exist only in extremities.

Nina froze as the knife swung up toward her, letting out a little gasp of fear and putting her hand over her mouth. “N-no, it’s okay, I should have said something,” she said, wrapping her arms around herself and hesitating. “Have you seen Nick Adler anywhere? He’s my brother and I can’t find him.”

Delilah quietly tucked the knife back, not wanting to scare the hell out of the girl more than she already had. She paused as she asked about Nick, quickly realizing who she was. Shit. She’d never been particularly good with these kinds of situations. “I, uh – not recently. He’s probably looking for you.” Her attention shifted more to her. “Nina, right? I’m Delilah.. we’re sort of.. a long story.”

“This is why you would be the perfect subject matter expert in this study.” Isabelle said using big words that sounded sciency in hopes to make her ‘study’ sound legitimate. Her grin grew ten fold as Delilah agreed to drink with her. “See but this is why we need to test it, we need to know these things. I mean how often will we get this opportunity to see how our abilities affect our alcoholism.” She teased nudging Delilah as she ordered them both a drink. “You looking fucking hot tonight by the way.” Issy said wiggling her eyebrows suggestively beneath her mask with a small giggle. “I take it you’re enjoying yourself.”

“I’m perfect in every study.” Delilah overconfidently stated, evident that she’d already gotten into at least a bit of the alcohol beforehand. Her grin expanded and a laugh erupted from her lips, damn she was grateful to always be able to count on Issy to know what she needed. It helped that the answer to that was getting drunk more times than not. “I’d say the next blood moon but somehow I doubt either of us are living that long because we’re all going to die sooner or later, so drinks!” She rambled slightly before letting her eyes skim the room for the bar. “Thanks, you know I was aiming for ‘how provocative can I be without showing up naked’ and this is what I got.” She shrugged with a sly grin. “Maybe, I’m still dressed, but the night is young. What about you? Any more enjoyable plans for the evening? You’re fucking stunning, you know.”

His eyes flickered from her eyes to her lips, lingering there for a little longer before they slowly trailed up to meet her eyes once more. His grip tightened on her waist, and a playful smile pulled at his lips as he pressed his lips to her neck briefly before he chuckled softly. “You look beautiful, naked or otherwise. But especially right now.” he whispered in her ear finally, the promise of later bringing a wider smile to his lips as he pulled back barely an inch before he trailed his fingers lightly down her arm to her hand. Fingers linking with hers he lead her towards the dance floor. “Well, I will hold you to that promise. That dress just looks like it’s begging to be ruined.” he replied playfully, before he place his hand on her waist to hold her for a dance. “So, may I have this dance, Mrs. Adler?”

There was a part of her that logically knew he’d given her this kind of attention for some time now, that this wasn’t new – but it felt different. Now she couldn’t try to write it off as his simple appreciation because they slept together regularly, just as much as she couldn’t deny that she found the entire situation terrifying. Delilah let her fingers lace through his, following his lead out onto the dance floor and a small grin tugging on her lips. “Are you so sure you’re still up to the task at only human levels of stamina?” She teased before giving a nod of acceptance for the dance, letting her hands skim to move up along his arms before resting one on the back of his neck, the other dropping to his chest to lay her palm flat and find a heartbeat she’d never been able to find before. “Different, isn’t it?”

He cleared his throat a little, eyes dragging down once more as he glanced over the lace that clung to every curve, closing the gap between them. He wasn’t even aware of moving at this point, gravitating towards her with little effort to stop himself, his hands sliding across her waist and tugging her closer. A smile began to form at the corner of his lips, a slight tugging upwards that had become an all too present feature around her. Dropping his lips to her ear, he kept his voice low, just loud enough for her to hear. “This is a whole lot different than being naked, Delilah,” he replied softly, his hand trailing slowly over her hip with a new appreciation for fashion, at least in this context. “Oh you dare me?” he responded, a light, almost carefree laugh parting his lips before his hands began to move up her sides, “What do you want me to do? Frisk you right here and now?” he teased lightly. 

Her lips curved in a more mischievous grin, finding the more familiar tone of the conversation comforting – obnoxious flirting and teasing was nothing compared to their previous talk. Delilah moved herself closer as she felt him pull her in, bringing her glass to her lips for another quick drink – though not moving her eyes away from his. It would be a lie to say she hadn’t been intending to get this reaction from him all along, and didn’t bother trying to hide that fact. “You’re right, being naked is a hell of a lot more comfortable. I almost forgot that heels actually hurt.” She admitted with more honesty, letting herself lean against him. If she’d had the courage to admit it, they probably looked like a real actual couple to onlookers. “As much as I’m sure everyone would love that show.. I’m just as willing to bet there’s a good closet or spare room around here.. later. You going to dance with me before you more than likely ruin my dress?”

Alcohol was an easy coping mechanism for Isabelle, one she was quite familiar with, after all, tonight certainly was the perfect place for it. Without her magic Isabelle felt helpless “I feel like for science sake I need to test out my human alcohol tolerance. How else will I know how it compares. Would you like to make any hypothesis on how the experiment ends?” Granted witches didn’t have heightened senses so really she already knew it was going to be exactly the same, but hey, maybe she could tricker another species into being drank under the table. 

“Look – my favorite blonde friend – you know I don’t know shit about hypothesis, but I do know about alcohol.” Delilah started, a grin already forming on her lips. There was really only ever one way these events went for the two of them, and it was admittedly a little surprising that the people that put these things together kept providing them access to alcohol. “And while I never need an excuse to drink, I’m still more than happy to say it’s for science. I’m pretty sure werewolf tolerance has me so very spoiled.”

@delilahreyes

A night as a human… it sounded idyllic really given their previous reservations, interactions where she almost panicked and shifted. The amount of times he’d spent having to deflect a panicked werewolf and stopping her from biting him was getting to be ridiculous, but he was beyond avoiding her now. He didn’t want to admit that he would be bitten by her over and over again instead of just leaving her, at least he wouldn’t admit it openly for fear of scaring her. He’d scanned the ball when he’d finally dragged his ass inside, mask secured unwillingly as he glanced for anyone remotely familiar. He spotted her by her hair, the movements, her frame all as familiar to him as his own body. Then he clocked what she was wearing, and his jaw dropped as he caught her eyes, it was unmistakably Delilah. No mask could hide those eyes from him. He cleared his throat, words not coming to him as they easily did as he merely took in her appearance, his newly returned heartbeat picking up speed as he swallowed thickly. “I– wow… wow.”

It shouldn’t have felt so foreign to be human for a night – a simple single night – when she had only triggered her werewolf gene a few short years before. Yet, the twenty-something years that she had spent as a human felt as though they were a lifetime ago compared to the almost three years she’d been a werewolf. For example, the feeling of alcohol’s effects took hold much more quickly than she’d gotten so accustomed to. She grabbed her second glass of champagne off a tray that had been offered, her body turning to find the food when her attention landed on Nick instead. Masks didn’t make too much difference to her, she could spot the familiar features a mile away – the lines of his jaw, his lips – easily identifiable. Despite still trying to wrap her head around their last conversation, her lips tugged up in a grin. “You say that as if you haven’t seen me naked over a hundred times before.” She teased, though was positive it wasn’t an understatement. “But you look pretty good, too. Also I have three knives hidden on me and I dare you to figure out where.”

He nodded at her question, not surprised she knew of the relationship between Alex and Scout, given her previous admission that she had been investigating Alex’s background. When she mentioned taking alcohol from the club, a small, genuine smile appeared as he chuckled softly, and he made a note to start hiding the alcohol stores better. “I’m going to hang your picture up so the staff know, this woman is not entitled to free alcohol.” he joked, honestly not minding if she helped herself. It wasn’t like he would ever charge her, it wouldn’t even occur to him to. 

Yet the smile fell from his lips almost immediately as her panic set in, and he listened intently to her following sentences. An outburst from Delilah wasn’t uncommon, and when panic set in with her like it was know, his instinct was to prepare in case she shifted. But, her question also had him pausing as he realised she was thinking the same as him. He couldn’t pinpoint when they had crossed that line from just having sex to more, but they had now. Her voicing the concern confirmed it, and he swallowed lightly as his hand dropped down from her cheek to grab the bottle before she could. He didn’t hand it to her yet, taking a large drink as he tried to steady his hand. “I don’t know.” he admitted quietly, finally breaking the silence that had fallen after she had finished speaking. 

He thought back to the night they’d gotten married, how he’d even suggested it, as much as he denied knowing what had lead to the drunken decision. He clearly didn’t want to go back to how things had been between him when he’d first arrived in town, but he had no idea what to do from now on. The territory they were in was so unfamiliar, that he felt so lost, he had no idea where to go from here. “I don’t know, but what I do know is this stopped being just sex a while ago for me. The whole marriage bullshit, yeah that, that can be reversed. But, I don’t think I wanna go back to whatever we were before.” he took a breath, glancing to a spot just over her shoulder before returning his gaze to hers. 

“I’m not saying let’s stay married, I’m following up with the lawyers but … if you want to stay friends or fuck, even stop altogether… I don’t know, I can back off. Leave you alone, if you want.” it pained him to say it, finding it hard to picture a life without her in it, but if that was what she truly wanted then, he’d do it. For her. “I just don’t know if I can be just a friend to you anymore.” he took a small, reluctant step back from her, prepared for her to send him running.

A playful pout crossed her lips only for a moment as he mentioned warning the workers against her – despite her doubts that he actually would ever do it. She had known for while now that things weren’t what they started as. Their first encounters were about having fun, needing a distraction – not unusual for Delilah – yet, she’d been fresh out of the trauma that had triggered her families werewolf gene. He was new in town, attractive, naturally the slept together. And if her memory served, she shook his hand, said thank you and they parted ways. And then they got together again, and again – until it fell into a comfortable habit.

Something changed though, and she couldn’t figure when it’d happened. Late night booty calls turned into early morning conversations, they shared deeply personal conversations, fear – gifts became more meaningful (thought still with a side of fun, of course.) For hell’s sake, they were standing in a cabin he’d gotten just so they could get away. How had she never seen just how far they’d gotten? Her lungs took in practiced deep breaths, a sense of panic rising as she regretted ever bringing it up. Because if this had truly gotten to this place so easily, she would just as easily fuck it all up. The damn near growl that escaped her throat when he took the tequila away, the only vice she knew how to fall back on.

“Holy fucking shit, this is a mess.” Not her best opening statement, though maybe the best anyone could expect. “But if it’s not just sex than what the hell is it? Are we calling it something? How long have you known that’s how you felt about it and were you ever going to tell me or just –” Her head shook, there were too many questions and she wasn’t sure if any of it really made a damn difference.

“Why the fuck would I want you to leave me alone?” She was almost certain normal people didn’t drop this many profanities in a conversation about the status of their relationship. Nothing about this was exactly normal, she supposed. Slipping off the counter, using the narrow space between them to move away – she took several steps, as if it would help her feel like she could breathe, before turning back. “You know I’m really shitty at this, right? Like I’ve always just stuck with sex because it’s what I know, I’m good at that – I don’t know shit about how to deal with anything else, whatever you want to call it, and there’s 99.8% chance I will absolutely fuck up. It’s what I do.”

“Oh trust me when I say we don’t need any help in that department,” Sophia said shaking her head. Life for the Greyson’s has never been dull, frankly, she’d be happy with a little boring anymore. Granted if this was the worst thing to happen in her day she would take it. This was harmless after all. “It’s all fun and games until one of you pokes an eye out.” Sophia teased before wrinkling her nose. “You’re not wrong. I think he rolled in something. I swear that boy is more dog than human these days.” She joked once more. “Yes, Delilah we have these magical things called washing machines. I think it will do the trick that burning can’t help us with.” She nudged the young woman with a grin.  

“Oh hey, there’s a question for you – if one of us does poke out an eye, does it like... regenerate? Or does the eye socket just heal nicely?” She questioned, with an all too curious look. “I’ve never really felt the need to test it out because I like my eyes, just in case, but I feel like that’d be good to know.” Delilah questioned, with a tendency to find herself in peculiar situations in the past. Leaving her unconscious packmate on the couch, she quickly brushed off her shoulder with her hand before offering Sophia the jacket in question. “See, washing machines and I don’t get along. I have like 2 pairs of old jeans and a handful of shirts that survive when it’s laundry day.” She admitted with a laugh – domesticity was never her strong suit. “Sometimes setting things on fire just feels easier.”

“Only took two years.” she grinned in response, “Well now it’s a party.” she added, bursting into laughter at the thought and shaking her head, the thought of just yelling about bags of dicks to each other had her giggling. “Ok, so smart move marrying the bar owner who knew? You two actually talk about it all yet? PS. Jonathan and I totally gave him shit on Valentine’s day. It was highly entertaining.”

“Good things come to those who wait and all that.” Delilah smirked with a shrug. An amusing notion from her, particularly known for her impatience. Her shoulders shrugged, feigning confusion at the question. “Talk about what? Getting drunk married? I mean, what is there to talk about? I think his lawyer is supposed to be dealing with it or something. Making sure I don’t steal all his money in the divorce.” It was her default function, to brush the questions off too casually. “See, that’s a better topic... you and Jonathan, right? How’s that all going?”

When she tugged him closer, he moved willingly, his hands sliding along to wrap around her waist as he held her close. The mention of her newfound sisters name had him glancing back up, the surprise evident on his features as he connected it with Scout. “…I know her, actually.’ he admitted quietly, “Been talking to her about dealing with Scout.” he frowned a little though, wondering how much else anyone in this town could take before it got too much. “If you need someone …” he began, tilting his head as he trailed off, “I mean, if you need company telling her or support after.” he told her quietly, at least the implication he hoped was implied. Her ways of coping were shared, but there were still concerns that she was going too far, she didn’t exactly heal like he did. He knew that she was able to heal quickly, but still. It could take a toll, eventually and he worried. His hands moved to cup her face lightly, thumb brushing over her cheek as he listened carefully, “You think he sent them?’ he asked, though it made sense and he knew the question was answered before he even said it. “I’m sorry this is happening,” he admitted quietly, “You deserve so much better than this.”

“Yeah?” She questioned, attention moving up to him. Delilah supposed it shouldn’t have been too surprising that he already knew her, it wasn’t as though Hollow Grove was a particularly large town. Her head nodded as he elaborated. “Scout – he’s the baby daddy, right? I think I came across some of that in my research.” She’d come across him a time or two in the past, but only realized his connection to Alex as she looked into her new half-sister’s past. There’s a quiet sigh that passes her lips, head nodding at his offer. “I know.. I mean, I’d say alcohol is always supportive but I’ve kind of just been taking whatever I want from the club anyway.” Her lips turned up in a half smile, an attempt to light the mood. There was something that made her pause, the way he was being gentle, the way he cared. The sudden realization hit her something to a freight train. The subject of her father was dropped with the genuine concern in his voice, something of shock and panic painting itself on her expression. “Oh fuck. We aren’t just having sex anymore, are we?” It was a statement more than a question, but she would swear her voice went up an octave. “If we aren’t have just having sex, than what the fuck are we doing? I – where did I put the tequila?” Her eyes quickly darted around, spotting where she’d put the bottle of tequila, reaching for it.

“You’re creative, I’ll give you that.” Nik nodded a long, a grin slowly appearing on his face. “Well, why not? If you can’t do it here, we can go out of town for a demonstration.”

“I know.” She waved it off in a shrug of over-confidence. Her weight shifted from one foot to the next, letting out a hum of thought. “It’s a tempting offer, there are people out there I’m sure we could all do without, but every time I go out of town – people keep trying to kill me too. It’s just this weird thing that keeps happening.”

His ears picked up the beating of her heart as it picked up speed, glancing up to meet her gaze before his dark eyes quickly flickered back down to their hands once more. He wasn’t willing to move away from her, that much was obvious, nor was he willing to let go. He felt himself growing a little more accepting of that, even if it meant something that he had blocked himself from having for so long. He listened intently as she began to share, wondering how they’d gotten to the point where they thought about sharing the things that had happened to them with each other, it wasn’t something that he’d had for so long. Since Nina, and now he had someone that he trusted enough to actually tell things to. He hadn’t heard of the man in question, and his brows knitted together in response as he gave a slight shake of his head. When she explained him, concern for Delilah grew and he tilted his head questioningly. “Another daughter… you have a sister?” he connected the points and realised how crazy this must be for her. “… How are you handling it? I – how are you about it all?”

Her teeth gently bit down on her lower lip, knowing well that she was putting every effort to be considerate in her words and actions. The way she was careful wasn’t awarded to many – Sophia and Isabelle, while dealing with delicate matters. The people she didn’t want to hurt or write off, the ones she didn’t want to disappoint. Delilah wasn’t sure when things had changed, when she’d added him to the list but once someone was there, she didn’t know how to take them back off. Ruining things was in her nature, prompting her to take caution. Moving her hand on his, she used it to tug him closer, a heavy sign on her lips. “Yeah, uh – her name is Alex. Alex Cunningham? I still need to tell her but.. easier said than done, I guess.” Delilah knew she had to tell her, the other girl had a right to know. “She actually hired me originally.. to help her with something but it made me stumble into tall of this instead.” She admitted, though truthfully she didn’t know how to feel about it all. Alex seemed genuinely kind, the type of person that didn’t need her chaos in her life. “I handle it with alcohol, like I do everything else.” Her shoulders shrugged at the blatantly obvious answer. “It makes sense, I guess. I always knew random hunters didn’t just find my mom. He sent them, I think. He doesn’t seem the type to like loose ends. Which means he sent them after me too... probably didn’t expect me to kill them all but here we are.”

“Oh I like that one, usually follows eat a quite nicely.” she replied with a grin, and laughing a little when she caught the other woman’s eye roll. “Oh definitely, though some would argue that a year of ‘casual’ sex isn’t so casual…” she replied teasingly, somehow living for this new habit of giving Nick and Delilah shit. “Well, this needs to be taken advantage of, because you gotta get something out of it duh.”

“See? Now you’re thinking like me.” Delilah laughed, contemplating it over a moment with a groan. “Some might argue that, then I might argue back with my big bag of dicks line.” She pointed out, though tone teasing. It was a mess and anyone aware of the situation knew it. “Exactly. Although I’m starting to think that me completely drinking out his bar is his worst fear about being married to me.”