#lvstwxtch

Ciaran did one last check to make sure he had everything, giving his suitcase a hard shove and zipping it closed. He was a light enough packer but he hoped to have time to take Kai to Ireland. And winter in the motherland called for heavier jackets, even for a wolf. “Ya ready to go spend some time with your cousin Remus? Eh? Don’t go givin’ Auntie Qhuinn a hard time though ya hear me?” He chuckled at the dogs, who were looking up at him with that knowing expression of a pet who knew their owner was about to leave. “And don’t ya be lookin’ at me like that either, how the fuck to ya even know?” Giving two pairs of floppy ears an affectionate fondle, he looped his old leather jacket over his shoulder and trundled his suitcase down the stairs. 

“Ya ready yet darlin’? We ain’t takin’ a trip around the world here ya know” Ciaran called to Kai teasingly, as he made sure he had everything set out that Qhuinn would need for the pups. 

It had been a while since Dhani looked forward to getting out of bed. Since the break up with Daisy, he’d been avoiding Dougal and Daisy both, giving Daisy her needed space and putting off needing to talk with Dougal about... everything. January was really a terrible month. And in a few days it would be a year since Rafael has gone. Since he had died and not brought Dhani to help him as he promised.

But he walked onto the beach, carrying his surf board, bright yellow with the Batman ensignia that Edmund had given him. He kept that in Warren’s garage, well out of the way. It had been easy enough with Daisy’s car to strap it to the top of her Beetle and drive down to the beach from Scott’s. Most of his things were still in Daisy’s room. He wondered if she had moved them elsewhere.

He wore swim trunks instead of his usual boxers, sunglasses mostly covering the healing bruise on his right eye, nothing else covering the rest of the bruising on his body from his master. But they were healing, nothing new for today. Dhani was getting better at counting his blessings.

Dhani took a deep breath of ocean air and took out his earbuds, turning off George Harrison’s All Things Must Pass album, shoving his ipod into his bag as he looked down the shore for Kai. They had gotten on right away in the lounge, both California boys, both into fantasy books, art, and photography. Both mediocre at best at surfing. Dhani was looking forward to many a wipeout with Kai.

Kai had been of two minds when he’d decided to join Clay on the island. Part of him had been excited to finally try out college for himself, but the other part was wary of all the stuff that Kai had heard the alpha wolf had gone through. But in the end, he’d decided to try and get himself an education, maybe even learn a little more about being a witch as well. That was definitely something he was excited for. He’d learnt so much from Kenzi already but the chance to meet other witches, gain insight and knowledge from them wasn’t one he was going to pass up. He’d spent his first day or so on the island, getting settled in, meeting up with Clay and learning his way around but the photographer in him hadn’t lasted long before his camera was out and he was taking pictures of everything he saw, the people, the places, buildings and nature. It hadn’t even really occurred to Kai that people might not like having their picture taken without being asked first…

Daisy looked down at Topaz, a soft smile curving her lips. He seemed to know that she was sad, as he’d been extra silly that day. The two had been sitting at his favorite fountain in the quad, he tossing coins into the water and diving after them, popping up to gently nip at the fingers that she trailed listlessly along. She had wanted to spend a little time with him before heading to Lily’s, as she figured it was probably going to be a good idea to leave him home with Kit and Mister Scott. Warding off fights between Topaz and Lily’s kitten was not how she wanted to spend her time with her sister. The little niffler’s chatter brought her head around, and she startled a little, seeing a man with a camera taking pictures of them. Not that it was surprising, it wasn’t ever day that you saw a creature like Topaz. Daisy lifted her hand in greeting, her smile small but friendly. “You can take pictures of him if you want Sir. Or you can even come closer, he likes the attention”

Ciaran heaved a heavy sigh as he unlocked the door of the cabin. He just hadn’t had energy to make it to closing time, but luckily Odette had taken pity on him once again. His employees were getting one fuck of a holiday bonus this year, for putting up with his emo ass for the last few months. He had tried to do better, but the events of the last week had taken it’s toll on him. Opening the door, he smiled sadly, as the scent of Kyle seemed to fade more every day. The dragon had been a bright light in their lives, and missed the fuck out of him. But there, sitting on the couch reading, was the one sight that Ciaran needed to see. His Kai. Shrugging out of his jacket and giving the various dogs welcoming pats, he smiled tiredly at his love.

“Hey darlin’. Just couldn’t make it all the way tonight, tired down to my old bones” Ciaran chuckled lowly, leaning down to greet Kai with a soft kiss.

Ciaran watched from their bedroom window, as Kyle left for work that night. Then, as he had done every night for the last week or two, he perched on the edge of the bed. And waited. Fifteen minutes. Thirty. Forty-five. And still nothing. He sensed his witch in the house, but still Kai didn’t come to him. He had given his male the benefit of the doubt, perhaps unwisely waiting for him to bring up the elephant not just in the room, but in the whole fucking house. But that moment never happened, and the wolf had had enough. Tonight was the night that he was confronting Kai. He simply couldn’t live like this anymore, still battling his own demons while watching the man he loved go down a path of darkness and destruction. Bracing himself, Ciaran stood, and with Seamus and Guinness at his side, made his way downstairs.

Finding Kai in the kitchen, he leaned against the doorjamb and just watched the other for a long moment. He looked different, haggered and older. And the black wolf familiar at his side was yet another clue that things were going tits up. But in Ciaran’s eyes, he was as beautiful as always. Finally clearing his throat, he gave his boyfriend a smile when the other turned. “Hey love, whatcha doin’?”

Ciaran let out a growl as he looked at his reflection in the mirror, brushing back his raven hair and giving his scruff a light trim. He could barely stand to look at himself lately, as he had gone and done the one thing that he swore he’d never do to his Kai. The cheating, he knew that wasn’t his fault. If there was one thing that he refused to do, it was let the island and it’s games ruin him. No..it was how long he had been avoiding talking to Kai about it. Even Kyle’s downright sweet insistence hadn’t gotten his ass moving until now. Things were back, he knew, because Kai had barely even come to him. So it was time now, to put this crap behind them and move on. Ciaran had faith in their love and that they could get through this together. He just needed to make the first step. After making a hearty dinner of steak and potatoes (all he still really knew how to cook well enough), he dressed in nice jeans and a button-down, then shot Kai a text.

[text] Hey love, hope you’re having a good day.

[text] I skipped out early and came home to cook us dinner. Any chance you’ll be home soon? 

[text] No rush if you’re busy of course, I’ll keep it warm for you.

Knowing that he sounded desperate but not bothering to change anything, the wolf sat on the edge of their bed, absently fondling Guinness’s ears as he waited for Kai to respond.

@lvstwxtch