This is Awkward

Adrian in one arm, bags in the other, Feliks stood outside of the shop, taking a deep breath and looking around. He felt exposed in Port Durmstrang, it was to close to the people he had spent so long building a reputation against. Still, he had managed to get around this far - and it was still the only place he knew where he could get all the stuff they needed and get out again. He knew everything around here, and with a tired and fussy Adrian - faster was better.

"Right, Buddy, we're going to go in, grab what we need, and come back out again," he gave the boy a solemn and stern look as if they were actually coming to an important agreement, "Right?"

Blue eyes wide and reflecting his father's expression, Adrian blinked for a moment before a wide grin pulled across his face, showing his gap tooth grin, "Riigh!" The word was close enough to what Feliks had asked, that it received a tiny grin of his own, and a nod.

"Ready. Set. -"

"Go!" A common game between the two Adrian picked up the last word easily and with excitement. Feliks chuckled slightly to himself as he pulled open the door and the two were quickly moving through the store, running through the isles grabbing the clothes and others odds and ends they had gone in there to get.

Hovering by the cash, Feliks bounced the boy slightly - unconsciously really as he quickly checked the messy list he had scrawled before he left. Just as he had concluded they had everything and were ready to leave - completely unscathed - there was a sudden and very loud noise as someone knocked over an entire display. The sound filled and echoed around the room. Feliks froze, his gaze looking back to the boy in his arms with something almost akin to panic.

"Oh, no, no, no - come on Buddy not now, not now," the little boy's lip was already quivering. Adrian had never enjoyed sudden and loud noises. Thunder was the worst, but anything else always seemed to set him off. "Daddy's here right. Just don't-please-" his almost frustrated stuttering died in just shushing sounds as the quiver erupted into full out tears.

There wasn't an eye in the store now that wasn't attracted to the crying boy and his distraught father.

Afonka chewed on his sugar quill, his feet shuffling from side to side as he browse through the aisles, humming softly. He seemed to be spending a good chunk of his summer here in the port, but he felt as if the city was one of the safest places.

With the shadow of Durmstrang hanging above, he felt as if nothing bad could happen.

Twirling the quill around in his mouth, the sixth year - at least, if he'd passed his exams - he moved to the next aisle, his brown eyes scanning the shelves of books. It wasn't the best book store of all time, but he was getting desperate, if only for Roman's sake.

And besides, doing something as simple and mind-numbing as looking through books took his mind off of Ciar. Ducking his head, his cheeks already red at just the thought of that kiss, he shook his head. He still didn't understand why.

Pulled out of his thoughts by the sound of a display crashing to the ground, he peeked around the aisle, frowning at the girl who'd done it. The blonde pulled a face at him, but pulled out her wand and with a wave, righted the felled display with a soft huff.

Wincing at the piercing cry of a child, he jerked his head in the direction, turning and moving towards the sound.

That voice - why did he know it?

Pulling into the view, Afonka blinked, simply staring at the sight in front of him. The sight didn't make any sense to him. How - well, he knew how these things happened, but - but it was -

"Feliks?" he blurted out, eyes wide. "You - you have a kid?"

It wasn't exactly the voice that he wanted to hear at that moment - in fact Alkie's voice was one of the last one's he wanted to hear in that moment. Then again, if Feliks was being fair - which he almost never was - Feliks's voice was probably the last one the other boy wanted to hear either.

Although not getting the "Best" of Feliks's personality - Roman had always been more fun to play with - Afonka had certainly had his share of troubles. Feliks still didn't regret being the cause of that either.

"No Alkie," Feliks snapped, shooting daggers at the other boy as he still bounced the crying baby, "I just thought I'd pick up a crying baby cause this is so much fun."

His tone was causing Adrian to cry more not less. Sighing, Feliks rolled his shoulders and tried to calm himself. Bouncing more he leaned his lips - he would not say kiss - against the baby's head forcing his voice to lower back to a soothing level.

"Sorry Buddy. I'm not mad - everything's fine, okay?" he bit his lip, as the child continued to cry. Adrian wasn't usually this bad, but it seemed as if the off button had disappeared.

He raised an eyebrow at the boy, "You just going to stand there?"

Running his fingers over the sugar quill, gripping it in both hands, he continued to stare at Feliks. Part of him was still terrified of the older boy, but a different part of him - the part that felt the way he looked - wanted nothing more than to make him pay for all the years that he'd been bullied.

But then his gaze fell on the baby once more and Afonka couldn't help but feel guilty for those thoughts.

Taking a small step back at the boy's tone, he winced. "Sorry," he murmured, more out of habit than anything else.

Watching the two of them, Afonka continued to fiddle with the candy between his fingers. It was so weird to think of Feliks - Feliks, the same boy who had tormented him for years - as a father. It was almost as if someone had taken the way he saw the world and turned it upside down. Again.

He blinked, not expecting to be acknowledged. "Me? You - you want me to help?"

She wasn't following them, she had said she was going to stay home, so that was what she was had done. It wasn't that she didn't trust him, she trusted Liks more than she trusted almost everyone on the planet, it was just that them both leaving had made her feel... lonely. She had worried about them even before they left, and had fretted that something would happen.

So she had shadowed them from their entrance to Port Durmstrang and hadn't let either of them notice she had. She'd even gone as far as to slip things into Liks's basket with Vampire speed when he wasn't looking. She had even stayed out of Adrian's view, which was infinitely more difficult, as the boy seemed to have a sixth sense to when she would appear on most nights.

No mother could stay away from the sound of their child's cries. She waited for a bit, trying to squelch the instinct to reveal herself, sure that Liks would be able to-

As the boy's cries did not get any softer, she made a split second decision and ran, stopping only briefly to make a face before running again, quicker than either boy could turn to her, but enough to catch her son's attention. The face she made caused him to giggle slightly, hiccuping and clapping slightly, though he didn't stop crying exactly.

She was almost sure she was out of danger zone, until he murmured something that sounded a lot like...

"Ma!"

She resisted the violent urge to facepalm and stayed behind the stack of supplied she had run behind.

Feliks wasn't even amused by the reaction that the boy gave him. The fear that he showed - probably much on instinct - stepping back from his snarl and softly apologizing as he would in any situation, gave him nothing of the usual pleasure it use to. Instead he just shook his head, letting out a tired breath and turning back to the boy in his arms, trying to shift the items he still held in his other hand, so he was free to brush a finger underneath Adrian's chubby little chin. The tickling sensation usually made him laugh, only before he did, the boy began a gurgling tearful laugh seemingly all on his own. Looking over his shoulder in the direction he was looking Feliks saw nothing that even a baby would find amusing and furrowed his brow in confusion.

"Well if you're going to stand there, you might as well be useful, or you could just-"

Feliks stopped to frown at the cooing boy. Sniffling and still half crying he was, the man could have sworn he heard-

"Ma," Adrian repeated and leaned out of Felik's arms ever so slightly in the direction he had last seen his mother.

"Or," he started again at his old push toy, "If you're not going to be useful, you can just go." Rolling his shoulders he raised his voice, "Also, you're games been given away Tyurma. You might as well stop hiding, its rather beneath you, don't you think?"

Afonka tilted his head at the baby, his brow furrowing. Had he just said -? The boy frowned, glancing around him. He didn't think Feliks' son - it was still such a foreign concept to wrap his head around - would call his father 'Ma', so didn't that mean his mother was here?

Glancing back at the sound of Feliks' voice, he took a small step towards the boy, his gaze flitting between the child and parent. "I'll help if you want," he murmured softly before mentally slapping himself. He wasn't supposed to act like he would just let people roll over him.

That was half the point of the clothes.

"I'll help," he repeated, more decisively this time. Tyurma? Was that Feliks' - something's name? Glancing around, Afonka rocked back on his heels. He had to admit, he had to admit that he was curious about the girl who'd had a kid with Feliks.

"Never above a game of Hide N Seek, in my own honest opinion." She teased with the most innocent smile she could muster at Liks before placing a forearm on Afonka's shoulder and using him as a leaning post. "Hey there, Rookie." She said, her grin turning friendly as she brushed a strand of hair from his forehead. "Haven't seen you since Cia made her move. Then again, I probably would have seen you this weekend." Warm brown eyes swept him appreciatively, and she smirked. "Clean up nice, don't you Rook?"

"Offering to help?" Karma asked, glancing from him to Feliks, as if it was perfectly natural for her to be there. "Do you need help, Liksie?" She smiled angelically, eyes flicking to Adrian as she made another face to make him laugh.

"Ma!" Adrian giggled again, clapping his hands.

"Beda!" She imitated, sticking out her tongue. She couldn't help but glance at Liks again, but it wasn't like she was guilty. No, that wasn't the emotion pooling her stomach, she was sure he could have handled it on his own, and she trusted him completely with Adrian, but-

She didn't want to worry like she did.

Next time, she vowed, she'd probably stay home.

Spoiler:

Feliks's gaze bounced between the boy he had so formally intimidated, and was now forcing into help and the space behind him where Karma could have been hiding.

"Here," he shoved the items that he was holding into Afonka's hands just as Karma came out of his hiding place, "Hold these."

Ignoring the boy for the moment - and the fact that Karma seemed to know him, but really, who didn't she know? He had stopped being surprised a long time ago - he returned his gaze to the woman who was now making a face that the child in his arms.

"I think I could have handled it, but if you're offering, why don't you pay Tyurma. Kind got my hands full," he stated raising an eyebrow. "Got bored at home did you?"

He glanced over at the sound of the voice, blinking in surprise at the sight of the girl. Karma and Feliks? Afonka looked from one to the other, his brown eyes wide. Looking back at the older girl, he offered her a small smile as he tried to remember how to speak.

"Hello," the boy said softly, inclining his head at her and saluting her. Grimacing slightly at the mention of Ciar, his cheeks flushed. But he managed an attempt at a smile. "When did I become the centre of all gossip?" he teased. Glancing down at his clothes, he shrugged his shoulders. "Apparently. I just put this one."

Afonka glanced from the baby to Karma, a small smile flitting across his face as he watched their interaction. It was strange, to see Karma like this, but he supposed that he only felt that way because he never saw her like this.

Taking the items from Feliks, he peered down at them curiously, glancing back up at the couple.

“I make it my business to know who my sister’s kissing, keeps me on my toes for future enemies and people I have to punch.” She offered a half-joking smile before shrugging.

Karma looked blankly up at Feliks for a moment, before giving a soft laugh. “You’re such a gold digger.” She teased, rolling her eyes and eying the attendant. Slowly a smile formed over her face as she sashayed over to him and placed both elbows on the counter, resting her face in her palms and gazing up at him with an adoring smile. The attendant turned a slight shade of pink, almost unnoticeably. He had his tough-guy charade down packed, apparently.

“Hey.” Karma offered a grin, before continuing in a soft adoring voice. “Is this a franchise company? Could I find more of these elsewhere?”

“Uh…” The boy barely floundered before regaining his composure, and Karma liked him more for it. “No. Independent business.” He seemed sure, and her grin widened.

“No outside help at all? In this economy?” She sounded disbelieving, awed even.

“There’s a group of businesses, who all sort of work together, but by themselves at the same time, to help each other out, if that’s what you mean by outside help.”

Karma’s grin lengthened her expression suddenly very like the cat that got the canary. “Yes, that’s true. It’s called Business Together, it’s a very promising set up, and that’s why it’s still going strong… happened sometime around last summer. Now, do you know who the father companies backing this little group – and a bunch of others worldwide - are?”

He paused slightly, frowning as she watched him. He had gotten the packet and brochure for both when it had happened, she knew, but that was neither here nor there, and that was all a year ago. “Uhm… Walsh and Brown, I think.”

Karma tsked. “You should read your paper work more thoroughly, next time. Anyway, the answer is Whelan & Black.” She grinned again, her specialized cat-that-got-the-canary smile, and beamed. “Now, I’m Karma Black, that’s Feliks and Afonka, and they’ve bought some things here. I’m sure it’s covered, right Jose?” She asked, with a glance at his name tag.

She watched the blood drain from his face for only an instant before thanking him and skipping back to Afonka and Feliks, with a wink at Adrian. “Covered, Liksie dear, per your instructions.” The dark skinned girl couldn’t contain her pleasure at the way it had all turned out, simply because she hadn’t thought to grab her pouch or rucksack. Thankfully she had recognized the name of the shop Liks had deigned to shop in.

"Locking lips with Whelan huh," Feliks looked over the boy, taking in his odd clothing choice for the first time, with something that... one may not call it as far as interest, but it was certainly with something that stated that he was actually looking at the boy, perhaps for the first time since they had first encountered each other. He wasn't entirely changing his opinion of the boy, but he was filing away facts for later.

Rolling his eyes at the girl, he didn't give the gold digging comment a verbal reaction, instead shifting Adrian's weight in his arms, reaching a hand over to tickle the boy before he glanced once more at Afonka, "Have you never seen household items before Alkie? Or do you just doubt my humanity enough to think I need them?" The bag didn't have anything more interesting than an assortment of food, cleaners, a colouring book for Adrian and some other nicknack's he had decided they needed.

As Karma came back, he raised an eyebrow clearly stating he hadn't missed her little exchange with the employee. He didn't feel the need to comment on it further, but it was certainly... more information to file away for some point. Though he wasn't sure what he was filing it away for.

Leaning over of his own accord -he was sure it must have been Alkie's presences affecting him. He just wanted to show off for the kid, get some reactions - he pressed his lips against the top of her head in an almost domestic action.

"Well aren't you helpful to have around, Tyurma. You may need to follow me more often."

A strained smile flitted across his face. Was Karm serious? He knew the girl, and he really didn't want to be on the receiving end of anything painful. No amount of Alpha Team training was ever going to make him able to stand a chance against the older girl.

Deciding that she'd been joking - and hoping she really had been - he said, "Well, I'll try to keep myself out of range of your fists." A real smile danced across his face.

Watching her head off to the cash, he couldn't help but grin amusedly at her antics. It seemed that no matter what, she was still the same old Karma. Shaking his head and doing his best not to laugh, he grinned brightly at her when she returned.

"Thanks for including me," he said softly, nodding back towards the cashier. He hadn't expected to be and he couldn't help but feel almost honoured.

Glancing back at Feliks, he nodded jerkily, even as his shoulders shrugged, painting a very indecisive story. "Well, she kissed me..." Was he having a real, actual conversation with Feliks Chmerkovskiy? Weird. "But I guess it's the same thing in the end."

He let out a nervous little laugh, shuffling on his feet.

"Of course I have," he said with a slight edge in his voice. "And - of course you're human." Swallowing nervously, he offered a tiny smile. Through all the years he'd been tormented by the older boy, he'd never doubted that.

He didn't think Feliks was a very nice human, but a human nonetheless.

The easy way her eyebrow rose in response to his was familiar, as was he teasing smirk that accompanied it. This was the way they were - blunt, teasing, almost harsh at times, but always there to fall back on, always present when the other needed them - and there was a certain comfort in that. They could always depend on each other to he just the same as they always were.

Her eyes closed briefly in what she would swear later was just an oddly timed blink, not a reaction to the not-kiss that Feliks pressed to her head. "I wasn't following you, I was following our son." She corrected, though rather than her usual mocking tone her voice was almost... pouty.

Karma rolled her eyes at Fonny, shrugging a shoulder and offering a sheepish smile. "Of course you're included, you're here aren't you?" She wrinkled her nose slightly at the thought of a non-human Feliks, shooting a glare at the man-boy in question that was reprimanding for a reason she didn't like to think about, and instead making another face at Adrian, who giggled and attempted to hide behind his father's head.

"Have everything you need?" She asked, knowing full well that he did. She had put half the supplies in his cart there herself, after all.

Feliks rolled his shoulders and waved a hand in the general direction of the boy he was currently talking to. The action he supposed could have looked aggressive based on his old track record, but he had meant nothing of the kind. He was merely contradicting the boys suggestion.

"She kissed you, you her. Details Alkie - the point is her tongue down your throat," he smirked before glancing at Adrian for a second. A slight frown crossed his face as he thought about possibly watching what he said around the boy but then decided it wasn't all that bad anyway.

He was going to learn about it sometime.

"Oh, I'm wounded Tyurma," he smirked tapping her chin slightly because of the pouting note he could detect in her voice. "Here I thought you cared."

He nodded his head towards the times he still had Afonka holding, "Unless he stole some, we both know you know I did."

He didn't think hearing about Karma Black and Feliks Chmerkovskiy having a child together was ever going to get less odd. He shook his head slightly, looking from one to other. It was just so strange.

"I guess so," he shrugged, glancing back at her. Still, being included had been a pleasant surprise. It was nice to be noticed. Afonka felt like sometimes, he'd spent much too much times in the shadows, being practically ignored and shunted.

This was new for him. New, but nice.

Afonka glanced back at Feliks, his snort coming across as almost laughter. But that wasn't possible. He was Feliks. He wasn't nice, let alone funny. Right?

"Hey," he protested, frowning. "I stole nothing. Why would I?" He didn't want children. Not now, and not ever. His sister was a handful enough.

The look she gave him melted into her usual expression as she looked up at him, tilting her head to the side slightly. “Of course I care about you, Liksie,” She admonished softly, before a mischievous grin took over her mouth, “just like I care about my cars.

“That is to say… you’re merely his-“ she gestured to Adrian, who squealed in happiness at his mention, before continuing with his babyish curiosity, “-mode of transportation. Though I suppose I do have an appreciation for most vehicles, fondness for expensive cars, as you know… maybe I was allowing myself to admire the make and model.” Karma smirked slightly, raising an eyebrow. She wasn’t as oblivious to his little show for the rookie, if he wanted to get reactions, she’d play along too. What was life but a game with all the right players? “Perhaps I’ll even take you out for a spin…” She glanced at Adrian before returning her attention to his father, tapping her lips thoughtfully with a finger. “…and maybe even ice cream.”

The reaction was instantaneous, the child automatically reacting to the name of the sweet treat, perfect for the summer day. Karma offered another innocent smile, perfectly timed and believable to everyone except for the person she was attempting to sell it to. Slipping out of Liks’s reach, she rested her forearm on Afonka’s shoulder again, peering into the bags with mock suspicion. “Maybe you wanted to see how good your thieving skills are?” She suggested, before shrugging again.

Feliks raised an eyebrow at the snorting boy, amused that he had amused by something he said. He wasn't entirely sure where this odd relationship was coming from in the moment. Adrian probably had a great thing to do with it, and Feliks wasn't sure if it was a permanent change or not.

"A car huh?" Feliks smirked at her analogy ignoring the negative implications of the metaphor for the more... interesting ones of course, before he could response he was over done with squealing. Letting out a breath then slowly an amused grin, he looked between Karma and Adrian.

"You started this Tyurma. You're dealing with it; either you're coming through on your offer, or you're dealing with the tantrum while I go do something far, far away."

He shuffled on his feet, looking from Karma to the baby and then up at Feliks before continuing the entire cycle all over again. There were so many questions abuzz as he watched them talk. He hadn't even known they'd known each other, and them having what seemed to him as an almost loving relationship - Afonka didn't understand how someone could love Feliks - and a child....It made his head hurt.

Raising an eyebrow at the car analogy, he gave his head a little shake, a small smile flitting across his face at the baby. "What's his name?" he asked softly, nodding his head towards the boy.

Afonka continued to frown down at the items in his arms, shuffling them all over to one arm to pull his half-eaten sugar quill from his pocket and shove it back into his throat. "I wouldn't steal baby supplies, though." If he had it his way, he wouldn't be stealing things at all.

"Excuse me, Mr. Mode-of-transportation. You're the one holding him." She wrinkled her nose and made a face at Adrian, who giggled happily and demanded ice cream, banging his fist against his father's shoulder. "If I decided to disappear right now, you'd have to deal with it, wouldn't you?" She pointed out sweetly, appearing on Afonka's other side with vampire speed. "As you pointed out earlier, I should be at home."

She paused in her face-making, looking over at Afonka before frowning. "Who? Adrian?" She asked, cocking her head to the side. "Isn't he world famous yet? Or does that happen when they're two?"

"These are house supplies, smart stuff." She pointed out, peering into the bag. "Not baby things. Haven't you ever lived somewhere before?"

Feliks just shook his head, rolling his eyes, and fixing his hold on the child, bouncing him up slightly and causing laughter from the child.

"Adrian," Feliks answered automatically, even as Karma answered the question in her own way. He didn't listen to their conversation as he was dealing with the excited child, little fist clawing at his face as a repeated chant of "I'cweam, I'cweam!"

Rolling his eyes, he reached over, grabbed his bag again and started to walk out, "Come on Tyurma - keep to your promise before we have a revolt."

Not waiting for an answer the boy walked out of the store, disappearing from sight until they decided to follow.

He glanced over at Karma, an amused smile lighting up his face. No matter how much time he spent around her, her speed and strength never failed to amaze him. He couldn't compete with that. Didn't even have a chance. Not for the first time, he wondered just why he'd been picked for Team Alpha anyway.

Afonka let out a snort of laughter, shaking his head. "Surprisingly not. I guess we'll just have to wait and see, won't we?" A corner of his mouth turned upwards. "When he does became famous, I call dibs on being his manager."

Shifting the bag in his arms again, he twirled the quill around his fingers. "How long have you two been together?" he asked, tilting his head at Karma. "Funny, I don't think I even noticed you were pregnant." Frowning slightly, he shrugged his shoulders. Maybe it was different for half-vampires?

"Are they?" Afonka peered into the bag. "Well, the colouring book's for Adrian, right? Ad he's a baby, so it's baby stuff." He shrugged a shoulder. "Still don't want to steal it." Huffing softly, he chewed on the inside if his cheek. "Of course I've lived somewhere before," he murmured defensively.

Blinking after Feliks, he watched him leave. Glancing back at Karma, he offered a small smile. He didn't expect to be wanted. Even if Feliks wasn't making his every moment difficult, Afonka hadn't suddenly made him his best friend. "I hope you guys have fun," he said with a slight nod. "I can't see how you can't. It's ice cream, after all."