#You guys have no idea how fucking annoying it is that the only wolf hall post

[cinemaocd]

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1. 4,257 notes - Aug 6 2024

Totally obsessed with the concept of the Harris White House being paralyzed by Minnesota Goodbyes for four years...just Tim Walz...

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I honestly think the scenes of greatest intimacy in Austen are those moments of unspoken solidarity between people when they...

3. 651 notes - Jun 28 2024

Jack Rackham is my favorite character in Black Sails because Toby Schmitz is the only actor who realizes he is in a prequel for...

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Actively blocking people who are anti-voting at this point. You all are the tools of bots and the people wanting to take over...

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I don't support his anti-voting rhetoric, but Macklemore coming at Drake' neck like that, referencing the battle with Kendrick?...

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Broke: Pope Francis used a homophobic slur Woke: Pope Francis used a homophobic slur in colloquial Italian primarily used by gay...

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Can't stop thinking about the fact that George Miller wanted to have more of a love story for Jack and Furiosa but Tom Burke...

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Favorite Tim Walz quote: "I'm a football coach but that toxic masculinity is scary stuff."

10. 113 notes - Apr 8 2024

Created by TumblrTop10

[prettypinkpuddles]

Sally Face X Black Reader

♡︎𝙰/𝙽: 𝚒 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚝𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚠𝚊𝚝𝚌𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚊𝚗 𝚘𝚕𝚍 𝙼𝚊𝚛𝚔𝚒𝚙𝚕𝚒𝚎𝚛 𝚟𝚒𝚍𝚎𝚘 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝 𝚘𝚏 𝚖𝚎 𝚙𝚕𝚊𝚢𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚊𝚜 𝚂𝚊𝚕 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜 𝚑𝚒𝚜 𝚑𝚊𝚒𝚛 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜

♡︎𝙲𝚘𝚗𝚝𝚎𝚗𝚝𝚜: 𝙻𝚘𝚝𝚜 𝚘𝚏 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚝𝚊𝚕𝚔 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚕𝚘𝚛𝚎 𝚊𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚝 𝚛𝚎𝚊𝚕-𝚕𝚒𝚏𝚎 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎𝚜 𝚒𝚗𝚌𝚕𝚞𝚍𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝙵𝙽𝚊𝙵, 𝚊𝚗𝚍 𝚢𝚎𝚜 𝚒 𝚔𝚗𝚘𝚠 𝚂𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚢 𝙵𝚊𝚌𝚎 𝚒𝚜 𝚜𝚎𝚝 𝚒𝚗 𝟷𝟿𝟿𝟶’𝚜-𝟸𝟶𝟶𝟶’𝚜 𝚋𝚞𝚝 𝚒 𝚌𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍𝚗𝚝 𝚋𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛𝚎𝚍 𝚝𝚘 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝚘𝚏 𝚊𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚐𝚊𝚖𝚎 𝚘𝚔....

♡︎𝚃𝚠𝚒𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚛 𝚆𝚊𝚛𝚗𝚒𝚗𝚐: 𝚂𝚌𝚊𝚛 𝚝𝚊���𝚔, 𝚗𝚘𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐 𝚝𝚘𝚘 𝚐𝚛𝚊𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌, 𝚜𝚠𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚗𝚐

♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎♡︎

“Hey! Close the door!” You squeaked and hid yourself from the burning brightness emitted from the opened door. A small shadow slid through the opening of the door and quickly shut it, the word ‘sorry!’ repeated over and over.

Your eyes quickly readjusted to the darkness and you saw Sal, holding his school bag and a gameboy.

“Hey, Mask Boy.” You wiggles your toes at him and he hummed. “Was school tolerable?”

He shrugged, opening his bag and pulling out an orange car and setting it on the floor. You smiled and reached down to it, rubbing your thumb behind its ear.

“Hi Gizmo!” You grinned at the plump cat and he purred and pushed himself into your touch. Sal chuckled and sat next to his cat and leaned onto your knee. He began rambling about how his day at school was, how boring classes were, Travis, and a new oddity in the school he discovered. You listened to him curiously, albeit getting a bit agitated about Travis and his infuriating antics.

“I’ll come to school with you tomorrow….” You mumbled. “I know I don’t go much anymore, just having you and Larry give me my homework and letting you turn it in, but I’ll go with you guys tomorrow.”

Sal nodded, holding his excitement behind his mask and simply saying ‘ok’.

“You’re smiling under that mask aren’t you?” You teased and he didn’t say anything, just a noise of embarrassment. You giggled and ruffled his hair, continuing with your game.

“Did you get a new character?” Sal asked.

You sighed, “Unfornately no. They just gave me a stupid 4star claymore.”

“Hey! Claymores are badass!” Sal defended with a happy tone.

“That’s why I’d be a bow or pole arm user. Light weapons.”

You scoffed playfully, “Like you could even lift one! I bet they weight like 60 pounds!”

“Nah, catalyst needs no weight at all. Just waving your arms around with attacks.”

“Is that why you main Mona?” Sal smiled, watching as you used Zhongli’s burst to destroy a bunch of fatui.

“Hey! Mona is gorgeous.”

Sal took hold of his cat, stroking his tail. “She’s also very mysterious.”

“Which makes her even better! It’s written in the stars!” You grinned and Sal rolled his eyes.

“Ninguang’s better.”

You began quickly mashing your buttons, trying to defeat the stupid abyss lector in time so you could pass. Sal began chuckling at your rising frustration and when you started shouting for Razor’s burst to recharge, he lost it, bursting into a fit of laughter. You got really close to the TV and began shaking the controller, unleashing a purple wolf made of electro at the hydro abyss mage.

“C’mon! Just dieee!” You groaned and kept slashing the oversized fluff ball until it disintegrated into red ash. The timer stopped and it showed you with two stars. You raised the controller in the air and smiled, falling back onto Sal and cheering for yourself.

“You really hate abyss mages, huh?” He smiled at you and you pouted, raising a middle finger to the screen.

“Fuck you, fuck ya daughter, fuck ya grandmother, fuck ya dead great grandmother. Fuck you, and all ya kids. And your ugly ass motherfucking black ass son!” You jeered at the teasing enemies, a great distain for them in your heart. Sal crawled to sit between your legs and watch you blow through the spiral abyss. He urged you to use your bursts at times and would cheer for you softly whenever you managed to gain three stars. He undid his pigtails and pulled his fingers through them, even using it’s length to try and distract you.

You played for hours, co-opting with Sal and Larry to fight bosses, help Larry with his trash character builds and unlock all the waypoints in his world.

☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾

You looked at the school’s name hanging above it’s entrance with annoying and a twinge of fear. You didn’t even realize how long you were there until a hand intertwined itself with your left one. You looked at Sal, a smile coming to your face and you walked inside. You waved to Maple and Chug, seeing them at Maple’s locker with a a notebook and a pencil. You didn’t bother to stop at your locker, deciding to carry your bag with you throughout the day.

“Hey Y/N!”

You looked to Ashley who was putting lipgloss on in her locker mirror. She turned to you and waved to you, walking up to you and Sal. You smiled at her and the three of you walked to your first classes.

When you sat down, you heard your teacher make a hum towards you. You looked up at him and he lifted his chin.

“I was wondering when you’d return, Y/N.” He croaked, his neck turning to look at the door. “I figured you’d drop out.”

A few giggles came out from the corners of the class. You felt an arm on your side, telling you to let it go but you tilted your head with a shit-eating grin, “And I thought you’d be fired, yet we’re both here so..”

Your teacher narrowed his eyes at you, which only made your grin grow with satisfaction. He began teaching, mostly boring stuff about biology. The only problem was it was so boring you felt like sleeping, until a buzz on your waist kept you awake. You pulled up your phone and read a text from Larry, asking you to bring the ‘stuff’ from your locker. You replied with an ‘ok’ and continued to pretend to pay attention. Your imagination began to wander, thinking of how big Bowser must be. At least 9 feet, but that’d make Mario an Italian midget…. And peach would be like 5’7.

Lunch was okay, but you didn’t eat the school’s lunch, not after the bologna incident. You watched as Sal came up to you from his geometry class and sat beside you. Larry and Ashley joined you. Larry gave you a look and you pulled up a grocery bag to the table. Larry smiled wide and untied it, pulling out a container of Chinese food. Ashley gasped and asked how he got it.

“Don’t worry I got us all food.” He reassured and pulled out a box of tacos for Ashley and a container of sushi for Sal.

“Sorry, I didn’t realize you were going to school today.” Larry said.

“You’re good. I’ll steal you guys’ food.” You giggled and immediately snatched a taco from Ash. She made a face and it made you snort. You immediately covered your mouth of embarrassment, your friends laughing at the noise.

“It’s ok, it’s cute Y/N. I promise.” Sal looked at you with warm eyes and you nodded shyly, biting into your stolen taco. Larry handed you a piece of drenched chicken bite and you took it, biting into it.

“Yknow, we should actually go out for lunch. It’d be more fun.” Ashley beamed.

“Yeah but I don’t wanna hear a teachers mouth about us leaving….” You rolled your eyes at the thought.

“What’re they gonna do? Tell us we can’t eat?” Larry laughed at his words and Sal shrugged.

“This isn’t too bad of an idea… putting stuff in one of your lockers.” He said and you nodded, wrapping your arm around him and pulling him to whisper in his ear.

“On your birthday, I’ll leave some applesauce and pizza for you in my locker. Your favorite brand and shop, ok?”

Sal nodded eagerly, his pigtail bouncing with happiness. The four of you looked around to see some kids leaving for next class and you decided to do the same.

“Hey, shithead!”

Sal sighed at the aggressive voice and turned to see Travis, an aggravated scowl on his face. You rolled your eyes at the dumb bully and started to pull Sal to your next class.

“What the hell do you want Travis?” He said, rather annoyed at these interactions with the boy.

“You think because your bitch is here you can act all hard in front of her?!” He shouted, which made you a little pissed. “Yeah, I’m talking to you, what?”

“Travis, you aren’t even worth my time.” You declared and turned away from him. A set of heavy footsteps came rushing towards you and Sal, a hand shoving you to the ground and a few thuds landed in your eardrums. You saw yourself on the tiles, and Sal on his knees holding his mask. You stood up and stomped toward Travis. He had a nonchalant look on his face, asking you what you were gonna do, that you wouldn’t dare hurt him. You whipped your hand across his cheek, pushing him back into the lockers. You stared daggers at him as you helped Sal stand and walked him to another hall. As Travis tried to get to Sal once more, you stepped toward him and pushed him back again, a look of rage on your face was enough to tell him to stop.

You looked at Sal once you were around the corner, trying to see if he was ok, but he hid his face. His mask was clutched to his chest and his fingers did their best to cover his scarred skin. You peeled them off, telling him to let you look and he closed his eyes in fear that you’d be disgusted. You rubbed his jaw, blood forming on his bottom lip and a gross slit on it. You wiped it gently, fear of opening the gash or hurting your precious Sal. You eyed the bruised lip, decided to lean forward and give the blue haired boy a soft kiss. He looked at you with wide eyes as you smiled sweetly at him.

You put his mask back on mad began to go to your next class but he stopped you.

“Why’d you…. Why’d you do that?”

You patted his head. “That’s what couples do. We’re no different, Sal. C’mon.”

He nodded and the two of you quickly rushed to class.

☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾☾

You heard the door of your room open and turned to see Sal and Larry walk in. You nodded to them and they waved to you.

“Did you bring my food?” You asked and Larry put a bag of sweets on your dresser. You thanked him and Sal sat beside you as you clicked away at your mouse and keyboard. He watched as you looked at the cameras, flipped your bear mask on and winded up the music box.

“Hey… heyyyy, get back.” You ordered as you flashed the red fox. Then your fingers fumbled to pull the mask over your head and a broken down animatronic appeared in your office. You gasped held your breath, throwing the protective mask on, but to no avail. You died.

You groaned in frustration and reached for the box of sweetness, grabbing a soft cookie and biting into it.

“Why do you okay that game? It’s so scary..”

Larry mumbled. You smiled at his comment, saying the game wasn’t scary and that Larry was just a baby. He tried to defend himself, saying that the game was scary but when you started up the game and he saw the shiny new chicken move to another room, he shrieked.

You laughed as he proved your point and kept playing your game, trying to beat the night and advance. You listened to Sal and Larry go on about their school day and you laughed as you kept your focus on your game.

“Did Travis do anything today?” You asked and Sal shook his head. Larry gave you a look as you reached for another cookie, asking if something happened when you went to school. You shook your head and explained what happened with you and Sal.

“That little…..!” Larry fumbled his words from anger and you waved it off, telling him to calm down and to drop it.

“That blond turd won’t do anything. And if he does, I’ll kick his ass.” You declared. Sal smiled at your words, thanking you for your help earlier. You turned and smiled at him, “I’m your partner in crime. It’s part of my job description.” You turned back but saw a bright blue bunny with rosy cheeks jump for you, killing you. You groaned in frustration, hearing one of Larry’s screams of terror. Sal chuckled and apologized for distracting you.

“Alright you dumb animals…. Let’s see what you got.”

[sandbees]

Fallout

Warning: Mentions of blood, violence, and friends-to-enemies

This is my 500 follower special :) a word of warning, this is going to be very angsty, unlike my other works. So be warned!

=_=

Those four were always inseparable, everyone thought. Despite the chaos they brought, they brought smiles to everyone. You’d never find one without the others.

Which is why Trey and Riddle found it odd to see Ace walking into the kitchen alone.

“Ace?”, Trey had said, “Did the Track and Field club have a last minute meeting?”

“Eh? Why are you asking?”

“Oh, it’s because you usually come here with Deuce.”

At the mention of his friend’s name, Ace’s expression changed. He narrowed his eyes as he gave a frown.

“Why should I care if he has a club meeting to attend?”, the redhead scoffed, “What he does doesn’t matter to me anymore.”

Without any more words, Ace left the kitchen. Riddle and Trey give a glance to each other, though they say nothing. It was not unusual for the ADeuce duo to have small fights and act like the other doesn’t exist. They’d make up eventually.

=_=

“Grim?”

The cat in question gave a low growl, as he slid into Jack’s room. Grim smelled of sadness and fear, the wolf beastmen noted. That was certainly unusual, for the boisterous cat. That...made Jack worry.

“What? I just wanted to crash in here for the night.”, he said, curling up at Jack’s feet.

“I...see.”, Jack’s ear twitched, “How come you aren’t with Yuu?”

“I just didn’t want to see them.”, Grim said as his tail curled around his body.

Jack’s expression flickered to reflect worry, “Is that all?”

“...yes, that’s all.”, Grim stated quietly, before laying his head down, “Now be quiet, I’m trying to sleep.”

Jack stayed silent, pondering the sudden change in Grim’s behavior. Yuu wasn’t someone who would...act mean or lash out at people, especially not Grim. Jack worried that something bad had happened to Yuu or worse.

Though, rationally it was nothing more than a little spat they might have had, and Grim was being overdramatic (as usual). Maybe Jack was overthinking things.

=_=

Grim didn’t come with Jack to go to school. He had stated that he would go to class by himself. (Unusual; why would Grim willingly go to class?) But when Jack mentioned that Grim should meet up with Yuu, the cat became more insistent to go to class early.

Something was wrong, Jack could tell. Maybe last night’s worries weren’t nothing. He wanted to know more, which would be easy since he sees Yuu every day at Main Street with the rest.

Which is why he found it odd when only Epel and Sebek were present.

“Where’s the others? Shouldn’t they be here already?”, Jack asked as he approached the two.

“They should, but we haven’t seen them at all.”, Epel answered, frowning, “I expected Ace or Deuce to be late, but never Yuu. They’re always on time.”

“Maybe Grim kept Yuu back!”, Sebek said, “He must have wanted them to get tuna for him!”

“No, that isn’t possible.”, Jack shook his head, “Grim came over to Savannaclaw last night.”

“He...he what?!”, Sebek shouted, “Why would he stay with you?!”

“I don’t know, but judging by his actions and his scent...something must have happened between Yuu and Grim.”, Jack sighed.

“His scent?”, Epel repeated, “What does Grim’s scent have to do with anything?”

“Well, you see-“

“Hey guys!”

The three turn their heads to see Yuu smiling at them. But...there was this air around them that seemed anxious. They had been walking quickly, as if someone was following them.

“Oh, good morning Yuu.”, Sebek greeted, “How are you?”

“I’m doing well.”, Yuu said quickly, “By the way, can we go to class now? I was hoping to get to class early you see-“

“Shouldn’t we wait for Ace and Deuce?”, Jack interrupted, “They should be here soon.”

“We don’t have to worry about them.”, Yuu said in a strained voice, “Besides, I don’t think we want to see each other.”

This got the group’s attention. It was as clear as day that Yuu did not want to see Ace or Deuce. The question was: Why?

“...Does this have to do with Grim staying over at my dorm?”, Jack asked.

“...”

It was so quiet, you could hear a pin drop. Gradually, Yuu’s face fell into a look of annoyance.

“He stayed over at your dorm? Did he say anything?”

Jack flinched at the sudden coldness in their tone.

“No, he just slept for the night and left early.”

Yuu nodded, “Then...that’s fine. But, I don’t want to stick around and wait for the other two. You can, if you want. I won’t force you to.”

Jack narrowed his eyes. Something was definitely up. The four were usually glued to the hip, but seeing Yuu act so...indifferent about the other three gave a bad feeling in his gut. Sebek and Epel must have had the same idea.

“What happened yesterday?”, Epel asked, “What did the three do to get you so mad?”

“....I don’t want to talk about it.”, Yuu said, “Just- I don’t want to be friends with them anymore. I never will be.”

CRASH!

The noise was so sudden, that everyone jumped at it. It came from behind them, a large sound that sounded like food splattering.

Behind them, was Deuce and Cater. A trey of what was presumably backed goods smeared onto the ground.

“Oh shit.”, Epel whispered.

The look in Deuce’s eyes made Epel shrink away and closer to Sebek and Jack. It felt out of character of the bluenette - having such a murderous look on his face.

Yuu stood their ground, glaring at Deuce.

“How nice of you to join us.”, Yuu stated, “But I’m going to class.”

“Oh, fuck off.”, Deuce snarled.

Cater, poor guy, visibly moved away from Deuce, shock written on his features.

“Whatever you say.”, Yuu waved their arm half-heartedly as they walked away.

Deuce growled, before he walked in the opposite way of Yuu...before he turned around and passed the group, because he was actually going in the wrong direction of the school.

The group were left in complete shock and confusion. Yeah, something was up. Seeing the two act so hostile towards each other in mere seconds of seeing the other raised a lot of flags.

“Uhm, Diamond-Senpai, right?”, Jack recalled, “What was that about?”

“Ah, if I knew the full story, I would’ve done something about it.”, Cater snapped out of his thoughts, “Deuce-Chan just came up to me and Trey yesterday and asked to help him make an apology cake. We happily agreed and I went with him to deliver it. I didn’t know it was for Yuu...I honestly thought it was for Ace.”

“Eh? Is Deuce mad at Ace too?”, Epel asked.

“I would assume so, Ace seemed particularly annoyed when he came back to our dorm yesterday.”

“Hm, this seems like a mystery that’s waiting to be solved...”

“I guess we have to go ask them individually to figure out what happened.”, Sebek said, “School is almost in session, so the best time is to ask during class.”

“Right.”

=_=

Cater was worried. About Deuce, Ace, Grim, and Yuu. It was evident that something happened yesterday, that caused them to be hostile with each other. He’s noticed how they refuse to be in the same room of each other outside of class - how uncomfortable the other three of their group had looked when the rest of their group was divided.

He sighed, as the last bell rang. Cater knew he’d have to bring it up with Riddle and Trey. Maybe they could intervene with Ace and Deuce.

As he turned the corner, he noticed a rather big crowd next to the Heartslybul mirror. Unconsciously, Cater took out his phone, ready to record whatever drama was happening.

Did he expect Deuce and Ace to be full on brawling on the floor? No, not at all.

He could only watch in silent shock as he recorded the whole fight. He should intervene, as their senior. Make sure they don’t get seriously harmed and get Riddle and Trey-

Deuce grabs Ace’s head and smashes it against the floor. A sickening crack echoes as Ace screams. Cater almost drops his phone.

Oh god, there’s blood dripping onto the floor, he has to-

“WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!”

Riddle storms into view, red in the face. The crowd of students part way for him to pass by. Trey is next to his side.

“Trappola? Spade?”, Riddle looked at the two first years, “What on Earth were you thinking?! Fighting in the corridors, I-“

Riddle fell silent. He must have noticed the blood leaking from Ace’s head.

Cater pushed past some of the students, going to meet with the two Heartslybul dorm leaders.

“I’ll take Ace to the infirmary.”, he offered, “I don’t know much but...I did get some recordings.”

He inwardly cringed at saying that. Seriously, what was he thinking?! He shouldn’t have recorded the fight and stood by.

Riddle slumped his shoulders, “Please do, Cater. Trey, please take Deuce to my office.”

The redhead turned to the body of students, “The rest of you - back to your dorms! This “fight” is over!”

Cater hoisted Ace over his shoulders. Ace groaned, looking very much out of it. Deuce scowled, though he passively followed Trey to the Heartslybul mirror.

Cater hesitated, even as the students began to leave the scene.

This was so uncharacteristic of the two of them. Since when did Deuce throw punches to the point of causing someone to bleed? Did Ace escalate some teasing to a full on brawl (no, Ace can annoy someone, but he would never poke a bee’s nest intentionally)

As Cater dragged Ace down the halls, he wondered if the fight was a climax of something much more bigger - something that started with Yuu denouncing their friendship between Deuce and Ace.

[spookysmujer]

Amor Prohibido, O. Diaz

Summary: Oscar Diaz use to get a kick out of making fun about you back in high school, but what is he like all these years later and after serving time in prison?

warnings: teasing, teenager!Spooky, cute s h e t 😚

word count: 1.5K

anonymously requested!

A/N: Me and @youare-mysonshine​ always bounce ideas off each other about teenage Oscar so getting this request made me do a little happy dance. Thank you for requesting, anon! I am loving all the requests I am getting! Please consider: following my blog, heart/comment/reblog my content as well as turning on the notifs for when I post new content!

(Gif belongs to @leelakoiwolff​ 💫)

There are many things in your life that you want to forget and one of them is high school. You weren’t a lone wolf or some kind of loser, not at all. But to a certain to someone you were a easy target to mess around with, the one and only, Oscar “Spooky” Diaz.

Whenever he got the chance to make fun of you, he did. And by some sick twist of fate, you had majority of your class with him during senior year. It’s like it fueled him, the teasing. As you jog pass Freeridge high as a part of your daily exercise, the memories flood you.

It’s finals week and all you can think of is finishing these exams so you can stop the constant stressing and excessive studying. As you swap out textbooks for your AP Chemistry class in your locker, you hear someone clear their throat from behind you, though it’s no question to who it is.

Without even turning to look, “To what do I own the pleasure this time?”

“Just wondering how the weather is down there? I know it’s sunny up here, but what about down there, hm?” Oscar leans against the lockers besides you and give you his famous smirk. 

You roll your eyes and give your best fake smile, turning your head you look at him, “Do you ever think of anything new to say or are the four brain cells up there all juiced out from the coke you snort in the bathroom during study hall?”

Oscar stares at you and pushes himself off the locker, walking away without another word. You look over shoulder and see him exit the school. A scoff comes out of your mouth as you roll your eyes. It’s a cat and mouse game with him, most of the time he is the one chasing but there are a few occasions where you get to be the mighty feline.

When your fit bit vibrates to alert you that you’ve reached you goal, you come to an abrupt stop. Hunching over with your hands on your knees trying to catch your breath. A few students walk past you, laughing away and in a heavy conversation about the homecoming dance.

You start to walk back to your place, remembering the night of your homecoming dance, senior year.

“Wow, it wears dresses. I wasn’t sure that you knew how to be a full functioning girl. I mean, considering no one’s tapped that yet, sad really.” Oscar’s voice sounds from beside you as sat at your designated table to take a break from dancing.

He pulls a chair out and flips it around so his chest is leaning against the back rest. You look over and nearly spit out your drink, “What the hell happened to you? Oh are you... oh no, are you sick? Are you dying? Jesus really is coming back.”

Oscar laughs and runs his hand over his now shaved head. He looks completely different than he did yesterday in AP Bio. You continue to sip on your punch, he reaches over and pours what smells like vodka into your cup from a metal flask. “What the fuck, seriously?” 

“What? Maybe it’ll loosen you up. Always got a fuckin’ stick up your ass. Ay, maybe then someone will wanna blow your back out tonight, I mean trust me we ain’t got much standards. Not a single fuck given about your new straight hair you went and spent all that money you don’t got.” He ruffles with you hair, you swat his hand away and he laughs, getting up to leave. “Could never be me though.”

Once you get on your street you mentally damn yourself for thinking of those days. It use to take a lot out of you to stand up to Oscar. Those days far behind you for a reason. You make your way up the driveway and stop in your trek, it couldn’t be. 

The shiny exterior of cherry red shines back at you. You’re staring at it making sure it’s not your mind playing tricks on you. Oscar’s car is parked in your driveway. Right?

“As I live and breath. Sup, Y/N.” Your thoughts are disturbed as you hear his voice sound, he stands on your porch, leaning aside the post. He looks the same but a little different as well. Sporting some ink on his face and neck. 

You look around and hope when you turn back it’ll be just a hallucination or something. But as God permits, there he is. His physique definitely changed, his biceps bulging a lot more than the last time you saw him.

“Uh, hey, Oscar.” He smiles and licks his lips, stepping down and walking to stand in front of you. Well one things for sure, he still towers over you. He looks down at you and chuckles, taking his hand ontop your head and measuring it to his chest.

A snicker erupts from him as you push him back, trying to hide your smile, “Still the fucking same I see. Shame, all these years and you still haven’t grown up. Where’ve you been anyways?”

“Corcoran. Got out this morning.” He tells you as he walks over to his car to lean against. You wait it out a few secods before he nods his head for you to join him.

“Shoulda known you’d end up in Prison. Kill someone?”

He shoves his hands in his pockets and shrugs, “Drug possession, but ain’t no surprise I was slinging then. I got this while I was inside, ran the whole operation.”

“Yeah, well a part of me isn’t surprised you ended up there and the other part is surprised.” He looks over at you with a quirked eyebrow, “You’re smart, Diaz. You think people didn’t know but we all knew. Just no one questioned you since you hung around the gang, then you joined it. Or how is it? Jumped in?”

He nods his head in agreement with a smirk on his face, you study him for a moment before moving your gaze to in front of you when he looks at you, “Sad you didn’t take the college route. Could’ve been a head chef at some fancy restaurant I bet. My little brother would hang with Cesar. He’d tell me that you’d make such a bomb grilled cheese that he’d refuse anything I’d make. Said you really had knack for being in the kitchen.”

It felt strange to be sitting and talking to Oscar like normal people would. He would tease you any chance he got til the end of summer when you up and left for college in Arizona. Suppose prison truly does change people.

“Yeah, well at the time college wasn’t going to take care of my brother so sacrifices had to be made. Just how life goes.” He sniffs and pulls a cigarette from behind hid ear. You snatch it from him and break it with you heel. “You may have survived prison, but I promise you this will kill you, dummy.”

Oscar wouldn’t normally stand for people acting that way with him.

“What? Not gonna call me names and remind me I’m the most unattractive girl ever?” You turn to him and he turns his body towards yours. He peers down to your lips and brings his hand up to your chin.

You’re confused with what’s happening right now. Oscar not retorting with a comeback and nearly pressed against you, “Never said you unattractive once in my life. Actually thought the opposite since 7th grade.”

“What? You thought I was attractive since we were 13 years old?” Oscar nods and drops his hand from your face.You scoff and step back, walking a few feet away from him. 

He clears his throat, feeling like everything is caving in. He digs for his keys from his pockets. The sounds catches your attention and you turn back, “Wait. I’m just trying to process it all. If you thought I was cute or something, why didn’t you ever tell me? All you would do is tease me and always annoy me.”

Oscar stops fiddling with his keys and steps closer to you, cocking his head to the side, a smile cracking from his serious face, “You never heard that when a guy likes you he is mean to you?”

You roll your eyes and smack his head, “For someone who is smart, that was really stupid to think. I mean.. I would say mean things to you too and you kept comin-... oh. Ooooh, I see it now. Fuck, uh.” 

He sees your calming up with the realization, “Let me take you out.”

“Oh, okay. Um, what are you doing tonight?” You ask him, feeling your heart racing.

“Got some shit to handle tonight, but I’m free right now.” 

Before you can say anything, he dips down and pulls you over his shoulder, you squeal and protest for him to put you down. He only laughs carrying you into your place. 

So by some weird twist of fate, high school wasn’t the worst after all.

[thelittleboyfromloveactually]

Innocent hug

Dylan O’Brien x reader

Warnings: mentions of rape, sexual assault, cussing, mentions of smut, Dylan being sweet (this can be possibly triggering!!!!!!) angst

Promt: when Dylan finds you crying after an uncomfortable interview, the two of you find your selves admitting things you never thought you would say again (y’all i just, I don’t even know, I can’t write freaking descriptions hahaha)

Word count: 2712

Disclaimer: so basically the interview is for maze runner, just pretend that you play another character in the movie that was like Thomas’ best friend and newts love interest (also y’all pls send some requests)

Not my gif! Credits to @dyobrien! <3

“Hi I’m Dylan O’Brien!” Started Dylan trying to control himself from his laughter, before the cameras had begun rolling Dylan had cracked a joke that he was still trying to recover from.

“I’m Y/N Y/L/N” you said smiling

“I’m Thomas brodie sangster” Thomas said giving the camera a small wave

“And we’re the cast of maze runner” you said still smiling, also trying to control your laughter

“Or at least some of it” Dylan added on making everyone lose it again. Dylan practically fell out of his chair, Thomas giggled and you just kept laughing. Dylan had a habit of making you laugh, it was one of the many things you loved about him. You and Dylan had been best friends since you met on the set of teen wolf. You were a guest star who was quickly killed off. You and Dylan hit it off immediately, you two just got each other. You had the same sense of humor, same interests, and generally you two just felt normal around each other. The two of you stayed connected even after you left the show. Then you were lucky enough to land another part with Dylan in maze runner. Dylan played Thomas, and you played Y/C/N, Thomas’ best friend and Newts love interest. You had become extremely close with the cast, they were like your family. Since the release of the scorch trials you and Dylan had become quite the hit. Though you weren’t together in the movie, everyone shipped it. Two years after scorch trials, you and Dylan were in another movie together! American assassin, Dylan played Mitch Rapp and you of course played Y/C/N, Mitch’s love interest. Everyone wanted you two together, and it was not secret, the two of you were constantly teased on set for “flirting”.

You were doing this interview for the release of your latest movie, Maze Runner: The Death Cure. You were very sad that this series was coming to an end, you were definitely gonna miss it, everyone was.

“So my first question is for all of you actually, out of the three of you, who is the funniest?” The interview met asked

“Dylan and Y/N are both quite hilarious, especially when they are together, they are always cracking jokes and laughing” Thomas said looking at you and Dylan

“We do have fun” you agreed “honestly though I think we are all pretty funny, but Dylan I would say wins this one” you said looking to your right at Dylan

“What can I say? I’m a true born comedian” said Dylan

The questions continued, Dylan and Thomas were asked a lot about work and their new projects, whereas you seemed to be getting the clothes questions, the personal life questions. Things like, “where do you recommend buying clothes?” “How was your trip to Italy” “what are you wearing today”. Sadly that was fairly normal.

“Alright Y/N your up again, now the buzzing question everywhere right now is, are you single?” The interviewer asked

“Yes I am single” you smiled even though you were generally annoyed inside “Im that girl at the family reunions who gets introduced to the 3rd cousins, and who always gets told by the grandmas, “see honey this is why you are still single”” you said

Next to you Dylan weesed and began laughing hysterically. Thomas again just giggled his sweet laugh.

“Well do they know the men you work with? I mean your standards must be pretty high huh?” The interviewer pushed

“Yes yes I guess they are” you said, Dylan laughed next to you

“Why aren’t you with any of them Y/N?” He asked

Your eyebrows knitted together at this question, was he really asking this?

“Well blondie over here” you said gesturing to Thomas “is taken as you know, and taken by one of the nicest people I know, so”

“Well what about you Dylan, I mean the media definitely wants you two together, you two are like Tom hanks and Meg Ryan, and hey if I were you I would totally hit that” he said to Dylan

You froze at this, wtf was this guy doing? Dylan’s eyebrows shot up and his jaw clenched, and Thomas glared at the interviewer.

“Really man?” Dylan asked, you adjusted yourself in your seat, moving your arms to cover your body, you suddenly felt exposed and uncomfortable.

“I was just kidding with you guys” the interviewer said laughing it off

“Wasn't very funny” Dylan said

“Sorry man, didn’t mean any harm” he said putting his hands up in defense

You were shaking, you had a past. A past no one knew about, a past that would be easily triggered by a comment like that.

“Maybe think before you speak next time” Thomas added

“Ya, not cool man” Dylan said

The tension in the room was deadly. But still the interview continued on with only two questions left.

After the interview everyone was checking to make sure you were ok, Dylan kept saying that he’d beat his ass and Thomas just repeated that he is a dick. On the way back to the hotel you were all staying at, the consern eventually died down. Thomas and Dylan were planning on meeting up with ki Hong and kaya at a bar somewhere. They asked if you wanted to join but you kindly refused saying that you needed some me time. They were hesitant at first but then gave in and left you in your hotel room. Once the door closed you ran to the bathroom, looking at yourself in the gold rimmed mirror. Then suddenly you were crying.

“No!” You yelled at yourself “don’t cry, stop it Y/N!” You told yourself, but the tears just kept flowing and they wouldn’t stop.

Dylan’s POV

I swear I was gonna murder that man, who the fuck makes comments like that? I knew Y/N, I knew how this was going to go. I could talk she was shaken up and uncomfortable, but she would never admit that. She never let people in, she claimed she didn’t want to bother anyone with her personal problems. Leaving her alone in her hotel room felt wrong, I knew she wasn’t okay. I could see it in her face. As we walked away from her door, down to the lobby I felt the sudden urge to go back. To run back to her and take her in my arms, stroke her hair and tell her it was ok. Then I decided that that was exactly what I was going to do.

“Hey man I think imma go back, you know how she is, I don’t think she should be alone” I told Thomas, he looked back at me with understanding eyes

“Ofcourse mate” he said nodding, “I think that is a brilliant idea”

“Tell kaya and ki Hong I’m sorry I missed them” I said already waking back to Y/Ns room

“Will do!” He responded

Then I burst out into a run, running back down the hall and to the elevator. I clicked the 6th floor and the second the doors opened I was out, running to Y/Ns door.

Once I got there I took the liberty of unlocking it with the extra key she had given me. She said it was only for emergencies, but I thought I could make an exception. I walked quietly into the hotel room, I opened my mouth to yell for her but then shut it again. I heard muffled cry’s coming from the bedroom. Shit, I hope she’s watching some random soap opera, I hope that’s not her crying.

“Hey Y/N?” I said opening the door to the bedroom

Your POV

When you heard Dylan say your name you quickly sprang into action. Because you were still in the bathroom he wouldn’t be able to see u for at least a few more seconds. You wiped your eyes and tired to put yourself together before walking out to greet him.

“Hey Dylan” you said smiling, keeping up your act

Dylan studied you, he saw your smile, but he also saw your red rimmed eyes and your fidgeting hands, he heard the slight crack in your voice and the tiredness in it as well.

“Are you alright?” He asked stepping slowly toward you

“Ya ya I’m fine! What are you doing here?” You said, way to quickly

Dylan looked at you with sad eyes, it broke him to know that you were hiding from him. “I was worried, I wanted to make sure you were ok”

“We’ll hate to break it to ya, but um you came back for nothing, I am totally fine, faaaaaantastic!” you said smiling at him even more

“You can talk to me” he said stepping closer to you again

“There is nothing to talk about” you said

“Y/N, I know you, I know what you are doing, your not ok, and your hiding it, your shutting me out again”

“Dylan you need to calm down! I. Am. Fine!” You said, he was right though, and you both knew it “you should really go have fun!”

“Y/N-“ he started before being cut off again

“I insist Dylan, please, don’t worry about me, ok?” You said smiling sweetly

“That’s a lot easier said than done” he said looking down, then an idea came to him, it was horrible and he knew you would hate him, but he needed you to let him in “but if that’s what you want, then I’ll leave” he said

“Yes! Go have a good time!” You’d aid practically pushing him out of the bedroom

“See ya later!” You said closing the bedroom door behind him

Dylan walking over to the front door, opened it, and then closed it, still standing in your hotel room. Meanwhile you were listening to hear him leave, and when the door shut you began crying again. Then suddenly strong arms were tapped around your body, pulling you in close. You jumped.

“Hey hey, it’s just me” Dylan said stroking your hair

“But-but you left” you said looking up at him confused

“I didn’t, I’m sorry angel but I needed you to be honest with me” he said looking at you in your eyes. His heart breaking into a million pieces, he hated seeing you like this.

“I-I’m so sorry” you said beginning to cry even harder

“Don’t be sorry angel, it’s ok I’m here” he said hushing you and continuing to stroke you hair. He held you in his arms and never let you go. He held you as you cried, though he was also breaking inside.

After what seemed like forever, your tears ran out and you began to calm down. Dylan still holding you close.

“You wanna talk about it?” He asked sweetly

“Not really” you said sniffling

“You know I will go back and kill That guy if you want me too right?” He said pulling away from you so he could see your face

You didn’t look at him in the eyes, though his tried to find yours

“No it’s ok, really. That guy was a Douche bag, it’s not his fault I have shit” because you had just been crying and weren’t thinking strait, those words just slipped through your mouth. Dylan’s eyes widened and he moved your chin to that you had to face him.

“What kind of shit?” He asked

“Nothing” you said

He widened his eyes saying “really?”

You nodded in response to his action.

“Come on Y/N I’m here, please just talk to me” he pleaded

You stood up and out of Dylan’s grasp. “Listen Dylan, there is a lot you don’t know about me, and it’s all for good reason, ok? I recommend leaving it alone” you said

“I have left it alone for long enough Y/N!” He said standing up as well

“Whatever Dylan” you said waving away his statement

“No! Do not shut me out!” He said walking over to you again grabbing you hands, you could tell he was getting mad, but when he grabbed you it scared you

“No stop! Please! I’m sorry!” You pleaded, Dylan let go of your hands. His heart broke. He looked at you with concerned eyes.

“I’m sorry” he said, he noticed you were shaking, he was so confused, your reaction wasn’t normal. “Please just talk to me, please?”

You sighed and sat down on the bed, putting your face in your hands. Dylan sighed, giving up he began walking away when suddenly you began talking.

“I was 20, it was the first week of my sophomore year of college, my best friend at the time was bugging me about going to some frat party for back to school, the guys she liked had asked her to come and bring a friend. I told her I had to study but she didn’t believe me because it was the first week of school. I wasn’t a party person but I gave in. We got there, and she was drunkenly talking to the guy. I only had one drink, that the guy, his name was Brandon gave me. I started to feel sick and I went to go lie down. I was not thinking strait and when Brandon offered to help me I accepted, he carried me to the bedroom and put me down on the bed. By that time I was confused but barely conscious. He um…” you hesitated, Dylan stared at u in disbelief “he rapped me, he fucking rapped me. I tried to tell my friend but she just accused me of being jealous and not happy for her, saying Brandon would never do that. She never spoke to me again. Then a year later my boyfriend, who I had only been dating for a month or so wanted to ya know do it and I told him I wasn’t ready, I lied telling him I was a virgin. He was fine with it and he said he would wait. He asked again a month later and I still said no, this time he was more angry. We fought and I told him what happened and he called me a slut. We didn’t technically break up but we didn’t really speak. I felt bad so one time I decided to surprise him in his dorm. He was there with another girl. He cheated on me. I never told anyone else about what Brandon did to me. Not my parents, not my friends, not the police.” You finished in tears again

Dylan’s heart was in a million pieces, his best friend was raped and he didn’t know about it. Ofc it was a few years before you met him but he still kicked himself for not protecting you. He loved you! He loved you so damn much. He walked and he wrapped you up in his arms.

“It’s okay angel” he spoke softly so he would scare you. He let his emotions take hold of him, he no longer had control of what he said, “I love you so much and I will never ever leave you or hurt you, I will always protect you.” He told you

You looked up, he just said that he loved you, “what?” You asked

Dylan then realized what he had said “oh um ha” he said scratching the back of his head, screw it he thought. “Ya I love you Y/N, I have loved you for a long time, and and I feel bad telling you now, I don’t wanna take advantage of you but I do. I love you and-“ he was cut off by your lips on his. They were soft, moved as if they were meant for each other.

“I love you too” you said as you smiled

Dylan let out a breath of relief and kissed you again. When Dylan met you, you were nervous about your new job next to big actors, Dylan hugged you trying to comfort you. You never forgot that hug.

You layed in his arms, and for once in a long time you felt light, happy, and safe. And it was all because of one innocent hug.

[hargrove-mayfields]

Day five of Horror on Cherry Lane Challenge! Today’s prompt was monsters!

Little brat’s been in the school ten minutes after the bell.

After they both broke curfew, Max staying out late trick-or-treating and going to one of her little friends’ house to trade candy, and Billy crashing at the lingering party until he was sober enough to come home and not get his ass kicked, they were supposed to be straight home today. Used up all their free time for the week apparently.

Max knew that this morning, he already told her to forget about the damn AV club. If he had to cancel on whatever chick he was going to take out (was it Carol? No, Carol is Tommy’s girl. Fuck he doesn’t know anybody yet) Max had to give her shit up to.

He gets bored of waiting for the little twerp and tosses his cigarette to the ground, marching in there his damn self.

Only time he’s ever been in this building was to pick Max up from AV. His dad made him come all the way inside and give his assessment on the teacher. Asked (slapped him and demanded it) that he do so to check on Max. Just to be sure. Like he cares.

But it works out anyways that he knows the way now that Max has decided to disappear and it’s up to him to track her down. Only problem is he gets there, and the room is empty. Not even just that Max isn’t in there, there’s no damn kids or teacher or nothing. Just a knocked over lamp and some shit on the floor.

He ain’t trying to hunt her down, but he has to get her back home in like, the next half-hour, and she’s somewhere she ain’t supposed to be. The school isn’t very big, half the damn building is closed off for the school board to use, so there isn’t much ground to cover.

He’s not trying to get himself arrested either, so he makes quick work of the school, checking all the places Max might be. Still, he comes up empty, and he’s about to just give up and let whoever she was with keep her when he sees something scurrying across the floor out of the corner of his eye.

It’s not really any of his business whether or not the middle school is infested, but it catches his eye for the wrong reasons.

It’s a gnarly little thing, a cross between a frog and rat or some shit, but Billy’d recognize that thing anywhere. It’s a fucking monster, crawling around the halls of his sisters school.

Purely on instinct, he tracks the thing to where it cornered itself, taking advantage of the fact that it’s still small and growing into its demon teeth to stomp on the gross monster. He stops once he’s positive it’s dead and not just faking him out like they do sometimes, he’s not gross or something, but he nearly jumps out of his skin when behind him, Max shouts, “Billy!”

He turns, ignoring the pile of goop that was one of those things to face his, apparently, from the flush on her cheeks and the bitterness in her tone, “Jesus, shitbird. What is wrong with you?”

He’s hardly even got the question out before Max snaps at him, “Why would you kill it!”

“Do you even know what that thing is?” Billy raises eyebrows, no patience for Max telling him what to do, but she counters with something that surprises him, “It was Dustins, he discovered it, you jerk!”

“Yeah, no. These things’ve been around longer’n any of us have been alive. And I don't care who found it first. They’re fucking monsters.”

“How do you even know what he was? You killed him.”

“It. Not him. Don’t humanize them.” Billy hisses, warning Max, “And anyways, I seen some shit kid. Don’t ask. And don’t play around with anymore of these little fuckers. Give ‘im a day or two ‘n he’ll be the size of a gray wolf. Another month or so and he’s seven feet tall.”

“But what is he?” Max demands stubbornly.

Billy answers simply, “Something you don’t want anything to do with.”

By now, the rest of Max’s friends have followed the sound of her yelling to their little showdown, and it’s Dustin, the owner of this thing, that chimes in, “But wait, does that mean you know?”

“Know what?” Max huffs, but she gets ignored, Billy firing back at Dustin, “Do you?”

All four of the kids nod at once. Billy sighs deeply, “Jesus, how the fuck did a bunch of little kids get caught up in this bullshit?”

“How did you?” These kids aren’t very original coming back at him with his own questions like this.

Again Max interjects, being left out of the questioning just making her more confused. “Excuse me, but what exactly are we talking about?”

But again nobody acknowledges her, Billy busy answering the boys’ questions.

“Had a friend came from that lab. You know about that part too?” He clarifies, getting three attentive nods, and this time one disapproving scowl, as he explains, “Well the monsters followed ‘im. Through their portals and his head and shit, they were out in California too. That’s how I know I was right to kill that thing.”

There’s a moment of stunned silence before Mike insists, “I don’t believe you.”

“I don’t know, man. How else would he know about everything?” Lucas shrugs, exciting Dustin and promoting him to ask, “Do you think he knows about Eleven too?”

“I’m still here too you guys. What is going on?” Max interrupts, serving only as a reminder, Lucas turning the conversation back to Billy as he asks, “Why haven’t you told Max?”

Billy smugly tries their little deflecting shtick on them, “Could ask you the same. Why are you showing her the monsters if you ain’t gonna tell her jack about ‘em either? I was keeping her safe. You assholes were keeping her stupid.”

Max interjects, “Hey!”

“No, that’s not fair. We had to sign an NDA.” Dustin corrects, very matter of fact for a kid who doesn’t know what he’s talking about.

“Yeah, me too kid. It wasn’t any secret that number six escaped. I’ve had those assholes watchin’ over my shoulder for years and I didn’t even do anythin’.” Billy feels like he’s having a trauma competition with a bunch of middle schoolers, and he hates it. His tone is harsh as he demands, “Which brings us into, what the hell did you do to get caught up in all this?”

“None of your business.” Mike spits, but for the first time in the conversation, Will chimes in, “I got taken. By the demogorgon.”

“Okay. What’s that got to do with this, kid?”

“The demogorgon is what we called the big one. Before El killed it.” Lucas explains.

“Look, I don’t know who El is, but believe me when I tell you, you brats don’t know nothing. There ain’t just one of those, you know. Every last one of those annoying little fuckers like the one I just squished’ll turned into a ‘big one’.” They all look collectively defeated by that, maybe because he knows more than they do, or maybe just because they didn’t want to admit it was that bad.

But none look more ghastly than Will, who barely manages to inform them, “That’s bad. Last night, I heard them while we were trick-or-treating. They were everywhere.”

“Then we’re gonna have to do something.” Dustin declares determinedly, but Billy shuts it down right away, “No. Seriously, what the hell? All you sorry little punks are going right the fuck back home and pretending none of this never happened. If you don’t provoke ‘em, they’ll stop.”

“But they weren’t provoked when they took Will.” One of then argues, but Billys ignoring them now, turning back to a no less calm Max, “I don’t care. I ain’t doing this shit all over again. Come on, Maxine. Gotta leave your little friends to their baby ‘demogorgon’ and their world saving bullshit.”

Max scrunches her face up and argues, “Um, did you forget that I still have no idea what the hell is going on?!”

“Honestly, yeah.” Billy admits, “But s’better if you don’t ask questions. Now if you please, we gotta go.”

“No. You’re being a jerk.” Max crosses her arms and glares at him, a clear sign shes refusing to leave with him.

Billy just shrugs, “M’always a jerk. Thought you’d know that by now.”

“I do. And that’s exactly why I’m not listening to you. If my friends are going to do something, I want in on it.”

“Look what you little fuckers did.” Billy grumbles at the boys before trying to reason with his sister again, “Max. We only got fifteen minutes out of an almost half hour drive to get home. Come on.”

“This is so much bigger than that! I don’t care what your stupid dad says, I want to do something!” Her attitude gets on Billy’s nerves. That’s definitely deliberate if the spite gleaming in her cold eyes is any indication.

“You don’t even know what it is!”

“Then I deserve to find out!”

Billy sighs deeply, done doing this with a bunch of little kids in over their heads, “You know what, fine, but we’re stoppin’ at a payphone and you’re gonna be the one to tell my old man I’m takin’ you out for.. I don’t know, fucking ice cream or some shit. And if we get in trouble, I’m blaming you. Deal?”

Max smiles to herself at having gotten one over on him, “Deal. Where are we going though?”

“I dunno. Ask your nerds. S’their big fucking idea.” Billy grumbles, matching Max’s bitterness.

“We’ll have to call a meeting.”

“Will my basement work?”

“No offense, but I don’t think he’s getting past your mom.” Dustin nods towards Billy, the older boy rolling his eyes even though he’s not wrong, then offers, “My mom doesn’t like visitors. Maybe Will’s?”

“Yeah, Mrs. Byers will let anybody come over.”

“And she already knows what’s going on.”

They all nod again, and Billy rolls his eyes at them again while Lucas relays their decision to Max, “Alright, meet us at Will’s in an hour.”

“Why that long though? We’re all here right now.”

“Gives us time to cover our tracks, shitbird.” Billy hums in response to Max, stepping forward and asking, “What’s the damn address?”

This ‘meeting’ the twerps called was pretty much everyone in this hick town that knows the same dirty little secret as he does getting together in a tiny house and panicking. Billy and Max get fully interrogated like, a dozen times, once by the damned chief of police himself, all the while everyone is coming up with theories and plots and arguing. So much fucking arguing among this lot.

It gets to be too much pretty quickly, day five in this place and he’s already having to jump back into some of the worst things that ever happened to him. None of these people realize how big this is. Especially not the kids who just think it’s badass to fight monsters.

He leaves without telling anyone, or without anyone noticing among the chaos, to the back porch to light one up. There’re ashtrays all over the house he could use, but looming smoke in that cramped little kitchen wasn’t going to be any better than watching it curl upwards to the stars. So outside it was.

He leans against the wall, gaze fixing straight to what’s above him. He doesn’t notice the presence of another person until he hears them speak, startling slightly at the sound of a voice breaking the calm silence of a humid November night.

It’s Steve, sitting on a rusty and banged up glider at the opposite end on the porch, lit up just like he is. “So, uh. I guess you’re a part of this now?”

“I guess I am.”

Steve just nods and responds simply, effectively ending the conversation, “Right.”

But that’s not satisfying to Billy. He might appreciate peace more than what’s going on in that house, but he doesn’t like empty silence either. “What’re we all awkward like this for, Harrington? Spit out what you’re thinkin’.”

“I dunno, man.”

Billy frowns, prompting, “Come on. I know them gears are turnin’ over there. You've been quiet since we all got here.”

Steve looks away from him, but he does answer, “I dunno it’s just.. We’ve lost so much. People died because of this. People I knew. And I don’t like that anyone else is involved I guess.”

Billy scoffs, “Even me? You don’t even know me other than the asshole you met at the party last night.”

“So? What do you mean even you? I don’t want anyone anywhere near those fucking monsters. Could be my worst enemy and I’d still save them. I’d protect anyone from those things.” The haunted look behind his eyes, which seem so tired the longer Billy looks, tells Billy everything he needs to know.

He doesn’t mean to sound so soft when he asks, “What makes you so confident you can? Save ‘em I mean.”

“I fought a demogorgon myself. Well, not really by myself. Nancy and Jonathan were there. But I took a nail bat to its fucking face. Like hell I’d just let one of those things get anyone. Even you.” Steve

Billy flicks away his burnt out cigarette, sitting next to Steve on the old glider. “That’s real touching H, but I ain’t letting nobody sacrifice themselves for me. Need I remind you I’ve fought these assholes too.”

“But you told the kids you didn’t. Said it was all your friend.” Steve looks at him, sort of doubtful, but Billy blows off the remark, “No shit Sherlock. I ain’t airing all my business to any nosy brats like them.”

“I get that, but.. “ Hesitantly, he clarifies, “Is.. your friend, you know, even real?”

Billy must look at him like he grew a second head, “Shit, man, you think I’m one of those freaky experiments? No way. ‘Course he was real.”

“Oh. You said ‘was.’ Does that mean...” Steve’s voice trails off, sparing him hearing the words out loud.

“Don’t know. He got caught about two years back. Haven’t heard from him since. They might’a brought ‘im back here, they might’a killed him. I dunno.” Billy shrugs, picking at his nails while he talks so he doesn’t have to acknowledge Steve, or the fact that he’s even admitting this shit to him, “That’s why we’re here in Hawkins though. Susan’s got family over in Hope and a little ways up by Indie, so I suggested Hawkins. Just to come see where he came from. Get some closure I guess.”

“Guess he was really important to you then?” Steve smiles softly, but Billy only sighs through his nose, “You got no idea, Harrington.”

“Well, for what it’s worth, I’m sorry. I’m sure you’ll meet someone like him again.” He offers.

Somehow that sentiment immediately sets Billy on edge though, something about his tone implying that he knows, knows him and six were more than just friends, and Billy really doesn’t want to face that kind of monster tonight. He snaps, suddenly defensive, “What the hell’s that s’posed to mean?”

Steve’s face falls a little, evidently surprised by how upset Billy is, and he tries to fix it, “Oh I just thought that, the way you talked about him- and you look so sad when you do- that he was, you know, special to you.”

“So what? You gonna leave me to the monsters or some shit for that?” Billy growls, quickly warranting more defense from Steve, “What? No way. No I.. I get it, Billy. I do. More than you probably think I do.”

Billy half nods, his shoulders untensing as he slowly recognizes Steve’s genuinity. He mumbles eventually, working through what he needs to in his head to be comfortable talking openly with him again, “Didn’t expect to be getting relationship counseling too. That your assignment on the team, mister romance expert?”

“Shut up. You’ve never seen me swing a bat before.”

“Oh believe me, I cannot wait to.”

Steve’s smile returns, something Billy is personally glad for, though he might not be ready for that realization yet. He bumps their shoulders together, to hold Billy's attention and let him know he’s genuine, “Still, in all seriousness man, I hope you can find someone else like that for you. I know it’s not really easy pickings around here.”

This time, Billy’s tone is light, his features soft and vulnerable for the boy next to him, for the way he makes him feel less weighed down, less alone in this, “You got no idea, Harrington.”

[lavenderlucy]

Untitled 4x9 AU part 2

The plot bunny in my mind isn’t quiet finished yet. Here’s the second part to my very first piece Untitled 4x9 AU (I’m terrible at coming up with titles). This one has more angst than the last, but I will be making up for it with a third and final part coming soon. Thanks for reading!

Part 1 is here

Caroline was surprised to see a police car in Tyler’s driveway when she arrived early that morning. After spending a sleepless night battling her conflicting emotions about the night before she decided to check on Tyler before she made her way back to the cellar. She assumed he had already run from Mystic Falls after his plan to take down Klaus had failed, but she hadn’t heard anything from him since before Hayley snapped her neck in the Grille. She parked her car and got out just as the front door to the Lockwood manor opened to reveal two of her mother’s deputies leaving the house with grim expressions on their faces.

“Officer Sanders?” Caroline questioned one of them, “what’s going on?” She couldn’t help the nervousness seeping through her tone. Last night’s massacre must have already been discovered. She wondered how the Sheriff’s department was going to cover this one up. A few “animal attacks” were one thing, but 12 dead and dismembered hybrids on the Mayor’s lawn were another.

“I’m sorry, Caroline. This will be public by tomorrow, but I can’t discuss an active investigation. Tyler is inside. He can tell you.” Officer Sanders and the other deputy walked passed her and made their way to their car.

Caroline was surprised that Tyler was still in Mystic Falls. She walked through the door to the manor, worry clouding her mind. If Klaus found out Tyler was still in town there would be nothing stopping him from coming over here and killing him. She heard the sound of a sigh, Tyler’s, coming from the sitting room. As she walked down the main hall and turned to enter the room she smelled liquor and tears. She could feel the heavy feeling of grief all around her. She found Tyler sitting on a sofa with his head in one hand and a tumbler of what looked like scotch in the other.

“Tyler?” She questioned as she moved towards him. He looked wrecked. His eyes were bloodshot. His shoulders slumped. Caroline vaguely wondered if Carol was home. She made her distaste at seeing her son drink while he was technically still underage clear.

“Tyler?” She tried again. Finally he looked up at her. The broken look on his face gnawed at her heart.

“Care...” he tried to continue but a pained sob left his lips instead. Caroline flashed forward and stopped just a few inches from him.

“Tyler I’m so sorry. I tried to stop him, but I was too late. They were dead by the time I got there. I’m so so sorry.” Caroline finally felt the grief she had been putting off for the 12 hybrids. The reality of what Klaus had done was setting in. Tears threatened to spill over. For Tyler and his friends and for the friendship that had been tentatively building between her and Klaus. There’s no way she could feel anything for the man that slaughtered his own pack so willingly she thought to herself. A lie, her mind told her, but now was not the time to dwell on that.

“What are you- you don’t know, do you?” Tyler’s voice interrupted her thoughts and brought her back to the present.

“Don’t know what?” Caroline questioned. Dread suddenly filled her.

“After Klaus murdered the others he came here and he...” Tyler trailed off and a look a pure rage took over his features.

“What did he do, Tyler?” She asked afraid of the answer.

“He killed her!” Tyler shouted, standing suddenly making Caroline stumble a few steps backward. “He killed my mom to get back at me. That sick fucker came here and drowned her in the fountain.” He swallowed the remainder of his drink, the crystal tumbler still clutched in his hand.

Tyler was seething. He never had great control over the beast inside him and it was evident in the way his wolf pressed against his skin now. His eyes were gold and veins trailed from his eyes down to his cheek bones.

“What?” Any color that Caroline had in her pale features left her suddenly. She felt as though her knees would not continue to support her.

“HE KILLED HER!” Tyler screamed. The glass in his hand was suddenly shattering into pieces against the wall behind Caroline.

“I’m so sorry, Tyler. I had no idea. I tried to stop it, but Hayley got to me before I could. That bitch snapped my neck. I told you this whole thing was a bad idea. I’m so s-“ Caroline started but Tyler interrupted her before she could finish.

“Seriously, Care? You told me so? My mother and my pack are fucking dead and that’s your response?” Tyler took a step towards Caroline, his eyes still golden and enraged.

“That’s n-not what I m-meant,” Caroline stammered. “I’m so sorry, Tyler. That’s not what I meant.” Her foot was firmly in her mouth. Her tendency to say the wrong thing reared it’s ugly head.

Tears spilled down her cheeks now. She reached for Tyler to wrap him in a hug, but he stepped away from her. Caroline felt the sting of rejection.

“You should leave. I have things to handle with the police and my mother’s,” Tyler cleared his throat, “my lawyers.” His wolf receded from his face and he now looked like it was taking all of his strength just to remain standing.

“Tyler, you shouldn’t be alone. Why didn’t you call me last night? I’m here for you. Let me help,” Caroline pleaded. She stayed where she was even though all she wanted to do was wrap Tyler in her arms and comfort him. Even though their relationship had been slowly falling apart in the past few weeks, or months if she was being honest, she still cared for the boy in front of her. The boy who was now an orphan.

“Just go, Caroline. I don’t need you. I need to find Hay-.” He stopped talking and his jaw clicked shut. He looked like hadn’t meant to mention the girl that betrayed him and his friends, who had snapped his supposed girlfriend’s neck.

“Hayley? You need to find Hayley?” Caroline’s voice became louder and full of anger. “That backstabbing bitch sold you and your pack out to Klaus. I found out last night right before she snapped my neck and left me on the floor of the bathroom in the Grille. I was trying to stop her and save you all, Tyler. Klaus wouldn’t have had an advantage had she not run to him and told him the whole plan. Maybe he wouldn’t have killed them if we tired to reason with him. He probably felt cornered so he lashed out.” Caroline knew mentioning Klaus right now was a terrible idea, but Tyler had to realize that Hayley betrayed him.

“So now you’re defending Klaus?” Tyler’s anger returned in full force. “That’s really nice, Caroline. You’re defending the bastard that killed my pack and my mother not even a full day ago.” Tyler’s eyes started to bleed gold.

“I’m not defending him! Hayley betrayed you. This whole mess is her fault! I saw Klaus last night and-“ She wasn’t able to finish her sentence before Tyler flashed in front of her, his face just inches from hers.

“You saw him last night?” His voice was quiet and accusatory. Caroline could feel his anger radiating from his body.

“Yes. I was looking for you,” she began evenly, hoping to calm him down. “I was worried about you. I found him out in the cellar. We only talked for a couple of minutes and then he left.”

“Let me guess, you batted your eyes and he let you go,” Tyler sneered. “Typical Caroline, flirting with monsters to make herself feel better.” The look he was giving her was one of pure disgust.

“No! I mean yes, he left without hurting me, but I didn’t bat anything at him, Tyler, and I certainly didn’t flirt with him!” Caroline was becoming annoyed. Tyler was grieving, but that wasn’t an excuse to speak to her that way.

Tyler and Caroline were silent for several long moments. Their annoyance with each other hung between them. Caroline’s thoughts drifted to Klaus without her permission. He had let her go last night. He could have killed her in a second with no effort and he had let her live. He had been so gentle when he pressed his lips to her mouth and cheek, like he was scared she might break. It was hard for Caroline to reconcile the broken man last night with the man who murdered Tyler’s mother just minutes after nearly kissing her. Klaus was a monster, yes, but weren’t they all? Hadn’t they all killed to protect themselves or their loved ones? Hell, hadn’t they all killed for no reason at all other than they lost control? How many times did Tyler expect he could provoke Klaus before he lashed out?

“Tyler...” Caroline didn’t know what to say to him. She wiped her tears from her face with the back of her hand and took a breath to ground herself.

“Go, Caroline. Just go. Please.” Tyler looked like he was going break down. Caroline had barely taken a half step toward him when his eyes flashed yellow and his fangs emerged from his gums.

“GO!” He shouted.

Caroline knew in that moment that they were over. He would rather look for the bitch that had sold out his pack and almost gotten him killed instead of be in the same room as her. She knew it was selfish to think this way when his grief was still fresh, but she didn’t care. Her fear that he had been cheating on her didn’t seem so far fetched after all. Their show at the pageant just a short while ago didn’t seem so much like a ruse now. Tyler clearly had feelings for Hayley if he still wanted to find her after all of this. She met his eyes and tried to convey something, anything to make him see she wasn’t the bad guy here. His glare was still full of rage so she turned and flashed out of the house.

Once she was in her car Caroline felt anger rush through her. How dare Tyler choose the girl that betrayed him and his friends over her? How dare he accuse her of flirting with Klaus? How dare he dismiss her? Caroline needed an outlet for her anger. She knew she would get nowhere with Tyler today so her mind settled on Klaus. How dare Klaus make her care for him despite everything that he is and then murder his hybrids? How dare he give her jewelry and romantic drawings and then drown Tyler’s mother? Caroline’s anger quickly turned to rage and she sped out of Tyler’s driveway toward the Mikaelson mansion.

Her car was barely in park before she whipped open her door and stalked up to Klaus’s front door, her blonde curls bouncing with each step.

“Klaus!” She shouted while banging her fist on the door. After a minute with no answer she banged louder. “Come out here you unbelievable bastard!” She was about to start yelling louder when the door was suddenly ripped open and an enraged looking Klaus stood in the doorway, eyes flashing gold. The sleeves of his dark gray henley were pushed up to his elbows and Caroline could see small flecks of paint on his hands. Klaus opened his mouth to growl something at her, but Caroline beat him to it.

“How could you? How could you be such a monster?” She shouted, her hands shaking with rage, as she took a step up towards him.

Klaus’s eyes narrowed and he stepped out of the doorway to meet her on the top step of his porch.

“How could I?” He gritted out between clenched teeth. “How could I kill the mutts that Lockwood and his little friend unsired and turned against me? HOW COULD I?” He raised his voice louder until he was shouting at Caroline.

Caroline opened her mouth to speak again, but this time Klaus interrupted her.

“Or are you talking about his mother? She was a fighter you know. She fought until her very last second, desperate for air.” He taunted with a wicked smirk on his lips, eyes sharp. Caroline gasped, shocked at the way he spoke so casually about killing Carol.

“He took EVERYTHING from me,” Klaus spat. “It’s only fair I finally take something from him. You lot have been trying to kill me since I returned to this infernal town and now you’re shocked that I exacted my revenge. You called me a monster, love. This is what monsters do.”

“Carol was innocent! She didn’t deserve to be a part of your twisted game! God, I don’t know why I ever gave you even a second of my time. You’re clearly not worth it!” Caroline shouted back at him. Had she been in a more rational state of mind she would have been almost afraid to shout at the man who just murdered 13 people, but her heightened emotions clouded her judgement.

Klaus’s features turned darker and before Caroline could blink he pulled her across the threshold by her upper arms and slammed her against the wall of his lavish foyer, the plaster cracking around her. The breath left Caroline’s lungs and her eyes widened as she took in his golden eyes and double fangs. She realized how stupid she had been to come here and pick a fight with Klaus. She let out a pained cry as she felt her ribs and spine protest. She was pretty sure something was fractured at the very least. Klaus grip loosened infinitesimally until he saw tears form in her blue eyes, threatening to spill over her cheeks.

Klaus removed his hands from Caroline’s arms and took several steps back from her. Something that looked almost like regret for his rough treatment of her flashed across his face. Caroline slid slightly down the wall before she locked her knees and caught herself. There was no way she was going to give Klaus the satisfaction of seeing her fall.

A moment passed and Klaus slowly moved forward with a grace that only came with age until he was close enough to touch her. He slowly lifted his hands so he didn’t frighten her and once more gripped her upper arms. Instead of bruising his touch was soft yet firm. He helped Caroline to stand up straight and held her there while her bones fused themselves back together. A single tear escaped and made its way down her face. Before it could reach her jaw Klaus moved one hand to cradle the side her face and brushed the tear away with his thumb. Caroline moved her free arm and grasped Klaus’s wrist with hesitant fingers. She hadn’t meant to touch him, but her body acted on its own accord. She could feel his slow pulse and his warm skin beneath her fingers. She could smell the blood running through his veins. The two of them stood there unmoving and staring at each other for several long minutes. Regret clouded Klaus’s face. Caroline wondered how many times in his long life he’d ever been sorry for anything he’d done.

“Not many,” Klaus answered softly, “but I find myself making exceptions for you, Caroline.”

Caroline realized she’d spoken out loud and blushed slightly. Klaus moved his thumb over the light pink on her cheek, looking as though he was fascinated by the color. She knew she shouldn’t be so comfortable in Klaus’s embrace, especially after she had seen Tyler’s grief stricken face earlier. She shouldn’t be so comfortable with a murderer’s touch, but she couldn’t bring herself to move. Something in Klaus’s touch ignited something in her that she had never felt before. A feeling of completeness. A feeling that someone truly cared for her. A feeling that she was finally enough.

[coffee-n-bagels-comic-universe]

Major Updates to My Weird Idea (that includes my Nightside OCs)

Go check my previous post on this - HERE

This is mainly an update for @schizoauthoress , @the--blackdahlia , @spacelizardtrashboys , @enigmaticandunstable and @piratewithvigor and I personally think @nattinngrst might like this.

I went on a trip to the beach yesterday with my parents and my older brother (who I bored and annoyed with this idea and you'll see some of his influence in this here post)

Anything written in italics is meant to be taken as a joke as you read through this wall of text, sending good vibes as always, hope y'all are doing well.

The show is set in Canadian, Texas (real place: Wikipedia). I'm thinking of this show starting in the mid-to-late 90s (1996/1997).

I've managed to do several things with that weird sitcom idea, so, where to start, how about with the three potential titles:

1 - Neighbourhood Watch

2 - First Call

3 - First Round (Which my brother likes)

Here are some options for bar names, starting with the Cop bar:

1 - The Donut Hole

2 - The Roasted Hog (which my big bro suggested)

3 - The Sherriff's Outpost

And the Biker Bar:

1 - The Handlebar Inn

2 - The Steel Horse Saloon

3 - The Rebel Room

Next on the list of updates: Cast additions, character roles and (Finally after 2 days) Names for Everyone!!

I'll start with the Cop Bar's owner & staff:

Rosalina Asturias 'Rosa' (Played by Billie Martinez) an employee of the local cop bar. Didn't grow up in the town, moved here for work.

Violet Croft (Played by Eli Herne) an employee. Grew up in town, never left, has the hots for one of the guys in the local police.

Sunshine Crawford 'Sunny' (Played by Holly Di Antonio) an employee. Grew up in town, left for college and came back.

Roscoe Power 'Ross' (Played by Jimmy Hart) the loudmouth who owns the bar, grew up in town, used to be a car salesman.

Olesya Pavlovsky 'Olivia' (Played by Penelope Voronin) an employee who grew up in town and has immigrant parents, goes by 'Olivia' because she would rather you don't f*** up her actual name.

Winona Vance (Played by Sam Griffin Silver) an employee who moved here from New York, for unknown reasons, and doesn't really understand the small town, everyone knows everyone lifestyle.

Lavender Whittemore (Played by Victoria Lucifarian) an employee who grew up in England but moved to live in America, settled in Canadian, Texas due to her love of westerns.

Next: The Local Police Squad:

Sergeant Valentine Gautier 'Val' (Played by Bret Hart) recently promoted before the series begins but still on patrol duty, watches over his younger brother.

Corporal Buck Morris 'Buckshot' (Played by Davey Boy Smith) the gun loving corporal of the squad and the only one to have both 'work' and 'home' guns.

Captain Napoleon Cooper 'Crazy Cooper' / 'Captain Crazy' (Played by Jim Neidhart) the police captain, recently reassigned to Canadian, Texas as there were rumours abut him which interfered with his work in his previous location.

Officer Duke Gautier (Played by Owen Hart) the young, recently recruited brother of Sgt Gautier, often put on patrol alone to ensure less arguments, but always checked on by his brother.

Next: The Biker Bar's Staff:

Ozzy Rains (Played by Charles Wright) A biker and member of the staff who grew up just outside of town but loves his fellow staff members like family.

Brock Martel (Played by Henry Godwin) a biker and member of the staff who grew up on a local ranch and loves beer, football and the current Mayor's down-to-Earth style.

Vincent Gore 'Vinnie' (Played by Kane) the owner's son and a known fire loving 'freak' often protected by his surrogate family, the bar staff, Vinnie knows no better than 'ooh, cool looking fire' and must be restrained or have his hands swatted away to stop him burning himself trying to touch campfires.

Raven Knight (Played by Kirby Roussimoff) the only female staff member, but also the girl who does all the tough jobs when needed, has a side business of making and selling artwork, such as portraits to locals, has designed some of the bar staff's tattoos.

Harlow Gore (Played by Paul Bearer) the owner of the bar and a loving father to his son, took Murphy (Undertaker) under his wing when they first met and also treats him, and the rest of staff, like family.

Hunter King (Played by Phineas Godwin) Brock's cousin and a member of staff, taught Raven how to shoot a shotgun and his father owns a local tattoo parlour.

Sequoia Reed (Played by Rikishi) an employee and Frankie's (Yokozuna) cousin, also a surrogate cousin to Raven, having been best friends since childhood. Reed loves his job and his staff family and will defend both at any cost.

Lupe Zapatero (Played by Savio Vega) an employee at the bar and possibly the shortest member of staff, towered over by the tallest staff members but is not any less of a fighter because of his size, a former mechanic who loves nothing more than taking things apart and putting them back together while listening to metal / rock.

Murphy Graves (Played By The Undertaker) Manager of the biker bar and an excellent member of staff, has an outlaw rules vibe, as in he would say to the police "Your jurisdiction ends when you walk in my bar." Very protective of the staff, and the owner.

Frankie Wolf (Played by Yokozuna) the most relaxed and laid-back of the staff, Frankie would prefer to be in the kitchen making potential 'Culinary Masterpieces' as he would call them. Sequoia and Raven's (surrogate) cousin, views his staff mates as family.

Next: The Local Band (Named: Exoskeleton Samurai)/College Students

Quinn Thorn (Played by Jeff Hardy) the bassist to Ros' (Lita) vocals / lead Guitar and older brother Garth's (Matt) Drums, a face paint enthusiast and an English major in college who never seems to find time to study, but always has time to date somehow.

Roz Jerome (Played by Lita) the vocals and lead guitar for the band and an art major who actually studies, dating Garth (Matt) and met Quinn through him. Roz also studies Spanish and French.

Garth Thorn (Played by Matt Hardy) Quinn's older brother and the band's drummer, a major in psychology and a horror movie lover, Roz' boyfriend and almost totally devoted to her, even at the cost of his college work.

Next: The Local Townsfolk of Note:

Mayor Robert Sweet (Played by Jim Duggan) rarely seen, but apparently a good man with good ideas, helps out in volunteer projects and absolutely loves the town. Trying his hardest and people know this, and they love him. (did I meme correctly?)

Rusty Jarvis (Played by Mick Foley) the local hippie who has never left town, somehow managing to know both everything and nothing at the same town. (Very Dude Love with hints of Cactus Jack and Mankind) Does know how to fight when he needs to.

Redd Wayne (Played by 'Sycho' Sid Vicious/Justice) the local baseball/softball star, helps out at the local school/college teaching sports and likes Raven's artwork, he watches her draw when he can, runs the local little league & minor league baseball/softball games.

Earl Black (Played by Steve Austin) the most often seen regular at the biker bar, absolutely loves both the bar and the town, a hardworking guy who has befriended the entire staff (including Harlow and Vinnie) of the biker bar.

Lex Aston (Played by The Rock) a local struggling actor, teaching an acting class to pay the bills and an absolute ladies man, and for that reason he goes to the cop bar, to try and pick up one of the bartenders who works there, often favouring Rosa as she will jokingly flirt back.

Finally (for this section): The Degenerates and Their Benefactors:

Reign Yates (Played by Billy Gunn) Leon's (Road Dogg) best friend, often the getaway driver for the group and a scout for locations, often getting all the info on a place before telling Matty (H.H.H) and Dell (HBK). Often leaves town with Leon to get the heat off them. (and make out in secret)

Zelda Hooper (Played by Chyna) the only female degenerate but possibly the toughest, has a rap sheet as big as her arms, not to be trusted when around the other degenerates as she is usually the actual brains of the operation.

Matty Battle (Played by Hunter Hearst Helmsley) the co-leader of the degenerates, often protected by Zelda or Mark (Kevin Nash). does most of the talking but has the piss taken of him for his looks often by either other degenerates or locals who don't care for the degenerates.

Romeo Colombera (Played by Mike Rotundo/I.R.S) the right hand man of the mysterious benefactor, and often the lawyer for the degenerates as well as a taskmaster for them, telling them what the boss wants done and by what date.

Mark Rake (Played by Kevin Nash/Diesel) the tallest degenerate with a rap sheet as long as his leg, a former bouncer at a now closed nightclub, alongside best friend (and possibly boyfriend) Galo (Scott Hall) and now a bodyguard (when needed) for Matty and Dell (HBK, also boyfriends).

Leon Rose (Played by Road Dogg) best friend of Reign and a scout for the group alongside him. Has found every possible way to piss off other townsfolk and often in the most fights because of it, always on the police's radar for one thing or another and constantly leaving town because of it.

Galo Villalobos (Played by Scott Hall/Razor Ramon) the only (supposedly) Latino degenerate, raised in Canadian, Texas but his parents are from Cuba, Galo is a former nightclub bouncer (alongside Mark) Galo is known (for his ability to give minus fucks) as the most relaxed member of the group.

Dell Pain (Played by Shawn Michaels/HBK) the co-leader alongside Matty, a known flirt with people regardless of gender or sexuality, just to piss them off on some occasions. Dell grew up in town, knowing it like the back of his hand.

Giles Rennell (Played by Ted DiBiase) the mysterious benefactor of the group, bailing them out if needed, he stumbled across the group after seeing a police bulletin and decided to use them to cause enough chaos to guarantee a chance in the next mayoral election.

Zac Noel (Played by X-Pac) the shortest and youngest degenerate, Zac is often treated as the child of the group, being taught how to get away with crimes and trick the police into just letting him go by clerical error and tomfoolery.

Next on my list of updates: Season 1's episode list, episode titles, episode synopses, some spoilers, and the revolving door idea a bit further explained.

Series running order:

Biker bar episode

Cops on Patrol episode

Band/College Students episode

Cop bar episode (yes these are different)

Degenerates episode

(last episode of each season/series only) town meeting/town get-together (E.X: town hall meetings, the town getting together for a sports game or barbeque or restaurant opening)

1x01: Insert Coin to Start: The pilot episode of the series sees the local biker bar of Canadian, Texas installing two, brand new, arcade machines. After leaving for the night, the team finds the bar broken into and both machines missing with no evidence or possible suspects to the robbery. The team finds the machines relatively undamaged in an alleyway nearby. By the end of the episode there's still no suspects. B plot includes an argument between father and son, Harlow and Vincent which ends when Murphy gets involved.

1x02: Hot Pursuit: Newly instated chief of police Chief Cooper [Neidhart] makes changes to the patrol teams before tasking them with looking for any persons involved with (1x01)'s robbery and break-in, leading to a high speed chase later in the episode. B plot includes the squad coming to grips with the new, and much crazier, police chief.

1x03: Making Noise: Local band Exoskeleton Samurai [Team Extreme] are writing new music late at night while Roz [Lita] tries to study for a class the following day but, during a moment of quiet, they hear a break in a couple of doors down and attempt to see who it is. The group get a glimpse of Zac Noel [X-Pac] and Mark Rake [Nash] but not a full glimpse. Now aware of the local degenerates, the band try and forget about it and focus on their own lives until their apartment gets broken into when they're not there.

1x04: Donuts & Beer: The new cop bar opens on the other side of town, serving mainly (both savoury and sweet) bagels and donuts as well as beer (on tap and bottled), the fact it's slightly more risqué gets (both good and bad) attention on the place. Winona Vance [Sam] gets in a fight with Zac Noel [X-Pac] as she's locking up. Winona [Sam] being put in the hospital with a broken arm makes the rest of [Cop Bar]'s staff double down on getting justice for the near break-in.

1x05: Dirty Work: The first episode from the degenerates perspective. The degenerates are just causing general problems for the town without reason because it's fun' but it's quickly losing their interest as the heat on them rises. The end of the episode has Matty Battle [Triple H] receiving a call from 'Mister R' [DiBiase] offering him a deal.

1x06: Blue & Black: A brawl breaks out at [Biker Bar] following whispers that the people who broke in are in the building. The bikers who work at the bar threaten to hurt anyone who works for the rival bar if they try and mess with business while in the biker bar.

1x07: Captain Crazy: A rumour that the current captain was moved location and promoted to smooth over allegations that he may not be fully sane, Officer Duke Gautier [Owen] is determined to find the truth while Sergeant Valentine Gautier [Bret] and Corporal Buck Morris [Davey Boy] are determined to keep the peace and catch the local degenerates.

1x08: Broken Strings: following an argument with an ex girlfriend Quinn Thorn [Jeff] finds his guitar smashed and has to work odd jobs to buy another one (starting a potential series c plot). Garth Thorn [Matt] ends up in a fight with Galo Villalobos [Hall] which ends when Roz Jerome [Lita] smashes a table leg over the back of Galo's [Scott's] head, knocking him out and giving him over to the police.

1x09: Badges & Bottle Tops: Captain Cooper [Neidhart] stops by [cop bar] to talk with owner Roscoe Power [Jimmy Hart]. Meanwhile the Gautier boys [Owen & Bret] interrogate Galo Villalobos [Scott Hall] about what the degenerates are doing and why, getting no information about the mysterious benefactor over than he pays them a lot of money depending on what they do.

1x10: Paid off: The mysterious benefactor 'Mister R' [DiBiase] pays Galo's [Scott's] bail, getting him free for a while but side-lining him too. The benefactor remains hidden in shadow but Matty & Dell [Triple H & HBK] have a meeting with him to discuss money and the next job.

1x11: Written in Ink: the tattooed bikers on the staff encourage regular customer Earl Black [Austin] to get a skull tattoo on his back and even take him with them to the tattoo parlour they frequent, finding it to be burned to the ground with a 'freaks get lost' sign planted in the wreckage. Murphy Graves [Undertaker] dismisses the rumours that the arsonist is the fire fascinated Vincent Gore [Kane] and even gives him an alibi when the cops come looking for answers, putting blame on someone in town who knows about Vinnie's [Kane's] love of fire, which is nearly every person in town.

1x12: Sergeant Heartbreaker: Sergeant Gautier [Bret] is accused of flirting with the staff at [Cop bar] leading to a paid two day leave to get heat off of him while he's ordered to remain at home. Officer Gautier [Owen] and Corporal Morris [Davey Boy] are put on patrol together, leading to a high speed chase of Reign Yates, Leon Rose & Zelda Hooper [Gunn, Road Dogg & Chyna] after witnessing a mugging, assault and graffiti from the trio, the cops eventually lose them down a back road on private Giles Rennell's [DiBiase's] land they would need a warrant for.

1x13: Failing Grade: Quinn's [Jeff's] lack of sleep leads to him getting a fail on an test forcing him to do the semester again. Enraged by this Quinn [Jeff] considers leaving the school but is encouraged to continue following Garth [Matt] ending up in hospital following [1x12]'s assault and mugging on Garth & Roz [Matt & Lita].

1x14: Microphones & Megaphones: [cop bar]'s owner Roscoe Power [Jimmy Hart] installs a stage for local acts in the bar, leading to Violet Croft [Eli] performing later that episode (the closing of the episode into the credits) and the night before the first performance the bar is covered in graffiti, leading to a massive clean up effort from the staff and local volunteers (like Mick Foley & The Rock).

1x15: Trench Warfare: Romeo Colombera [IRS] the benefactor's [DiBiase's] right hand man and go-to lawyer gives the degenerates an list of jobs, run the police chief out of town by the end of the year, run the bikers out of town, and ensure that 'Mister R' [DiBiase] the benefactor wins the next mayoral election.

1x16: Fuelling Up: after closing up [biker bar] Raven Knight [Kirby] narrowly avoids being burned by her motorbike exploding in a ball of fire. Her boss, Harlow Gore [Bearer] tells her to take the week off, leading to her coming into the bar and sitting at the back of the bar, sketching the regular customers and having a long conversation with local sports star Redd Wayne [Sid].

1x17: Brothers in Arms: Together: the Gautier brothers [Bret & Owen] are put on patrol together leading to the arrest of Zelda, Matty & Dell [Chyna, Triple H & HBK] before the trio are bailed out, the brothers interrogate Dell Pain [HBK] (leading to a very 'basic instinct'-esque scene with Shawn in assless chaps and boxer briefs) who gives them no information on their behaviour and why they are doing the things they've done.

1x18: Night Time Fun: the band attends a college party, unknowingly with Zac Noel [X-Pac] also in attendance, leading to the trio being high and drunk and the Thorn brothers [Matt & Jeff] end up in a fight, almost being thrown out of college entirely for their actions the next morning.

1x19: Head or Hart: Violet Croft [Eli] and (officer) Duke Gautier [Owen] meet properly for the first time on a blind date, leading to them walking through the streets of Canadian, Texas at night. The date is quickly ended after Duke [Owen] spots Leon Rose [Road Dogg] spray painting [cop bar] and gives chase after handing Violet [Eli] his number.

1x20: Grunt Work: The degenerates have a group meeting about how to sabotage the town meeting, leading to Rennell [DiBiase] coming out of the shadows to lead the degenerates in a coordinated attack on the town hall. Leading to the degenerates waiting until the town meeting to begin the next day.

1x21: Town Meeting: Mayor Robert Sweet [Duggan] conducts a town meeting, leading to everyone airing their grievances with the degenerates recent spree of activity. At the end of the meeting, paint bombs hidden above the townsfolk go off all at once, covering everyone in bright, almost neon, green paint.

[backtobackbakubabe]

I am the Alpa Now part 1

Bakugo X Reader 

Words: 2808 

Reader is from America and somewhat of a delinquent with an alpha quirk that allows her to turn into a wolf as well as bond with dogs. She is sent to UA to straighten out her attitude. She ends up in a power struggle with none other than our favorite hot head. Words in Italics are words said telepathically 

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Don’t do the crime if you can't do the time... That was what my stubborn, hard ass, police chief father told me before shipping me off to some stupid school across the world.

What was my crime you may ask? I was my small towns vigilante for over a year. Sure I may have not respected law enforcement during that time, or public property for that matter, but I never took it too far. Or at least in my humble opinion I didn’t. But apparently the mayor and my father did not agree. The final straw was when I left mugger tied up in front of the police station with a note to the police asking them to do their fucking job. Sure that note may have been graffitied on the side of the building but I think I got my point across.

So that brings us to my time... which I will be spending as some school called UA in Japan. My dad knew one of the teachers there and they agreed it would be the best thing for me. Teach me some discipline and respect or whatever. So here I am on an airplane leaving the only world I’ve ever known behind. Sure Georgia wasn’t much but it was home.

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You wouldn't be totally alone though. Due to your Alpha quirk you were allowed to bring your wolf-dog Mercy. You yourself could turn into a wolf about the size of a small horse and as durable as a tank, and you could also establish your alpha dominance over other dogs and in some special cases you could bond with them and add them to your pack. So far you've only managed to add Mercy but it was an amazing bond you wouldn't trade for anything. The bond allowed you to telepathically communicate with him and the longer you were bonded the smarter he got. He was basically thinking full sentences now. He was also getting faster and stronger, it was like part of your quirk was rubbing off on him.  

You were anxious as hell knowing he was in a kennel in the cargo area of the plane. You knew he was okay though. You could feel his presence, but it did nothing for your nerves. You just wanted to land already and give him a big squishy hug.

Somehow you managed to fall asleep and when you woke up you were in a different country. You knew only a small amount of Japanese and you didn’t know anything about the culture... Here goes nothing.

You were picked up at the airport by a fancy looking SUV. The man driving didn’t look at all pleased with the fact that Mercy would be riding in the car with you.

“Why does this man stare at me?” Mercy made sure to stay in between me and the driver as my luggage was loaded into the car.

I gave him a quick scratch behind his ears to try and calm him down. “Easy Mercy. He’s nice. I just don’t think he wants you to shed all over his nice black leather seats”

Huffing he jumped into the backseat of the SUV, “It’s not like I have fleas…and I took a bath before we left!”

You giggled at your beta buddy and hopped in behind him, ignoring the confused look of the driver. He must think you’re crazy laughing at nothing. But then again you were used to that. You didn’t always remember to speak to Mercy telepathically and you had to admit you looked crazy having a one-sided conversation with a dog.

You marveled at the passing town through the window. You definitely were not in Georgia anymore.

When you arrived at the school it was already a little after midnight, but you were nowhere even close to being tired. The car pulled up to the front gate and you could see a few figures out there waiting for you. You were from the south and you were used to good ole southern hospitality, but you couldn’t believe they were up past midnight just to help you with your things.

The driver got out and started unloading your belongings from the trunk as you took a deep breath and opened up the google translator app on your phone. “Alright y/n you can do this. You’re a badass bitch who takes no shit from no body. You are smart, you strong, you can do anything…”

“Oi! You fucking done talking to yourself?”

Your head whipped up to see that a spikey haired blonde had opened the passenger door in the front and was staring at you. You sighed and returned your phone to your pocket, “Oh thank god you speak English!”

His red eyed narrowed, “Yeah unfortunately I have the highest scores in English so I’m the one stuck with you for however long it takes you to catch up.”

Mercy started to growl sensing this new guys hostility. I snapped my fingers, “Hey. Calm down! He’s a friend. He’s obviously an asshole but he’s our new friend.”

Mercy continued to growl low in his throat, “No. I am your friend. I don’t like him. He is not our friend.”

You snorted, “I can have more than one friend dumbass. Now chill the fuck out.”

The new guy was now glaring at you. His red eyes tried so hard to look mad, but you could see a hint of curiosity in there. “Oh great she fucking talks to dogs… Let’s go! The rest of the welcome wagon extras are ready to piss themselves they are so excited.” He started to walk away but he gave you one last glance, “And tell your mutt to stop fucking staring at me like I’m dinner.”

“WHO IS HE CALLING MUTT!”

You just laughed at your dog as you made your way out of the car and grabbed your backpack. Mercy followed and took his place at your heels. You walked up to the smiling group of students waiting at the front of the building that looked the most like dorms.

A green headed boy with a huge smile walked up and bowed, “Hello my name is Midoriya. Welcome to UA! This is Iida, our class rep, and of course you’ve already met your guide Bakugo.

You smirked so weird guy’s name was Bakugo, “Nice to meet all of you. My name is Y/n, and this here is my beta Mercy. He’s part of my pack and he’s very sweet unless you give him a reason not to be.”

“Tch.. yeah right. Dumbass dog growled at me.” Bakugo’s eyes narrowed.

Iida sighed, “Well Bakugo I’m sure you probably gave him a reason to then.”

Midoriya leaned over and picked up one of your bags that actually held all of Mercy’s things. “So Y/n, what did you mean when you said he was your beta?”

You took the bag from him and strapped it to Mercy. “He actually likes to carry his own bags. But yeah so back to your question. I’m the alpha which makes him the beta… and well… I guess it’s just easier to show you.”

Your eyes started to glow blue and then you shifted into your wolf form. You absolutely loved being in your wolf form. You always felt so powerful and free. Like you could do anything, like you had no limits or rules to follow. Your senses were naturally better than most peoples but in your wolf form they were heightened even more. At this moment in time you could hear the thudding heartbeats of the people before you. You could see the beads of sweat dripping down Midoriya’s forehead. You could smell what you could only describe as excitement coming from someone.

Bakugo was the only one who looked unimpressed, so you walked up to him. Your eyes being level with his. Your large electric blue eyes staring right into his scarlet ones. You took a step closer sniffing him and just when you could sense he couldn’t possibly be more annoyed.. you went and give him a nice big lick from chin to forehead.

“Ugh! That’s disgusting! What the fuck!” He was frantically whipping his face with the sleeve of his shirt and shooting daggers at you the whole time.

“Y/n why do you kiss the angry boy! I don’t like him!” Mercy huffed and shook his head.

You shifted back into your human form laughing the whole time. “I’m sorry but you should have seen your face. I just had to!” Your nose scrunched up at the smell of something really sweet. Almost sickeningly so. You sniffed until it led you to Bakugo’s palms. “What’s that smell?” You covered you nose to stop to awful smell from invading your nostrils and further.

Bakugo smirked as his hands crackled with mini explosions, “Well if were showing off our quirks the-.”

“Kachan stop! There will be plenty of time for that tomorrow… Sorry Y/n as you can see he has a short fuse.” Midoriya was rubbing the back of his neck now, “But he’s not so bad once you get to know him I promise.” He gestured to the dorms, “Shall we show you to your room?”

You nodded and attempted to pick up what was left of your bags. It wasn’t easy though and soon enough you were starting to drop stuff. You were about to stop to rearrange how you were carrying everything when Bakugo strolled up next to you and took two of your bags, “Shit did you have to bring everything you own?”

Before you could respond he was storming off ahead of you.

“Just give me the signal and I’ll bite him.” Mercy tight on your heels, taking in all the new surroundings. You knew he was fighting the urge to pee on every bush you passed. He may be smarter than most dogs, but he still had those territorial instincts.

“Mercy we got sent here because we apparently need to learn how to behave… I don’t think biting someone on our first day is a great idea…”

“He started it!”

You just chuckled as you followed your new friends into the building and down a few halls. First floor, very nice.  

Bakugo threw you bags down in front of a door and immediately stalked off to the room next door and slammed the door behind him. Great so he was your neighbor too….

Midoriya gave you a shy smile, “So usually the girls sleep on a different floor. But given the fact that your quirk means you have an animal we thought it would be smart to put you next to Koda. His quirk is talking to animals so he always has a few pets. So he’s your neighbor to the left. And ah .. Kachan is your guide for the next few weeks so it makes sense that you would be close to him so he’s your neighbor to the right. If this makes you uncomfortable though we can always find you a new room!”

You waived him off, “I’m fine! I don’t scare easy. Thanks for all the help! I can take it from here. I guess I’ll see you all in the morning?”

Iida bowed, “Yes. Bakugo should come collect you no later than 7 am to escort you to class. Your uniform should already be hanging in your closet. Good night.”

You gave a quick awkward bow, “g’night y’all”

You could hear Midoriya giggling about how you had actually said y’all as you closed the door. He seemed like a sweet guy, a little goofy maybe, but sweet. Bakugo on the other hand… You couldn’t wait to fuck with him. He just seemed so tense and you felt like you could quite literally make him explode.

Your room was pretty sparse save for a bed, nightstand, desk, and a lamp. You could work with this. A few posters and pictures from home. Maybe a cool rug… you were happy you didn’t have to share with anyone though. By nature you were a night owl. You preferred several small naps throughout the day then a whole nights sleep. You were always just so restless to sleep for too long.

You unpacked Mercy’s things first and gave him a quick snack. You put the bed he almost never used at the foot of your bed. You knew he would just end up in his usual spot curled up next to you. He didn’t have many toys but he did have lots of bones to chew on. He only had one single stuffed toy. It was an elephant that he had gotten when he was a puppy and he was a little protective of it. You threw the stuffed elephant on your new bed and sighed. The rest of your shit could wait until tomorrow.

Mercy hopped onto the bed and curled up around his elephant and yawned, “If we’re not going for a run tonight then I’m going to go to bed.”

You looked at your phone and saw it was a little past one in the morning. Bakugo would be here to “collect you” in less than six hours. Usually you’d try and scope the perimeter before sleeping anywhere but you figured this place was probably one of the most secure places you’ve ever been, and you also had no idea what kind of day you had in store tomorrow.

“Yeah bud, I think a good night sleep is probably best. I don’t know if we’ll get a chance to nap tomorrow.”

Mercy started to wine, “Noooooo I need my naps.”

Well no one said you can’t nap. You’re not the one who’s actually going to be in class.”

“Wait you’re taking me with you right? To class?”

You frowned and climbed into bed next to him, “Yeah I don’t know. They never got back to me on if you could go to class. They said you were welcome during training sessions though…”

Mercy wined again obviously stressed out, “That’s not fair! I want to learn too! I don’t want you to leave me! We just got here, what if something bad happens. Nooooooooo”

The end of his sentence resulted in a howl. Shit. “Mercy shut up! You’re going to get us in trouble. They’re going to kick us out if you start waking people up in the middle of the fucking night!”

But of course, he wasn’t listening. He just continued to howl, throwing a temper tantrum just like a toddler would.

You huffed in irritation and your eyes started to glow. You used your alpha voice, “I said Stop….”

His howl immediately stopped and his head bowed to show his submission, “I’m sorry…. I am a good boy. I’ll stop now.”

You gave his head a quick pat before pulling the blanket up to your chin. “It’s okay buddy. I know the first few days are going to be a little stressful.” You reached over and turned the lamp off. “See you in the morning. Try to get some sleep.”

You felt Mercy move his massive furry head to lay on your stomach, “Hey… please don’t be mad…. But I kind of need to pee.”

You rolled your eyes and threw off the blanket, “Of fucking course you do. You have the smallest fucking bladder for how big a dog you are.”

“Wolf”

“Whatever let’s just go.”

You opened your door just to be met with the angry glare of your neighbor, “Are you going to fucking talk to dog all night? These walls are thin!”

You stared at him for a minute before cracking a smile and patted his head, “Is it past someone’s bed time?”

Flustered Bakugo took a step closer, “Tch what? No? You and your stupid dog are just really fucking loud!”

“WOLF! I AM A WOLF!”

You nodded in acknowledgment to Mercy and returned you attention to Bakugo, “Wolf.”

He sneered, “Excuse me, what?”

You shrugged, “He’s a wolf. You called him a dog and he’s a wolf and I think you should apologize.”

His eyes bugged out of his head, “I’m not apologizing to a fucking DOG!”

Mercy started to growl so low it was almost a hum. You could tell he was nervous but also a little amused. “Tell him if he doesn’t get out of my way I will pee on him.”

You started laughing which pissed Bakugo off even more, “OI! What’s so funny!”

You thumped him on the nose, which is something you usually did when training dogs. Nothing hard just a light thump. “He said he needs to pee and you look an awful lot like a tree.”

“Ugh you disgusting excuse for a woman! No fucking manors!” He stomped off back to his room slamming his door for the second time that night.

[buttercup-of-kaer-morhen]

Hello yes I am Completely Anonymous ONCE AGAIN and I have a prompt for you! Temporary (perhaps potion or drug induced?) Amnesiac!Geralt being absolutely floored and delighted that Jaskier is his lover. Please and thank you.

Hey completely anon,

I may or may not have gone a little off script for this prompt and really wanted to write more for my dumb magical college AU. Hope you enjoy it anyway. May I present!

Magic and Exams: Amnesia

Main tags: college AU, it’s modern but with magic slapped in, Jaskier and Yenn are besties (Fight me), Lambert/Aiden kinda?, Non human Jaskier,  And they were roommates~, pure fluff, pre relationship, pining… Kinda, unbetaed, we die like Renfri

——

It was official! Fate was cruel and destiny hated him. Jaskier had been fine with how life had been going. Classes were good. Friends were great. And, you know, he had finally stepped into a tentative friendship territory with his hot roomie rather than that weird close relationship you develop with your roomie. Things were just grand!-- Ignore the fact that he had a monster crush on said roomie, not important!-- What was important was that Lambert, the ass, suddenly showed up on Jaskier’s free day-- a day he was dedicating to his reading and composing, bouncing around his hobbies as he pleased-- with a semi confused looking Geralt. The witcher had barged into the dorm room towing Geralt along as Aiden brought up the rear. Now, he was going to ignore this intrusion at first but Lamby seemed to have other ideas. He loudly proclaimed to the bewildered white wolf that this was his room and, oh look, his partner. “Go ham bro!” To which, Geralt’s gaze snapped to Jaskier and proceeded to silently stare at the musician in contemplation.

Jaskier, as one would imagine, was stunned as his brain tried to understand what was happening but the dickhead explained no further as he turned to leave. Having none of it, Jaskier quickly stumbled to his feet and bolted for the two retreating figures, almost tripping several times on the shit covering the floor-- he really needed to remember to clean one of these just as Geralt had nagged him to do days ago! He managed to get a hand on the other wolf before he fully got out the door. “Explain. Now.” He demanded, his voice warbling as his eyes darkened slightly. 

“Woah shrimp!Calm your tits, you’re starting to look a little red around the gills-- Seriously though, a little siren is beginning to show.” Lambert tried to make light of the situation-- fish puns again, really Lambert?-- even though his smile gained a touch of nervousness as Jaskier tightened his grip. He held back his claws for the moment but he was this close to having a truly marvelous freak out on the man if he didn’t start giving answers. 

“Calm down angelfish, Lambert’s just being a prick as per usual.” Aiden cut off anything Lambert was going to say. Lambert gasped in betrayal as he gave the third witcher a look that probably tried to convey how much he was wounded, he couldn’t really see though nor did he really care right now. “Situation is, we were having a class trip across campus, something monster related that our proff was gushing the fuck over and insisted we needed to see. Waaaay too excited over it if you ask me but while we were passing a class of freshies in an outdoor charms 101 class, this one chick starts going off at--” Aiden explained but really, it seemed more like he was slowly getting off topic as he spoke. 

“Kitty, Get. To. The. Point.” He insisted slowly punctuating each word, while frowning in annoyance.

“Rude. I am! Anyway, this girl gets into a row with this guy in her class and fires off some kind of spell which was deflected but hilariously it ricocheted right towards us.” That was not hilarious in anyway but rather terrifying but Jaskier refrained from pointing this out. “You know Geralt though, life loves to fuck with him, so he gets hit straight in the back with it and Poof! He can’t remember some shit now. We think he only remembers up to starting college but nothing after.” Aiden finally finishes with a proud smile at having riveted the musician with his tale of adventure but it diminishes slightly in the face of Jaskier’s baffled expression. The half-siren really was quite proud of it, it just conveyed the right amount of Are you fucking idiots or did you just lose your brain on the way over!?

Jaskier took a deep breath and calmed himself before flatly staring both in the eye, his fingers steepled in front of his mouth as he thought of how to respond. “And why, pray tell, did you bring my accidentally spelled roommate to me rather than sending him to infirm?” He asked, deceptively sweet with a razor’s edge to it. 

Lambert scoffed. “He was being fucking annoying--” His words were abruptly cut off by Aiden’s hand roughly smacking over his mouth. 

“What he means is…” Aiden growled, glaring at the wolf to make sure he kept his mouth shut, to which Lambert huffed and flipped him off but otherwise remained silent. “Geralt kept prodding us ‘bout going to see his partner and, well, you were like the only one we could think of since everyone else has someone and this idiot is single like you.” The man punctuated his simplistic logic with a small shrug. 

Jaskier took a deep breath through his nose. “Uh-huh… This is a terrible fucking idea--” Before he could finish what he wanted to say, Lambert suddenly yanked his self free of his grip and threw Aiden over his shoulder.

“Your problem now bard!” He called over his shoulder as he booked it down the hall, cackling like the bastard he was. 

“Oh nonononono! Get the fuck back here!” He called after fruitlessly. They were already long gone. 

Jaskier sighed as he turned and closed the door to their room. Geralt seemed to have ignored and blocked out the whole exchange. Whether out of courtesy for Jaskier privacy or in favor of refamiliarizing himself with their space, he’d never know nor did he really care. When he finally turned his gaze back onto Jaskier, he just stared while scowling intensely in thought. It was rather insulting if Jaskier was being frank. With a roll of the eyes, the musician realized he’d just have to roll with whatever the idiots told Geralt about their “relationship” but wanted to head off the coming disappointment from the witcher. Jaskier was obviously not what he had been expecting, especially since normally the man barely tolerated him much less ever tried to invite him out, but it would sting less if he were the one to address it rather than the larger man stating it. At least that’s what he told himself. “Ok, alright. I know I’m not what you were expecting and rather disappointing compared to some of your past dalliances but please, let’s just get you to infirm. Once you have  your head back on right, everything will make more sense about the whole us thing and we can just forget about this whole embarrass--”

“You’re so handsome…” Geralt’s awed words cut Jaskier’s rambling off at the knees and had him blinking in surprise. “Or cute. No, both… How do you manage to be both?!” Geralt’s marveling had Jaskier at a loss for words. The witcher had never once complimented him in all the time they had lived together. Barbed jabs? Yes. Playful teasing? Very Often. Statements of facts? Definitely. But actual full on compliments? Nope! No, never happened. Was this how he actually saw the musician or was this some hokey hocus pocus side effect?! Or the man was dying as they spoke and was out of his mind. Either way Jaskier snapped his mouth closed, no it had not been hanging open thank you very much, and tried to get his brain to work again. 

“Wai-What?” Smooth Jaskier. His flabbergasted tone and excessive blinking seemed to not queue in Geralt however. 

“Man, I really lucked out. How’d I get a catch like you to even look my way? Wish I could remember how…” The normally stoic individual whistled long and low as he gave Jaskier a once over. A once over! Like Jaskier was a hottie from a club-- or however Ren said it-- instead of some music nerd overloaded with college minors! Jaskier was so astonished and caught off guard that he bagan sputtering incoherently, much to the Witcher’s amusement apparently if the wolfish grin was anything to go by. He was shocked and scandalized! Delighted but absolutely shocked! He had never witnessed this side of his roommate. Instead of addressing whatever was happening here, Jaskier stumbled over to his phone on the bed and quickly dialed Yennefer. 

It rang twice before he heard the familiar click of her answering and began nearly shouting before she could give her usual passive aggressive hello. “Yenn! I need help--”

“Whoa, calm the fuck down Jask, what the hell happened?!” Her worried demands cut him off. It was rather heartwarming to know his best friend sounded ready to draw blood for him. He could coo and awe about that later though!

“I’m fine but Geralt got hit with some hoodoo amnesia magic but I think it’s really just killing him! He’s acting delusional Yenn! He called me cute-- Stop laughing! This is serious!” He attempted to explain what was going on but his witch cut him off with her hysterical laughing on the other end of the line. Rude, by the way. This was a very serious matter.

“Sorry Dandy, you just, whew, gave me the best pick me up, I could have asked for. You really got me.” Yenn attempted to speak after most of it calmed down but a few giggles still managed to slip out. 

“Yenn… I’m serious. He actually doesn--” He was cut off yet again. People really needed to cut that shit out. 

“Lemme guess, Lambert is somehow involved?” She questioned, finally taking him a little more seriously, and he could practically hear her eye roll at the mischief maker’s name. 

“Yes…” He confirmed slowly as his eye wandered to Geralt again as his panic died down slightly. The white haired man looked very confused as Jaskier tried to smile reassuringly but it probably came off as unsure at best. 

The larger man came closer and placed warm large hands on his biceps as he looked intently into Jaskier’s eyes. “I mean it… I’m sorry if I never told you, I guess I was a pretty shitty boyfriend if I never told you how wonderful and caring you seem to be.” The other man apologized, as he looked away in shame. The words had the musician’s heart going wild as Yenn continued to talk in his ear. He really couldn’t hear her over his heart beating in his ears but it sounded like a demand to get Geralt to the infirmary. 

To which Jaskier answered, “That’s nice dear. I think I have to go to infirm now because I believe my heart is about to give out.” His voice was sighed out in shock as he hung up on Yenn’s sudden worried screeching.  Geralt on the other hand suddenly looked panicked and rather worried. 

“What?” He questioned as he started to look over his “boyfriend”. “Don’t worry Jask, I’ll get you there. Just hang on.” Geralt tried to reassure him, his voice was handsome with how rough and rumbling it suddenly was, as he scooped the smaller man up into his arms like a bride. No, Jaskier did not swoon he’ll have you know! The wolf then booked it out of the room. “Damn it! I wish Roach were here…” He muttered in a growl and Jaskier thanked the heavens that the man did not remember his horse-- cat? Was in their room sleeping. There would be plenty of rumors after this but it especially would have gone down in infamy if the Witcher had rode like the wind across campus on horseback again. Jaskier couldn’t do much at that point except lay back, accept his fate, and enjoy the other’s cooing, about taking care of his boyfriend or how good Jaskier was, while it lasted. But hey, at least he’d finally get Geralt to infirm.

[falcor-thee-luck-dragon]

What a Time to be Alive - Diego Hargreeves x reader

Chapter 9- 743

Summary: Having reunited with Diego once again. You, Diego, Allison, and Klaus do your best to save Vanya from starting doomsday.

Tagged: @white-wolf-buckaroo @2cuteforyourlies @la-vie-en-amour1 @fandomoverlord221 @thatfandombitcch  If you want tagged just hit me up.

Holding up your hands tightly pressed to your ears, you take a deep breath. Your eardrums are almost ringing with how loud it’s starting to become in the hallway. “Vanya’s in the room at the end of the hall!” Shouts Diego, still leaning his back against the front desk, along with Allison. While you sit in the corner where the wall at the desk meet. Klaus to your right who’s currently taking sips from his flask, while depressingly gazing down at the floor.

You give Diego a no-shit-I-have-eyes-too sassy look, “How do you propose we get her?” Shouting back at him.

“I haven’t figured that one out yet.” He says defeated, giving you a glance. “You can count me out.” Whines Klaus, flask still in his right hand.

“Klaus.” Allison snaps.

“What? You guys should save her. You’re great at all the hero shit.” A second later you swat at him while Allison gives his boots an annoyed kick. “Listen, listen. Vanya would understand ‘cause she has realistic expectations of what I am.” He moans in surrender, tired of how wild his life has become. You just throw your hand up in defeat, he’s being ridiculous.

“What is that, huh?” You look over at him with a frown.

“And what I am is sexy trash!” He exclaims, looking between the three of you.

Diego turns to Klaus, “Your’re a big pussy, that’s what you are.”

“Guys, now is not the time.” States Allison, fed up with her brothers bickering.

“Why? Because I don’t wanna die? Who does? Y/N said it sucks ass, I can’t disagree with that statement. And martyrs aren't around to enjoy the victory party...’cause they’re DEAD!” He yells the last part while shaking you for emphasis.

Reaching over you and Allison, Diego goes to grab Klaus, “You are going out there..” Klaus hides by shoving you in front of him. “I’m not! Go away! Get him Y/N!” Shout Klaus, goddamn all this fucking noise and these two idiots, you think frustrated with your current situation. Diego pushes you off to the side to properly grab Klaus, “...or I’m gonna beat you, and not in the way you like it!” He grumbles irritated with Klaus’ hindrance yet again.

Allison looks up, making eye contact with you, “That’s my cue.” She confirms, before suddenly turning around to crawl her way down the hall.

You reach out, just missing her leg, “Allison, wait!” You cry out, but she doesn’t listen. Diego and Klaus yelling for her to come back as well.

You haul yourself half-way onto the desk, gripping it tightly with both of your unnaturally strong arms. Holding on with slight difficulty, you hear her shout for Vanya as she struggles to push forward. The energy becoming too much to bear, Allison looses her footing. You scream for her as she gets knocked backwards, sliding into the hard wooden desk with a thud.

“All right. I’m going.” Diego announces, ready to risk it all for the greater good.

Klaus stops him by pulling at his shirt, diverting his attention to Klaus, Diego looks at him with a what-the-hell-do-you-want, face. “No, wait, wait, wait, wait.” Pleads Klaus desperately.

“What?”

“If we don’t make it back, there’s one thing that I need to tell you.” Klaus tells him breathlessly, as Diego rolls his eyes waiting for this important statement.

Diego turns back to him, “I don’t have time for this.”

“Please.”

“What?” Grumbles Diego, who’s ready to go save Vanya.

Klaus’ voice begins to tremble, “You look like Antonio Banderas with the long hair. I just thought you should know.” He ends with a small huff, looking sadly at Diego.

“Thanks, man.” Diego whispers, grateful for the oddly random compliment his brother just gave him. You would even have laughed if not for the currently intense situation you’re all in.

Diego stands up, holding onto the gate-less desk door as he struggles to walk through it. He turns to give you a small smile, “I love you.” He says softly before looking forward again and attempting to make it down the hallway. So dramatic, you smile at him from your position, still holding onto the top of the desk while more wind and powerful energy continues it’s assault down throughout the hallway.

You watch in anticipation and worry as Diego pulls out two knives and stabs them into the tiled floor, as he begins to army crawl his way to Vanya, using his knives for support. He almost looks like a rock climber, as he forces himself onward. A couple more ragged inches closer to the door, Diego shouts to you, “Y/N! I’m not gonna make it. It’s up to you and Klaus now!” He frantically shouts at you, barely hanging on to his knife that’s stabbed into the floor.

“Shit.” You mutter quietly to yourself as you glance down at the desk top, thinking deeply for a moment. It’s now or never, and Vanya needs us. You’ll be damned if you let her down once again. Not this time. You look up in deep worry as Diego climbs forward, reaching up with all he’s got left, and pulling the release hatch that holds the fire-hose. He then let’s go, skidding back down the hallway as you cry out for him.

You look down at a scared Klaus who looks back up at you with a sad smile, “I believe in you, Y/N.” He tells you quietly, tugging slightly at your dark jeans. A small act of comfort to get you ready for “battle”. You nod, giving him a crooked half-smile, before turning back to the brightly glowing door at the end of the hall. You can do this, for Vanya, and the rest of existence. Filled with determination and pure adrenaline, you make your way around the wooden desk. Falling to your knees in the process, you glance over at an unconscious Allison and Diego.

It feels like your arms and legs are being tugged back by someone holding a rope. Like when you try and run in a dream but you feel like you’re going in slow motion. That’s how you currently feel, but the first step is always the hardest after-all. You begin by throwing your whole palm to the ground, digging your fingers physically into the tiled floor, creating small dents in your wake. It helps more then you’d expected, finally something going right for once.

Inch by inch, you climb your way up the hall, leaving what looks like five fingered claw marks behind you. Surprised by your own strength at times, but indubitably thankful for your gifts. At long last you’ve made it to the wooden door, your fingers puncturing through the floor for stability. The only thing keeping you from failing your personal mission. Gripping onto the front of the door with your left hand, your fingers practically slice through the wood, as you hold on with everything you have left. You stop for a moment, saving your energy for when you go to twist the door handle.

“Klaus, I can’t make it all the way, it’s up to you buddy!” You yell at him, breathing heavily and feeling more drained by the second. “You gotta save the world. You have to summon Ben!” You tell him, feeling like your muscles are about to give out. “No, Y/N, that’s a terrible idea!” He shouts, not believing that he has what it takes to be a hero. You look up at the door handle, reaching out your right hand and giving the knob a quick twist. The door flies open with an extreme burst of white hot energy that burns your skin and sends you violently down the hallway. Where you crash into the wooden desk, leaving a noticeable dent, the collision now positioning you right next to Diego as you lay on your back, your head facing his unconscious one. Klaus comes into your blotchy line of vision, he’s holding onto the fire-hose for dear life as his nose and ears start to bleed. You watch as he slowly makes his way almost to the door before another huge wave of energy sends him sliding on his back right into Allison. Fuck. It’s hard to see or hear anything, the energy fucking up your senses. Everything feels too much. Your skin feels like it’s on fire. You suddenly watch as a silhouette walks past you standing over Klaus for a brief moment, before it begins walking down the hallway and into the room with Vanya. Your eyes slowly shut, to tired to fight back.

——

Coming back to your senses, your eyes flutter open to Diego who’s starting to wake up as well. You raise your head up to the sound of bare feet padding on the cold floor towards the four of you. “Are you okay?” Vanya says while running to all of you, who are slowly getting up. “Vanya.” Allison says surprised, unsure for a moment if this is all a bad dream.

“Physically or emotionally?” Whimpers Klaus, still laying on the floor. She gives you all a small smile. The rest of you returning one yourselves, grateful that everybody appears to be fine.

“You’re alive?” Diego asks her, shocked that she’s completely unharmed.

“Did we save the world or what?” Klaus wonders, finally rising into a siting position.

“I think so, or at least I hope.” You mutter, pulling yourself up onto your hands and knees.

“Building’s still here.” Sighs Allison from the floor while leaning her back against the front desk. Your eyes flicker to Diego, who’s checking at his watch. “Kennedy’s a few minutes away. I can still save him.” He says quickly getting up. You stand up with a rush, “No, Diego, wait!” You call after him, as he runs down the hallway and towards a window. You following close behind him as Allison gets up and begins to follow you two.

“I still have time to stop Dad before Kennedy makes his final turn.” He assures you, turning swiftly to leave. You reach your arms out quickly to grab him, “No, no, where are you going?” You question, as you pull him to you. “Look, I saw the explosion. I saw the tapes, Y/N.” He says looking into your eyes, while you study his face, you frown with doubt. He shouldn’t be messing with the timeline like this. “The explosion causes doomsday. You’re safe now.” Diego pauses for a second, looking deeply into your unbelieving eyes. “He doesn’t have to die.” Giving you a quick smile before turning back around and promptly exiting through the double doors. You don’t even have time to yell out for him to stop. It’s not like you’re going to fight him physically to stay. You’d for sure win, but at what cost? Will he even be able to prevent the assassination?

You wondered on in uncertainty, Allison touching your shoulder gently, “The stubbornness of that man, I swear.” You nod to her in understanding, shaking your head as you wait for the events that are soon to unravel.

——

You and Allison watch out the large window, the both of you scanning the grounds below for any potential danger. You keep looking for the man in the umbrella or Diego, if he actually manages to make it to the parade that is.

“Hey. Is that? Diego?” Klaus says, while pointing downward towards the grass, you look closer, adjusting your eyes. You can clearly see Diego, hauling ass to stop Reginald. You shake your head in disbelief. Don’t do it, Diego.

Standing between Allison and Vanya, you glance at each of them, “Kennedy’s going to die, I can feel it.” You whisper, just enough for them to hear you. A moment later you watch as Diego body slams, now looking closer, a stranger into the grass. Shit.

Gunshots go off and the presidential parade scatters, police sirens wailing in the distance. The four of you look on, feeling your own amounts of sickened dismay.

[urlocalbunny]

breeding kink - aaron. (eng. ver.)

if you have issues with topics such as ruts, knotting and all that jazz don’t read. This not ABO considering i don’t like the whole concept, so if you don’t like ABO but don’t mind the rut thing, it’s safe y’all.

as promised, if one (1) person asked for it, i’d deliver bc i have a lot of free time in my hands today.

there might be a lot of mistakes as i didn’t write for a year and decided to combine this with a half-asleep translation.

warnings: smut, breeding kink, hybrid!aaron, biting, oral, knotting

enjoy this 2,684 words long nasty smut.

     Eloise was walking through the halls from side to side, trying to find out how she was supposed to calm the nerves in the manor. In the last few days, Aaron has been acting like a caged wolf. Walking around in the manor, a bit more stressed out, usually baring his long fangs and even growling. From time to time.

 Her sweet, patient boyfriend was usually easy to understand when it came to his feelings, but right now the only person who seemed to understand the situation was Beliath, who decided to shut his big mouth as soon as Eloise needed help except for a sentence without any details.

 “Many peculiar aspects come with the baggage of being a hybrid’s chalice when he’s a werewolf, my darling!” He said, shaking his hand in dismissal.

  Yet, everything started to be made clear when Eloise decided to take a jog. The bond with her boyfriend was making her feel like she was under confinement, so she decided to take a walk in the nearby forest. She also wanted to give him some space, therefore, knowing that her vampire would feel like he was outside if she went out for him, the girl took a thick comforter he gave her and planned to do exactly that.

 “Good evening, Eloise! What brings you here?” Raphael greeted her from the kitchen’s door frame, where he was having a conversation with Vladimir while he was in the garden. It was the night before a full moon, she noticed, and that thought worried her.

 “Good evening, Raphael. You seem excited! I’ll take a walk in the forest.” She looked at Vladimir from the corner of her eyes and caught him waiting for his good evening. If she squinted, the girl could think he blushed when he got caught. “Good evening, Vlad!” She said happily, finally. “Aren’t you, um, afraid of the clouds going away tonight?” She asked, a bit embarrassed.

 “With this cloudy weather, I don’t think so… But it is almost full moon… And yet…” He changed his position on the bench, preparing to say something he thought he shouldn’t. “You and Aaron should talk. He has been behaving weirdly. He is acting strangely before due time and his lack of cooperation is not making me happy.”

 Raphael nodded “It is true that the way he is carrying himself is not one of the most delicate ones no matter how hard I try to tell him so, as always. He even growled at me earlier tonight.” Raphael said, making the girl’s eyes widen. “It was a loud noise. Didn’t you hear it?”

 “I was asleep, I believe… But why would I hear it?” She asks.

 “You see, I was by your door to take back the book you said would be there earlier. That is where he found me. One could say he was walking around your room.”, He mused “But it is true that, if you allow me to say so, I think he did not like to see me near your door, but I do not think I gave the wrong idea, given that you were both reading the book together, no?

 "Raphael, you are babbling again,” Vladimir warned, a small smile on his lips.

 “Oh! Pardon me. I lose track of how much I can talk from time to time”, he chuckled briefly “I did not mean to get in your way.”

 “You guys never get in the way,” she said, patting both of their backs lightly — earning a scowl from Vladimir — and jumping the steps.

 “As I said, I’ll take a walk in the woods and I’ll be back later. I think you’re right… I thought Aaron needed space, but it didn’t work out as I planned. Anyways, see you later!

 They waved briefly and after a while resumed their conversation while she kept walking. The wind whipped her skin hard, but she still felt a hellish heat. For a moment, she worried about Aaron and thought about coming back.

 Eloise was never a fan of the dark. She still was not, but there was no fear of finding something uncalled for anymore because, at the moment, the creature in the dark was her.

 Even like this, her senses alerted her of a presence. A familiar one, that made itself knows with a growl close to her as soon as she slipped her shoes off and unfolded the comforter on the grass.

 "Uh… Aaron?” She should’ve said she paid attention to what he said, but the sight was far more interesting. Aaron partially left the shadows in the path, uncommon striped cotton pants hanging from his hips. “Where are your jeans? And the rest of your clothes? Are you okay? I’ve been knocking on your door!”

 “It doesn’t matter how much I get dressed, you coming outside to laugh with Raphael and Vladimir got me cold and annoyed.” He growled, an ominous glint in his golden eyes. She knew he didn’t mean what he said and he was in the middle of turning. His fangs were out and his nails we’re sharpened, but he looked, in a peculiar way, like he had the situation and Eloise under his control.

 She stepped back, leading him into coming out of the corner he was hiding in totally.

 He did it. The thin layer of sweat and his rapid breaths didn’t go unnoticed by his girlfriend, that was trying to get closer slowly but surely.

 “My love, what’s happening to you?” She asked, laying her soft hands on top of the hybrid’s dark chest. He made a growl vibrate under her fingers. Eloise, however, didn’t feel endangered, he was just trying to say something but failed. Looking closely, she realized his ears were now two fluffy balls made of brown fur. She then tried to caress them to lessen some of the lover’s tension. He leaned against the touch, but the growling didn’t stop.

 “You aren’t in pain, I would feel it too…” She mumbled, touching him to check anyways. He arched against her hands to get more friction. “Raph told me you even growled at him earlier today!”

 The sentence had the wrong effect over the wolf, and she felt that when a soft tail wrapped around her upper leg and he made a small cut in the back of one of her hands, licking her blood right after. Eloise shivered. She really enjoyed it when he did this on another… Circumstances.

 “Raphael, huh?” He repeated sarcastically, which was strange for him and sniffed the air around her. “His and Vladimir scents are so strong in you…” He growled, “you’re my mate, my beloved, not theirs.” He simply said, shoving her softly so that she would be sitting on the blanket. She backed up on it slowly, teasing him, while he put himself in all fours and tried to cage her under him. She felt, then, the first strong sensation they’d share: hunger.

  It was not just some silly bloodthirsty hunger. Aaron was hungry for something, yes, but it wasn’t food. Beliath’s voice rang in her head.

  “Many peculiar aspects come with the baggage of being a hybrid’s chalice when he’s a werewolf, my darling!”

 She wouldn’t understand why he said that like she didn’t know already. But now, she realized what the godforsaken incubus was talking, coincidentally, of one of his favorite ways of feeding: sex.

 Ripping the first piece of clothing he found, in that case, her dress, and earning a surprised yelp, Aaron looked her in the eyes as he said the words “I’ve been trying to get away from you since it has begun, but you just smell so fucking good… It’s almost like you’re fertile too, isn’t it, my beloved?” She blushed. He could smell her this much all the time? What about the others?

 But the way he said it made it clear for her: Aaron was in a rut. Maybe months ago, not having a partner made it easy to suppress and forget, but now that they were always together, it was probably hard. She caressed his face lovingly.

 “I see why you’re saying such weird things then.” She pulled him closer and kissed his forehead under him. “Does it hurt?”

 “Yes.” He said, looking embarrassed now “I don’t mean to sound jealous when you talk about the guys, it’s just not all me who’s talking right now, I- 'm sor-” she shook her head for him to stop and he did.

 “But Beliath said that nobody but him can have children, so-” his loud growl confirmed that it would be better if she did not mention other men around him right now. “He said vampires can’t…”

  Aaron smirked, then laughed. It was just as unusual as his behavior. It was venomous, full of bad intentions… Extremely arousing.

 “And here I thought you knew just how much I’m different from the others,” he said as he ripped the last piece of clothing she had in her body, hinting at how many times they had been together like this. She gasped “We’re you trying to knock me up?!” He nibbles her earlobe then, making the shivers in her body worsen.

 “Hmm, I could have, I always felt like I should, but it’s not my decision, I didn’t have your consent. You’d look marvelous, though.” He caught her chin in his now black and sharp nails. “But unlike Beliath… I can give you a whole family if we do it twice.” He held the back of her neck with the right but of harshness, licking a stripe of skin from the base of her neck to her chin, and gave her a sly smirk. Where was the blushy and romantic Aaron? She didn’t know, but she wasn’t going to complain. This felt like he was holding back on her most of the time, just to make her comfortable, just so that she wouldn’t be… Scared? She felt like tonight, this should be about letting him do his thing. Show him she was not afraid of anything.

 There was not a lot of room for talking and thinking anymore. Aaron rolled his hips covered by the pants on top of her bare pussy, making her wail and curl her toes. The lack of stimulation she created when she started talking to him backfired. His growl mixed into it, being interrupted when he started to kiss her mouth. Weirdly, slowly at first, then it got needy, fervent like he wanted to devour her. Their tongues played together and she bit his lower lip. His mouth then dived into her shoulders, biting, licking, and kissing in between “I love you’s”, then lowered into her breasts, playing and complimenting her a bit too much for her sanity. She pulled him back and gave him a searing kiss, hooking her thumbs on his pants, pushing them down urgently.

 She moaned softly and opened her legs as wide as she could, spreading herself for him to see. She just wanted him to take her as hard as he possibly could. Aaron didn’t waste a second and stood at eye level with her sopping entrance. It was familiar for him, but now, it was more tempting, looked even tastier.

 He started licking greedily but he didn’t lack any skill, holding her hips in place while he feasted upon her. Eloise moaned loudly into the forest. His tongue lapped up her inner thighs and got back to business, licking and slurping as his life depended on it, making her keen in pleasure as she stroked his head.

 “Aaron… Aaron, please, I need more.” She pleaded, looking at him with a pained expression. He didn’t answer, but careful of his nails, he rubbed circles around her bud quickly, while his tongue worked in her right hole. When she was almost touching pure bliss, he completely stopped and looked at her with his pupils blown wide.

 “No. No, no, no, please just-Ah!” The feeling of Aaron burying himself to the hilt inside her was blissful, painful, arousing. However, something was different. Eloise usually struggled to accommodate all of him, but she definitely felt the pressure of something that would be just the beginning of her problems. Looking down, she realized that when he was halfway transformed, he didn’t have just cute ears and a fluffy tail: Aaron had a knot.

 "Is that- is that supposed to fit inside me?!“

 Her boyfriend was too far gone in pleasure to answer clearly, but he said something like "I’ll stop… Eloise… no need to…” And she took his half-words for it.

 Without wasting any time, he moved slowly but surely just waiting for her. He pushed her knees to her shoulders and held there with bruising strength. After a few minutes, he seemed to come back to his senses.

 “Hmm, I’ve been waiting so long to breed you like this… I can’t believe I tried to stop it.” He kissed the top of her head as he sped up. Eloise felt the know prodding lightly at her entrance, making a sloppy noise as he pushed harder and harder, making her cry out and claw at his strong back. His strokes we’re deep as to not pull out in any circumstances like he was really trying hard to breed her. She pulled him against her.

 “I’m not wasting a drop, don’t worry.” She said between deep breaths to see what he would say, but the snarl she received only made her chuckle and then keen again as he sped up. 

 “Do you think you can- fuck, stop squeezing, love, stop squeezing, not yet!” He hissed as his hips snapped harder against his will. “Do you think you can take my knot now? I don’t want to hurt you.” She smiled tenderly at her love, seeing his usual self seeping through.

 She wanted to say yes, wanted to say she’d do anything just to have him cumming inside her over and over, but she was just too lost in the way he dragged inside her, so harsh and strong and deep, she almost missed the way his hips stuttered and pushed harder as he said that. That would definitely throw him over the edge.

 Tears stained her face as she mumbled incoherent things and pushed upwards, being soothed by her vampire saying “not yet, it won’t fit” and asking her to wait. But she just could not stop crying softly as he rocked back and forth.

 “Please cum inside me. Give it to me, please.” Her weak whisper in his ear made him growl as he pushed all the way in, knotting her at once. She shouted the wave of pleasure and the dull stinging was taken by the wind as her first orgasm barreled through her. She tried to stop wailing by biting hard into Aaron’s shoulder. He growled her name out almost angrily as he milked her for all he was worth, yet, he didn’t stop.

  "I love you so much“ he cried out.

  She was still too far gone to answer, relishing on the feeling of his weight against her, his nice scent mixed with hers, the sweat and blood she took from the bite, the stretch, his beautiful eyes, and the way he just wouldn’t stop fucking her, his delicate nose and his lips, his red hair and his dark skin littered with scars. Everything made her vision blurry again, making her arch her back and chant his name like a prayer like she was momentarily obsessed. Having him cum inside her was just too much.

 She loved him, that’s all her mind could muster. And by the way, he smiled broadly at her and nuzzled her cheek, she knew he heard her calls for his name and the many things she absolutely loves about him in her head.

 Eloise rested as he cradled her in his arms, but soon the silence was broken.

 "Eloise?”

 “Hmmm?”

 “You know this isn’t over yet, right?” He asked, now fully blushing as his tail swayed and his ears hung lowly from his head. His face was blushy.

 “Thank god! I thought you’d never say anything.” She laughed, pushing him down and sitting on top of him.

[justcallmefox89]

Artist in the Devildom

Jax has just arrived in the Devildom as the newest human exchange student at R.A.D.  With Arianthi and the seven lords of the Devildom to guide them this exchange year should be a breeze.  Right? 

Written from the perspective of my non-binary OC, Jax Montgomery.  Jax uses they/them pronouns.

This story takes place in the Truth or Dare AU where Mammon and Arianthi get engaged.

I would like to give a massive shout-out and heartfelt thank you to @fivenightsat-enbys​ for all their help and being so wonderfully patient with me and my questions.   

The flash of bright white light is blinding, and my body feels like it’s falling through an endless tunnel.  I know that this is allegedly safe, but that doesn’t stop me from scrunching my eyes closed and letting out a high pitched scream.  I’m still screaming when I feel my feet touch solid ground.  After a few seconds I simmer down and open my eyes, blinking away stars.  

Once I can see again I find myself standing in front of two men and a girl around my age, in an office that can only be described as rich old white man aesthetic.  Lots of large dark oak furniture, some obviously antique oil paintings of naked people and things I’ll probably have nightmares about later.  Gold lighting fixtures.

Into it.  Very into it.

I clutch onto my duffel bag and octopus plushie, shuffling my feet and giving them all an awkward wave.

“Yo,” I say, attempting a smile.  

Given the current state of my stomach and the fact that I was currently standing in the Devildom, face to face with some real life demons, it feels a little forced.  

Why did I agree to this?  Definitely, most probably, in the top three of my worst ideas of all time.  

The taller of the two men steps forward, flashing me an enthusiastic grin.  

“Jax Monteiro?  Welcome to the Royal Academy of Diavolo.  We’re so excited to have another human student here!” 

“Whoa!  Down boy,” the girl says, stepping towards me with giggle, patting the auburn haired man on the arm.  “Give them a second to adjust.  Portal jumping is harder on us poor humans than it is on you all.”

She holds out her hand.  “Hi Jax, I’m Arianthi Wolf.  I’m the ambassador to all the exchange students here at R.A.D.  And I’m a human student too, so you’re not all alone down here.”  

She gives me a soft smile of reassurance.

I quickly give her hand a shake, returning the smile, mine more genuine this time.  Arianthi is about six or seven inches shorter than me, with long curly black hair and bright green eyes.  A smattering of freckles runs across her nose and cheeks, standing out against her pale skin.  

I’d love to draw her.  

I’m itching to get my hands on my sketchbook.  

The guys too.  And this room is insane. 

She motions at the auburn haired man next to her.  He towers over her, looking like a giant standing next to a pixie.  I’ve always considered myself tall at 6′3, but this guy has a good six or seven inches on me.

This must be how mom felt when she asked me to get stuff off the high shelves at the grocery store.

“This is Lord Diavolo, founder of R.A.D., and the human, angel, demon exchange program here.  The goal is to bring the celestial realm, human realm, and the Devildom closer together and foster a better understanding between the three.”  She pauses for breath.  “He’s also the prince of the Devildom.”

Holy shit.  

“Do I need to like, bow or something?”  I ask nervously.  

Diavolo chuckles.  “Please don’t.  I just wanted to welcome you to the Devildom before returning to my duties.  Arianthi will help you get settled in and go over your course schedule with you.  You’ll be staying with her at the House of Lamentation along with the seven lords of the Devildom.”  He gives me a boyish grin.  “I hope your year with us is less eventful than Arianthi’s first year.”

“Diavolo!”  Arianthi gives him an exasperated grin while he waggles his eyebrows at her. 

He holds his hand up, laughing.  “Sorry princess, I couldn’t resist.”

Princess?  Oh, I’m totally asking her for a story time once we’re alone.

Diavolo motions the other man in the room forward.  He’s closer to my size, with delicate features, turquoise hair, and moss green eyes.  

“This is my servant Barbatos.  If you find yourself needing anything and are unable to reach Arianthi or any of the lords, he can help you.” 

Barbatos offers me a small nod.

“Barbatos is the one who really runs things here.”  Arianthi gives me a mischievous smirk.  “He’s also an amazing chef.  The best baker in all three realms.  His devilberry tarts are to die for.”  

She mimes swooning.

Barbatos beams at her praise.  “You flatter me Arianthi.”

Diavolo rubs his hands together, smiling.  “Well, we really do need to be going.  I have to welcome the new angels to Purgatory Hall.  I’ll leave you to it Arianthi.  Don’t worry Jax, you’re in very good hands.”  

He gives Arianthi a wink.

Hate to break it to you Diavolo but as cute as she is, I’m more interested in how good your hands are.

“Dia!”  Arianthi gives him a dirty look.  “Stop that!  I’m sure Jax doesn’t appreciate it, and you know Mammon hates it when you do that.”

Mammon?  A third player has entered the game.  This could be some spicy telenovela shit.  Must.  Know.  Now.

Diavolo just chuckles at her and exits the room, Barbatos in tow. 

“Okay, tell me everything princess.  I have to know.”  I smirk at her and she rolls her eyes good naturally. 

“Dia and I were a.....thing for a while.”  She waves her hand dismissively, looking slightly annoyed.  “He’s still a little in his feelings about things, but I’m engaged now.  Sometimes he likes to push my fiance’s buttons.  Diavolo is a lot of fun but he is a world class shit stirrer.” 

“Mammon is the fiance?”  I guess.

She gives me a soft smile.  “Yeah.  He lives at the House of Lamentation too, so you’ll be meeting him soon.  Anyways, we should get going.  Do you need help carrying anything?”

I hold up my duffel bag and my plushie.  “This is all I brought with me.  But you can carry Samson if you want.”  

I hand over the large purple octopus.

“He.  Is.  Adorable.  Levi would love him.”  She cuddles Samson close to her chest as she leads me out of Diavolo’s office.  

“So, right now we’re in the Demon Lord’s Castle.  Diavolo and Barbatos live here, and there are always some high ranking demons staying here too, trying to get in good with Diavolo.  You’ll be here off and on throughout the year for parties and things like that.  Hopefully you’ll escape the “bonding sleepover” ordeal I went through my first year.”  She shudders.

“Bonding sleepover?  Like a summer camp bonding sleepover?” I quirk an eyebrow at her.

She gives me a long suffering look.  “Dia is like a kid in a candy store when it comes to human world activities.  It was his idea.”

I chuckle.  “It was that bad?”

Arianthi holds up a hands and starts ticking events off on her fingers.  

“I got sucked into an evil possessed painting with some others and we ended up in the dungeon.  In the dungeon we were almost eaten by Henry 1.0, who may be the biggest snake to ever exist, like anywhere.  Then when we tried to get a picture of Lucifer sleeping we ended up getting chased by Cerberus and we wound up in the dungeon again.  Where Henry 1.0 tried to eat us.  Again.  And there was a pillow fight where everyone ended up unconscious except for Diavolo and Lucifer.  And me, but only because I was hiding under my bed.”

I stare at her, mouth open, debating if she’s being serious or not.  She looks back at me, face unchanged.

“Oh, wow, you’re actually being serious,” I say.  

I don’t know if I’m terrified or....nope.  Definitely a little terrified after that story.  And why did they want a picture of Lucifer sleeping?

As if she can sense my fear Arianthi gives my shoulder a comforting squeeze.  “I know it sounds insane but every day isn’t going to be like that here.  And you’ll always have someone looking out for you.”

I breathe out a sigh of relief and give her a quick grin.  “Thanks, Arianthi.”

We make our way outside, and I’m startled by the fog and dim sunlight.  

It’s the middle of the day, right?  Or does time work differently here?

I must look confused because Arianthi quickly explains.  “Time works the same here, but the weather is different from the human realm. We don’t get bright sunlight down here.”  

She shrugs apologetically.

“It’s all good,” I tell her with a smile.  “I figured things would be different when I agreed to all this.”

She giggles.  “At least they gave you some warning.  I was one of the first humans picked for the program and they just zapped me out of my apartment without warning.  One minute I’m on my couch watching The Great British Bake Off, and the next I’m down here.  Mammon and Asmo had to take me shopping for a whole new wardrobe.”

“Damn.”  I join in on her laughter.  “So how did you adjust to being here?”

Her mouth scrunches to one side as she ponders my question.  “It was hard, that first month.  None of the demons were really used to humans, and a lot of them didn’t want me here.  But I gradually got closer to the brothers and that helped.  Now it’s hard to imagine my life without them.  They’re family now, you know?”

I nod.  “Do you think I’ll have any issues here?”

“Nah.”  She shakes her head.  “I’ll be looking out for you and whatever classes we don’t have together you’ll have with one of the boys.  Lucifer made sure of it.  But if you do want to go out somewhere be sure to take me or one of them with you.  Some of the lower level demons are still assholes about humans being here.  I get a little more respect now that I’m Mammon’s fiancee and a full time resident of the House of Lamentation.”

We meander through the R.A.D. campus, Arianthi pointing out various buildings and explaining the curriculum to me.    

“Ok, so......the seven demon lords that we’ll be living with.  Lay it on me.  I wanna know what I’m getting into.”

Arianthi takes a deep breath.  “I’ll just give you the rundown from oldest to youngest.  Hold on, because this family is a roller coaster of ‘what the fuck’.”

I snort out a little laugh.  “I’m from Florida.  There is literally nothing here that can shock me.”

“If you say so,” Arianthi replies with a smirk.  “Buckle up buttercup, because we’re going to run through this fast.  Oh, and the brothers are ranked in accordance to how powerful they are, not their actual ages.  But they are all thousands of years old, in case you were wondering.   Anyways the oldest is Lucifer, the Avatar of Pride.  He’s Diavolo’s second in command down here.  Very serious, doesn’t laugh much.  He’s like the dad at the House of Lamentation.  But not the fun kind.  Don’t let any of the others talk you into trying to prank him.  Unless I’m in on it, because I’m always down for that shit.”

I have found my people.

“The second oldest is Mammon and he’s the Avatar of Greed.  Don’t leave anything valuable laying around or he’ll take it and try to sell it for some quick Grimm.”

“Wait?  Isn’t Mammon your fiance?”  I’m confused.

She gives me a self-deprecating shrug.  “The heart wants what the heart wants.  We’ve been working on the stealing thing, but at the end of the day he is the Avatar of Greed and it’s hard to control that.  He models too, to earn some extra Grimm.  I’ve been pushing for him to do more of that to curb the stealing.  Oh!  I forgot, Grimm is our currency down here.  I’ll hook you up with some so don’t worry about that.”

“Oh no you don’t have to-” I try to protest but she cuts me off with a smile.

“Really, I want to.  I want you to be able to enjoy your time here, not worrying about trying to find a part time job to earn some cash.”

“Lucifer is the house dad, but you’re totally the house mom aren’t you?”  

Seriously, this girl might be an angel.

She blushes a little.  “Um....guilty.  I sort of fell into it my first year here.  The boys needed someone to take care of them then.”  She pauses.  “They still sort of do honestly.”

I laugh.  “Alright, who’s next?  Hit me with it.”

Arianthi pauses, like she’s trying to come up with the right words.  “Levi.  Well Leviathan, but you can call him Levi.  He’s more introverted than the rest.  Very into gaming, anime, movies.......and a book series called The Seven Lords.”

“I’ve read that!”  I exclaim.  “Great series.  I brought some anime with me too.”

“Cool.”  She grins at me.  “Sounds like you guys have some things in common.  I bet he’d love to see some anime from the human realm.  He’s obsessed with Ruri-Chan too, but I’ll let him explain all of that to you.  He’s also the leader of Hell’s Navy because of the whole lord of the sea thing he’s got going on.  And he’s the Avatar of Envy, so try not to take any of the things he says too seriously when he’s acting jealous.”

“Wait, what?  Lord of the sea thing?”  

Mind.  Blown. 

“Yep.”  She nods enthusiastically.  “He can summon and control sea monsters and all sorts of underwater nightmare fuel.”

“Bad fucking ass.”

“Right?”  She laughs.  “On to the next.  This is where things get kinda weird.”

“Weirder than summoning sea monsters?”  I ask.

“Like daddy who is also my brother weird.”  She answers with a straight face.

“Get the fuck out of here,” I say with a laugh.

“Satan is the fourth brother.  He’s the Avatar of Wrath so try not to piss him off.  He’s very intelligent, loves to read.  But don’t touch his books without permission.  Actually, just stay out of his room all together.”

I look at her and smirk.  “This is all fascinating but I’m still waiting on the daddy/brother angle.”

She laughs.  “Ok, ok, ok.  When the boys fell from heaven Lucifer’s rage was so intense that it became a sentient entity.”

“Satan?”

She shoots me some finger guns.  “Exactly.  Lucifer and the other brothers raised him.  He gets a few characteristics from each of them, but he’s most like Lucifer.  Which pisses him off because he hates the thought of being like Lucifer.  And Lucifer doesn’t want to think of Satan as his son, so everyone just refers to Satan as their brother.”

I shake my head in wonder.  “It’s just like being back in Florida.”

Suddenly a white haired demon comes and grabs Arianthi from behind, picking her up and spinning her around.

“Yo, what the hell?”  I yelp in surprise.

The demon sets her down, hugging her from behind, resting his chin on her shoulder and nuzzling his face into her neck.  Arianthi lets out a high pitched squeal as his hair and nose tickle her.  He eventually stops, staring at me suspiciously over her shoulder.  

“Hey babe, who’s he?”  

Awkward.........

Arianthi elbows his ribs.  “Mammon, this is Jax.  They’re the new human exchange student who’s going to be staying with us this year.  So be nice to them.��  

She stresses my pronouns and a look of realization crosses Mammon’s face.  

“Oh shit!”  He looks contrite.  “I am so sorry.  I shoulda thought before I said anything.”  

He releases Arianthi and holds out his hand.

I shake it.  “No worries.  It happens.  Thanks for apologizing though.” 

He gives me a crooked grin.  “Still, I am really sorry.  Won’t happen again.  And if anybody tries to mess with ya since you’re the new human around here, THE Great Mammon will handle it.”

Arianthi rolls her eyes fondly at me and shakes her head behind his back.  “I’m sure Jax appreciates the sentiment, but everything will be ok.”

I grin back at Mammon.  “Arianthi’s probably right, I should be fine.  It’s cool of you to offer though.”

Arianthi wraps her arms around his waist and looks up at him adoringly.  “But if any demon does try to give Jax a hard time I’ll tell my big, strong, handsome fiance and let him sort them out.”

Mammon puffs up with pride and he looks down at her lovingly.  “Damn right ya will.”  He presses a kiss to her forehead.  As he pulls away he notices Samson in her arms.  “Oi!  What is that?”

“Isn’t he cute?”  Arianthi holds him up and wiggles one of his tentacles.

I shrug and kick away a rock.  “He’s mine,” I admit.

“Cute as hell,” Mammon says, one slender finger reaching out to touch the plush fabric.  “Levi would love ‘em.”

“That what’s she said.”  I gesture at Arianthi.  

He chuckles, throwing an arm around her shoulders.  “I just wanted to tell ya hi baby.  I gotta run to the store real quick then get back to the house.  I’m on dinner duty tonight with Levi.”  

Arianthi stretches up on her tiptoes to give him a soft kiss on the lips.  “Ok, I’ll see you at home.”

“See ya later.  Bye Jax.”  Mammon gives us a small wave and starts to walk away.

“Oh!  Don’t forget that Beel had practice today so make extra!  He’ll be hungrier than usual!”  She calls out after him.

He turns around and blows her a kiss to acknowledge that he heard her.  She smiles as she watches him walk away, then turns back to me, serious.

“I really am sorry about that.  I’ve told everyone your preferred pronouns so it shouldn’t happen again and if it does -”

I hold up my hands and give her a small smile.  “Hey, hey, hey.  Shit happens.  And it’s not like he did it on purpose.  Plus he apologized, then offered to look out for me which was pretty cool of him.”

She still looks concerned.  “I just don’t want you to feel like you can’t be yourself.  Especially at home.  I want you to be comfortable here.”  

“It really is fine.  He figured out his mistake and apologized, and I bet it won’t ever happen again.”  I smile and gently nudge her with my elbow.  “And if anybody starts some shit I’ll just let the house mom take care of it.”

Arianthi gives me a soft shove and laughs.  “Damn right you will.  I’ve got your back down here.”

We start walking again.  

“Ok, who’s next in the line up?”  I ask.

She gives a big sigh.  “The Avatar of Lust, Asmodeus.  You can call him Asmo, everybody does.”

“Lust hmmm?”  I raise my eyebrows.

“He’s sweet, he really is.  Very into self-care and indulgence.  Just don’t spend any time alone with him until we know how his powers affect you.”

I look at her in shock.  “Are you saying he’d try to.......?”

“No! Nothing like that,”  Arianthi reassures me.  “Asmo would never force anyone to do anything they didn’t want to do.  But since he is the Avatar of Lust he’s able to bring out other people deepest wishes, kinda like a walking aphrodisiac.  Some people are immune to it, others can learn to block it out.  Those that aren’t have a tendency to.......overindulge in their most decadent desires.”  She gives me a pointed look.  “So until we know how you’ll react, no alone time with Asmo.”

I make my most serious face and give her a quick salute.  “Yes ma’am.”

She uses one of Samson’s tentacles to slap my arm and laughs.  “Smart ass.”

I smirk.  “Alright, Asmo is number five so who are the last two?”

Arianthi chews on her lower lip for a moment, as if internally debating what she wants to tell me.  Finally she gives me a small smile and starts to talk.

“Beelzebub is sixth and Belphegor is seventh.  We call them the twins though, because their father created them at the same time, and they’re extremely close.  They’re together almost all the time.”

I interrupt.  “Wait, their father?  Like God?”

Arianthi’s eyes grow dark and she scowls.  “He’s a piece of shit,” she mutters.

“Did you just call God a piece of shit?”  I ask her, shocked.

“When there’s a dad out there who can make my dad look like Father of the Year, then you know the guy’s a total ass bag,” she growls.

“You just called God an ass bag.  I feel like I’m missing a lot of backstory here,” I respond.

She shakes her head as if she’s shaking away her negative thoughts.  “I’m sorry Jax.  There’s a lot of history you’ll learn this year, and how the boys fell from grace is part of it.  It was hard on all of them, but Beel and Belphie took the hardest hit.  It will be up to them to tell you their side of things though, in their own time.”

“No worries.  I’ve got patience for days.”  I grin at her. “You’ve got serious beef with God huh?

“I’d throat punch him if someone gave me half a chance,” she answers seriously.

“You don’t look like it but you’re frightening.”  I laugh.  “But it’s the kind of frightening I want on my side at all times.”

She laughs with me.  “I told you I have your back Jax.  Always.”

“That means a lot Arianthi.”  

Not many people do now days.  

“So Beelzebub and Belphegor?”   I ask.

“Beel and Belphie.”  She smiles to herself.  “Beel is the Avatar of Gluttony, and his food intake is phenomenal.  Do not ever come between him and his food, and if you see a container in the fridge with his name on it, don’t even breathe near it.  He once wrecked the kitchen and one of the walls to my old room because Mammon and I ate some of his custard.”

I stare at her.  

“It’s like I haven’t even left Florida,” I whisper reverently, and she huffs out an amused laugh.

“A lot of people treat Beel like food is his only interest, but it really isn’t.  He plays sports and he works out everyday, so if you ever want to join him for a workout he’d be thrilled to have a buddy.  He’s really sweet, thoughtful, and kind.  And sensitive, but he tries to hide it so he can stay looking strong for the people he cares about.  He never wants to let anybody down if they need him.  He’ll open up if he gets close to you though.”

“It sounds like you guys are really close,” I say quietly.  

I wonder how Mammon feels about that?

She stops walking and turns to look at me, a shadow passing over her face.  “I’m an only child and my mom and dad weren’t very good at the whole parenting thing.  I wound up in foster care when I was 5.  Stayed there until I aged out.  I would have given anything for a big brother like Beel back then.  He’s really taken care of me since I’ve been here, and been nothing but supportive of me.”  She gives me a shaky smile.  “I’ve got my big brother now so I try to look out for him however I can.”

“He sounds like a really good guy,” I say, suddenly feeling guilty for my earlier thought. 

“He is,” Arianthi answers and we resume walking.  “Belphie is the Avatar of Sloth, so he’s constantly sleepy.  He can nap anywhere, and he gets super cuddly with people when he does, so if that’s not your jam be sure to let him know.  Don’t touch his cow pillow.  He’s pretty sarcastic and he can be hard to get to know, but he’s sweet when you do.”

We turn a corner and she stops in front of a large three story house.  Even though it’s well maintained and beautifully built something feels a little......off about it. 

This place would give the house from Texas Chainsaw Massacre a run for it’s money in the creepy as shit category. 

“Here we are!” she says brightly.  “The House of Lamentation, and your new home for the next year.”

My eyes dart around, taking in every detail of the house as we walk up the steps to the front door.  

Arianthi suddenly pauses with her hand on the doorknob.  “Jax there’s something else you should know about the house before we go in.”

“Ok?” I say, confused.

“Satan is a little bit of a crazy cat lady.  He’s rescues strays and keeps them until he finds new homes for them.  Lucifer says he can only have one in the house at a time, so you may occasionally be called upon to help hide one.  Or five.”

“Totally ok,” I answer with a grin, relieved that the big secret is just contraband kitties.  “I love cats so no problem on that front.”

She smiles at me as she opens the door.  “Great!”

We walk into the foyer and she shuts the door behind us.  

“Also, allegedly some guy murdered his whole family here a long time ago.  So this place is probably haunted.”  She smirks at me.

“Of fucking course it is,” I mutter, playfully giving her a dirty look.

“If it makes you feel better I’ve never seen any paranormal stuff as long as I’ve been here.”

“It does.  A little bit.”  I look over and smile at her.  “Oof!”

I ram into something large, solid and......warm?  I look in front of me and see a very large, very muscled chest.  I tip my head back until I see a pair of friendly violet eyes looking into mine.  

“Beel!”  Arianthi gives him a quick squeeze.  “This is Jax, the new exchange student.”

“Sorry for running into you,” I say.  “I wasn’t looking where I was going.”  

I take a step back so I can get a better look at him.  Like Diavolo, he is huge.  And built.  Really built.  His shaggy, bright orange hair highlights the color of his eyes.  

“It’s ok,” he tells me, smiling before he takes a large bite of the sandwich he’s holding.  He squeezes Arianthi back.  “Hey Arianthi.  When’s Mammon coming home?  He’s supposed to make dinner tonight and I’m starving.”

That smile is goddamn adorable.  

I shake my head.  

Get it together.  You’ve seen cute guys before.  But he is beyond cute.  And built.  And taller than me.  And if he’s everything Arianthi says he is............  

I quickly slam that thought back into its box and tune into their conversation.  

Arianthi is frowning.  “He should be back soon.  If he isn’t I’ll help Levi get things going so dinner isn’t late.”

He beams at her.  “Thanks Arianthi.”  He turns that megawatt smile to me.  “Do you need any help getting your stuff to your room Jax?”

I’m flustered.  Why am I flustered?  I don’t get flustered.  

“N-n-no.  Thanks though.”  I give him a small smile.  

Did I just stutter?  Oh god.  

I internally cringe.  

I see Arianthi’s eyes flicker between the two of us, and she gives me a mischievous smile.   

“We might need help later though.  In case they want another dresser or any of the furniture from my old room brought into their room,” she tells him.  

Beel gives us another easy grin.  “No problem.  I’ll be in my room if you need me before dinner starts.  See you later Jax.”  

He ambles away, munching on his sandwich.

“See you,” I call after him.  

I look to my right and see Arianthi looking at me with a shit eating grin on her face.  

“Shut up,” I mutter.

“He’s cute right?”  She nudges me with her elbow.

Oh my sweet baby Jesus yes!  

“He’s ok,” I say, trying to stay nonchalant.  “Seems nice.”

“Is nice Jax code for a “total snack”?  Or “I want to climb him like a tree and never come down”?”  She snickers, teasing me.

“Ok, you are officially the worst,”  I tease back, reaching out and ruffling her hair. 

“But am I officially the worst and right that you think Beel is a cutie?”  She raises her eyebrows.

I’m saved from answering by Mammon bursting in through the front door, two shopping bags in hand.

“Oi!  H-h-hey Jax.  Hi baby.”  A faint pink blush dusts his cheeks and he tries to quickly edge past us.  “Runnin’ a little late, gotta get dinner goi-”

Arianthi snags the hem of his jacket, stopping him his tracks.  “What’s the rush my love?”

“N-n-no rush.  Just wanna get dinner on time.  Ya know how Beel gets.”

What is he so nervous about?  

I’m suddenly very suspicious.

Please don’t be a fuck boy Mammon.

She pulls him closer and loops her arms around his neck, leaning in to give him a quick kiss on the cheek.  “Mammon?”  

“Y-yeah baby?”

“Why do you smell likes witches?”  Arianthi keeps her voice light, arching an eyebrow at Mammon.

Ooh, I know that look.  Mom used to give me that look all the time.  Wait, witches?  They have witches down here too?!

“I maybe, mighta stopped at a little card game on the way to the store.”  Mammon’s tone is smug, despite the guilty look on his face.

Arianthi rolls her eyes, smiling.  “How much did you win?”  

“650 Grimm.”   He smiles back at her.

She holds her hand out in a “gimme” gesture.  

Mammon groans, reaches into his jacket pocket, and hands her a thick stack of bills.  “Come on baby.  Aren’t ya gonna let me keep any of it?”

She quickly divides the money, handing half to me and pocketing the rest.

“Wait, what’s this for?”  I ask, confused.

“We agreed that whenever Mammon goes gambling half of whatever he wins goes to you, so you’ll have Grimm for whatever you need here.  And the other half goes to a joint project we’re working on.”  Arianthi laces her fingers with Mammon’s and cuddles into his side.

Mammon’s irritation is instantly gone, replaced by a dreamy smile as he squeezes her hand and presses a kiss to the top of her head.  

“That joint project is going to be amazing.  I just know it,” he softly whispers.  

“What’s the project?”  I ask, curious.  “If it needs any artwork, I could totally help you guys out with it.”  

Arianthi disentangles herself from Mammon.  “It’s a surprise for his brothers.  It’s really sweet of you to offer Jax, but I wouldn’t want to bother you -”

“You won’t!  You wouldn’t be,” I interrupt.  “I feel bad just taking your money like this, even if you guys did plan it.  So let me help you out with whatever art you may need done for this project.”

“That’s really cool of ya Jax,” Mammon says, grinning at me.  “We appreciate it.”

“Seriously,” Arianthi echoes.  “I saw some of your art when I went through your student profile.  They are insanely freaking talented,” she tells Mammon.

I can feel my face turning red.  “I’m not that great,” I manage to mumble.

“Hey, if you’re good at somethin’ don’t go bein’ modest about it,” Mammon tells me.  “I gotta go get started on the food before Beel smashes down another wall.  See ya at dinner.”

“See you,” we respond in unison as he moves towards the kitchen.

“We should get you settled into you room,” Arianthi tells me.  “I’ll show you the kitchen after dinner; you’re on dish duty with me tonight.  I hope that’s ok.”

“Totally fine.”  We start climbing a set of stairs.  “So are you going to let me in on what this surprise project is?”

“Are you going to tell me what you really think of Beel?”  She counters with a smirk.

“Touche.”  I smirk back.  

“Ok, here you are.”  She stops in front of a closed door.  

“That’s Beel and Belphie’s room,” she says, gesturing to the door to the right of mine.  “And Mammon and I are to the left of you.  My private library and office is on the other side of our bedroom.  If you ever need to use it you’re more than welcome to; I never lock the door.  I’ll show you where everyone else’s rooms are tomorrow.”  

“Sounds good.”  I smile at her as she hands Samson to me.

“I’ll let you check out your room and unpack your stuff.  If you think of anything you want for your room we can go check out my old room tomorrow and see if you like anything in there.  I’ll come get you in about an hour for dinner.  If you need anything before then just knock, ok?”

“Ok.”  I open the door to my room, then think of something.  “Hey Arianthi?  Will my iPhone work down here?”

She shakes her head.  “No, but we’ll get you set up with a D.D.D., which is the Devildom version of an iPhone.  Barbatos is supposed to bring one by in the morning for you.”

“Oh cool, thanks.”  I smile at her and she turns to go into her room.  

“Hey,” I say quickly.

She pauses in her doorway and turns towards me.  “What’s up hun?”

“You would’ve made a really good big sister.”

She gives me a gentle smile.  “Thanks Jax.  That means a lot.”  

She slips into her room, softly closing the door behind her.  

I step into my new room and start looking around.  There’s a desk, a couch, a small dresser, and what has to be a king size bed.  

Fucking awesome.  And an en suite bathroom?  I officially love this place.

I drop my bag onto the floor and wander over to look out the window.  My room looks out over a wide expanse of forest.  

Pretty view.  

When I turn back around I notice that someone has left a pile of things stacked in the far corner of the room, next to my desk.  Someone has left me a bunch of............ art supplies?! 

 An easel, canvas, charcoal, sketchpads, pencils, oil paints; I eagerly rummage through what looks to be anything my little artist’s heart could ever possibly need or want.  

Arianthi.  Had to be.  Her thoughtful ass would do something like this.  

Grinning to myself I shuffle over to the bed and flop down, cuddling Samson to my chest.  

I think I’m gonna like it here. 

[raleighcarrera]

honey & the moon

ride or die | colt kaneko x mc (ellie wheeler)

~20.3k words | E (18+) - graphic violence, explicit sex, etc.

a werewolf au following mtv’s teen wolf lore because logan is an alpha werewolf without a pack and ellie is his brilliant human best friend who helps him out of sticky situations and when they’re not fighting monsters in their hometown or working to graduate high school they’re trying to decide whether or not they should join colt’s alpha pack of hotties, y’know?

*

“i’m sorry, did you just say --”

“an alpha pack,” logan repeated gravely. he nodded, swallowing hard. ellie could feel how she was gaping at him, her mouth opened as wide as it would go. 

“as in... a pack of werewolves,” ellie started slowly, “but all of them... are alphas.”

“right.” 

two fingers lifted to rub at her temple. “and they came... to your lacrosse practice.”

“yep. well -- one of them.”

“today.”

“yes.”

her head bobbed with a nod as she, too, took it all in. then, she opened her mouth and screamed.

the door of her bedroom banged open abruptly. her dad rushed in, breathless from racing up the stairs. “what’s going on in here? is everything alright?”

logan was staring at her, eyes wide with concern. right. detective wheeler still didn’t know about the whole... werewolf thing.

“sorry, dad,” ellie explained weakly. “i saw a spider.”

“sorry, mr. wheeler. el -- you have to show me where it is next time, if you want me to kill it.” logan smiled politely.

“jesus, ellie. don’t scare me like that.” her dad stepped forward and ruffled her hair, shooting her a stern look. “i’m headed to the station. just call if you two need anything.”

“of course, dad. be safe, okay?” as soon as the door to her room swung shut again, the panicked look on her face was back. logan held up a hand as soon as she opened her mouth,  before she could say a word.

“okay, don’t freak out! i can see you freaking out.” 

“an alpha pack, logan!”

“i know.” he winced, lifting a hand and pushing it through his hair. “i know, it’s insane. which is why we can’t afford to have you have a meltdown right now.”

she really, really wanted to have a meltdown, though. “well -- what did they want?”

ellie didn’t need to be a werewolf to read his tells. logan was her best friend, and she knew his body language better than anyone else’s. her eyes narrowed as he stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans, shuffling his feet back and forth.

“logan,” she repeated, “what did they want?”

“well...” he cleared his throat, avoiding her eyes. “the thing is that... they sort of -- want me to join them.”

it felt like her eyes were going to bug out of her head. “what?”

“i know, it sounds insane. but -- they’re having, like, a pack meeting or something? on saturday. and they want me to go, but -- you know you’re like my werewolf guru. so i was really hoping... that you’d come with me.”

logan’s voice was pleading -- he was giving her the puppy-dog eyes. ellie frowned at him. “logan,” she sighed, “we don’t know anything about them! they could be dangerous. we can’t just -- go there.”

already, her mind was racing a mile a minute. in all the dusty old books she’d read since logan was turned, she didn’t recall ever seeing anything about an alpha pack. there was hardly enough time to do any real research before saturday, and it wasn’t exactly like this whole thing came with a training manual -- so, your best friend is a werewolf? here are twenty scenarios you’ll be facing before your high school graduation.

“i know, okay? but...” both of his shoulders lifted with a shrug. “the guy kind of made it seem like i didn’t have a choice. and i can’t do this without you, ellie.”

she flopped back onto her bed with a groan. he was right. logan really couldn’t do any of this without her. over the last three years, they’d fought their way through more supernatural messes than she’d ever thought possible. ellie found herself spending every waking hour not at school or cramming for it consuming magical lore that she was only sure was true less than half the time, pursuing shady leads in weird libraries across california, all in the hopes of learning something that would help them, someday.

the night he was bitten, they’d been out in the woods together -- logan had suggested it as a way to cheer her up after a failed test. the clearing they visited frequently had always had the best view of the stars, something that never failed to calm them both down when life felt overwhelming. 

though he’d always assured her it wasn’t her fault, ellie couldn’t help but feel responsible for what’d happened to him, and all the problems that eventually followed. as it was, she and logan went on to save each other’s lives at least a thousand times over. she was the only thing that helped him through his first few shifts, and he was always, always, always her best friend, even before everything -- maybe the only real one she’d ever had. 

now it was three years later, and she knew way more about werewolves than she’d ever expected to. since logan was bitten, their sleepy town of lake forest, california had undergone an awakening -- a chasm in the woods near the very spot they’d been exploring that split wide open and filled the city with all sorts of insane magic that the two of them always seemed to be stuck cleaning up. even though she had no idea how, ellie was pretty sure that was somehow her fault, too. 

the least she could do now was pay him back for all he’d done to help by continuing to be the brains of their operation. “they’re going to kill us,” she moaned, sparing a brief, fleeting and ridiculous thought to what she should wear. 

“i’m not going to let anyone kill us.” right. that was his role -- confidence, brute strength, being the sturdiest shoulder to cry on she’d ever met in her life. she had no idea what she could ever do without him. “so -- is that a yes?”

“ugh.” she rolled up to sit on the edge of the bed again, reaching in her nightstand for the journal she used to take notes on everything weird that ever happened to them. logan looked absurdly hopeful, perched in her desk chair. “just -- give me all the details you have before i change my mind.”

*

“huh.” she frowned at him as she put the car in park on the street, squinting up at the house they were stopped in front of suspiciously. it looked... normal enough. it was in a regular neighborhood, surrounded by plenty of other... normal looking houses. “are you sure we’re in the right place?”

“what were you expecting?” logan asked, sounding amused, “dracula’s lair?”

ellie rolled her eyes at him. “if dracula’s real, i’m resigning as your werewolf handler. i bet he’d at least pay.” but it was throwing her off a little, how far this seemed from what she’d been expecting. her stomach twisted with unease as she glanced up at the house again. “do you think they can hear us?”

as if on cue, the front door swung open. a young woman was standing in the doorway, smirking at them. ellie felt her cheeks flush. damn werewolf hearing.

“well -- i guess this is it,” logan declared, sliding out of the passenger seat without hesitation. ellie sighed, slamming the car door and following closely behind him. she tried not to look nervous when they made their way up the front path.

“hey.” logan greeted the girl who’d opened the door with a sense of calm she wished more than anything he could teach her how to exude. over the years, it’d been just one of his annoying quirks she couldn’t get to rub off on her. 

the stranger looked them both up and down. her eyes shifted from logan to ellie, and then she grinned sharply. “awwww. you brought a human.”

they both bristled. “my name is ellie,” she cut in, her nerves giving way to annoyance. why was every supernatural she met always so fucking rude?

logan reached out for her wrist and tapped twice, their universal signal for trouble. okay. so the rude lady was one of them -- part of the alpha pack. that was fine. she’d hardly be the first alpha werewolf ellie ever mouthed off to before.

the tension gave way as the woman looked down at her and laughed. “cute. this should be interesting.” she surveyed them both for another moment and then inclined her head down the hallway. “follow me.” 

ellie shot logan a look as they both followed her down the hall, but he only shrugged one shoulder at her. at this point in their friendship, they were perfect experts at communicating with just a look, and she rolled her eyes at him, knowing he didn’t see anything wrong with or off about the situation so far. this was why she always had to be on her guard -- logan was way too trusting. one side of his mouth lifted in a slight smile.

from in front of them, the woman asked, “do you two always do that?”

ellie startled. “what?”

“forget it. in here.” 

there was music playing in the room somewhere, soft and slow. ellie frowned as she looked around, again expecting... something much different than what she saw, which was a simple study with a desk, some arm chairs and a pool table, where two incredibly well-dressed women were playing each other. whoever had solids was winning by a lot.

every set of eyes in the room landed on her when they walked in. defensively, she folded her arms underneath her chest. typical. this was how everyone they encountered always looked at her -- like she didn’t belong, just because she was human. if they only knew how many dangerous situations she’d gotten logan out of, how many times they’d saved the stupid city and, frankly, all of orange county --

from beside her, the werewolf woman who’d opened the door for them laughed. “amp down, tiny. they’re just surprised, that’s all.”

her cheeks flushed. she hated when logan did that, let alone -- strangers. her private emotions were meant to be just that: private. 

“she really doesn’t like that,” logan remarked helpfully from her other side. “i try to just tune the way she smells out.”

the woman shrugged. “well, she smells good.”

“excuse me!” ellie could feel her cheeks burning bright red. “i’m right here.” 

the two women by the pool table had abandoned their cues and were now starting to walk over. they smiled at logan, stepping closer to shake his hand. “logan, right? we’ve heard a lot about you.”

they were both gorgeous. logan smiled charmingly as he shook both of their hands. “that’s me, and this is ellie.”

the blonde woman eyed her with interest. “really -- how does that work?”

“well, we’ve kind of been best friends our whole lives,” logan answered obliviously as the other woman -- taller, with dark hair -- moved to shake ellie’s hand, too.

“nice to meet you both. i’m ximena.” she nodded at the blonde woman. “this is ingrid. and i see you already met mona.” ellie twisted around to look at the woman who’d answered the door for her. she only stared back at the both of them.

“we’re just waiting on colt, he should --”

the door from the patio swung open and a boy who couldn’t have been much older than she or logan strolled in, a motorcycle helmet held under his arm. he looked annoyed. “sorry i’m late, there was a shitload of traffic on the...”

he trailed off into nothing. ellie recognized exactly what he was doing as soon as his head cocked to the side. logan always did the same thing whenever she switched perfumes or someone new had been in her bedroom. he was scenting the air -- probably wondering who let the human in.

his eyes locked on hers immediately. “who’re you?”

seriously, so rude. ellie shot logan a look he’d seen many times before. do they not teach manners in werewolf school?

he stepped in smoothly. “hey, this is ellie. she’s my --”

“this meeting isn’t for girlfriends,” colt snapped coldly, looking her up and down. ellie huffed, annoyance rolling off of her in waves. she could feel logan tense beside her, but he was perfectly calm when he spoke up again.

“ellie’s my best friend. we work together on everything. she knows everything there is to know about... werewolf stuff.” she turned to look at him and found his gaze firm. “we’re a package deal.”

judging by the little nod logan gave her, he could smell how warm the sentiment made her. but that was logan -- always sticking up for her, always finding some way to make her smile. even when they were in some ridiculous situation like this.

ellie looked back at colt and found him glaring at the both of them. he looked like he’d just bitten into a lemon. she couldn’t stop herself from smiling. “fine,” he said begrudgingly, “i guess she can stay.”

*

it was less awkward than she’d expected it to be. the tension from their introductions faded and logan charmed the alphas pretty much immediately, in that same easygoing way he always did. the girls thought he was just about the greatest thing they’d ever seen -- not that ellie blamed them. in her short time dealing with werewolves, ellie had come to realize logan was a rare breed. he was the real deal: honest, loyal, brave, compassionate -- driven to do the right thing, even when it usually spelled trouble for them. he was a far cry from the mess he’d been when he was first turned, just a few years ago. he was a true alpha -- he hadn’t gotten his status by killing or taking, he’d earned it.

she doubted the same could be said for anyone else in the room they were in.

mostly, colt and the others seemed curious about all they’d seen in lake forest since the awakening. they grilled logan with questions on every ridiculous creature they’d fought over the last three years, though more often than not, logan kept having to turn to her to have ellie fill in the details, which she did with precision, gritting her teeth against the way the rest of the werewolves kept staring at her in surprise as she described their escapades.

logan was halfway through a story he’d mixed up with another when she shook her head. “no,” she interrupted, “that was when we fought the kanima. you’re confusing it with the harpies. the kanima couldn’t be in water, remember?”

“oh, you’re right.” logan nodded, ignoring the way everyone was looking at them both. “did you bring your book? i think it’d help jog my memory.” his grin was sheepish when he turned it on the other alphas, rubbing at the back of his neck. “it’s been a crazy three years. it’s hard to keep it all straight.”

ellie pulled her notebook out of her purse, flipping through the pages. from across the table, on the other couch, colt snorted. “what is that?”

she glared at him. “i keep notes on everything we encounter, not that it’s any of your business.” 

“ellie’s an amazing researcher,” logan declared proudly, seemingly thinking he was helping. colt and ellie continued to glare at each other. “i think she’s read literally every book on the supernatural there is. she also keeps an encyclopedia of terms and stuff we haven’t seen yet, in case of emergencies.”

colt smirked condescendingly. “sounds resourceful.”

“actually, it is,” she bit back, snapping her notebook closed, “and if you’re going to make fun of it, don’t come asking us for help the next time you run into a nogitsune and can’t get it to leave.”

mona’s eyebrows lifted high. “you two fought off a nogitsune?”

logan winced. ellie folded her arms under her chest and looked away. “it sort of... possessed her, for a little bit.” he bumped his shoulder into ellie’s, and she softened, looking back at him with a tiny smile. “we got her back, though. ellie’s real tough.”

her eyes flashed gratefully at him. logan’s answering grin was wide, all teeth. don’t mention it.

she turned to look defiantly back at colt, and found him studying the two of them thoughtfully. the expression on his face was mostly neutral, though she was sure she could read disgust in the twist of his mouth. 

when he spoke, his voice was slow. “mona... why don’t you show logan the rest of the house? i’d like to talk to ellie a little more about her diary.”

she rolled her eyes. so -- now he was sexist, too? if logan had been the one keeping incredibly detailed notes on their adventures, she highly doubted he’d be calling it a diary.

logan was stiff beside her. “that’s okay,” he said evenly, “we can go over it together.” 

colt smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. there seemed to be a challenge in his gaze. “relax, i’m not gonna hurt her. i just want to talk to her.” colt turned towards her and fixed her with a stare so intense it made her freeze in place. “that’s alright, isn’t it?”

logan’s obvious anxiety drew her back to him. they locked eyes, and he silently held her gaze. she was sure he was doing what he always did, listening to her heartbeat. after a moment, he nodded. “okay. a quick tour sounds fun.”

he stood up, and she watched everyone leave the room, until it was just her and colt, who stood, too. “let’s talk in my office,” he said, in a way that didn’t leave room for an argument, “we’ll have more privacy there.”

*

she didn’t bother pretending like she wasn’t looking around when he shut the door behind him. ellie’s eyes swept the study, cataloging everything she could see with interest. the books in the shelves lining his walls were almost enough to make her drool -- too bad they were wasted on such an asshole. she’d never give him the satisfaction of letting him know she’d love to sort through them. 

her eyes came to rest on the line of his back as he strolled to the desk and poured himself a drink. “want one?”

ellie grimaced, eyeing the little purple flowers floating in the decanter. she hated the taste of wolfsbane. “no thanks.”

colt sat in the chair behind his desk and gestured for her to sit in the one in front of it. ellie ignored him, still strolling slowly around his office, looking thoughtfully at everything from the carpet to the artwork hung on the walls. “so,” she started, “how long have you been a werewolf?”

“i was born one.” she could feel his eyes following her as she scanned the works on his bookshelf again from up close, making a mental note of the titles that stuck out to her. 

“how long have you been an alpha?”

“five years.” he didn’t elaborate further. she stepped closer to his desk, though her eyes didn’t stray from the spines of the books.

“who’d you have to kill?”

he didn’t hesitate to answer. “my dad.”

ellie twisted to look at him over her shoulder, her eyebrows lifted in surprise. “seriously?”

colt shrugged, bringing the glass in his hands to his lips. “he killed my mom.”

“that’s... heavy.” she slowed to a stop in front of his desk, still not taking the seat he’d indicated. “so... why an alpha pack?”

colt shrugged again. “why not?” ellie leveled him with an unimpressed look, and this time he continued. “you know how dangerous it is for people like us. logan’s done well for himself, but there’s strength in numbers. if you two keep going the way you are now, it’s only a matter of time before another alpha challenges him. he needs a pack.” he eyed her from behind his glass, and then amended, “a real pack.”

ellie planted her hands on her hips. “you mean you? look -- we’re not stupid. i know you only want him because he’s a true alpha. and you’re after his power, like everyone else. but logan is a good person. all he cares about is doing the right thing. and i’m not going to let you manipulate him into being someone he’s not, just so you can use him to beef up your arsenal.”

colt’s eyes flashed. in a nanosecond he was up from his desk, and backed her against the wall. ellie gasped as he crowded in close. “what’re you doing? back off.”

“not so brave without your guard dog here, are you?” he sneered at her, actually laughing when she lifted her hands to push ineffectually at his shoulders. “your self-righteous bullshit is all well and good while you’re taking down harpies in lake forest. but you two have no idea what’s actually out there. and sooner or later, you’re both going to realize i’m right. joining this pack is logan’s only option.”

his eyes were blazing, awfully intense as they swept ellie’s face. she shoved him again, but this time he moved, shaking his head as he walked calmly back to his desk. “he values your opinion. you should let him know what you think.”

she was flushed again. “i think you’re an asshole.” she turned to leave.

colt smirked at her. she did her best to cover up her emotions in the way she’d been practicing with logan, and was gratified when he narrowed his eyes. “maybe,” he said finally, “but i’m right.” he set his empty glass back down on the desk. “and i’m patient. i’ll wait as long as it takes for you to see reason.”

ellie strode to the door and flung it open, startling when she saw logan just in front of it, out of breath like he’d run back across the house. “jesus, you scared me,” he said, reaching out to grab her shoulders, looking her over for any signs of distress. “i couldn’t hear your heartbeat.”

colt appeared from behind her shoulder. “sorry. this room’s soundproof.” logan looked back and forth between the two of them, still glancing her over. his nose wrinkled, and he turned his gaze on colt warily. ellie blushed to the roots of her hair as she realized she must smell like him, now, from where he’d pressed her in against the bookshelves. 

she shook her head at logan, who arched an eyebrow as if to let her know that he wouldn’t forget to ask her about this later. “i’ll walk you guys out,” colt said, breaking the sudden quiet.

they stepped silently into the foyer. colt held his hand out to logan. “listen, why don’t you come around next week after school? we do most of our... group stuff in the afternoons. you can see what it’s really like out here, and we can talk some more.” without even having to look at him, ellie knew he was already considering it. there was a pause, and then colt said, “your bodyguard can come, too.”

ellie stayed resolutely silent beside logan, watching colt curiously. she wondered what he was playing at, but he kept smiling that weird smile -- the one that looked more like a threat. “sure,” logan said finally, annoying people-pleaser that he was. one of these days his politeness was seriously going to get them killed. “sounds fun.”

*

no amount of nagging could talk logan out of going back to the house after school on monday, so that was how ellie found herself sitting outside on the alpha pack’s back porch, working through her calculus homework while the rest of the wolves ran around in the backyard.

it was almost nice -- logan had never known any other werewolves who were actually kind to him before. most of the creatures they encountered in lake forest were looking to kill them or some other innocent people, so he’d hardly gotten the how-to manual ellie had been sorely hoping for, when he first turned. out here, around other people like him, he seemed... lighter, somehow. more carefree. 

then colt sat down on the porch next to her. “don’t you have something else you could be doing?” she asked, without looking up from her text book. she was almost done with her problem set.

“is it so wrong if i want to get to know you better?” his voice had a carefully manufactured tone of innocence. she rolled her eyes.

“it is, because that’s not why you’re here. you want something. so please just spit it out so i can get back to my homework.”

she glanced over at him, then, and found colt already looking at her, clearly annoyed. he pursed his lips, seemingly weighing his options, and then sighed. “did he... say anything to you? about his decision?”

ellie laughed, turning back to her notebook. “i can try slipping him a note, if you want? ‘do you like colt as more than a friend, check yes or no’ --”

“forget it. you’re impossible.” she looked back at him just in time to see his eyes flash red -- so quickly she might’ve missed it otherwise. it felt very, very different than any number of times she’d seen logan do it before.

“you don’t scare me,” ellie said.

colt smirked at her. “that’s not what your pulse says.”

true, her heartbeat was going faster. ellie rolled her eyes at him. “don’t be nosy.” she turned her gaze resolutely back to her calculus textbook, forcing herself to keep her eyes on the paper. 

colt leaned in a little closer. “but you don’t smell scared.” 

she could feel her cheeks flush. “stop it. i hate that.”

he laughed. “you and logan are practically joined at the hip, and you hate being read? how does that work?”

“logan’s a nice person,” she said pointedly, “he ignores it.”

the sound of his scoff made her lift her eyes curiously. “unless his nose is broken, i’m not sure how anyone could ignore that. you reek. it’s unbearable.”

she blinked. “excuse me?”

“at first i thought you were projecting, but since you hate everyone else knowing how you feel, i guess you’re not.” he wasn’t looking at her -- his gaze was staring out at the backyard, where the rest of the alphas were talking to logan.

she frowned. logan had never said anything about the way she smelled before. “is it... bad?”

colt shook his head. “nah.” when he didn’t elaborate, her frown deepened.

ellie drew in a breath and decided to change the subject. “so... if logan decides to join your pack, what happens next? is there some kind of... initiation?”

“what, like group sex?” he grinned widely at her. “i bet you’d like that, wouldn’t you?”

“no!” she exclaimed, reaching out and whacking his shoulder. “that’s not what i meant.” her face was hot with an undeniable blush.

colt laughed at her again. “you two haven’t... done anything, to make it official? being pack, i mean.”

she shrugged. “everything i found online said stuff about biting. logan never wanted to risk it. he said we were pack way before any of this mess happened, anyway.” and she’d been inclined to agree with him.

when ellie turned back towards colt, she found him already staring at her. his gaze was indecipherable. “it’s amazing you two are still alive,” he said finally, “flying blind like you are.”

“hey, we do alright.” her voice was a mix of defensive and proud. they’d figured out a lot together, after all. 

colt slowly shook his head. “i guess you never needed it. pack dynamics are all about protection. and you smell so much like alpha werewolf i wouldn’t touch you with a ten foot pole, if i ran into you somewhere outside of this.”

ellie was surprised again. logan had never mentioned her smelling like him before, but he was a hugger -- always lingering, rubbing his palms over the sleeves of her jackets, laying in her bed when he came over. huh. “i smell like logan?”

“you smell like you two spend all of your free time rolling around together in a pile of his dirty clothes.” ellie looked down at her own shirt, her brow furrowing. she’d never noticed that before.

“logan never said anything. but i guess we do spend a lot of time together.” 

colt shrugged lazily. “he probably likes it. even if he doesn’t want to fuck you, it’s instinct to want to have a pack, and to protect that pack. i’d wager smelling like him has kept you out of a lot of trouble.”

ellie gaped at him. before she could say a word, he stood up and shoved his hands in his pockets. “i’ll leave you to it.” colt nodded down at her textbook and walked off down the stairs, heading over towards the group. 

*

logan waited until they were almost all the way back to lake forest before he said, “so...”

she sighed. “i still don’t like it.”

“i know. but?”

“but... i guess they’re growing on me,” ellie admitted begrudgingly, shaking her head at the sight of logan’s smile. “i know you like them. i just think we need to be careful.”

“definitely,” he agreed, nodding. he still looked pretty excited. “i’m not saying i’m ready to make my decision. but... i think we could keep hanging out over there, see how things go. i think they like you, too.”

ellie laughed. “really? i think they tolerate me because of you.”

“nah. the girls were totally grilling me about you all day! i don’t think any of them have any human friends.”

“maybe they were checking to make sure you’re single,” she pointed out fairly, thinking of the way they’d all seemed pretty enamored by him. “colt said we basically smell like we’re sleeping together 24/7.”

logan jerked forward abruptly as she slowed the car to a stop at a red light. he coughed. “he said that?”

“uh huh,” ellie confirmed, pursing her lips as she recalled their conversation. “how come you never told me i smell so much like you? he said it’s... really noticeable.”

logan shrugged. “i guess i never thought about it before. you always smelled like me, even when i first turned. and i spend so much time at your house... we kind of just have one smell, at this point.”

“well -- it seemed to bother him,” she pressed thoughtfully, thinking of the scowl on his lips. “he said it was really strong.”

“really?” logan questioned, “that’s weird. i’ve never noticed you smelling... more or less than anyone else. most people just kind of smell... like themselves, you know?”

“no,” she laughed, “but i get it.”

“the only person i ever remember smelling really strongly was jessica valenti, last year. she’s the reason i failed british lit.”

“she’s the reason you failed brit lit?” ellie repeated, her voice climbing with disbelief, “i don’t think so. you were obsessed with her, but...” 

her voice trailed off, the words dying in her throat. logan had a pretty monumental crush on jessica valenti. for the entirety of their junior year, she was all he ever thought or talked about. 

“uh oh. what’s that look for?” logan asked warily. “i can hear you thinking.”

“you can’t hear me thinking,” she dismissed, pulling the car to a slow stop in front of her house. her dad’s cruiser was in the driveway. “your hearing’s not that good. c’mon, let’s see what mess he made for dinner. thank god it’s real housewives night -- i need a break from werewolf stuff.”

“me, too,” he agreed with a groan, standing and stretching when he slid out of the jeep. ellie knocked into him as they rushed up the front steps together, their shoulders bumping playfully. if anyone could distract her from her swirling thoughts, it was logan -- and andy cohen, of course. 

*

logan had lacrosse practice on tuesday and wednesday, so they didn’t head back to the house until thursday. colt seemed on edge when they arrived, but he left ellie alone for a few hours to study while the rest of the pack talked, somewhere far off in the backyard. 

once she was certain she knew the material for her anatomy exam inside and out, ellie put her books back in her bag and wandered over to see what everyone was up to. when she was still a few yards away in the grass, logan lifted his head and smiled at her.

“hey. wanna race?”

“no way, cheater. you never play fair.”

“it’s not my fault!” he insisted, which was true. logan always started out with the best of intentions, fully planning to use only his human speed. then he started losing, and without fail, he always cheated.

“actually,” colt spoke up, the sound of his voice catching her attention. ellie turned and looked at him, meeting his eyes with surprise. “i wanted to show you something. do you mind?”

for once he wasn’t being outwardly rude, so -- “sure thing.” he turned and headed back to the house. she followed him, trying to pretend like she didn’t notice the way everyone was staring as they went.

“he’s really concerned that i’m going to kill you,” colt remarked absently as they stepped back into the house. he was heading towards his office again. it sounded like he thought logan was being funny. 

“well -- are you going to kill me?”

“i’m hurt that you would even ask me that,” colt said, though he was smirking obnoxiously. she rolled her eyes at him. 

“you are bringing me to your soundproof room,” she pointed out.

“only because this is where your present is.” he held the door open for her expectantly, even when surprise obviously colored her face. 

“my present?” this time, she walked to the chair in front of his desk and sat down. instead of taking the seat behind it, colt sat on the edge of the desk, right in front of her. their legs brushed.

he reached behind himself and presented her with an old book. “here. i was going through some things and found it. thought you might find it useful.”

ellie opened it and flipped through the pages. well -- it was in english, which was a start. most of the texts she’d found on her research tour of the weirdest libraries in california only had things to offer in latin. “what is it?”

“werewolf history.” her eyes lit up as she thumbed through the book carefully. finally, an faq for this disaster. colt hesitated, and then said, “it was my mom’s.”

ellie’s expression softened as she looked up at him. “oh. i -- thank you. this is really nice.” her teeth dug into her bottom lip. “you don’t want it?”

he shook his head. “i was born this way. i already know everything there is to know. you guys will get much more use out of it.” he looked down at where she was hugging the book to her chest, and smiled. for the first time, it wasn’t that threatening smile, but something... gentler. “she’d want you to have it.”

“well... thanks,” ellie said again, her voice slow. her expression split into an honest look of gratitude. 

“you’re welcome.” he looked cautiously... pleased. “you know you can come in here whenever you want, right? and read whatever. i haven’t looked through this shit in years. if you find something you want -- then be my guest. seriously.”

“really?” she questioned, looking around at the bookshelves again. she was trying not to show how excited his offer made her, but judging by his laugh, she didn’t think she’d managed it.

“yeah,” colt shrugged. “if you guys are going to be hanging out here... i want you to have someplace you feel comfortable. no one will bother you in here.”

“right,” she teased playfully, “while you guys are having group sex.”

“oh, we’d never leave you out of group sex,” he returned, his grin stretching widely. he appeared almost impressed by her joke. 

ellie laughed, looking up at him from under her eyelashes. it seemed like there was more to him than she’d thought, after all. maybe he was actually a decent person. 

colt cleared his throat. he nodded at the book in her hands. “so... you think logan will like that?”

“yeah,” ellie nodded. “he’s never really had... any other werewolves who’ve been friendly to him around before. there’s a lot i’m sure he wants to talk about with someone who’s been there. i mean -- we obviously talk, but... it’s not the same, you know?”

colt nodded, folding his arms across his chest. ellie looked slowly down at the book in her hands, an unpleasant thought suddenly dawning on her.

“is that why you gave this to me? so i’d talk you up to logan?” her cheeks flushed an angry red. when she met colt’s eyes again, he didn’t deny it -- he didn’t say anything, actually, and she knew he loved arguing. ellie stood up abruptly. “ugh. just when i start to think you might actually have some redeeming qualities.” 

she glared at him, planting one hand on her hip. the other continued to hug the book to her chest. “you can’t convince him to join you by trying to win me over. we’re people -- not possessions. if you want him to like you guys, try being honest for once. leave me out of it.”

colt’s eyes narrowed at her, but he didn’t stop her from storming out of his office and out into the backyard. he didn’t follow her, either.

logan jogged over as soon as she stopped on the porch. “hey, what’s wrong?”

she shook her head. “nothing. are you ready to go?”

logan looked over her shoulder, squinting into the house. “did he do something to you?”

“no,” she murmured, “i’m just tired. come on.”

*

she waited in the car while he said goodbye to everyone. as soon as they pulled away from the curb, logan inched closer from the passenger seat. “look, i know you hate when i do this, but you smell really upset. do you want to talk about it?”

her grip tightened on the steering wheel. “not really.”

“well -- if colt did something to upset you, i’ll talk to him,” logan offered earnestly. “what’d he give you, anyway?” 

ellie sighed, reaching into the backseat for the book. she dropped it in logan’s lap. “werewolf history book. it’s mostly for you, but -- i’ll read it and give you the highlights.”

“sweet.” ellie could hear the grin in his voice as he flipped through it. she kept her eyes resolutely on the road, even when they slowed to a stop at a light. “but, seriously. what’d he say that upset you?”

“nothing. i’m just stressed out about my anatomy exam.” she glanced over at logan and found him giving her a look she knew well. it said i know you’re lying, and i also know that you hate when i listen to your heartbeat to see if you’re lying. 

“okay,” logan sighed finally, when she refused to give in. “don’t tell me. it’s not like we’re lifelong best friends, or anything. two people who never keep secrets from each other. two people who swore on a spit handshake to tell each other everything, no matter what --”

“okay,” she laughed, “jesus, fine.” ellie bit her bottom lip. “but it’s stupid.”

“ellie. do you know how many stupid things i’ve said to you over the course of our friendship? come on.”

he had a point. “well... i thought he was being nice to me -- on purpose. but he just wants me to talk him up to you. i think he thinks i’ll be able to convince you to... make your decision faster.”

logan leaned over the center console. “that’s not stupid. do you -- like him or something?”

“no!” ugh. did she? “no. he totally sucks. but everyone else has been really nice to you. and at the end of the day, you should make the decision that’ll be best for you. i’ll support you one hundred percent either way.”

“i know you will.” logan smiled at her. “you always have my back.”

“damn right. so -- kelso’s? i’m starving.”

“yeah, you look like you could use a cheer-up milkshake. i’ll buy.”

“you don’t have to do that,” ellie protested, but she leaned into his arm when he reached out to rub comfortingly at her shoulder. “i’m fine. it didn’t even bother me that much.”

“i know,” logan said, even though they both knew she was lying again, “but it makes me feel better. so -- can i?”

“well... if it’ll make you feel better.” ellie smiled. “then i guess --”

her voice cut off as she turned up the street. logan abruptly sat up straighter, leaning towards the windshield. “holy shit,” he breathed, “what is that thing?”

ellie’s eyes widened in horror. in the middle of the road, chasing two screaming kids through the street, was someone she recognized only barely from school -- but he didn’t quite look like himself, his eyes glowing bright white. as they drove closer, ellie could see rows and rows of painfully sharp teeth. he had blood on his mouth.

“i think it’s a wendigo,” she gasped, pressing down harder on the gas to get closer. 

“but that’s -- that’s sean, he’s a junior --”

“he’s about to eat those two kids,” ellie said frantically, helplessly watching him gain on them, “we have to stop him. if i get you close enough do you think you can hit him with my crossbow?”

“like -- like kill him?” logan asked in a panic, even as he scrambled into the backseat for her crossbow as directed. “isn’t there something else we can do?”

“no time.” she stabbed the button for the sunroof, gunning the gas as she did so. “get up there and shoot, logan. now.”

“jesus christ,” he mumbled, pushing up onto his knees on the center console, “can’t we ever just have one fucking day --”

ellie slammed on the breaks. sean from school turned at the sound of screeching tires and snarled at them both, taking a step towards the car.

“logan, now,” she pressed urgently. she saw his finger hover over the trigger.

logan grimaced. “sorry, man.” 

the arrow sailed cleanly into his chest. ellie winced as he fell to the ground with a scream, twitching on the pavement. in the distance, she saw the two kids he’d been chasing run off into the night.

she put the car into reverse. “yeah, that’s definitely a wendigo. which means -- there’s more where he came from.”

“awesome,” logan mumbled, dropping down back into the passenger seat, tossing her crossbow into the back of the car. silently, ellie rolled up the sunroof. “that’s totally what i was hoping you’d say.”

*

when she got home, later that night, ellie took care to seal off every window and doorway with mountain ash. she knew her dad would have a long night out ahead of him -- especially once they found sean’s body, and while logan had offered to stay over, the last thing she wanted was to wait up all night worrying. 

she didn’t go back to the house with him on friday, or saturday. on sunday, she dusted off the entrance to her bedroom and logan slipped into her window and dropped another thick book in her lap.

“what’s this?” ellie asked, pushing aside the schoolwork she’d been staring blankly at for the last few hours and decidedly not completing. she turned the heavy text over in her hands.

“bestiary.” he pulled her desk chair out and sat in it backwards, resting his arms against the frame. “colt said it’s like the encyclopedia you’ve been keeping, but... longer.”

ellie pulled a face as she flipped through the pages. “it’s in latin. he told you to give me this?”

logan nodded slowly. it felt like there was something he was dancing around saying. she arched an eyebrow at him, and after a minute of staring, he sighed and gave in. “mona figured he meant it like an apology. all the girls said he’s never passed out presents to anyone else before.”

she rolled her eyes, setting the book aside. translating it was going to take forever. “an apology is an apology,” she said flatly. “and anyway, he should be giving you something you want. i don’t know what he thinks a couple of books are going to do.”

logan shrugged, running a hand through his hair. “they are giving me something i want. i don’t want you to take this the wrong way, but... having friends who are werewolves has been... kind of cool.”

ellie smiled encouragingly. “i know. and i’m really happy for you. if you like spending time there -- then i want you to keep doing it.”

“yeah,” he nodded, “and i definitely will, but -- it’d be way better if you would come back with me. will you think about it?”

“logan...” she wavered, looking down at her bed instead of at the adorable pleading look she knew he was giving her. “i don’t know...”

“just think about it,” logan said again, “for me?”

she sighed heavily. “fine. now get out of here so i can start translating this thing in peace. and -- call me if you see anything weird? my dad hasn’t said anything about sean, but...”

he nodded seriously. “yeah. it’s only a matter of time.” he lifted his hand to give her a two-fingered salute, heading back towards the window. “i’ll text you, okay?”

as quickly as he came, he was gone. ellie settled into her bed with her laptop, and opened the bestiary. before all this started, she could’ve never imagined she’d spend so many hours teaching herself ancient latin, just so she could have a chance at keeping them alive -- but here she was, working her way through a centuries-old book given to her by an alpha werewolf, ignoring her calculus homework yet again. 

she zoned out quickly, mindlessly flipping through the pages. hours passed before she took a breather, but eventually, she was pleased to find that she’d made her way about half-through the book, sliding off her bed to stand and stretch. she ran down to the kitchen for a glass of water -- her dad still wasn’t home. 

when she stepped back into her bedroom, she heard the window slide open just as she pulled the door shut behind her. “hey, did you find anything? i got about halfway through -- jesus!”

ellie startled, clapping her hand over her heart. it wasn’t logan who’d slipped through her window.

it was colt.

he was wearing a leather jacket and jeans, and frowned at her when she shakily set her glass of water down on her nightstand. “what the hell are you doing here?” she demanded, shifting back and forth on her feet self-consciously. she was in her pajamas.

“you shouldn’t keep that unlocked,” he said instead, nodding to her windowsill. his gaze traveled slowly around her bedroom. he smirked when he caught sight of her debate team trophies. 

“i don’t,” ellie answered, annoyed already, “i thought you were logan.” she walked back over to her bed and sat down among her laptop and the still-open bestiary. “you could use the front door, you know.”

he shrugged. “i didn’t know if your dad would be home. you didn’t mention he was a detective.”

ellie arched her eyebrows. “i don’t see how that’s any of your business.”

a muscle jumped in his jaw. he nodded at the book on her bed. “he gave it to you?”

“yeah.”

“i know it’s in latin, but at least you can look at the pictures, right?”

ellie rolled her eyes. she turned her laptop around so he could see the screen. “i already started translating it. i’m, like, half done. once i finish tomorrow i can actually start reading it.”

colt gaped at her. “you’re half done?”

she flushed. “i’m not an idiot, okay? just because i’m not a werewolf doesn’t mean i don’t have my own skills to contribute. logan and i wouldn’t be able to do half of what we can without me. do you know how many obscure books i’ve found and read to him, just so we could have some idea what we’re up against? do you have any idea --”

“ellie,” he huffed, drawing her up short. he looked pained. he pinched the bridge of his nose, and slowly shook his head. “i’m not -- insulting you. you just told me you translated 500 pages of ancient latin in a few hours. i’m impressed.”

“oh.” she picked at a loose thread on the comforter. “well... thanks, i guess.”

“no one ever said you aren’t an asset, you know. you don’t have to be so defensive.”

she watched as he eyed her desk chair distrustfully. he must’ve known that was where logan always sat. with a glance back at her, he slowly lowered himself into it. 

“no one has to say it,” she mumbled, averting her eyes. “i can see it on their faces. everyone thinks i’m the stupid human who can’t keep up -- not just you guys. always.”

“well, anyone who’d underestimate you is an idiot,” he shrugged. “it’s unbelievably fucking obvious that you’re the pack alpha. logan doesn’t make a move without thinking about you. you staying on top of this shit is clearly the only reason he’s even alive.”

“you don’t have to butter me up, okay? logan already likes you guys. you don’t need to convince me --”

“jesus christ, can i just give you a fucking compliment?” she blinked at him in surprise as his eyes flashed red. “i’m trying to acknowledge what you bring to the table -- which, for the record, is a hell of a lot. you’re obviously brilliant. can you just let me say it?”

“...okay?” she wasn’t sure she was totally aware of what exactly was happening. 

“logan is lucky he has someone like you in his corner.” his gaze was hard set -- determined. “any pack you’d be part of would be lucky to have you. including ours.”

she had absolutely no idea what to say. he had to hear how fast her heart was beating now.

“i’m sorry i fucked up saying it before. i didn’t mean to make you mad. and i wasn’t trying to win you over just so logan would join the pack.” 

ellie blinked. “did you just... apologize?” she asked. this was surreal. and -- had he been trying to win her over for... some other reason? “and... invite me to join the pack? is that allowed?”

the smile that started to form on his face looked like it was pulled from him against his will. “i make the rules,” he shrugged. “i can change them whenever i want.”

ellie looked down at the book in her lap. she swallowed hard. “colt... thank you.”

the heat of his stare was making her flush. he stood and walked back to the window. “don’t mention it.” his hands slid the glass back up as he prepared to leave. “seriously -- don’t. ever again.”

*

on monday, they stopped by her house after school so she could grab the bestiary and her laptop. she wanted to finish translating it at the house while logan did -- whatever werewolf stuff he did with the rest of the pack.

he’d been leaning in the doorway of her room and texting while she tried to find a way to stuff the book into her purse, but, out of nowhere, logan’s gaze suddenly turned sharp. he took a step further into the room, inhaling deeply. his eyes narrowed in on her desk chair.

“was colt here?”

“huh?” ellie asked, playing dumb. “of course not. come on -- we’re going to be late.”

*

she and logan told the rest of the group about the wendigo. “it can’t be,” ingrid insisted, shaking her head. “california hasn’t had wendigos for centuries.”

“it was,” ellie confirmed. she pulled up the photos she’d taken of her dad’s case files, once he’d fallen asleep with them spread out across the kitchen table, on her phone and passed it around. “i’d know that look anywhere. we only barely got him in time.”

ximena whistled lowly, her eyes on the arrow sticking out of sean’s chest. “you guys did that?”

she exchanged a silent look with logan, who defensively answered, “he was about to eat two little kids.”

“hey, i’m not judging. just wondering where the hell two high school kids got a crossbow.”

ellie bit her lip, hesitant. “it’s... complicated.”

she snuck another glance at logan, unsure how much he wanted to reveal. he reached out and squeezed her shoulder. “my old foster parents were hunters. we took all their stuff before... their house burned down.”

mona grinned widely at the both of them. “awesome. how’d you do it?”

“mona!” ingrid scolded, reaching out and pushing her hard until she toppled over. “stop it. don’t accuse them of arson.”

ellie laughed, leaning her head on logan’s shoulder. “no, we totally did it." everyone in the group turned towards her in surprise. ellie shrugged. “um, i short-circuited their generator. it was a pretty convincing accident. and -- trust me, they more than deserved it.”

“awesome,” mona said again. “who’d’a thought you had it in you?”

logan laughed. he wrapped an arm around her, pulling her in close. “ellie can do pretty much anything. and she’s annoyingly good at it all, too. i never would’ve been able to do any of this without her.”

colt spoke up finally. “well, this is all very touching, but i could use a drink.” his eyes landed on her. “wanna help me out?”

again, it hardly sounded like a question. she nodded, slipping out from under logan’s arm and standing. “sure.”

they walked off into the house together. ellie frowned as they bypassed the kitchen -- colt was heading towards his office. “colt?” he ignored her. “why are we --”

her voice broke off into a gasp when he pulled her inside and pushed her back against the door. ellie felt her eyes go wide as he crowded in close, tucking his face into the side of her neck. the full length of his body pressed in firmly along hers. ellie knew there was a blush rising in her cheeks. “colt? what -- what’re you --”

he ripped away from her abruptly, storming off to the other side of the room. “shit.” he was breathing hard. “jesus christ, i’m sorry. i didn’t mean to -- do that. fuck.”

ellie swallowed, taking a careful step away from the door. she didn’t say anything as colt poured himself a drink. her eyes lingered on his white-knuckled grip, tight around the glass. 

“do you want one?”

she eyed the decanter warily. she really hated the taste of wolfsbane, but... “what is it?”

“what?” he looked up and followed her line of sight, shaking his head. “you don’t have to drink that. i’ll get you something... human.” 

he reached under his desk. despite the tension in the room, ellie laughed when he he handed the can he’d found over to her. “spiked seltzer, seriously? you drink these?”

colt rolled his eyes. “no.” after a pause, he begrudgingly admitted, “logan said you like them.”

ellie stared at the can in her hand like she’d never seen a spiked setlzer before. it was mango -- her favorite flavor. “i... do. you bought these for me?”

the way he glanced off skittishly made her feel like she was looking at a completely different person. “don’t let it go to your head.”

slowly, she popped the tab, lifting the can to her lips. he stared at her expectantly while she took a sip. “it’s really good,” ellie said finally, after she’d swallowed. that made him look pretty pleased. colt nodded.

his free hand curled into a fist at his side. “i really didn’t mean to drag you in here like that.”

she shrugged, stepping closer to the desk separating them. colt watched curiously as she drew nearer. “it’s okay,” she assured him, “not the first time you’ve pushed me into a wall.”

he shook his head and drained what was left in his glass, setting it down on the desk with force. “you shouldn’t let anyone push you around.” colt turned his head and met her eyes, his gaze as intense as ever. “especially not me.”

ellie stared back at him. “wanna tell me what that was about, then?”

he lifted his hand to rub at his eyes. “not really. we should get back out there.”

logan raised a pointed eyebrow at the can in her hand when they came back to the group. ellie felt herself flush, especially as everyone turned their eyes first on her, and then on colt, when he sat down next to her. she shot logan a wide-eyed look of innocence. we didn’t do anything!

he looked back at her in disbelief. ellie narrowed her eyes. we didn’t!

mona broke the silence first. “just adorable, you two.”

logan laughed, reaching over to ruffle her hair. ellie swatted his hands away, leaning closer to colt in the process as she tried to squirm away from logan on her other side. but colt inched away carefully as soon as she came closer. 

before she knew it, it was almost her curfew. ellie yawned, making grabby hands at logan until he reached down and pulled her up. “we should go,” she murmured, hugging each of the girls in turn. colt turned away before she could wonder what she was supposed to say to him. “this was really fun.”

“yeah,” logan agreed, “it was cool, thanks for having us again.”

ingrid smiled at him as he leaned in to hug her. “spend your next full moon here, and we can do this all the time.” 

she knew she should’ve waited until they were at least down the block -- werewolf hearing meant none of their conversations were private until they were almost home -- but ellie couldn’t stop herself. as soon as they got in the car, she asked, “is that what they told you? that you have until the full moon to make your decision?”

logan’s mouth twisted. “yeah.”

“but that’s in one week! we haven’t even known them that long. they can’t expect you to just decide --”

“look, i know i have a lot to think about,” he sighed, “but... would it be the worst thing in the world? if i wanted to say yes?”

she was surprised. she didn’t think he’d been taking the offer so seriously. “i... no, of course not. is that -- what you think you want?”

logan rolled over in the passenger seat, turning to her more fully. “colt said he was going to talk to you about joining, too. did he?”

her cheeks flushed. “he told you about that?”

“he asked me what i thought. honestly, i got the feeling that he didn’t want to say anything to you if i thought it’d make you mad or -- if you thought it’d be stupid. but i said it sounded awesome, and... i thought you’d think it was awesome, too.”

ellie pursed her lips. “i didn’t think he was serious. i kind of figured he only said it because he thought i was mad at him.”

logan laughed. “ellie, the dude’s half in love with you. most of the time i swear i feel like he wants to kill me because he thinks we’re -- woah!”

she slammed on the breaks, but they were already halfway through the stop sign she’d almost just run completely anyway. luckily, they were alone in the intersection. her head whipped around to stare at logan incredulously. “i’m sorry -- what did you just say?”

logan looked at her like she was insane. “okay, i thought you knew. did you seriously think he was being so nice to you because... actually, i can’t think of any other reason he’d be so nice to you. ellie, he’s been giving you presents.”

“books,” she stressed frantically, feeling dangerously close to hyperventilating, “not, like -- not like real gifts. they’re books.”

“okay...” his voice was slow and measured in a way she recognized from every other panic-fueled meltdown she’d ever had before. he was trying to get her to calm down. “but... when we go over there, he only ever spends time with you. i seriously can’t believe you haven’t noticed.”

“i mean, i obviously noticed that, but i didn’t think... oh my god. he bought mango spiked seltzers, logan!”

“actually, he bought, like, forty variety packs and picked out all the mango ones.” logan smirked at her. “you should hear the way he goes on and on when you’re not there. he asks more questions than your dad.”

“oh my god,” she said again, shaking her head. “i can’t believe this.”

“trust me, if you could smell the way i can, you’d never doubt me again.” logan shook his head. “i thought he finally made his move when you guys left earlier, but... i’m guessing he didn’t?”

“he -- it was...” she had no idea where to begin. “i feel like i’m going to have a stroke.”

“okay, well --” 

a young girl with glowing white eyes was walking up to the car. ellie screamed, hitting the breaks again as she approached. the jeep slid to a stop just inches from her. she charged forward, towards the driver’s side door.

“ellie, i don’t think --”

“shit!” she caught a glimpse of rows and rows of sharp teeth before pressing down on the gas and speeding away as quickly as possible. her heart pounded as they raced back to her house. “shit, shit, shit. another one?”

logan sighed. “we knew there’d be more. did you recognize her?”

ellie shook her head. “she was young.” someone her age had no place in this nightmare. “i can’t help but feel like this is part of the awakening. ingrid said there haven’t been wendigos in california for centuries, and now we have them crawling all over lake forest?”

“it would be awfully convenient, otherwise...” logan sighed. “we need to go back into the woods and check out that thing everything’s been coming out of. do you think -- maybe we should bring the others?”

ellie bit her lip. her heart was still pounding. “maybe. maybe one of them will know how to close it. and then you and i won’t have to spend every weekend fighting random monsters anymore.”

“now that’d be a dream.” she shut the lights off on her car and let logan walk her to her front door, like he always did. 

logan stared at her under the porch light for a minute, and then pulled her into a tight hug. “i’m not joining the pack without you,” he mumbled stubbornly into her hair. ellie smiled; logan’s loyalty was a security blanket she was sure she could never part with, no matter what happened. he rested his cheek on the top of her head. “try to get some sleep, okay? let me know if you want to talk.”

*

the next few days at school flew by in a blur. ellie forgot to make time to panic about everything that’d happened since the weekend, so she settled for repressing it -- decidedly not thinking about colt or their wendigo problem and what she was going to do when the full moon happened in... exactly four days. she threw herself into her schoolwork, a distraction that always worked all too well for her in the past. 

but it all came to an unfortunate head when she and logan went by the house on thursday afternoon. colt sat down next to her on the back porch like nothing had happened between them. “you smell stressed.”

“stop smelling my emotions,” ellie sighed, keeping her eyes trained on the anatomy notebook in her lap, even as a blush rose to her face, “you know i hate that.”

“i can’t help it,” colt murmured, lowering his mouth to her ear. “even stressed out of your mind, you smell really fucking good.”

she swallowed, looking up and over at the rest of the pack, out in the yard. logan was with them. it looked like they were wrestling. as if he was reading her mind, colt said, “they can’t hear us.”

ellie cleared her throat. “yes they can. logan makes me whisper test answers to him from across the school. hi, logan.”

logan lifted his head and grinned unapologetically at them both. he raised his hand with a wave. mona took advantage of the distraction and tackled him to the grass, pouncing on top of him. 

“okay.” colt rolled his shoulders, leaning back on the porch on his hands. “we’ll talk about something pg-13, then. what’s got you so tense?”

she sighed, glancing up at logan again. “it’s nothing.”

“is it your wendigo problem?” he pushed. “because we can try to help you with that.”

“it’s --” she shook her head. “can you turn the music up? a little louder?”

colt reached for his phone and did so wordlessly. ellie leaned in closer to him, dropping her voice. “i’m supposed to get my college acceptances back this weekend.”

his eyebrows lifted. “so?”

“so... i know i’m going to have to defer them. it just sucks.”

he frowned at her. “why?”

“well -- because i wanted to go --”

“no, why would you have to defer them?”

she bit her bottom lip, looking down at her hands. “you wouldn’t get it.”

colt knocked his shoulder into hers. “try me.”

“ever since i was a teenager, i’ve dreamed about going to langston -- in boston? but... after the last few years, i don’t think i can... leave my dad. not here. not with... everything that’s happened, since the awakening. logan and i have been taking care of every single thing that’s come out of the woods for the last three years on our own. the police barely know anything about it. so if something happened to him because of what we did -- i don’t think i could live with myself.”

she drew in a breath, continuing before he could cut in. “and... logan, too. how can i leave him here to deal with all of this on his own? he can’t -- he’d die, even with you guys. i can’t go anywhere until we find a way to close the chasm. and that’s just... the way it is.” ellie shrugged, looking sadly off into the sky. “but it still sucks, knowing i’m probably going to get accepted, and that i’ll have to turn it down. and lie to my dad again.”

ellie slid the notebook in her lap shut, and put it back in her bag. “i knew you’d think it was stupid,” she sighed, when he didn’t say anything.

colt rolled his eyes at her. “i don’t think it’s stupid. i’m just processing.” he seemed to be taking great care to consider his words before he said them, which was new. “look -- i want you to have everything you want, okay? if that means going away to college... you should do it.”

she shook her head. “it’d be selfish.”

“then be selfish. i think you’ve more than earned it.”

he had a point. still... “it’s not that simple.” ellie turned to look at him and found his gaze hard set and determined. 

“then we’ll close the chasm. how hard can it be?”

“well -- logan and i have been trying for three years,” she remarked, sounding amused, “so i think... pretty hard.”

“you don’t think five alpha werewolves can figure it out?”

“i mean... i don’t want to be rude, but...”

ellie laughed as colt playfully shoved her shoulder. “don’t be a brat,” he chided. “we’ll at least give it a shot.” his jaw tightened, the carefree smile that’d been on his face just a moment before disappearing as quickly as it’d come. ��and then you’ll be free. you can do whatever you want.”

there was just one problem with that: she had no idea what the hell she wanted, anymore. 

she drew her bottom lip between her teeth and met his gaze again. she couldn’t stop thinking about what logan had said. the dude’s half in love with you.

“do you like me?” she asked, before she could stop herself. 

colt stared at her in surprise. “i thought you knew.”

ellie sighed, exasperated. “why does everyone keep saying that? how am i supposed to know? not all of us are werewolves with super-attuned powers of observation.”

colt looked over at the pack, and then back to her. “i’ve been giving you space to make up your mind. i thought that was what you wanted.”

that was... surprisingly mature of him. “logan said we only have four days to decide.”

he turned away. “the full moon is good bonding time -- for a pack. i guess in theory we could give you another month, but... what good would that do? either you want this or you don’t.”

she was quiet as she considered his point. “if we say yes... are you going to bite me?”

that drew colt’s gaze back to her. he looked confused. “do you... want me to bite you?”

logan had never asked her that before -- but then again, she’d never asked him, either. unprompted, or when she’d dared to dance around the subject, he’d always insisted that he’d never bite anyone, if he could help it. “no.”

“then of course i won’t. what do you take me for?” he sighed. “you’d be pack whether you wanted the bite or not. there are... other ways to make it official.”

ellie grinned. without looking at her, colt shoved his shoulder against hers again.

“don’t say group sex.”

she laughed. “i thought you liked that joke?”

ellie turned her head just in time to watch a shadow pass over his expression. “i liked it more when the thought of you having sex with someone else didn’t make me feel sick.” she startled, looking at him in surprise. she could feel a blush rise on her cheeks again. 

“colt...” she started, unsure of what, exactly, she wanted to say. why did he always make her so tongue-tied?

“look. take your time, okay?” his gaze was laser focused when it met hers, and she knew her pulse was racing again. “if you do decide you want this... i want you to be sure.”

*

logan grinned obnoxiously at her when they got in the car.

“i feel like we should talk about this,” he said, in a way that definitely meant he and everyone else in the backyard had heard most of their conversation. 

ellie shook her head furiously. “i feel like we really shouldn’t. really.”

*

they did wind up talking about it, though.

they talked about everything -- for pretty much two days straight. they talked themselves in and out of every possible situation and scenario until there were no stones left unturned. 

they had a decision to make, and like everything else, they were going to make it together.

it didn’t matter -- because they were pretty much on the same page anyway, like always, but...

they still talked about it. to death.

and when they were done, they were in complete agreement.

*

she got into langston, early decision.

*

the day before the full moon, she drove over to colt’s house alone. she hadn’t told logan or anyone she was planning on stopping by, but she knew that colt would anticipate her arrival before she’d gotten there -- she knew he’d be able to hear the sound of her tires as soon as they turned onto his block. 

mona answered the door when she arrived. her eyes trailed slowly over ellie’s body, taking in the short skirt she wore with a grin. “the day before the full moon? you must be feeling ballsy.”

...yeah. she knew how logan could get, close to the full moon, and he was a nice person. there was no telling what waited for her here. ellie shrugged. “is he home?”

her lips spread into a knowing smirk. “he’s in his room. upstairs, big door at the end of the hall. you can’t miss it.”

his bedroom?

she tried not to feel nervous as she ascended the stairs, slowly making her way down the hall as mona had indicated. he had to know she was here, right? and he hadn’t come to get the door, to find her -- he was waiting for her, here. anticipation tripped down her spine. 

just as she lifted her hand to knock, the door swung open.

colt looked both like he’d been waiting for her and like he was surprised to see her. he stared at her intensely, raking his gaze over her legs and her chest until she shifted restlessly before him, almost feeling like she was already naked, with the way he was looking at her. he stepped aside wordlessly and let her through the door. “what’re you doing here?”

“i wanted to see you,” she said honestly, looking curiously around his room. everything felt so him; a swath of dark colors covered every surface. even his bed sheets were black. they looked soft. 

he was very visibly holding himself back from... something, keeping a careful distance from where she was standing. ellie wondered about the limits of his self-restraint. she took a step closer, watching in fascination as his jaw clenched tight.

“did you make a decision?”

she nodded. whatever he read in the expression on her face seemed to placate him, because he didn’t move away, even when she got close enough to reach up and cup his face in her hands. even when she pressed their lips together in a kiss.

then he groaned, grabbing her hips and lifting her up into the air. it was effortless for him, to toss her around -- ellie’s back hit his mattress before she’d even realized it happened. she gasped, pulling him on top of her, locking her legs around his waist. his hands were already tugging insistently at her clothes as his mouth descended on hers for another hungry kiss.

“colt,” she breathed, holding tightly onto his arms, “i --”

the sound of his name pulled a deep growl from the back of his throat. ellie shivered as his hands slid up her thighs, pushing her skirt up as far as it would go. she felt his lips move from her face to her neck, sucking bruising kisses against the skin of her throat on a path up to her ear.

“you have thirty seconds to get out of these,” one hand pulled pointedly on the hem of her shirt, while the other slipped between her legs, “before i rip them apart.” with a deep breath, he lifted his head, pulling back enough to let her up off the bed. colt rolled to the edge, sitting and watching her with a smile dark enough to make her shiver again. 

in a daze, she stood, wobbling ever-so-slightly on her weak knees. ellie spent a split-second thinking about trying to be sexy before she decided she didn’t care and stripped out of her outfit as quickly as humanly possible. 

once she was down to just her underwear, she stepped closer. colt pulled her in between his spread legs, looking her over with obvious interest. he shook his head. when he spoke, his voice was rough -- almost awed. “look at you.”

slowly, she reached for the hem of his shirt, pulling it up his chest until he got the message and lifted his arms. her eyes widened as his sculpted torso came into view. “god, you’re hot.”

he laughed, gripping the backs of her thighs and urging her into his lap. ellie straddled him, inching in as close as she could possibly get. “look who’s talking. you’re fucking gorgeous.” without warning, colt’s face returned to that soft spot between her neck and shoulder, and ellie groaned loudly as she felt the scrape of his teeth -- they were blunt. human, but that didn’t mean her pulse didn’t start to race trepidatiously, a mix of fear and excitement squirming in her stomach. 

colt kissed roughly over her skin, dotting her neck and chest with marks from his teeth. his hands anchored on her hips and held her in place as he bucked up against her, grinding the hard line of his cock between her legs. ellie moaned, twisting her hand in his hair and yanking his head up so she could kiss him. colt responded eagerly, surprisingly letting her take control enough to push at his shoulders until he laid back against the bed, enough that she could crawl on top of him.

his hands slid slowly from her legs to her back, over her ass and up again. he was holding her so tightly she knew she’d have bruises tomorrow, but the press of his nails as they dragged over her arms stayed resolutely dull. the only sign she could find that indicated he was balancing on the very edge of control was the wild look in his eyes when she lifted her head and the way he couldn’t quite seem to stop burying his face in her neck, reworking his teeth over spots he’d already claimed.

colt rolled her over until she was settled neatly among the pillows on his bed, laying in the middle of it with him on top of her. he pulled back to stare at her, and she grinned at him as she watched him observe her, there, stretched out in his sheets. his eyes were wide. “i can’t believe i’m not dreaming.”

“believe it,” she said, reaching down and hooking her fingers in the belt loops of his jeans. she tugged him closer insistently, and colt groaned again as their hips pressed flush. “i’m all yours, colt kaneko.”

there. that sound he made was perfectly inhuman, and he dropped back down on top of her heavily, reaching for her forearms and pinning them above her head. “don’t,” he warned, nuzzling into the space between her breasts, kissing in hot, insistent bursts down to her stomach. “you can’t say stuff like that.”

“why not?” her voice was high and breathy as she arched up into his mouth. regretfully, colt released her arms so he could move the rest of the way down her body, settling between her legs. his arms wrapped around her knees, pulling them wide, and she felt his teeth -- blunt, human, but again nonetheless thrilling -- sink into the crease at the inside of her thigh. her hips jerked, dragging a whimper from the back of her throat. “colt.”

he huffed, hooking a finger in the front of her underwear and yanking them roughly to the side. “i’m trying to be gentle,” he mumbled, slowly moving his mouth towards her center. his voice was shaking.

ellie squirmed on the mattress. “what if -- what if i don’t want you to be gentle?”

colt looked up at her, his eyes flashing red. “ellie...” his voice was tight. he ducked his head, squeezing his eyes shut. she worked to catch her breath, leaning down to gently brush her fingers across his face. her thumb stroked across his cheek, and when colt lifted his eyes to hers again, they were back to warm brown; he looked lost. “don’t push me. i don’t want to hurt you.”

her thumb slid down to the corner of his mouth, dragging against his bottom lip. “you’re not going to hurt me. i trust you.” 

he hesitated, digging his fingertips into the sides of her thighs. ellie pushed up onto her elbows so she could see him clearly. “i want all of you, colt,” she insisted again, “i want everything.”

he exhaled heavily, nodding from between her legs. whatever nerves and hesitation he wore on his face disappeared suddenly in favor of an expression she was far more familiar with; a wicked smirk spread across his face, curving up the corners of his smug mouth with promise. ellie’s eyes lit up, though her own look of anticipation cleared for one of surprise when he gave a swift tug and ripped the panties she was wearing from her body.

colt tossed them aside like tissue paper, burying his face between her legs. ellie’s hands fisted in the bed sheets, and she did everything she could not to scream when his tongue parted her folds, flicking against her clit. “oh, god,” she moaned breathlessly, “colt, please -- i --”

he didn’t tease, and she wondered if he’d thought about this before -- if he planned out exactly how he was going to pull her apart. it felt like he must’ve, because colt was practiced, methodical in his movements. he somehow knew exactly where she wanted him to touch her and how much pressure to use to make her shake. without her having to tell him, he expertly brought her to an edge in a matter of moments, until her legs were shaking and she couldn’t stifle the sounds she was making anymore.

“colt,” she gasped, jerking on the sheets when he pulled away, “i --” a helpless noise of frustration escaped beyond her control, a wordless question in the little whine that left her lips.

he was shoving his jeans down as quickly as possible, kicking them off the bed. ellie watched as he palmed himself through his briefs, licking the taste of her from his lips, before he pulled those off, too. “i want to be inside you when i watch you come,” he explained, leaning over her again for another kiss. she sighed, tilting her head up for it gratefully and happily melting back against the mattress to let him take charge, winding her arms around him as he kissed her deeply.

it was surprisingly sweet, given how worked up he seemed to be. he held her chin steady under his thumb when he pulled away so she could catch her breath, his dark eyes searching her expression. “do you want that?”

ellie was nodding before he even finished his question. colt’s grip on her chin tightened until she moaned, “yes. yes, please.” 

the sound he made when his hips sank into hers sounded like it was ripped from his chest, and ellie shuddered as he held her close, lifting her from the bed at the small of her back for an angle that had her seeing stars. “fuck,” he moaned into her shoulder, his teeth again dragging along her skin, “you’re so wet. you feel amazing.”

“colt,” she moaned, the sound a high, needy, breathless exhalation of his name. “please -- please just --”

“i’ve got you,” he promised, nipping at her collarbone, trailing kisses down her chest, “i’m gonna take such good care of you.”

he sounded unbelievably sincere, and something inside of her wriggled up happily at the words -- even if he only meant them in the context of making her come. but she didn’t think he did.

he laughed, the speed of his hips suddenly increasing. “you smell so good.”

ellie arched her back high, slipping right into his hands. “tell me.”

“happy,” he sighed, muffling a groan in her neck when she twisted her hips, “turned on.” his fingers pressed between her legs, and he thumbed roughly at her clit in time with his thrusts, his fingers drawing imprecise circles against where she was most sensitive. “and mine.”

it felt like she might’ve blacked out. like she was having an out-of-body experience, ellie was distantly aware of the way she’d screamed as she hit her peak, how desperately she was trembling in his arms. but everything else felt like a blur -- colt’s own hushed murmurs of her name, his last few groans, the way he pressed so deeply inside of her, marking her as his from the inside out.

he gathered her into his arms, nuzzling gently into her hair, behind her ear. “now you smell like me,” he murmured triumphantly, through labored breaths. “finally.”

she mumbled something incoherent into his chest, tilting her face up for a kiss. he obliged her immediately, pressing his lips against hers so softly it almost felt strange, before she realized what a gift it was, to see a different side of him.

“you should just stay,” he said finally, once she’d come back to herself enough to actually put sentences together. 

ellie shook her head. “my dad’ll know something’s up if i’m out two nights in a row. it’s okay -- we’ll be back tomorrow.”

colt helped her get dressed, glancing at her in between each article of clothing as though checking her over for injuries. finally, she said, “you’re not as tough as you think you are, you know. i’m fine.”

he rolled his eyes at her. “give it time. i was being careful.” she bit her lip on a grin. in lieu of a ‘goodbye,’ colt walked over to a chair in the corner of the room and grabbed his jacket, swooping it over her shoulders like a cape. “here.”

“what’s this for?”

he shrugged, eyeing the way it settled on her frame. it was obviously too big for her. “you can bring it back tomorrow.”

she leaned in and stole another kiss, fully intending for it to be quick. but colt caught her lips and held them captive, his mouth moving so slowly and perfectly against hers it took everything she had not to just stand there forever and let him do whatever he wanted. his fingers brushed through her hair. “you should... not shower.”

ellie’s nose scrunched up. “seriously?”

he grinned obnoxiously at her. “i mean, you can if you want. but...” he raised his eyebrows meaningfully. 

it sounded kind of gross. “i’ll think about it.”

colt walked her all the way to her car. she couldn’t help but notice how eerily quiet it was at the house as they stepped outside and into the street. “where is everyone?”

“pfft, with the way you were screaming? oregon, probably.” he opened the driver’s side door for her.

ellie blushed to the roots of her hair, reaching up to smack colt on the shoulder. “jerk. it was your fault.”

he grinned widely, pulling her forward by his jacket for one last kiss goodnight. “i know.”

*

when she drove by to pick up logan the next day, to head over to the house, he was already frowning before he even got in the car. “are you for real?” he demanded, rolling the window down and scooting as close to it as he possibly could, “you couldn’t take a shower?”

she winced. she didn’t think the truth would be very popular with him. logan eyed the very visible hickies that disappeared down into her shirt and shook his head. “actually -- i don’t want to know. but i do just want to say: gross.”

“point taken,” ellie allowed, reaching up to fuss with her ponytail. “do you think everyone else will notice?”

logan shot her a look. “do i think that three alpha werewolves, hours before the full moon, will be able to take one look at you and know exactly how you spent yesterday? do you really want me to answer that?”

she shook her head, already embarrassed. “let’s talk about something else. are you... nervous? we’ve never done a full moon not at your house before.”

logan shifted restlessly in the car seat. “a little,” he admitted. “i don’t want anything bad to happen. but... i feel better knowing you’ll be with me. you always calm me down.”

ellie shot him a smile. “i’m glad we’re doing this together.”

“me, too,” he sighed, “you have no idea. did colt say anything about... what we have to do?”

ellie doubted logan would find the group sex joke very funny. “nope. i didn’t see anything in any of the books, either.”

logan huffed. “i bet it involves blood. way too many werewolf things involve blood.”

“way too many magic things in general involve blood,” she agreed, “and fire, why does everything have to have fire?”

“i know, right?” he perked up as ellie slowed to a stop in front of the house, putting the car in park. the porch light was on, and even with her regular human ears, she could hear music coming from the backyard. “i can’t believe you told him we were coming,” logan mused as they made their way up to the front door, “you totally ruined the surprise. i wanted to see the looks on their faces.”

“technically, i never said we were coming. i just said we made a decision. and then he kind of -- assumed. there were context clues.”

“that’s more than enough detail, thanks.” the front door was unlocked. logan let her head inside first, and then pulled it shut behind himself.

they found everyone in the backyard, as predicted. mona whistled at her as she toed off her shoes and stepped out in the grass. ellie smiled sheepishly when ingrid elbowed her hard in the side and said, “stop it, you’re embarrassing her!”

ximena ran over and gave logan a giant hug, lifting him off his feet. he was smiling when she pulled away and did the same to ellie. “we’re really happy you guys are here.”

“us, too,” logan said, sharing one last look with ellie before heading over to where the other two girls were waiting. ximena walked off after him, leaving her alone with colt, who stepped up into her personal space slowly.

she was wearing his jacket, as promised. he reached out and grabbed the open sides of it, looking at it like it was something new she’d bought for herself, and not an article of clothing he usually wore every day. “hey. you’re really here.”

“i really am,” she confirmed, catching his gaze and shooting him a soft smile. “did you think we wouldn’t come?”

“kind of,” he admitted, tugging her in closer. “maybe you shouldn’t have. i don’t know how i’m supposed to control myself around you.” 

she shivered, about to press her lips to his when the rest of the pack called out to them from farther off in the backyard. “can’t you two save it for later?” mona demanded, “the moon’s almost up.”

colt sighed, lightly bumping his forehead against hers. “in the morning,” he murmured, brushing his lips just once over hers, “i promise. come on.”

he slipped his hand into hers and pulled her off towards the rest of the group. he didn’t let go, even when they sat down in the grass with everyone else. 

ingrid clapped her hands excitedly. “on behalf of everyone, i just want to say -- we’re so excited to welcome you two to the pack!”

ximena nodded. “we’re really glad you guys decided to stay. having you around permanently is going to be awesome.”

ellie and logan looked at mona expectantly. she shrugged. “it’ll be nice having someone who actually knows how to read.”

“ellie, are you sure you don’t want one of us to bite you?” ingrid asked. she could feel both colt and logan tense on either side of her. “because i totally could, if you wanted to -- i’d do it really gently.”

“thanks, but... i’m okay. i’m excited to be part of this with all of you -- as a human.”

colt cleared his throat from beside her. “we’re excited for that, too. for both of you.”

“us too,” logan confirmed again, “but i’m dying to know what happens now. it’s something with blood, right?”

ingrid laughed. she pulled out a tall white candle and set it in the center of the circle. “we basically just have to burn this down. ordinarily, we’d all just bite you, but...” she shrugged, looking pointedly at ellie’s already bruised throat. “you probably don’t want to risk it.” 

ellie coughed, reaching over and pinching colt’s arm when he started to laugh. “we’re good with the candle.”

upon closer inspection, it’d been carved with some sort of runes. there was a divet at the top, where the wick started -- obviously meant to catch something. she had a feeling logan was going to get the blood he’d been hoping to avoid. 

mona pushed up onto her knees, waving a small gold knife around. “everybody’s gotta give up a drop. come on.”

she started off, slicing open her own palm and squeezing her fist over the top of the candle. a drop of blood collected neatly in the dip, and then she passed both off to ingrid. eventually, logan passed the candle to her. ellie took the knife gingerly, turning it over in her hands with a grimace. “i hate blood.”

“here,” colt offered, pulling it from her grip, “let me.” he took her left hand gently in his, pressing the blade of the knife into the heel of her palm until the tiniest cut appeared. she shook her hand over the candle until a drop of her blood joined everyone else’s, then watched as colt did the same, his cut instantly healing, knitting his hand back together seamlessly. 

“you guys are so lucky,” she sighed, pressing her thumb against the wound on her palm, “no band-aids.”

colt smirked, passing the candle back over to logan. “got a light?”

he nodded, pulling a lighter from his pocket and setting the wick aflame. he set the candle back down on the ground where it’d been. ellie leaned against colt’s side, watching it for a moment before she asked, “what now?”

everyone’s eyes swiveled simultaneously up to the sky. “should be about any minute now,” mona hummed, standing and stretching. ellie averted her eyes as she started to pull off her jacket, and then her shirt. “hope you brought something to do, babe.”

she shot a smile logan’s way. “yeah, i’ve got a book. this isn’t my first full moon.”

each of the girls started to shift. logan pulled on her arm until she turned to face him more fully. “you’ll be right here, right? in case -- in case something goes wrong.” 

she nodded, squeezing his hand. “nothing’s going to go wrong. but -- yeah, of course. i’m not going anywhere.” she lifted her pinky, smiling when logan looped his through it. “i’m your anchor, right?”

“right.” he nodded, then stepped away to pull his shirt off. in the next blink, he’d shifted, all the way to his full wolf form. ellie looked over to where the girls were standing, still only turned halfway. ingrid and ximena cheered as he ran over to them, though mona first nudged him playfully. “show-off.”

that just left colt. when she turned back around, he’d already stripped down to nothing. “do you think you’re gonna recognize me?” she asked, reaching out to grab his arms and pull him close. 

he nodded, brushing another extremely soft kiss against her lips. “definitely.” he shot her a lopsided smile. “the wolf likes you more than i do.”

ellie looked up at the sky -- the moon was high, the last cloud having passed over it. they were out of time. colt pulled away, and when she looked back down, he’d shifted fully, too, all the way down to a large, black wolf. 

ellie stood still as he paced a circle around her, sniffing at her legs. before she could extend a hand, he leapt, knocking her onto her back in the grass. “oof.” his nose nuzzled her cheek, and then he licked a stripe across her face. “gross,” she laughed, pushing him off, “get out of here, go do alpha stuff.” 

she watched them all run off into the woods with a smile. then she sat down, next to the candle, and pulled out her book, waiting for them to come back.

*

colt woke up before her. the amount of noise he was making, shuffling around the bedroom, was enough to pull her from sleep, and ellie opened her eyes to find him stepping into his underwear, standing next to the bed. she reached out sleepily towards him with an inquisitive mumble, and he smiled at her from over his shoulder, passing her one of his t-shirts. “put this on. trust me.”

she sighed, sitting up in bed to pull the fabric over her head. “what --”

the door banged open abruptly. logan shuffled in in his pajamas, ingrid trailing behind him. with a yawn, he flopped down onto the bed. “my head is killing me.” he rolled onto his back, dropping said head dramatically into her lap. ingrid slipped into the bed beside him with a little more grace, curling into the space colt had left. he shoved her over when he came back to bed, pushing under the sheets to somehow fold himself back around ellie’s side.

ellie shot him a confused look as he pulled her back down to the pillows. “do you guys always do this?” 

ximena and mona slipped into the room, pulling the door shut behind them. they found space on the bed and curled up with everyone else, shutting their eyes. “ellie, my head,” logan groaned again, rubbing his cheek against the blanket. she rolled her eyes, pushing her fingers into his hair. immediately, he sighed with content, tucking in along her legs.

“we usually do it without talking,” mona mumbled pointedly from somewhere down the other end of the bed. colt lifted his shoulders at her in a shrug.

“she’s right.” 

ellie rolled her eyes at him, but obligingly relaxed against the pillows. it was more comfortable than she’d thought it’d be, to cram six people in a king-sized bed. colt’s arm slipped around her waist, and she tilted her head towards him before her eyes slid shut again, too.

*

they weren’t able to get out into the woods until the weekend. ellie’s dad insisted on spending time with her for most of the week when he wasn’t working, so much so that she barely even saw logan outside of school hours, and only caught flashes of colt as he came in and out of her window for a few minutes whenever he could. 

when they finally brought the rest of the pack to the chasm, pulling back the tree branches that covered the mouth of the opening, it felt a little anticlimactic. colt leaned in to peer between the rocks with a frown. “that’s it?”

“well -- it’s not awake right now,” logan answered defensively, very nearly pouting. “it’s usually, like -- glowing. with monsters crawling out of it.”

ellie shivered, wrapping her arms around her own middle. “remember the berserkers? they would not stop coming.”

logan nodded, his expression grim. “we must’ve ripped off about a hundred heads that night.”

mona grinned approvingly at them. colt turned back towards ellie with a lifted eyebrow. “i swear, you get hotter every day.”

“please,” logan interjected, before she could formulate a response, “i just ate. can we get back to closing up the portal thingy?”

mona crowded in on colt’s other side to squint between the rocks, too. she studied them for a moment, then shrugged, stepping away. “you need a witch,” she said simply, dusting off her hands. “a powerful one.”

“do you -- know any witches?” ellie asked hopefully, looking between the four of them in turn.

colt shook his head. “none that would take on this thing.”

“there is... one other thing you could try,” ingrid said carefully. colt shot her a sharp glare.

“no, there isn’t.” his voice was pointed.

ingrid frowned. “she’s strong enough to do it.”

“but it isn’t worth the risk.”

“it is if we can find her something to --”

his eyes flashed red. ellie watched as he bared his teeth with a growl. ingrid’s hands balled into fists at her side. logan stepped between them, holding out his hands. “woah,” he said, “relax. what are you two talking about?”

“a human could do the spell,” ximena explained slowly. “if they had something to channel the power they needed to complete it through.”

ellie exchanged a look with logan. “well -- where would we get the power to do it?”

mona snorted from beside her. “a pack of alpha werewolves ought’a do the trick.”

she felt her eyes widen. “and -- you guys could help me channel it?”

ximena looked nervous as she glanced at each of the remaining pack members in turn. “well... you’d need something to anchor it. anything would do, as long as it was pure... like made entirely from silver, or gold, or even mahogany. but...”

“but it could kill you,” colt spit out. “all that power would go through you to get to the anchor, and it would kill you. so it’s not worth it.” 

he looked furious. her teeth dug into her bottom lip, and she reached out for him hesitantly, resting her hand on his arm. “colt...”

“no. i’m sorry, ellie, but -- no. i know you want to shut this thing down and move on with your life but i’m not going to just help you try something that we don’t even know will work on the off chance it doesn’t fucking kill you. i won’t do it.” 

logan stepped up beside him, shaking his head. “i’m with him,” he said. an indignant look sprang onto her face, and he winced before he continued, “i’m sorry, el, but he’s right. if it could hurt you -- then it’s not worth it.”

“so -- what? we stay in lake forest fighting monsters for the rest of our lives? we can’t always be here to help everyone, logan!” her brow furrowed as she stared at him, imploring him to understand, before wheeling around and turning her gaze on ingrid, instead. “would we have enough power to do it without them?”

she could hear logan freeze behind her. “ellie.”

ingrid glanced briefly at him over her shoulder before nodding. “yes. the three of us could do it.”

“then we’re doing it,” she decided, setting her jaw with determination. 

“like hell you are!” ellie turned her head to direct her glare on colt instead. he looked angrier than she’d ever seen him. “ellie, i know you’re not this stupid.”

for a split second, she wavered. did she really want to go through with this? was she really ready to risk everything -- to leave her dad behind? to leave logan, to leave colt? 

she looked back at ingrid. “how big is the risk?”

ingrid stared down at her. “you’re pack. you’re strong enough to handle it.”

she was. she’d proved it so many times, and she was tired of people underestimating her. she could do this. ellie nodded. “how soon can we do it?”

“there’ll be a meteor shower in two days -- tuesday night into wednesday. celestial chaos is always good for magic.”

soon enough, she supposed. ellie turned back toward logan and colt and found them both glaring at her with twin looks of aggravation, their arms folded across their chests. “i’m not going to let you do this,” logan insisted, “it’s too dangerous.”

“well -- i’m doing it, with or without you, and you can’t stop me.” she frowned at him. they’d never had a fight like this before. “so i really wish you’d get on board. because -- because you’re my best friend, and -- and i need you --”

“oh, shit,” logan sighed, lifting a hand to cover his face as tears welled in her eyes. “stop it, ellie! i’m mad at you.”

“i’m sorry!” she wiped at her eyes, biting down on the inside of her cheek to stop her bottom lip from wobbling, “but it’s time, logan. we need to end this. and i want you there with me when i do it.”

he groaned. “okay, fine.” colt shot him a look of utter betrayal, even as a watery smile spread across her face. “i’ll do it, but i’m not happy about it.”

“thank you.” she turned to look at colt expectantly. 

“i’m not going to change my mind,” he said stubbornly, “i don’t care how much you fucking cry about it. i’d rather have you pissed at me for the rest of your life than dead.” 

she blinked. she didn’t know what to say. “colt...” 

with one last look into her eyes, he turned and stormed off from the group, into the woods. the five of them stood there in stunned silence, watching him walk away. 

ximena laid a comforting hand on her shoulder. “he’ll come around, ellie.”

but she wasn’t so sure.

*

on tuesday night, logan laid sprawled across her unmade bed, watching her get ready. “what does one wear to a spell casting?” she asked, holding up two tops on hangers against her body, one after the other. “black? or... black?”

“definitely black,” logan nodded, grinning at her when she giggled, ducking into her closet to change. when she popped out, he looked uncharacteristically somber. “are you sure you want to do this?”

ellie shrugged at him. “you don’t think i can do it?”

“i didn’t say that,” he argued, “i just want to make sure you’re --” he cut off abruptly, cocking his head to the side. 

a minute later, her dad knocked on the closed door of her room and then pushed it open. “hey, kiddo. i’m heading to the station. try not to stay out too late working on that astronomy project, okay?”

“of course, dad. be safe at work.” she smiled at him, proud of herself for not letting her voice waver one bit. without turning her head, ellie already knew logan was shifting around guiltily on her bed, averting his eyes. he was the worst liar. ellie stepped forward and wrapped her arms around her dad, hugging him close. “i love you.”

he kissed her forehead. “love you, too.”

once he was gone, she turned back to logan with a confidence she certainly didn’t feel. “well? ready to do this?”

he sighed, pulling himself up off her bed. she tried not to think about the fact that it might be the last time they were ever alone in her life. “as ready as i’ll ever be. let’s go.”

logan was silent for most of the drive. he didn’t say much as they parked her car on the edge of the woods and walked off towards the chasm together. the rest of the girls were already waiting there for her when they approached. her heart sank as she saw that they were alone.

colt hadn’t said a word to her since he left them in the woods on saturday. part of her had been hoping he’d come around, like ximena promised, and simply show up for her tonight -- but he wasn’t here, and she couldn’t stop herself from wondering if she might never see him again. the thought was almost enough to make her want to turn back.

“hey, you two,” ingrid greeted, smiling cheerfully. “excited?”

“that’s... not the word i’d use.” logan countered, “but we’re here.”

ellie nodded at the bag she was carrying. “did you bring everything we need?”

“yep!” she pulled a heavy book out and passed it to ellie. “here’s the grimoire. and i’ve got the mountain ash for you to lay out. and the most important part --” ingrid proudly presented her with a solid gold brick. “ta da.”

“wow,” ellie said, passing the book over to logan so she could take it into her hands, “this thing must be worth a fortune. do we really have to destroy it?”

mona shrugged. “all-powerful spells don’t come cheap. what time are we blowing this thing?”

ximena checked her watch. “we should be able to get started in a few minutes.”

a leaf crunched from somewhere off to the left. it was all the warning she had that someone else was here before colt stepped out of the shadows, appearing before them all with a boost of inhuman speed. he didn’t look at anyone except for her. “i need to talk to you.”

she sighed, handing the brick back to ingrid. “okay.”

they walked off from the group, though she knew it wouldn’t do any good. surely, they were all listening from where they stood just a few meters away. colt turned and grabbed her shoulders, staring at her intensely through the dark. “don’t do this.”

“colt, i’m not going to change my mind.” she stepped closer, grabbing at the sides of his jacket. “i’m doing this whether you’re on board or not.”

“ellie,” his voice wavered in a way she’d never heard before. “please.”

guilt sank in her stomach like a stone. she shook her head. “i’m sorry, but i have to. you can still do it with us, you know.”

he only stared at her silently, his eyes studying her face seriously. ellie bravely took a step closer, tilting their foreheads together again. “you said you wanted me to have everything i want,” she reminded him, trying not to sigh as his hands finally slid down her back to pull her closer into his embrace, “this is what i want.”

colt shifted to close the last inch of space between them, his lips claiming hers in one last desperate kiss. she held him tightly as their lips moved against each other feverishly, well aware of the way time was ticking down around them. his breathing was ragged when he pulled away. “you’re sure i can’t change your mind?”

silently, she shook her head. a dangerous look crossed his face like storm clouds, but then colt nodded. “alright,” he said finally, “i guess i’m in, then.”

*

they all sat down in a circle in front of the mouth of the chasm. ellie waited until they were holding hands before she sealed them in with mountain ash, stepping into the empty space between logan and colt with the gold brick in her hands. the grimoire sat open on her lap to the spell they’d all studied, and she looked from the book into the empty chasm and back again. “everybody ready?”

there were nods from around the circle. above them, ellie could see shooting stars starting to streak across the sky. colt and logan each laid their open hands on her arms. her grip on the gold brick went white-knuckled as she started to read the spell from the grimoire.

as she neared the part where it was time to start chanting, the gold started to burn hot in her hands. ellie almost fumbled, but grit her teeth against the pain, forcing herself to hold onto the anchor even as everything in her screamed at her to drop it. her eyes squeezed shut tightly as everyone chanted in time. 

the chasm was glowing. she could see the white light even from behind her eyelids, and ellie felt the power from each one of them run through her like a circuit; she could distinctly feel logan’s wolf, wild and familiar, and colt’s, chaotic, but feeling like home.

the brick in her hands was starting to vibrate. her voice wavered as she tried not to cry out from the pain, and very distantly felt someone’s hand tighten on her arm. the white light was swelling, glowing brighter, filling the woods -- and a force beyond her control wrenched the gold brick from her hands, sending it flying through the air.

ellie’s back hit the ground with a thud. she gasped as she fell back against the grass, and then everything went black.

*

her mom was there, drifting back to her as though in a memory. it was from before she got sick -- her hair was long and shiny, her voice was melodic and gentle. ellie could see herself in her childhood bedroom, tucked in bed, though it felt like she was underwater.

“ellie,” her mom said, “it’s time to wake up. sweetheart -- you’ve got to wake up. you’re going to be late.”

*

the feeling went back into her hands, first. they twitched in the grass, brushing the blades beneath her fingers. without opening her eyes, ellie tentatively wiggled her toes in her shoes. yep -- they all still worked. 

“ellie? ellie, can you hear me? please say something.” that was logan’s voice, panicked and desperate, each word tripping out in a rush. “she’s breathing, i can hear it. her heart -- i know she is. ellie.” he rushed to slip his hand into hers. “squeeze my hand if you can hear me.”

it felt like her limbs were made out of lead, but she somehow forced her fingers to squeeze. 

there was a thump as a second body dropped to its knees on her other side. rough fingers -- a set she’d know anywhere -- touched her other hand hesitantly. “ellie? are you... here?”

i’m here. she couldn’t quite get her lips to move -- to make the sounds she wanted, the ones that would reassure him. 

“ellie, we need you to open your eyes. can you do that?”

when they put it like that, it sounded so easy. 

but she could try. ellie struggled to lift her heavy eyelids. in the process, she felt her nose wrinkle with the effort. someone beside her laughed through what sounded suspiciously like tears. 

her eyes finally blinked open to stare at the night sky. the meteor shower was still going on. immediately, five alpha werewolves crowded into her field of vision. “holy shit,” logan gasped, squeezing her hand tightly in his, “you’re alive. jesus christ. holy shit, el.”

she licked her lips. the inside of her throat felt like sandpaper. “did we... do it? did it work?”

logan nodded frantically. “we did, it’s closed. it worked -- you did it. you rocked it.”

she nodded, turning her head on the grass to look for colt. “colt?”

“i’m right here,” he said, and sure enough, she focused her blurry vision on his face. “you were amazing. it was perfect.”

“cool,” she mumbled, her eyelids already fluttering shut again. “awesome.”

*

when she woke again, she was in colt’s room at home. she knew it without even opening her eyes; the mattress beneath her was lush, the sheets soft on her skin. she could hear logan pacing in the hallway. he was on the phone with someone -- snippets of his voice filtered in through the closed door whenever he got close to it in his rounds.

“well, it was late, so -- we slept at my house...”

“...and ellie must’ve eaten some bad pizza, ‘cause she’s real sick today...”

“...um, and she can’t get out of bed, so she’s gonna just stay here...”

“...and -- and i’ll have her call you when she gets up, sir. yes, sir.”

she huffed out a laugh, slowly sitting up against the pillows. colt was at her side before she even opened her eyes. “hey, take it easy. don’t overdo it.”

“is he talking to my dad?”

colt nodded. he handed her a glass of water that she gulped down greedily, rubbing sleep out of her eyes with her free hand. already, she felt worlds better than she had last night -- still a little bit like she’d been hit by a truck, but decidedly better than before. “i wish he didn’t have to, though. he’s the worst liar i’ve ever seen.”

ellie laughed, despite how sore it made her throat feel. “my whole body hurts,” she sighed, “i feel like i jumped out of a plane without a parachute.”

he stared down at her from the side of the bed. “you scared the shit out of me,” colt said bluntly. “part of me didn’t think you were going to wake up.”

she wiggled over to make room for him in the bed. her body protested the movement, but it was nice to feel like she had control of everything again, when she swung her arm out to grab at him. “c’mere.”

he immediately slid into the bed beside her, pulling her gently into his arms. “i don’t know what i would’ve done,” he said roughly, his voice low and filled with emotion, “if something had happened to you.”

she reached out to touch his cheek, angling his face towards hers. their eyes locked. “colt, i love you.”

the expression on his face was hovering somewhere between upset and annoyed, but then it split into an honest smile. he leaned in and kissed her. “i love you, too.”

surprise colored her face. “really?”

he laughed, reaching out to gently touch her cheek. “are you kidding? you’re the coolest fucking person i’ve ever met. smart, sexy, badass...” ellie watched with fascination as he shook his head, averting his eyes. if she didn’t know any better, she might think he actually looked shy.

“but -- you hated me when we first met!”

colt rolled his eyes at her. “ellie, i was attracted to you. you can’t even imagine how many times i almost lost my head over the way you smelled.”

she struggled to sit up in the bed, staring at him in disbelief. “seriously?”

“seriously. and then i got to know you... and you were capable, and brilliant, and loyal... it felt too good to be true. i mean -- jesus christ, you keep a crossbow in your backseat.” a sudden seriousness crossed his face. “things this perfect don’t usually happen to me.”

her cheeks were starting to protest the wide smile that took over her expression, aching even as she grinned at him as brightly as she could. “i love you so much, though,” she promised, pleased by the light that jumped into his eyes as soon as she said the words. “like -- so much.”

ellie’s arms wrapped around him, stiff and bruised but there nonetheless. she kissed him with every last drop of energy she had, as hard and excitedly as possible. he was right. for once, everything felt perfect.

*

the pack came to their graduation. logan noticed as soon as they got their seats, and he bumped her shoulder to point them out in the crowd to her. she looked up, easily catching colt’s eyes with the way he was already staring at her. she beamed at him, happiness coursing through her at the sight of the little smile he shot back.

“ms. wheeler?” their principal tapped her on the shoulder, stealing her attention. “you’re up.”

ellie looped her pinky through logan’s for a squeeze. “wish me luck.”

“you’ve got this, valedictorian.”

*

they celebrated back at the house over drinks. it was so miserably hot that they stripped down to their underwear and ran through the sprinkler for hours, until the sun went down. ellie shook her wet hair in colt’s face when he tackled her into the grass, squealing as they rolled around together. “you should really think about putting a pool in.”

“will you move in, if i do?”

she reached up and poked his cheek playfully. “you know i want to.” logan had already started bringing some of his stuff over, but it was different for him -- he wasn’t going anywhere, at least not anytime soon. “i just have to figure out what i’m going to tell my dad. and he’s... going to want to meet you.”

he sighed, reaching down and pushing her hair off her face. the tip of his finger traced over the bridge of her nose, the swell of her lips. “do you really have to go?”

ellie twisted her fingers in his hair and tugged him down for a kiss. “yeah. but we’ll still have the summer. and then it’s just a couple months until thanksgiving.”

colt tucked his face in the side of her neck, nuzzling his nose against her skin. “i hate it.”

“i know,” she murmured comfortingly, “but i’ll call all the time.”

“it won’t be the same.”

“it’ll go by faster than you think. plus, you could always visit. all of you. there’s lots of cool stuff to see in boston.”

“as long as i get to see you, the rest of it doesn’t matter.” he lifted his head and she smiled at him, warm and fond. just as she angled her head in for another kiss, a shadow fell over her face.

“can you two get a room?” mona smirked, “or just keep it together for another hour?”

“yeah,” ximena called from behind her, “the rest of us want ellie time, too.”

ellie laughed, reaching up to push at colt’s shoulders. he didn’t budge, resolutely digging his fingertips into her hips harder. “you have to get better at sharing,” she murmured, playfully bumping their noses together.”

“i won’t,” he refused, but he obligingly pushed off of her, rolling to stand and then helping her up, too. 

she squeezed happily into the small space between ingrid and ximena on the day bed, grinning at logan from across the unlit fire pit. he was already smiling back at her, that goofy, overjoyed smile she’d seen on his face just a few times before. ellie cocked her head to the side, her eyebrows arching as if to say, can you believe we freakin’ did it?

he nodded back at her -- she was familiar with the gesture and the pride it conveyed. she’d seen it before plenty of times -- over harpy guts, across a field of dead berserkers, when he handed her crossbow back to her covered in disturbing black blood. it said, i always knew we could.

[stories-for-sell]

   When the bell for lunch rang, Aaron moved to quickly leave the classroom, only to find himself blocked by Balto.

   "Outta my way." He growled, trying to slip past him, just to be blocked again. A low warning growl started up, rumbling in the back of his throat.

     Balto stood his ground, red eyes staring into black ones. "So, is it actually true? You of all people are dating Alejera?"

     "Does it matter? Leave him alone, Balto, our relationship is none of your business."

   Aaron snarled at him, walking away, roughly bumping into his shoulder on purpose as he left the classroom. Walking down the hall, he noticed out of the corner of his eyes, kids moving out of his way and whispering, catching snippets of conversations, piecing together what the looks were about.

   “Do you think he’s in the Shadow Knights now?”

   “-as making out in the bathroom!”

   “-jera and Lycan!”

   “Balto wasn’t the onl-!”

   The comments followed him all the way to the lunch room, where he sat down next to Aphmau, groaning in annoyance. The girl looked up at him, waiting to hear what was annoying him; but as he opened his mouth, a pair of arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him back against someone, who dropped their chin onto his head. Instantly, people around them hushed for a couple seconds before picking up where they left off in their conversation.

   Gene grinned down at Aaron, fake sweetness in his voice as he spoke. “Hey baby~ How was class, boring I bet.” He said calmly, like this was a normal thing he did everyday,

   Aphmau stared at the two of them, shocked confusion on her face as he lifted a hand, pointing at them and trying to find the words to express what was on her mind.

   “What’s wrong Kitty? Jealous that I’m with Aaron and you aren’t?” 

   Aaron elbowed Gene in the ribs as a warning to watch his mouth and remember their deal, smirking in satisfaction as he heard the soft grunt of pain escape Gene. Turning to look at Aphmau, he gave her a sympathetic look and mouthed ‘Just go with it, please.’ Receiving a nod, he then turned, arms looping around Gene’s waist and yanking him, harder than necessary, half on the seat and half on his lap. He couldn’t help the smirk forming on his face when Gene let out a surprised squeak, tanned face darkening with an embarrassed blush.

   “D-Did ya miss me, Puppy~” He asked, trying to regain control of the situation.

   “Rule 2, Gene.. Don’t call me puppy or I’ll rip your insides out.~” Aaron snarled gently into his ear, just loud enough for Gene to hear him.

   A shudder went down the teen’s spine when the low, dangerous toned voice spoke in his ear, hot breath ruffling his hair. It took a lot in him not to let out a soft whimper, to keep himself from giving in and losing the game they were playing.

   The rest of the day consisted of Gene and Aaron bumping into each other, occasionally being somewhat touchy with each other when people were looking. When the final bell rang, Aaron quickly exited the school building and turned to the student parking lot, something catching his attention.

   Balto was just visible around the corner, and from the way he was standing, he had someone pinned against the wall. Now usually, Aaron would ignore this, but something in his gut said to save the poor kid who was with Balto. So, he set off swiftly for him, and when he turned the corner and saw who was pinned against the wall, his heart skipped a beat, nearly stopping all together. He took in the scene before him, breath catching in his throat, bile threatening to come up.

   Blood soaked the wall behind the poor kid, who looked like they’d just been beaten within centimeters of life. Eyes were dull and gazing at nothing in particular, clothes hung in tatters. There were bite marks crossing all over one arm, but not deep enough for werewolf saliva to get in and turn them, thankfully. His hair hung over his face, shielding the guy’s identity from anyone but Balto. Neither seemed to realize Aaron was there as the wolf reared back, before throwing his fist forward, a loud cracking noise echoing through the parking lot, a nose definitely being broken. 

   The pained cry sent shivers down Aaron’s spine as the boy began to actually struggle with the little energy and strength he had left, and when he squirmed, his hair fell out of his face, and dull blue eyes caught sight of Aaron, red ones following suite as he nearly bolted with a figurative tail between his legs. But he was stuck, turned to stone as he stared at the mess of a kid Balto had created, and in his mind flashed images of what might happen if he didn’t help.

   ‘Gene, bruised, bloodied, and damaged, looked up weakly at him, eyes glazed over, cheeks glistening from tears. His uniform was torn to shreds, and Aaron could see blood soaking the undershirt from a nasty wound on his stomach. Balto, shocked at seeing Aaron, let go of Gene, and the world seemed to slow as they watched his body drop to the ground, a pained cough escaping him, blood dripping from his mouth and busted lip. His nose was swollen and broken, eyes already turning black, cheek bruised.

   ‘Aaron did not recall much of what happens next, only that Balto was in desperate need of a doctor. He sighed, still furious from the sight he saw, driving down the road and turning onto his street, adjusting the rear view mirror of his truck to make sure the teen laying, soaking his seats with blood, in the backseat was still semi-conscious. Which was a no.

   ‘Him pulled into the drive, relieved to see that his parents weren’t home, which meant he only had to get past Melissa. Stopping the truck and turning it off, he quickly hopped out and opened the back seat door, reaching in to pick Gene up. Doing a quick sweep of the nearby houses and spotting no one, he makes his way to the front door, unlocking it carefully and pushing it open, carrying Gene inside and kicking the door shut. So far so good, but his luck decided to run out very quickly, as Melissa walked into the foyer, opening her mouth to say something before stopping, mouth agape, eyes wide, staring at the unconscious man in her younger brother’s arms.

   ‘“Aaron.. What did you do!?” She exclaimed, rushing over to take the boy and start patching him up.

   ‘This resulted in the two basically playing tug-of-war with Gene’s body, jostling the poor boy and hurting him. Eventually they managed to set  him on the couch, and were now standing in the nearby open kitchen, arguing about what to do.

   ‘“You beat a kid nearly to death!”

  ‘“It wasn’t me, Melissa.. It was the werewolf Alpha at our school, Balto.. He’s been trying to get to Gene for ages.”

   ‘“We need to patch him up, and make sure he’s ok.. Do you still have a first aid kit in the truck?”

   ‘“No.. I used the rest of it after I got into a fight.. And I think the ones in here aren’t fully stocked…”

   ‘“Tengo un botiquín de primeros auxilios en mi auto…” A voice piped up, making both Lycan kids turn to stare at the speaker.

   ‘Gene looked at them, sitting up slightly, looking disoriented as he gave them a slight goofy grin.

    ‘“I’m sorry.. What? I’m fluent in Spanish.” Melissa said calmly, taking control of the situation for her brother.

   ‘“Solo soy fluido porque soy parte latino… Mi papá era latino, mamá era estadounidense. Dante se parecía a mamá.”

   ‘“I’ve no idea what he’s saying…” Aaron mumbled, waving his hand to get Gene’s attention. “Do you remember what happened?”

   ‘“Uhh ... Lobo loco estaba enojado porque yo no ... salir con él

??? No recuerdo exactamente.”

   ‘“.. In English?”

   ‘“Uhh... Mad wolf was angry cause I wouldn't..date.. him??? I don't remember exactly. Ughhh, my head hurts, Aaron.. What happened.. Everything hurts…. Fuck.. Lycan.. I think I need a hospital... ” His eyes travelled downwards to look at the blood soaked shirt he wore, eyes widening at all the blood; it was strange, for him to seem so calm when he’s bleeding to death on Aaron Lycan’s couch..

    ‘Melissa sighed, running off to search for a first aid kit, while Aaron walked over to Gene.

   ‘“Can I have your phone.. Or your mother’s phone number? Or even Dante’s number.”

   ‘“Simplemente no coquetees con Dante.” He mumbled, slipping out of consciousness once more after handing his phone over and unlocking it for Aaron.’

   Aphmau’s scream of horror is what jarred him from the imaginary scenario that had felt like hours long, yet seemed to be only seconds. Balto bolted from the scene as her and her two.. Not-alone buddies?? came running towards them, while Aaron caught Gene as he fell to the ground, pulling him against his chest.

   “Holy cow!! What pissed Balto off so much!?” Travis asked, watching Vylad and Aphmau help Aaron lift Gene back up onto his feet again.

   “I don’t know.. But he needs a hospital.. Come on, call your parents, let them know why you might be late getting home, but I can’t take him by myself.” Aaron told them, starting off in the direction of his truck and watching the other three scurry after him, Aphmau staying close as she helped support Gene. 

   They got him into the truck, stretched out in the back seat, head in Aphmau’s lap. Vylad in the other seat, using his over shirt to apply pressure to the bleeding. All of them listened to the soft groans and whines that escaped the barely conscious Latino as he tried squirming away from their grips.

   In a spur of intelligence, Travis leaned around in the passenger seat, grabbing Gene’s abandoned backpack Vylad had been smart enough to grab and dug through it, pulling out a phone protected in a dark blue case that had a photo pasted over it of himself and Dante. He handed it over to Aaron after unlocking it and opening emergency contacts… all of which were in spanish.

   “We need to call a family member.. Maybe his mom?”

   “Gene’s mom is probably at dance practice, waiting for him.. So why not Dante?” Aphmau suggested, ignoring the confused look Vylad shot her.

   “I need Google Translate..” Aaron grumbled, looking through the contacts and clicking on the one that was, thankfully, labelled ‘Hermanito(Dante)’. He held it to his ear listening to it ring before a female voice answered the phone, speaking in Spanish, assuming it was her son.

   “Eugene .. ¿Está todo bien? Dante está en la ducha.”

  “I don’t speak spanish ma’am..”

   Silence, before she spoke again, English thank Irene this time, voice turning even more concerned than it originally was.

   “What happened to mi hijo?” She asked, waiting for a response, Aaron panicking, unsure of what to tell her. His throat turned dry, closing up, bile once again threatening to come up as the image of Gene torn to shreds flashed in front of his eyes.

   Aphmau, seeing his panic, stole the phone from Aaron, putting it on speaker phone.

    “Hello Mrs. Alejera.. It’s Aphmau.. Uhm.. Gene was.. We’re on our way to the hospital.. He’s not looking very good.”

   “I’m on my way… Aphmau.. Save my son. Please.. We can’t lose him too.”

   With that, she hung, apologizing to her dance instructor before speeding to grab all of her stuff.

   The drive to the hospital felt like hours, but couldn’t have been longer than 30 minutes at the most. They stopped the car, carefully hoisting Gene, who was now more conscious than earlier. And a lot more expressive of his pain. They were lucky they had Aphmau, who could at least understand what he was saying.

   The doctors instantly got him onto a stretcher and began questioning the teens who had brought him in, wondering if they could provide answers as to who did this, where he was found, how much blood was lost. 

   Saving them from silence as they tried to answer was the sound of a familiar blue-haired flirt bursting through the front doors, demanding to see his older brother. It took Aaron and some doctors to hold Dante back from running into the halls. Behind him, a poor young-looking woman entered the room, rushing to Dante to contain her youngest son from causing commotion. One look at her made it obvious that Gene got his well… genes.. from his father, who was nowhere to be seen.

   Seeing the mother of their patient, a nurse made a beeline towards her, gently pulling her to the side to speak, Dante following now and squeezing his mother’s hand in comfort.

   The news wasn’t good.. Gene had to have immediate surgery and blood transfer because of the amount he lost. He was basically sitting on Death's stoop, as if deciding whether to walk through the door or not, clinging to the thread of life. If they had waited any longer to bring him here, there wouldn’t be any chance of saving him.

   Balto was expelled from the school the following day after police came with the news that Aaron and the others had told them, and was put in jail until they decided on a sentence that would suit him. Gene wasn’t in school for an entire month, and no one involved was allowed to disclose information about what happened and where he was. Not even to Zenix and Sasha. When he finally returned, in the last stages of recovery, no one, not even Dante, knew he was gonna be at school that day, until he walked into the lunch room, effectively silencing the entire school, looking around, and heading straight for Aaron, sitting next to him and leaning on his shoulder. For, during his recovery, Aaron helped him along every step of the way and the two had grown rather close, Aaron was even planned to be in the courtroom for Baloto’s sentencing, since he witnessed part of the attack, and was the one who had driven him to the hospital. But in the end, he was still his pretend boyfriend, right?

[pale-goblin]

A little Twisted (Chapter 3)

Chapter One: The King | Chapter Two: The Collection | Chapter Three: Pet

Co written w/ @desertdwellerdanny

Steve had spent most of the night cutting the body into pieces and burying different parts of it in the woods since it was Billy’s first kill; Steve decided not to put it on display for the world to see it.

It took hours of cutting, hacking at flesh, driving, and digging; Steve was exhausted.

Working a full day’s work than covering up a murder was a lot for a Tuesday night. Steve had called in sick at work just before hopping into the shower, washing the dried blood and dirt from his skin. He would have to burn all their clothes and clean his car, but it was a task for later.

Now, though, he had an anomaly getting ready to sleep in his guest bedroom. It was late, but as he walked in, muddy boots and reddened shirt, Billy stepped out of his room to stare. He stood quietly, leaning against the doorframe of the room and taking in Steve’s state of dishevelment. “Thank you.”

Steve had just finished leaving the voice mail for his father, seeing Billy standing there in his shirt to cover up the scars that lined his body. “Shouldn’t you be sleeping?” Steve asked as he slid his phone back into his pocket, removing the leather gloves he was wearing, caked in mud.

Billy shrugged, head tilting onto the frame, too. “Heard you come in.”

Steve stared at Billy for a bit, wondering if he even slept while he was gone. "You should sleep," Steve mumbled as he walked into his bedroom.

He heard footsteps behind him as Billy followed after, quick on his heels. “What’d you do to him? Did you feed him to dogs?”

Steve let out a sigh as he removed his blood-stained t-shirt. "I cut up his body into pieces and spread it all over Hawkins Forest far away from here."

Billy was quiet behind him. Steve turned, expecting a shocked or horrified expression but instead found Billy’s lips pulling into a small smile. “You’re fuckin genius,” he paused, “what about his fingerprints? They do that now, y'know. Seen it on the news.”

Maybe having someone under his wing wasn't as fun as he thought. Steve rubbed his eyes before placing his shirt in the bag of other clothes he needed to burn. 

"Fingerprints are only good if they have a criminal record," Steve groaned, grabbing Billy’s hand tracing cuts with his fingers "but, you can use a knife and cut open the fingertips here and here."

Billy’s eyebrows pulled together, looking down at their joined hands, “How do you know he doesn’t have a criminal record? I doubt I was the first he tried to attack. He was a sinner.”

"I know a cop; he gives me access to records sometimes…" Steve held onto Billy's hand, not really wanting to let go of his soft skin. "Listen, criminal justice sucks; guys like me don't get caught, guys like him, same thing." 

“I caught him,” Billy said quietly, focusing on the gentle drag of Steve’s skin on his, the touch oddly anchoring, “He’s never going to hurt anyone ever again because of me.”

Steve chuckled; Billy could hear the exhaustion in the back of Steves’s throat. "You’re doing their job for them.”

“Maybe. If they did it themselves, I wouldn’t have to.” Billy hummed, reaching up to lightly push at Steve’s chest, “You’re tired.”

Steve lost his footing, exhaustion pulling at his limbs and nearly falling over. “Well, stop asking so many questions.” Steve groaned, giving him an equally as gentle push back before walking to the bathroom. God, he needed a shower.

“It’s exciting.” Billy shrugged, not moving much from the push, “And you look good covered in blood anyway.” 

Steve stopped in the doorway, placing his hand on the frame as he looked back at Billy with a smirk. “I know.”

The sheer confidence, the grin that felt like Billy was trapped in a feral wolf, it ignited something in him. He didn’t get the chance to act on it, though, Steve winking and closing the door firmly behind him.

“Get some sleep, Billy,” Steve called from the other side of the door as he started the shower, craving the heat to soothe his aching muscles.

Billy could hear the water running through the house’s pipes, the only other sound in his room being the crickets outside of his window. He was tucked up under the covers, mind carefully replaying the night’s events in his head while the fan spun in a comforting whirl above him.

He was officially, undeniably, a murderer. The odd thing was that he didn’t feel particularly bad about it—if anything, Billy felt that he did something good. The murder was warranted. If he hadn’t killed that man, he’d have just found another slew of victims. At least this way, Billy gave the man a chance to be redeemed, to die and repent.

Sleep pulled at his eyelids, the emotional and physical upheaval of today taking its toll on him. Billy tugged gently on the St. Julian the Hospitaller pendant he always kept around his neck and turned to bury himself further into the sheets. Everything was taken care of, Steve having finished tying up loose ends, so there really wasn’t much more to do than sleep. Billy had done a good thing tonight.

Steve had woken up to himself, grinding his hips into the mattress, his cock hard and aching. He usually only woke up like this after taking a life, not cleaning up like some housekeeper. 

A groan escaped his lips as his hips had a mind of their own moving into the mattress at a steady pace. Why did he feel like this? What was about last night that left him so wanting? Steve thought about Billy, the smile, and how perfect he looked, covered in blood. 

The way Billy's eyes shined with that primal need when Steve was covered in the same blood. Fuck. Steve let out a moan--already so close to the edge without even touching himself. He buried his face into his pillow, trying to muffle the groans as he came thinking of him, of Billy. What was wrong with him. Before Steve could put much thought into it, his doorbell rang, and his head shot up FUCK. 

Steve jumped out of bed, nearly falling over in the surprise of someone coming here at all. He ripped off his boxers and cleaned up the mess of slick cum off himself. Too bad he didn’t get to enjoy it more than he had. 

BUZZ

“Fuck I’m coming” Steve threw on his housecoat hanging behind his door, ready for moments like these. He jogged down the hall, trying to rush so the noise didn’t wake his sleeping doll in the guest room. 

“Open the door, Dingus!” A voice called on the other side--Robin. “Ugh, the timing,” Steve groaned; having to put on his human “mask” was annoying when he had barely slept. He opened the door seeing her holding coffee and donuts in her hands. 

“Wow, you look like shit” She laughed,

“What are you doing here?” Steve whispered, still trying to be quiet. The last thing he wanted was Billy to meet his work life. “I heard you called in sick, so did I,” Robin pushed through him to get into the house--which annoyed the fuck out of Steve--but he forced a laugh, trying to keep up appearances.

Steve heard the quiet creaking of floorboards behind him, the slightest indication that Billy was, in fact up but hadn’t come out quite yet. Maybe checking that this wasn’t the police squad coming to send him away. Robin was still blissfully unaware, until the blond curled menace himself stepped out in little else but a pair of boxers and one of Steve’s shirts he had borrowed the night prior.

“And who is this gorgeous little lady?” Billy purred, cocky confidence in each step he took toward them. Fucking hell, this is a disaster.

When Robins’s attention was moved to Billy, Steve glared at him, his face changing from a puppy dog back to the cold hard stare Billy was used to. “Oh, Robin, Steve’s coworker” She pushed the tray of coffees into Steve’s hand. “Who might you be?” Her voice was dripping with curiosity, which sparked some kind of jealous burn in Steve’s chest for some reason.

“A nobody that showed your coworker a good time,” he paused, smouldering eyes on her, “Robin,” Billy repeated, the name said with obvious promise.

Robin raised her eyebrow at Billy when she looked back at Steve, who just looked ever so confused. Honestly, Billy’s idea was flawless, and Steve was pretty proud of him for coming up with a cover-up story on the fly like that. “You fucked this idiot?” Robin pointed at Steve, who looked offended as all hell. “Hey, what the hell do you mean!” Steve slapped her hand away. “You're just jealous I can get laid!” “Oh, don’t go there, Steve!” Robin gasped, “You know I just broke up with Tammy!”

Billy’s eyes flicked between the two—lingering on Steve and his rather abrupt personality change. There was a silent exchange between the two of them before Billy turned his attention back to Robin and gave a salacious grin, “I did actually fuck that idiot, thank you. Or rather, he fucked me. He’s a charmer.”

Steve swallowed hard at just the thought; with how his morning went, it's all he could really think about. "Thank you…" Steve said submissively, giving Robin a shy smile

Robin laughed, “Well, either way," Robin pulled out her coffee from the tray and handed the coffee to Billy. "Here—a coffee. I'm going to go because this is getting weird." 

Steve let out a sigh of relief. "I'll see you tomorrow at work; thanks for everything."

Billy snorted a laugh, nodding his chin at her in thanks as she gave another wave and tease before leaving. He didn’t say much, turning back to Steve, taking a sip of the coffee, and raising his eyebrows in silent question.

After Steve closed the door, he rested his head on it, “Thank you for doing that” Steve looked over at him back to his blank stare that somehow had a little more life in it now that Billy had seen him mask himself.

“What—for pretending to know who the fuck you just acted like or for telling her I let you fuck me?” He took another amused sip of coffee, cocking his hip out.

Steve smiled; seeing Billy enjoy himself was very cute. “Both really, you just gave yourself an alibi.” Steve walked over to his couch, placing the donuts box on the table and taking a long drink of his coffee. He really did feel like shit.

“That was my original plan last night anyway. Getting fucked,” Billy hummed, nudging Steve over before sitting down on the arm of the couch and gingerly poking at Steve’s cheek, “You look like you haven’t slept in three years.”

Steve looked at him, just totally ignoring Billy poking fun at his looks. "Do you mean with me or just in general?"

Billy pressed his lips together in an attempt to poorly hide a smile, “In general. That’s why I went to the bar. Why? Did you want me to mean you?”

Steve took another sip of coffee, unsure he wanted to just out himself over wanting that really badly. "I'm naked under this robe, and I need to clean my sheets," Steve mumbled as he got up to leave.

This time Billy did laugh—loud and unabashed. He whipped out a hand and wrapped it tightly around Steve’s wrist, keeping him from leaving the conversation. “Oh really? Why naked? Why clean your sheets?” The wolfish grin on Billy’s face told Steve he knew precisely why.

"Let go," Steve said sharply; he didn't want to admit that he lost any type of control over himself.

Billy’s grin only got sharper, “Why?”

"I don't need to tell you why" Steve pulled his wrist, trying to get Billy to break the hold, but the blonde tightened his grip.

“But don’t you want to?” Billy hummed, putting his coffee down on the table and scooting closer in, a wild look in his eye like he was waiting for Steve to lash out. To get the real Steve Harrington after seeing him pretend to be someone so different.

 Steve did want to, and he honestly couldn't put his finger on why Billy made him lose control like this. Steve was good at deflecting things onto other people, and he had a plan to do it, but what came out of his mouth was not what he meant. 

"You don't want to have sex with me; I will ruin you." good job, Harrington.

“Maybe that’s exactly why I want to have sex with you.”

Steve stared into Billy's eyes, thinking about how maybe Billy would be okay. He already knows what Steve, the honest Steve and he's killed, someone…

"Still no—we’re not having sex.”

Billy let go of his arm, a red imprint left on his pale skin just from the grip he had. Maybe it’ll bruise. Perhaps he wants it to bruise.

“Yet.”

Steve rolled his eyes at Billy's overconfidence in that statement. It was rare he ever had sex, honestly; he had been going on two years of nothing but his hand. It didn't really bug him—until now. 

"Are you always like this?" Steve asked; it probably sounded ruder than he meant. "Ever since I helped you, it's all you seem to want to do is fuck me."

He just shrugged in response, “You helped me. You’re hot. I slept here, and you didn’t take advantage of me.”

Steve laughed, "I see; well, you don't have to do whatever this is." Taking a sip of his coffee.

Billy raised an eyebrow at him, “Don’t act like that’s not the whole reason you did it. It’s okay—I’m telling you you can fuck me.”

"You think I covered up a whole murder to fuck you?" Steve let out a disappointing sigh, "I did it because I want someone to teach and share my fucking hobby with! I'm tired of pretending to be normal, and you were interesting and fearless. I see myself in you, and I want to share this...gift."

This time it seemed he’d finally gotten through to Billy, his eyebrows pulling up in confusion and that pushy demeanour of his temporarily forgotten. “We can do that again? Do you want to do that again? With me?” He leant back, eyeing Steve, “I won’t kill for fun. They have to deserve it.”

Steve nodded, "Yes, I do, but it won't be for a while" Steve decided his sheets would wait and flopped on the couch, “and I need a nap…"

Billy slid down from his perch on the arm of the couch, lifting Steve’s legs to set on his lap. He reached over to pick his coffee back up and a donut. “Then take one. You deserve it.” Steve reached over to place his coffee on the table. "I still have stuff to do, though," Steve groaned.

“Like what? I’ll help.”

Steve looked over at Billy. "There is a bag of clothes from the two of us I need to burn, and I have to clean out my car."

“Easy. I’ll do it, and you can come to check your car in case I forgot something,” he nudged one of his feet, “You gotta sleep first, though. Or else you’ll miss all those pesky details.”

Steve kind of felt touched? No—happy that Billy wanted to do some of the small details for him. Maybe they would make a good team. But of course, Steve wouldn’t say that to Billy’s face just yet. “Don’t fuck it up.”

“Yeah yeah, don’t worry, old man, I clean up nice,” he joked, wiggling out from under Steve and stealing another donut on his way to where he’d seen him leave the cleaning supplies from last night. It shouldn’t be too hard...

Steve grabbed one of the throw pillows on the couch and put it under his head. He felt a little less on edge about getting everything done before cops started looking for someone to pin down for the murder.

He watched Billy leave, deep throating another doughnut before getting out of his view. Fuck, it was nice to have such a good pet.