All fours
A large stack of pancakes sat in the middle of the table. Next to it was a bowl of mixed berries, cheap maple syrup and butter. Three places had been set, each with a special mug and plate.
A well loved Pinky Pie themed mug with the phrase ‘let’s party!’ and plate was placed in the spot facing the door. Wade had decided, after the traumatic night that had ended with Vanessa’s death, that when it came to eating meals with family, he always needed to be facing the door, or at least within view of it, so he could act swiftly against any threats. A Beretta M9 was duck taped to the underside of the table within easy reach.
Al’s spot was on the left side, with her back to the living room area. A chipped mug with ‘blind and looking for trouble’ written on it, rested near a thick lipped winter themed plate covered in snowflakes. Her spot allowed her a safe and clear passage back to the couch.
As for Logan, his spot was on the right, right by the window. A mug with Applejack saying ‘I an’t budgin’ sat next to an apple family themed plate, lovingly chosen and purchased by Wade. His spot had maximum sun exposure - which Wade had learned was rather important to the chronically need to be outside man - and was closest to the bedroom. This came in handy on those days when Logan was too peopled out and needed to retreat.
Wade placed three pancakes on Al’s plate and covered them in butter and syrup “Pancakes are right in the middle. Your cup is at 9 O’clock and the cutlery is at 3.”
Both Wade and Logan did little, yet very helpful things, for Althea. Wade would make sure she was fed first and used the clock system to help guide her with eating. As for Logan, he would always sit right beside her during TV time and acted as walking, talking, closed captioning. He also made sure to keep the place spotless as to make sure there were no obstacles for her to trip over.
“Where’s Logan?” Asked Althea.
“Not sure” replied Wade as he sat down and began to serve himself “But what I am sure of is Pinky Pie needs to fucking chill.” He placed a massive stack of pancakes on his plate and covered them in a disgusting amount of butter and maple syrup.
Al sighed “I don’t fuckin’ care…”
Ignoring her, Wade continued to ramble “She’s being such a hypocrite, you know? She get’s to marry Weird Al’s pony sona and poor ol’ Maud can’t have her Sheldon? Gimme a break!”
“Now hold on” she interrupted “Pinky doesn’t start dating Weird Al until season 9. Sheldon’s introduced in season 8. People can change their opinions and evolve, Wade.”
Wade squealed and slapped the tabletop “I fucking knew it! You’re secretly a brony!”
“Really hard not to memorize all this pony shit after having to sit through the entire fucking series for the THIRD FUCKING TIME!” she replied, exasperated.
“It’s my comfort show, Al -“ Wade moved his fork as he talked, causing some syrup to spatter onto the table “besides I-“
Clad in a red and black plaid shirt with the sleeves rolled up, a white tank peaking out from underneath, dog tags dangling from his neck, jeans and barefoot, Logan walked toward them on all fours. His body language seemed far more natural and relaxed than Wade had ever seen before. He walked with a steady stride and absolute focus.
Wade watched as he walked toward his spot at the table and hopped up onto the chair. He sat on his haunches like a cat.
“Well, mind telling me what’s gotten you all quiet?”
“Now, isn’t this just super fucking interesting. Lolo!” Wade resumed his eating and spoke casually, as if discussing the weather “I didn’t know you walked on all fours. I just thought that, that was something you did during kick ass battles.”
“Is this some pet play bullshit? I’ve told ya’ll already that I don’t want any of your goddamn kinks or sex bleeding out of the bedroom.” Althea said, sounding very much like a mother who had repeated herself one too many times.
Logan tensed. He’d done it again - got too comfortable and fucked it all up. Everywhere he went, everyone he’d ever met and attached himself to, it always ended the same way: either they were killed, or they became disgusted with him the moment his human mask slipped and his feral side showed itself.
Just as he was about to adjust his posture to sit more normally he heard Wade pause in his eating “No. It’s not a kink. it’s his mutation…..I think.”
“Morning, peanut.” Wade greeted with a grin. He leaned over and placed a very generous amount of pancakes on Logan’s plate, making sure to hit the salt bae pose as he sprinkled some berries over them. “what cha dooooin?”
“……..sitting.” Logan picked a pancake up with his bare hands and bit into it.
“You think? He’s been here for 3 months, Wade. If it’s his mutation then why’s he just doing this now?”
What was he supposed to say? that walking upright and suppressing his feral urges for too long gave him a terrible migraine? That the added weight of the adamantium was sometimes so overwhelming that walking on all fours was the only way to get himself moving? That constantly suppressing his feral nature made him miserable?
He placed the pancake back on his plate, sighed, and settled for a lame “it helps.”
“Gonna need a little more than that, honey. How does it help?” Asked Althea as she tried to coax more information out of him.
It was moments like these that made him feel stupid. Fluent in seven languages but unable to do something as simple as expressing his feelings in plain English - god, how pathetic. “The adamantium……it’s heavy.”
Althea frowned “whats he talking about, Wade?”
“Sorry honey badger” he said to Logan, patting his shoulder in sympathy “gonna have to drop some backstory.”
He turned back to Althea “You know that fuckshit I went through with that weapon X program?” He shovelled several pieces of pancake in his mouth and swallowed “Logan went through that too, but way worse, cus he didn’t volunteer” another bite “They injected his bones with adamantium and made him super fuckin’ sturdy.”
“What do you mean, injected his bones?”
“Pretty straight forward, Al” he occasionally glanced at Logan as he explained “his bones are metal. That’s why he’s so heavy….um, anyways - “ Wade quickly changed the subject as he could see the distress on Logan’s face “that's, that on that.”
Still staring at his plate, Logan breathed in to steel himself. Mentally repeating the positive affirmations that Wade had taught him, as he pushed down all the doubt and fear. They loved him. They would understand. It would be ok. “It’s like I’m pretending. When I walk upright, eat with utensils…consume food that I can’t fucking stand….just so I can fit in. It’s so exhausting n' I fucking hate it.”
Wade placed a hand on his shoulder “you know we love you, right?” Logan nodded “Then why not just be yourself?”
“Didn’t want you thinking I’m some kinda animal.” He was silent for a long moment before adding “I…I didn’t want to be -“ Logan rubbed the back of his neck, unwilling to finish the sentence.
“Kicked out?” Wade supplied. Logan nodded.
A brief silence filled the room.
“I’m sorry baby, I shouldn’t have assumed.” she placed a hand upon his and squeezed. Wade did the same. “You’re a part of the family, you got that? Family sticks together. So, you do things how you like, honey, and if anyone has the fuckin’ audacity to give you shit for it here, I'll kick them out myself.”
“She’s right, Lolo, no one here is going to give you shit for things you can’t help. If changing the way you do things is going to make you happy in our crack home, then go for it. We’re here for you, peanut.”
For the first time in a very long time, Logan felt happy and at peace. With a smile so bright and brilliant that it put the sun to shame, he said “thank’s guys..”