Page 30 of The Bull's Head

“I used to be… thick,” Byk blurted out, then winced. “I mean… never mind.”

Teddy laughed, and Byk wasn’t sure if he was laughing at him. “I’m a bear. You want chunky, you’ve got a battle on your hands.”

“But you’re not at all bulky. Well, except for the muscles.”

“Which, back on the farm, was me being what you call chunky. The thing is? What I am now works for me, but there are times, late at night, when I would go into the kitchen and grab out a tub of Ben and Jerry’s cookie dough, and scarf it all down.”

Ooh, ice cream. “I love ice cream.”

“If you eat your food like a good little bull, I know where we can get some you’ll be able to eat.”

That was enough for Byk to kick-start his appetite again. He tucked in, groaning at tastes he hadn’t had in far too many years. “It’s all so good,” he mumbled around a mouthful of French toast.

“Alp told them to be ready in case you were hungry later. The bunny has taken a shine to you.”

“He’s a nice person.”

“Everyone here is, I believe. I haven’t met them all yet, but they work so hard to get things right, especially for the children.”

“I get it. I’d like to have a tour, if that’s possible.”

Mostly because Byk wanted to see if those horrors remained. He knew he was in what used to be a laboratory, but the panic he expected wasn’t there. All that he felt was Teddy’s calming presence.

“I’d like that.”

“I know you have to get back to work, so I can?—”

“No, you can’t. I spoke with Malachi, and he said the paperwork can wait. He wants me to stay with you.” He cocked his head. “That is, if you’d like that.”

“I most certainly would,” Byk said eagerly.

“Good. I too would like that.”

“Question? Where are you from? I mean, I notice a trace of an accent every now and then, but I can’t figure out from where.”

“Me and Ivan were born in Vyezhyi Log, a small farming community in Russia. The area was perfect for us, because it had many evergreen forests for us to run in, plus it was dry and cold. Definitely a place a bear could feel at home. Our house was a two-story one of brick and wood. We grew mainly wheat and barley, which our mother used to feed us during the lean months. Everything we needed, we grew or harvested ourselves. Need clothes? Then go out and kill animals to provide the skin. We had nothing, so we wasted nothing. It was… a lonely life. Being gay, especially in Russia, was frowned upon or illegal. I had to hide who I was, while Ivan went out and slept his way through the girls in our village. And I’m sure there were more than a few boys in there as well.”

“He’s bi?”

Teddy shrugged. “Ivan won’t label it. I believe it was more a convenient place to stick his dick.” His cheeks flushed. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to be so crude.”

“It’s fine. Not like I don’t know what a dick is, right?”

“I don’t doubt it. Anyway, our sister, she was angry that our father expected her to do what he called ‘woman’s work,’ when she was easily as tough—or tougher—than the boys. Father wouldn’t hear of it. He insisted a woman should know her place and demanded Ilya learn hers. Instead, she left and, after a few years, started a life for herself in New York. She asked us to come see her, but only me and Ivan went. We fell in love with America and wanted to stay. Then we met Hiram, and he made it happen.”

It sounded nice, but Teddy’s voice had an edge to it that could cut glass.

“I’m taking it things didn’t go well?”

“Well, you know that Hiram is the one who sold us out to Hyde.”

Byk nodded.

“When we met him, he made grand promises, told us we could become whatever we wanted in America. Only the truth was, he had us as bodyguards. Ivan liked it. I didn’t. After years of backbreaking work on the farm, I wanted a simple life. Here they have me doing paperwork, and I know that most would find that boring, but not me. It’s quiet, and lets me think and breathe and be.” His cheeks pinked. “I sound stupid, I know.”

He didn’t, though. “No, not in the least. Not everyone is cut out for action and excitement. I mean, it’s great in the movies, but real life? Not so much. Highland bulls are usually pretty sedate. We’re not really aggressive—contrary to what it might seem like—and prefer to take life as it comes.”

“That sounds nice. Bears are aggressive. Our animal side is more demanding, and it’s a constant struggle to keep it under control. Not saying we’d hurt anyone, at least if they don’t bother us, but our needs are pretty basic. Food, water, sleep. Give us that, and we’re mostly content.”

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