#ch:nate

Even though Nate lived on the literal opposite side of town than her, Nell still managed to make it there in record time. True...she normally arrived places quicker than most due to her inability to go slow, but this was another level. The way Nate had sounded on the phone had dropped a rock into her stomach, and mixed with the realization that he thought she’d drugged him, along with...about ten million other problems she had going on in her life at the moment, the rock was not sitting well. She hadn’t taken a moment to hop onto her motorcycle apart from grabbing a bag of tea leaves that she’d left out on the counter for her sister, remembering how he’d mentioned tea in passing and foolishly hoping it might do something to help whatever was going on. After she arrived, she threw her helmet onto the bike, working her way up to his front door in quick strides, heart pounding out a nervous beat. “Nate?” she called out as she knocked. What if he regretted telling her to come over? “Nate, it’s me! Nell!” 

Nate was consumed with so many feelings he honest to god couldn’t sort out which ones went where. He was no stranger to panic attacks, but somehow this felt so much worse. Everything was jumbled and he just needed help. His new pet squacked in the corner, repeating a few phrases Nate had taught it. “Oh no- Oh man- are you ok? You’re ok! Hey- you’re fine!” He held out his arm and the bird flew over to him, perching carefully on his forearm, nuzzling its head into Nate’s shoulder. The man calmed for a moment, leaning his own head down onto his pet. Gosh, why hadn’t he gotten one of these emotional support animals sooner? “You’re a monster! They all know you’re a monster!” Nate’s eyes snapped open and he had to actively stop himself from tossing the bird away from him. He really needed to be more careful about what he said around the house. The knock at the door sent Nate back into his panic, consumed by guilt and embarrassment. He shuffled over to the door, his hands shaking as he opened it. “Nell! Come...in?” The faked normalcy fell flat. 

Nell’s own feelings had been thrown a bit into...turmoil. First Nate thought he drugged her. A freaking demon trashes her house. Then Alain tries to kill Remmy. Regan had found out about all the lies she’d been telling. The ghost in the form of Evan had shown up, thankfully not coming to this outing. She felt as though she was on the verge of losing at least two of her friends between them, and though she felt like she should have expected it with her track record... that didn’t make it easier, or make her try to cling to them any less. “Hi, Nate!” Her voice was too bright, and perhaps a bit too loud as she greeted him, obviously trying too hard when it came to being unthreatening. But he thought she drugged him, what else was she supposed to try and be? The thought was still clawing at her stomach, and she couldn’t figure out why he’d invite someone over that he suspected of slipping him a hallucinogen. She noticed the bird in the corner of her eye, and any other time she would have fawned over it, but she didn’t even give it that close of a look at the moment, her nerves getting the better of her. “Um- are you...okay? You sounded pretty...upset on the phone. What’d you need me to come over for?” Did he want to accuse her in person?

Nate grabbed his own arms, curling into himself and trying to make himself as small as humanly possible. His new bird’s words echoed around his head, adding more and more turmoil into his own brain. He looked up at Nell, guilt overwhelming him as he motioned for her to come inside. He wanted to say something, but the words caught in his throat. “I-” he skittered over to the couch, plopping down, becoming even smaller. So what if she had drugged him! Hadn’t he had fun? Even with the colors swirling around them and the fact that he even sang, Nell had made him feel the one thing he thought he would never feel again: safe. He distinctly remembered nuzzling into her lap, her fingers running through his hair, his mind finally at peace. But just the thought of it now sent him further into panic. His chest tightened and his fingers searched for something to cling to, finding purchase in his own hair. Unable to meet Nell’s eyes, Nate resigned himself to rocking back and forth on the threadbare couch. 

Nell was, perhaps, a bit surprised when he beckoned her in, half expecting him to regret this decision to ask her over— especially with the way it looked like he was trying to cave in on himself. She wouldn’t have been entirely surprised if he’d panicked and slammed the door with her standing there. But even as she entered and he said nothing, she could feel her restlessness mounting. Nell didn’t do all that well with silence in situations such as this, preferring to just get everything out there no matter the consequences. And yet— she didn’t want Nate to hate her more. As his condition worsened she first came closer, reaching out to try and take his hand from his hair in a comforting motion, but thinking better of it and pulling back. No doubt that her closeness would only stress him more. “I’m sorry!” she blurted, unable to hold the beginning of her thoughts in any longer. “I didn’t mean for you to get drugged! And I wouldn’t- I’d never drug someone that’s my-” Best not finish that sentence. He didn’t need to know that sometimes it was easier to bring in a drugged monster than a fully alert one. “I wouldn’t drug you!” 

Nate’s foot tapped against the floor in rapid fire, his mind trying to calm itself. He hadn’t thought she would drug him, but then again he didn’t think she would grow her own pot either. But pot was much different than hallucinogens, and whatever they had experienced in that karaoke room had definitely not been your run of the mill weed. Plus how would she have actually drugged him? Nate knew logicially Nell didn’t seem like the kind of person who would drug their friends, but then again, how well did he really even know her? He chewed on the inside of his cheek and lifted his eyes slowly. “I-” Again, he tried to speak but his anxiety caught the words before they could come out. His eyes screamed apologies, but Nate wanted to verbalize it. He wanted to tell her that he was sorry for thinking she could betray his trust, for falling asleep on her lap, for not getting them pancakes, for putting her in his complicated life at all. “I…” His breathing hitched and he could feel the tears burning behind his eyes as he slapped his hands over his face. The words just wouldn’t come out.

Nell was certain she was just making things worse with the way his nerves seemed to just be building, fraying even more as this went on. Why did she have to be like this? She just wanted friends. Was that so much to ask? “It was bufotoxin!” she said blindly, having managed to remember the exact words Regan had used. “Toad poison! I don’t have any toads! I promise! It was probably some bally-” Again she barely caught herself. This was not the time to go around spouting nonsensical facts about things most the town didn’t believe in. “Some dumbasses before us who weren’t careful! I don’t- I don’t wanna not be friends, Nate.” Nell herself grew a little smaller, uncertainty gripping her. “Unless- unless you don’t want to. Obviously I’m not going to make you.” She was just making him even more uncomfortable wasn’t she? And he had yet to say a single word. Why had he asked her here? Maybe he had changed his mind about her being here, and was just too nice to say otherwise. “I- do you want me to go? I can if you want me to. Would that be better?” Clearly she was just causing distress.

Nate’s eyes snapped up at the idea of her leaving. He hadn’t gotten to apologize yet! He didn’t like how awkward they’d been since the karaoke night, barely speaking to each other at the Palentine’s Party that he wasn’t even actually invited to, and he couldn’t stand alienating one of the few people who had been willing to try to get him out of his comfort zone. Sure, she practically dragged him out of it, but maybe that’s what he needed. Locking himself away with only a parrot that spouted back his own phrases for company wasn’t how he should be living his life. His hand shot out and grabbed hers, his fingers gripping too tight as if to try to keep her tethered to him. He knew his anxiety was bad, but today must be worse than normal. “Bufotoxin?” His brows furrowed and he tried to scoot a little closer. If he couldn’t say he was sorry, maybe he should show that he still wanted to be her friend. “Toads are...drugs?” He managed to squeak out, his hand still clasped onto Nell’s like a vice. 

The contact of his hand surprised Nell, but it fostered the smallest bit of hope in her as she let her own fingers curl a bit around his, still uncertain if he was entirely comfortable with the touch. But...he’d been the one to reach out, right? Hesitantly, she finally sat down on the couch next to him, the slightest bit calmer now that it seemed at least a part of him wanted her here for...whatever reason. “Yeah- yeah-” she began to repeat, clinging onto this subject as if it could single handedly fix things. “Bufotoxin. I guess- some toads like- ooze it. And it acts like a hallucinogen. It’s like- they use it to get their prey, I think. At least- that’s what Google told me.” Her expression was still uncertain, worry filling it once more as she tried to figure out what was going on with Nate. His voice seemed so small. “Are you- sick?” 

Great. As if it wasn’t enough that fish fell from the sky, this place had hallucinogenic toads who just hang out in karaoke rooms just waiting to strike unsuspecting singers. Nate groaned, apprehension written all over his face. Like he was ever going to go out again. At least she hadn’t drugged him. But that made this all the worse for him. “That’s- would- why?” He choked out a few words, gripping onto Nell’s hand even harder. “No, just…” He waved his free hand in front of him like he was trying hard to swallow, attempting to calm himself enough to say anything that made sense. A complete sentence, for a start. “Anxious!” His new pet in the corner squawked out the word, finishing his thought and Nate nodded emphatically. “That!” He fell back into the couch, his foot still tapping uncontrollably. 

Nell’s brow furrowed in confusion, uncertain as to what Nate was trying to say with his stunted words, but being patient all the same for once in her life. At least...it seemed like he didn’t hate her, right? But maybe she thought she was lying about the toad. Nevertheless, her hand instinctively gave his a little squeeze that she hoped was comforting. “It’s alright. Take your time,” she said, even though her mind was still racing, trying to figure out this mess they’d found themselves in. She only grew more worried as he tried to mime his words, her thumb slipping over the hand she was holding in a soothing motion. But then she heard it, and her head whipped around, her body stiffening as she finally got a good look at the bird. Fuck. “Nate- is that your bird?” Piece of shit Aravo. It thought it could just come in her and steal her friend’s voice?

Nate’s panic subsided for only an instant as confusion took its place. He nodded slowly, his brows knotting over his eyes. “She’s new,” he said simply, wondering why suddenly Nell was on edge. Well, more on edge than when she’d first arrived. Of course, he couldn’t blame her. He had accused her of drugging him, after all. And maybe she just didn’t like birds. But Alea was the perfect pet for Nate! She didn’t need to be walked, she didn’t have to go to dog parks, she was even already really well trained! She hardly ever left her perch, only when Nate asked for cuddles, then she safely went her own way. “Why?”

Nell rose from the couch, letting her hand slip from his as she went to get a closer look at the bird. She was fairly sure it was an Aravo, but she couldn’t just- take care of it without being certain. Normally, she might have let the thing go. After all- she understood the concept of needing to ‘eat’ for survival. But Nate...it complicated things. She couldn’t allow him to just go through life voiceless. The bird would have to go. “How new?” Nell would have to limit her own words now, lest the Aravo try to steal her voice as well. Turning back to Nate, she walked towards him once more, her voice dropping to a whisper as if the bird wouldn’t be able to steal her voice if it couldn't hear her. “Where’d you get it, Nate? I’m uh-” Fuck. She needed to come up with something to get this bird away from him. “I’m just- are you sure it’s legal?” That was a thing, right? Whether it be legal to have a certain kind of pet, or if it was illegally brought from a different country or something?

Nate let his hand slip from Nell’s, dropping harshly onto his lap. This wasn’t the way he figured this visit would go. He was supposed to apologize, she was gonna prove she didn’t drug him, and everything would go back to normal. But now Nell was preoccupied with his new bird and his darn panic attack wasn’t subsiding. He felt more at ease with their relationship now, despite not having apologized properly, but Nate hoped she had gotten a sense of it. The guilt wasn’t likely to go anywhere anytime soon, but he could work on that. “Uh....” When had he gone out with Noah? It had been his suggestion that he find a pet to stave off the loneliness. Sure, a parrot might not have been what he had been thinking of, but she was perfect for Nate. “A week?” What? Of course Alea was legal. She was a parrot, not some exotic toucan or something. Nate would never buy an animal that should be out in the wild. “Legal? Of course.” 

Nell had wanted to stay by Nate’s side, and do her best to help him calm and hopefully calm her own nerves in return. But she couldn’t do that when an Aravo might be just stealing more and more of his voice by the second. “A week,” she repeated softly, her lips set in a firm line of disapproval as she looked at the bird, as if she could threaten it with her eyes alone. She knew it was only feeding as nature had intended it to, but still— this was her friend’s voice. “I just mean- uh-” she floundered a little, unsure how to get the damn thing away from Nate. “Sometimes you think they’re legal but they’re...not. Like someone could have still caught her and brought her here, and forged papers or something.” Hurriedly she added on, “Not that it’d be your fault, obviously.”

Nate’s brow furrowed and he wondered why Nell was whispering. If he didn’t know any better, he would think she was trying not to be overheard by the bird. As if Alea would even know what they were talking about, much less care. He held out his arm, gesturing for his new companion to join them. The bird fluttered over, landing gently on his forearm, nuzzling against his cheek. His stomach was still in knots, but he felt oddly calm when Alea was nearby, even if Nell was being really weird. Of course she was legal. Nate didn’t really think White Crest was booming with exotic and illegal pet trades. “She’s...just-” His words caught in his throat. “My pet,” he managed, hoping his anxiety might lessen in the near future. 

As the bird flew back to Nate, Nell returned as well, settling herself onto the couch close to Nate once again. Something about the way Alea had affectionately brushed against him, and the simple words of him calling her his pet tugged at Nell’s heartstrings. Nate needed things like this in his life, it seemed. And now Nell was going to have to take it away. Sometimes, there were small moments when she pitied Hunters, and this was one of them, though she knew there were still plenty of terrible ones out there. But what if the Aravo simply liked Nate as well? It wasn’t it’s fault that the only way for voices to be returned to their owners was to kill it. But what other choice did Nell have? She couldn’t let her friend be mute for the rest of his life. This time, her gentle tone was less about hiding from Alea, and more about trying to help Nate’s anxieties, closer to how she’d been speaking before the entire Aravo realization. “You’re right.” She gulped gently, preparing herself to lie even though she was tired of lying to people she cared about. “You’re right. You know- I’ve heard of a nice place where birds can fly and stretch their wings, and not escape. Or if their wings are clipped, they can have some nice...bird friends. Maybe Alea would want to check it out?” She could say Alea escaped from the facility or something, rather than what she was going to have to do. 

Nate’s hand went to reflexively shield Alea as he leaned further away from Nell. Was she...trying to get him to get rid of his pet? “W-what?” He didn’t understand. Why did she seem to hate his new bird? Did she not like birds? Or was it just his choice in pets that she didn’t like? Or...what if she just didn’t want him to be happy? “Don’t-” Nate looked at Nell with pain in his eyes. “Can’t get...rid of her.” He felt the panic beginning to rise again, choking off his sentences. “Why?” Suddenly Nate felt like he didn’t know Nell at all. 

Nell realized, perhaps a little too late, that she had chosen her words badly. “Not get rid of her!” Shit, she was just giving him another reason to hate her, wasn’t she? First the drugs, and now this. He was never gonna talk to her again, was he? She’d been here before. Having to choose between the well-being of a friend, and their actual friendship. But the choice never got easier. Especially when she’d latched onto Nate so quickly. “I just mean like- a bird daycare. Like a bird playground. It’s...temporary.” Her stomach felt more nauseous with every lying word she spoke. He’d never forgive her for ‘losing’ his bird, would he? But at least he’d be able to talk. 

Nate’s eyes narrowed. “Daycare?” Alea bristled beside him, seeming not not enjoy the idea. Did this town even have something like that? And why should he put her there? She had a whole set up here! Well, maybe not yet. It was taking a while to get the cage he’d ordered in from Amazon and he wasn’t super well stocked on toys, but she seemed happy! At the same time, Nate wanted only the best for his new best friend. “Maybe…” Absently, he stroked Alea’s feathers as she nuzzled into his neck, nipping at his baby hairs gently. “Maybe for one day?” The whole thing seemed weird to him and he wasn’t sure what Nell’s reasoning was, but he felt so bad for accusing her of drugging him he was willing to overlook it. Not to mention how frigid their Palentine’s encounter had been. “Just one,” he emphasized, still shielding his new pet.

Nell wasn’t sure whether she was actually relieved that Nate seemed to be taking the bait when it came to this...finally. Instead dread filled her stomach, making her feel even sicker than before. “Just for fun. For birds to have fun.” Her lies had grown a little quieter, as if she could make herself feel better by not saying them quite so loudly. It didn’t work. Meanwhile, she tried to do away with the fuzzy image of her playing with Nate’s hair in the karaoke room as Alea plucked at him gently, not needing that distracting reminder at the moment. “Just one,” she nodded, biting her lower lip as her nerves manifested a bit more. But she was also selfish, and wanted to have one more friendly day with Nate before he’d presumably hate her forever, especially after all the awkwardness they’d been going through. “But what if we just...did something nice, first? Like a picnic or something...I don’t know. Whatever you want to do.”

Nate wondered how other people - normal people - dealt with this kind of influx of emotion. He was no stranger to panic attacks, but this one threatened to overwhelm him. He didn’t want to distrust Nell, and honestly, she hadn’t actually done anything wrong. But something about the way she wanted Alea out of his house scared him. He squeezed his eyes shut, clutching onto his new friend, his fingers gently ruffling her feathers. It reminded Nate of just a few weeks ago when his fingers twirled in Nell’s hair rather than a parrot’s feathers. He had felt so safe with her then, why couldn’t he now? “Picnic?” His eyes opened and he almost felt himself coming back down to normal anxiety levels. Nate nodded, his shaggy hair bouncing against his forehead. A picnic sounded normal and relaxing and just what he needed.

Nell wished she was better at this, at knowing what to do to help calm people. Or even morso, she wished the bird hadn’t been here to ruin her efforts in the first place. Then they could have just sat down and figured this out without that added stress. It was like a stab to the heart to see Nate in such distress over losing the bird, even for a day. But what choice did she have? There wasn’t one. And yet, a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel as he agreed to the picnic, even if it would most likely be a sort of last supper for their friendship. Her smile tentatively returned. “Yeah! We could- we could have all sorts of yummy stuff. I could bring Taki. He’s my cat- he loves picnics. I’m sure he’d love you. And we could just sit there and have a nice time eating in the sun.”

Nate felt the pain in his stomach subside a bit as his muscles relaxed a fraction. A picnic sounded nice, and normal. He wasn’t entirely sure about the cat, after all didn’t they eat birds? But Nell wouldn’t do anything to hurt Alea. He was sure she wouldn’t do anything to hurt him and he felt terrible for ever thinking she might. Nate reached out and grabbed her hands in his, grasping onto them like they were the last tether on earth. Tears welled up behind his eyes and he nodded, smiling lightly and hoping she knew how sorry he was. “Sounds...nice.”

"I'm sorry ladies can I borrow him for just a few moments I promise to bring him back," Dorian said his eyes never leaving Nate as he spoke to his entourage. When no one immediately protested he smiled, lacing his fingers with the other men before pulling him away. He told the waitress to put their drinks on his tab as they walked passes.

Nate tried to protest but it was half-hearted at best and only got him a light squeeze of his hand as they moved through the crowd. Dorian felt like he was holding his breath as he pulled that frenzied energy he was holding from the surface of his skin. No need to inflict that type of loss of control on the other man partially out of common courtesy and because he refused to let his clients see him like that.

They were passed the bouncer on the floor for the private rooms in no time moving to a space that Dorian had placed on a permeant hold when he first noticed Nate like the place. As soon as the door closed he was on Nate one hand cupping his face as he kissed him and the other snaking up the button of his skirt. Pulling away he chuckled at the look of a man who was close to checking out.

"Don't you have something teasing to say, darling? Perhaps you want to get an attitude with me about not reaching out when I got home?" He teased as the hand under the skirt gave the other man's inner thigh a light squeeze. Dorian couldn't help the smirk that appeared on his lips as the words Nate had been about to say turned into a needy moan. He laid a trail of kisses up his throat across his jaw and let his lips rest on his lover's ear. "You can be mad at me later. Just let me show you how sorry I am now."

Dropping to his knees in front of Nate he wished he could take a picture of the look of surprise that flashed over his face. He was picky with the partners he lavished this type of affection and had wanted pleasure the other man like this for a while but their lovemaking had always been too rushed. Starting from the tops of his boots he slid both hands up. Stopping every so often to massage the flesh before his hands disappeared under the skirt. Cupping his eyes in his hands he pulled the other man closer before hiking up the skirt.

"Don't be shy, kitten. Make yourself comfortable." Dorian soothed as he took the other man's right leg and tossed it up onto his shoulder. He got impatient with the stockings and ended up tearing at them to get to the prize. There was a brief apologetic look shared before he wrapped his hand around Nate's cock already semi-hard and dripping. He hummed in appreciation before licking from root to head and back again.

Dorian ignored the chorus of moans beginning to start as he worked his hand and continued to tease Nate's length. The man took pleasing his partner very seriously and was waiting for a certain response to let him know he was doing a good job. Moving his head forward as he took Nate's cock into his mouth allowing himself to relax his throat so it was firmly seated inside. Dorian wrapped an arm around the leg resting on his shoulder the other one on his hip as he hummed around the length as he moved.

He heard a low groan and then there was a hand fisting in his hair and he felt the rocking of hips as Nate began to thrust into his mouth. The man couldn't help but moan as this was always his undoing. The sight of his kitten chasing his pleasure rather than waiting for it to be handed to him. It made that barely contained beast under his skin perk up and take note of what was happening. Dorian looked up when he felt the thrust speeding up and hear the cries becoming even more desperate. It wasn't long after that before he heard the cry of his name and felt the trimmers in the other's legs. Nate's seed hot and slight salty poured over this tongue and down his throat. Pulling away he watched the other as his chest rose and fell as he struggled to get himself together.

Dorian held him from below until the final tremors ended. Pulling himself to his feet pulling the tired-looking man into a kiss. Sharing in the taste of himself that lingered on his tongue as he helped smooth his lover's clothing back in place.

"Kitten, you'll be good while I'm gone, right?" He asked as he laced their fingers together.

"I-If I'm not?" Nate found the energy to tease.

"What a naughty thing you are. You're lucky the idea of fucking you on that dirty couch makes my stomach roll or I would punish you"

"Please."

Dorian was frustrated for lack of a better word. His skin felt too tight for his body and he grew closer to unraveling with every passing day. As a mountain god, he had to return back to his home over so often to rest and drain the accumulated energy from his body. He hadn't even realized how long he had gone for until he felt the tell-tale prickle like electricity go down his spine. The conversations he carried on with others became shorter and sharper. Dorian's thoughts would drift away filled with the dark ideas meant only for the ears of a lover or the silence of the graveyard.

He hated to admit it but he was actively hiding from his boyfriend. Not having the chance to explain the nuances of his body and what it meant to be a Sanson before leaving on a mission. And here he was now in some random hotel bathtub filled with ice water trying to get himself under control. Dorian growled the sound reverberating off the tile and bouncing back to him as the energy burned a path through his veins. When the final spasms of pain faded away he pulled himself out of the bath allowing the water to pour off him as he leaned on the sink. Gripping the porcelain as if his life depended on it as he looked at his reflection, its eyes were filled with emotion just barely hiding under the surface. Was it rage or hunger he was unsure only knowing that he only had a few days before it simmered over?

Dorian made quick work of dressing in a simple black button-down with slacks and leaving to meet his final contact at a nearby club. He had practically bullied his higher up into allowing him to do this one last thing before he went home. When he arrived at the location he avoided any direct contact with the club-goers knowing it could leave them in a state of heightened euphoria. Settling himself on the second floor in a booth waiting for his contact to arrive. Three drinks in and he was starting to heat up again before the man approached him. Dorian gave him a dark look not at all pleased to have his time wasted. They were only about 30 minutes into the meeting when he held up a hand causing the other man to pause mid-sentence.

Standing to his feet he tilted his head back and inhaled a slow smile appearing on his lips. Dorian could practically taste the familiar scent that wafted through the air and wrapped around him. He could feel the heat begin to rise under the surface of his skin as he pulled out his phone and dialed the most recent number.

"I see you remember how to call," Nate said finally answering on the sixth ring.

"Kitten what have I told you about that smart mouth of yours?" Dorian said as he leaned over the bars of the second floor and stared down into the sea of bodies.

"Only my boyfriend calls me that. Now, what do you want?"

"What are you wearing?"

"Is this some type of lame scary mov..."

"What. are. you. wearing?" He whispered down the line voice serious as he continued to search the crowd below

"...A green crop top sweater and white knee-high boots," Nate replied after hesitating for a moment. "What does it matter?"

"And a green tartan mini skirt."

"Dorian?"

"Turn around and look up." He said watching the other man from above standing stock still in the crush of dancers. When Nate turned and looked up at him Dorian heard the gasp of surprise that mirrored the look on his face. The god gave a wicked, sharp-toothed smile as his eyes drank Nate in from the top of his blonde head to the tips of his boots. The look was at the worst full of dark promises and at the best downright predatory.

Dorian winked loving the sound of Nate's voice hitching before he hung up the phone and stepped away from the railing and back to his terrified-looking informant.

"Let's finish this up, shall we? I have a pretty blonde in a mini skirt waiting for me." He growled watching as the man grew pale and broke out in a sweat. "And I hate to keep him waiting."

By the time he was done Dorian had briefly lost track of his long-legged lover. He sighed in irritation as the other man scurried away like a rat. It didn't take him long to find Nate again from up high. It actually took him longer to move around the dance floor to get to the table he and his female companions had taken up.

Approaching the table he placed himself next to the other man one hand on the table the other placed on his lower back.

Apparently, Nell’s relentlessness paid off when it came to Nate as they were now comfortably set up in one of the karaoke rooms at a nearby establishment. She couldn’t help her tenacity when it came to him. All she could think about was how he’d just looked so...alone in the bar where they’d met, all holed up with his little bar stool jail. It made her wonder how often he was alone, and whether that aloneness translated into, well— loneliness. So she’d managed to drag him out to make good on his promise, hoping she might be able to alleviate some of that potential loneliness if it was indeed how he felt. As soon as the door closed to their private room, she turned to the man with a bright and eager smile. “So have you been practicing?” The tease was a small one, born of her excitement. “Any particular songs you’ve been thinking of?”

Nate had tried every excuse in the book to get out of going to this karaoke place, but admittedly, he wasn’t trying too hard. All he could do was picture the look of disappointment on Penelope’s face every time he declined one of her adventurous ideas. Sure, a private karaoke room where everything should be up to safety code and there wasn’t even the possibility for massive public embarrassment didn’t seem like something most people would call adventurous, but for Nate it was tantamount to skydiving. The entire trip over here through checking in and finding the room, Nate was battling a full blown panic attack. Now that they were seating and the door closed behind them like a jail, Nate felt somehow more exposed and vulnerable. Something about how intense his singing partner was. But he smiled nonetheless, unable to stand disappointing the girl who’d gone out of her way to drag him out of his comfort zone. “Hah! I uh...not really. I don’t think any amount of practicing could help me out.” He wrung his hands in his lap, looking over the room anxiously. “Is there uh...a book of songs? I don’t really know off the top of my head. I’m sure you have a go-to though, right?”

It was impossible for Nell not to notice Nate’s nerves throughout the entire thing, but she was hoping once they were in the room, he might feel a little more secure when they were closed in and out of public eye. Apparently...that wasn’t the case as she watched his continuing incredibly nervous body language, though at least he was smiling now. That was a plus, right? Nell was sometimes not the best at paying attention to other people, often barreling forward without consideration, but it seemed that Nate had found one of her loopholes in this regard. So she paused for a moment and took a seat on one of the couch-benches that surrounded the room, trying her best to bring her levels to something that might be considered normal. “It’s alright. Like I said- karaoke isn’t about being good. Just the fun part.” A moment later she was grabbing a remote from the table, and handing it over to him. “It’s all electronic so all the songs are on the TV, and you can just flip through them.” A bit of a smirk pulled at her lips, all too excited to get to karaoke-ing as he asked about song choice. “It depends on my mood.” But then she was back to watching his body language, and her voice softened a touch, remembering how he’d darted underneath that table at the bar. “You know I meant it when I said we could leave whenever. It’s only fun if you’re having fun.”

Nate tried to unclench his jaw, to force his shoulder to relax, but it was almost impossible. But he had to remember, this place wouldn’t be open if it hadn’t been safety proofed, even if it wasn’t up to Nate’s insane standards. Plus, he really hadn’t heard of anyone dying in a karaoke room. Then again, that wasn’t a normal internet search so tons of people very well may have. No! This was a night for fun. The man took a deep breath, shuddering as he tried to untie the knot in his stomach. “Right! Right. Just fun. Even if it’s terrible.” He smiled, feeling a tiny bit looser. He watched as Penelope brought up the song list, sure that she was the kind of person who had a whole book of songs she liked to belt out at these kinda places. “Well...why don’t you go first? Show me how it’s done?” Nate settled into the couch a little more, not quite relaxing but not quite as stiff as when he first entered the room. “I know. And I will uh...definitely hold you to that. But I think I’m ok.” He shot her a quick look. “For now, at least.” 

“The terrible part is what can make it fun!” Nell’s words were punctuated with a laugh, all too excited that this was actually happening and by some miracle she’d managed to get Nate into this karaoke room. It was...perhaps a bit true that Penelope often had an array of songs lined up to sing at any moment, always having too much fun up on the stage. After all- performing ran in her family’s blood whether or not she’d become a stage magician like her parents wanted her to be. Still...it was a bit different in a room, singing in front of one person. But perhaps being vulnerable would help Nate feel a bit more comfortable as well. “If I go first...you can’t laugh at me...or my song choice.” Maybe revealing this lesser known part of her taste in music would also assist in loosening up. Embarrassing yourself was often a great way to make people feel less threatened. “And also don’t forget I’m a bounty hunter. I can and will kick anything’s ass that messes with us.” 

Nate leaned back, feeling the smallest bit more relaxed as she prepared her song. Terrible singing in front of people you barely knew was never something Nate would have classified as “fun”, but it had honestly been so long since he’d had any fun, who was he to really judge? He raised his hands in defeat and crossed his heart. “I promise, no laughing unless you’re laughing!” Already, Nate was feeling better. Just a little, and not enough to make him ever want to do this again, but something about being out of his house and doing something...normal, well it just felt...normal. “And I assume you’ll kick my butt if I laugh too hard?” He placed his hands on the edge of the couch, feeling something sticky. Sliding to the side, he wiped his hands on his jeans, trying not to over think it. It was just spilled beer. It wasn’t blood or semen or anything else gross or infectious. Just beer. “Alright now let’s hear how it’s done!”

Nell gave an approving song as he seemed to relax another inch, glad that he could hopefully at least enjoy himself a little. She swallowed once, the tables turning for a moment as she got a bit of nerves in preparation for this. Penelope liked Nate’s company thus far, and though she didn’t usually mind making a fool of herself, she wanted him to like her company as well. Perhaps in her quest to give people friends, she was actually looking for friends as well— though she was nowhere near self-aware enough to realize something such as that. “Alright, deal. Mutual laughing. We’ll post a sign.” As she began to scroll down to what she was looking for in the music she remembered, “Wait, wait! You gotta close your eyes so it’s still a surprise. Also...I need this.” With that she picked up her jacket from where she’d discarded it on the couch. But she smiled a little before saying. “Maybe. We’ll see how I feel if you do.” And with that— the opening notes of the iconic number from Grease, You’re the One That I Want, began. There was little else Nell genuinely loved more than a good...musical.

Nate settled in as far away from the sticky part of the couch as he could get and trained his eyes on Penelope. He leaned forward, placing his hands on his chin and leaning on his knees with rapt attention. “Alright, alright...but only so you can choose the song!” He relented and closed his eyes, only opening them when he heard the familiar opening notes to one of his favorite songs from one of his favorite movies. Mari had always made fun of his love for Grease, especially since he wasn’t overly fond of regular musicals, but something about the simplicity of life and love in a school in the 50s in a movie made in the 80s tugged at his heart strings. Even though he was sure Penelope had to have some nerves, he couldn’t tell and only wished he could be so carefree. His hands went to his cheeks as he took in the magical performance.

Nell’s smile brightened as Nate set his gaze on her, uncharacteristically nervous as he leaned forward. But she immediately brightened with a relieved laugh as he seemed, dare she say, excited for the song? But then again, she was fairly certain Grease was the safest of musicals, most everyone enjoying it...right? Who didn’t love an inexplicable car flying off at the end of an otherwise decidedly not supernatural film. And also the simple nostalgia of the movie. But she sang the song to the best of her abilities, trying her best to hit those notes that sounded so much better in the shower. She wasn’t particularly musically gifted, but Nell could at least do well enough to carry a tune, in a tone that wouldn’t bring dogs and cats running. Something of an around the house ability. As she switched the parts of Danny Zuko and Sandy, the jacket came off and on, helping to denote the differences in character as she switched parts, doing her best to do it all. But spurred on a bit by Nate’s apparent interest in the song, she called out over the music. “Are you gonna leave me hanging up here or what?” Apparently offering him the role of Sandy halfway through.

Nate was grinning ear to ear. Not only was Nell doing the best song in the show, but she was doing both parts! Switching her jacket on and off as she switched between Sandy and Zuko. It was amazing. Not to mention the amount of confidence you had to have. Nate was in awe. His eyes widened even further, as if that was possible, when she invited him to sing along. “What! N-no!” But her hand was outstretched, holding the second mic out for him. In a second of hesitation, Nate pushed himself off the couch and grabbed the mic, his hand brushing against hers for a split second before he launched into the next verse. “If you're filled with affection, you're too shy to convey….” He sang Sandy’s part in the highest falsetto he could, attempting to be as bad as possible. There was no way he’d be able to match Olivia Newton-John, so why bother trying? Plus, he actually sounded pretty darn good! 

Nell was delighted that Nate seemed to be actually having fun. This was exactly what she’d been hoping for! And she was nearly literally tickled pink as he accepted her offer as Sandy, glad that apparently he wasn’t as nervous as he’d been in the bar to make fleeting contact. But this time...as she pulled back her hand to put her jacket on as she was now fully and officially Zuko, she felt something sticky transfer from it to her hand...something it must have picked up from the couch? Whatever. They had a song to sing! She couldn’t get distracted by little details right now. But she couldn’t help it. As Nate’s falsetto rang out, she may have done the smallest bit of a laugh, chuckling through her singing. After all, would it be possible not to find joy in something as utterly carefree as this moment? Her eyes squinted in her amusement and happiness as they neared the end of the song, and she simply yelled out “Quick! Big finish!” 

Though Nate’s movements started off pretty stiff, he quickly devolved into a perfectly uninhibited rendition of Sandy. The bright lights of the room began to blur and he wondered if this is what fun felt like. If it had really been so long that he forgot what letting go really felt like. And it felt good. Weird, a little disorienting, but good. It was as if every cell in his skin was alive, and it was almost like he could actually see the power emanating off of him and Nell as they belted out the finale. Wait- he could see her actual voice echoing around the room. The sudden realization sent Nate into a panic. His voice caught in his throat like someone actually reached down and grabbed the words right out of his neck. Nate gaped like a fish and grabbed Nell by the shoulders. “I- where did my words go??”

Nell’s chuckles descended into outright laughter as they finished the song, and she was glad to see Nate hadn’t called her out on their promised ‘no laughing’ rule. For a moment everything was fine and good and fun and easy. And then it was...less those things. Her grin fell as he gripped her, and she blinked in confusion for a couple of moments before turning back to the karaoke screen that had shifted back to the selection menu now that the song was over. “I- you words?” What was Nate so concerned about? “The song ended, Nate. So- the words stopped. Now we can choose another song?” The mood had shifted a bit, but she still felt a little floaty, as if everything was getting a little further away.

Nate felt his world tilting ever so slightly to the left. Was he falling? Or was the room tilting? Was this part of karaoke? He couldn’t remember the last time he’d gone to karaoke, so this was probably just what it felt like. But the music stopped and suddenly there was no sound, like they were in a black and white film. Nell definitely held up a sign that read “The song ended. So the words stopped.” Nate cocked his head to the side, feeling the room tilt the other direction, his hands still firmly gripped on Nell’s shoulders. He began to pantomime that “I need the music back! I need the songs to keep playing!” But wait...did he say that? He said that. They weren’t in a silent film. They were here. Colors swirled around Nell’s head, making her look like a motion version of a Van Gogh painting. “Are we singing now?”  

Nell squinted, doing her best to focus on the words Nate was saying, watching his lips intently but...she could have sworn there was some kind of delay to his voice. His mouth and his voice weren’t matching up. Still- she moved to turn towards the screen at his insistent need for another song, not wanting to cause him any further apparent distress by denying him his music. “I- what song did you want?” Turning back toward him, she caught him just in time to see him move slowly upwards, as if he was a laffy taffy being stretched towards the ceiling. He was normally taller than her but this was...something entirely different. “Nate?” she asked, doing her best to remain calm for his benefit. “Why- why are you growing?” 

Nate felt himself collapse onto the couch, somehow knowing he needed the stability. And yet...was he growing? Nell was looking at him like he had a second head. Wait- did he have a second head?? He scrunched his eyes closed and threw his hands to his head. None of this felt right. But at the same time it felt exactly right, just like every day did. Right? “No!” His eyes popped open and he started at Nell. “What did you say?” He reached out, pulling her down onto the couch with him. “This is always what karaoke feels like right?” He leaned over, squishing his cheek against hers so that they both were staring at the song choices rolling across the screen. “They’re judging us for not choosing them,” he said sadly. 

Penelope’s eyes grew as big as saucers as he fell to the couch, but fell in slow motion. How did he do that?? Was Nate supernatural too? Was he a spellcaster too?? “Did you do that on purpose?” she asked quickly in a somewhat hushed tone, as if the walls were listening. Wait- were they listening? Oh no- did they know she liked musicals too, now? But then she let out a little, surprised yelp as she felt herself being pulled downwards, fumbling her landing a bit as she bumped into him, still feeling very off balance. Then there was something squishy against her face. Another face? “Oh, hi Nate,” she said serenely. Oh it was his face. Her own face warmed, and she lifted a curious hand to poke the other side of his face. “Why are humans like so...jelly?” She poked him again with a delicate giggle coming from her, something entirely uncharacteristic. “Squish.” But then she turned back to the screen, a frown on her lips. “Aww, oh no.” She didn’t want the songs to be sad. “Choose one! Any one.”

Nate stared for what felt like centuries. He felt himself explode into a fit of nervous giggles as something poked the side of his face. His cheek squished and squirmed at the touch and he wondered how long he’d been made of jellied cranberries. In an instant his giggle stopped as he heard the music screen yell at him to choose a song. “All humans are jelly.” He replied matter of factly as he reached out and took the remote from the large lobster. “Here- what ab-b- oWwwwtttttt….” His face scrunched up, still attached to Nell’s because they were literally attached as he finally settled on a song. “Aha! Britney Spears!” He ripped his face painfully away, his hand rubbing the spot where they were once connected and frowned. “No one hates Britney. Right?”

Nell heard the other giggle fill the room, and for a moment thought there might be an echo somewhere. “Did you hear that?” she asked quickly, looking around as if a doppelganger of her might appear. She squinted suspiciously at her shadow, and swore that it raised its hand to wave back at her. “Nate!” she exclaimed, shaking his arm a little. “Did you see that?” But then she was giggling again, patting the part of his face he was petting. “Good puppy. Bow wow wow wow,” she uttered nonsensically as the cute nose of a dog quickly took the place of his old nose. She gasped. “Are you- woof wear? Werewoofy! I should have known.” Her head whipped around as he yelled out Britney Spears. “Where?! She’s here? Oh my god, I see her.” Before her very eyes the pop idol was appearing, a particularly yellow splotch of paint on the wall turning into her trademark blonde hair. “No one hates Britney! And if they do- I fight them.”

Nate felt the whole world shaking and knew this must be the end. This was how the world ended, shaking like a giant was holding up the earth. “See what?” But then it stopped, the shaking replaced by a soft hand running over his cheek. He giggled softly, his eyes drifting closed, his head lolling to the side before he shot back up at attention. “You’re gonna fight Britney Spears?? Why! She loves you!” Nate cocked his head to the side, staring at Nell. “Did you say you’re a woof?”

Nell had already gotten past the whole shadow waving thing, her attention span having absolutely no linear sense at the moment. But she hummed contentedly as Nate seemed to settle, her lips pulling into a lazy grin. “Mmmm, sleepy puppy. Good puppy. I’d give you a treat if I had one.” Then she was rustling into the pocket of her jacket with the hand that wasn’t stroking Nate’s face as if looking for something she could give him. “What?? No! She’s the best! She loves me?” Nell asked with wonder in her tone. “I-I don’t love her like that. I don’t wanna hurt her feelings!” A woof? Nell did her best impression of a little dog bark before booping Nate’s little dog nose. “No- no- no- you- you’re woof woof. Werewoofy. Cute boy.”

Nate felt his entire body buzzing as if every inch of his skin wanted to escape the confines of his being. Nell kept talking about the puppy and all Nate wanted to do was pet it. He felt that if he could wrap his hands in the puppy’s soft fur, all the problems he’d ever had would go away. That his skin could go off and do its own thing like it so desperately wanted to, and Britney could come and sing them to sleep. A boop on his nose sent a wave of warmth down his spine and he realized he was petting Nell’s hair. “Woah, were you just a puppy?” His voice softened and he smiled lazily. “You have really soft fur- hair? Furhair? Hairfurs.”

Nell felt like she could go any which direction at any moment, as if she was stretching apart like taffy from the center outwards, a centrifugal force exerting its dominance over her. Thankfully, she was rather passionate about dogs and the like, so talking about them seemed to be the thing keeping her relatively focused through the rest of the insanity of everything else happening. Dogs made everything okay. Better than okay. Cats too. Most animals. Her eyes fluttered closed in a moment of utter contentment as warmth flowed over her, a nice brushing movement through her hair once again resulting in a happy hum. If this is what being a dog was she’d take it any day. “Yessss, I’m puppy. I wag my tail.” She began to wiggle a little in her spot on the couch, feeling the breeze of her tail moving through the air. “Soft?” In a mirroring motion she raised her own hand to Nate’s new puppy ears, scratching behind them on top of his head. “Curly puppy. Mmm, what kind of breed?”

Nate felt like he should stop petting his fluffy puppy, but he couldn’t make his fingers cease. It was like they had a mind of their own, winding and twisting like he was tying giant hair knots. Nell began to purr and he wondered when the dog switched to being a cat, but he was ok with it. Britney seemed to be too, as he felt a warm spot jiggle close to his side. Oh- no, that wasn’t Britney...that was the puppy! “Oh!” He melted. Nate melted into the scritches and he felt himself turn into literal goo as he slid further down the couch, his head listing into Nell’s hands. “Oooohhhh like a poodle, duhhhhhhh!”

Nell kept closing her eyes in her utter contentment in being a dog seriously wondering if this is the wonderful life werewolves probably had all the time. But they opened wider as Nate-puppy made his little exclamation, just in time to see him turn into a puddle of fur and puppy noses. A little squeal of delight worked its way past Nell’s lips as she cradled the puppy’s head, doing her best to give him the head scritches he deserved as her fingers kept massaging him, lifting a couple curls to watch them fall back into place with a giggle. “Pooooooooodle!” The word sounded ridiculous to her ears, the o’s neverending as they echoed on into the room even after she stopped talking. “You’re my favorite poodle,” she cooed. “Very good poodle.”

Nate wasn’t entirely sure what was real and what was the story book he’d been reading in seventh grade, but all he knew was that he was no longer corporeal and he was in heaven. Curly cues bounced on his head and a soft cooing echoed around him and for the first time in a decade, he felt safe. But as soon as he thought the words, terror dripped into his bloodstream, making its way throughout his body with alarming speed. His eyes snapped open and tried to focus, but the swirling kaleidoscope of colors dancing around Britney and Nell’s head made it hard to focus. “Ne-Pen- Penelope-” He stammered, suddenly gripping his own arms as if they were gonna fall off. Reality was beginning to slam into him like a freight train and he suddenly wondered if he’d been drugged. “Nellie...did you- am I on drugs??” He felt frozen, his stomach in a knot that would literally never untangle, preventing him from moving from his horizontal position on the couch. This was it. This was how he died.

Nell was still humming happily to the background music that the karaoke menu was playing on loop, still waiting for them to pick another song. But she was far too busy with puppy-Nate, deciding that anything else in the world could wait its turn. It took her a moment to note the change in him, still delightfully playing with his puppy-hair-fur and ears as his eyes shot open. Ah! Her name- she knew that. She was Penelope. “Yesss- Pe-nell-nelope that’s me,” she said with a wide grin, but it quickly turned to confusion, wondering why her puppy was upset. “Ssshh, it’s okay. It’s alright.” Her stroking turned slow and soft. “Drugs? I grow some of those. They’re my little babies with my other babies. Did you need some?” What was wrong? Wait was something wrong? Suddenly her adrenaline was mounting as she looked around the room for potential threats.

Nate’s muscles were drawn so tight it felt like they were going to burst. His eyes flitted around the room wildly, the only part of him that could move. “Are the drugs here?? You make drugs?! Did you make me drugs? I don’t want them, you gave me them! Oh god, ohhhh godohgodohgod” He rolled to the side, burying his face in Nell’s lap, his fingers curling into his palms so hard there would be little crescent moons popping out of them any second now. He needed stability. He needed safety. He needed- “Pancakes??”

What was wrong? Nell’s own worry was starting to spike, looking around for some danger she couldn’t find. “What? No! No no no no no!” She couldn’t quite wrap her head around it still, but she was clearing up enough to know she definitely didn’t want Nate to think she’d had any part in a potential drugging. Again she tried her best to gently shush, one hand still going to run over his hair while the other reached down to a hand to try and gently unravel it, her thumb moving over the fingers. “Undo, undo. It’s okay, I’ll do it.” But her attention was utterly grabbed by the mention of food. Even without tripping on a mysterious drug, she was always hungry. “Pancakes,” she agreed sagely. 

Nate was curled up in darkness for what felt like eons. The soft, gentle combing of fingers through his hair was the only thing tying him to this plane of existence, that and the smell of maple syru- no...there was no syrup. There should be syrup. Instead there was only the smell of cheap, old, fake leather and a very nice floral perfume. “You smell like pancakes...No, you smell better than pancakes.” His head began pounding the moment he opened his eyes, but he needed to look at the iguana– no...the person who was petting him. “Can we get pancakes?” He asked in the saddest, most pathetic voice he’d ever heard. 

It seemed like Nate was maybe...a little better, but Nell couldn’t be too certain. What should she do? Her brain was far too fuzzy and fluffy to figure something out. Oooh, her mom used to sing when she was little and couldn’t sleep. Should she do that? Her fingers continued to work their way through the nice, soft curls as she began to sing the only song she seemed to know for whatever reason, her best rendition of one of Britney Spears’ number one hits in as soothing a style as she could muster. “Oops, I did it again...I played with your heart—” She continued to try and work on unclenching his hands as best she could before perking up once more. “Better than pancakes?” she echoed, absolute wonder in her tone. Was that the best compliment she’d ever received in her life? Perhaps that was why her cheeks pinkened in the slightest. After all, that was no lowly praise. “Yes, yes, definitely. We’re gonna get pancakes. So many pancakes.”

Nate settled in, feeling the cold reality of the karaoke room seeping back into his consciousness, but he wanted to fight it. For a moment, he was blissfully unaware of all the pain he’d been through and all the pain he would go through. Sure, there was a literal singing, technicolor giraffe above him and his legs were still liquid, but he was happy. He was safe. He curled further into himself, nuzzling against Nell’s lap, his brain swirling with thoughts of maple syrup and pancakes. He hummed contentedly and nodded. “Pancakes. We’ll get pancakes.” And then there was blissful darkness.