Well I do! I always feel like you’re going to judge me or something which is unfair, and then I can’t speak right.

***

I haven’t said anything to be judgmental. How is this my fault?

MAYA: Okay, what kind of rules you think there are, Chace?

Well… Yeah? Everything I say to you somehow comes out wrong.

***

How so? I don’t see it coming out wrong. 

MAYA: there's no rules on when it should start and for me, it's right after Thanksgiving

MAYA: i'm saving the lights for December 1st, but I'm feeling the spirit already

Meet Up: Jack & Chace

@chaceknight

For all his bravado, it seemed only par the course that all it would take was a ride back to the farm for Jack to start doubting himself. Or, at least, in suggesting a place where there was still glitter wedged in between the floorboards and the kitchen table seemed determined to show off its tip under what was stacked atop it.

It was probably a stupid thing to get worked up over, at the end of day, though. There had been guests over to the farm before, after all, who had shrugged off the mess as a result of so many people coming in and out. Then again, the most regular guest at this point was Emmy, who no longer batted an eye over a wolf wandering by.

Then again, if someone could tolerate the controlled chaos of Emmy and Carmen’s shared living space had to be able to put up with the farm.

Which had to mean that all of this had more to do with the fact that Jack simply hadn’t let himself do this in awhile. Let alone with someone he had been quite certain wouldn’t be interested in giving him a second glance up until a day or so.

So, really, no pressure.

***

He didn’t do this. It was something that Chace reminded himself over and over as he made his way to the farm. His identity, his privacy, it had all been carefully preserved. It had been hidden and carefully preserved away from the rest of the town’s consumption for a reason. Yet, here he was, tossing all of that aside so that he could meet up with Jack Wolford. The irony of it all wasn’t lost on him either. Chace had hardly been the most pro-wolf person in town, not that Jack would know that. Aside from what he shared with Emmy, he kept his sentiments to himself for fear of truly offending someone and forever harming his chance in politics. Even beyond the fact that Jack was a wolf was the fact that Jack was male.

For so long, Chace had done his best to ensure that his sexuality stayed a hidden secret. He had denied himself countless times because it meant that he would not have to come forward with the truth or give someone that bit of information over him. Yet, a bit of flirting with Jack and now he was actually meeting up with the man for…well, for something to happen. Chace wasn’t even entirely sure what they were supposed to be doing. What did he even want to do?

His time to deliberate came to a close as he found himself at the front door of what he had always presumed to be the main house. Only then was he realizing that maybe he hadn’t really planned this with Jack well. With heavy uncertainty, he knocked on the door firmly, waiting for an answer.

MAYA: is it too soon to start thinking about Christmas sweaters, making cookies and rewatching classics now Thanksgiving is over?

So… do you want me to talk to you or not? I’m not clear. Should we pretend everything is okay?

***

Do you believe that things are not okay?

I am always right. We can argue about it until the end of time but I mean, it’s right there in the statement - I am right, so why bother? His dad was Mr. Wolford. Giving him that kind of title…it makes him seem too adult. It’s weird. He’s just Jack. You don’t call Maya ‘Ms. Wolford’, do you? Because if you do, I’m gonna vomit. I can’t have you last naming people I’ve slept with before. 

Thank you for the compliment. I almost believed you meant it. Not the ‘love’ part - I know you love me, because who doesn’t? The heartless shrewd. Wouldn’t life be easier if I was a heartless shrewd? God knows I’d care less about what the fuck I’m getting everyone for Christmas. I’m thinking this year I expand on my tradition of getting Carmen a puffy vest by just getting one for everyone. We’ll all match. 

***

Again, I doubt that, but I will let you have your beliefs. Well, I do not know how to share this with you, but we are in fact adults. I’m sorry, but I do not see how it is weird that I address someone by a title of respect. 

That’s fair - although it is half song lyrics and half magic that I suppose you could almost call a grimoire. Top shelf grimoire - a composition notebook I got for 99 cents at Walmart. Gonna be all the rage for the teenie bopper witches on the internet. Of course I’m alright - aren’t I always? Also, it’s weird to hear him referred to as ‘Mr. Wolford’. It’s Jack. But people try to get on my bad side all the time - especially at the bar. As if I’m not the one pouring their drinks. Idiots.

Ugh. Gross. Don’t try and be nice to me, you know I find it disgusting. You’re lucky I love you, so I’m willing to let it go tonight.

***

Clearly the best quality grimoire one could find. I don’t know if I would go as far as to say that you are always right, but on this particular occasion you are. You know I don’t typically call people by their first names so flippantly. He’s simply Mr. Wolford to me. 

Not really. I mean, I never fully gave it up - what do you think my journals are full off, if not silly incantations and recipes for disaster as well as my original songs? - but because I surpress it, it tends to…burst out of me at inopportune times. A guy pissed me off at the bar a few weeks ago and because I haven’t…acted on any of it, a few bottles broke around us before Jack kicked him out for us. Whoops.

Maya, obviously. I mean, not in depth, but if it makes her life a little bit easier, why not try, right? She already does so much for everyone else. Someone needs to keep an eye on her so her head doesn’t explode.

***

I try not to think much about what you do in your own time of filling up your journals. I like to keep the contents of them private to you until you feel willing to share them. Otherwise it just feels a bit invasive and odd, spending my time wandering about what you scribble down. Oh? Well, I am glad that nothing more happened, if only for the sake of that guy. You’re not particularly someone that anyone should wish to get on the wrong side of. It’s good that Jack, Mr. Wolford I mean, took care of the matter. And you are alright?

[Private]

I’ll mark the calendar. If only to ensure you only have to tolerate a minimal amount of fuss. 

***

[PRIVATE]

I doubt I will pay much mind to whomever else roams around the area, not when my attention will be so firmly settled on one particular person. 

[Private]

It was? I mean, there really is a lot of space and even Emmy pretty much has her own key by… Oh.

This should be the part where I try to walk that one back, but…honestly? Offer’s still on the table.

***

[PRIVATE]

I...think I’ll take you up on that offer.

[Private]

Hate to break it to you there, sheriff, but that’s less of a reason to leave it alone and more a sense of accomplishment.

Ah, that good ol’ small town labeling system. Can’t say I blame you for trying to escape that. And, well, the farm’s got plenty of space.

[PRIVATE]

I...well, that is quite forward of you, Jack.

Well, you wouldn’t be wrong. Witches have spells and werewolves and vampires have our strengths, but I kinda prefer not having to use all of that to defend the town. I will if it’s necessary, but I rather not go on a fight with anyone, supernatural creature or not.

I know you don’t, but you’re the one making sure there’s nothing disturbing the peace, so I really appreciate what you do. It can’t be an easy job for sure. I doubt I could have done it better.

***

I haven’t had to worry about anyone gunning for my job, so until there comes a time where I’m no longer in the position, I’m happy to do what I can for the town. Even if I am just...me. Of course, we should all hope it doesn’t come to that. 

Radio silence, it is. Shutting up now.

***

I imagine that we will always be at odds, given our various positions. Both in the town and in certain people’s lives. However, that presence isn’t going to change, so we should probably do our best to just...adjust. 

I love that being a radio DJ and a bartender is an ‘alternative career’ that’s kept me shunned from my family. Vaguely. But - Maya pointed it out before Halloween, how they can’t not shift during the full moon, and that’s gotta blow. I mean, if I can help those who want to never shift again achieve that, I might as well. It was my great-great-great-great grandmother or something that condemned them all, so I might as well try and help them. 

Really, it’ll give me an excuse to make sure no one else tries to claim my family legacy from me. I’m the Price witch - I’m still not about to go around wearing a cape to advertise it, but honing my powers can only keep them from erupting out of me at inopportune moments and give me more strength if I want to do something crazy with them.

***

See, and that makes far more sense. I almost thought you were changing on me and turning into someone completely self-less, but knowing that there’s also the motivation of keeping your told on the family legacy makes sense. It’s been a while since you’ve fully dived into all of it though, hasn’t it? Do the magical senses dull when you haven’t used them actively in a while?

[Private]

You sure? Guess you’ll have to come up with another way to put me through my paces.

I… Is it wrong that I’m more concerned over how many people this did matter for? Look, I know what it’s like to have to hide things, but that means I also know it’s important to have a place where you don’t have to bother with it.

***

[PRIVATE]

Please, Mr. Wolford, you’re making me blush.