“~But Daddy,~” 19 sighed, eyes widened to the point they seemed ready to pop from his sockets, “~you’re still hurt from last time, can you ask Master to let you take a break. Just until you’re all better.~” 

    19’s dad, 4, took his son’s face in his hands, “~19, if Master cared at all about my wounds, I wouldn’t be in this condition.~” 4 gestured to his body, which had seen better days. Although his hair covered his body the bruises all over his chest still shown through. His brown hair was stained with blood, one of his four eyes was missing, and a horn had broken off. 

    19 looked at the ground and 4 immediately knew what his son was thinking because he was thinking the same thing. He wouldn’t survive the next fight. He wished to tell his boy that it would be ok and that he would win his round and be right back, but false hope only does more damage than good on the farm. 

4 didn’t fear death, it would probably be better than this life, but he feared what would happen to 19 once he was gone. 4 stood at 7’5 (excluding his horns) whereas 19 was only 3’10, short for an 8-year-old Xling. Although most Xlings aren’t much taller than human children until they hit their growth spurt around 12-13 years old, it was obvious he was a runt. He was the last child of his mother who had had many other children and whose body was exhausted. The master only kept him around because 4 was strong and an excellent fighter and had promised to never fight back against the Master if he let him raise 19. It didn’t help that the Xling was mischievous and stubborn. Ever since he and his friends kidnapped the human child 3 years ago, he was on the Master’s blacklist. If 4 hadn’t been there that day to accept punishment in place of his child, 19 would surely have been whipped to death, due to the sheer force on his tiny body. He could tell that 19 had never forgiven himself for it, no matter how many times he reassured him it was for the best.

    “~Daddy,~” 19’s tiny voice chirped after 5 silent minutes, “~I’m scared.~”

    “~I know, I’m scared too.~” 4 saw no reason to lie to the boy, he wanted to teach him it was ok to feel no matter what the master said. He got down on his knees and swooped his baby into a large hug. 

19 cuddled his face into his father’s chest. He knew that his father would not return from the Ring, and he couldn’t stand the thought. His dad had sacrificed so much for him. Even though 4 thought he was in the dark about the deal his dad had made with the Master, he knew of it. The Master liked to hold it above him. He knew it would get worse once his dad was gone. He hated the thought, he hated that he was being so selfish. His dad had saved him countless times, and now he was mad at him for doing so. Why? Why him? Why not just let him die and get on with his life, maybe he would live longer if he did. The Master was right. He was just a runt. He didn’t deserve to live in place of his father.

“~19,~” 4 could feel his son’s body tense, and immediately knew what was going on in his mind, “~No matter what happens to me, I want you to remember that I’ll never actually leave you.~” 19 looked up at his father, eyes narrowed at the cheesy comment. “~You know something kiddo,~” 4 placed 19 back on the ground of their pen, “~I’ve had and raised 14 children and you are my favorite by far.~”

“~What?! Why me?! I’m a good-for-nothing runt.~” 19’s fists tightened, knuckles going white under his hazel hair.

4 stood up quickly, anger filling his eyes, “~19, how dare you say that,~” his voice wavered as he tried to keep his calm.

“~Truth, that is why,~” another voice said. The X’s heads whipped toward the voice. The Master.

“~Master, please he just a child, he shouldn’t be made to feel bad about himself~”

The master walked over to the boy, “~Yes, 4, he is child, but he is aged enough to know the truth. He is runt and will always be one~”

4 snarled. The Master quickly jumped to face the X, who towered over him. He glanced at his whip fastened at his belt and then to 19. 4’s eyes widened, and he sighed, bowing as an apology. 

“~Remember your place~”, and with a turn of the heel, the Master swaggered down the barn to check on the rest of the pens.

19 fell to the floor. He did it again. He got his father in trouble again. What was wrong with him? 

4 sighed and turned to his son. “~I don’t ever want to hear you call yourself a good for nothing or a runt ever again.~” He sat back on the floor to be at eye level with the Xling, “~Do you know why you’re my favorite?~”

“~Definitely not.~”

“~Well, it’s fairly simple. It true I love all my children, but you’re different. I can tell when you’re upset or hating yourself, yet you have never given into it. I know your hurt by the words and the beatings,” 4 placed his hand on 19’s back, “but you have never lost your personality or curiosity. So, you must promise me, that even when I am gone you will not let that ass of person take that from you. Can you promise me that? That will make everything I’ve ever done worth it.”

19’s face brightened immediately. Even though he knew deep down he would never forgive himself for the beatings his dad took for him, this could ease some of the guilt. He could finally do something for his dad.

 “I promise.”