a rebel without a cause

jovi gives apollo a few pats and goodbye ear scratches before he catches up to abel. “isn’t what what roomies do? a couple of servers at the herring have roommates, and they’re always whining about rent checks and bills.” jovi’s never had a roommate. well, not unless he counts vesper and a few passing people inside the kam mansion whenever he didn’t want to be alone. but he never charged them anything, didn’t even think about it because he never needed the spare money. unfortunately ironic now. if he were in a better mood he’d laugh. 

“do you feel the inspiration? does my pain spark a bit of artistic desire? have at it then, michaelangelo.” jovi spreads his arms wide, “i am your canvas.” the idea of fresh ink does cheer him up. jovi’s always liked the needle a little too much. “you know what would do wonders for my mood?” he shoots abel a glance as a car pulls up. “some serious winnings down at your super secret private club. it’s been a while.” 

“Being actual roommates would require a lease and I’m not doing that.” The last thing he needs is any more paperwork in his name, let alone associate it with Jovi and tie him up in anything if something were to happen. “Besides, does it look like I’m in need of any extra money coming my way? Are you saying I look like a charity case?” He turns towards Jovi with a raised eyebrow as hey head out to meet the driver. “Be careful, I’m tattooing you later don’t forget.” He points his finger back towards Jovi. “Just don’t forget to keep the doors locked and Apollo stays in the living room at night. I know he’s a great cuddle buddy but he’s a guard dog first.”

 “looks rough.” owen replies. “uh… no, i haven’t. if that’s the outcome, i don’t think i want to.” they shake their head with a frown. “not really into the whole violence thing. accidental or otherwise.”

euan doesn’t miss how abel relaxes, easing the sharpness in his tone and scent. the air’s clearer, but euan keeps breathing through his mouth. “i don’t want to get rid of you,” he insists. “but  —  yes. secrets for secrets.” he’s grasping for straws, stepping out of what the moons would call acceptable. “the notes crossing my desk with your name on them? i can make sure they don’t cross another’s.” euan levels a look, “clearly i can keep a better secret than whoever you’re working for, and i have a lot on the line here. it may feel uneven now, but how long do you think it will stay that way for you, frost?” there’s only a slight pang of guilt, knowing he’s bartering with someone with a past like abel’s. working in his position has made him far too comfortable with corruption. “my word in exchange for yours to keep our mouths shut.”

“Yeah, of course. I thought this through!” A lie. Well, half the truth. Roman laughs, perhaps a little more than he should have. “Why do you think it’s for someone? Also, a little pain in the ass is nothing. In fact, go ahead and make it hurt as much as possible.” He follows behind Abel, watching as he prepares the tattooing bed. “Oh, I want it pretty. Let it serve more than one purpose. A crescent moon is sounding good to me right now.”

“Very wise choice.“ Anastasia finally takes off her shades. “Right. Your business, or Frost business? Either way, best enjoy the little vacation.” She laughs. “Oh, of course it’s always some drunk. You think you got a shortlist of the best asses in town then?” When Abel talks about Jovi, she gives a thoughtful hum in response. “He’s adjusting, the Kleenex is a good idea. And the dog. Last I spoke to him, he said some cop’s been bothering him though.” She gives Abel a knowing look. “Might want to watch out for that.”

"I always have my eyes on someone; part of the job description. There is certainly one wolf who has my attention, for now. I’ll save them the indignity of sharing their name but the omega knows.”

"I have not, actually. I'm taboo but clearly not taboo enough. Not that I think there’s anything wrong with it, but my lifestyle hardly leaves room for me to fret about bed-buddies. Maybe though, you never know. First I need to get the big baby alpha out of my spare room before I start thinking about anything like that.”

abel takes a step closer and euan remains rooted, watching with a hard expression. “do they? i’ve seen them. how kept can those secrets be?” abel throws a question, but the ceremony’s hardly the moment euan’s concerned about. he’s made it this far into the betrothal without setting off frost alarms. his lab-made pheromones are fine. if they pass enough for city hall, then they should pass enough for orion’s family. after the ceremony, however … “you think those records can stay hidden?” he quickly turns it back on abel, “all it takes is one curious detective or even a bored intern, and you and whoever pays you are screwed.” more fire and cinnamon. euan glares at the closing distance and snaps, “stop moving closer, and we can talk about this.” 

the air is stifling with spices sitting heavy in the back of euan’s throat as he breathes through his mouth. euan drains the rest of the water bottle and stands to find a waste bin and walk some distance between them. “lying?” his nerves spike. euan turns to face abel again  —  meters separating them so euan can take in fresh air. clear his mind. further away, it’s clearer now how much he’s scenting. he catches a whiff of honey when he crosses his arms, defensive. “you’re bold. i didn’t think i’d ever see you since your family ignores you, but you make it difficult, don’t you? i’ve seen your rap sheet. i’ve seen your record, things that haven’t even made it to your record.” euan clenches and unclenches his jaw before he’s simply out with it, “i’m not the only one with secrets.” 

for an outcast frost, abel’s loud with his opinions about the betrothal. this isn’t the first warning, which only stirs euan’s curiosity. euan’s playing the alpha role so in an arrangement like this, he has all the power. well. the moons do, at least. but it’s abel’s next words that are more concerning. “i haven’t heard of it,” euan blinks. the sun beats down on his back like a spotlight. “orion’s the thespian, not me.” this can’t be an accusation, can it? euan stares in the face of it as he leans back, aware in how he needs to relax against the sourness rising in his throat. he has nothing to hide except everything. “why don’t you tell me about it? summarize the story for me.” mirroring abel’s position, euan tilts his head. drops his voice, “or is this another clue about orion’s audacity?”  

“Well, what am I supposed to wear? Sneakers?” Anastasia says it like the idea alone was preposterous. Wearing sneakers made her feel like a child, somehow. “Heels aren’t so bad once  you’re used to them.” When they were, Ana had numbing cream, but why admit that when she had an image to keep? “Why, thank you. I appreciate that.” And she does, truly. Some days she felt as if she needed reminding. Her eyebrows raise in amusement when he tells her what he’s been up to. “Sounds like a fulfilling job. Any notable ones you want to mention?” She chuckles. “As for Jovi, I’m sure he appreciates the help more than he lets on. I would have taken him in myself, but – it’s better that he’s staying with you.”

“you’re an ass,” jovi says, more tired than angry. “i lost my home, my life, and you’re being an ass.” he doesn’t have the energy to explain himself. a half hour of furiously packing, tossing, and giving the neighbors a show left him drained dry. even worse  —  beau is set to arrive any moment. fuck. 

“have you seen our menu and prices? people fight for reservations during the tourist season, buddy, so don’t forget how lucky you are to have me around.” apollo jets through the door and jovi stops for a quick pat and some cooed words of love and affection. earns some finger licks and a sloppy kiss, and jovi will admit it’s some balm to the pain of his bleeding heart (wallet.) “ink?” jovi perks, more awake as he follows. “ink. i want a side piece this time. right here,” he points to his left ribcage. “do you have your portfolio in the car? something dark and tortured, like my emotions right now.” 

“You moved in knowing that, don’t say it like it’s new news.” Really Abel wants nothing more than to ask Jovi if any of that even mattered. It had been hard leaving his own family at first, losing the wealth and connections that came with them, but felt more proud than ever now that everything he had he actually worked for himself. Things would get better, even if Jovi didn’t realize it now.