his gasoline heart.

“Maybe a less crowded place would be better for your drunken wanderings?” Oliver suggested, though these fucking days there was hardly space to breathe or think–though of course Oliver was not known for doing much of that. Man of action he was, with his beast pacing around inside him, his own footsteps matching its irritated pace. He knew Hunter wasn’t drunk anyway. The immortal could hold his liquor, even if he did mix it with opiates. “You’re telling me,” he grumbled, pulling at his coat collar so it stood up. They had stopped and people gave them dirty looks as they walked by, interrupting the otherwise seamless sidewalk traffic that New Yorkers in particular seemed to have perfected. Though every hour these days was rush hour. “There’s no room to fucking breathe.” 

“Oh, come on Oli, we both know I’m an attention whore - the crowd is precisely where I thrive.”, which might have been a lie, but Hunter’s life at this point was just a series of little lies, set up to form a bigger picture until he himself wasn’t sure of anything anymore. Who was he supposed to be now? A brother? A lover? A friend? A useless runaway? What he truly was never quite matched what people expected of him, but he wasn’t sure he had the energy to unwind that particular clusterfuck right now. He didn’t even know what the fuck he was doing outside, just that he needed fresh air. “I think at this point everyone is collectively holding their breath. But yeah, this makes me want to just up and leave.”, his words had been directed at Oli, but at the same time he turned to offer a scowl to an annoyed passerby who had been shooting daggers at them for a little too long. “Let’s walk. You seem more or less in one piece, is your sister okay? I’ve been too fucked up to effectively check up on everyone these last few days.”

“Look I’m just trying to find someone here” Quinn replied sounding far more stressed and intense than what was warranted in a hospital. He had heard Aalis was here now, but because of how hectic the hospital had been following the accident, getting any help on what room she was in was not coming fast enough. “You know what, forget it, I’ll find her myself” He replied, practically growling as he turned from the desk and down a hall nearly bumping into someone else in the process. “Shit, sorry” He replied, realizing how probably crazy he seemed. The mountain lion ran a hand through his hair as he calmed down a bit. He knew he wasn’t the only one looking for others here. His temper just got the better of him at times. “Sorry about- you know”

It wasn’t that Hunter had any particular habit of listening in on conversations, just that it came with the whole supernatural hearing territory, and the agitated tone always stood out - even in the midst of the clamour of a hospital. He had barely managed to side-step the man when he spun around, and for a moment a thought ran through his head - was this what it felt like to be human? He’d forgotten, but being pumped full of drugs for pain relief felt like coming close to it. “About what? Tensions? Not my first rodeo in a hospital, sorry to disappoint but you’re not the worst I’ve seen.”, his eyes fled briefly towards the nurse the man had been talking to, and it was all Hunter could do to stop himself from rolling his eyes, “Oh, Dolores isn’t going to be of any help - if it comforts you, she’s like that with everyone. Who are you looking for, I might be able to help.”

“Come to New York they said, it’ll be safer they said. What a load of fucking crap,” Oliver muttered to himself. New York was supposed to be a new start for the pack, not one goddamn disaster after another. And now they were under martial law. 

The increased crowds made Oliver’s skin itch, and his nose tingle. Too many sounds, too many smells, too much of everything. And there was nowhere to escape to. Just his gym these days. It wasn’t enough. He missed running in the mountains, in the trees. He missed being able to let his wolf out. He could run in Central Park, but only as a human. Even at night there were too many people around for his wolf to be safe. 

Someone knocked into Oliver hard and he growled, the reaction automatic and instinctive. He sighed, turning towards them. “Sorry,” he said, his voice gentler. “Sidewalk’s a busy place these days.”

He hated every inch of this goddamn concrete jungle. And it wasn’t like he hadn’t thought of running, just doing one of his usual disappearing tricks, to the farm, to the other side of the world - it was a tradition, after all, and it wasn’t like anyone would be surprised. Not really. But even with all the pent up anger, all the pain settled deep in his bones, he was still here on these streets, in a city that looked more like an over the top Hollywood production of a post-apocalyptic movie than whatever the hell tourists called it. It was idiotic, but Hunter was always loyal... and an idiot. 

A low hiss of pain left his lips when he ran into something fairly solid in front of him, a pain not unlike a series of agonizing flashes shooting through his thorax as he recoiled back. “Oh for fuck’s sake.”, even through clenched teeth, curses came as naturally to him as breathing, “What’s the goddamn point of this immortality crap when I can’t heal a fucking rib.” Someone had set it wrong, and a few days after Hunter still wanted to strangle that someone. His eyes found Oli, though there was a certain lag in his reaction as he placed a hand over the rib - cutaneo-visceral reflex or some shit like that, it was supposed to work. “Oh good, you’re alive, and jumpy too. It’s fine, I wasn’t looking, actually, I’m pretty sure I’m not supposed to be taking strolls or drinking alcohol on the pain meds, but that never deterred me... Jesus, I hate the shitshow this city’s becoming.” 

Bending down to tie her shoe, Josie did her laces before standing to full height and fixing her shirt. Looking out over the street, wondering at what she was going to get to eat, she felt more than saw someone step up next to her. Eyes following a cat as it crept from the shadows, she was reminded of a sobering fact. “I once saw a rat on that street corner the size of my shoe.” nodding solemnly, she tilted her head as if to point out the exact street corner, “Incredible. I’d never seen a rat that size before I moved here; Salem doesn’t have rats like that. This city is insane.” 

“Don’t tell me you’re just getting that now, I’ll worry.”, Hunter spoke with a drawl, eyes following the cat that crept through the humid shadows. It wasn’t a mean comment, or even a particularly thought-out one - just a remark, like a reflex reaction. These days he was running solely on reflexes, actual sarcasm required the energy he didn’t have to spare. “One would think the whole supernatural war thing would have given its insanity away first.” His eyes fell back to the witch beside him, a familiar girl - he never quite realised how much he preferred to see her near Claire, until shit started happening in this city. “That’s New York for you... charming, isn’t it? Where are you headed?”

She shook her head in amusement. “Let’s be clear, sir. You back yourself into the corner. I had absolutely no hand in that. However, I will happily take advantage of your tactical error,” Natalya replied, clicking her tongue in light admonishment. Her eyes were full of amusement and laughter as she moving to collect the leftover cache of umbrellas. “A cup of coffee. That’s my price.”

“Even though I already know the answer,” she started, only barely glancing from the crystalline window that pressed scintillated lights illuminating the tree beyond to look a little more mystical, Isa nursed the champagne glass close to her chest, “I’ll without a doubt always find myself asking how they get the star on top.” Childlike hopes that one day the answer would be a little more exciting than it was. “Any other time of year, something so grand would look absolutely ridiculous.”

Within five minutes of arriving, Josefine parted briefly with Holden to go find herself a glass of wine or champagne, something to keep her hands occupied while they meandered the room. He’d check coats and meet her, and so when she felt someone’s presence at her back, she started talking without paying enough attention to make sure it was actually him before she made a complete idiot of herself. “Just so you know, even though the dress is glittery and short, we’re not hooking up at a public party again,” she teased as she turned, then realized the person near her wasn’t Holden, and probably didn’t want to hear about her sex life. Her face went slack and her eyes widened, and had she the ability, her face would have been bright red. “…I’m so sorry. We can just pretend that didn’t happen.”

In the sea of bodies, all glitter and decadence, sensing a vampire nearby was hardly something out of the ordinary, and Hunter might have glossed over it, kept sipping on the mildly atrocious champagne, had he not heard Josefine’s voice. “Such a shame, last I remember you had no problem hooking up at an empty parking lot.”, there was a smirk on his lips, his words lined heavily with amusement. It occurred to him it might be a dick move to make this even more embarrassing, but that never seemed to be a deterrent with Hunter. “As for again - I don’t remember the last time, was I that drunk?” And there it was - the horror in her eyes, he didn’t think vampires could go that red. “No need, I’m enjoying this immensely. The look on your face might just be the peak of this evening.”

Jonah was grateful for the advice, but he didn’t want Hunter to know that. So he stared at him with his usual scowl. “Well, it’s not fair they get to take up the bathroom.” He didn’t want to be here in the first place, but Cali had dragged him here. “Other people need to use it too.”

In all honesty, Hunter found this particular Rhodes to be more of an amusement than an actual hindrance - maybe it was something about the absolute dedication to spending his life being all sharp edges and grumpiness. Some past Hunter could relate. “Ah, life’s not fair. Though I don’t think they’re much concerned with what’s fair right now.”, a small smirk spread across the wolf’s lips, he wanted to see what happened when you pushed Jonah’s buttons, “Well, we could always find you a girl and then the stage’s all yours.”

“I’m torn between wanting to thank you and my desire to judge you. Are you out here listening?” It was something he’d expect from a Bordeaux, or perhaps one of the seedier members of the Lowell pack, but he expected much more from Hunter. “You’re an absolute legend, mate. Let’s go get smashed. I’ll let you be my wingman.”

A chuckle left Hunter’s lips, the kind that made one unsure if he was entirely kidding. He was, but that was beside the point, “Please, if I was interested in it I’d have joined them a while ago.” His hand reached out for the glass of whiskey that sat on the steps beside him and he twirled the liquid as if that was an explanation enough before taking a sip, “I got bored of the crowd. Sanctuary usually offers more... excitement, this time of the night.” As he stood up and threw the cigarette away, a low laugh left his lips, “I see my reputation precedes me, good. Come on darling, we both know you’re lucky to have me as your wingman.”, he tapped Louis’ shoulder as he passed by him, turning around with a smirk on his lips, “You’ve got an hour, if you can convince me this is worth it, we’ll make it a whole night. Sound good?” 

Maybe it was weird – okay, it was definitely weird – that Nixon couldn’t keep his gaze off of the Davenport. It probably looked like he was in love, or something strange along those lines. In reality, he just didn’t understand how a Davenport was so in love with a Bordeaux. He’d gotten up to go somewhere, or do anything else, until he was stopped, glancing at the werewolf, “Can’t you tell I like to watch?” he muttered sarcastically, releasing his hold before he sunk down on the couch. Nixon drummed his fingers on his glass, clearing his throat, “So….why Rowan?”

He watched the ash from the cigarette scatter when he tapped it, only raising his head after a moment and finding the figure at the bottom of the stairs. “It’s okay to stare, I’m all bark, no bite.” A smile ghosted across his lips, neither here nor there - he’d recognised Nixon now, even if he’d never actually seen the man face to face. “Well, it’s always the silent ones.”, his eyes followed the vampire, aware that there was an internal struggle going on over there, watching him give in. Whatever it was that he expected, it was definitely not this. For a moment he looked at him, a distant, considering look on his face before an abrupt chuckle left his lips. “Well, you get straight to the point don’t you?”, Hunt reached for the glass of whiskey he had beside him to take a sip, partially to ponder the answer, mostly because he just needed a drink, “Why Rowan? I have a vampire kink and I like to get the crème de la crème. Besides, Noah was too tedious.”, a shrug rolled off his shoulders, he didn’t even attempt to sound like he wasn’t spewing bullshit, “It’s not like we’re setting a precedent for a vampire and a werewolf fucking around. Though in retrospect we might have a couple hundred years ago. How come you’re so curious?”

               “Wonderful,” the hunter stated with annoyance clear on her features, hand that had reached towards the door falling to her side in a limp motion as her eyes moved towards the original. “Just entered? Like we gonna place a bet on how long they’re gonna be?” All she wanted was somewhere quiet, somewhere to just take a deep breath and disappear from the upbeat music and endless bumping she got from the dancefloor. Leaning against the closest wall to her, arms slowly crossed over her stomach as her hues watched the smoke make it’s way into the air freely; a part of her knowing her interest in the smoke was due to her intoxication.

“I’m guessing you’re not going in there to snort some lines, so either you really need to go or something annoyed you out there.”, he gazed in the general direction of the music that was coming from downstairs, the faded light of neon lamps giving everything a sort of muted, fuzzy hue. It was good, when you wanted to get in the mood, to lose yourself - but right now, it just helped the increasing pressure in the wolf’s temples. He rubbed his forehead, letting out a derisive chuckle, “Oh judging by his state - not long. Though she did seem quite determined. I’ll bite though. Seven minutes - I’m feeling generous tonight.” Though in different circumstances, another time maybe, that could’ve been him - not that he was particularly fond of bathrooms, but he’d been in worse spots. “You know...”, he started before taking a drag from the cigarette and finally directing his eyes to the girl, “Everyone wants to be looked at the way you look at this cigarette. Sure you don’t want one?” 

Delphine had spent most of the night enjoying the fact that her family owned a club. She was dancing, drinking, and pretending that her fiancee wasn’t on another coast at the moment. It was easy to do, but she needed to get some space after being in such a cramped area moments before as she walked down the steps the familiar voice of one of her own filled her ears. “ Hunter?” She replied walking away from the door. “Really in a bathroom? Some people have no imagination these days” She chuckled walking over to her brother with a smile on her face. “My threesome days are over thank you very much. What are you doing by yourself over here?”

“The one and only.”, here his voice carried over easier, a faint grin finding its way to his lips - more genuine this time - when he saw it was Del he’d spoken to. Maybe he should’ve noticed her earlier, but it seemed like it was just one of those hours of the night when everything started to attain that blurry quality, only intensified by the alcohol and nicotine. “I was gonna go with unsanitary, but that too..”, his eyes found the door, a faint smirk on his lips, “But who am I to judge? I’ve done worse, in worse places. Ah, the perks of immortality.” He scooted over to the side a little, taking the glass with him to make room for his sister. The cringe on his features was more for show than anything else - it’s not like he was in a place to start being a prude now. “TMI sis, TMI. I don’t know, I might consider it, one last ride before those bitches find another way to ruin our lives.” He wanted to go home and change, wash the scent of alcohol and smoke off - but he also wanted another drink. Something about Buridan’s ass right? “Trying to decide if I want to go back out there and get completely smashed so I stop caring if someone just spilt something on me. I mean you might not be the best person to ask for advice on that, we both know what the answer will be.”

“Mmmm, god, I love Thanksgiving. It might be my favourite holiday. It certainly is right now.” Oliver had been glad that the pack had been able to pull it together for Thanksgiving. It had been hard–there had been dishes past pack members had made that didn’t make an appearance this year–but it had been good for them all. They needed to be together even if some of them were still licking their wounds. 

“What’s your favourite Thanksgiving food? And don’t tell me  you don’t have one.” 

Maybe it was a family thing, or a Dinah thing - but Thanksgiving was never that much of a rage in the Davenport family. It was acknowledged, hard not to given that it was everywhere, but never a thing - perhaps they were all just a bit too English at heart. No grand family dinners, no gaudy cornucopias - just a dinner, if Hunter managed to tag along with someone who did actually celebrate it, and that was mostly because he thought no one in their right mind would refuse a grand dinner. Or any kind of dinner. “What, better than Christmas? I might have to argue with you there.”, Hunter wiped his hands on an old piece of cloth that once was white, and now was entirely marred by car oil, “Well, I definitely won’t say no to mince pie. Though I think that’s our thing that you guys just sort of inherited, so I might be biased.” He left the hood open and went to grab a cigarette while he leaned on the car - what he didn’t mention was that, all jokes aside, he was glad to see Lowell pack together during a holiday, peaceful for once after all that horror had passed. “You need something for your car or have you just come to admire how pretty I am?”

“Please,” the sound of the the words last syllables lingered longer within the air than she had originally planned for, trying her best not to be desperate but unable to let go of the eager feeling. Her father was almost never— well, actually he was never gone and the urge to spread her wings felt strong. “I actually have the night off for once and I don’t want to waste it.”

“I forget how young you are until you do that.”, the eagerness, the slight stress at the end of the word - but she was young, wasn’t she? Though Hunter always thought that was a rather relative term, if one took his age into consideration. He watched for a moment, seemingly as if to weigh the pros and cons, and then - as if he hadn’t already made his decision - threw in a grin, “Are you even legal? Or are you just using me to get the alcohol, in which case my heart will be absolutely shattered. But not in that, please - I feel like I’m taking grandma Jean out for brunch.”