Bonds of Blood
Characters: Marie Logan, Mark Logan, and Garfield Logan
Warning: Contains abusive relationships, some violence, some cussing, and misogyny.
Note: Personality of Marie Logan (TV) was never explored in depth and is considered by this author as "flexible." Same applies to Mark Logan, only more so because he's never been in the TV show. I know they were in the comics for a bit, but the TV show messed it up some key bits of the comic canon, so… fuck it! I do what I want!
"Garfield," his mom was using that stern tone again that he hated. It was that miserable mix of angry, annoyed, frustrated, and sad. "What did I say about using your powers in public?"
The jeep bumped against some gravel and Garfield and the supplies they had picked up bounced in time. "He would have hurt her if I hadn't done something," he pouted. "And besides, nobody saw me."
"I saw you," retorted his mother.
He crossed his arms and turned away in contempt.
Marie Logan wasn't getting anywhere with her son. She tried again, keeping her voice calm and steady. "Look, one of these days, someone besides me is going to notice a green wildebeest wandering about the local market place. Someone not me. Someone one with actual connections and common sense."
"Fine!" he huffed. "I won't turn into a wildebeest anymore. I'll just turn into Monkey."
"Gar," Marie let the fatigue seep through her son's name. "That's not the point and you know it."
"Then what is the point?" he challenged. "That you want to control me? That you're embarrassed by what I can do? That you hate that I'm a freak because of some Martian DNA? That you want to hide me just like you've been hiding from Dad?"
"Garfield! That's enough!"
"You know what? Fine! I'll see you at home." He unbuckled his seatbelt and stood up through the open roof. His body had gotten used to shifting over the last few weeks and now morphed into the familiar forms flawlessly. Gar's entire body began to shrink in size. His face jutted out. His eyes became small and beady. His bones hollowed and a plume of feathers replaced the hair across his skin. Gar beat his wings twice, catching the current off the jeep and lifted himself skyward.
He heard his mother call after him, saying they weren't done with the conversation yet and he was to come down at once. He ignored her, and flew further into the instincts of his birdbrain, abandoning his human reality until he could calm down.
Marie drove home furiously, kicking out storms of dust with her unnecessary speed. There was little she could do with Garfield out and about in animal form, but once the little brat came home, she would tie down that little bastard down to a chair and make sure the bonds was tight enough that he couldn't shift out of it, no matter what form he took. He had no idea how much she worried, and she was going to make sure he got at least a glimpse of how worried she could be.
As soon as the initial anger quelled, she sighed in exhaustion as she entered the reserve. If only she had stayed in contact with the Stones. They might know someone in robotics that would help her keep tabs on her newly super powered son. But after the fiasco with Mark, well, it was hard to stay in touch with anyone after that.
As their home came into view, so did an unfamiliar car. Her eyebrows furrowed and she looked around warily. Was it a secret government agency hiding in the shadows of her property to take Gar? Was a team of scientists setting up in her kitchen to do tests on them both? To see if Garfield's ability was genetic?
The trespasser was more obvious than she had originally thought. He sat on the steps to their house, hunched over and waiting. His eyes glazed over and defeated. He perked up at the sound of rocked under tires and gave a tired wave.
Marie's grip on the wheel tightened as old images and forgotten injuries began to pulse in memory. She tried to calm herself as she parked the vehicle. She tried to tell herself it was no big deal and there was nothing to be afraid of, but the tight square of her shoulders stayed as she exited the jeep.
"Hi Mark," she said with a forced smile and a tone a little too sharp to be considered polite. "What are you doing all the way out here?"
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a packet of folded papers. "Need you to sign these," he said.
"I thought I signed the last of the divorce papers weeks ago," she said, her jaw tight with pensive stress.
"Yeah, well, you know lawyers," he said with an empty laugh. "Always one last piece of paper to fill out so they get paid a little more."
He pushed the forms towards her and she crossed her arms. "Haven't got a pen," she replied flatly.
"You got one inside?"
She didn't answer.
He signed in frustration and ran a hand through his darkened hair, making it stand up funny, like it did in the old days. "Where's the boy?" he asked, trying to change the subject.
"Out," she replied quickly. She wasn't about to tell her ex about Gar's ability. That was on a need to know basis only. "You know how boys his age are. Constant need to be active. Likes to run about a little too much."
Mark chuckled, his low voice rumbling in a way that made her remember fonder times. "You need help with that? Looks like a lot for one person," he asked, pointing to the heavy cargo in the back of the jeep.
"I can manage."
"I'm not doubting your skills. I'm just saying that, looking at the number of crates you have, it looks like too much for one wo- person to carry."
Marie looked at the crates, trying to stay stubborn in her belief that she could do it all herself. But the size, the weight of the supplies, it was too much for one person alone. Gar would normally help, but it was unknown when he would be back.
"Fine," she said begrudgingly.
He smiled, like a puppy given his first toy in ages, and Marie couldn't help but smile back.
It took half the time it usually took her and Gar to move the supplies into storage. As much as it pained her to admit it, it was nice to have Mark around again. The strength of a full-grown man was much more reliable than the strength of a ten year old, even if said ten year old could shift into an elephant. He still had problems being gentle and Marie would never force Garfield to do something like that unless he wanted to.
Mark smiled all the while as they worked. The way his eyes crinkled when he smiled. The way his voice reverberated against the walls. She had missed it all. It had been years since they last saw each other, and the heavy atmosphere of court with a child that could barely understand something as complex as divorce was not a good place to reconnect. But, she had made her decision, and fought long and hard to follow through with that choice for all these years. She had done it once before, she could do it again now.
The ex-couple set the last box down in the kitchen, and Marie began searching through a pile of papers scattered on a table. Mostly bills, receipts, and statements casually thrown about to their own devices littered the kitchen.
"Let's see," she said, digging though the papers. "I think I have a copy of the last thing I sent to the attorney in here somewhere."
"Marie," Mark's voice had relapsed to the familiar beg from years ago. She looked at him and he looked miserable. "We don't have to do this you know. We can stay here, together, as a family."
"Mark, no."
"You don't have to come back with me. I can move here. You can stay here and do what you do, and I can find work in town. Maybe I could apply to the college for a research grant. I bet the scientific community would love it if-"
"Mark! Stop! That's enough," Marie yelled, shutting him up. He retreated, eyes wide with confusion. Marie balled her hands into tight fists. She had to fight back. "This, she motioned between them. "What we had, it's over. It was all over long ago. What we're doing right now, it's just a formality."
"You mean, you don't love me?" he eyes welled up, making him look like a wounded puppy.
Marie steeled herself. She would not fall for this again. She was a different woman now. "I never said that."
"But I love you. I love you more than all the stars in the sky. I love you more than I can bear." He reached out to touch her. "I don't know if I can live without you."
"Well, you're going to have to, she said, chin held high and brushing his hand aside. "I'm signing those papers and that will be the end of that."
"But Marie! I can't live without you. If you're not with me, I life isn't worth living."
"You'll just have to find a way," she said coldly.
"But-"
"Mark," she shut down is approach. As much as it pained her, she pointed to the front door. "Leave Mark. I tried being nice, but no more. I won't stand it. I know why you're here and I'm sick of your games."
"You do?"
She wanted to slap his face. Marie didn't want to go back to how things were. She didn't want to be at his mercy anymore. She wanted to hit him. She wanted him to be cruel to him. At least that way she wouldn't feel as bad refusing him. She wanted to end it and stop that horrible feeling in the pit of her stomach. Guilt. She felt that heavy burned of guilt form years and years of hurting this man, and no matter what happened, she could not give into her guilt. For her sake and for her son's sake.
Marie focused on her son, and what was best for him. "It has nothing to do with the papers and everything to do with you. Why didn't you have the attorney send it to me like he normally does?"
"This way is faster."
"No," the lie was too obvious. "You're here to try and get me back, and I will tell you right now, save your breath. I am never getting back together with you. It's not worth it. There was too much drama and honestly, I'm sick of it.
Marie hastened toward the door. This was her territory and she needed him to go before something happened that they both would regret. "Leave the paper if you really want me to sign it, but right now, you need to leave."
"But Marie-"
"Out!" she held the door open, seething with anger. She would not let it happen again. He would not do this to her again.
"Mom? Dad?" a voice came from the open door. "What's going on?"
Garfield.
Marie turned to her son, his wide green eyes matching her own. From there, everything seemed to happen at the same time.
Marie reached out to her son. She tried to warn him, tired to tell him so many things in so few words. "Of all times, why did you decide to come home now?" "You shouldn't be here Garfield." "Garfield! Run!" But not a sound made it out.
Instead, she felt a solid blunt object hit the backside of her head and her body began to fall. Down, down, down she fell like a ragdoll upon the floor.
"Mom!" Garfield was terrified and she could do nothing to help him.
"If I can't have you," his voice had changed to that all too familiar and horrifying ferocity, sending shivers down her back. "No one can."
She saw stars. Bright flashes of lights blinded her vision. It hurt. Oh, God it hurt. She need to get up. She needed to protect Garfield, but her legs were weak and unresponsive. Her body felt numb and submissive. Painful memories clawed their way into her mind and reminder her of all the times she tried to fight back. She needed to run. She needed to stay still and then, maybe, the pain wouldn't be as bad. Maybe he'd get bored and move on quickly. Maybe she'd be spared from the harshest of blows and they would be able to go back to normal soon.
Small scared hands clasped her shoulders. Garfield.
"What did you do to her?" she could hear him holding back tears as he clutched her tightly. "Why did you do that? What have you done?"
"Put the stupid bitch back in her place, that's what I've done," Mark hissed. "Dumb broad's had it coming for much too long. Should have put her in her place years ago, but then she had you."
She heard the clatter of the blunt object and felt him pace around the room. Probably looking for something more satisfying to beat her with. "Little bitch. Once she got pregnant with you, I couldn't discipline her like I should have. Had the nerve to file for divorce once she had you. Fucking stupid ass cunt on a fucking high horse. Should have reminded her of her place the second she left hospital. Better yet, forget about the pregnancy and disciplined her anyway. God knows she needed it."
Gar's eyes filled with tears. This was his father? This was the man he had hoped his whole life to meet? He was nothing like the quiet sophisticated man he had seen in court. Or the jovial companion that his pictures showed.
"How could you? How could you do this to her?"
Mark leaned forward and looked into his son's eyes. "Stubborn bitches like her need to be broken. They have too much strength for their own good and need to be tamed by men like me.
"I can sense the power in your eyes, son. Power I saw in myself long ago. The world would bow to its knees in subjugation if you used it correctly. You're just like me son. Soon, you will find your own woman, and break her just like I have your mother. That's what men are meant to do son. That's what we are born to do. Just like the women of today are born to be broken and tamed by their husbands. They have no place in a world outside the home. They don't belong in the field or the sciences. They belong in the kitchen serving their husbands. It's where they belong. It's what they were born to do."
Garfield couldn't take anymore. That wasn't what he wanted. That wasn't what his mother wanted. She wanted to be outside helping animals, not trapped inside. It wasn't right. He didn't want to see her beaten and bruised beneath his father's feat. He didn't want to see her on the verge of tears with every step his father took. He wanted to see her smile and laugh at the stupid things he did. He wanted to be hugged and comforted by a loving heart, not be the one doing the conforming.
This was wrong. This was all wrong, and it needed making right.
His breath quickened and his body burned like fire. His vision focused and tainted red. He felt the pins and needles from within explode, and he accepted it. Garfield leapt at his father, bearing his teeth at Mark's throat. The change was instantaneous and felt amazingly liberating. Mark fell back in fear as Garfield's two large striped paws pinned Mark's shoulders to the ground, liquid hate sputtering out of his sharp fangs as his green tiger muzzle bearded down on the man.
Forget that they were related by blood. Forget that this man was his father, who Gar had pinned to see for years. He was going to slaughter this man. He was going to rip out his jugular and mash it between his teeth like it was his favorite cereal. He was going to rip open Mark's chest and tear his innards to shreds until there was nothing left. He would bathe in the blood and crush the man's face until there was nothing left but a misshapen pulp. He would rip off his limbs and hang them outside the house for all to see, as a warning. He would-
"Garfield!"
The familiar voice pierced his primitive rage. His animal instincts retreated and his human mind took control. The pupils of the tiger relaxed and he padded his way back to Marie's side.
Mark looked at the two in shock, short breaths and wide eyes trying to process everything.
"Monster," he finally whispered.
Garfield growled and Marie caressed the large cat's head, gently trying to calm the beast.
"He's a fucking monster!" Mark scurried away frantically, looking very much like a drunken awkward spider.
"He's not a monster. He's your son. And if you can't see the person behind all the fur, you have no right to be with us." She felt the powerful muscles tense and pulled strength from the support. She was not fighting the beast from the past alone. Not anymore.
The son prowled toward his father, lumbering slow and powerful. He looked at the almost man once more, and then growled something impossible. Something that would never be repeated again.
"Run."
Mark didn't question it. He leapt up and raced to his vehicle. The engine screamed to life, and he drove off in a whirlwind of dust, not daring to look back at the reflection of mother and tiger in the rear view mirror.
As the dust settled, Marie examined the stripes on her son's head to calm her still shaking nerves. It was over. It was done. Hopefully the chain was broken and Mark would leave them alone forever. But, if Mark came back with the police in tow, claiming assault on his person, well, let him come. He would burn before he even reached their doorstep. Both she and Garfield would make sure of that.
Her hands still trembled and she tried to focus on something else. "I'm surprised your stripes are so accurate," she mused. Garfield had never turned into an animal he hadn't seen in real life before.
"I know, right?" said Garfield, returning to his human form. "I didn't even know I could turn into a predator!"
Marie smiled as she led them back into their home.
"With practice, who knows, maybe I could turn into a lion, or a lemur!"
A/N: And this is officially the longest chapter that I have written for this series thus far. I usually don't write notes at the top, but I felt it was necessary for this one. I hope I addressed the issue of abuse fairly. For a very short time, I was in an abusive relationship. And, considering current events, hope I did the issue justice. Chapter 1: Father's Day has been updated with more detail, so go and check it out when you have the chance.
An Avengers fanfic is also in the works right now, but since I'm in really intensive summer school classes not sure when that'll be written and posted. You can follow me on AO3 under the name of MiniRaven or on my main tumbler under the name MiniBlackRaven. I reblog a lot of things on tumber, so follow at your own expense. Direct links are in my profile.
Fun little note: when I was writing this, I imagined Tom Hiddleston and Scarlett Johansson playing the roles of Mark and Marie. Made it so much easier to write. I dare you to go back and read it again with those two in those roles. See what happens XD