Warnings and Notes: Oh god! I shouldn't start another story. But I'm now obsessed with these two and can only think of them. And raptors. Lots of raptors. This is actually my second idea for this fandom but first I'm posting because I got obsessed with the idea I had while sick at work. Most of this will probably be written while I'm at work. XD

Pairings: Eventual Owen/Zach. But it'll be a while. XD

Summary: "Wow." Zach said. They really listen to you. It's like you're part raptor." Owen smiled and looked away quickly.

March 2019: Going through a slight edit. Not changing anything major. Just fixing a few things, changing a word here or there, and peppering a few things with some side characters.

April 2019: Edit is done and uploaded! Enjoy!

Raptor
Chapter 1: Papa-Rap

The large, dark brown claw tapped twice on the mossy forest floor beneath his golden scaled feet. He paused for a moment before tapping again. He dug his claw into the loose soil and waited. He tilted his golden head to the side and blinked his round, green eyes. Then he shifted his head to the other side and blinked again. Listening. Sensing. Feeling. The trees and jungle were thick around him and it was eerily quiet.

A twig snapped to his left. He immediately arched his neck and bared his teeth in the direction but he made no other movements as he waited for the first move. He felt the slight tremble in the ground and spun around seconds before a gray and green streak launched at him.

The adolescent raptor bared her tiny teeth and tried to snap at his throat. But she was too small to reach. The adult raptor rolled his eyes in a very un-animal-like manner as he easily knocked her to the ground with his muzzle and pinned her beneath his foot. She clawed at him and snapped and flailed but it did no good. He bent down closer to her and opened his jaws. He had her tiny neck between his teeth and she grew limp.

The second attack came from behind. Without taking his foot off his first tiny captive, he turned slightly, pivoted, and caught the second with his tail. He hit her only with a fraction of his strength and she was sent flying into a tree. She fell to the ground, dazed but okay. She pulled herself up and wobbled towards him slowly. He flicked his tail above her and brought it down on her. She fell to the ground again and went limp under him.

The third attack came from above. He snorted and shook his head as he felt the claws on his back. But she was more focused on keeping her balance and not her attack. Her claws skittered down his rough skin, failing to find purchase, and she slid to the ground. He shifted his hold on his first attacker to his front claws, earning him a nip he ignored. He rolled on his side slightly, dropping his weight on attacker three and effectively sitting on her. He was ever mindful of not applying too much pressure to any of them. His goal was not to injure them.

Three down. One to go. But he was sort of limited now in his range of motion. Keeping three rambunctious, small, cheating raptors pinned while trying to fend off a fourth…

A blue and gray blur burst from the bushes directly in front of him. His heart warmed. He hadn't even heard her sneaking up. His little Blue girl was getting good. But she still wasn't fast enough. She launched herself at his neck but at the last second, he pushed off the ground with his free claw and threw his head back. Her teeth missed his neck and sunk into his chest.

He dipped his head forward and grabbed her by the tail. He pulled her off and held her back as far as his neck would let him. She was still snapping and flailing, a ball of angry energy, teeth and claws. The last one caught, the other three began to squirm under him. He chirped low, the sound reverberating from the back of his throat.

All four tiny raptors stopped squirming. He shifted his weight quickly and stood up. The one trapped under him darted out once he was up. She ran around him in a circle, snapping at the other still confined tiny attackers. The large raptor chirped again, louder, and she stopped her teasing and moved to stand in front of him.

He lifted his leg and tail, releasing attackers one and two. They raced over to stand beside three. Attacker number four turned her eyes towards him and blinked. She let out a low whine. He set her down gently and she darted towards the line. She snapped at each of them and then moved to stand in front. She looked thoroughly pleased with herself, wiggling head to toe like an excited dog. The other three quickly caught her excitement, too, until they were all wiggling.

The adult raptor rolled his eyes once again and shook his head. If he'd been a real predator out to eat them, they'd all be dead. They all moved too slow. But they'd finally drawn blood at least. It wouldn't have been enough to save any of them. But it meant progress. They were growing, they were healthy, and judging by their wiggling little bodies at the moment, they were happy. And it was because of him.

He crouched down, intent on sharing in their little show of excitement, when a buzzing stopped him. He stood back up.

"No-Rap to Papa-Rap." Came a static human voice. "No-Rap to Papa-Rap. Come in Papa-Rap. Emergency."

The adult raptor sprinted forward through the brush, the young raptors on his tail. He zigzagged through the jungle with practiced ease. He tilted his head and pulled up in front of a large three. A red bucket sat on a high branch. He glanced back quickly, making sure he was followed. They were standing in their line, waiting patiently and attentively. They knew what the noise was, what it meant. The adult turned back to the tree. He stretched his neck and gently picked the bucket up, holding the handle delicately between his teeth. He pulled it down from the tree and set the bucket down on the ground. He nudged it with his nose, tipping it over. The bucket toppled over and a radio fell out. He nudged it until it was right side up and bent down.

"Papa-Rap?" The static voice continued. "Hurry up and…"

He gently extended a claw towards it and touched the talk button. He chirped twice and released the button.

"Oh good." The voice said. "Baby-Raps okay?"

He hit the button again and waved his tail. The four girls all opened their jaws and chirped loudly. After their confirmation, he released the button again. The girls stopped and fell back in line like good little soldiers.

"Big-Red is on her way over. She wants to talk to you."

He pressed the button and growled loudly into the radio.

There was a laugh. "Yeah, yell at you is more like it. Just get your tails back here as fast as possible. No-Rap out."

He gave a final chirp in confirmation and then nudged the radio back into the bucket. He lifted it up by the handle and whistled. The girls fell into a line behind him and the five raptors sprinted through the jungle. He was running them faster than he should, he knew. They were keeping pace, but just barely. They were all getting exhausted. He could hear it in their breathing and feel it in their heavy steps on the spongy ground. But they were almost there! He had to get them back before the boss lady showed up. Another few yards and the large fences that surrounded the raptor paddock came into view. He slowed a bit and let out a loud whistle.

The gate slid open long enough for them to dart in and then it closed again. They turned as a door on the inside opened and a human man appeared. He held a pile of folded clothes and took a step forward and stopped. The adult raptor lashed his tail at the small raptors, silently telling them to stay put and behave. Then he lowered his head and stepped towards the man.

The man eyed him warily but didn't move as the large raptor, that could easily snap him in two, stepped right up to him and extended his neck. He took the bucket from the raptor's jaws, his hands shaking a bit. The raptor blinked and breathed out loudly, blowing right in his face. "Damnit, Owen! Knock it off!" The man snapped. He dropped the clothes on the ground and rubbed at his face as he stepped back.

The raptor huffed at him and stamped a foot, looking very pleased with himself.

"Hurry. You got like five minutes. Maybe." He turned and slipped back inside.

The adult raptor opened his mouth and panted a bit in an almost laughing manner. The four little raptors bounced over to him. They all snapped at each other and pushed each other out of the way. They all wanted attention. His attention. It warmed his heart but he didn't have the time.

He growled and snapped at them. They all danced back a few feet but still stayed close, knowing he would never really hurt them or discipline them. They knew he was a push over. He rolled his eyes and shook his massive head. He lashed his tail and stamped his foot. They fell into their line and settled down.

He bent forward, touching his front claws to the ground. He gave the tiny raptors one more look before he closed his eyes and tucked his chin to his chest. It started with his skin. The tough, golden hide started to lighten and soften. His tail began to shrink and his arms lengthen. The large claws shaped into toes and fingers. The raptor disappeared and what was left was a human man. His back was covered in a layer of sweat and grime. He struggled for a moment to catch his breath, his arms shaking from the effort of keeping him up. He flexed his shoulders as he sat back on the ground. He could feel the straining muscles from where he'd been jumped on. His chest hurt, too, and he looked down. A nasty looking huge bite mark covered his whole left pectoral muscle. It didn't look deep though. He didn't think he'd need stitches but he was definitely going to be bruised tomorrow.

But now… clothes. Clothes were good. He pulled the pile of clothes towards him. He stood up briefly to pull on the boxers and pants. Then he sat back down to do up his shoes and socks. The moment he reached for his shirt, there was a low, sad whistle. He looked over at his raptors. They all looked sad, their tails and heads hanging. But the one standing in front of the others, blue on her head, she looked miserable.

Owen let out a sigh and held his arms open. "Come here, Blue." She darted forward and jumped in his lap. He laughed as her momentum nearly knocked him over. "You're getting too big for that." She tilted her head and reached up to touch her nose to the bleeding marks on his chest. "I'm fine." He said.

There was another whistle and Owen waved the others forward. Charlie and Delta snuggled up on either side of him and Echo curled up on his feet. Sometimes it amazed him how social they were and how much they understood. Blue rested her chin on his chest and looked up at him. She blinked and let out a whine again. He ran his fingers down her blue stripes and smiled. "I'm fine." He repeated, his voice stronger.

The guilt in her eyes made him feel bad. But he needed to teach them to fight, to protect themselves like a real raptor would. At least the way he thought a real raptor would. And he was uniquely qualified to teach them. Even if his human skin was so much more delicate than his raptor skin.

"Mr. Grady!"

Blue spun around in his lap, her tail whipping his stomach. He sucked in a sharp breath. Another bruise by tomorrow, no doubt. The tiny raptor growled loudly and snapped her jaws. Her three sisters rose and joined in on the territorial display. Owen smiled up at the woman on the catwalk above them. She'd swept in there so silently and gracefully. It was hard to sneak up on a group of five raptors, even if one was human and four were adolescents.

"Mr. Grady…" She tried to start again but the raptors were still growling rather loudly. "Stop it! Stop that!" She crossed her arms. "Shut them up!"

Owen smiled and let them continue for a couple more minutes. Then he frowned and smacked Blue hard on the base of her tail. Her head immediately swiveled around towards him, confused. "Knock it off." He said sternly. She breathed in and out rather loudly and dramatically. Then she settled back down in Owen's lap. She pressed herself firmly against his stomach and turned her head to watch the woman above them. The sisters in turn followed suit. They stopped growling and returned to their spots against Owen, all pressing against him and staring at the intruder. They all seemed to convey one thought. Mine. Owen smiled. Well… ours, more correctly. It felt good to be owned by the young raptors. He felt just as strongly towards them.

Owen turned his attention back up. "What can we do for you, Miss Dearing?"

She stepped closer to the handrail and gripped it tightly. "I've been hearing rumors about your progress with the raptor program using…" She paused for a moment. "Unorthodox methods. Mr. Grady, I'm worried you aren't taking your safety into consideration."

He shook his head and waved her off. "I'm perfectly safe." He threw his arms around Charlie and Delta at his sides, hugging them against him.

Her eyes widened at his movements and slowly fell to his chest. "That doesn't scream safe."

"This is nothing." He said, shaking his head. "Looks waaaay worse than it is."

She didn't look convinced. "It looks really bad."

"Well... you're standing pretty far away." Owen countered. "It looks less painful up close."

"Mr. Grady…"

"Owen." He corrected. He hated the way she said his last name, talking to him like he was a child she needed to scold.

She sighed. "Owen…"

"It was a training accident." He went on, interrupting her. "They did really well. I told them to attack me. She got a little too close."

She gasped. "You told them to attach you?"

"I took three of them out before she bit me!" Owen poked the raptor in his lap in the back of her head. Blue swiveled her head around and chirped at him. "Well you did bite me." He said. She snapped her jaws at his fingers playfully. Well… to him it was playfully. But to Miss Boss Lady… yeah. He needed to stop being so normal with them around other people. Or he needed to somehow teach them to behave differently around other people.

"Owen!" Claire snapped.

"She's just playing." He called loudly. "She wouldn't bite me."

"You just said that she did."

"Because I told her to!" Owen insisted.

Claire sighed and released her hold on the handrails. She dropped her arms and straightened up. "Mr. Grady." She said calmly. "Can you please come out so we can have a proper conversation about this? Without them in your lap."

He looked at each of the raptors. "Uh… no." He said frankly. "They all look so cute. I'd hate to upset them. They might bite me."

"Mr. Grady, I am your boss." She snapped. "Now!"

Owen rolled his eyes and sighed. "Okay girls. Up. I have to go talk to the mean boss lady now." He had to push against Blue before she hopped off. The other three crawled off slowly, moving like they were reluctant to leave him. Owen knew the feeling. He sighed again as he reached over to grab his shirt. But the smallest of the raptor sister, Echo, darted forward and grabbed it off the ground before he could touch it. Then she darted off into the trees, the shirt trailing after her. All the others followed her, chittering to each other.

"Echo!" He called after them. "You're in trouble when I get back!" He shook his head and looked up. He was being glared at. Intently. He let out a sigh. "We can talk in my office."

She nodded and turned.

The second her back was turned, he ran for the door and knocked loudly. "Barry!" He hissed. The door opened and his friend pulled him inside. "Did she see anything?"

Barry shook his head. "The cameras are still relaying yesterday's footage, when they were hiding from their bath. And she arrived after you… were you again."

Owen breathed out a sigh of relief. He ran a hand through his hair and nodded slowly to himself. It wasn't their first close call. They'd had many others. And it most likely wouldn't be their last.

Barry threw a shirt at him. "Put this on before she sees how bad that really looks." He frowned as he looked at the bite mark.

"Thanks." He quickly pulled it over his head, wincing slightly. "Echo ran off with my shirt."

Barry smiled. "You won't see that again."

"I know!" Owen threw up his arms dramatically. And immediately regretted the motion. Yeah, he was going to be so sore and bruised tomorrow. "She keeps stealing my clothes. She got my favorite shoes last time. Can't find where she's hiding them."

Barry let out a laugh. "It's because she wants you to…"

"Mr. Grady!"

They both turned as she stepped into the room. Owen smiled at her. "Miss Dearing. What a pleasure to…"

"Cut the formalities, Mr. Grady." She snapped, stepping closer to him. "You are entirely too attached to these assets." She said, actually poking him in the chest. "You are simply meant to train them for use in a show or exhibit or whatever we tell you to do. They are not your pets."

"You're right." He said with a smile. He stepped back and leaned against his desk as he crossed his arms. "They aren't pets."

She breathed out and smiled. "I'm glad you finally..."

"They're family." He said smugly, interrupting her.

Her smile fell and she rolled her eyes. "They're animals!" She said sternly. "Start treating them like it. And get to medical. Now."

He watched her storm out and sunk down in his chair. He breathed out and leaned back. "Hand me the first aid kit." He asked, glancing at Barry.

"Owen, you really should go to medical." Barry pointed out.

He shook his head. "They'll ask too many questions and want footage and want to do other medical shit I don't know if I can pass."

Barry paused for a moment. "Then... call Dr. Wu." He said slowly.

Owen let out a loud groan. "Can I just go back and play with my girls?"

Barry stared at him for a few long minutes. "Fifteen more minutes. Then I really need to turn the cameras back on before someone notices."

The first aid kit was completely forgotten as Owen jumped up and darted for the door.

-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-

Author's Notes: Why yes. Owen really IS part raptor. XD This really only has a very basic plot line. I know how I want the first part to end to segue into a sequel that goes beyond the movie. But how to get from here to there, and then from there to the end… not sure. XD So mostly, just making it up as I go. With basic plot. But I'm SO EXCITED! Honestly, mostly so I can play with the relationship between Owen and the raptors (and later with Zach and the raptors). Because that was one thing that disappointed me with the movie. All the commercials I saw featured badass Owen and the raptors! But there just wasn't ENOUGH of them together. XD