Don't let the bastards grind you down;

It was almost dawn. James could feel it in his flesh and bones, his mind was clearer, less animal, but he still had time for a run. His paws flashed toward until he stopped. All his muscles stopped as he turned his snout and looked at them: Cullen. He knew them, but nevertheless he was still a wolf and he did not want to scare them away. He lowered his snout to not alarm him, but he noticed the camera. Oh.. well… they were not that scared after all if in front of a wolf.. James thought that he had to teach them to be more careful, but still he scampered slowly toward them, almost touching the lenses of the camera with his nose and looked deeply in their eyes. 

He was slightly bigger than the normal wolves and yet.. he did not want to warn them or alarm them. He sat down in front of them, quiet, calm, before he howled at the moon, as a form of hello, before he went back looking into their eyes with incredible intensity. 

Cullen should be more careful-- they knew they should be. Often the call of their camera and what was outside was too much to ignore and they threw caution to the wind. Now they found them face to face with a wolf that was getting closer and closer. Cullen should be scared, but something about the way the wolf acted made it so they weren’t. The wolf was gorgeous-- more gorgeous than any other wolf they’d seen before.

When the wolf nudged their lense, Cullen grinned broadly. Amused slightly by its behavior. “You are beautiful.” Cullen spoke softly, in awe. At the howl, Cullen was even more happy. They let out their own howl, a soft sound, and not nearly as close to what the other wolf did. “Well... I tried?”

Ethan felt the picture before it even happened. The camera was telling him it was happening, he could almost see it in the code in his mind, and the Professor sighed. As the other approached, Ethan ran his hand around the coffee cup, lifting it to his lips to take a sip, and then looked up towards Cullen. 

“You get a good shot? You know it’s a bit rude to take someone’s photo without their permission, and I assure you I’d happily give the permission if you asked for it, but now I have to know… why?”

He then pointed to Cullen’s camera, “Before you ask, your camera told me what was up, so don’t try and deny it.”

Cullen felt the blood drain from their face, they had known it was a bad idea after all, they’d just let it get away from them before they could stop themself. They swallowed roughly and tucked their head down slightly, wishing they could much more easily explain why they had done it. They supposed it was a stupid reason.

“I was just...” They swallowed as they looked up for a moment, feeling the blush rush to their cheeks. “I didn’t want to disturb how you were... Once people know-- they change. Their stance changes. They become tense.”

“To the waterfall we go then,” Colton said as he wrapped an arm around the other, resting his hand on Cullen’s hip. “Have you been to the waterfall yet?” he asked. 

Cullen hadn’t allowed anyone other than Sam or Benjie to touch them in month, and feeling another hand on them was strange. Though they didn’t shy away, allowing themself to relax a little bit. “No-- Not yet, I don’t like exploring by myself, sir.”

[ ✉ ↠ Cullen Rains ] Quoth is quite wise, on occasion. I suspect he’s more worried than he is irritated. He does share a soul with Benjamin, after all.

texts the other memes at 3 am: Usually Ciaran.

tries to convince the other to do an idea that definitely sounds questionable: Most definitely Ciaran

is the designated driver and who always gets wasted: He’s never seen Cullen drink that much, but if they ever did Ciaran would make sure they got home safely.

always has to host the impromptu sleepover: Probably Ciaran

who’s netflix account gets mooched off of: Ciaran’s

brings all the snacks and who supplies the movie: Ciaran would try to impress them by making some kind of snack, and let Cullen bring whatever movie they want.

is usually the first one to say sorry after a fight: Probably Cullen, unless Ciaran isn’t being a stubborn ass that particular day.

is the ‘ mom friend ‘: Ciaran

calls the other at 12 am to wish the other a happy birthday without fail: Cullen

is the better wingman to the other: Ciaran isn’t sure what Cullen looks for in a partner, so probably Cullen

‘ the strong must protect the sweet ‘ , who’s the ‘ strong ‘ and who’s the ‘ sweet‘: Even though Cullen lives with two Masters, Ciaran would protect them if needed.

pulls the other up for karaoke to sing a duet together: Ciaran would love to try.

[ ✉ ↠ Cullen Rains ] Of course, Cullen. I’d be happy to join you. 

[ ✉ ↠ Cullen Rains ] When and where did you wish to go?