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writing-whump · 2 days ago

Text

Don't flinch

Matthew meets a sister. Dominick distracts Melissa. Heavy angst.

"Does it look okay?" Matthew asked for the umpteenth time. He knew he was being annoying, but normally he didn't care about wearing the right clothes so he also didn't know how to wear them right.

Isaiah didn't sigh, just patiently looked him again, setting his hands on Matthew's shoulders. "You look great. Deep breaths."

There was one more pause, and that searching look meant a way out. He was asking Matt if he truly wanted to go, if he was ready.

Matt was crawling out of his skin. At this point, he wasn't sure if it was fear or excitement. Usually, he didn't get sick from nerves, but his shadow was wiggling and trembling around him and the buzzing activity made his stomach churn.

"Could you...could you roll it down?" Matt asked, not meeting Isaiah's gaze.

The other wolf's expression closed up immediately. "No."

"Please?"

A longer pause. "No. You are not losing a part of yourself to meet them."

Matthew gulped down. Wasn't fair. The shadow was the least of his concerns. Heck, he would cut off his arm if it reassured his sisters. If they could see him instead of the preinstalled fear.

The fear he put there.

Isaiah looked at his wristwatch. "Almost time."

Apparently, Dominick reserved a whole private lobby used to watch movie premiers at the cinema. They weren't to come on time, but exactly late, so he would have time to distract Melissa and Matthew could meet whoever else she brought today.

Isaiah tried explaining who Dominick was and how much he could be trusted, but Matthew zoned out before the guy's last name dropped.. His decision to meet his sisters, all of them or one by one, any chance, any time, any opportunity, overshadowed everything else.

Matthew let Isaiah go first, balling his hands into fists at his side. He could do this. He was alright now. He wouldn't freak out, he was in control, trained, tired enough from his everyday workouts and a few extra rounds. And Isaiah would be there, stepping in if it needed to be.

But Isaiah was the one who taught him how to make himself tired, how to release the tension and aggressive energy of his shadow. And if the shadow had anything to do with his soul, his heart, his feelings, then it couldn't fail him around his sisters, right?

Not this time.

...

"If you wanted to eat, why did you arrange a meeting at the cinema?" Melissa asked, raising a quizzical red eyebrow.

Dominick was honestly a little disappointed she didn't dress up a bit more for him. But she was still beautiful. Red hair ran in the family, but each sister had a bit different shade. Melissa's was the most fire-like and reached down her back almost to her waist. He also liked her blue eyes. Piercing and focused, going well with that unimpressed crook of her mouth and a small, cute nose.

"I wanted to show off, I guess," Dominick said with a wide smile that usually worked charms on colleagues, secretaries and women alike. Somewhere between honesty and teasing, telling the truth with a smile that could take it back.

Melissa didn't look approving, but she still sat down at the table, the thick black curtain separating their table from the movie sounds in the other room.

"It's cozier like this, isn't it?" He owned the cinema they were in and they were playing a movie he produced.

Melissa studied the appetizers. There were little bread bites and crackers with vegetables, sushi selection and chips.

"I already know what you do," Melissa finally said, selecting some pieces on her plate, but not eating any. "You mentioned it a couple zillion times, when you had dinner with my mother." She glanced up at him. "What I don't understand is why."

Dominick let his grin linger while he poured the champagne. "Would you like me to spell it out?"

Melissa huffed. "You truly have time to arrange dates for yourself? I thought you were busier than this."

"I make time for what's important." He offered her the glass.

She eyed it critically before taking it. "I will have to disappoint you. I'm not interested in romance."

Dominick offered his glass to click it with hers until she complied. "That's actually convenient for me. I'm not interested in romance either."

It was satisfying to see her shock.

...

When they walked in, the ads already ended and the opening titles were running.

Isaiah stayed behind at the tables, trying to look like he wasn't looking. Matthew appreciated the pretense.

The lobby was empty and there weren't that many seats, but they were large and comfortable for that. He walked quietly, peering at the rows.

She didn't sit at the back, where the best view would have been. She didn't pick the highest place. No, Meredith picked a place at the center of the first row, legs crossed, arms leaned on each side. Taking space and eating popcorn, already laughing in that mocking way, when something was funny to her when it shouldn't be.

Matthew froze at the sight. For 10 minutes, he could just stare at her. Maddie wasn't here, which was a shame. Melissa wasn't, which was a relief. And it would likely be the most complicated to get to Marcie.

But he hadn't seen Meredith in 4 years. She was all grown, 18 now. Her hair was longer now, with little braids woven in. Large circle earrings glittered with every tilt of her head.

Matthew wanted to turn on his heel and run. He wanted to watch just a little longer, mesmerized. How bad was it he wanted to come closer? How selfish...or how good?

Was he allowed to get closer just because he wanted to? What if she got scared?

Come to think of it, what if she didn't? What if she got angry? She had that kind of explosive energy about her, the sort he saw on young wolves or hyped rivals in a fighting ring.

He picked a seat in the first row. The last one, the corner seat. He could watch from there but also easily disappear. Meredith could notice him, but she could also pretend she didn't.

...

"You want to make a deal?" Melissa repeated. Her voice jumped higher, but he wasn't sure if she was offended or disturbed or just disbelieving.

"I want to be straightforward with you," Dominick corrected. The stylishly waved side bang on his left fell into his face as he leaned back in his chair. "You got things that I want and I have things to offer. So why not?"

"You are impossible," Melissa said, but mirrored his movement. Good sign. "Like a business transaction, Jesus."

"I have a nose for those," Dominick said with a wink. He straightened in his seat, taking a more serious tone. "Look. I have money, and I obviously know how to make it. You will have a comfortable life. My wife won't have to work a day in her life and will be provided with luxury, freedom and resources. Plus, I'm very handsome." She could hardly get a better guy than him, but he didn't want to say she could do a lot worse.

Melissa burst into a laugh at the last part, then covered her lips with her palm. "Oh my god. I can't believe you."

Dominick shrugged it off. "You have ties to the Blackwells. You will catapult me into wolf deals. You can do whatever you want, I'm not demanding."

She crossed her arms on her chest. "Uhm. Just my name and my genes. Just so you know, I'm not interested in being someone's breeding cow."

There was a slight crease in her tone. Something deeper and more sensitive underneath the nonchalant sharpness.

He put his hands in the air in surrender. "I don't care about that at all. You can do whatever you like. I'm just proposing a mutually beneficial arrangement. Do you want more freedom from pack life and your mother? Got you covered. You want to overthrow her? Got your covered as well."

Her eyes narrowed, a dangerous glint appearing like sunlight caught at the edge of a knife. "What could you possibly know about my mother?"

"I don't like to assume," his voice softened a little and he let his gaze drop, "but you don't look exactly happy to me running her errands for her. Or at least it looks bizarre on the outside, being micromanaged to such a degree." He shrugged again, lighting his tone. "Whatever suits your fancy though."

"Whatever you think you know is wrong and I won't confirm anything either."

"It's not that hard to recognize an angry girl far away from her ideal life. I can give you freedom."

She scoffed. "I don't need your freedom. I need my sisters safe. That's not something you can give me."

"Is that what's holding you back?" Dominick took a bite from the bread with the ridiculously orange topping. "Cause I'm telling you. If it's resources and tools you lack, I can provide that. If it's the resolve to do something..." he finished the bread, licking his fingers, "that's on you."

Melissa's hand slammed against the table. "Don't you dare judge me. You with your comfortable life, who wouldn't understand-"

"I don't understand," Dominick agreed, matching her anger with extra calmness, "I only know this. Inaction is way worse than any mistake you can make."

She bit her lip, dropping back against the chair.

He ate quietly while she glared into the opposite corner, feeling the conflict brewing in her. Her temper surprised him a little. And she didn't seem weak or inactive. There was a lot of things he didn't know yet.

It intrigued him.

"How do I know you can be trusted?" Melissa said suddenly. "That you won't side with mother over me?"

Dominick leaned his chin on his palm. "Oh, that's easy. I don't believe in loyalty. Or principles. That's for losers to comfort themselves with. I only do wins. If your mother offers more, I will side with her." He waited a beat. "Or your brother."

Matthew was the oldest wolf son of the leader. He had a claim on the Blackwell pack if he wanted to fight for it. It was unusual enough, that a witch was leading them now.

Or maybe Matthew and Melissa would align and get rid of their mother. If she was the kind of narcissistic, dominant, and controlling nightmare Dominick guessed her to be from their meetings, that would make a lot of sense. And if Isaiah backed them up...

When he watched Melissa, he thought he could guess what kind of person she was. At wolf events, she held herself high-strung, coiled in fear and resentment, talking through her teeth. Around her mother, she looked resigned, defeated, and sapped out of strength. She was so much smaller. Around her sisters, she rose up like a rose after a rain, energized and fight-ready.

She was the oldest sibling carrying their mother's attention to protect the younger ones. And she stayed because there was no saving the witchling from her role. She could only bear it with her.

"Go make a deal with mother, then," Melissa muttered darkly.

Dominick rolled his eyes. "If you were my wife, that would be different. Your interest would become my interest. And right now, I see a lot more potential in you than in your mother."

Melissa frowned, then smiled, a bitter, defensive sight. "And what if I say no?"

Dominick smiled right back. Did she think he would threaten her or something? "I will accept it. I can only offer what I have and wait for your decision. But to be honest? If you say no—I won't lose any sleep over it."

...

Meredith didn't seem to react or notice his presence.

But she held herself more still after he sat down. Even through the noise of the movie, Matthew could hear her heartbeat pick up.

After a quarter of the movie passed, she got up...and sat one seat closer to him.

Matthew held himself rigidly, like the last wall of a collapsing house. He only remembered to breathe when his lungs started to burn.

When he gathered a bit more courage, he moved one seat closer too.

They danced around each other in the dark. Slow but steady, carefully waiting for the other's next move.

Three-quarters in, she sat in a double seat next to him. Inching closer with every breath, though she didn't look at him. He only allowed himself quick glances in her direction, monitoring her reactions.

Meredith's heartbeat figured out a steady rhythm, slightly elevated, but it didn't change anymore.

What did mother tell her about him? What about Melissa? How much did she fear him for herself, and how much from them? What was her worst memory? Her best?

Was there a good one at all?

Her hand landed on the armrest. Palm open.

Matthew stared at it like it was a talking snake. Absurd and miraculous at once.

He didn't dare take her hand. But he managed to put his arm next to hers. Almost touching, but leaving the last move to her. He watched her movements so carefully his head started to pound.

The rustle of paper made him jump.

Meredith tossed the popcorn into his lap. She didn’t look at him. But she said:

“Well. Aren’t you gonna say hi?”

#angst #whump #whump writing #hurt/comfort #werewolf wip #my writing #Matthew #Melissa #Dominick #Meredith

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writing-whump · 13 days ago

Text

The Sound of a Headache

Kieran visits an old friend, talks about pack machinations and terrible plans and gets called in for a vomiting emergency.

Kieran waited in that brand new office smelling of money for a good hour before Dominick finally showed up.

He got a satisfying yelp of surprise for his trouble and the funniest shocked look.

"Are you hellbent on giving me a heart attack?" Dominick asked. He wore a perfectly fit gray suit and a pink shirt. Like he just walked off a modeling mollo. "How did you get in?"

"Climbed up to the 12th floor through the window like a good stuntman," Kieran said with an eye roll and a grin. "Gerlinde let me in."

Dominick threw a disturbed look through the glass wall towards the table with his young, small secretary with a messy curly bun. She had the most innocent look and the most sly smile, when she caught his eye.

"Not like she is wrong to do it," Kieran reminded him with an amused huff.

Dominick let out a dramatic sight than abandoned his stylishly slanted table in front of the aquarium and sat down on the opposite couch to Kieran. "So what's up?"

Kieran look at his wrist without a watch with grin. "Mr. CEO. Do I have a time limit for my visit? Should I write myself into your calander to get included?"

"You have no gigs for this week," Dominick guessed dryly.

"We can't all be working our butts off all the time."

"I'm trying to win over the council for the next chairman vote, thank you." His eyes sparkled with excitement. "Just finished the funding for the new project. It's gonna be a hit, I'm telling you."

Kieran leaned back in the seat, arms propped on top. "As your most successful stuntman worker, I hope it has a lot of action."

Dominick returned his grin. "Of course. Scenes perfect just for you and your expertise." He rubbed at his face, copying Kieran's position and leaning back a little as well.

Kieran eyed him critically, notcing the pallor and the dark circles, despite the gell little waves of light cinnamon hair. "Dude, how many all nighters did you pull this time? Isn't the point of being a CEO that you have people to assign work to?"

"You have to give the right kind of work to the right person. I don't think you are much into team effort, Kier."

"Oh my god, you sound so boss-like right now," Kieran teased. But it was nice seeing Dominick in his element, even if it was work Kieran would not in million years, choose for himself.

"What about you? Your apartment project going well?"

Kieran huffed. "It's a bit slower than I imagined. You got any extra new info on Isaiah for me?"

Dominick raised an eyebrow. "I found out about the building ownership for you, didn't I? No upper hand from that?"

"I would have to use it against his pack. They don't know," Kieran grimaced, "and I don't want to hurt them."

"That's tricky, then, if you don't want anyone hurt," Dominick sounded smug instead of sympathetic, as if that proved Kieran had morals that won over his more sinister aspirations. "I'm glad though. I don't want to make an enemy out of Isaiah Wolfson."

"Oh? How did he get to you?"

"His Executioner...position or whatever it is? His influence is 10 times the size of what it was last year. If anything, I want him on my side, when I'm dealing with wolves."

Kieran stuck out his tongue at him. "Traitor."

"Wolf packs are the best investors," Dominick said with a shrug. "I got the second breath for this company because of shareholders from wolf packs. They are the richest families with their territories turning to estates and buildings they own."

"Still looking for stashes of gold?"

"All the big names have it. Though the middle sized ones are more willing to spend it to get a hold of this city." Dominick rubbed his hands together, eyes glinting. "I got a deal from the Blackwells for the next movie."

"Blackwells...Margaret Blackwell?"

"Yep. An ambitious witch. Kicked out her husband and took over the pack and it's growing, man."

"I don't get how that woman works. She has more human children than wolves...Matthew is cast out, and only her youngest daughter is a witchling."

"Precisely," Dominick said, leaning forward, fingers connecting at the tips. "A wolf pack of their size and money would never let me near their witches. But so many human daughters?"

"Jesus, man, you sound like you want to marry one."

When Dominick said nothing, smile still on, Kieran sat up straight at once. "Wait, really?"

"So what? I need someone wealthy and with a connection to an old wolf family that could invest in my bussiness? Ideal."

"You are so romantic," Kieran said dryly.

They didn't talk about Dominick's desperate yearning for a wolf community connection. They were both humans, but as much Kieran wanted out of the loop and his family circles, that much Dominick wanted in.

Dominick's mother was a human lover of a wolf with a high position in a middle sized pack (which was rich as hell, just not as established). His father had bussiness aspirations and needed humans for it, falling in love with his secretary.

Scandalous connection as it was, since humans were off limits to a powerful wolf. His human mother was considered a waste and his human son only worth in so far he could carry a shadow wolf gene. If a wolf ever wanted him in the pack, which no one did.

That Dominick had an insane bussiness instinct and could turn a dying movie production company into a leading and prospering one was a suprise wolves were too short-sighted to expect.

But it made Dominick known between the packs, which is also how Kieran got to meet and befriend him. He became a sort of informator between humans and wolves, with connections to some of the bigger names as his investors.

Since wolves were great at owning and keeping something, but not in multiplying and managing their money - which made them interested in humans who could. Preferably inside their packs.

Kieran scoffed at the image. "So what's the big plan?"

"Nothing much. I was at a few dinners with the Blackwells. Margaret's daughters are spirited to say the least. And it also created an opportunity with Isaiah."

"Huh?"

"He was here just a week ago—he asked me if I could arrange a meeting between the sisters at and his pack. Maybe like a premiere cinema stream? I'm assuming he wants their brother to meet with them outside their mother's reach."

"And how is that gonna help you win Margaret over?"

"I'm not sure who is going to have more pull—Isaiah or her. His name and rep mean more but she has money. But imagine I would help them get reconciled. I would have both." He looked at Kieran. "You are friends with him, right? Isaiah and Matt and the sisters in one pocket..."

Kieran frowned, crossing his arms on his chest. "That sounds risky, man."

"Shouldn't you be the one most down with it?"

"I risk myself, that's different." And he didn't think wolf-human family problems were entirely in Dominick's capacity to understand. Kieran knew no specifics of the Matthew case, but he had a few ideas and none of them could be solved over a movie.

"Look, the oldest one, Melissa, is a great catch. Doctor, knows her way around wolves, fitting background-"

"Anyone told you we are not in middle ages and that's not how marriage works anymore?"

"Depends on where," Dominick shot back, rubbing at his temples. His parents couldn't be together exactly for the arrangement reasons. Maybe that's why he didn't believe in love playing any part in the resulting happiness.

"I don't like this plan," Kieran said, straightforward as he was used to. "It's risky and you have no idea what you are getting into. You don't know why he got kicked out and if his sisters want him back at all."

Dominick huffed in disappointment, deflating like a baloon. "You are no fun."

Also likely the only one you told, Kieran realized.

"Hey, what about this. Let's go camping. Two weeks, just fresh air and a lake and the two of us. You will get some distance from these ideas and well-earned rest and everything will look fresh and different."

Dominick shook his head, then stopped himself with a minuscule wince. "You don't know anything about business. I can't just pack and up leave whenever anymore."

"You are exactly the one who can," Kieran said, giving Dominick a meaningful look. You shouldn't be taking unnecessary risks. Please think about yourself. He wanted to say it so bad, but didn't dare to. It was a touchy topic.

"Alright, I'll be going then. Don't let me stop you from making money." Kieran got to his feet.

Dominick still looked disappointed by the reaction, but he knew better than to argue, getting up to hug Kieran goodbye. "See you later, fall guy. Say hi to Alessia for me."

...

Kieran didn't know why he had such a bad feeling today. Bad enough to check on Dominick and see for himself. But there was nothing more he could do, was there? He could offer his support, distraction and a listening ear, but it wasn't like he could order him to sit and rest. Especially since Kieran would never follow such advice.

Here was to hoping Dominick would tell him if he actually needed something.

That evening around 10 pm he got a sudden call from Dominick though. Kieran called him right back, but when Dominick, didn't pick up, he called Gerlinde instead. The girl was immensely useful, immediately sending him Dominick's schedule for the day and assuring him the CEO was still at the firm.

Kieran took his motorcycle and headed straight there.

The building was dark, some of its glamour disappearing with the lights and the buzz of people in the offices. "Dominick? Hello?"

He looked through the place, the kitchen and the terrace, then settled on just dialing his number and orient himself by the ringing.

It led back to Dominick's office. Another all-nighter? Kieran was worried enough that even an accident call would be a relief.

He found the phone twitching on the desk like a dying fish. The lights were also off, the hush from the aquarium filter filling the room.

"Dom?"

There was a small whimper that had the hair standing up on his neck. Kieran circled the giant desk.

Dominick was on the floor, sitting next to the cupboard, arms wrapped around his knees and hunched over, which was a strange position for such a tall man. He was shaking.

Kieran kneeled beside him, heart somewhere in his throat. "Dominick? Hey, buddy, what's wrong?"

His head jerked up towards the voice, his eyes red and swollen. "Kier?"

"Yeah, it's me." Kieran put a hand on his shoulder, looking him over, though he had an idea. "Your head?"

Dominick blinked at him, then closed his eyes with a pained grimace, groaning. "Started...started as static in my ears...then the headache-now I can't see straight, Kier..." He sounded scared, small, all the confidence from just that lunch gone.

"You are such an idiot, you know that? All-nighters for a big project, what did you think would happen?" Kieran whisper-yelled, squeezing his shoulder. "I'll drive you home, come on."

"C-can't move. Everything is twirling and the lights- and-and-" Dominick lifted a hand towards Kieran so his friend could see. His hand was twitching, down from his elbow to the last two fingers, in 2 second intervals.

"Christ," Kieran cursed under his breath. "Hospital?"

"Apparently, it's normal," Dominick said, sounding like he was on the verge of tears. "Can happen now during an a-attack."

"Shhhh." Kieran shifted to sit next to him, pulling him into a hug. Dominick was shaking in his grip, heartbreaking little whimpers coming from where he pressed his face against Kieran's chest.

It started with the headaches. Those were normal for most of his teenage years. But the dizziness, lights and static sounds, the way faces blurred together and he couldn't catch his balance...that got a lot worse in the last years.

And all because of a chip in his brain from an injury, Dominick had when he was a child.

Kieran held him diligently, wishing there was a medication or magical cure he could give him at times like this. When he felt Dominick's head jerk up with a burp, he patted his arm gently. "Nausous, buddy?"

"I hate my fucking brain so much," Dominick said, voice still weak and whiny.

Kieran slowly untangled himself from him to locate a trash can filled with papers and position it into Dominick's lap. "Here. Do you want some water?"

Dominick shook his head. Tears were streaming down his face, more from the pain and disorientation than distress, or so Kieran hoped. He looked through the cabinet and desk for paper towels and a water bottle, pressing it against Dominick's temple.

The other man was left drooling over the trashcan, blinking and squeezing his eyes shut. His chest heaved with a retch.

Kieran rubbed wide circles on his back, biting his lip in worry.

The next retch still caught them both by suprise by how sudden and violent it was. Dominick's eyes were closed as he heaved, so Kieran held the trashcan under his chin, catching a small mouthful of water. The next belch brought up a bigger wave though, splashing against the paper, on the edge and Kieran's hand.

Proud for being used to more gruesome scenes than some puke on his hand, Kieran held his breath before wiping off his hand and then Dominick's chin. He took a fresh towel for the mess of tears and snot on his cheeks.

"W-wanna go home, Kier," Dominick moaned, wrapping both hands around himself with a shiver as if he was cold.

"I'll get you home, buddy, don't worry." Kieran stripped Dominick off the suit jacket. His eyes got more used to the dark by now, so it was easier to gather Dom's bag and other things, put his car keys into his pocket and open all the doors for them to walk through. He even called the elevator in advance.

"You know how risky it is to do such projects," Kieran said as he supported most of Dominick's weight—he was taller than him by a head—towards the elevators. "Stress, no sleep. You have to be more sparing with yourself."

"C-can't exactly finish things like that," Dominick said, shutting his eyes against the light in the brightly lit elevator. He sagged in Kieran's grip, pressing his forehead into the crook of his neck to block out the light.

"I'll force Gerlinde to make to free every half a month for camping with me," Kieran threatened, holding him tighter around the waist. It was a delicate balance since he wasn't sure if the pressure wouldn't set Dominick into vomiting.

Dominick's left hand was twitching at his side. Kieran was trying very hard not to stare at it.

They finally reached the underground floor. The ding of the opening door had Dominick spasming in Kieran's hold, leaning over to vomit a giant watery wave on the floor. There were pieces of rice floating in it.

Kieran grimaced, helping Dominick step over the mess. He propped him up against the wall, patting his cheek. "Hey, you with me? Dom?"

"Hmm?" Dominick squinted at him, having to catch himself on Kieran's arms to not fall.

"I'm gonna get the car. Can you stay here for a minute?"

Dominick gave an unsure nod, then leaned down with his chin on Kieran's shoulder with a sigh, that morphed into a burp. His eyes were closed, his left hand still twitching.

"Buddy..." Kieran protested gently, rubbing his back from behind.

"Thanksss..thanks for coming."

Kieran rolled his eyes, not even acknowledging the apology. That was a given. "You are alright. Just leave it to me."

#sickfic #emeto #emetophilia #hurt/comfort #bromance #werewolf wip #my writing #Dominick #Kieran #this is long #and has a new OC #I'm terrible I know

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