took off at a sprint, disappearing around the corner of the mansion.
Kev, still catching his breath, watched Talon go, a mix of amusement and admiration in his eyes. He turned to Sabrina, a playful smile on his face.
'Your brother's a good sport,' he remarked.
Sabrina chuckled, a mischievous glint in her eyes. 'He's also a sore loser,' she retorted. 'But he'll get over it. He always does.'
Sabrina stretched out on her chair, the back reclined, soaking up the warmth of the afternoon sun. "I guess things aren't that bad here," she conceded, a hint of surprise in her voice.
"I agree," Kev replied, settling back onto the bench under the oak tree. "It's definitely... different. But there's a certain charm to this place, a sense of community and belonging that I haven't felt in a long time."
Sabrina nodded, a thoughtful expression on her face. "It's peaceful," she mused, "and only the cleaners stare at me."
"They keep an eye on everyone, not just you."
She spun her wheelchair around, a playful glint in her eyes. "But I'm special," she retorted with a grin.
Kev laughed, enjoying her infectious energy. He paused, then asked gently, "So... what happened? If you don't mind me asking."
Sabrina's smile faded, replaced by a somber expression. She sighed, her gaze drifting towards the distant horizon. "Car accident," she said simply.
Then, her usual mischievousness returned, and she looked up at Kev with a grin. "How about you, human?" she asked, her voice a playful chirp. "How'd you lose all your fur? Radiation? Fire?"
"This is just... natural," Kev replied, running a hand over his bare arm.
Sabrina's eyes widened in fascination. "It's quite unique," she observed, her voice a soft caw. "Though it seems like it wouldn't be much fun in the winter."
Kev chuckled. "It does have its advantages," he admitted. "It's easy to stay clean, for one thing."
Sabrina smirked. "And you probably save a fortune on shampoo," she teased. "Not much maintenance required to look good for Fang, huh?"
"Don't make me sound so pedestrian, my dear," Kev retorted playfully. "I, of course, have a rigorous beauty regimen."
Sabrina leaned forward, her eyes twinkling with amusement. "Do tell, darling," she purred, her voice sounding like a playful imitation of Ophelia's. "How do you achieve such soft, pale skin? It practically glows in the moonlight."
Kev burst into laughter. "It's a secret, Sabrina," he replied, winking at her. "A closely guarded human beauty secret."
He glanced up at the sun, its rays now beating down with an intensity that made him squint. "I'm going to get burnt if I stay out here much longer," he said, rising from the bench. "Want to make us some lunch again? My kitchen is open to you."
Suddenly, Talon appeared, running though the manicured gardens, his chest heaving and his wings slightly ruffled. Kev was impressed by the eagleman's speed, even with his detour around the mansion.
Without a word, Talon dove headfirst into the pool, the water splashing around him as he resurfaced with a gasp.
Sabrina clapped her hands in delight. "Good job, brother!" she cheered. "Your prize is pushing me back to Kev's apartment so I can make lunch."
Talon climbed out of the pool, shaking the water from his feathers. He looked down at Sabrina, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "Let's change first," he suggested. "Apparently, there's free laundry here."
Sabrina's face lit up. "Yes!" she exclaimed, pumping her fist in the air. "Now I don't have to ration my outfits. I can wear whatever I want!" She turned to Kev, her eyes sparkling with excitement. "Let's go inside!"
Talon carefully maneuvered Sabrina's wheelchair back into the mansion, their laughter echoing through the quiet hallways. Kev, feeling a sense of warmth and contentment after his swim and the playful banter with Talon and Sabrina, headed back to his own apartment to freshen up.
He took a quick shower, the hot water washing away the chlorine. He dressed in a pair of comfortable dress pants and a crisp button-down shirt, leaving his jacket and other accessories in his bedroom.
As he brewed a fresh pot of coffee, the aroma filling the apartment with a comforting warmth, he heard a knock at the door. He opened it to find Talon and Sabrina, both looking refreshed and ready for the evening ahead. Sabrina had changed into a stylish ensemble of jeans and a graphic tee, her vibrant personality shining through even in casual attire. Talon had a pair of sweatpants and a white sleeveless tee on, it was odd to see the uptight eagle looking so casual.
"Come on in," Kev greeted them with a smile, stepping aside to let them enter.
Talon carefully maneuvered Sabrina's wheelchair into the living room, while Kev poured three cups of coffee.
Sabrina, with newfound confidence, took charge of the kitchen. She expertly navigated the gas stove and the limited tools, whipping up a simple but satisfying lunch of noodles. Talon, perched on the couch, continued his exploration of the history book, his brow furrowed in concentration. Kev, meanwhile, picked up his guitar and practiced a few chords, the gentle melody filling the apartment with a soothing ambiance.
Talon, his attention momentarily diverted from the book, watched Kev play for a few minutes, a flicker of admiration in his eyes. But then, his gaze returned to the pages, his focus unwavering.
Sabrina emerged from the kitchen, balancing three plates of food. "Lunch is served!" she announced, her voice a cheerful chirp.
They gathered around the coffee table, enjoying the simple meal and the comfortable silence.
"So, what's next?" Sabrina asked, once they'd finished eating. "Any more exciting adventures planned for today?"
Talon shook his head. "We're going food shopping," he replied, his voice a low rasp. "Kev can't be feeding us every day."
Sabrina raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "But his boyfriend is rich," she pointed out. "I doubt he even pays for this food." She looked at Kev expectantly. "Do you?"
Kev blushed slightly, a sheepish grin on his face. "No," he admitted.
Sabrina turned back to Talon, a triumphant smirk on her lips. "See?" she said, her voice a playful chirp.
Talon sighed, shaking his head in amusement. "Sabrina, please," he pleaded, his tone exasperated. "Don't make this harder than it already is."
"When are we going?" Sabrina pressed, her excitement palpable.
Talon, sensing her impatience, stood up and closed his book. "Now," he replied, a hint of amusement in his voice. He gently pushed Sabrina's wheelchair towards the door.
Kev, surprised by their sudden departure, interjected, "You have a car? I call shotgun!"
Talon shook his head, an apologetic look on his face. "I'm sorry, Kev, but you can't come," he explained. "I can't look after you and my sister at the same time and… She'll throw a fit if I go without her."
He paused, his gaze meeting Kev's. "Don't wander around too much while we're gone," he advised. "I'll be back before six."
With a final, quick nod, Talon pushed Sabrina's wheelchair out the door, leaving Kev alone in the apartment.
Kev looked around his suddenly quiet apartment, pondering how to fill the next few hours. It was only noon, and the day stretched out before him, an expanse of empty time. A mischievous grin spread across his face as he remembered the potent gift Ralph had given him.
He crossed the room and opened the safe, carefully retrieving the water pipe and the bag of weed oil. He hesitated for a moment, then shrugged. "Why not?" he muttered to himself. "It's not like I have anything else to do."
He loaded the pipe, lit the flame, and inhaled deeply, the rich, earthy flavor filling his lungs. The potent oil quickly took effect, a wave of relaxation washing over him, easing the tension that had been building since his encounter with the city enforcers.
Feeling pleasantly hazy, Kev settled back onto the couch, his eyelids growing heavy. He closed his eyes, letting the music from the player piano lull him into a peaceful slumber.