#hemlockgrove

Given that he has swiftly become one of my favourite characters of all time, after I re-watched Hemlock Grove, it's easy for me to say he's the best werewolf. But I believe I'm very valid lmao. I genuinely do believe he is the best representation of a werewolf, a werewolf character, for reasons that are much different to why I think John Mitchell is the best vampire in television.

Peter doesn't have the classic werewolf storyline, which I often love (much like vampires, I prefer there to be angst and agony over their existence and how they think there is an evil within). He wasn't a nobody who was bitten and is forced to come to terms with what happened to him. He doesn't hate what he is, dreading every day that leads up to a full moon.

Instead, who Peter is, is a spiritual werewolf, who views his "werewolf-ism" as just another quirk. For better or worse, he deals with it. When a full moon is approaching, he might bounce his legs or nervously glance to his reassuring mother, but when it comes down to it, he isn't ashamed nor is he hateful. Even after experiencing the pain and brutality of the transformation, he doesn't hate what he is.

The reason why I found myself favouring this version of a werewolf after watching Hemlock Grove, isn't because I no longer love the angsty, self-hating, cursed adaptations BUT I had grown tired of the ones where being a werewolf was equated with being a lesser powerful being (especially when compared to vampires, their longtime rivals in literature and media) or even adaptations where being made into a werewolf was the worst thing possible (and again, being made into a vampire is seen as significantly better). Sure, there are plenty of characters from all kinds of different things where being a werewolf is like being a noble, it's seen as a gift. But amidst all of that pride they carry about being a werewolf, it's often that most of their problems boil down to them being a werewolf. Therefore, it leaves you wondering why they continue being a werewolf if the root of their pain is always about what they are.

With Peter, it's not like that -- and it's partially because of his acceptance of who and what he is. The bad things that happen to him... it's not so much a result of him being a werewolf, but more so about the company he keeps and the choices he is forced to make for the sake of others e.g. the main reason why he turns against the moon in the first place, to take down the Vargulf, is because innocent girls are being killed in town and he is the only one who can do something about it, AND the reason why he himself becomes a Vargulf in the end is because he has lost everything and chooses to lose himself for the sake of revenge. So, those terrible things, they're because of his character, his morals, his mental state. Him being a werewolf is just a weapon, a manifestation of his rage. He chooses to use it to either help or hurt people. It's an ability, a talent.

As his knowledge, which was curated because of his culture and being a werewolf. It's what allows him, at 17-18 years old, to appear like he knows what he's doing most of the time.

Like I mentioned earlier, Peter is NOT the werewolf who is seen as lesser than, or fears vampiric characters (known as upir in this universe). Here, his cousin is telling him to be careful and stay away from that kind and he responds by confidently telling her that he gives no shits. He knows he can handle them.

In most shows, this would be where the viewer raises their eyebrows and thinks "you're too cocky for your own good because we all know vampires trump werewolves in literally everything". And yes, the upir in question are incredibly damaged, insecure, unstable people, so it's easy for someone as secure as Peter to disregard them, but Olivia is capable of shredding a woman's skin off like it's nothing. She's old and she's cruel. I know all of this when watching the show AND YET, I feel like Peter could still handle her.

Peter really does hold all the power and coolness in Hemlock Grove. I stand by that.

In comparison to Roman, who can't back up what he dishes most of the time, Peter is THAT guy -- I bring it up because, again, most shows make the werewolves look inferior in every way possible (looking at you, Vampire Diaries), so when werewolves and vampires pick fights with each other, it's already a given that the vampire is going to win. Peter Rumancek, on the other hand... when he said, and I quote, "I'm gonna rip out your fucking heart", to Roman... it's understandable why Roman responded with "yeah" because, yeah. Peter may not be fighting and killing left and right, but when you fuck with the people he loves, or innocent people... he's ripping off his clothes and hunting you down.

What I love about him is that he's not the typical werewolf who is JACKED and extremely masculine, like "DUDE, what the fuck did you say, dude, step the fuck UP, Kyle". Sure, he's a bit of a dick sometimes, with his typical guy talk and he does win over the ladies. BUT he's sensitive, openly loving his mother and his cousin, Destiny, and flattering and comforting Shelley whenever he can. He's prepared to step up for Letha and her unborn child, no questions asked. He sits and listens to Christina's ranting about teenage girls and then offers her actual sound advice about how she should be herself, even if that's a weirdo, because school is a blip and to not take mean girls too seriously. He's insanely lovable, it's true.

In summary though, what intrigued me, what made me keep watching the show, was seeing his confidence and comfort with himself as a werewolf.

 a/n: here we go, last chapter. enjoy and thank u for reading <3

Chapter 1  Chapter 2

You headed to school, dread sinking in your stomach as you parked in the crowded lot. You hadn’t failed to notice Romans red Road Coaster so you knew he was at school. You snuck through the front doors, bee lining for the ladies bathroom and spending all your time till class sitting in a stall, avoiding the human race altogether. You heard the bell, rushing to your first period, stopping dead in the hall as you came face to face with Peter. 

Your eyes were wide, “Hi,” You said quietly and he lightly grabbed your arm, pulling you into a small, unused hallway. 

“Where have you been?” He asked with a hushed voice but it was clear he was pissed. 

You were shocked to say the least, “Home, I’ve needed some time to process things.” You turned your head, looking to see if there was anyone around, there wasn’t. “Finding our one of your only friends turns into a wolf isn’t exactly easy news.” You spat with a glare. 

“It wasn’t like that and you know it. It wasn’t safe for you to know, it still isn’t but it’s too late now.  You need to find Roman. I’m not sure what you told him but he’s been throwing himself at anything in heels since you left, he’s drowning and you need to save him.” He said, eyes pleading. 

You turned, not making eye contact, “I can’t. I said something I shouldn’t have and I don’t think he’ll be wanting to speak to me anytime soon,” You explained, lip quivering and throat burning as you pressed the tears back. You really missed your best friend. 

“Yeah, and if I didn’t know Roman I’d agree with you since he doesn’t even want to hear your name, but since I do know him I know he’s hurting and that he just misses you. So, whatever you said, fix it. For the sake of you both.” Peter laid a hand on your shoulder, begging you silently. 

You stared for a moment before rolling your eyes and nodding, “Fine. Do you know where he is?” You asked and Peter smiled in victory. 

“Try the stairwell in the back, you know that’s where he likes to hide.” Peter said with a reassuring smile before heading off to his first period and leaving you with your thoughts. You raked your hands down your face once before sighing deeply and heading to the stairwell. You pushed open the door and peered in. Roman was facing away from you, slumped on the bottom step, and from the smoke wafting around him, clearly smoking a cigarette. You lightly made your way down the steps, your shoes making the smallest of pats as you descended. You sat down next to him on the step, taking the cigarette from him without even glancing at his face and taking a drag. You seldom smoked but hey, you were going through it so why not. As you exhaled you finally turned, making eye contact with Roman. His eyes were sunken and a frown seemed to be permanently etched on his lips. You gave a thin-lipped smile, “Hey, Rome.” 

He chuckled sarcastically, shaking his head, “You’re fucking kidding right?”

“What do you expect me to say?” You threw out your hands in exasperation. 

“Well for starters you could explain where you’ve been all fucking week.” He rolled his eyes, plucking the cigarette from between your lips and taking a long drag himself. 

“I’ve been home… processing,” You frowned, staring intently at the step in front of you and pretending as if that were who you were speaking to. 

“You said you had feelings for me.” He said it softly, voice barely above a whisper but it echoed through the barren stairway anyway, the phrase rattling through your brain as you realized you weren’t getting out of this one. 

You just wanted to be done with it, honesty seemed like the best way to go. “I wasn’t lying.” You turned for a moment, meeting his searing gaze before returning your focus to the step below you, it was easier that way. “I know you don’t want to hear that but it’s true and if you could just give me some time to get over it and not be so public with your ‘conquests’ that would be great.” Your breath caught as you felt his fingertips along your cheekbone. Your eyes were wide as you met his which were burning with something like longing. 

“I’ve missed you,” His voice dropped to a whisper and you felt your lip tremble before a tear slipped down your cheek. His brows crinkled in confusion. “Why’re you crying?”

“You’re confusing me,” You confessed. “It’s already gonna be hard for me to get over these feelings, I don’t need you saying these sweet things that just make it worse.” Your voice wavered as your lip trembled with the struggle of keeping your emotions in check. 

“Oh, Y/N you don’t get it.” He cupped your cheek, turning your face to his. He leaned in slowly, giving you time to pull away and when you didn’t he pressed your lips together in a kiss that started gentle but quickly built to searing, leaving you gasping for breath when he finally pulled away. 

“Please tell me that you actually feel something and you’re not just trying to make me feel better or worse, just get into my pants—“ You felt hysteria bubbling up before Roman cut you off, pulling you into a crushing embrace, holding you to him like you were the only stable thing in the world. 

“No, Y/N, no, you know I have a hard time admitting my feelings but I’m gonna say this now and I want you to hear me and understand.” He paused to pull back so you were eye to eye. “I’ve always felt something for you, I was just never going to act on it because you deserve more than me or the shit I come with but I’m gonna be a piece of shit right now and steal you because I can’t lose you and knowing you feel even a bit of what I feel for you has made me a mad man and I can’t let you go. I’m so sorry I didn’t tell you about Peter, I’m sorry I didn’t show up to your house and drag your ass out of bed,” By now he was peppering kisses everywhere, cheek, chin, eyelid, any inch of skin he could reach his lips would find and you were giggling as tears found their way out of your closed eyes. “I shouldn’t have froze when you told me. My mind was trying to catch up to the fact that you felt something for a fucker like me and by the time I realized and had processed the door was already closed. I figured I had fucked up so I have been trying to get over you but I fucking can’t! Every time I go up to another girl I just see your face,” He dragged you into his lap and leaned his forehead to yours. “Please don’t leave me again,” It was a whisper and you threw your arms around his neck, somehow pulling yourself even closer.