Age Of Man

Second drawer of his bedside table. Take his watch and bring it back to me. Do not get caught.

Those exact words from the estate’s ‘chief security’ were still ringing in your head while you stood frozen in place, heart hammering through your chest as you felt your entire body go cold. 

There really was no other way out now, it seemed.

“Well? Care to explain yourself?” 

The heavy gold watch dangled around your trembling fingers, its owner awaiting your response as he leaned against the doorframe. His voice remained low, his face clearly unamused with his clenched jaw and narrowed eyes.

Who on earth would be amused anyway if you caught one of your housemaids stealing your Rolex?

It’s not like one watch would make a dent in his net worth, but that’s besides the point.

It was just your third day at your job in the estate, and you found yourself in trouble with none other than your boss, Mr. Noah Davis.

“Sir, I’m sorry… i-it was Chad who asked me to do this.” 

You carefully placed his watch on the small table as you heard him huff. 

“What, you didn’t even question him? Ask him why the fuck he would need my watch?”

“I- I’m not… I don’t—“

He cut you off with a loud scoff, his lips tugged by a devilish grin as he slowly took a few steps towards you.

“You do know I could get you fired and file a case against you, right?”

You gulped, eyes going wide as your hands started nervously playing with the hem of your shirt, as if the piece of cotton would provide you with respite of any kind.

“Sir, p-please… I’m sorry, I-I’ll do anything,” you stuttered as you saw Noah’s smirk grow wider.

“How old are you again?”

“I’m 21, sir,” you quietly answered, biting your lip hard. “Please… I won’t– I won’t do this again. You can report me to the agency, sir, but p-please… I can’t go to jail. My family needs me.”

He snickered, “Do you know what they do to pretty and innocent girls like you in jail?” 

You shook your head as tears brimmed in your eyes. 

Clearly amused at your pitiful face, Noah moved closer and towered over your petite frame, leaving about a foot of space between the two of you.

“How about I show you, hm?”

“W-what?” You nervously swallowed.

“How criminals like you get treated in prison.” Slowly, one of his big tattooed hands reached out to your face and carefully tucked your hair behind your ear.

You flinched involuntarily at the contact. “S-sir, I don’t understand…”

“Tell me, sweetheart, when was the last time your boyfriend fucked you?”

“H-Huh?”

“That was a simple question. Don’t play dumb with me.” He lifted your chin a bit aggressively, forcing you to look into his eyes as his long fingers started to caress your jaw.

You blinked back your tears as you reluctantly spoke, “I have never… I’ve never had sex, sir.”

Noah’s eyebrows furrowed in amusement, letting out a breathy laugh. “Then you’re really gonna end up being someone’s bitch in jail, young lady.”

“Sir, no, please…”

“Please what?”

“Please don’t send me to the police. I’ll do anything,” you pleaded once again, your knees bucking as you awkwardly kneeled in front of your boss. You tilted your head up to not break eye contact, hoping the man in front of you could see the sincerity of your apologies.

Noah continued to enjoy the sight in front of him as you begged with clasped hands and tears streaming down your flushed cheeks.

He could really have fun with you his way then.

“Hm… what a good girl you are… already in position,” he taunted before unbuckling his belt and pulling his zipper down. He shamelessly lowered his pants and boxers enough to let his cock free, making your eyes go wide. “Come on, suck me, you little slut.”

You had never seen a dick up close before, yet you already knew he was big. Despite the shaft looking soft and hanging limply from his trimmed groin, it definitely looked girthy, with a protruding vein adorning its underside. 

“Come on,” he repeated, his hand squeezing his shaft as he stroked it. “You’d rather be my bitch now than somebody else’s in prison.”

Letting out a sharp breath, you grabbed his member reluctantly, slowly bringing it closer to your quivering lips. You were not even sure what to do, but decided to place a soft kiss on its head, which automatically made his shaft twitch in your hand. You brought your tongue towards its base, licking all the way up to the tip where you played with the slit, making the man above you groan. With your every move, you felt his cock grow hard, its dark mushroomed tip now starting to glisten with your spit and his own arousal. 

“Open your mouth and put it inside; I don’t have forever,” Noah grumbled, grabbing the back of your head to push you towards his pelvis.

You did not dare fight him anymore and did as told. 

His now hard cock slid effortlessly inside your mouth, the tip immediately hitting the back of your throat, making you gag.

Noah chuckled as he disregarded your discomfort and started thrusting his shaft in and out of you. 

You let him use you as he pleased, your hands finding purchase in the muscles of his thighs that clenched in every move. 

Spit dribbled down your chin, mixing with the tears that found their way down from your cheeks. 

Who would have thought you’d end up on your knees sucking your boss’s cock in his bedroom today? Letting a man you barely knew use your mouth in the worst way possible?

But better this than jail time. Right?

“Fuck, your mouth feels so good. You sure you’ve never taken a cock before?” He snickered between his grunts and moans. 

You shook your head in response as you looked at his blissed-out face. Your teary eyes continued to plead for him to let you go already.

“Shit, shit, I’m gonna–” Noah’s grunts swallowed his words as you felt him shoot spurts of hot cum right into your throat. His cock pulsated in your mouth while your boss stilled and emptied his load in you. 

You breathed heavily through your nose, lightly pushing him off you. 

Gladly, he finally let you go, making you gasp as you plopped down onto the carpeted floor. You wiped the corners of your mouth with the back of your hand as you tried to compose yourself, catching your breath while you let things sink in. 

But before you could even get yourself together, you heard Noah speak as he moved across the room. 

“Now take your clothes off and get on the bed.”

What?

Noah scoffed, giving you an incredulous look. You did not realize you said that out loud. 

“B-but… sir, please.”

“Did I stutter?”

Noah undressed himself completely before walking to the door and locking it. His cock was hard again, standing all red and glistening against his abdomen.

Deep inside, you gawked at the sight. You never thought your boss was fully tattooed from the waist up. And before he took off his shirt, you never thought tattooed guys could get this hot.

You shook off those inappropriate thoughts and went back to worrying about your current situation.

You sat frozen on the floor as your naked boss stood in front of you, his hands on his hips, impatiently waiting for you to move.

“So?”

With wobbly legs, you slowly stood up. You swallowed before nodding, your eyes fixated on the ‘Desolate’ typography above his navel.

Hesitantly, you took off your shirt and pants and neatly folded them on the bedside table. You were now standing awkwardly with only your lace bra and panties on, crossing your arms against your chest.

Noah’s eyes raked up and down your semi-exposed body, his cock twitching at the sight of your cleavage and peeping cameltoe. 

“Do I really need to manhandle you and rip those off you?”

“Mr. Davis, I-“

“What? Do you want me to call the police instead?” He fished his phone out of the pocket of his discarded jeans, making your heart race anew.

“No, sir,” you quietly responded. “Please, don’t…”

“Then fucking strip,” he sternly said as he sat on the edge of the bed, his eyes never leaving you as he manspread, his cock standing erect as if taunting you once more.

Noah gripped his shaft with one hand while his other scrolled through his phone before bringing the device to his ear.

With eyes wide, you hurriedly unclasped your bra, letting your boobs spring free, making Noah groan quietly. And with no hesitation, you pushed your panties down, revealing your groomed sex to his hungry eyes.

“Sir… please don’t call the police…” Your eyes welled as you heard the other line pick up.

Smirking, he shushed you as he began speaking. “Yeah… cancel all my meetings this afternoon, and make sure no one disturbs me. I’ll be in my room… doing important stuff.”

He hung up and threw his phone on the mattress. But that did not stop your tears from dripping down your cheeks again. 

“Now get on the bed; I can’t wait to come inside that virgin little pussy.” Noah pulled you down on the bed, pushing you into position. But you pulled away from his grip and tried to plead one last time.

“Sir, please,” you hiccuped. “Anything but this…”

“Do you know crying turns me on even more?” He whispered, his thumb wiping the tears on your cheeks.

“No, please, sir. I’ll work for you for free, just… not this. Please, not this.” Frantic, you bargained, not knowing what else to offer instead.

He scoffed, not even slightly bothered. If anything, Noah was bothered by your pert nipples that hardened from the room temperature and were now begging to be sucked by his lips. 

His hands found your breasts, palms pushing your chest as your back hit the mattress. “You should’ve thought twice about stealing from me then. Now spread those legs and let me see that pussy.”

Noah licked his lips as you reluctantly opened your legs for him. He crawled towards you and pried your knees apart to spread you even wider; the cold breeze from the AC hit your exposed folds, making you shiver.

“Fuck, I haven’t been with a virgin for so fucking long,” he murmured, his fingers starting to rub along your puffy folds, opening your lips to expose your pink clenching entrance to his lust-filled eyes. “Shit, look how tiny you are. My cock’s gonna ruin you.”

Before you could even respond and beg for him to stop, you yelped at the sudden feeling of his wet tongue licking an agonizingly slow stripe up your folds. 

You squealed, trying to close your thighs to push him away, but Noah’s large hands forced them open. He was gripping you so hard you could already feel them bruising.

“There’s no point hiding or running away from me, sweetheart. Trust me, I won’t hesitate to fuck you anywhere in this house, even in front of people,” he said before his lips wrapped around your sensitive flesh. “Now if I were you, just fucking relax and enjoy this.”

Then his finger poked your entrance and slid inside you inch by inch, making you feel the ridges of his bony digit.

You squeezed your eyes shut, wincing from the stinging sensation.

“Holy shit, you are so tight. How will you be able to take my cock?” He asked mockingly as he moved his finger in and out of your pussy. Noah dived right back and nibbled on your folds, covering you in his spit.

You could feel the end of the bed rocking, and when you dared look down, you saw him grinding against the mattress, his butt clenching with his movements.

Cursing, a whole new wave of panic crashed into you as Noah’s lips and fingers left your now throbbing pussy. He stood on his knees between your open thighs, one hand stroking his leaking cock while the other kept you spread.

“Sir… no,” you cried.

He tut-tutted, his large frame hovering over you. Smirking, he leaned down to place a kiss on your lower abdomen, up to your navel, ascending towards your heaving chest. He pecked both of your nipples, and as he wrapped his lips around one, you felt his bulbous tip pressing against your entrance, making you gasp and cry harder.

You tried to wiggle out of his grasp again, but Noah’s big tattooed body pressed you completely helpless against his soft sheets. 

The pressure of his tip poking into you increased, and you felt your entrance stretch as he pushed his cock into you— slow but hard enough to make you feel the burn.

“It hurts…” You whimpered.

“Hm, really?” He mumbled against your nipple, releasing it with a pop. “Too bad I don’t go easy on pretty little thieves.”

A fresh batch of tears trickled down your temple as you silently cursed, face all scrunched up, making Noah giggle on top of you.

“You look so cute crying, taking cock for the first time. I would’ve loved making love with you, but… maybe next time.”

With that, he slammed his hips hard into you, making you scream, hands curled around his sheets.

“Fuck me, you are the tightest pussy I’ve ever had,” he groaned as he started thrusting in and out of you. “You’re squeezing me so tight, baby girl.”

Noah’s lips moved up to your collarbone, towards the crook of your neck where he kissed and sucked until a purple bruise bloomed on your skin. An involuntary moan left your mouth, making him smirk.

“Are you enjoying this?”

You shook your head no, mouth continued to silently plead for him to stop.

“You better not be,” he grunted as he moved back to his knees and started pounding into you like a madman. “'Cause this is your punishment for stealing from me. You steal my watch; I steal your pussy.”

Noah slammed hard again, letting out shameless moans as you felt his movements stuttering. 

“Are you on the pill?” He turned your head aggressively so you could look at him. “Answer me.”

“No, sir,” you whimpered.

He chuckled, his thrusts now faltering bit by bit. “Okay, just pray that I don’t get you pregnant.”

“Please… don’t.”

“Don’t what?” He taunted, groaning as he felt himself reaching his high.

“Not inside me, sir… please.”

He smirked. “Just imagine what other people would say about you. Little virgin new girl sleeping with the boss...”

You cried hard, your legs trying to push him away, but again to no avail.

“Fuck… I can imagine your stomach swollen with my baby inside you. Fuck…” 

And with that, strings of curses left Noah’s mouth as he slammed into you one last time. Warm spurts of his come shoot inside your contracting walls, making you squirm underneath him.

His cock stilled, throbbing heavily. His body went limp on top of you as he calmed himself down, his face buried into your neck as both of your heavy breaths went in sync. 

It did not take long for you to hear him chuckle against your skin, and when he pushed himself up, both of you stared into each other’s eyes and burst out laughing. 

“Noah, what the fuck was that?” You playfully swatted his sweaty chest.

“What? Baby, I should be the one asking you that. That was your idea,” your boyfriend countered, giggling as his thumb wiped away the remaining tears in the corners of your eyes. “I didn’t hurt you, did I?”

“No, you were amazing,” you said, smiling, feeling his warm palm caress your cheek. 

“You were, too.” He captured your lips with his for the first time since you started this bit. “Who would’ve thought you had this in you? You little thief.”

You rolled your eyes before placing a peck on the side of his lips. 

“That was so fucking hot, though… Sir.”

###

The screen door clicked shut behind you, the crisp AC a welcome sensation on your sweat-dampened skin. You and your (“rugged outdoorsy” as he had called himself) best friend Nick Folio had just gotten back to his place after he had brought you out fishing nearby. After years of friendship, days like this had become second nature; equal parts teasing, competition, and giving each other a hard time. You were so relieved to be out of the heat you almost didn’t notice the sound of blunt banging on the door. You whipped around quickly to find Folio through the glass, muddy boot nudging the door, with a large cooler and tackle box in each hand.

“Thanks for holding it” he said sarcastically, and you smiled sweetly in response, pushing it outwards to let him in.

Folio kicked his shoes off before hauling the coolers toward the kitchen. You trailed after him, plucking your sunglasses and Folio’s fishing hat off the top of your head.

"For someone who swore we'd catch dinner, we came home with... what? Two fish?" You said with a grin, avoiding his gaze and examining your nails.

He looked offended, "two respectable fish."

"One was barely bigger than your hand."

“Well I have big hands…and you know what they say about hand size.” He smirked and you rolled your eyes. It’d be a complete lie to say you never thought about his size.

The kitchen was blissfully cool compared to outside. You leaned against the island while Folio lugged everything onto the counter, both of you taking a second to simply exist in the air conditioning. He then began emptying the coolers of all of the supplies and snacks the two of you had brought.

"You know," he said, grabbing a bottle of water from the fridge, "most people at least pretend to help instead of just sitting there looking pretty."

You raised a brow, crossing your arms. "Oh, is that what I'm doing?"

"Mhm," he said, taking a slow drink, eyes flicking over you with a teasing smirk. "Real important job. Wouldn't want to interrupt."

"Someone has to supervise," you shot back. "Clearly you need it."

He huffed a quiet laugh. "Yeah? And how am I doing?"

"Poorly," you said, fighting a smile. "You're still standing here talking instead of putting the stuff away."

"Funny," he murmured, stepping a little closer, "I thought you liked the attention."

You snorted, shaking your head, as a blush spread across your cheeks at his proximity.

He finished emptying the coolers before stashing them in the garage. When he wandered back into the kitchen, the day's heat seemed to follow him inside. Sweat darkened the collar of his T-shirt, and the unmistakable scent of lake water, sunscreen, and fish drifted through the room.  

“Take a shower, Folio, I can smell you from here” you said, scrunching your nose.

He peeled his sweaty shirt off and tossed it in your direction, the damp fabric landing squarely over your head, covering your eyes. Folio laughed at your squeal of disgust as you pinched the shirt between two fingers and waved it back in his direction.

“You’re DISGUSTING” you yelped at him, trying to fight the smile creeping across your face. 

As you opened your eyes and faced him your breath caught. Years behind a drum kit had built him into lean strength rather than bulk, broad shoulders tapering into a trim waist, defined forearms marked by veins. Ink climbed over one arm and spilled across his chest, the tattoos shifting with every easy movement. His dark hair was tousled, a few strands clinging to his forehead from the heat, despite it all he somehow still looked unfairly good. 

“Staring an awful lot for someone who thinks I'm disgusting” he teased.

Your chest fluttered but you went with it, “So? Maybe I like what I see.”

He smirked and walked in your direction, brushing past you before heading into the bathroom and turning on the water.

“You know you don’t smell too hot yourself” he called out before stepping back into the hallway.

The sound of the shower trickling echoed through the house. He just watched you for a second, something unreadable flickering across his expression before it shifted into something far too familiar.Your stomach dropped.

"Don't," you warned, already taking a cautious step back.

"Don't what?"

You pointed at him, narrowing your eyes. "Nick, I mean it-"

You barely had time to squeak before his arms wrapped around you, pulling you against his warm, sweat-damp chest. Laughing despite yourself, you shoved at his shoulders, but he only grunted dramatically before hoisting you over one shoulder as though you weighed nothing.

"Folio!" you laughed, kicking your legs in exaggerated protest.

"Shouldn’t have teased me," he shot back.

Every attempt to squirm free only made him laugh harder as he carried you down the hall. The second he crossed into the bathroom, you twisted just enough to slide off his shoulder, your bare feet landing on the cool tile with a soft slap.

You barely had time to regain your balance before he reached for you again. His hands settled on your hips, steady but unrelenting. With one playful shove, you stumbled backward through the frosted glass door beneath the icy stream of running water. The freezing spray spattered onto you with a gasp, soaking your hair and shirt in an instant. 

Nick's hands still rested on your hips, holding you steady more than keeping you there. Water streamed over his shoulders, dripping from the ends of his hair. For the first time since he'd dragged you into the bathroom, he wasn't laughing.

His gaze traveled down your body for a heartbeat before climbing back to yours. Something in his expression had changed. Less teasing now, more uncertain, as if he'd suddenly become aware of just how close the two of you were.

Neither of you moved. You became hyper aware of the way the cold water made your nipples pebble beneath your tanktop, of his hands on your hips, your back against the shower wall. Suddenly, the shower wasn’t the only reason you were wet.

“You’re infuriating,” you said in an attempt to break the tension.

“And you’re turned on.”

“Doesn’t seem to bother you.”

His hands traveled up from your hips to the hem of your shirt.

"Tell me to stop." He commanded as he pulled the drenched fabric slowly up your body. You didn’t say a word, just moved your arms so it was easier for him to take it off.

“Didn’t think so” he said with a simper, then pulled the fabric over your head. He dropped it to the ground then returned his attention to your body. 

There was no going back from this. You didn't pull away. Instead you grabbed his wet shirt and yanked him down into a kiss. Messy, open-mouthed, tongues sliding. Nick groaned into your mouth and backed you against the tile wall. His hands slid up your soaked body, palms rough on your bare skin, thumbs brushing your nipples.

You arched into the touch. "Fuck, Nick..."

He didn't answer with words. He peeled your shorts off, fingers working the button and zipper while water poured over both of you. You kicked the heavy denim down your legs. Nick's hand went between your legs, fingers parting you, finding you already slick despite the water. He rubbed your clit in slow circles, then pushed two fingers inside your pussy. You moaned, hips rocking against his hand.

"Been wanting to do this for years," he muttered against your neck, biting lightly.

The warmth of your arousal coated his hand as he worked you, his lips still pressed to yours. Your hands traveled down his toned chest and toyed with the fabric of Nick’s waistband until it came unbuttoned, his cock springing free, thick and flushed.

You wrapped your fingers around it immediately, stroking once, twice, feeling it throb in your grip. You pulled from the kiss and looked at him deviously before dropping to your knees on the wet tile. You looked up at him, bottom lip between your teeth, before you took his cock into your mouth without hesitation. Your lips stretched around the head, tongue swirling. Nick whimpered at the sight and his hand fisted in your wet hair.

"That's it, baby. Just a little bit more. God, you feel so good" he said as you sucked him deeper, gagging slightly when he hit the back of your throat. 

Spit and water ran down your chin. His body tensed as he struggled to keep his composure. He pulled you up after a minute, spun you around, and bent you forward. You braced your hands on the wall. Nick lined up behind you and thrust in hard, burying his cock deep within you in one stroke. You cried out, pussy clenching around him.

He fucked you like that, deep, steady strokes that made your tits swing and your ass slap against his hips. Water cascaded over you both. Nick reached around to rub your clit while he pounded into you. You pushed back to meet every thrust, moaning louder each time he bottomed out. 

“Harder," you gasped.

Nick gave it to you. He gripped your hips and slammed in faster, the wet sounds of skin on skin mixing with the shower spray. His cock drove deep with every thrust, stretching you open while water streamed down your back.

"Fuck, I've been thinking about this since the day we met," he groaned, leaning over you. His breath was hot against your ear. "All those nights we’ve stayed up talking, pretending we weren't imagining exactly this."

You pushed back against him, moaning as his fingers found your clit again. "Me too. Every time you’d tease me, call me names... no idea how bad I wanted you."

"Should've done this years ago," Nick muttered, pounding harder. "Wanted to bend you over and fuck you senseless every damn time we hung out."

The filthy confessions pushed you over the edge. Your pussy clenched tight around him as you came, legs shaking, a cry tearing from your throat. Nick followed right after, stilling and pumping his cum deep inside you.

You stayed pressed against the wall for a moment, both breathing hard while the water cascaded over your bodies. Nick pulled out slowly, his cum dripping down your thigh. You turned around and kissed him, softer and slower this time.

"Took you long enough," you murmured against his lips.

Nick laughed low and satisfied, pulling you closer. "Worth every fucking second of waiting."

Authors Note: I forced myself out of my writing slump just in time for FOLIO'S BIRTHDAY! So Folio fiends pls enjoy I struggled over this for so long for some reason! I have a couple ideas brewing and might put out a poll soon so be on the lookout. Love you all!! -Lila

The first time you’d seen him was the day after a full moon. You’d been nursing your morning coffee when he had stumbled out of one of your blackberry bushes looking all sorts of messed up. For a moment, you thought that you had imagined it. Surely there hadn’t been a man sleeping in your bush.

A month later, you had seen him again. Except this time he hadn’t stumbled out of your bushes. No — instead you had found him leaning against the wall of your garden shed, bleeding heavily from his forehead.

You had learned that his name is Nick. Initially, he had told you that he’d simply gotten into a fight. You’d accepted the lie, not feeling like it was your place to question what this stranger told you. You had patched him up and made him a sandwich, insisting that he needed to eat something. That day, Nick had slipped out of your kitchen while you’d been out of the room for just a few minutes.

He’d returned almost exactly a month later.

Funnily enough, he’d been almost in the same shape too.

Once again, you had patched him up. Cleaning up his wounds while he told you about the scrap he got into this time. This time, he didn’t sneak out behind your back. Instead, he stayed for a little while, reluctantly eating the breakfast you presented him with. Watching him trying to keep his restraint up had been impossibly entertaining.

After that day, he had come around more frequently instead of just once every month. No matter how well you get to know him, you still don’t feel closer to figuring out why he keeps showing up all beaten up once a month. You’re sure that the injuries he shows up with keep getting worse. The fights he gets into seem to be getting worse, and you don’t know how this will end.

You have your suspicions of course. You’re not dumb. Him showing up like this after a full moon feels like a very obvious hint at his nature. Unless there’s secret fight club that only meets once a full moon, you’re inclined to believe that he’s one of them. You’ve heard the rumours about the lycanthropes that supposedly roam the forests around your town. You've always put them of as nothing more than rumours and folktales, but now that you're actually faced it, you’re forced to come to the realisation that perhaps it’s all true after all.

After almost a year you have the moon cycle marked in your calendar. And when the full moon rolls around you’re prepared to tend to his wounds. By now, Nick is a lot more relaxed. He’ll have his breakfast with you and on some days he’ll even have a nap in front of your fireplace.

To his disappointment the fireplace will be cold when he shows up this time. It’s the middle of July and summer has truly hit now. You’ll make sure that he has a comfortable spot to nap in nevertheless. The of the full moon always feels like it draws out for longer than normally. You can’t help but worry about Nick. Your mind keeps wandering, trying to imagine what kind of injuries he’ll show up with this time. Regardless of how bad it gets, you just can’t bring yourself to tell him not to come anymore. You’d rather have him come to you than deal with the aftermath on your own. At least that way, his wounds will be tended to properly.

Your sleep is restless that night.

You never sleep well during the full moon, but it feels so much worse tonight. You toss and turn all night, never quite finding satisfying rest. And when you wake in the morning, it feels as if you’ve barely slept at all.

As a first order of business, you drag yourself into the kitchen to get the coffee pot started. God knows you’ll need a lot of that today. So far, there’s no sight of Nick. Usually, he’ll already be seated on the porch, waiting for you to join him with a cup of coffee. You hope that he’s just late and that it’s nothing worse.

Once your coffee is ready, you pour yourself a cup and step out onto the porch.

It takes you a moment to spot the mass of black fur that is curled up on the outdoor sofa. What’s even more surprising, is that you seem to instinctively know that you’re looking at Nick. You don’t know why you’re so sure that it’s him — something about the figure just feels so very familiar. He doesn’t seem to notice your arrival. And even when you take a seat in the armchair next to him, his form remains entirely unmoved.

You’re sure that it’s been almost thirty minutes of you silently nursing your coffee before the wolf like creature finally begins to shift. As it begins to stretch and shift, you come to realise that he looks more like an oversized wolf dog than an actual wolf. The wolf lets out a hearty yawn, before it plops over onto its side. It’s face twists in a curious kind of surprise — as much as its possibly for a wolf to look surprised at least. You’re caught in this stalemate for a long moment, with neither of you sure of how to proceed with this. After a few seconds, you decide to reach out your hand for him. You move slowly, as if your approaching a dog you haven’t properly met yet, giving him room to retreat if necessary. But he doesn’t — and so you carefully let your fingers drift across the soft fur on the wolfs head. He leans into your touch, pressing his head against your palm.

“Nick?” you ask cautiously.

The wolfs head cocks to the side in response, indicating recognition.

“I’ll be honest this is a bit of a surprise.” You continue, “Probably should have known after you took a shower here and did that little shake dogs do when they’re wet.”

He lets out a little huff of protest and you can't help but laugh a little.

“Looks like this is really comfy for you, hm?”

Nick makes an affirmative noise.

“I planned breakfast for a guy not — a pup.” you say then, giving the fur on the top of his head a little ruffle, “I don’t know how this all works.”

You’re pretty sure that he frowns at you.

He lets out a little rumbling huff, before he leaps off the sofa. Nick trots off around the corner and out of your view. There’s an awful stretching sound from his direction. It almost sounds like something tearing and ripping. It only lasts for a few seconds, before you hear a deep sigh that sounds unmistakably like Nick.

“Could you hand me that blanket you have on that arm chair?” He calls from around the corner, “I’m a little — indecent at the moment.”

Your cheeks heat at his words. Your relationship has slowly moved into something beyond friendship but this is a leap forward you did not anticipate.

“Also I think your neighbour is looking at me.” He adds after a few seconds.

You shake yourself into action, before you can linger on the thought of him bare naked in your garden for too long. A moment later, Nick emerges from the little corner with the blanket wrapped around his waist. You’ve seen glimpses of the massive tattoo on his chest before. But this is the first time you can see it in all of its glory. The image of the eagle carrying what looks to be a trout covers almost his entire chest.

It’s gorgeous.

“I think I still have some stuff my brother left here. Should sort of fit you.” You say then, hoping that it’ll make your mind stop wandering.

“One of those weird ass raccoons dragged my stuff away while I was — usually they stay away from it but this one was looking for trouble.” He explains.

“Is that why you showed up like that?”

He nods, “Thought that would be less of a shock than naked guy on your porch without a warning.”

You have to give him that.

“I’ll explain everything. Trust me I didn’t want to jump this on you like that either.” He continues, “I was going to tell you eventually, but as you can imagine this isn’t something a lot of people take kindly to.”

Nick follows you into the kitchen, taking his now usual seat at your kitchen table.

“I had my suspicions to be honest.”

“What? Are you saying that a guy showing up all beat up after every full moon is suspicious?” He says with that little grin of his.

You feel the sudden urge to smack his shoulder.

“I never knew how to explain why I kept showing up like that. But you’ve always been so kind to me without any kind of judgement. Doesn’t happen very often.”

The idea that someone has met him with anything less than unconditional kindness makes your chest ache for him. Nick has been nothing but sweet and kind to you, and you can’t imagine treating him any differently.

“I couldn't imagine not helping someone in need like that. You were wounded, and it only made sense to help you.”

“And I’ll never forget that. You probably saved my life that day.” He says then, sounding somewhat solemn.

He lets out a sigh that says that he doesn’t want to go too much deeper into the topic. If it truly was as bad as he’d insinuated, you understand that he maybe doesn’t want to dwell on the memory.

Instead of digging deeper you make your way into your bedroom to dig out the clothes your brother had left behind during his last visit. You don’t know when he’ll make his way back here, so you’re not too concerned about it. As always, Nick asks you so sweetly if you’d mind it if he were to take a quick shower. And as ways, you tell him that he can take all the time he needs.

It’s a well practiced play by now.

Sometimes you wish that you could just break out of the lines you’ve rehearsed so diligently. But this feels safe — comfortable. You don’t know what you’d do if Nick would stop showing up one day, just because things had changed between you.

While Nick takes his shower, you start to work on the breakfast you’ll share. With how warm it’s been lately, you decide that it’d be nice to have breakfast out on the porch. Nick joins you just as you carry the plate of scrambled eggs and bacon outside. He doesn’t ask what needs to be done, instead he just picks up a couple of things and carries them outside alongside you.

Once you’ve set everything out, and you’ve poured both of you fresh cups of coffee you sit down next to Nick on the little outdoor sofa.

“I imagine you probably have a few questions?” He asks as you begin to dig in, “I don’t know how much I can actually answer but I’ll try.”

The list of questions in your head has grown spectacularly long within the last hour. Deciding where to start feels almost a little impossible.

“Just so we're both on the same side you’re a —”

“Werewolf.” He says with his mouth still full, “Lycanthrope. Whatever you wanna call it.”

The confirmation feels less daunting than you had imagined. Maybe you’ve always known somehow.

You nod, “Have you always been a — werewolf?”

Nick gives an affirmative hum.

“It’s a family thing. Big and complicated too. I don’t know which ancestor got himself into his pickle or how they managed it. All I know is that it's been in the family for a few generations. Back to my great grandfather for sure.” He explains.

“Are you close with your family?”

“Not really. I — haven’t seen them in a long time. I’m not too upset about it though. They left me behind because I didn’t grow fast enough for their liking. I was lucky enough to be found by a different pack before winter. They took me in and raised me. Wouldn’t want to imagine what things would be like if I had stayed with my family.”

“And the pack that raised you?” you ask.

“Greatest people I know. They went out of their way to take me in. They didn’t need to take care of me the way they did.” he continues to explain, “I’m glad that they were the ones who ended up raising me.”

“I think you turned out great.”

Nick gives you the brightest smile in response, “I think so too. I think I’d like you to meet them at some point — if that’s something you want.”

You feel caught for a moment, unsure where that particular step will lead you. Despite the insecurity that bubbles up in your chest you return his smile.

You’ve always felt safe around Nick. And even now that you know about his true nature you don’t feel scared or worried.

He puts down his cup of coffee, “Doesn’t have to happen soon and of course if you don’t want it that’s okay too.”

“I’d love to.” You finally reply, “Feels awfully like meeting the parents of your —”

His cheeks flush so brightly, “It does, doesn’t it?”

You sit in silence for a moment, the unspoken words simmering between you. The silence grows almost unbearably thick. Nick’s restless shifting is what finally gives you the push you needed to break it. It doesn’t take an expert in bodylanguage to know that there’s something he wants to say. One of you will have to take the plunge and it looks like it’ll have to be you.

“Would you want that?” you ask cautiously, ever worried that it’s all something you’ve imagined.

His eyes remain fixed on the edge of the table, forehead twisted into a frown you haven’t seen from him before.

“I don’t want to pull you into my mess. I’m already putting you into danger by spending so much time here.” he says quietly.

You feel a cold shiver running down your back, “What do you mean?”

“There are other things in these woods. Not nice things. Things that don’t like me and my kind and our pack. They’ve been trying to push us out and me being here has put a target on your back. I’m worried that they’ll try to do something to you to provoke me.”

"Do you really think that’s going to change something?”

He finally looks at you then, but his expression is still so very hard to read.

“That’s not going to stop me from helping you and it won’t change how I feel.” you say softly, “I’ve come to care a great deal for you and some woodland critter is not going to change that.”

He lets out a chortling laugh, “Don’t let the pixies hear that. They don’t love being grouped in with those things.”

You place your hand on top of his and Nick quickly laces your fingers together.

“You’ll have to explain all of this to me at some point.” you say, fixing him with a serious look.

Nick gives a quick nod.

“I will. In time. I’ll try my best to explain everything.” he gives your hand a gentle squeeze before he speaks again, “But now I would like to enjoy this morning with you.”

You can’t say no to him when he looks at you with those warm and kind eyes.

The morning continues to meander along without any disturbances. Things with Nick have always felt easy, but now that you’ve crossed this hurdle you feel so much more uninhibited. You’d agreed to take it slow, but it’s so terribly hard to keep your hands off him. You’ll respect his wish to wait of course, but in the meantime Nick seems to be more than happy with how affectionate you are with him.

You spent a good chunk of the day lazing around in the sun, simply enjoying each other company and this new found connection you have.

After lunch, Nick finally lets him drive you back to his place. So far, he’s always insisted on walking the distance, always finding some kind of reason why you shouldn’t drive him.

His little cabin sits at what you learn is the edge of a larger plot of land that you assume is own by his pack. It’s a comfy little place, the perfect kind of rustic.

You don’t stay for long, sensing that he needs to have a little time for himself and probably a good nights sleep.

“I’ll come around tomorrow, okay?” he says as you walk back to your car, “I’ll try to have some better answers for you by then too.”

“Don’t rush it. Maybe instead of devulging folkore secrets we could go to the diner and get something to eat?”

Nicks face softens at your words before he breaks into that pretty smile of his, “Are you asking me out on a date?”

“And what if I am?”

“If you are, I’m gonna say yes.”

“Good.” You reply with a smile, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Nick captures your hand before you can step away from him.

“I’m glad we figured this out.” He says with a low voice, “Thank you for taking such good care of me.”

You press a soft kiss to his cheek, “I’m glad that you stumbled into my garden.”