#eliptic

After several hours of listening to Alexis’s explanation of ‘the shadow world’ as it was apparently called, Jan went home, now laying on his bed staring up at the ceiling fan watching it spin slowly, doing his best to ignore the almost constant buzzing of his phone as some of his, not as human as he previously thought, friends tried to get a hold of him.

Part of him felt bad for ignoring them, they had just wanted to protect him which he understood, he just needed time, and this new revelation shook his entire world. Vampires, witches, werewolves, fairies, this was supposed to be stuff of fiction but he had seen the burns healing on Jackie’s arms from the sun, Alexis showed him some of his magic and thinking back he can remember so many odd things that now, with this new context, made sense.

One night while in London with Stephanie’s child Lagoona had insisted on not being able to perform a specific night, himself and Rosé had just written off as the other queen being tired and wanting a break, but that wasn’t it, the night they took off had been a full moon.

He had thought it was weird the way Jackie and Gigi reacted when he had cut his finger at Rock’s birthday party, but chalked it up to them being squeamish. It also explained why both of them reacted so strangely when Jan had pointed out the blood on Gigi’s sleeve the other night.

He also recalls going to lend Crystal a necklace but Crystal had dropped as if he’d been burned, well he had been, the necklace was made of iron, Crystal had played it off like he was just clumsy before pretending to get distracted by something else, all while cradling his injured hand, which Jan hadn’t made note of at the time.

So many things now made sense but at the same time now nothing made sense. Alexis had offered Jan an out, witches had memory potions and a vampire could have simply compel him to forget. He could forget, ditch this existential crisis he was having and have his life go back to normal, well at least seemingly normal. Himself not remembering wouldn’t change the truth, all of this was real, so many of his friends weren’t human and it bothered him that that it didn’t bother him. Nothing about any them of changed, except that maybe he’ll be more sympathetic toward dietary restrictions and times of the month now.

Finally rolling over and grabbing his phone

From Lagoona:

Alex told me about what happened with Darius, are you ok??

Let me know if you need anything

I know Alex said he explained things but if you have any questions I can help

Charlie please just let me know if you’re ok

From Brita:

Please answer Lagoona with at least an ok because he’s driving me nuts

6 missed calls from Lagoona

From Lagoona:

Brita is threatening to take my phone, so ill ease up,

1 missed call from Lagoona

From Brita:

Her phone has been confiscated, take your time honey

Jan smiled fondly sending Lagoona purple and blue hearts telling him that he is ok, that he just needs time to adjust.

Jan’s finger then hovered over Jackie’s contact, hesitating a few seconds before hitting call.

It only rang once before he heard “Charlie?”

“Hey Dari.” He responded softly, sensing the anxiety in the sound of Jackie’s voice.

“How… how are you doing?”

“I’m okay.” Jan said honestly “It’s just a lot to take in and definitely not how I expected the night to go.”

“Understandably.” Jackie chuckled.

“I do want you to know that knowing everything now, doesn’t change what I said earlier.”

“It doesn’t?”

“Nope, but if you’re about to go into one of those stereotypical “I’m too dangerous for you” speeches that always happens in vampire fiction, then I will change my mind while also smacking you upside the head.”

“I thought you liked clichés.” Jackie teased. “There are certainly several risks; that have kept me from saying anything sooner. However if you’re willing to take things slow… I am definitely willing to give us a shot, if you are.” Jackie’s voice was soft and Jan could hear the smile in her words.

“Definitely. So tell me, what’s vampire etiquette for a first date?”

“You’re free Friday right?”

“Indeed I am.”

“Well then you find out on Friday.”

“Looking forward to it handsome.”

They ended the call and Jan just smiled up at the ceiling.

“Are you sure you don’t want to come out with us tonight? I’m the DD, you can drink as much as you want this time.” Brita asked for the thousandth time that day.

Aiden smiled slightly, “I’m sure babe, I’ve got a paper to finish. Order Jan a birthday shot on me.”

Brita gave a small frown, “Okay, but if you’re still awake when I get home, I’m dragging your ass to bed.” She threatened playfully.

“Okay mom.” Aiden teased as Brita kissed her on the cheek before leaving.

Aiden listened as her girlfriends footsteps descended down the hallway, exhaling heavily she switched to the incognito tab that she had been nervously procrastinating opening since she found the page.

How To: A Guide to Your First Time (Lesbian Edition)

Aiden felt her face burn in embarrassment despite being alone in the apartment.  

‘This is completely normal, you were raised in a conservative town that had piss poor, heteronormative sex education that demonized everything you felt inside making you feel guilty for most of your developmental years, but you know better now.’

Aiden centered herself before diving in, switching between several tabs, not even noticing as she slowly sunk into a laying position on the couch until her eyes grew too heavy to keep open.

3 AM

Brita quietly entered the apartment toeing off her shoes, frowning as she saw the dim light of Aiden’s laptop illuminating his boyfriends slouching silhouette.

“I did warn-“Brita cut herself off when she heard her girlfriend snore softly, smiling Brita went to move the computer when she noticed the contents on the screen.

“Oh honey.” Brita whispered to herself, sex had been a topic that Aiden had avoided for the for the first two months of their relationship until at Nicky’s birthday and a game of truth or dare (Jan’s idea) had Aiden shyly confessing that she was a virgin, they had a talk after that made Aiden’s face turn so red Brita thought she would pass out. That ended with Brita reassuring her that there was no pressure or rush and that she would wait for Aiden to be ready. That was over a year ago now and honestly Brita hadn’t thought about it (too often at least) between classes and moving in together, but apparently Aiden had not, judging from the contents on her screen.

Brita smiled fondly, placing the laptop aside before gently shaking Aiden’s shoulder. Aiden responded by grumbling and turning on her side “Fine, get a sore back from the sleeping on the couch again.”

Brita’s voice made Aiden jump, waking up looking in horror between her still very much on laptop and her fondly smiling girlfriend.

“I um.” Aiden blushed, avoiding Brita’s gaze.

Brita smirked sitting down next to Aiden “How’d your paper go babe?” Brita teased

“Don’t laugh,” Aiden pouted.

“Oh baby,” Brita cooed pulling Aiden into a hug “I’m not laughing at you, you’re just too adorable, you took notes!”

“I wanted to at least have some idea of what to do. It was supposed to be a surprise for our anniversary. “Aiden said hiding her face in Brita’s neck “I didn’t want to disappoint you.” He mumbled.

“Impossible.” Brita reassured kissing the top of Aiden’s head. “Although,” Brita pulled Aiden closer “You could have just asked me. ”Aiden shrugged silently buring her burning face in Brita’s shoulder “Now that you’ve completed the written portion, how would you like to take a more hands on lesson.” Brita suggested carefully.

“Well…” Aiden said pulling away slightly “You are a pretty good teacher.” Aiden wrapped her arms around Brita’s neck.

“Would you like to study with me?” Brita smirked, her hands shifting to rest on Aiden’s waist.

“Lead the way.”

The whole thing had been Jan’s idea, of course it was. It wasn’t like it was a crazy plan, all the season twelve girls happened to be in New York the same weekend so why not stuff all twelve of them into Jan’s tiny apartment for a movie night. It really shouldn’t make Jackie this nervous, he’d been to Jan’s apartment dozens of times to work on projects or to get ready for gigs together, but recently Jackie’s feelings had changed, he had always been fond of Jan but since the show they had spent a lot more time together and got to know each other better.

But Jackie knew better than to pursue these feelings, Jan was human, Jackie was a vampire and he was not going to drag Jan into his world. In fact he and the other queens made an agreement to protect Jan from their world, given that it was an absurdly large number of Jan’s friends that where keeping the same secret from him.

“I know you don’t need to breathe but like breathe girl.” Gigi said chuckling as they watched Jackie change shirts for the hundredth time.

“Shut up,” Jackie huffed, clipping his suspenders in place “It’s just a crush, I’ll get over it.”

“Sure Jan,” Gigi teased, quickly dodging as Jackie threw a pillow at them. “Well if you’re done stalling, let’s go.” Gigi disappeared in a blur, presumably to Jan’s apartment. Jackie sighed looking himself over in the mirror one last time before doing the same.

Jackie skid to halt in the alley next to Jan’s building where Gigi was leaning against the brick picking at her nails.

“Took you long enough old man.”

Jackie rolled his eyes going ahead into the building, it only took a few minutes to find Jan’s apartment as he heard singing from the moment they entered the building, Lagoona and Rosé were obviously already there. It took six knocks before the three part harmony became two as Jan opened the door excitedly.

“Jackie! Gigi!” She yelled happily hugging both of them and kissing Jackie on the cheek causing Jackie to blush and Gigi to smirk teasingly over Jan’s shoulder. “Welcome to the party! And don’t worry  about my neighbors, they are very use to all sorts of noise coming from mine.”

“All sorts?” Gigi said suggestively.

Jan just giggled coyly “We’ve got snacks and drinks, Brita said she’d pick up the pizza and karaoke is optional but greatly encouraged.”

“As if Stefanie’s Children are gonna let anybody else have the mic.” Jackie teased nudging Jan with her elbow.

“Can you blame us.” Lagoona said from the couch, miming flipping his hair. Before making serious eye contact with Jackie, tilting her head toward Gigi. Showing some concern about the younger vampire, Jackie made a gesture that told the werewolf that everything was fine.

“Jacqueline,” Jan said coming over with a drink, “Rum and coke, right?.”

“Hey where’s my table service Jannifer?” Gigi said in mock offence.

“You know where I keep things, get it yourself.”

“Favoritism.” Gigi joked heading into the kitchen.

“Besides she is the Persian Princess, it only makes sense.” Jan said to Gigi while smiling at Jackie who chuckled to cover his nerves taking the glass from Jan,

“Just bone already.” He heard Rosé whisper to Lagoona who stifled a laughed, before giving Jackie a sympathetic look.

“Where are the rest of these bitches? I wanna get my movie on.” Jackie asked changing the subject.

“Should be here soon,” Jan said looking at her phone “No one’s told me they aren’t coming. Just fashionably late, as usual.”

“The fashionable aspect is questionable for some of them.” Gigi quipped.

“Telling Nicky you said that.” Jackie teased, Gigi looked a genuinely scared for a second before exaggerating it getting laughs from everyone.

Slowly but surely everyone joined them, Jackie just sat on the couch watching Jan.

“Girl,” Brita said shaking her out of her daze “You’ve got it bad.”

Jackie sighed miserably “I know.”

Once the catching up had settled down everyone gathered around the couches and Jan started the movie before squeezing next to Jackie on the couch. Jackie vaguely registered that Jan had chosen his favorite movie but all he could focus on was Jan as he snuggled in close. If his heart could beat it would be racing, the smell was heavenly, he wanted nothing more than to throw the younger queen in bed and sink his fangs into Jan’s neck.

“God, your hands are cold.” Jan said as their hands bumped, he wrapped Jackie’s hands up in his palms. “You must be freezing!”

“Oh,” Jackie said “I’ve just got bad circulation. I’m fine.” She tried to reassure.

“Come here.” Jan somehow pulled them closer together tugging a blanket away from Dahlia, who had already fallen asleep, to cover them both before lifting their joined hands pressing warm kisses to Jackie’s icy fingertips.

“No undercover hand jobs Jannifer.” Lagoona spoke up watching from the other end of the couch.

“Not with y’all here.” Jan responded sticking her tongue out.

Jackie felt like he was going to explode, glancing at Brita who was fighting the urge to laugh as to not wake the sleeping Aiden resting on his shoulder.

Cheryl had just finish securing her basement when she heard a rapid banging on her front door.

“What the fuck is-“ the words died in her mouth as she saw a heavily bleeding Blu being carried  by a frantic looking Crystal and an equally distressed Divina, Cheryl immediately moved ushering them inside.

“We didn’t where else to take her.” Crystal said shakily laying a half conscious Blu on the sofa.

“A wolf came out of nowhere,” Divina explained running back over with a towel to put pressure on Blu’s bleeding side. It was then Cheryl noticed the witches were also bleeding from various scratches and had fresh bruises forming.

“It- it’s too early, the moon isn’t in position yet.” Cheryl said panicked while dabbing at some smaller but just as deep wounds, Blu groaned trying to turn toward her but Divina held her in place.

“Well it certainly wasn’t a normal wolf.” Crystal said still shaking. “Its eyes were glowing and one scratch made our magic useless against it.”

“It might have been feral, turned as soon as the sunset.” Divina theorized

“Or just an asshole.” Crystal said bitterly.

“Chez?” Blu slurred, eyes opening just enough to look at Cheryl.

“Hey babes.” Cheryl said softly wiping some blood off Blu’s forehead

“Hurts.” Blu croaked eyes going glassy.

“What do we do?’ Crystal said looking to Cheryl.

She bit her lip looking at the clock. “Help me get her to the basement. The moon will be in position soon, the closer it gets the faster she’ll heal. By morning she’ll be fine and I’ll have a fuck ton of explaining to do.” The other two nodded, gently lifting Blu as Cheryl led them to her den. “Go, I’ll call you tomorrow.” She said once Blu was laid out on her make shift bed

Divina and Crystal left, leaving her alone with Blu, who started to shifting uncomfortably though Cheryl could tell she was still incoherent.

Taking a deep breath to fight off some tears, Cheryl peeled the remains of Blu’s shirt off, revealing the deep bite that went from the middle of Blu’s waist to just under her hip. It was still bleeding but it had started to slow down. Cheryl felt white hot rage flood her body, causing her own body to lurch, eyes glowing yellow.  

“Not now.” She growled to herself, regaining control

“Chez?” Blu said again voice a little stronger, as scratches on her neck stitched themselves closed.

“I’m right here.” Cheryl said barely managing to keep her voice steady as she took hold of one of Blu’s hands.

“What ha-“ Blu froze as her other hand subconsciously went to her wounded side. “What?” her breathing became panicked.

“You’re going to be okay.” Cheryl said smoothing Blu’s hair. “Breathe with me.” She said gesturing for her to take deep slow breaths which Blu did her best to follow before her eyes wandered down seeing all of her blood that they were both covered in.

“Cheryl-“ Blu was cut off by a full body shiver.

Cheryl felt it to, glancing up at the clock then back down at Blu’s rapidly healing bite. “Its going to be okay. I know you’re confused and scared and it’s about to hurt a lot, trust me when I say it’ll be okay, we’ll get through this. I’m not going anywhere”

Blu whined, eyes shifting to yellow as she curled in on herself, gripping Cheryl’s hands so tightly it would bruise.

“I know sweetie,” Cheryl hugged Blu close as she shook, “I know.” She whispered, her own eyes changing as she fought off the moons effects.

Cheryl only let go when Blu started convulsing, bones cracking and reforming, skin tearing, her scream turning into a howl as in Blu’s places laid a very confused sandy blonde wolf looking around the room, growling when its eyes found Cheryl.

Cheryl put her head down but kept her eyes locked with Blu’s, the wolf stared at her quizzically but cautiously, sniffing her while moving slightly closer, she put a gentle hand on Blu’s muzzle and the wolf nuzzled her hand.

“I’m not going anywhere.” Cheryl whispered before lurching forward, her own body transforming painfully.

In The Morning

Cheryl woke slowly, every part of her body ached for her to stay sleep until she heard a soft yet familiar snore. Her eyes snapped open look at Blu was passed out close by, surrounded by the fluffy remains of her mattress. Her pale skin was covered in dried blood, Cheryl was too. Despite her body’s protests she went over to the younger girls side, gently placing a hand on her forehead, making sure she didn’t have a fever, which luckily she didn’t. Cheryl knew better than to move her so she just draped a blanket over her.

Cheryl made her way up stairs, scrubbing Blu’s blood of her skin in the kitchen sink and getting dressed before returning to the other girl’s side. Blu was still asleep, and Cheryl figured she would remain that way for most of the day. Blu had curled up under the blanket holding the fabric close to her face, breathing in Cheryl’s scent.

‘Blu made it through the night. I’ll keep you posted.’ She sent a quick text to Crystal and Divina before shutting her phone off.

Cheryl cleaned up the room the best she could without disturbing Blu, then she just sat next to Blu, watching her chest rise and fall.

It was around 3 in the afternoon when Blu started to stir. Cheryl tensed up as Blu’s eyes slowly fluttered open. Blu looked around confused.

“Cheryl?” she said almost as if she was unsure whether or not she was still dreaming or not.

“Hey babes.” She said softly.

“I don’t under-“ Blu paused looking at her bloody hand “I I thought it was just a nightmare.” Blu hiccupped a few tears escaped down her cheeks.

“As much as I wish it were, it wasn’t.” Cheryl said taking her hand into hers. “Tell me what you remember, I’ll fill in the rest.”

Blu let out a shaky breath “Crystal, Divina and I we were walking back from dress rehearsal, it  ran late cause Charlie threw in a few changes and… and then we heard a dog growling from one of the yards… but it wasn’t a, a dog.” Tears started coming faster now “It pounced on me, I tried to get away but it sunk it teeth in, it, it mostly goes fuzzy after that, but I remember seeing you then I felt like I was fire then it all goes dark again.” Blu was shaking, looking up at Cheryl.

Cheryl’s heart broke, “Remember when you asked me about the scar on me leg.” Blu nodded, “And I said it was cause I got bit by a dog as a kid, that last bit wasn’t entirely true. I got attacked, like you were. This is gonna sound mental, but the wolf that attacked you last night was a werewolf, and the fire you felt was… you turning.”

“Into a… werewolf.” Blu said testing the waters.

“Yes.”

“And you’re one too?”

“Yes.” Blu was silent. “I know this is very overwhelming-“

“This is insane.” Blu interrupted “But I, I trust you.”

Cheryl pulled Blu into a tight hug, the dam burst both girls sobbing into each other’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you, but I promise you, I’m not going anywhere.”