Pairing: Motanite (Mot x Dianite)

Summary: Mots had a secret for many years, never telling a single soul. But when the secret gets out of hand, he is forced to tell the last person he would ever want to tell. His god.

I can't tell him. I've always had to keep hiding the bruises and cuts and scraps from him, but this time it can't be hidden as easily. They broke my arm this time. I tried to give it my all, but there were five of them against me. I didn't stand a chance. I never have.

It started after the first month of working here. Rumors spread fast about Dianite choosing me as his champion, choosing me over dozens of loyal business men who have been with him for years. And it outraged the employes I worked with. So every so often, they would gang up on me. They took large broken tree limbs and beat me until I was nearly dead. I would call Dianite the night it happened and tell him I needed a day or two off because of my spores. I couldn't tell him the truth. He would think I was weak.

But this time they'd broken my arm with a broken stone slab. It would take weeks to heal and I couldn't take off weeks. I needed to support Alyssa and continue to be loyal to Dia. My broken arm would have to wait.

So the next day after the beating, I left for work with a small splint underneath my sleeve. No one noticed, not a soul. I was grateful. I didn't want anyone to know. I arrived in minutes, punching in my card with my other arm and heading to Dias office for a meeting. I knocked on the door and tried to look as bored as possible. It swung open minutes later with Dia behind it. "Today our meeting will have to wait. We have to undock the supplies coming in from west. The trucks out back. I'll be out in a few moments. You go help them unload." He walked past me and headed out into the main hall, not even glancing at my arm. He hadn't noticed. Thank goodness.

Wait. I have to unload things? Oh no. I have to keep him from seeing. Everything will be fine. I'm sure the splint will keep my arm stiff. No one will notice if I keep most of the weight on my other arm. I began to walk to the back of the building where the trucks usually unloaded. Lots of Dia's employees were out helping unload the truck. Crates as tall as me sat on the pavement, waiting to be carried inside. I could do this. Everything was fine.

"Hey Motty boy, you gonna help us unload or are you too special for that?" One of the men joked, and others snickered with him. He was one of the five guys who usually beat the shit out of me.

I heard the door behind me open and out walked Dia. He gave me a nod and turned to everyone else. "I want these packed in by five. I have other business to attend to later and I won't be kept from it because of slackers." He told the men with a stern look. They all hustled faster and began carrying huge crates into the building. I could practically feel myself getting pale.

"Mot, I know you aren't the strongest in this bunch. That's okay. If you'll assist me in carrying some of the larger crates, then that will be just fine." He waved me over to one of the huge crates they were even taller and wider than me. I swallowed hard at the lump in my throat. I could do this. I could do this, it was an easy task.

Dia picked up one end and I went to pick up the other, but immediately stopped when I felt pain surge through my arm. I mentally screamed at the agony in my arm, but I kept my face calm and collected. I could feel the eyes on me and the small muffled snickers of the other men.

Dia looked to me. "I know you can lift a few pounds Mot. You don't want to be a slacker, do you?" He raised an eyebrow. I shook my head. He bent down to pick it up again and I followed. He lifted and I did as well.

The sickening crack of my bone breaking filled the air.

"AHHHH!" I gripped my throbbing arm and clenched my eyes together. It hurt so much. It hurt even worse than it had when they broke it yesterday. I couldn't have broken it again, could I? What did I do to it?

"Mot? Mot what's the matter?" Dia let go of his end and rushed over to me, putting a hand on my back. I felt small relief, but it was brief. I only held my arm and tried to force back tears. Streaks of pain shot up through my entire back and shoulders. Someone please put me out of this agony.

"Mot, look at me. You tell me what's wrong." He ordered. I couldn't. I knew he was my god and my boss but I couldn't tell him. I didn't have the guts.
I felt his hand go to my face and his finger trace over an area of my skin. I winced slightly. He had touched a bruise from last night.

"Someone did this to you, didn't they? Who did this?" He jerked my chin up to his eyes. I only gave him a pleading look. I didn't want him to talk about it here. They'd surely beat me later if he made a fuss about it.

He turned away from me and faced the now still men in the parking lot. "You all have the chance now to confess. If you beat Mot, then say you did now." He seemed calm for some reason. A moment ago he looked completely different.

No one said a word. They only stared at me while I quietly silenced my hiccups behind Dia like a child. I'm such a weak kid. No wonder they beat me.

"Alright, you all had your chance. When I find out who did this, I will make sure you never see the light of day ever again. Mot, if you do not tell me then I will have no choice but to fire you. Tell me now." He ordered me. He wouldn't fire me, would he? But I couldn't take the risk. Alyssa was more important than pride. She needed a father who could support her.

"Mot. Tell me now." He growled, clenching his fists and boring his eyes into my skull. I can't tell him now. I need privacy, but he wouldn't give it to me. I have to do something that makes me look even more vulnerable and weak so he'll take me inside.

I have to break down.

I let loud sobs erupt from my throat and I hid my face in my hands, falling on my knees and holding my arm tightly. Please god let this work. I was embarrassing myself so much. I never cried in public. Ever. I would play tough when they beat me. I would always act tough. I have to make this believable.

"Th-they wouldn't l-let m-me go!" I sobbed into my knees which were now hiding my face.

A hand wrapped itself around me and pulled me up off the ground. I was lead into the building by a hand resting around my waist. I couldn't see that much. The tears were blurring my eyes. I heard a door open and close. The hand went to my shoulder and pressed down, making me sit.

"Mot...don't cry like this. You shouldn't have let them see you cry." Dia said in a soft tone.

"I didn't want to cry Dia...I just can't point them out while I'm whining like a baby..." I sniffed and wiped away the unwanted tears with my good hand. The other still throbbed painfully and I gripped it as I shook slightly. Why was I shaking? It wasn't cold.

"This didn't just happen yesterday, did it? How many times have they done this to you?"

"Every month for the past two years..." I admitted with shame.

His eyes widened. "What? You've been beaten every month for the past two years and you never told me? Why didn't you tell me? I could have stopped this."

"Then more of them would beat me...they'd hate me so much they'd torture me until I left this place. And plus they...they....forget it." I didn't want to tell him about their threats.

"They what, Mot? Tell me." I felt his hand touch my throbbing arm, and the pain eased up a little. I sighed in relief. Just a small bit of comfort goes such a long way with him...

"They said they'd tell you something important if I told you anything..."

"What is this thing of importance?"

"They...they threatened to tell you that I l-loved you if I told anyone anything... " I blushed and avoided his eyes.

He remained emotionless. "Mot...why don't you lie down, okay? I will send in a nurse while I find out who hurt you."
"How? I'm the only one who knows."
"I doubt that. Someone in this city must have seen it. They see everything. If you do not wish to tell me, then I won't force it out if you. Rest now. I will be back later."
~
The nurse Dia had seen it left about an hour ago. My arm was in a sling now. The nurse said I wouldn't be able to work for awhile. Great. I just hope Dia would let me continue to receive pay for not being able to fully do my job. If not, then I would have to find something else to support Alyssa and I with. But what job could I get in this city that didn't involve manual labor? I'm sure Dia would help me find one if I needed it.

Where is Dia anyway? He's been gone for almost two hours. I had tried to sleep but I failed. I couldn't rest if I was stressed or worried about something. It was really late too. Alyssa would be home from Martha's soon and she would be looking for me. I should just go. I'd have to talk this over with Dia later.

I positioned my scarf back around my neck and mouth, punched out my card from the slot, and left the building in a hurry. The full moon shone from the clouds hanging in the sky, giving me enough light to see my usual path home. I thought of what to say to Alyssa when she saw my arm. I suppose I could say that I fell, but would she believe that? She was smart, smarter than most kids in this city.

"Hey Motty, heading home so soon?" An amused voice called form behind me.

Oh no. Not tonight.

I turned to the five figures approaching me from the shadows of the alleyways.
"Can't this wait until tomorrow night? I have to pick up my daughter." I said in a bored tone, trying to hide the fear I felt.

"Sorry kid, your daughter won't be seeing you anymore. Not after were done with ya." One of them chuckled.

They were going to kill me. They were going to kill me to protect their reputations. As they drew closer I saw what was in their hands. Not the usual large tree limbs, but broken stone slabs. The type that broke my arm. They would certainly succeed in killing me if I didn't get out of here.

"Nothing personal, just trying to keep old Dianite from finding out. He won't need you anyway. We'll replace you as champion."

I turned to run, but ran into a man taller than me by three feet. I gulped as I spun around, taking in the huge circle of guys surrounding me. All of them were here. Everyone who's ever beat me in the last two years was here. And that was almost fifteen different men. I was dead.

But I wasn't going down without a fight. The huge giant in front of me grabbed at my neck, but I ducked and landed a blow to his stomach. He growled in pain and lurched back for a second, creating an opening in the circle. I ran towards it, but was caught by arms pulling me back.

Alyssa, I'm sorry I couldn't support you my little angel.

I shut my eyes as they raised their weapons, about to crush my body into a thousand pieces.

"Fifteen against one? Seems a little disproportional if you ask me." A voice interrupted the intensity of the moment.

"Yes, it seems quite unfair to Mot. Do you think we should even it out, Sparky?" A softer voice asked the other.

"Would you two love sick junkies quit flirting and just gouge their eyes out already? I've been squatting here for an hour..." I heard a deeper voice ask.

I opened my eyes a centimeter. The stone slabs that were once raised were no longer in my sight. Instead, I saw every one of my friends standing in a line. They wore death glares on their faces as they stared at the group of men, now showing looks of terror at their dilemma. Everyone of my protectors all carried the sharpest objects and wore the toughest armor.

"Yer all dead, ye wankers!!!" Steve shouted, and the crowd of people surrounding me collided with eachother. I watched the battle between my worst enemies and my greatest friends, knowing immediately who had the upper hand.
A hand went around my good arm and pulled me away from the battleground. I looked to the person the hand belonged to.

Dianite. He smiled at me, his dark eyes gleaming beautifully in the moonlight. "Told you I'd find them, boyo."
A man flew past our heads and hit the alley wall. I heard a small cackle from Jeriah. He loved carnage. For once in my life, I actually sort of appreciated Jeriah for a second. The feeling was short lived.

~

Later when all fifteen of my attackers were carried off to Urulus prison, my friends began to leave. I thanked them all before they left for helping me. Except Jeriah. I will never thank Jeriah for anything. He left as soon as the fight was over. Wet napkin.

Dia walked me home after everyone left. We both stayed completely silent the whole way there. I felt awkward. He saved my life for the second time. I didn't know how to thank him. A simple thank you seemed under appreciated for all he's done for me.

"You are being awfully quiet. Something the matter?" He inquired, his eyes still focused on the road in front of us.

"Just thinking. Dia...can I ask you something?"

"I don't see why not." He shrugged his shoulders.

"Why did you choose me? Why didn't you choose any of those other men who are ten times stronger than me?"

He stayed quiet for awhile like he was thinking. He let out a sigh and scratched his dark black hair. "It is a very hard concept to explain Mot."

"Tell me. I've always wanted to know."

"Well...gods can see many things that mortals cannot. We see light glimpses of futures, potentials in mortals, and possibilities that...aren't always good. That day I met you Mot, I saw many. But it could have been a future partner and champion or...something horribly different. And I was afraid of the second possibility...so after I took you away from that village, I just left you at the infirm camp. I tried to ignore you the best I could."

"What was the second possibility?" He acted like it was the worst possible thing that could happen.

"You would overthrow and betray me by murdering me."

"...oh." That was a good reason to leave me.

"But then...the second time I saw you in the alley...I saw even more possibilities. And they were even worse than the last."

"Then why did you save me?"

"Because those possibilities showed you dying in the worst ways possible. Frostbite, disease, hunger...And it was all my fault. And then I saw more of you being at my side, being able to solve any problem that I ran into. So I asked you where a certain road was just to be sure of what I saw was true. And you answered correctly without faltering. Then I hired you and watched you work throughout the week. One by one, all of the bad possibilities disappeared and the best ones surfaced."

"...do you still see the previous one?"

"I do." It made my heart sink. I'd never betray Dia. I'd never hurt him. So why was it a possibility? "But I also see another that seems more likely to happen than the previous."

"And what's that?" I hope it was good.

We were at the doorstep of my home and he turned to with a smile planted on his lips. "I see a wonderful father and a supportive husband."

Husband.
He said husband.
Does that mean...?

"Goodnight Mot." He kissed my forehead lightly, lingering there for a few seconds before pulling away.
I felt as if my spine had fell away from my body. He was the husband. He had to be.

"Daddy! You're home!" I heard a small voice squeal. Tiny arms wrapped around my legs and I laughed because I knew who it was. I swooped Alyssa into my arms and she clung to my neck like a small monkey.

"Hey sweetie. How was aunt Martha's?" I kissed her cheek and she giggled.

"We made cookies and sock puppets! I made one of you uncle Dia!" She pulled a small sock out of her pocket and put it over her hand. A red sock with eyes suddenly attacked my forehead and Dia and I laughed. I missed her so much.

"Why am I attacking Mot, Alyssa?" Dia chuckled.

"You're givin him kisses! Just like you always do!"

Oh my god. She saw him kiss me. I could practically feel the burning shame on my cheeks.

Dia only laughed at her words. "Very sweet Alyssa. I must be going now, I have lots to do now that I am short fifteen workers."

"Wait! You didn't give me kisses!" She reached her arms out for him and he leaned in to kiss her small cheek.

"Take extra care of your father this week, okay? He is going to need lots of help because of his arm."
She nodded and hugged me tighter, causing me to choke slightly.

"Thanks Dia." I said sarcastically.

"You are especially welcome. Goodnight Alyssa." He gave her one last wave before disappearing in the air.

She waved back, even though he was already gone. "Bye uncle Dia!"

"Thank you Dia..." I whispered.

I hope that possibility comes true.
~~~~~~~~
*collapses down a flight of stairs*

IF YOU JUST SAW THE STREAM THEN YOU UNDERSTAND WHY IM FREAKING OUT!

Warning = Spoilers.

MARTHAS MIND SAID SHE STILL LOVED STEVE AND OH MY GOD POOR WAG
MY HEART HURTS. I LOVED MARTHLINGTON. BUT I ALSO LOVE STEVE AND MARTHA. I DONT KNOWN WHAT TO DO.

My Fan girl heart is dead. What a stream dude. What a stream.

I hope you enjoyed this Motanite one shot! Leave a favorite if you did! Thanks!

- Lee