Cora Hale

Jennifer was content enough to smirk back with no shame.

“Whaaaaat? You not able to be the subjugated one? I’d have never guessed.”

It was playful, teasing, and Jennifer couldn’t recall a time when she’d been able to indulge in such a way before the Hales… Well, there was one time but she adamantly refused to linger on those thoughts for more than a few moments at a time.

“Oh he would…  Considering the way he acts when we’re alone it surprises me how prudish he can be.” she chuckled.

When she’d first met Derek he’d seemed cocky, self-assured and assertive. He was all of those things but also it seemed somewhat dorkish and shy on other ways; all those little quirks had been delights to find out; the man hiding under all the rest.

“These are expert lashes, don’t underestimate their power.”  

Despite her reply being as joking as Cora’s own statement there was a deeper truth to her words. Beauty was a power all its own and she’d gained enough strength to appear more beautiful than she’d even been before. Beautiful enough to be noticed by as many people as she wished. Beautiful enough to be seen by Derek.

It was a rush she hadn’t expected to feel and suspected it could be rather addictive in its own way but, Jennifer had more important things to obsess over and nothing would get in the way of them. Nothing. Fortunately, her and Cora’s little shopping trip happened to be a useful little excursion for them both so Jennifer let Cora see the fabled boots and could almost watch the gears in her mind turning.

“Hmmmmmm, I’m sure that’s all it was.”

Jennifer chuckled slightly, “Though I never knew ‘shy’ could be a synonym for grumpy.” Another chuckle followed and she brushed her hair back. She hadn’t taken offence at the time (though Derek’s annoyance would’ve been enough for both of them) and she certainly didn’t now; it anything it just showed how far the pair of them had come.

A shame it would be all for nought.

“That’s not the kind of ‘out’ I mean and you damn well know it.” she laughed, trailing her fingers through a scarf that was on display, too tacky for her tastes. “I mean the out where you’re more likely to run into another person than a hungry alligator.”

Jennifer’s smirk told her well enough that her choice had been well made. Despite her less than social behaviour Cora wasn’t too difficult to read and, thankfully, she had taste. 

“Of course they will, I wouldn’t have suggested them otherwise.”

She watched the other pull them on, paused a moment then nodded her head with another grin.

“Perfect. Every man in forty yards will be drooling.”

Cora shot Jennifer a look that for anyone who wasn’t familiar with the Hales, might think she was becoming pissed off. She knew Jennifer wouldn’t think that though because underneath the deadpan expression the youngest Hale was aiming in the other female's direction, there was a slither of amusement that only those who knew her well would recognise.

“Didn’t take you for the sarcastic one, Jennifer.”

Now the smirk was definitely evident in her facial features before she gave a playful roll of the eyes.

She was going to make another comment about her brother, but figured that it might just give invitation to continue the topic of conversation so Cora decided against it. She really wasn’t keen to know what he got up to behind closed doors, even if it was just a playful threat at the moment. 

“Oh, I am damn sure those lashes would work on all males and even a few females.....”

Cora liked to think they wouldn’t work on her though--she was pretty sure in fact unless there was some reason she wanted them to and she cared about Jennifer enough to relent sometimes. 

“You’re very diplomatic ain’t you, Jennifer....I mean...calling a wolf grumpy could be seen as poking the bear..or whatever it is they say.”

She raised a slender brow and looked at her.

“Good job I know you.....and like you....”

Cora gave a playful nudge of the elbow into the other's ribs.

“I have never come across a hungry damn alligator. What planet are you on?”

Even Cora had to chuckle at this, but she knew very well the point Jennifer was making. It was just not something she talked about very often with people. The youngest Hale was very much a loner and didn’t socialise with groups of friends--she didn’t have that many anyway.

For a moment she fell quiet once she had Jennifer’s approval and then she gave a satisfied smile. 

“I love them...but not for getting guys drooling...I just...well I like how they look on me.”

Giving it a little longer to admire them, Cora finally removed the boots from her feet and picked them up.

“Aren’t you getting anything?”

If this dickwad didn’t put a lid on it and soon, things were going to get serious- fast. Not just because of the pack of wolves that were currently having a gay old time on the other side of the wall just behind them, but because of the temperament the wolf right beside him liked to keep.

Alaric had one eye on the wannabe hunter and another on Cora, ready to intervene in a moments notice. It seemed things were settling, like the idiot finally got the right idea and was about to head on his merry way, when he opened that fat mouth again.

“You just had to say something, didn’t you?”

He rolled his eyes, leaning against the pillar holding the awning up above them as Cora raised a shitkicker to connect with a place that- yeah, had him smarting a little. Didn’t matter that the fucker deserved it, a man couldn’t watch that shit without a little sympathy pain.

“I suggest you leave, before she cuts them right off.” 

The guy didn’t need to be told twice and Alaric couldn’t help but smirk as he high tailed it outta there. “It’s guys like that, who give us a bad name.” He rounded on Cora, dipping his head to press a kiss to her cheek in official greeting. “You ok?”

Cora could never fully understand the impact of what a kick to the nuts would cause, she imagined it would hurt a whole lot. Though once, she’d rode her brother's bike when she was too little for it, her foot slipped and the metal crossbar had connected with her pubic bone with such impact she thought she would walk like John Wayne forever. Maybe guys would summarise that was not an accurate comparison, but it was the best she had. 

At least the asshole was leaving now, though she was pretty sure it was because of Alaric’s verbal contribution too, which had the youngest Hale internally smirking. 

Once the guy had disappeared out of view, Cora’s expression softened as Alaric kissed her cheek.

“Good job you give them a good name...balances things up a little, right?”

She liked Alaric. He had a deep sincerity about him that went a long way with Cora.

Derek watched as she devoured the bowl and then as she filled one for himself. It wasn’t that he couldn’t do it himself, he was just so wrapped up in the simple moment. They’d both been through so much over the centuries and Cora, she’d changed six ways from Sunday. She’d grown into the beautiful, strong, stubborn young woman who sat before him now- a damn long time ago but in so many other ways, she hadn’t changed a bit. With all the pain life liked to throw their way, he’d decided to hang onto any moment of normal he could.

His head dipped as a grin crossed his features, glancing back up at his little sister he couldn’t hide the expression. “Yeah, I did. Shoot me.” Again, it was that moment of normal that’d caught him off guard, he couldn’t help but cling to it for as long as possible. 

She closed the distance between them and his fist gently nudged her jaw, a playful touch as he took his bowl from her hand. “Yeah, whatever you want, I’m all yours today.” Something told him playing hookie was what was needed right now, a day with just the two of them… the kind of day they haven’t shared in far too long…

In between mouthfuls of food, Cora shot Derek a smirk or two. This was what normal was about. Different people had their own idea of what normal was, but for the youngest Hale, it was about spending time with loved ones or friends and doing day to day things. It could very easily be taken for granted by some but not her--and not by her brother, she was sure of that. 

“It’s been a while since I heard you say it that way....”

Cora grinned, remembering when they were both younger and ‘hanging out’ were the words that were used often. So hearing him say them now, well it was kind of cute, but no way would she ever declare such a thing. 

“...but I like it....so no shooting today.”

When he gently nudged her jaw with his fist, it struck a memory of the many times he had done it, sometimes in a playful way like this and other times when it was to cheer her up over something. Cora had many memories of all members of her family. but far more of Derek and the time they had shared together.

“Sounds good to me....soooo.....”

Cora placed the bowl on the side once it was empty and jumped onto the kitchen surface so that her ass was perched on it and legs dangled down. 

“...tell me about you and Hayley....you still just friends?....or.....”

braehavemercy‌:

Catching the mock uncertainty in the wolf’s gaze, Braeden shrugged. Her disapproval of her best friend’s assurances was just as insincere. Knife still jabbed into the table, she pulled Stiles’ chair that much closer to her, muttering low in her throat, “Now, now, Cora. Let’s not go making any promises I have no intention of keeping,” without freeing him from her piercing glare.

When Braeden released the bottom of his chair Stiles launched himself backward, crotch shielded by his hands, looking put out at being ganged up on. Her smirk was pitiless, as sharp as her gaze. He had no one but himself to blame for inviting himself to their table. Even Derek knew better than to get too close when she and Cora really got going. The pair of them wicked on a good day, once they really got going… threatening castration was tame by comparison. Especially since she was joking. Mostly.

Even though she’d discarded the knife onto the table and had relaxed into her chair, knees spread, comfortably slouched, Braeden’s attention on Stiles was still predative when she offered, “I could give you the matched set, Cor.” She gave him a critical once over, muttering, “You’d probably put them to better use anyway.” When her eyes met with his again amusement tugged at the corners of her mouth. She swallowed back a laugh. Braeden was half tempted to fake a lunge for him, just to see how he’d react. This was fun. 

Her simper faded at the sound of his last name. The brutish mischief in her gaze turned thoughtful as she inspected his face more closely. While she was impressed enough that Cora had called him her friend, it wasn’t the reason she was scrutinizing him so closely. 

“Stilinski,” repeated Braeden, the puzzle pieces falling into place. “You’re the Sheriff’s kid.” She remembered him, always jittery and never able to hold still for more than a minute at a time. Before she’d let their legacy fade into obscurity, her parents had been part of New Orleans local law enforcement, too. Her dad had always spoken fondly of Lieutenant Stilinski. Her mom, too. 

Distracted by Cora moving out of the corner of her eye, Braeden moved her gaze from Stiles onto the wolf across from her. Her brows furrowed as she watched her best friend’s expression darken into something grim. Unease gripping her heart and pulling it toward her stomach, Braeden leaned forward to quietly ask, “What’s up, Cor?”

@bicuriousbilinski​

An explosive little, “Ha!” left him at Cora’s words and he eyed her. “The fact that you had the clarify the knife statement doesn’t make me any more comforted… And the fact that she,” he pointed at the other woman, but kept his arm close (aha, she was not grabbing him again, please and thank you) “then just completely contradicts you… hummm! You, Stabby McStabbyson, no stabbing Stiles. This is a Stiles Stab-Free Zone. All zones are Stiles Stab-Free, sorry sorry, too bad.” 

Cora wouldn’t let her stab him, they were just pushing his buttons nicely, that was all (he was not taking his eyes off her for a moment).

“Balls, no penis,” he confirmed, both hands now back over his junk as he narrowed his eyes at Braeden, “and she doesn’t need mine either. It gets plenty of use, I’ll have you know. At least twice a day. Three if I’m feeling fancy.” 

He was just starting to relax a little, though he kept half an eye on Twitchy and both hands over his dick, meeting Braeden’s eyes as she mulled over his last name, lifting a single shoulder up in a shrug when she identified him as the Sheriff’s Kid, his life long moniker. Part of him wanted to goad her into trying something, if only so he could set his dad on her, but then he remembered he was no longer a kid playing who’s dad could beat whose dad up. (She’d probably kick his ass to be fair and he’d rather not spend six to eight weeks helping his dad recover all because he had a mouth on him.)

“I just wanted to ask about some dude that nearly had me pissing my pants, but I think I’ve embarrassed myself enough today in front of your scary fr–” cutting himself off when the other asked if Cora was okay, he stopped bouncing his knee and actually looked over to the werewolf himself, brows instantly furrowing in concern. “Hey,” leaning forward, he put his hand on her knee without thought, trying to catch her eyes, “you look like you’ve seen a ghost. You okay?” 

@halexstorm​

Cora wanted the situation to continue as it was doing, the banter between them all and no bad news coming by text from her brother. She swallowed thickly and her dark hues looked from Braeden to Stiles as she still tried to digest the words on her cell phone screen. It wasn’t as though she wasn’t used to death-- she'd seen enough of it over the years and multiple deaths at once. Guilt had always taken home in her mind regarding the Hale house fire and the fact she’d not been where she should have been that night--but if she would’ve, then she would be dead too. 

“It’s....”

There was a pause and she kept her eyes on Stiles for a moment before then fixing her gaze on Braeden. 

“It’s Davina.”

The wolf had only recently crossed paths with the young witch and although initially, it looked as though they weren’t going to hit it off, they both found a sense of humour and Cora could see her being able to get along with the girl. Only now it wasn’t going to be. It was a life wasted and another damn good reason for the youngest Hale to not let people in. It always hurt far more when someone found a way into your heart and then was brutally ripped out of it.  Now Davina hadn’t done that, but it still really was not the news Cora wanted to hear.

“....she’s dead. Sacrificed.”

She didn’t mention the Nemeton at this point and maybe she shouldn’t have mentioned the sacrifice part while Stiles was present either, but somewhere along the line this news would come out and Stiles had become a friend too. so it was best to hear from her. 

“So long as you polite agree to do all I want for ever and ever I suppose I could keep the more illicit things between your brother and I.”

She fluttered her eyes as she said, oh-so innocent and yet not at all. Little moments like these were times she thought it was almost possible to put the past behind her but… no. It could never be enough, so it would have to be temporary.

“I do say. I do say so indeed.”  

The truth of things was, for now, thrust to the back of her mind as she tenaciously brought herself to the present and remain there for the rest of the day. She watched Cora’s expression and laughed slightly, knowing that few were able to see such a lighter aspect of the young wolf; what had made her so hard she wasn’t sure but life could be hard or people just born cautious. Still, she and Derek were together now and having Cora’s happiness for them was something she was grateful for.

Jennifer chuckled, “Well, if you want some thigh-high boots I’m sure we can go looking. It might be worth it just to see the look on Laura’s face.” she mused, unable not to grin a the picture.

“Do you?” Jennifer asked her, voice dripping with disbelief, “If I recall if took me three ‘family meetings’ before I say more than your backside as you left the room.” She told the other, playfully. “Derek just told me that you were shy.” She suspected it had been said to not hurt her feelings.

“And pray tell, what ‘things’ doth you get up to while I’m dragging your equally anti-social brother out and about? I swear if not for Laura I’d think all of you never left your home.”

Not that she’d begrudge them that, it was a pretty amazing place, it had barely changed over the past century.

Jennifer only smirked as the other looked around, nodding smugly at Cora’s reaction.

“C’mon, this way this way,” she half-sang, pulling Cora to the shoe display and gesturing grandly at the black, shin high shoes, “Welllllll,” she grinned happily, “Tell you love them, I won’t accept any other answer.”

Cora raised a slender brow and looked at Jennifer with a slight smirk. 

“You know damn well I can’t do that.”

Hearing about what her brother got up to with Jennifer was too much, yes, but Cora could never agree to do that even if it was only said in a playful way. She just didn’t have it in her to say she would. So her smirk widened until a grin had formed.

“Derek would be more uncomfortable with this situation than I ever would be...so keep the details to yourself and spare his blushes.”

She could only imagine what he would say if he found out his kid sister was hearing some rather intimate details. The female wolf was also quite aware of how Jennifer liked to tease and knew nothing too detailed would leave her lips--at least she hoped not anyway. 

“Fluttering your eyes at me won’t work so quit it....”

She tried to sound serious but it didn’t come off that way especially when she had to let out a chuckle at the end of it. Cora was enjoying herself and it felt good to know the future appeared to be something she was looking forward to. Jennifer was a part of it--she was a big part because Derek loved her and Cora had come to as well. 

The thought of her mom seeing her in thigh-high boots, made the rebellious side of Cora amused as hell. Though there would probably be a moment of regret when she first showed her. Unfortunately, though, the moment wasn’t enough to quash the idea of buying some. She was so used to buying flat boots, biker boots, Cora wanted to buy something different even if it wasn’t something she would wear every day. 

“He was right. I was shy.”

She was quick to side-eye Jennifer, clearly indicating that she was lying. Cora had never really been shy about things. Not at this stage in her life anyway. Little did she know it would be the later years when things would change when it came to intimacy issues, but that was because of a future she didn’t know about yet. 

“I am always out!..in the woods....fresh air and nature...”

This was very true. Even as a small child she would sneak outside when she should have been in bed. Her mom would often scold her if she was caught, but it never stopped her. Cora loved being out after dark, there was always something peaceful when the moon took its rightful place in the sky. 

Her visual was quick to shift to where the other female was gesturing and Cora tried to look casual about it, but damn it, that footwear was....stunning.

“These...these are perfect!...but..would they suit me?”

She’d already taken hold of them and was trying them on.

“Well?”

She froze, every muscle going stiff as her heart tripped over her ribs and her breath caught in her throat. The words were bouncing, pinball-like, inside her head… you’re part of this dysfunctional circle of….people…friends..family. Slowly, she panned her gaze to the wolf seated beside her, like any sudden movements would ruin the moment, scar Cora off, or worse, make her take it back. 

A button press pulled up the options menu, pausing the game, and Bonnie made a wide, confounded, heartful face at Cora before she launched herself at her and wrapped her arms around her neck. “You just called me family,” she exclaimed, squeezing her tighter, forgetting whether or not werewolves needed silly things like oxygen. “Family gets hugs. No take backs, no returns, no refunds.” Arms still a tight circle around Cora’s neck, she wriggled them both in a happy dance typically reserved for food. 

Forget everything she’d thought earlier. The only way for Cora to get used to her was full on immersion therapy. That meant hugs, casual touches, and cheek smushing. If they were going to be friends –or family, squee– Cora should get used to getting loved on. A lot. Starting now. 

After actually squeeing an excited, happy noise, Bonnie released Cora. She was beaming widely as she sank back into her seat and picked her controller back up, wiggling in place with joyful energy she didn’t know what else to do with. Her blood was pumping warm and bright, bubbly from an excitement she still hadn’t figured out to subdue, distracting her a little as Cora explained the few times she’d needed Derek to bail her out from a bad spot. 

Clearing her throat and licking her bottom lip between her teeth, Bonnie refocused on the game as she replied, “I wish I’d had someone like that growing up. I’m an only child, so no big brother to come to my rescue. I mean, I have Elena and Caroline, but they were usually right there with me whenever I got into trouble. The closest thing I have to a brother is Jeremy Gilbert and he’s… so not my brother.”

Bonnie’s grin returned in force when the female beside her admitted to knowing how to hide a body. “Careful, Cora,” murmured Bonnie, eyes on the television screen. “Keep talking like that and you’re gonna end up getting hugged again. Oh, what am I saying?” She tossed the controller to the side again and threw herself at Cora, arms wide. “You’re definitely getting hugged again. This is nice. Isn’t this nice?” 

She only subjected Cora to the embrace for a few seconds before letting go again, not wanting to push her luck too far where the wolf was concerned. Once she was back in her own space, controller in hand, head in the game, Bonnie waited until Cora’s character was beside hers and then they made a mad dash toward the air base. “I’ll cover you when you go for the first jet. Team work makes the dream work, Cora. We got this.” Bonnie’s grin was as bright as the warmth burning in her chest. This was the kind of friendship she’d never had with anyone else. She could feel it in her blood.

A heavy breath expelled from Bonnie’s nostrils. She didn’t move her focus from the television screen while musing, “There you go not answering my question. It must be a New Orleans thing, because I haven’t been able to get a straight answer out of anyone for anything.” Despite a twinge of frustration, her tone was light, teasing. 

She wasn’t frustrated with Cora. It was easy to tell that her ‘older than I look’ sphinx riddle was good natured. Her frustration was in a general sense. Not being a New Orleans native felt like being forever on the outside of an inside joke. Or like she was not invited to a very exclusive order. New Orleans natives were the Illuminati and she was still schmoozing her way through the FreeMasons, trying to rub elbows with the right people. 

Exasperations dismissed with a snort, Bonnie glanced Cora’s way and grinned. “Did you just… was that… There must be psychedelics in my drink, because that almost sounded like a compliment.” Maybe she should’ve taken a second to consider the world she lived in if she thought that leaving a trail of men devoid of hearts was a compliment. A good one, Bonnie decided. A world made infinitely better because Cora thought she was a heart-monger and that made her feel pretty dang cool.

Left feeling bubbly from Cora’s uplifting rhyme, Bonnie was still beaming when she leaned in close to the she-wolf and propped her head on Cora’s shoulder. Buttons were still pressed, thumbsticks shifting wildly as they continued to play, her high speed car chase with the cops keeping her from throwing her arms around Cora’s neck and squeezing while cheerful noises squealed out of her. It was probably for the best that her hands were occupied. Bonnie could feel her overly affectionate side fighting for freedom, and that was something she’d rather ease the wolf into. For both their sake.

The topic of stolen cars made her shoot back up again, glancing inquisitively at Cora as she waited for her to elaborate on her history as a car thief. “Spirits, talk about wrong place wrong time. Who bailed you out? Is Derek aware of your Fast and Furious lifestyle?” A cackle burst out of her unbidden, a vicarious kind of excitement bubbling in her blood at the thought of the kinds of trouble Cora got herself into and out of. 

After confessing to her own criminal dabblings, Bonnie grimaced at the memories of hurting Caroline. She was glad that they were past the hiccup of distrust, and still a tiny bit ashamed at how she’d let it justify nearly killing her best friend. When Cora chuckled Bonnie bumped her shoulder with a faux-chastising, “Don’t be mean.” Aware as she was that Caroline could be a bit much, she was still her best friend and condoning shit talk was strictly against the rules. Street rules: talk shit, get hit. 

Focus on not dying as she skirted a cliffside to avoid a shootout, Bonnie’s attention was on the TV screen as she confessed, “Believe it or not, she’s gotten better since becoming a vampire. Which is why I’m especially glad I didn’t kill her.”

A pleased smile was shot Cora’s way at the sound of a second maybe-compliment. Bouncing her shoulders in a playful shrug, she rebuked, “What can I say? I’m a bad egg. A real menace to society. If we’re gonna be friends you should familiarize yourself with ways to get rid of a body.”

She snorted a laugh when Cora’s half of the screen went grey, bolded red text flashing on the screen as if it weren’t obvious that she’d plummeted to her death. The nudge of her elbow to the wolf’s arm was encouraging. “We’re gonna die a lot trying to get those fighter jets,” she assured her. “For some reason the Air Force really doesn’t like people borrowing their air crafts. Clearly they don’t teach them manners in the military. Whatever happened to sharing is caring? I’ll be playing frogger in traffic. Once you’ve respawned find your way to me.”

Maybe she should have come out with her age, but over the years Cora had just got used to skirting around the edge of those kinds of questions, which is ironic really considering she can be quite blunt and honest with most other things. She didn’t change her mind though, instead, the wolf just offered Bonnie one of those familiar grins that most who knew her had witnessed far too often.

“We Hales are well known for being a pain in the ass when discussing ourselves. You should have met my Uncle...he was far worse...frustratingly worse actually.”

Even Cora used to get irritated by his answers sometimes. 

“It ain’t personal though, Bonnie...I’d be the same with everyone...so you could look at it in the sense of...well...you’re part of this dysfunctional circle of....people...friends..family.”

She gave a casual shrug as if to say ‘you decide which one is appropriate’. Cora knew which one she would categorise her as, but never followed it up with her opinion. 

“Is it a compliment?...oh....my mistake..”

Amusement flickered in her dark hues and there was a playful expression that lit up her face because yes, it could be seen as a compliment. Cora definitely thought Bonnie was a looker who could easily hook plenty of guys. She was very aware that looks weren’t the most important thing, but first impressions were what tended to draw most guys in and Bonnie admittedly had a friendly and warm personality. 

“Derek knows some of what I have gotten up to...not all though. He’s bailed me out a few times when I was young. Far better asking for him than my parents.”

It wasn’t that her brother was a soft touch--far from it, it was just that they had always had this close relationship and she knew even when she had done wrong, things would be cool again shortly after, or at the very most, the next day. Whereas her parents would have grounded her and been pissed off for longer. Derek never could stay annoyed with her for very long. 

As far as Caroline was concerned, Cora was pretty sure she would never have the same sort of relationship--friendship, that was progressing with Bonnie. She and the blonde vampire were two very different types of personality and they clashed. 

“Oh, I am definitely familiar with getting rid of a body.”

She made sure she side-eyed Bonnie in a way that indicated she was looking serious but clearly wasn’t, because let's keep the conversation playful, that was the best way. In truth, she had got rid of bodies in the past but it wasn’t because she was a really bad person, it was just far more complicated than that. 

“Looks like we’re gonna be friends anyway. I have never played games with anyone else. Special, right?”

There was a pretend smug look that was present, but she was only teasing in a light-hearted sarcastic way. 

After her character died on the screen, Cora let out a loud sigh and sat forwards a little as she was getting more involved in the game.

“You think they’d be happy to have people test-drive the damn jets....make sure they’re safe and stuff.”

Cora was back to the banter and treating this night like it was meant to be--which was fun.

“Okay, ‘Bonnie radar’ is on...and I am now looking for you....or whatever the hell your character is....mine’s Trevor I think....great name-- a bit of a dick though.”

braehavemercy‌:

Seconds –milliseconds– away from grabbing the kid by his wrist and twisting until he was kneeling on the ground beside the table, Cora’s greeting stopped her from an aggravated assault charge. The familiarity in her tone gave her pause, it was her amusement that made Braeden relax back in her seat. While she didn’t move her piercing glare from the gangly man at their table, the sharp edge to her stare was more assessing than threatening. 

Clearly Cora liked the kid enough to welcome him to the table instead of telling him to fuck off. Question of questions was why.

When the wolf asked Stiles how what was hanging, Braeden chimed in with a flat, “I think he’s implying you have a penis, Cor.” Hand none too discretely grabbing the steak knife by the handle, her unwavering leer kept his gaze captive to hers. “You implying my girl has a penis?” 

She angled her chair, leaned forward to grab the bottom of his seat, and dragged him closer to her with a loud scrape on the polished hardwood floor that drew a few gazes. Steak knife jabbed point first into the table, Braeden’s voice was a low, menacing purr when she suggested, “I could give her yours, if you’re so curious.”

Holding his gaze for several heartbeats, Braeden allowed a slow, rapacious smirk to unravel over her lips. She looked exhaled a laugh and eased back into her seat before dropping the knife onto the table. Braeden peered over at Cora and her smirk widened, an eyebrow rose as she waited for her best friend’s reaction. 

An introduction was haphazardly made and Braeden’s gaze was drawn back onto Stiles. Brows furrowed as she inspected him closely. “Stiles,” repeated Braeden, testing the name, searching her mind for that niggling something that suggested that she’d heard it before. “What’s your last name, Stiles? And how do you two know each other?”

She shifted her attention onto Cora then, observing, “Manic energy isn’t your usual type.” Gaze sliding onto Stiles again, her glare turned stony. She kept the full weight of it on Stiles as she continued to speak to Cora. “Neither is scrawny.”

@bicuriousbilinski

He was halfway through downing his stolen glass of water when the pair of them decided to tag team him; one asking what he meant and the other just straight up dropping the penis into casual conversation. Snorting, he nearly choked. “Am I impl–no, god, no, how d’you even get– Cora, why is she holding a knife at –ohmygod.” The words tumbled over themselves on an exhale when she grabbed his chair and yanked him forwards, closer to both her and the steak knife in her hands. 

Yep, nOPE.

“It means ‘how’re you’, holy god, what is wrong with you, we’re in public!” In deference to being in public, his voice was a low, furious – lowkey terrified, shh – whisper. “And she doesn’t need my balls, thank you very much,” he cupped himself with both hands before she got any big ideas, “she’s got big enough ones of her own, are you kidding me with this right now?”

As soon as Braeden let go of his chair, it was with a wounded look at Cora that he immediately pushed himself away from the pair of them, though still technically at their table. He was pretty sure Braeden was laughing at him, but given how she still had a knife – sure, it was stuck in the table right now but that didn’t mean shit – he wasn’t about to call her out on it. 

“Remind me to never attempt pleasantries around either of you.” He gave them the stink eye and then sniffed. “What’s your last name?” He might’ve pushed his chair back a little bit more, so she couldn’t grab him as easily and he would’ve gone for the double whammy of ‘and how do you know Cora’ but she’d slid straight on into insults. 

His mouth opened, offended. “I’m not scrawny! I’m svelte, thank you very much. Underneath all this plaid I’m actually as–” he took her in and quickly changed his mind, continuing as though there’d been no pause, “–no where near as buff as you, but I’m getting there!”

He’d never felt more like a meme in all his life. I came out for a good time and I’m feeling so attacked right now.

“Your friend is mean,” he said, focusing on Cora, but keeping one eye out in case the other decided to move quickly; why were all the beautiful people so freaking dangerous? “I only came over to ask a question and I’ve had my manhood threatened unjustly.” 

@halexstorm

There was a moment when Cora thought Stiles might give up there and then and disappear from the table as quickly as he’d arrived. She couldn’t help but find amusement in Braeden’s words and shook her head softly whilst giving a small chuckle. 

“Relax....she won’t use the knife...not in public...not here.”

Her brow cocked at the other female as if to say, ‘you wouldn’t would you?’--purposely just drawing out the situation a little while longer. After all, Stiles had agreed to push Derek to see how far he could go without her brother tearing him a new one. So surely Stiles would see what was happening now, right?

“So I have balls but not a penis?”

She shot a look between the both of them, wondering how the hell it was suddenly on her.

“I could be offended.....”

She swallowed thickly, faking a pissed off expression but whilst she could continue this forever and a day with most people who she didn’t know or perhaps didn’t like, Cora did let a smirk slip with these two. 

“I know what you meant, Stilinski....I was just yanking your chain. And Brae...that is his surname...it’s his first name that is somewhat a secret....comes after McCall alphabetically apparently....I don’t have a type either...and he’s a friend...that’s all.”

Just then Cora felt her phone buzz as she received a text. She didn’t look at it straight away, instead opting to reply to Stiles. 

“What was your question?”

Casually she reached down into her inside pocket for her cell phone and took it out. It was only as she read the text from Derek, her expression fell to a more sombre and serious one. 

braehavemercy‌:

Thanks to Braeden’s physical training and exercise regimen having a New York Strip for lunch kept her well within her ideal daily caloric intake. She’d had steak at more restaurants than she could name throughout New Orleans. There were only a few places she physically sought out for that kind of thing. To date, Cafe Du Monde was near the top of the list.

Plus it was easy on the eyes. Her job –the one that didn’t come with a badge– ensured Braeden’s passport had seen plenty of use. One of her favorite things about traveling internationally was the diversity of architecture. With all she’d seen, there were still some places in New Orleans that made her ogle the rafters like a pilgrim at the Vatican. She couldn’t name a better way to spend her chill day than with her best friend, eating great food, in a place that looked so goddamn timeless.

It didn’t matter that neither of them exactly fit in here. A leather jacket wearing, biker chick scarred to shit, and an equally darkly dressed tough girl with nothing resting about her bitch face, it didn’t take much to guess why the tables surrounding theirs were a fucking ghost town. Dressed in black from head to toe, someone would think that they coordinated their outfits. With how well they knew each other, and how well they got along, they may as well have. 

Slicing her steak knife through the last portion of meat, Braeden peered up from her food to cock an eyebrow at Cora. “The fuck you think we’re doin’ out here, Cor?” she prodded before stuffing the red centered meat into her mouth. With a gesture toward the road outside the restaurant, she motioned the wolf’s gaze down the street to a beautiful and unsupervised 1969 Camaro convertible. 

“If we want to borrow that beauty without Damon getting in the way we’re gonna have to learn his routine.” Stabbing her fork’s tongs into the last peace of bloody meat, Braeden lifted it slightly and didn’t give the smirk fighting for her lips so much as an inch. “We’re on a steak out.”

At Cora’s mention of kicking ass, Braeden swallowed her food, set down her utensils, and wiped her mouth clean on the cloth napkin. When the napkin joined the silverware on the plate, reached for her glass of scotch, muttering, “Sorry about pulling you away from Lafayette the other night. You know I’m always down for a fight, Cor, but that was a bad spot to let one go down.” Shooting back a sip of that delicious burning liquid, when she set her glass back onto the table it was with the reassurance, “I’ll make it up to you, alright? Plenty of tourists coming through town this time of year, getting drunk and stupid. If you want a fight or two we’ll make a pub crawl out of it. Just like old times, yeah?”

Her grin was meant only for Cora, could only exist in her company. So when a lanky body plopped down in one of the two available chairs at their table, it disappeared in an instant. Replaced by an appraising glower and a curious up and down. “You lost?”

@bicuriousbilinski

Honestly, the coffee shop within the NOU was more Stiles’ level and sure, yeah, they burnt their beans and the barista visibly looked put out whenever Stiles would stumble through the doors, but he felt more at home there than in this joint; it wasn’t so much as a cafe, but a fancy eatery who took pride in foam art. And the only reason he was in here, was because he’d seen Cora through the windows and figured seeking out her rather than Derek, or Scott, or Lydia, or anyone else really about the creep in the woods would fair better for him. 

Derek he’d get the Eyebrows, Scott would just kill him with puppy dog eyes and he felt like Lydia would slap him upside down the back of his head and yanno, he wasn’t in the mood to get assulted, even by the queen bee of the town. He hadn’t even done anything wrong! What was a bit of midnight detective work in the grand scheme of things? 

Swinging into the place, and pointing over to where Cora and whoever else she was with before someone tried to offer him either a table or the door, the dumped himself unceremoniously into a seat at their table, gatecrashing their conversation. 

“Lost? Naw.” He let himself sink into the chair a little more heavily. “Now thirsty, that’s a yeah – s’up, Cora?” he added, leaning over to swipe the jug of water on the table, as well as one of the, as of yet, unused glasses; he grinned over the glug glug glug as he filled the glass. “How’s it hanging?”

A casual lopsided smirk started to emerge on Cora’s face as her visual shifted to outside the building and the view that met her. Salvatore’s beautiful Camaro was situated further down the street.

“Brae, you sly dog you....”

Amusement flickered in her dark hues before she rolled her eyes playfully and let out a chuckle.

“A steak out, really?...c’mon...now that is cheesy....but yeah...I’m definitely down for a pub crawl.”---seeing how she couldn’t get drunk, may as well get a fight or two out of it.

She was just about to lean forward with her elbows on the table and suggest they make a move soon, when Stiles was suddenly there and seemingly making himself comfortable in the spare seat. For a moment she raised a slender brow and just shot him the usual unimpressed look. Yet the youngest Hale had got used to Stiles’ ways lately and didn’t care to admit she quite liked him.

“Take a seat, Stiles why don’t ya.....”

Her words dripped with sarcasm, but not in any nasty context at all, in fact, she was slightly amused, especially when she caught Braeden’s expression.

Oh this looks like fun. 

“How’s what hanging?”

She would never get used to that phrase. Luckily now though she was just playing around with him and knew what it meant. 

“Braeden...this is Stiles. He ain’t backwards at coming forwards...and Stiles...this is Braeden--another one not to upset too much if you know what’s good for you.”

Alaric tensed. He had no clue who the punk was and every muscle in his body was firing, needing to react to the situation. The only reason he wasn’t using brute force to do so was because of the not-so-young wolf standing beside her- and the hoard of wolves in the doors behind them. 

If the situation escalated, the idiot didn’t stand a chance. What kind of hunter stepped up to a wolves den, throwing threats around like it was fucking confetti. At the words spoken by the other, Ric’s chin kicked up. It didn’t phase him, he copped a lot of heat from the narrow minded hunters who didn’t understand this city’s way of life- or those who liked to just stir the shit.

Before he could react, Cora had the guy pinned by the throat against the side of the bar. “Yeah, you’re damn right I run with the wolves.” At least the wolves who abided by a peace treaty that had kept the civilians of this city safe for centuries now. 

“I suggest you run along now, and don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out.“

Anger ran through her veins as quickly as turning on a pressure hose. Her wolf side pushed for dominance as it wanted to step forward and rip this guy apart using only her teeth. Cora had already visualised the scenario in her head, but the difference was, she was in control and that was what made visualisation not become reality when it came to assholes like this one.

“You have picked the wrong place to cause trouble. Through those doors over there, are people with less restraint than me when it comes to jerks like you.”

Most people around there had a low tolerance to bullshit and even though Cora hadn’t said it, she was quietly willing the unknown hunter to make a wrong move so she could throw a hefty punch that would send him careering into the brick wall nearby. 

“If your sweetheart here lets me go I will be on my way.”

Cora inhaled through her nose and let out a slow, controlled breath before letting go of him and taking a step back.

The asshole straightened his clothing and shot a look in Alaric’s direction.

“Maybe you could domesticate her and put her on a leash next time.”