Warning: This episode contains mild themes of raceplay and color contrast. Please skip this episode if you are not a fan of such kinks.
***
Liam's eyes opened to the orange vermillion light streaming in through the arch window.
Unlike any other day where waking up got him excited to start the day, he felt immobilized and unmotivated to move. He raised his head off the pillow but couldn't bring himself to get up. The knot in his stomach returned and began to tighten.
He leaned up, devoid of the happy-go-lucky feeling the morning used to bring him. Turning over to his nightstand, he rotated a picture frame towards him.
A picture of Liam and Elijah, smiling excitedly at the camera, holding up a fish at the end of the pole. He could faintly remember the moment in time, laughing and joking with his father on a beautiful summer day on the lake as the sun beamed brightly.
He sniffled and put the picture back. It had been weeks since he left for the trip with no explanation and not even a letter besides the notes he left for him.
"Awww, Liam, that's such a cute picture of you two." Helena said.
"Thank you."
"How old were you in this photo?"
"I was 13," Liam said, "we were out by the lake and a friend snapped the photo for us. I remember it so vividly."
Helena benevolently rubbed his shoulders.
"I'm sure you'll see him again, Liam."
"I hope so."
He took a deep breath, grabbed another photo of them by the lake and sighed before getting dressed and headed down to the ranch.
***
The iron doors latched behind Liam and he opened the wooden door, letting light blind his eyes before clearing into a wonderful vista of hills and open fields. Ginger waited by the door, glancing over with her caribbean blues and smiling politely.
"Hi, Liam," she greeted with a hug.
"Hi," Liam said.
"How was your weekend?"
"It was nice. Just wish I could enjoy the day with someone."
"Well you can always enjoy the day with us."
Ginger looked as the boy seemed a bit glum.
"What's the matter, Liam?" She tenderly asked.
"It's just... it's been a while and I haven't seen my father since. I just hope he's doing okay."
"Aw Liam, I'm sure he's okay. You'll see him again don't worry."
"That's what I'm hoping for."
They walked up the hill towards the fountain. Instead of laughing and playing, he could hear a commotion. Something that sounded like bickering and arguing. As they cleared the hill, the girls saw Liam and Ginger walking together. Some rolled their eyes and some huffed.
"Again?" One spouted out in disappointment.
"Ginger! We discussed this!" Fallon said.
"I didn't sleep with him!" Ginger defended.
"Girls, what is going on?" Liam asked.
"You slept with Ginger five times this week and I've barely gotten any attention! Why does she get so much more than I do?!" Fallon complained.
"More than you, Fallon? At least you got to
taste him. He's already had sex with Helena and Ginger many times even though they're obviously incubating but I'm not even pregnant!" Victoria protested.
"Girls, please." Ginger said.
"Oh don't even comment, Ginger, it's easy to speak for yourself when you're his favorite." Mirriam said.
Ginger scoffed in offense.
"Girls, let's all try to calm down, he's tending to us the best he can. You have to be patient and give him some time. He's been working hard all this time for us." Helena said.
"Well when do we get our chance huh? I've only done it once in two weeks."
"You forgot our feeding session the other day! I went to bed full, disappointed and sad!" Mirriam said.
"His father at least knew how to do this before he left." Victoria snarked.
Victoria looked at the other girls to see them pause, frozen as they looked at her then back at Liam. His blue eyes glistened and watered like a prism in the sunlight as he stood still. Silence fell upon them as their expressions transformed into a look of concern and empathy. The lack of noise made Victoria self-conscious.
Liam reached into his pocket and pulled the picture of him and his father, smiling brightly at the camera holding a fish on the end of the pole. His vision blurred and he shut his eyes. He walked away from the girls and began to cry. The herd flocked to him immediately, tending to the dismayed boy.
"Victoria." Helena scolded.
"That was incredibly rude." Cindy snapped.
"I'm sorry, Liam, I didn't mean..." Victoria said, upset after knowing she had inadvertently hurt him.
The girls flocked to Liam as he walked up to the tallest hill that overlooked the slopes of field and trees. He sat atop the peak and put his head in his arms.
"Liaaammm." Helena comforted.
"I just wish I could be as great as him." He said quietly.