Drider Boyfriend: Kerekes (complete)

Female Main Character x Male Monster

There are cows as far as the eye can see, in the barn, in the field, ranging prizewinners to prize breeders. All my life, I have been surrounded by cows. Not that I mind - I often prefer them to people. I have raised many cows on my family’s dairy farm, and our products are used in the Miror royal palace, make delicacies in Pirlipat, and grace the homes of many people.

Muffet Farms is known far and wide as the best dairy in all of Miror. It was started when Grandpa Horner was kicked by one of the royal farm’s cows, working in the palace dairy. As payment for the accident, he was given the cow that had injured him, and rather than butchering the cow for meat, like most would assume, Grandpa Horner began his dairy farm. He was just sixteen, and now he’s eighty and happily sits on the front porch, overlooking the farm he built with his own hands.

Like I said, I often prefer cows to people. My cows are sweet, gentle, and have the most beautiful eyes. I have raised dozens on this farm, taking care of each one until they mature to be milkers, breeders, or sold to other farms. I have a relationship with a dairy in Pirlipat who exclusively buys my cows. I thought we were on friendly terms, but I’ve come to learn the man who owns it has other things on his mind. His friendliness stems from a desire to join our two farms together by making me his wife. My mother just told me he has spoken to her and father concerning the matter.

I hate it. Mr. Porgie is a fine enough man, but he is not someone I would want to marry, and not someone I would consider husband material at all. Grandpa Horner agrees with me. He’s always been a good judge of character, even if people do consider him daft these days. He’s never liked Mr. Porgie, and often plays pranks on him when he visits the dairy.

“I’d rather you marry one of our bulls than that fool,” he grouses one day while carving a wedge of hard cheese.

“I doubt we’d have much to talk about, Grandpa. But I think me and Mr. Porgie would have even less to talk about.” I lean back in my chair, looking over the sprawling landscape of hills and valleys that runs up to the deep, lush forest of the Tulgey Wood.

“Better you marry a bull than shit.” Grandpa Horner spits.

I smirk, glad that Grandpa had the common sense to realize Mr. Porgie isn’t the man-about-down my parents think he is. I want to believe my parents are considering my best interest, but it feels like they aren’t paying close attention to Mr. Porgie at all.

“Oh dear,” Grandpa says softly. “What’s that?” He points into the distance. The lavender expanse of the horizon is now turning grey with smoke. I grow frightened. The smoke came out of nowhere, and there is so much of it already. “Is there a fire?”

“There hasn’t been a fire in Tulgey Wood since the last Jabberwocky hunt.” Grandpa’s tone is grim. He squints through his glasses as the smoke begins to turn black. “This doesn’t bode well for the critters in the woods.”

“What should we do?” I look around frantically, but Grandpa takes my arm and holds me still.

“We’re too far away to be of any help. I’m sure by now the people bordering the woods are doing what they can.”

News about the forest fire spreads quickly. Part of the Tulgey Wood has been consumed, luckily mostly rocky terrain filled with caves and sand traps, although nobody knows exactly what caused it. Unfortunately, it had also been home to a clan of driders who are now rendered homeless. “It’s so sad,” I murmur as I read the paper. “Where will they go?”

“Who knows?” my mother sighs. “Let’s just hope they don’t start coming out of the wood and start crawling all over us.”

“Mama!” I exclaim.

“We don’t want them getting our cows, do we?” my dad asks. “They’ll wrap them up and suck out their organs.”

I furrow my brows at them both. “You don’t honestly think that’s what they’ll do, right?” My parents go suspiciously silent, and I sigh heavily, deciding to leave the argument at that for now. No reason to antagonize them them until I am forced to marry Mr. Porgie. I shudder to think.

Our farm extends pretty far, and the field we let our cows graze in is one of the biggest plots of land in the kingdom. The property bordering it used to belong to an old aristocratic family, the Ganders, who has since not only lost their wealth but also their posterity, their bloodline thinned by their insistence on noble marriages. The property and land has remained empty for years, and we bought much of it to increase fields, so our fence is very close to their old estate. I avoided it as a child, assuming it was haunted. The house is so big and extravagant, or used to be before it fell into disrepair. I suppose no one has bought it because it would cost too much to renovate. Also, I suspect not many people want to live next door to a cow pasture.

But one day we receive word that someone has bought the entire Gander estate. It's all anyone can talk about. Who would purchase such a place? Who needs a building the size of a small kingdom? I’m very curious myself, and I hate to admit that I walk the calves as an excuse to take a look. I take the calves out often, and love to watch them play while I enjoy lunch or a snack. They follow me everywhere. I lead them along the fence closest to the Gander estate, and sit, letting the calves have their fun while I try to spot any activity in the house.

Near the house grows a massive Tuffet tree, whose roots push up from the ground to make perfect little seats. It sits directly in the middle of Muffet Farm and Gander Estate, so technically we co-own a tree. I perch on a root, eating my lunch as I wait to see the mysterious owners of the new estate.

I feel a tap on my shoulder, but when I turn, I don’t see anyone. I think perhaps it’s a trick of the mind, until I feel a tap on the top of my head. “Excuse me,” a voice whispers from the limbs of the Tuffet tree. “Are you a member of the Muffet clan?”

I look up into a cluster of eyes. I drop my food onto the ground and nearly fall off my seat, then trip over myself as I stand, watching as the drider descends from the limbs of the tree. He’s much bigger than I expected, at least the size of one of our cows, with a round, bulbous abdomen, striped black, yellow and orange. His human torso has similar markings, lean, slightly fuzzy, and masculine in appearance, and yellow stripes adorn his arms. He has long orange hair swept to one side, exposing a pointed ear.

“Forgive me. I did not mean to frighten you.” The drider sweeps his arm down his front. “My name is Kerekes, and I am to be your new neighbor.”

I gulp down my heart as it pounds in my throat, and I attempt to stand again without my knees knocking. “I’m Quinn Muffet,” I quaver.

Kerekes’ eyes widen, all eight of them. He has two in the expected places, two above them, and two each adorning his temples. They’re black, with an iridescent shimmer. His features are very angular, with a harshly pointed jaw, and mandibles sit on either side of his mouth.

“It’s an honor to meet you, Ms. Muffet. Perhaps you can help me set up a meeting with your family? My clan and I are moving into this estate, and we would like to be on good terms with our new neighbors.”

I gasp. “Oh! You’re from the Tulgey Wood!”

Kerekes tilts his head to the side. “I am afraid so,” he sighs dismally. “Our home was burnt, and it will be long before we can rebuild and live there again. So we gathered our resources and moved here.”

I’m still uncertain whether to be terrified or excited by Kerekes’ sudden appearance.I’ve never seen a drider in person before, so it is all new to me. I try to smile shyly, but the expression comes off awkward and contorted from uncertainty.

“I would like to meet with your family, as I know it could cause some unrest if we do not introduce ourselves. We want our stay to be as cordial as possible.” Kerekes extends his hand, motioning at the house.

I nod. “Of course!” I am almost breathless. “But I’m afraid my parents already have a bias against driders. They fear you will eat our cows.”

“That is why I wish to speak to them. We are not the sort to take what isn’t ours, and we will not hunt the livestock of our neighbors. All we ask is a place to call home.” He sounds heartbroken as he says this. “Most of my clan is frightened as it is. Most have never set foot out of the Tulgey Wood before, so this place is new and disorienting to them. We mean no harm. In fact, we would love to work with you and buy your products. The children have been so excited to see the cows up close.”

I look up at the Gander house. “Children?”

Kerekes stares up longingly to the house, tears gathering in his eyes. “There are more children in the house than adults, because of the fire.”

A chill grips my heart. “I thought the reports said that the fire wasn’t...” I stop when I see tears run down his cheeks. “I am so sorry. I would love to help, but my parents will need convincing. My grandfather will understand, I hope.”

Kerekes wipes his cheek. “Perhaps if you and your grandfather could meet us first, it will help convince the rest of your family that we mean no harm.”

“My grandfather would love that. He likes anything the size of a cow,” I try to jest, then clear my throat as the nerves return. “Is there anything you and your clan need?”

“Understanding,” he sighs. “After that, we shall see.” He extends his hand to me. His fingers and palm are extremely long, and the joints in his fingers are very pronounced. “If you and your grandfather can make it, I invite you over this evening to meet with me and my clan.”

I take hold of his hand. His fingertips prickle, but his palm is velvety. “I will try.”

“Thank you, Ms. Muffet,” he says softly. “I truly hope to be friends with you and your entire family.”

I go home and talk to Grandpa Horner about my meeting with Kerekes and the invitation he extended. Grandpa gets a look on his face, serious but intrigued. “Your mother won’t take to this,” he grumbles. “Your father, maybe, but your mother is more stubborn than him.”

“That’s why he offered to meet with us first,” I say. “So we can sway their opinion.”

“I would like to meet them,” Grandpa says thoughtfully. “And if they are going to be our neighbors, we at least need to try and be peaceful.”

That evening, Grandpa and I excuse ourselves to meet the driders at the Gander estate. At the front doors I can see a lot of repairs need to be made, but I also see bracing swathes of spider silk wrapped around the columns. The doors open, and Kerekes stands there. He puts his arm across his waist and bows. “I am glad you two could make it.”

Grandpa chuckles and nods. “Thank you for inviting us. I must say, I’m quite surprised. Never met a drider before.” He holds out his hand. “Horner Muffet.”

Kerekes shakes. “A pleasure to meet you, Mr. Muffet. Please come inside, and excuse the mess.”

“I’m used to barns and cows. Nothing seems messy to me anymore,” Grandpa laughs.

Kerekes turns and looks at me with a smile. “And thank you, Ms. Muffet.” He takes my hand and opens his mandibles, kissing my hand with the lips behind them. “I greatly appreciate this.”

My heart is fluttering, hammering really. I smile up shyly at him, suppressing the awkward giggle building inside me. “No need to thank me. It’s what neighbors should do.”

Grandpa whistles as he looks around. On the ceiling and floor there are driders removing fixtures and statues. They fill in the crevices with their silk, and already the ceiling is almost white from the patches. “You fellas doing the repair work all on your own?” Grandpa asks.

Kerekes stands beside Grandpa and looks around. “We don’t have much choice. Most of our resources went into buying the property. We are doing what we can to make the home habitable until we can find a way to build up our income again.”

“Was there much left in the house when you moved in?” Grandpa Horner asks.

Kerekes nods. “All the furnishings, and some clothes still hanging in closets. We’ve found hidden stashes of jewelry as well.”

“Then why not sell what you don’t need?” I suggest. “Maybe that’s something Grandpa and I could help you with.”

A nearby drider scowls at us as he passes. “Trust you with our resources?” he growls.

Kerekes holds up his hand to the drider. “These are our neighbors, and we are trying to establish trust,” he says warningly before turning to us. “But he is right. I do not know your intentions. How could we trust you not to take advantage of our need?”

“I own the most successful dairy farm in three kingdoms,” Grandpa laughs. “If I stole a coin from you, you could take a cow for each one.”

“Exactly, so why help us at all?” the other drider snaps. “Those who have more often want more.”

Kerekes gives the drider a look before turning his attention back to us. “We live simply, and do not ask for much. But our homes and lives are in peril, so you must understand why we are hesitant to trust you.”

“Here’s the way I see it, son,” Grandpa starts. “I’ll buy from you directly. I’ll offer the best price I can. Everything I buy I will go to my granddaughter here, and she will keep it or give it away. After all, she does have a future to think about.”

Kerekes looks down at me. “And you can guarantee you won’t sell it at a profit?”

“I told you - a cow for every coin stolen,” Grandpa laughs.

Kerekes continues to stare at me. His eyes are unnerving, but they are beautiful all the same. “I promise, I want to help you,” I tell him.

Kerekes looks away and down at my grandfather. “Then let’s finish this tour and discuss this further.” He holds his hand out to me again. “Come along.”

I take his hand and he leads us to the dining room, where many driders are gathered around the fireplace. “Right now, this is where we are sleeping. The other rooms are very cold, and we can’t afford lumber.” Kerekes pulls out a seat for me. “The children are still too afraid to sleep on their own. The fire was quite traumatizing for them.”

I look around in shock. There are adult driders scattered about, but also dozens of small children ranging from youths to babies. “Sorry to hear about that,” Grandpa sighs as he takes a seat. “I lost both my parents at a young age as well.”

Kerekes kneels beside me. “Our clan works as a unit, and we all take turns caring for the children. But still we have lost so many due to the fires. Our losses cannot be measured.”

“Is there anything the children need?” I ask out. “Books? Blankets?”

“Right now they need a home, and while we are working day and night to provide that, it will take time for them to feel safe in this strange new land. Right now, Ms. Muffet, they take great pleasure in watching your cows. They find them comforting.”

“You’re the cow lady!”

I jump in surprise as a voice comes from under the table, and look down to see a set of eyes blinking up at me. Kerekes reaches under the table, pulling out a small drider. “Do not frighten our company, little one.” He holds the child in his arms tenderly.

“Sorry,” she says softly.

“Go and play,” Kerekes coos to her. “Our talk is far too boring for the likes of you.” He kisses her cheek and sets her upon the table.

“But she’s the cow lady!” the girl whispers to him.

Kerekes tickles her sides. “I will introduce the cow lady later. For now, I am afraid I am talking about a boring business, my little one.” She giggles and pushes against his hands, holding onto them as he lifts her onto his back. “Forgive me, this is my niece. She’s been very attached to me since we left the Tulgey Wood.”

“Nothing to forgive,” Grandpa Horner replies. “I like seeing a close family.”

“We are all close here, which is what makes this so important,” Kerekes replies. “We want to live peacefully, Mr. Muffet, and I hope you can understand the underlying fear we have.”

“People are not kind,” Grandpa sighs heavily. “I know that fear, Mr. Kerekes.”

Grandpa and Kerekes talk business for a long while, and Grandpa offers a good sum of money for whatever the driders don’t want. As we leave for the night, I feel a tug at my skirt and look down to see Kerekes’ niece behind me. “Could you try bringing the cows closer to the fence?” she asks softly. “So we can see them better?”

Kerekes picks her off the floor. “Now, where did you come from?”

I smile at her. “I’ll try, if you’d like.”

“I would!” she exclaims.

“Then I will do my best to lead them to the fence tomorrow.” My heart pulses as I look to Kerekes, who has the sweetest smile on his face.

As Grandpa and I leave, he gives me a nudge. “I saw the way you looked at him. You're just like your uncle,” he teases.

“Uncle Jack?” I ask.

“He always preferred the company of anything other than a human,” he laughs.

“But how did I look at Kerekes?”

Grandpa Horner sighs. “Like you’re smitten. You almost had hearts in your eyes.”

I frown, but I can’t deny what he said is partially true. Kerekes is quite handsome, but I doubt he sees me the same way. “I just want to help him, that’s all.”

“Sure, darling,” Grandpa laughs. “I’m sure you do.”

The next day, as I take the calves out, I lead them to the fence again. I look up at the house as I sit down under the Tuffet tree, hoping the children are looking out to see the calves. I lean back against the tree and when I look up, Kerekes is in the branches. I jump up as he comes down. “I hope I didn’t scare you again,” he says.

“A little,” I laugh. “What are you doing here again?”

He lands beside me and smiles. “I wanted to talk to you again.”

My heart leaps and I smile awkwardly. “What about?”

His smile matches mine as he chuckles shyly. “Whatever comes up.” He offers his hand to me. “If you’d like, that is.”

I place my palm in his. “I’d like that very much.”