Killer Instinct

Considering what she knew of the town’s history and what was currently happening, with demonic rituals and possessions becoming a daily occurrence, Alice wasn’t so sure there were many places worse than Beacon Hills… But, if the barrier dropped today, she wouldn’t take a single step away from town, unless she was going to New York to bring the rest of her stuff to California for good. “Many people would disagree, but I think I see your point.” With the mention to his boyfriend, Alice understood Jackson even better. “Oh, I’m happy to hear that! Distance can be difficult.” She was stating the obvious, but Alice had some experience with that, too. “A little over a year now. It was supposed to be one weekend, but well… I found out I couldn’t leave, so I ended up making it into home.” She could never have guessed that this would be the circumstances in which she would make herself a home outside of NYC for the first time. 

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“Maybe on some days, I won’t agree with myself as well,” he admitted with a rueful smile. In fact, he has left the town more than once for a better life in London. “But it was home for me once. And other places pose their own supernatural dangers anyway.” There might not be as much in other places as there was in Beacon Hills, he can’t really say that everywhere else was purely mundane. Even London had its omega packs and troublesome hunters. “I guess if I’m going to be trapped in some place, I’d prefer here over.. I don’t know... Maine?” Jackson didn’t even notice that he was looking out for her reaction when he mentioned his boyfriend. But he was satisfied with her response nonetheless. “It was hard, but we managed. Rather not do that ever again though.” Oh. She’s been at Beacon Hills about as long as Jackson has then. “Yeah same. I was only supposed to stay for a week but... well you know the rest.” It seems more ridiculous now that it was Jackson’s first time talking to her. But hey, everyone else was supposed to know him. Not the other way around.

“Did I really stink that bad?” Ethan sighed sarcastically. He knew his boyfriend was only messing with him., He wasn’t going to let Jackson’s teasing to get the best of him tonight though. He was far too distracted for that. 

Bed. Besides Jackson that’s all that he could think about. He was so damn tired and for someone who usually rarely slept he wasn’t sure if this level of tiredness was even normal. 

He quickly rushed to the bed. Almost falling onto it as he pushed himself up against Jackson so that he was on his side looking at his boyfriend “It’s been too long, babe” he mumbled. Moving his hand up to cup Jackson’s cheekbone. 

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He opened both of his eyes just so he could roll them. “I’m joking, puppy.” Usually he’d get annoyed when Ethan got this way. But he was too happy to have his boyfriend finally with him to allow himself to feel peevish. “Just come to bed so I can smell you.”

Jackson raised his hand to hold Ethan’s hand on his face. “I know,” Jackson uttered. It was barely over a whisper. An entire year of being away from him. Even just thinking about the past year made his eyes water once more. “I missed you.” Jackson’s other hand reached out to hold the side of Ethan’s face before pulling him in for a kiss.

Bonnie didn’t care who she was dancing with as long as they knew to keep their distance unless they asked for it. She smiled as the guy came closer, though feeling something was off about him. She had been feeling that about a lot of others and she just wanted to enjoy herself. Beacon Hills. She turned to him, facing him. “You got some moves.”

Jackson’s super hearing allowed him to hear the woman’s voice over the loud music just fine. He just smirked at the compliment and continued to dance the way that he did. The man might be a little ostentatious but he was no bloody peacock that was encouraged by the smallest compliment. “You’re not too bad yourself.” If she started making moves on him, he’ll have to take a step back and tell her she’s barking under the wrong tree but as of then, she seemed cool. Jackson didn’t mind dancing with her for a little longer.

open starter @trappedreblogs​

Bonnie needed to not focus on trying to solve her problems. She didn’t want to be herself for one night. To be someone else. To not worry about her friends… wherever they were. She felt the music pumping through her as she danced at the Crystal Cove. A body in a sea of others, getting lost. She moved to the rhythm, feeling like a girl in her twenties for once. She didn’t even mind the bodies dancing against her or the feeling of someone’s eyes on her.

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With Ethan finally around, Jackson was cutting himself some slack with regards to having fun. That meant visiting the Crystal Cove and allowing himself to dance with the usual crowd. He didn’t even need alcohol to get going. Jackson just needed the loud bass blasting from the speakers as the DJ played loud music that drowned out any attempt for a conversation. Pretty soon he found himself dancing with a woman. Someone Jackson didn’t know but hey, he didn’t need to know her to dance with her. Jackson just gave her an acknowledging smile and continued to groove with the music, careful not to get to close to make her feel uncomfortable.

The hybrid looked like a deer caught in the headlights of a speeding truck. How painful. As if Lucifer was the enemy? “It’s ok, Jackson Whittemore,” he said his Christian name, reaching out to put a hand on the other’s shoulder. “You have no reason to fear,” he tried to the hybrid.

“Because you have a tie to the lifeforms that opened my cage,” he allowed with a chuckle. “Names are coming to mind…” Lucifer sighed, looking away as if his gaze followed a floating thought. “Lydia… Yes, the harbinger of death, Banshee?” The Devil watched the young man before him, a smug smirk tugging at his lips. “You have potential to be more than you allow yourself to be.” And Lucifer could offer more than Jackson could even begin to understand.

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It took a second for Jackson to shrug off the man’s hand from his shoulder. He’d say that it was just out of shock after hearing the stranger mention his name when he was sure he hasn’t given it. So he was a stalker. Jackson didn’t see why witches can’t be stalkers too.  But there was something else about the man that was pulling Jackson in. “I don’t know how you know my name, dude, but that does not mean you have permission to touch me.” 

Lifeforms? Cage? What the fuck? 

At the sound of Lydia’s name, Jackson froze. How could he have possibly known that? Along with the fact that he knew what Jackson was... Was it possible that he was one of the demons they were talking about? “What are you? Some fortune-teller?” With the town’s ever-growing diversity, Jackson wouldn’t even be surprised if they were the latest addition to the list of nuisances in Beacon Hills. “Because I still don’t see the need to help a fortune cookie that grew legs.” Jackson sounded cocky but he was mustering all the bravado he could to hide the growing fear that he felt.

closed starter for jackson whittemore // @jackscn​

Derek wouldn’t deny that the books and documents the Pack had been researching had proven useful, their collection growing every day as they found more and more information that could help them understand the new threat they faced until they could figure out how to permanently deal with it. Still, even if the written words were reliable and effective, there was a lot the Pack could learn from their surroundings, the rift in the preserve the first place the wolf wanted to inspect. He knew well enough not to get too close, guessing a portal that presumably lead to hell had to be dangerous. But maybe there was something at the site of the ritual that could tell them more, that could somehow help them.

Going alone wasn’t an option Scott would allow though, Derek finding himself walking alongside Jackson that afternoon. If the older wolf was honest (and he was), the younger wasn’t the his first choice. But he acknowledged it wasn’t the worst option. Negative qualities aside, Jackson was practical and focused, and Derek could respect that.

“It’s just up ahead.” It was hard to miss, the smell of charred wood and grass still lingering in the air though almost two weeks had almost passed. Derek allowed his senses to  further search the area, his brow furrowing. “I don’t sense anyone around.” The scent of sulfur, however, was strong.

.

Jackson wanted to drag his ass just to show how much he didn’t like to be there. The half-kanima didn’t do homework. Especially years after high school. While the rest of the pack was off trying to research what they could about demons, - something Jackson didn’t quite understand because if it were true, there are thousands of pieces of literature about them that don’t say the same thing and yes, Jackson knew that much at least - he was just at home, trying to return to his normal life. Honestly, a part of him just wished the rest would do the same. Since nothing has happened weeks after the full moon anyway.

However, on that day, Jackson found himself trekking in the woods with Derek. Scott’s orders, he said. Jackson relented, knowing that he still needed to earn his keep in the pack. But that didn’t mean he’s going to be cheery about it. Jackson would gladly step up if the pack needed his particular set of skills for something but going to the woods to look around? Jackson didn’t see why Derek couldn’t get any of the younger runts to do it.

“Why would anyone want to be around in this dump?” For Jackson, that seemed like a fair question. The sun was still up, meaning Jackson doubted that demons if such existed, were going to be lurking around. As for nosy humans... Well the place still looked like a literal hell hole, excuse the pun. “Tell me, what exactly are we looking for again?”

“You liked it a little bit,” she teased him, patting down an empty space beside the shape of her legs under the sheets on the hospital bed, “Come on, the bit where they lay in the street and she asks him what’ll happen if a car comes and he says ‘we die’?” She saw him awkwardly shift, cocking her head to the side in concern. Why had he wanted to brush it away? Was it that awkward between them that they couldn’t talk about Stiles? Could they not talk about Ethan either? That couldn’t be it, right? Then she remembered… Stiles had told everyone they broke up. She’d make him pay for that later, though, probably not in the fun way. “It’s okay…” she assured him, “We worked it out… nearly getting killed by demons kinda makes you remember there are more important things in life…” Her expression softened, her heart nearly skipping a beat, but not in the way that it used to. It felt better this way. “You were there. That counts, in my book. You could have just sit back and done nothing, but you showed up… and I know Scott will remember that too.”

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“That is just a lie...” Jackson smiled as he sat down on her bed. The last time they were together in a bed... Well, they haven’t exactly been platonic. But sitting there, just talking still seemed just right somehow. “I don’t even remember,” he lied. “I probably blocked it all out due to trauma.” Normally, Jackson wouldn’t have any problem talking about Stiles. As if he’s going to pass up the opportunity to tease Lydia about dating testicle right. But talking about emotions? Especially emotions about an ex-boyfriend? Nah. That was a hard pass. It would lie dangerously close to the unresolved issues they’ve had in the past. Talking about Lydia’s recent break-up would just be a slippery slope to talking about their own. “Oh, Well, I’m glad for you lot.” He was glad for himself too. At least that meant they didn’t need to talk about it. “Scott’s call was pretty hard to ignore.”

“Okay, whatever you say.”

To an outsider, that might’ve come off wrong, but Scott could sense the emotions behind the words. The werewolf smiled just as Jackson added to this statement. Scott made a face at Jackson when his packmate mentioned Alice’s weight. “I won’t ask for her weight, that’s for sure… been there, done that.” And the one slap he’d received was enough. For a moment, Scott went to say something else, to make sure Jackson could understand what the actions meant to the Alpha… Especially after their initial meet up. The feelings emanating from Jackson made him opt out of it. He didn’t need to make Jackson any more uncomfortable.

Scott just watched him cook for a while, making his comments and observations. The sensation of being near pack comforting when his mind usually felt like it wouldn’t stop running and his shoulders ached under the weight they were on…  Hearing Jackson speak on his form, Scott tilted his head sideways with interest. But he had a sense he would have to come back to the information Jackson had just given him. The smile on Jackson’s face and pride in his voice made Scott want to be a friend first and an Alpha last… But he was worried of what lacking the defensive skin could mean for Jackson and the situation they were currently in. “I can imagine how it can be handy… But it’s almost just cool, man,” Scott noted with shameless amazement all over his features. “We should train together sometime, see what it can do in a fight,” Scott teased, although the proposition was serious. Scott really wished he had one…

“What’s your healing factor in that stage though?” Scott asked, genuine interest in his voice, but worry in his gaze as he backtracked. The Alpha needed to know exactly how much risk Jackson was taking when he headed onto dangerous situations, especially with everything happening in Beacon Hills just then. It was shameful not having noticed then, but at least no one had been injured. 

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Jackson was already stirring some eggs in the pan when he realized that he was only cooking for one.  The old Jackson would have never asked but it was still pretty telling that it took him a while to even think about Scott possibly wanting to eat too. “You want me to make some for you too?” 

“No offense, Scott, but I’ve had years to master this tail. I’m pretty sure I already know everything it can do.” And by everything, Jackson meant everything. Although he’s never going to have that conversation with Scott. The Alpha will have to find a mind-reader to figure it out. Besides, Jackson didn’t want to train with Scott. He might be in the pack by name and his strength might have increased by being with them. Even will that considered, it would still take some time for him to be fully with them. Jackson has lived most of his life on his own terms. Part of a pack or not, he was reluctant for that to change.

“Still pretty fast, I’d say,” he told the Alpha. “A little bit faster than that of a werewolf, I still say.” He would know. He had Ethan to compare himself to. It was weird. A conversation like this as if it was the most natural thing in the world, over breakfast nonetheless, was almost domestic. Surprisingly, he wasn’t getting annoyed at Scott as immediately as he usually did. Maybe it was because they were talking about him. 

Ethan laughed sarcastically at Jackson’s comments about his smell. His real answer would have just been that Jackson liked to treat him, he was always buying him expensive stuff, and even though Ethan did appreciate it, sometimes he preferred the cheaper stuff. He grew up not needing all these material things and he could do just fine without them.

He reached over and turned on the fancy looking shower. Maybe he did stink. He really hadn’t bathed or washed much since before he got on the plan to fly here and the whole werewolf sense of smell probably didn’t help Jackson. 

After a bit too much time spent just standing under the warm rush of water thinking about everything and anything, most of all what he had really gotten himself into by coming here, Ethan stepped out and wrapped a towel around his waist. Passing by the mirror again to find he still looked a little worn out, but definitely a tad fresher. 

Opening the bathroom door Ethan was met with a sight he hadn’t seen in months. His boyfriend laying shirtless on the bed. Looking half asleep. A real sight for Ethan’s sore, tired eyes.

‘‘Sorry I took so long babe’‘ he spoke loudly. Hoping that his boyfriend hadn’t really fallen asleep on him. 

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Ethan’s voice made him open one eye so that he could look at his boyfriend. “Had a hard time scrubbing off your scent?” he joked. He turned to his side to fully face Ethan. His eyes shamelessly stared at his boyfriend’s almost naked body. God, did Ethan get buffer? Video calls definitely did not do his boyfriend’s muscles justice. Or maybe it was just the fact that he missed him so much. 

“So are you coming to bed?” Jackson knew that he should let his boyfriend rest but... he’d be damned if he didn’t get a kiss or two before Ethan passes out of his exhaustion. If Ethan didn’t want to do anything then so be it, Jackson would gladly cuddle him and just watch him as he falls asleep.

Oh, that made sense! Alice chuckled at his relief, shaking his hand. “That’s no problem, it was quite a crazy night.” She only remembered confusing flashes of it, including some moments where she couldn’t tell her hallucinations from reality. “I’m Alice Zhou. Scott told me you’d been there, but I was passed out for most of it. Thanks for getting me to the clinic.” She smiled at being reffered to as his girlfriend. The title was still new and liked hearing it from someone else. Since the full moon, Beacon Hills had been pure chaos, but being with Scott made all of it worth it. “So, how are feeling about being back in town?” She asked, a bit hesitant, as neither of them could exactly choose to leave now.

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You could tell a lot about a person just from feeling their grip they say. Her hands were smooth and soft, deceivingly delicate. But Jackson could feel strength their that she was holding back. Alice wasn’t human. Something that he might have learned earlier if he actually hung out with or paid attention to the other people from Scott’s pack more. “No worries at all. Scott told me to so,” he said. It sounded like he was downplaying what he did but it was simply the truth. At her question about the town, Jackson let out a strong exhale and looked around. “I guess there are worse places to be.” Given the recent developments, that might no longer be true but Jackson won’t deny that the familiarity helps. “Better now though I guess. My boyfriend just arrived so-” Jackson said it as if it wasn’t a big deal but his eyes betrayed him and revealed that he was clearly elated about it. “You? Have you been here long?”

…….

Jackson’s place was definitely bigger than Ethan expected. He knew his boyfriend had the money to get a nice place in such a crappy little town like Beacon Hills, but he didn’t expect it to be so nice so quickly.

Ethan barely looked away from his boyfriend when he showed him around the place. Averting his eyes for a moment, knowing he was going to have plenty of time to get comfortable since he had no plans to leave the house for at least a few days. 

‘‘It’s perfect, Jack’‘ he said looking at his boyfriend. He laughed a little, nudging Jackson playfully when he suggested Ethan freshen up ‘‘What are you trying to say babe? do I smell?’‘ he teased. Pulling Jackson close for a kiss before heading into the bathroom with his backpack.

The young werewolf found himself staring into the large mirror. He did look like shit. He hadn’t really slept properly in weeks and the stress of possibly not seeing Jackson so soon had gotten to him, but he could relax now.

...

“You always smell,” Jackson retorted as he was pulled in close. His hands found Ethan’s lower back and he held it there as he kissed him right back. It wasn’t necessarily a lie. As werewolves, they have acute senses of smell. And as a couple who’ve lived together for years, they’ve practically memorized each other’s scent. Jackson looked at his boyfriend in the face as he pulled away. “Why do you think I buy you all that expensive cologne?”

As his boyfriend entered his bathroom, Jackson took his shirt off, revealing his muscled torso. Jackson took a little whiff and was relieved to find that he didn’t really smell. He then dropped it in his hamper before throwing himself on the bed. With hands interlocked, he placed them behind his head and closed his eyes. If he was going to wait, he might as well get comfortable. 

With the demon research occupying her mind and the broken memories of the Strawberry Moon night trying to get her attention, Alice was distracted enough to bump into a stranger on the street. Or, actually, maybe not a stranger. He spoke as if they knew eachother, and his face was familiar - recent, even - but she couldn’t place it. “Oh, hey, I’m… Doing better.” She answered, assuming that he was asking because of the kidnapping. Maybe he had been a part of the rescue? Alice could kind of remember a voice like while the flames burned, but she wasn’t sure. “I’m sorry, I don’t really remember your name..?” She shrugged, feeling terrible for not knowing. He could be part of Scott’s Pack, for all she knew, and she still didn’t recognize him.

...

“Oh thank God.” Realizing that they were on the same boat, Jackson felt relieved. His worried, somewhat guilty, face changed into what resembled a smile. He no longer needed to walk on egg shells around her. He could be more like himself which was probably for the best.  “I don’t remember yours too.” He said it as if was something they can bond over before he extended his hand. “I’m Jackson. Scott asked me to bring you to the clinic on the night of the full moon. You’re his girlfriend.” It wasn’t a question. Jackson didn’t really think that he needed to confirm it. Scott already told him that much when they were searching Lydia’s house for any sign of her.

It was a pity Scott wasn’t allowed to cook for Jackson yet again, he had a lot of cool knives and pans Scott didn’t even know existed. Getting the feeling that Jackson didn’t find his jest too funny, Scott couldn’t help a low chuckle out of nervousness. “I disagree. It meant a lot to me, so thank you,” Scott said firmly, although was willing to let it die there.  He followed Jackson through his home and took the first seat he could near his packmate. 

A text also wouldn’t do much for their bond, that was something they had to strengthen together. However, Scott was not about to remind Jackson that their bond didn’t just make him strong, but it also gave Jackson strength. They were pack, but he was still Jackson and implying his strength wasn’t his own, might never be a good idea. Scott could respect that. 

“You know, that’s three of us that can shift fully,” he commented, but his eyes narrowed slightly at Jackson. “Derek, Malia, and yourself.” Derek could fully shift into his wolf form, Malia into her coyote form and Jackson had his kanima form. With a fucking tail. The control he had shown was also something Scott was interested about. Worth learning from. Because now, years after they had first met, as an Alpha, one of Scott’s goal was to find balance and reach the expectations of those who could fully shift within the werewolf community. “Having a tail seems pretty convenient.” He smiled and was sincerely enthusiastic about it, but there was also a childish jealousy in his words.

...

“Okay, whatever you say,” Jackson said curtly. Realizing it sounded rude, he added, “...It’s nothing. Literally. Your girlfriend’s pretty light. Didn’t even feel like I was carrying anything.” Part of him hoped that that was all the Alpha wanted to say but knowing Scott, Jackson could expect a full conversation. Sighing, he resigned to just continue making his breakfast as Scott sat down to watch him.

Jackson shook his head. “Not fully,” he realized that he never really talked to Scott about his case. While Jackson did retain some of his abilities as a kanima when he unlocked his werewolf side, he couldn’t turn completely anymore. Which might be for the best since he probably wouldn’t able to retain control of himself. “I have the claws, the venom, the eyes, and the tail. Not the almost impenetrable skin.” Jackson even remembered someone telling him that a kanima could even have wings. Good god, he couldn’t even imagine. At the acknowledgement of his tail, his lips can’t help but slip into a smug smile. “It is. A lot of people don’t even realize how handy it could be.” He couldn’t help but let pride creep into his voice. Finally! Someone who appreciates the tail. There’s been a lot of naysayers which unfortunately included Ethan.

Lydia nearly laughed once the memory had broken through her subconscious. It was odd how easy it had been, over the years, to bury those, even if she hadn’t meant to. In some cases, she did mean to and in others, time had just faded them away. It was easy to forget that Jackson watched The Notebook with disdain when Stiles enthusiastically watched it with her and cried every time without fail. Oh how times had drastically changed. “Not this time, no… Stiles would be secretly upset if I watched it without him again,” she laughed. She could see the discomfort on him. She’d known him well enough, been intimate with him on so many levels, to know when something was off with him. Her expression softened, wishing she could get up to seem more sincere as she spoke. “I heard you there, you know,” she assured him, “I wish i had enough strength to acknowledge you when it was happening, but either way… thank you…”

...

“Well I’m glad you finally found someone who could stomach that shit,” he joked. Deep down, he didn’t really hate The Notebook as much as he claimed. It got tiring true, but it did somehow endear itself to Jackson. But would he really be himself if he didn’t complain about it? And then he remembered. Shit. They broke up, didn’t they? At least that’s what they said in that mess of a group chat. Jackson coughed to cover up his faux pas. “Anyway...” He was glad that she didn’t express disappointment that Jackson didn’t bring any news about the others. “You didn’t have to.” Jackson gave her a soft smile. Not many people ever saw that. “I really didn’t do anything.” He did look for her everywhere but there didn’t seem any point in mentioning that. “I’m just glad you’re okay.”

‘‘This place does stink.’‘ Ethan smirked, really unable to help but smile around Jackson, ‘’that might just be this room though…’’ he joked, partly. 

It had felt like a lifetime since he last felt Jackson’s lips on his cheek. The young werewolf almost unable to stop himself from reaching over, grabbing Jackson back and making out with him there and then, but he didn’t, he could wait. 

Ethan took out his phone and cancelled the hotel booking, for Beacon Hills it was a nice place to stay, but Jackson’s place definitely sounded more appealing.

...

Bailing out on his client was surprisingly easy. They were mostly done with the workouts anyway. Jackson just asked a co-worker who was free to spot for him for the rest of the client’s workout. He’ll just make it up to them somehow. Maybe he won’t even charge him for the day. It’s not like he needed the money. Right now, he just wanted to spend the entire day with his boyfriend.

“I’ll show you around.” Jackson reached for Ethan’s hand when they finally arrived. “I promise its so much bigger than what it looked like in Skype,” he joked. “So here’s the living room, that’s the kitchen, dining room, one bathroom’s there.” He led his boyfriend up the stairs. “Here’s our room.” Our room. It ceased being just Jackson’s room as soon as Ethan arrived. As if he was going to let Ethan stay in another room. “There’s a bathroom there if you need to freshen up.”

There was a fire in his eyes now, a flame in his words. “Those who lurks in the shadows tend to learn to see in it, Kanima… Or is it werewolf?” Lucifer took one large step forward, taking a deep breath. “Both?” Striking his beard, Lucifer watched him with curiosity. His children had been evolving. 

“Lucie,” the name his family had once used with so much love. “Who are you?” he returned the question, a smile forming on his lips, as if he found the whole interaction fun and comical. “And most importantly, share with me what you remember of that night of the full moon?”

...

Jackson felt his blood freeze at the mention of what he was. Who was this man? What was he? Was he one of those witches that people talked so much about? Can a guy even be a witch? “I-” he stammered. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

Lucy?  That earned the older man a strange look. What kind of name for a burly man was Lucy? “Someone who doesn’t give a shit about this conversation.” Jackson was about to walk away, ifnoring the smug and amused smile from the towering stranger when he asked about the full moon. “What makes you think I’m going to answer that question?”

There was a spring in Jackson’s step. Even with all the chaos happening from the past few days, anyone who knew Jackson could see that he was happier. Almost nicer even. Sometimes, other people would even catch himself smiling for no reason. Jackson wouldn’t even know until someone else would point it out. The cashier at the convenience certainly did when Jackson went out to buy popcorn - plain of course - for movie night with Ethan. The half-kanima quickly dropped his smile and gave the cashier a snippy look that was more like his old self.

Walking on his way back, he bumped into... fuck, what was her name. You’d think Scott would have remembered after taking her to the clinic during the Strawberry Moon. But currently, the only thing he could remember was that she was Scott’s girlfriend. “Hey,” he greeted. She didn’t have to know that he didn’t know her name. “How are you feeling?”