Dassan's house was a 3 bedroom and 3 bathroom residency, it was colored in mustard yellow, it had a big wooden door on the front, along with the vibrant colored neighboring houses pink, bright blue, green, yellow it seemed to fit. The residential area was unlike any other I had seen, it was vibrant, full of life, and the road was paved with big rocks in it, a really peculiar kinda pavement.
When they entered they saw Dassan's mother and sister. His mother was a middle aged woman who looked no older than 40 years old, she had a beautiful long silver braid with hints of black, she wore a white thick cotton blouse with flower embroidery on it, he had never seen something like it. The teenage girl by her side was almost jumping out of excitement, she was wearing similar clothing as her mom, but she seemed to combine her traditional clothes with jeans, giving it a modern vibe. They were both preparing something in the kitchen, as they saw them walking in they turned off the stove and approached them.
''Hello Yuze, I've heard a little bit about you, I'm so glad you are safe now, I'm Za'azil, mother of these two little devils, you can ask me anything. I hope you can consider us family, you are my son's mate after-all, which makes you my son as well''
She smiled.
I smiled.
''Thank you misses Za'azil'' I replied, nervously. I loved my past life family, but we were not close at all, we were all so busy with our lives, I spent most of my time in the hospital, and my parents lived 3 states away, we could barely meet for the holidays.
''Oh, just call me mom, or Za'zil please, misses makes me feel so old'' she retorted.
''Thanks, hm... Za'azil''
''Is it true you are a fae? Can you do magic?'' The teenager, with sparkling eyes asked.
''I don't know how to do magic, maybe I did in the past, but I don't remember now."
''My teacher says all fae have some kind of magic, maybe you just need to learn it at school. That's how I learned to change.'' She declared, proudly. ''Anyways, since you're my new brother I will help you, I'm Ixchel by the way.''
I nodded my head again, I hadn't had time to process all these changes and it was a little bit overwhelming, to say the least. Specially the mate thing, and now I had to have magic on top of that?
Dassan saw his little matte stiffening his stance so he thought changing the topic and getting him some alone time to assimilate was the best next step.
''You'll sleep in my sister's room, there is a bathroom, it has and some toiletries and some of my old clothes, if you need anything else I'm right down the hallway. We'll call you when dinner's ready.'' He smiled.
''Ok'' I quickly made my way to the bathroom, I hadn't had a bath in a while and after everything I went thru I'm sure I smelled horrible.
So far so good, at least I was out of that hellhole. Dassan seemed trust-able so far, a little bit at least, he seemed to soften his expression as soon as he saw his family, I hate to admit I was intimidated by him at first, he is bigger than me and a lot more muscular, and a cop, a supernatural cop at that. There is also the ''mate'' thing, I'm not going to deny being attracted to him, he is really handsome, but soul-mates? I wouldn't go that far. I don't even know if I'm gay. He doesn't seem like a pushover but his family is already kinda pushy, do I want to stay here? Can I even go anywhere else?
I took a deep breathe.
Inhale...
Exhale...
Calm down Yuze, this is your life now, like it or not, you are entitled to feel however you want to, but decisions must be made and limits should be traced. I'll stay here, it seems to be my only option, for now. Judging by everybody's reaction, Fae are either hidden for the most part, or an endangered species. Whichever it is, I am a rare commodity, and as such I need to lay low.
Sight...
I've never felt so useless, I have no work, no acquaintances and I've been mostly at the mercy of others ever since arriving to this world.
I finished my shower and took the clothes Dassan left for me, he said they were old clothes but the shirt fits me like a dress, at least it is soft, my wings felt kinda cozy and snuggled up on it. I don't dislike it.
knock knock...
''Everything alright? Dinners ready'' big guy said.
''Yeah, I'm almost done'' I saw him taking a sniff as I came out of the room, ''There were only strawberry scented products.''
He chuckled ''I forgot to tell you, Ixchel is really into strawberries nowadays, something to do with the internet and something called toki-toki on her phone.''
I perked my ears ''You have internet in here?'' thank the gods, I wasn't completely hopeless.
''Yeah, we get it thru satellite, really expensive. But it's the only way we can get a signal, we are in the mountains after all.''
''Oh'' its okay, I can be patient, I can ask for a cellphone or even some PC time latter.
As we were talking about the infamous toki-toki app we got to the kitchen.
Ixchel grabbed me by the arm and sited me next to her, what a kid, so full of energy.
''As your sister, it is my duty to educate you on relevant cultural issues as toki-toki, I cant let you embarrass me'' She said jokingly, I chuckled, she was growing on me.
''First of all, do you even know what a cellphone is or the internet? I will teach you all of it"
''How about teaching him after dinner?'' Her mother said from the other side of the table, ''What did I tell you last time? no phones at the table" she scolded.
''But this is important mom, we can't leave him be ignorant about this matters, it is of the utmost importance'' she retorted.
''What's important right now is that he doesn't die of hunger, now get that phone away unless you want it confiscated.'' She reluctantly put the phone on her back pocket and whispered ''We will talk latter.''
Yup, she was definitely growing on me.
Za'azil resumed talking. ''I hope you enjoy it, we eat a lot of meat, we need lots of protein, specially growing pups like my girl'' she turned to her daughter.
''I'm not a pup anymore'' she pouted.
''You'll always be a pup in my eyes, sugarplum.'' She resumed.
''I know the fae don't eat much meat, so I made a few vegetarian dishes, we have steamed corn, cactus salad and veggie soup.''
''Thanks, I appreciate it a lot.'' It's been years since I've had real home-cooked meal, and it was delicious. The rest of the meal was uneventful, as I finished I got up to do the dishes but Za'azil stopped me halfway.
''You've had a tiring day, you better rest early, I'll give you some chores to do tomorrow.''
Dassan got up from his seat and took the dishes from my hands, ''We need to get you some customized clothing, your wings must be uncomfortable in there.''
''It's okay, they are a little bit stuffed, but I like the warmth''
''It's alright to ask when you need something, I am your mate, we are family, I know this is a big change for you, but we're here to help you get settled.''
''I'm not used to being taken care of, sorry''
''Don't apologize, darling, we may not know all your troubles, but I hope you can share some of that burden with us'' Za'azil slowly approached me and hugged me while saying it, I hadn't noticed that she was almost a head taller than me, her hug was warm, and comfy.
I couldn't contain myself after that, tears just started flowing, it was like opening a faucet, everything I had been holding got out, the mourning of my past life, my fear for the future and the unbelievable sense of acceptance and righteousness when being with them, here, it was all so illogical, I almost wanted to run away, but deep in my heart I felt it was the wrong choice, I was never someone to make a choice with their heart, until now.
I spent half an hour sobbing, until my tears ran dry, somewhere in the middle of it I changed from one set of arms to another, I was in Dassan's big muscular arms. He wasn't as hard as I thought. It felt good. He was kneading my back, comforting me, I must have looked like a puffer fish. I felt my cheeks reddening from embarrassment.
I hadn't dropped all my defenses yet, but I could feel them shake to their core, what a frightening family.