#mc x cas

[cadybear420]

Choices Secret Pal February 2024, edits by me

Here's my creation for the Choices Secret Pal event by @choicesfandomappreciation! This is my second time participating in this sort of event and I seriously love doing it.

For @hydn-jpg, I've made some edits of Cas Harlow and their ID MC Jiwon Kim doing an outfit swap, inspired by this artwork of his!

One morning, after a sleepover...

At school...

Later that day...

Blank versions:

TYSM for giving me the chance to do this, and also once again for this commission of Evie and Aiden! I love how neat and polished and cute your artstyle is, and so I loved seeing my blorbos in that style! <3 <3 <3

[still-a-morosexual-help]

Immortal Desires S1 where during the heat of battle Gabriel & Cas are just as protective of each other as they are of MC

Immortal Desires S2

Where Gabriel is visibly worried about Cas, tries to playfully tease him and speaks softly to him when he's upset

Where when MC's listing out the reasons why they love each of them, reasons Gabriel & Cas clearly don't see in themselves, the both of them agree that those reasons are clearly visible in the other and that it makes sense that someone would fall in love with them for it

Where MC says "the Clements, me and Cas" when listing out the people who love Gabriel and not only does their phrasing make MC and Cas a unit when MC's love for Gabriel is shown as romantic but Cas just does not disagree. He actually hops on to back MC up

Where when MC's trying to reassure Cas and make him understand that they can love both Cas and Gabriel equally at the same time, they don't try to say anything along the lines of how their own heart is big enough to hold that kind of love for two people. Instead, they say Cas' heart is big enough to let Gabriel in the same way he let MC in... Girl?????? And Gabriel's just sitting there next to them not arguing with this????

Where Gabriel runs after Cas with MC and is the one to finally get through to him when he's hurting

Where Gabriel is so damn sincere about what he thinks about Cas that Cas can't even bring himself to even look him in the eye

Where Cas is willing to sacrifice himself for both MC and Gabriel because they both stood by him in ways no one else ever has

Where Gabriel refers to Cas as family and someone he loves, while also referring to MC in the same way

Oh, yeah. And there's the threesome I guess.

Anyway, MC's out here daydreaming about living in a little seaside cottage with their two boyfriends who kiss each other with tongue and Gabriel's already half way there

Close the triangle!

To be fair, when immediately post-threesome, MC brings up Cas & Gabriel starting to like each other the way they like MC, neither are actually opposed to it. They actually consider it and say that even though they're not there yet, anything could happen. And the fact that they actually stop to look at one another, naked and sweaty and post sex, and say "yeah, sure I could see it happening one day in the distant future" instead of giving an immediate dismissal makes me feel like that future is a lot less distant than either of them think

Anyway,

Close the triangle in Book 3!

[fitzs-trained-monkey]

Blind Boy 🥀

(An Ominis Gaunt friends-to-lovers playlist)

A/N: Please listen in order. There's a method to my madness.

Ominis Gaunt fell in love slowly...

It began, he thinks, when he started hanging out with her. Without Sebastian that is.

Young folks - Peter Biorn and John

Lake Shore Drive - Skip Haynes

She makes him rather happy. It's odd...

Dog Days are Over - Florence + the Machine

Sunshine Lollypops and Rainbows - Lesley Gore

She understands him like no one else. And even if she doesn't, she never pretends to. Just listens.

Wow, I'm Not Crazy - AJR

He really likes his time spent with her. He thinks about her when she's not around. She occupies his thoughts rather a lot. Her time feels like a currency and he fears running out. He's never had to be afraid of any sort of lack before.

putting a spin on Ophelia - Egg

What is this warm feeling? A dream - a wish, certainly. His parents would hurt him if they found out... Besides, he's just the blind boy. Who's he kidding?

One Last Wish - Casper

If I Could Ride A Bike - Park Bird, Chevy

Creep - Radiohead

It's impossible... but what's the point of it all if he doesn't at least try? It could be so beautiful. He doesn't have to be brave about it.

Do Not Let Your Spirit Wane - Gang of Youths

Do I Wanna Know? - Arctic Monkeys

He starts to try.

Passing Papers - Egg

Chasing Cars - Snow Patrol

Are You Bored Yet - Wallows

Please Notice - Christian Leave

Feelings Are Fatal - Mxmtoon

These feelings are deeper than he thought. He can't help but indulge them.

Can't Help Falling in Love - Elvis

Amazing - Rex Orange Country

Golden Hour - JVKE

This Side of Paradise - Coyote Theory

Can I Call You Tonight? - Dayglow

I Couldn't Be More In Love - The 1975

It's so wonderful. It's beyond good. And she's always so kind to him. So perfect.

Infinitely Ordinary - The Wrecks

Remember When - Wallows

Ratisim - The Suicide Squad

One night in the Undercroft, he plucks up a little courage. And then... then he asks that girl to dance.

Not About Angels - Birdy

Once Upon A December - Anastasia

The Princess Diaries Waltz

And oh... oh he's fallen so far. He's hopeless.

Thinking Out Loud - Ed Sheeran

Line Without A Hook - Rick Montgomery

First Kiss.

Like Real People Do - Hozier

And things just get better from there...

I Hear A Symphony - Cody Fry

Say You Won't Let Go - James Arthur

I Feel Good About This - The Mowgli's

Darling - Christian Leave

Love - Lana Del Rey

the world could end with you - Llunar

After graduation, he proposes. The ring doesn't come from a distant ancestor - it's not plucked off his family tree. It's just for her. For that lovely muggle-born girl and nobody else.

Until I Found You - Steven Sanchez

His first night with her is better than he ever could have dreamed.

Saturn - Sleeping At Last

He elopes with her two months later. And married life with her is perfect. Utterly and completely perfect. Away from his family and his high-society upbringing... it's lazy and soft and simple.

Banana Pancakes - Jack Johnson

Waltz for Sweatpants - Cody Fry

Would That I - Hozier

You Are Enough - Sleeping At Last

Photograph - Cody Fry

Love theme:

Hearing - Sleeping At Last

Happy Valentine's Day 💘

[gaiuskamilah]

cas and @hydn-jpg's jiwon for @choicesfandomappreciation's secret pal event! i've long loved hayden's art so i was excited to get them as my giftee. thank you hayden for sharing your wonderful art to us, i hope the rest of the season treats you kinder than it has so far ❤️

additional meme i traced over because i hadn't drawn in a while and needed a little something to warm up with -

timelapse

[niaerinisms]

ID!MC may not be the most amazing MC of all-time but I fucking love them. Little guy (g/n) who constantly finds themselves in the worst and most bizarre situations and has absolutely no idea of they got here. This is just their life now. When things get bad, lie down on the floor for a bit or maybe scream or punch something, and then get up because we have a coven meeting at 5. Their priorities are 1) Being horny af for Cas and Gabe and blood, 2) Find out if I can get Cas and Gabe to make out so I don’t have to choose one (and hopefully watch them make out), 3) Get Astoria, Lewyn and Mom off their back, and 4) Idk don’t get murdered or banished maybe, it doesn’t matter much and also idk adulthood but I can deal with that later and actually put literally everything else in this tier. They are somehow the most normal and insane person in the book. Their reaction to gaining powers from the leyline is ‘cool. anyways-’, and tbh there’s so much shit going on in their lives that it’s not like they can react any other way. Somebody just hand them a fucking blunt, they deserve it.

[milasky]

Since I'm replaying Immortal Desires for the 100th time, I have to share my love for Seth again. I love his reaction when MC and Cas flirt with each other in front of him. This was the moment Seth became their child.

[rjschoicesstuff]

Probably my fave ever drawing I've ever done of them, I've been so excited all day to post this haha

Alt version:

[masked-alien-lesbian]

My Cas Harlow and Gabriela Adalhard fighting over my mc Finley Karros ❤️ done by the amazing @sazanes 👏🏽❤️👏🏽

[urdilfred]

Immortal Desires (Cas Harlow x MC)

[where-the-wind-travels]

saini & cas ✦ moodboard by me, for @aallotarenunelma

hi hi! i'm your secret pal for this event <3. i honestly had a bit of a hard time choosing which of your mcs/pairings to do, but i decided to go with saini and cas because i love vampires and also i've never done anything related to immortal desires before haha. ft an alternate version without the overlay because i could not pick one to post SKDJDK

also can i just say i love every single detail about saini's character... and all of your oc/mcs in general 😭💗

also tagging: @choicesfandomappreciation

[griffinsboyfriend]

Here's my boys from Immortal Desires by the incomparable @hydn-jpg!! Cas, Alfyn (male MC), and Gabriel sleeping over, probably watching something scary or supernatural~

I wanted to see Gabriel with his hair down, and this was the perfect opportunity! I love this trio of dummies so much. Send @hydn-jpg some love! Thank you so much for your fabulous work!!!

[saibug1022]

Oh great artists of tumblr, I am begging you to redraw this with Cas as the witch and ID MC as the knight

[still-a-morosexual-help]

Immortal Desires MC is going through so much😭

Fighting against people who want them dead, dealing with being turned into a vampire and the bloodlust that comes with that, juggling keeping their new life secret from a reasonably worried mother, trying to explain the concept of polyamory to a small town of people who are very set in their ways

Imagine trying to cope with the transition into being a vampire while also trying to understand and make others understand the fact that you're in love with two people at the same time, and 'yes, you love them equally' and 'no, you can't pick one' and it makes you feel guilty that you can't just pick one like everyone wants you to and the happiness you feel by being with them is mixing with the guilt and confusion that comes with the fact that you can't be the way everyone expects you to be. Also, you're now stuck with teenage hormones for the rest of your life?? They're going through it

The juxtaposition of the the supernatural issue of trying to deal with being turned into a vampire while simultaneously dealing with the very real and relatable feeling of trying to understand yourself and your sexuality when you're not quite like the majority somehow makes the story feel more full? more real? It just adds to it

[fitzs-trained-monkey]

The Blood of the Covenant

Foreword:

(Below) A note presumably written by one Sebastian Sallow, dated 1922.

To whomever may find themselves reading this, I regret to inform you that the pages in your hands may very well be the only documentation in the world detailing the truth concerning The House of Gaunt. This tale you're about to read won't be written in the history books. Alas, as I write this the Ministry and all the rats that didn't go down with the ship are hard at work scrubbing away any and all proof of just how deeply their corruption truly ran. But even if it costs me my freedom, I will not allow my friend's suffering to be forgotten. This time, I'll speak the truth - no matter the cost. And if you, dear reader, are the only soul who ever reads this, so be it. Maybe I'll finally have done something right. - Sebastian Sallow

Continue to Chapter One: First Steps (Toward White-Faced Cliffs)

[rosesnink]

On the Hunt

Author's Notes

So, a while back, @rjschoicesstuff and I did an art trade, and after a few crazy weeks, I have finalized this and now present it to you, RJ! Your presence in this fandom is a much needed breath of fresh air, you're so sweet, kind and funny to talk to! I'm glad we found each other on this corner and that this fic does justice to your gorgeous art of Brienne and little Arianwyn! One last thing: Lekker vliegenn! 👺

English isn't my first language, so please forgive any typos/grammar mistakes

This is my half of the art trade with RJ. Go to his profile to check her gorgeous art of Brienne and Arianwyn!

This is my first Immortal Desires fic, so bear with me

Summary: Ripley ropes Cas and Gabriela onto a paw-mazing adventure where they travel across the country to see for themselves if werewolves are real, and the trio learn invaluable lessons about the world around them... and themselves

Rating: PG

Word Count: 3.8k

Pairing: Ripley Reese (bigender!MC) x F!Gabe Adalhard x M!Cas Harlow

CW: There's a heavy makeout scene and some talks of traumas of books such as Bitten, Alpha and Nightbound

Book: Immortal Desires (main), Bitten, Nightbound and Alpha

Ripley laid back as she enjoyed the moon’s reflection on the window of her car, leaving behind Crimson Beech. Her knees bounced of excitement, itching to see if werewolves were real or just another myth. But in her defense, if the Creators had turned out to be real, why not werewolves?

Gabriela placed a gentle hand on her bouncing knee, and Ripley immediately stopped. She gave her a smile, and they both smiled at one another. Cas was, of course, driving, eyes on the road, although he often checked on both of them. There was some comfort food of Ripley and several blood bags, apart from other preparations for the long trip.

“What is our first stop, again?”

“New Orleans. We’ll be there just before Mardi Gras begins.”

Gabriela beamed, her brown eyes shining in the moonlight “Oh my gosh! I look forward the costumes and the traditions there! I’ve always dreamt of going before, you know…”

Ripley placed a loving hand on her “You’ll look beautiful, I know it.”

Gabriela smiled widely and kissed Ripley’s cheek. Cas looked at them, scoffing with affection as he kept driving. “We should reach the ley lines soon. I do not look forward looking like a cheap crab because of sun poisoning.”

Ripley chortled “Perhaps you should dress up as one!”

“As if,” he grunted.

When they finally arrived, they checked out, and Ripley, being a woman on a mission, talked to a few locals about folklore, and found out that there had been some strange wolf activity that set off some alarms in the past, and saw strange-looking creatures that looked their way.

“Indeed,” a woman whispered “legends of magical creatures habiting New Orleans have always been told. And between you and I, child… they are.” She winked before disappearing.

Ripley smiled “This town should be interesting. Where to begin first?”

“The cemetery,” Gabriela said “we ought to see if there’s other Creators resting.”

“And the outskirts. If I were a supernatural, that’s where I’d live.” Added Cas.

They all walked in perfect harmony, prepared for a fight or somewhere along the lines. As they neared, they all heard the same: music and roars. Beaming with excitement, they got closer to the raucous noise and found several people, some as standing-wolves and others as humans dancing and watching people do some sort of circuit. One of the standing wolves howled, and the rest followed. Ripley’s eyes were glazed of pure joy.

Her dream since she was little was to see some werewolves, and now she was.

One wolf sniffed the air and turned to see the standing vampires and growled, the eldest of them approaching “What are you doing in our territory, vampire?”

Gabriela put her hands up “We mean no harm. We are vampires from the Crimson Beech coven and only seek to meet you and get to know you.”

“Yeah, our Ripley here’s been dying to meet wolves since forever. Right, Ripley?”

“Oh my god, yes! I know that vampires and werewolves have a rivalry, but I think it’s bullshit! We both are cool in so many different ways!” She kept on rambling, and the wolf seemed surprised, but amused by the vampire’s enthusiasm.

Gabriela and Cas seized up the man: he looked much older than them, with light brown skin, long hair and strong, hairy arms. He had a strong aura, like the was the among the most powerful of the werewolves, and calmly listened to Ripley’s excited rant.

“…Hence why we’re here! Who are you? Are you a wolf? Can I see you turn?!”

The man threw his head and laughed loudly “I like this kid. The name’s Cal. And turning is painful business, but if you’d like it…”

Cas pointed to the circuit “You do this often?”

One wolf joined in “We can’t afford to slack. Gotta stay in shape, especially after what happened a few years ago.”

“A powerful witch resuscitated an evil man and took a lot of damage to defeat him. Had to rely on hunters and everything.”

Cal shrugged “You have to admit, Nik and Katherine are damn good at what they do. And you know Nathalie, her help’s been good for the pack.”

The trio looked at Cal confused, and he chuckled “My bad. We’ll give you some context over some beer.”

Cas grinned wickedly “Now that I can get behind to!”

“We’d love to hear more about these people.”

Cal told them everything. How it started with Nathalie’s arrival on New Orleans for her 25th birthday, and how it escalated to a full fight against Thomas and forming a group which Cal was part of, and how she was the daughter of the Lord of Lamrian, a faerie realm. Gabriela perked up at the mention of faeries, and wished to meet the formidable Nathalie. She was now learning to be Lady of Lamrian and preparing her wedding to her fiancée Vera Reinmonenq, but would put them in contact. Cas, of course, liked better the story of Nik and Katherine and, despite hating vampire hunters, liked the idea of meeting the nighthunters.

Cal patted his own leg and said “Well, if I’m going to show you my stuff, I gotta see yours, Ripley.”

“Done.” She beamed.

As Ripley showed her feral face, Cal started to shift into his werewolf form, and my, was it a magnificent form. Cal looked back at her, and she cried “Most. Epic. Thing. Ever!”

Gabriela beamed upon Ripley’s excitement, and Cas snorted fondly. Cal howled to the moon, and Ripley observed everything with glee, like a child among sweets, as the werewolf did some clever maneuvers, Ripley not far behind, observing him with admiration.

Then, finally, he changed back, and Gabriela turned around when the naked form came, out of respect and blushing, while Cas turned around casually, more used to naked bodies. Ripley did not seem to notice, too warped in the fact that he had seen a live wolf, his fantasies come true.

They spent the next days talking about what life in New Orleans was, and exchanging fantastic tales from Crimson Beech. When the day to continue their journey came, Ripley was reluctant.

“Don’t worry, Ripley. We’ve exchanged numbers, and I shall do my best to visit you. And yes, Gabriela, I shall bring Nathalie with me, she’d be delighted to meet you as well.”

Gabriela beamed and the three of them got into the car, this time Gabriela driving. Ripley hummed happily as Cas brooded in a corner, looking at how New Orleans faded away from them.

“What is our next stop again?”

“Hidden Grove,” replied Cas “we should be careful. Rumor has it that they’re dealing with some monster problem.”

“We are three strong vampires against one monster. If we could handle the Creator and the hunters, then we can handle… whatever it is they’re dealing with!” Ripley declared. Cas agreed. Gabriela was not so sure.

When they reached Hidden Grove, the first thing they saw was a castle, and a beautiful woman standing there, observing the newcomers.

“What brings you to Hidden Grove, travelers?” She asked, her accent posh and looking ancient. She reminded Gabriela of Astoria and Lewyn.

“We are looking for were—,”

Cas elbowed Ripley “Where the best inn is! We’ve been driving for hours and need to sleep and rest.”

“That will be Peter’s inn. It is that way,” the woman explained as Gabriela observed her closely, something calling to her.

“What is your name?” She asked.

The woman arched an eyebrow but replied nevertheless “Miss Hyde. Alexandra Hyde.”

“A pleasure, Miss Hyde.” She then drove off.

When they arrived at the inn, they encountered a handsome and rather young-looking innkeeper waiting for them, a disarming smile on his face “Be welcome! What can I do for you?”

Ripley sauntered over the counter and started to speak lowly and aware of his surroundings “You see, I’ve read legends of Hidden Grove’s special population and was wondering if… the rumors are true?” She then flashed quickly her silver eyes, and the man opened his eyes in delight and curiosity.

“I see. You are correct, ma’am, we are known for our charming people, and I’m sure that they’d love to meet someone as curious as you. Please, follow me, I have several rooms available since the departure of… a special friend.”

“Oh! Is she…?”

Peter chuckled “Oh, no, I’m sure she’s fine! She, ah, had to be somewhere else. We miss her already.”

Gabriela was drawn to a room that smelled of silver, wolfsbane and cinnamon. Peter noticed the young woman stopping and sighed “That was Layla’s room alright. It feels wrong, but I need to make do. It is an inn, after all.”

Whoever this Layla was, they all thought, she must’ve been special.

Gabriela could feel the power of the ley lines within them, and decided to take one room for three as allow the man to grieve his friend’s departure in peace. In the morning, they all arose and prepared to meet the alpha’s second-in-command, Grace.

“So, the rumor mill about Crimson Beech is true. Grace, a pleasure to meet you.”

“Hello, Grace,” Gabriela greeted “I’m Gabriela, and these are Cas and Ripley. She’s an avid admirer of your kind.”

Grace grinned “A fan is just what Skyler could use. She’s been down since a special someone left.”

“Layla, right? We heard about her.”

“Cas, maybe don’t bring her up? Salt in the wound and all?” Ripley hissed.

Cas straightened “Ahem, so, where is that famous Skyler? Is she the alpha of the coven?”

Grace chortled as she walked them to the pack’s house “We do not have covens. We are a pack, all of us.”

Perhaps it was better, Ripley thought, to be a team than to be divided like the covens were. The werewolf mindset of all being the same despite having different approaches to life must’ve been easier, and saved much infighting and difficulties when facing the threats that were thrown at them.

“I must ask,” Gabriela inquired “is Miss Hyde a…”

“Vampire? Yes, although you three are different. You’re walking in the sun, for one.”

“I suppose that vampirism has many varieties.”

As they walked, they noticed that the pack was looking down, as if they were all feeling the same thing. Cas overheard something about ‘fated mate’ and ‘Layla’, and Cas supposed that Layla being someone’s fated mate from the pack was a big deal, especially if she had left without them.

They approached a morose-looking woman, who stood tall, with chestnut brown hair, brown eyes and thick eyebrows. She seemed to being chopping wood deep in mind, so much that she didn’t seem to notice the odd trio standing before them. Grace gently called her alpha and her head snapped towards them “Oh, hello there! I’m Skyler Hemmings, and I run this turf. What can I do for you?”

“These are Ripley, Cas and Gabriela and they’re vampires— not like Alexandra—,” she interrupted upon noticing Skyler tensing up “from Crimson Beech and want to meet you and see how things are run here. Ripley here’s a big fan.”

Skyler smirked “A fan, eh? That sounds dope. You from Crimson Beech? Is it true that your eyes are silver and are divided among covens?”

Instead, Cas showed his silver eyes and Skyler hummed, impressed “I like your style. I dig it.”

“Yours also rock.”

As formalities were changed, Gabriela observed that Skyler’s smile was torn, looked rather haggard and seemed emotionally burdened. Might it be because Layla was her fated mate, and her departure physically affected her?

Before she could inquire, Ripley eagerly asked “Can you show me your wolf form?”

“Only if you show me this ‘feral face’ of yours!”

Ripley showed her, and Skyler nodded, complimenting it as she showed hers, and then transformed into a wolf. She was not biped like Cal, but was still large enough to ride, and was certainly imposing, showing off her alpha status. Ripley observed with glee the wolf running, howling and doing its most famous tricks, and Cas whistling of encouragement, as was expected and natural of him.

When Skyler dressed herself and recovered from such exercise, she patted Ripley on the back “Tell you what, stay for dinner and tell me all about Crimson Beech! You are far more fun vampires than that woman.”

“You mean—,”

“Hell yeah!” Cas cheered, not before throwing Gabriela a warning look to not bring Alexandra up just yet.

They dined, danced and started to know more of how werewolfisms worked in Hidden Grove, which fascinated Ripley and interested Cas. When everyone was about to turn, Gabriela caught up with Skyler.

“Hey, you! Something up?”

“I wanted to talk to you about a certain someone that’s been brought up several times.”

Skyler stiffened “You heard about…”

“Layla? Yes.”

Skyler blew silent raspberries as she beckoned Gabriela to a much more silent area where drunk werewolves wouldn’t overhear. Then, she beckoned Gabriela to talk.

“I know that she is your fated mate, and that she left… and might’ve been involved with Alexandra as well. I went through something similar with Ripley. I almost lost her, you know? She died in front of me, and I… I turned her against coven rules. And so did Cas. He was in love with her too, you see.”

“How’d you get past that?”

“Cas and I agreed to try and work together and get along for her sake. We’re not loved up yet, but… we understand and respect each other. Because infighting almost lost us Ripley. So, if I were you, and Layla also loved Alexandra… Find her. Have that difficult talk. Make it work for her, because it’s obvious that it’s physically killing you not having her by your side.”

Skyler gave Gabriela a thoughtful look before nodding, squeezing her arm “Thank you. I’m glad I’m not alone in this… this.”

“You’ll come to get along with Alexandra with time, but you won’t have time if you let Layla go without a fight.”

After that talk, they spent two weeks in there as Cas and Gabriela looked for any remaining Creators and secret hunts as Grace and Skyler kept Ripley entertained. Panting from the hunt, they leaned on a hidden waterfall as they caught their breath.

“Well, at least we got to eat,” Cas chortled.

Gabriela sat on the rock as she pondered on her talk with Skyler.

“Something on your mind, Golden Girl?” Cas nudged her with his heel.

“I had an interesting and insightful talk with Skyler about Layla.”

Cas tutted “Dang it, Gabe, I told you—,”

“You know how am I when I smell something fishy, Cas. She’s… in the situation we once were. You know, Ripley liking the both of us and us hating each other’s guts.”

“And?”

“I’m still a long way to like you, Cas, but… I’m glad we’ve sorted things out. And getting to see this new side of you and improve Crimson Beech with you… I’ve had fun.”

Cas sat beside her and gave her a smile “You aren’t so bad either, Adalhard. If I had to be stuck with an uptight Clement, I suppose you were the best of them.”

“The best, huh?”

They chuckled before he slung an arm around her shoulders, playfully bickering and shoving each other tenderly. Finally, Cas got up and dusted himself off “Well, we should go. Ripley will be asking for us soon.”

Gabriela surprised Cas by kissing him on the cheek and whispering “Race you there.”

“Oh, it’s on!”

They arrived a few minutes later, and Ripley was voraciously reading a heavy tome. Werewolf lore, they thought. She looked up, and beamed at them, waving them over. They listened to her talk about the history of Hidden Grove and how the wolf law worked there, alongside the treaty between vampires and werewolves.

The day to go back to the road came, and Ripley naturally exchanged numbers and promised to host them one day and even work alliances between Hidden Grove and Crimson Beech. Lewyn would certainly approve. Astoria? Not so much.

“What is our stop again?”

“The Alpha Sigma Tau fraternity in the Pacific Northwest… there! We should be there in… six, eight hours?”

Cas and Gabriela groaned in response.

When they arrived, it was all green and full of foliage and life, the air as clean as it could be in this year and time. It smelled of pine, fresh water and wildflowers. Ripley closed her eyes and allowed herself to feel the nature around it, the spring weather washing her over. After breathing the car’s gasoline and the smelly chips that Cas ate, it was nice to breathe pure air.

As they neared the frat house, Ripley could smell the supernatural environment around them, now that she had been exposed to more than one werewolf, the telltale signs of supernatural presence were more obvious. Gabriela, ever pristine and beautiful, decided to open the door, casually suggested by Cas “They seem like a fancy bunch, and you’re the closest thing to fancy we have here. Compared to you, we’re pair of troublesome punks.”

Ripley blinked, offended “I’m not, though!”

“You wanna bet how judgmental these people could be?”

Gabriela knocked on the door, wanting the argument to cease, and because she could hear powerful steps coming into the door. An imposing, corpulent woman opened the door, her eyes sharp and her striking dark skin making Gabriela know that she was someone key to the pack “Can we help you?”

“Oh, forgive my partners here, they argue over nothing. My name is Gabriela, and these are Ripley and Cas.”

“I see. What brings you here to Alpha Sigma Tau?”

Putting on her President personality, she gave her a winning small “You see, we come from Crimson Beech and thought we could enjoy the company of someone like us,” in that moment, she quickly flashed her silver eyes, and the imposing woman raised her eyebrows, curious and impressed. She then nodded and beckoned them to come inside.

“Do come in. Channing’s gonna want to meet you three. Crimson Beech, eh? I’ve heard the rumors.”

“All of them?”

“Not all,”

A few minutes later, an imposing man came: he had brown skin, amber eyes and his hair was in a bun. He observed long the three invitees and asked “Is it true? You three are vampires from Crimson Beech?”

“Yes,” Ripley quickly replied “You see, I’ve heard legends of werewolves spread around the USA, and wanted to meet them myself. I’ve always admired your kind.”

The man—Channing, apparently—smiled “An admirer, eh? I like this one. Pretty solid style too. The name is…?”

“Ripley. Ripley Reese. And these are my partners, Gabriela and Cass.”

Channing smiled curiously “Partners, as in…”

“We’re dating.” Cas explained.

Channing nodded “I’m not a sharer personally, but respect. Now, tell me all about Crimson Beech. Is it true that there was an ancient Creator that nearly wiped you all out?”

“We’ll tell you if you tell us about your lycanthropy.”

They exchanged tales, and shared stories of their communities, admiring the others’ species, and soon, Ripley asked the trip’s million-dollar question “So, show me your stuff and I’ll show you mine?”

Channing laughed heartily “Straight to the point. I like her. Let’s go outside.”

Watching Channing transform was, as usual, the most awesome thing to Ripley, and Gabriela really learned from this experience and Cas was just happy to meet other cool supernaturals outside of Crimson Beech. Nightfall came, and their usual secret hunt and search of Creators came as Ripley slept peacefully in their shared bed at the fraternity.

Trekking across the field, Gabriela looked pensive. Cas playfully nudged her “Scared we might find an actual Creator, Adalhard?”

Gabriela sighed “Just… I’m so used to travelling around, this past month, it’ll be weird to go back to Crimson Beech and the covens after seeing so much world. Aren’t you?”

“…Yeah, actually. Glad I’m not crazy on this one. Guess it’s what a lot of travelling does, you know? But hey, I was bored of the same monotony of that small town. Not many get the chance to see the world beyond the ley lines, you know?”

“Yeah. It’s nice, to see what else the world has to offer. And the company’s nice.”

Cas smiled devilishly “Even me, Golden Girl?”

Gabriela rolled her eyes playfully “Yes, Cas, even you. I’ve gotten used to you and your mating hog’s snores.”

Cas’s eyes shot up in annoyance and horror “I do not snore like a ‘mating hog’!”

Gabriela giggled “Whatever makes you sleep at night…”

Cas muttered under his breath “I am so asking Ripley about it later… How come nobody’s told me! My fellow Venadis would tell me… I think.”

Following her, they got to the cave where Gabriela felt something drawing her to the cave. Blindly walking deep into the cave, she could feel the energy flowing through its hardened and ancient stone, and soon found what looked like their burial site. Unsheathing her blade full of her own blood, she slowly crept towards the tomb, and beckoned Cas to open it. There was indeed, a creator, and as she opened her eyes, before she could even react, Gabriela plunged the blade deep into her heart, and she cried out before dissolving into a million pieces. Then, a few bats flew in front of them, and Cas tackled Gabriela to the ground, pinning her firmly so the bats would not harm her. The moment was over, and looked at one another, panting from the intense minutes they just lived.

Before they could even react, their lips locked into a searing kiss, and Cas roughly pinned Gabriela’s hands above her head as she moaned and slipped a leg onto his hip, earning a satisfying growl out of him. He bit her lip as they kissed each other, again and again, until they were eventually out of breath. Cas laughed against Gabriela’s lips “Damn, Adalhard. I can see why Ripley liked you first. That was one hot kiss. Never thought you’d be into this.”

Gabriela chuckled “I have layers, Cassius.”

Getting up from the ground, Cas cleaned up the detritus on him before he clasped “Well, now I can add ‘heavy make-out on a grave’ to my bucket list.”

Gabriela chuckled “I don’t think I’d like to see what’s in that list.”

Coming back to a still sleeping Ripley, a silent agreement that this would be mentioned back at Crimson Beech, they quickly changed and went back to sleep, satisfied with their work… and each other.

Whatever barrier had been holding them apart had now broken its first crack, and the dynamic between the three of them –especially between Cas and Gabriela—would change for the better.

[niaerinisms]

CAS AND MC WANT TO FUCKING EAT EACH OTHER AND I SAY WE SHOULD LET THEM!!!