No One Like A Bitter Stone

[AUGUST WITT]

It had been a few weeks since August had ended things with Maxine. There was a part of him that was relieved he'd finally done it. Now he could find a suitable partner that his family would approve of, who would help drive his career forward, who would understand what it was like to be him because the next person he dated would be one of his own kind. He was done with other species, even as hookups. Maxine had been a hookup after all, and that had gotten him nowhere. He would find someone more beautiful, less innocent, and stronger. Those were traits he needed in a partner.

But that partner wouldn't be Maxine.

August tried not to dwell on the fact that he'd never get to hold her lithe body again, that he'd never hear the way she cried his name during sex, or feel her small fingers dig into his scalp while he kissed her. He would never get to smell the delicate scent of her hair or hear the groggy way she greeted him in the morning, turning in bed and wrapping her body around his. He wouldn't get to be in so much control with his next girlfriend, but he wouldn't need to be so secretive either. No matter how he twisted it, in the end he missed her. His heart ached and when his both shifted back into its human form at night he felt slightly panicky realizing she wasn't there, that she would never be there. It was getting easier now that more time passed, but August could like to everyone but himself. He felt hollow. He was bitter and on edge and made a point to avoid couples walking the streets. It made him sick he didn't have her anymore, but what happened couldn't be undone. His parents were making more plans with him now and his father had the obnoxious habit of dropping in randomly after he'd finished working. His parents had even attempted to set him up on a date, which he not only declined but told them both off for. He was plenty capable of finding a suitable partner despite contrary beliefs. Several times he'd had to stop himself from going to her home and talking to her, and August once drove past just to simply watch and make sure she was alright. It was late and the lights in her home were off, but the car he'd gotten her was there. He was glad she hadn't gotten rid of it at least. It was far safer than what she'd been driving.

Tonight marked a special occasion, one August would have loved to bring a date to, but sadly he had no date to bring. It was an uncle of his 200th birthday and the family was gathering for supper in a private room at the Blue Scallop. August really didn't care to attend but he wasn't interested in fighting with his parents, so showed up with a present and a bad attitude, which he attempted to mask with alcohol. He'd done a decent job of avoiding family, that is until his cousin Eponine eyed him. He tried to dodge her, but before he knew it she'd cornered him with a greeting. "Evening, Eponine." He all but muttered, looking around for an escape route, something that didn't exactly seem plausible in the small, semi crowded banquet room.

[EPONINE GASCOIGNE]

Eponine was slowly recovering. Her job was going great, thanks to a recent promotion from Robert Snow. She was now in charge of a small team of lawyers in the Gargoyle court as well as receiving some of the most important cases. It was really her work on Micah’s case that recommended her for the position. She revealed the entirety of the prosecutor’s case as exactly what it was—based on circumstantial evidence. Micah was one of the few defendants she knew was innocent and it was such a triumph to get justice for him. Not to mention his heart. She and Micah had nearly made it a year and a half together. They were so happy together…she’d never been more in love in her life. The future had been brighter than ever. That was until the night he died. A bitter victim of one of her guilty clients came out of the blue, brandishing a gun without warning as she and Micah walked down the sidewalk hand-in-hand. There was no hesitation in Micah’s movements. He threw himself in front of the bullet, the iron pellet piercing his heart. Gargoyles are the strongest creatures in the world, yet they are no match for a shot to the heart. Eponine had never screamed or cried so much as she did that night, saying her goodbyes to the man she loved more than anything in the world. The shooter was in jail for life, but that brought her no satisfaction. She would never have her love back. Her heart would be closed forever.

At least, that’s what she had thought. Three weeks after Micah’s death, she received her saving grace. She was pregnant. Her heart broke for her baby that would never know the father that had saved Eponine’s life—had saved their baby’s life. Grace Michelle Stokes came into the world screaming much like her mother had the night she lost Micah. That night Eponine cried out of both pure joy and pure sorrow, cradling her little girl in her arms and swearing to never let her go. Grace was her miracle and the last loving remnant she had of Micah. Nothing had ever been so precious to her. For three months, she marveled every day at the second chance she found in Grace. Her whole happiness was wrapped up in that beautiful little creature—her whole life.

It was her uncle’s 200th birthday and she was obligated to attend and bring Grace along with her. She would never hear the end of it if she appeared at a family function without her little bundle in tow. In the end, she had a better time than she thought she would. She extended congratulations to her uncle, which got her stuck in a long conversation with him about her job and of course Grace. When she was finally able to wrench herself and the baby away, she took the opportunity to actually eat something and feed Grace. Just as she finished, her eyes fell on her little cousin August. It had been some time since they’d seen each other, even though they worked and lived close by. She hadn’t seen much of anyone besides her parents and coworkers since Micah’s death Though normally he was annoyingly terse and aloof, she was feeling unusually friendly…or maybe nosy. She wondered how his sweet little Blurr was doing. They hadn’t seen much of each other, but what Eponine had seen of Maxine, she liked. Yes, she was a Blurr, but she was nice and surprisingly intelligent. With her mind made up, she left Grace with her mother and made her way through the crowd to get to August to engage in some private conversation.

“Hello, August,” she greeted in her soft yet commanding voice. “Evening, Eponine.” He was looking around like he could find a way to escape her, but Eponine only pushed in closer. “How’s work going for you?” It was obvious he was reluctant to answer and Eponine noted he was crabbier than usual. “And Maxine? I assume she’s not here because Uncle Abraham and Aunt Gwen would have a fit.” She gave a smile, hoping a little humor would get him out of his mood. Alas, the question only made it worse. It had been a long time since she’d gotten such a chilly look from August and she immediately went on the defense, ready to scold him for looking at her like that. But his next words relaxed her indignation into guilt and sympathy. August and Maxine had recently broken up. “Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that, August. I didn’t know. Are you…are you okay?” It was odd asking that question. They’d grown up together, but it had been a very, very long time since she had last waxed comforting with him. Still, he was the closest thing she had to a sibling and she was genuinely concerned.

[AUGUST WITT]

His cousin seemed to sense that August didn't care to socialize with her at the moment and moved in closer, blocking his only real way of escaping somewhat politely. “How’s work going for you?” The last thing he wanted was to get sucked into a deep conversation of their lives. He knew he should care more about what she'd gone through in the last year, but he simply couldn't bring himself to probe much. Her boyfriend died and then she found she was with child, a topic he wasn't interested in. The thought of children made him uneasy. Maxine had been the one to like the little mongrels, but August could do without them. Maybe one day he'd like one, someone to carry on the Witt family name, a boy of course, but until he found a suitable partner he didn't care to think about the horrid little things and surely that's all Eponine would want to talk about. He would be expected to ask about baby Faith, or Grace, or Hope, or whatever the stupid name was. He knew it was a word, not a name, and one associated with inspiration. What a stupid name.

"It's going well, thank you." He said tersely, keeping eye contact for as long as necessary, his gaze sweeping the floor for a face he would prefer to speak with so he could excuse himself before the conversation turned to her or...“And Maxine?" His jaw twitched and then clenched, his brows furrowing slightly. Was she toying with him or did she not know? He was sure his parents wouldn't tell a soul about him even being with her, likely embarrassed he would consider such an unacceptable mate. "I assume she’s not here because Uncle Abraham and Aunt Gwen would have a fit.” She was smiling which only aggravated him further. What he'd do to wipe the smile from her face. Like she had anything to grin about these days considering her own predicament. "I'm afraid Maxine is no longer in the picture." He offered abruptly, hating that he had to explain to anyone at all. Why had Eponine taken such a liking to the girl? Why had he? The reasons were endless.

“Oh, I’m so sorry to hear that, August. I didn’t know. Are you…are you okay?” The conversation made him tense. He wanted to excuse himself, but there were too many people there for him to do it in such a way that she would get the picture and not make himself look like a complete schmuck in the process. "Of course I'm not okay." He snapped, his voice a low growl as he glared into her eyes. His hands clenched into tight fists at his sides and he looked away, attempting to calm himself. He didn't need to seem visibly upset at this affair where others were likely to corner him and ask similar questions. "Were you okay when.." He started but stopped himself, having enough tact to know better than to finish that statement. Of course she wasn't alright when Micah passed. A hand came up through his hair and he took a deep breath, attempting to calm himself once more. "I'm sorry." He grumbled, not having the courage to look her in the eye. His tongue darted out to moisten his lips before his stormy gray eyes met his cousins once more. "My parents found out. I should have ended it long ago. It was foolish to string her along for so long, to get attached. It's better for us both this way." He only partially believed the rehearsed words. They were his mothers sentiments, not his own, but it was easy to adopt them for the sake of conversation, for the sake of making himself feel better. If only he could believe it..

[EPONINE GASCOIGNE]

“Of course I’m not okay.” The way August snapped his answer and glared made Eponine want to hit him like she did when they were kids. He didn’t have to be so nasty! She was trying to be comforting. “Were you okay when…” Her delicate brow fell low over her dark eyes, daring him to complete that sentence. Their situations were nothing alike. He chose to give up his love—she was forced to. “I’m sorry.” That was better, but there was still a bitter fire in her belly as she raised her chin and tried to be the bigger person. She’d just never been very forgiving. She was trying to work on that. Their eyes met and she had to remind herself that he was hurting. He didn’t mean to take it out on her.

“My parents found out. I should have ended it long ago. It was foolish to string her along for so long, to get attached. It’s better for us both this way.” Eponine folded her arms over her chest and gave him a probing look. “You don’t really believe that, do you?” The look he gave her told her all she needed to know—he didn’t believe it but he didn’t want her to know that. She sighed and looked away a moment, searching for the right words to say. “So she’s a Blurr. They’re gentle, peace-loving people and Gargoyles aren’t supposed to like them because we think that makes them weak and foolish. And maybe it does to a certain extent. But I don’t think a difference in opinion or way of life is a bad thing. I don’t think you do either. Otherwise you wouldn’t have fallen in love with her. So what does it matter what your parents think?” He gave her all the usual reasons—they were his parents and it wasn’t just his parents he was thinking of, it was his job, his future. Being with a Blurr wasn’t a good idea no matter how you spun it. She shook her head. “August, that’s all changing. That old world idea of Gargoyles being superior and therefore needed to stick together is transforming. Since Snow left office, the stigma attached to interspecies relationships is diminishing. In the next ten years, I doubt your personal relationships will have any effect on your position. She’s secretary to Periwinkle too. It’s not like she’s just any other Blurr—she has political ambitions and your relationship could make both of you look good in the future. It’s a union of two seemingly opposing species.” August had no investment in a hopeful, optimistic future. To him, Gargoyles had never and would never change their opinions. Eponine realized she wasn’t going to convince him, he was just going to have to come to her conclusion on his own. It was infuriating.

“Well, I’m disappointed in you, August. You climbed a building for that girl when she was kidnapped. You sat by her side when she was shot and again when she was poisoned. I may not have been there for the last two events, but I was there when you rescued her from Sebastian. I’d never seen you like that before. You would have done anything for her. And you’re willing to give her up because your parents don’t like what she is?” He was seething and Eponine didn’t care. Her cousin was being stupid and she wanted him to know that. “I would give anything to have Micah back. Anything. And I will never have that opportunity. So watching you give up the one you love because of what other people think of your relationship, because of your pride, is infuriating to me. Poor Maxine. She should have saved her heart for someone who could love her better.”

[AUGUST WITT]

“You don’t really believe that, do you?” August felt his jaw set tensely. Of course he didn't but he knew he should. He hated how she was pushing this, though. Couldns't she see he was grieving and let it be? “So she’s a Blurr. They’re gentle, peace-loving people and Gargoyles aren’t supposed to like them because we think that makes them weak and foolish. And maybe it does to a certain extent. But I don’t think a difference in opinion or way of life is a bad thing. I don’t think you do either. Otherwise you wouldn’t have fallen in love with her. So what does it matter what your parents think?” She knew his parents! His brow lowered over his stormy eyes, his words raw at the back of his throat. "Because they're my parents." He spat, figuring as a parent now herself she might be able to understand that on some level. "But that aside I've worked my ass off trying to better my career and showing up with a lesser species on my arm is practically political suicide. I need to think about my future." She simply shook her head at him which only infuriated him further. He didn't want it to be the case, but it was! "August, that’s all changing. That old world idea of Gargoyles being superior and therefore needed to stick together is transforming. Since Snow left office, the stigma attached to interspecies relationships is diminishing. In the next ten years, I doubt your personal relationships will have any effect on your position. She’s secretary to Periwinkle too. It’s not like she’s just any other Blurr—she has political ambitions and your relationship could make both of you look good in the future. It’s a union of two seemingly opposing species.” Now it was his turn to shake his head, glaring at the ground because he couldn't glare at his cousin. "I don't think change as is soon as you think." He offered in a low growl. She meant well, but she was wrong. She didn't see the things he did, and though Snow wasn't in power anymore, he was still in the picture and very persuasive in his ideals. She couldn't know how much a hold he still had over so many.

“Well, I’m disappointed in you, August. You climbed a building for that girl when she was kidnapped. You sat by her side when she was shot and again when she was poisoned. I may not have been there for the last two events, but I was there when you rescued her from Sebastian. I’d never seen you like that before. You would have done anything for her. And you’re willing to give her up because your parents don’t like what she is?” It hurt to hear it all. He'd done those things, he did love her. He didn't care what she was.. Why did she need to throw it in his face? What business was it of hers what he chose to do? “I would give anything to have Micah back. Anything. And I will never have that opportunity. So watching you give up the one you love because of what other people think of your relationship, because of your pride, is infuriating to me. Poor Maxine. She should have saved her heart for someone who could love her better.” Maybe Maxine was glad to be rid of him. She was the ray of sunshine in his constant overcast, rainy days. Either way, August knew he would be glad to rid himself of his cousin.

Not caring if he were rude anymore he looked into her condescending eyes, his chin raised slightly. "That was her mistake then, wasn't it." He spat, his nostrils flared slightly. "Poor little Maxine." He moved around her, not caring who saw. He couldn't stand to be in her presence another minute, and truth be told he couldn't stand to be at this party any longer. Eponine had officially soiled his already dreary mood. He didn't want things to be the way they were, but they were that way so what could he do? Maxine wouldn't stand for things to go back as they were, and his parents were watching him closely still. He knew in time it would all pass. In a year or so he would have moved on, and she would have also. Maybe he'd travel.. he needed a distraction, and he was in possession of a ring, so why not?

Maxine would have loved to travel..