#werejack

When Jack wakes it’s very early morning and he’s not entirely conscious yet. The first and most prominent thing he’s aware of is warmth. He can feel soft fabric on his skin and there’s a source of heat behind him which he turns to, not thinking twice about snuggling into it. It shifts and then there’s more warmth curled around him. With a content sigh he drifts back to sleep.

Jack wakes properly some hours later and there’s a few things of note. He’s in Kozmotis’ bed, under the sheets, naked and Kozmotis is nowhere in the room. He can’t remember what happened last night after turning and he’s not sure whether to start feeling dread or not.

Just as he’s pushing himself up into a sit, scrubbing at his eyes, the door opens and Kozmotis enters with a tray in his hands. All his apprehensions go forgotten at the sight of food, instantly perking him up because breakfast in bed.

“Hey,” he greets with a grin on his face that he’s sure must look stupid but can’t help.

“Good morning.” Kozmotis greets, setting the tray down on the bedside table and then sitting down on the edge of the bed after Jack’s tugged the blanket up a little further to ensure maximum coverage.

After making sure the blanket won’t slip too much, Jack makes a grab for the cup of coffee on the tray to take a sip. Too much sugar, more milk than coffee; exactly how he likes it. Kozmotis must have noticed and remembered. It makes him smile and try as he might, he can’t quite ignore the warm flutters in his gut.

“Has anybody ever told you you’re a saint? Because you are.”

“Some would beg to differ.” Kozmotis looks amused for a moment before it turns to something akin to concern. “How are you feeling?”

“Hm? I’m fine,” Jack replies distractedly as he busies himself with grabbing the tray to move it into his lap. He can feel the fabric slipping down and exposing more of his hip as he leans over and from the corner of his eye he can see Kozmotis hurriedly looking away. Interesting. But he gets more preoccupied as to why Kozmotis would ask that. “Why? Did I— did I do something embarrassing?”

“No. Unless you find sleeping at the end of the bed again embarrassing.”

Well, that’s a huge relief. Assured, Jack shoves the sandwich in his mouth while Kozmotis is still staring at the wall, brows drawn together.

“It’s just that … it looked painful.”

Jack pauses halfway through a bite. “You didn’t look away, did you?”

Kozmotis’ guilty grimace says enough.

“Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it looks.”

Kozmotis looks back to him skeptically and Jack offers a toothy grin around his sandwich that appears to be convincing enough.

“Good. That’s good.”

They fall into a silence after that, one that’s not entirely awkward or oppressive, while Jack finishes eating his breakfast. When he’s done, Kozmotis stands and moves to pick up the tray.

“Jackson Overland,” Jack murmurs just as Kozmotis bends over, making Kozmotis halt and glance up at him.

“Pardon?”

“My name. That’s my name.”

Tray in hands, Kozmotis straightens slowly while looking thoughtful. The expression on Jack’s own face is uncertain and subdued as he watches Kozmotis.

“Jack Frost does suit you better,” Kozmotis says eventually with a small smile.

“Yeah, I think so,” Jack replies, returning the smile with a relieved one of his own.

“I’m going out for groceries in thirty minutes if you want to come with. I’ll put your clothes right outside.”

“Yeah, sure. Thanks, for the breakfast too.”

-

The rest of the day proceeds as usual, wonderfully ordinary, save for the slight tension that hangs between them. Neither of them bring up the topic of last night and Jack feels they probably should talk about it. He can swear, this time for certain, that Kozmotis’ eyes linger on him occasionally and he seems to be keeping Jack at arm’s length. Jack can’t tell if it’s because Kozmotis finds the whole situation awkward or because of the attraction being mutual after all.

Come nightfall, Jack grows more certain which it is.

His senses grow stronger than usual as the night progresses and he can smell the subtle things he wouldn’t otherwise pay as much attention to that much stronger. Jack’s sure then.

Once Seraphina has been put to bed, Jack makes his move the moment Kozmotis sits back down on the couch. With the full moon making him bold and amped up, he doesn’t even hesitate. Without preamble he drops himself into Kozmotis’ lap, enjoying the way Kozmotis freezes and his eyes widen comically.

“About last night,” he starts, his lips quirking into a smirk that make Kozmotis swallow hard.

“Jack, I don’t— ” Kozmotis’ tone is strangled and he can’t seem to utter anything else when Jack leans forward, burying his face in the crook of his neck and breathing in deeply.

There’s undoubtedly the scent of arousal.

“You do. I can smell it, y’know.”

“Jack.” Kozmotis’ voice has gained some shaky certainty and there are hands on Jack’s arms, gently pulling him away far enough so that Kozmotis can look at him. “You’re too young.”

“I’m legal,” he replies promptly, carrying on before Kozmotis can interject. “But you must have already discovered that when you looked me up.”

There’s a guilty downcast flicker of Kozmotis’ eyes that tell Jack he’s right. He pretty much expected it the moment he told Kozmotis his real name. He does have a small rap sheet for petty theft and vandalism, no doubt that’s the first thing Kozmotis checked for.

“It’s fine and if you don’t like me because of what you’ve seen then I understand, just tell me so.”

It’s edging into territory that’s too uncomfortably personal, making Jack break eye contact by glancing down until Kozmotis moves one hand from his arm to his cheek, drawing Jack’s attention again.

“Jack, your initial deception aside, you’ve been nothing but good to Sera and me.” There’s something firm yet gentle in Kozmotis’ expression though it falters a few seconds later. “And yes, you are a very attractive young man.”

That makes Jack grin and he seizes that moment as an opportunity to shift the conversation to something more light-hearted.

“Is that why you let me stay? Because you think I’m hot?”

“No, it was fatherly instincts, remember?” Kozmotis doesn’t even miss a beat. It’s impressive.

“I don’t believe you one bit.”

Jack leans in for a kiss and although Kozmotis is hesitant at first, he kisses back soon enough. The kiss is decidedly more heated than the one shared the previous night and to Jack’s disappointment he has to pull back far too quickly for his liking when the tingling at the base of his spine and the itching of his skin grows too intense.

“I need to change,” he whispers breathlessly. “But now I really don’t want to.”

“It’s fine, Jack.” Kozmotis moves his arms around him, simply holding him, and it’s a bit steadying. Just not calming enough when he’s still straddling Kozmotis’ thighs and with the scent of arousal in the air.

“I don’t know. I’m kind of— hyped up.” Putting it mildly.

“If you promise not to maul anyone, would it help if I let you out?”

“I’m not really the mauling type,” Jack snorts and then pauses to consider it. “But yeah, maybe? Just boot me out if I don’t move my wolfy ass.”

Kozmotis nods and Jack steals a last, quick kiss before moving away.

-

Jack wakes the following Saturday morning with a vague recollection of the woods and the thrill of running and chasing things freely. There’s the notion of it having been exhilarating and that has him waking up feeling at peace. He only feels more so when he finds himself in Kozmotis’ bed, under the sheets, with Kozmotis in it, his eyes opening when Jack shifts.

Either he’s still feeling overly confident because of the full moon or the contentedness is getting to his head, whichever it is, he’s pushing himself up and leaning over to mutter a greeting against Kozmotis’ lips.

“‘Morning,” is the returning soft, sleepy rumble against his lips, almost making him giggle. Jack doesn’t think he’s ever felt this happy before in his life. It makes his chest feel tight and his heart hurt in a good way. As much as he’s tried not to get his hopes up, it’s impossible not to feel hopeful now.

Kozmotis slips an arm around his waist, pushing him back down on his side as he turns to face him. Kozmotis’ eyes rove over his body so blatantly that there’s no mistaking it this time and it makes Jack’s breathing hitch in his chest. Eventually Kozmotis’ gaze meets his, looking contemplative, and Jack remembers how to breathe. There’s a moment of silence until it’s finally broken by Kozmotis.

“If we’re going to do this, we’re going to do this the slow, old-fashioned way.”

Jack’s pretty sure his heart skips a beat. Possibly several.

“What, like dinner and a movie first?”

“Exactly.”

Somehow that doesn’t surprise him at all. Kozmotis seems like the type to be all gentlemanly and old-fashioned. It’s endearing, if not also slightly disappointing and frustrating considering he’s already naked and very much willing in Kozmotis’ bed.

As if he’s reading his mind, Kozmotis rolls over and grabs something from the bedside table that he presses into Jack’s arms. His pyjama bottoms.

Jack shakes his head fondly with a chuckle, but he wriggles himself into them obligingly. A chance is more than he could have ever hoped for. Dating Kozmotis definitely gives him a chance and then some.

But that does make him wonder and he finally has to ask the question he’s been dreading to ask the most.

“So … I can stay? Even if it doesn’t work out?”

“For however long you want to.”

There’s such sincerity and tenderness on Kozmotis’ face despite Jack already voicing doubt aloud that it makes Jack’s heart leap in his chest. He doesn’t bother resisting the urge to throw his arms around Kozmotis, holding tight and hiding his face in the crook of his neck.

“Just so you know, that means forever and now that you’ve said that, you can’t get rid of me.”

“I wouldn’t dream of it. Imagine the fit Seraphina would have.”

Jack gives a watery laugh and doesn’t budge, working on getting his composure back while Kozmotis runs a soothing hand through his hair and presses his lips to Jack’s forehead.

They stay like that for a while, neither willing to move, until there’s the sound of tiny hurried footsteps in the hallway and Seraphina bursts into the room.

Kozmotis sits up abruptly, looking mildly mortified as his daughter’s eyes widen when she spots Jack and dramatically points at him.

“You got to sleep in daddy’s bed! No fair!”

Jack can see Kozmotis’ shoulders sag in relief, but he’s only aware of that for a brief moment because he’s too busy laughing at the sheer affront on Seraphina’s face.

“Well, maybe next time you should beat me to it then.”

“I will,” she says with stubborn determination. An expression that doesn’t last long when Jack tosses a pillow at her. With an indignant shriek followed by laughter, she grabs it and chases after him when Jack darts off the bed.

Kozmotis watches on with the classic put-upon-dad look, though it does nothing to hide the fondness that lingers in his eyes and quirks his lips up in the slightest.

Jack knows then he found the home and the family he’s always been looking for. People to call his pack.

By the time he hears the front door being unlocked and the sound of Sera’s voice excitedly regaling her father with tales of the day, Jack does feel nervous again. He doesn’t know how she’s going to react to a missing dog and a strange teen in the kitchen, but he’s about to find out.

The door unlocks and only a few seconds later, Seraphina comes bounding into the kitchen despite her father’s protests that she wait, quickly followed by an anxious-looking Kozmotis . Her eyes land on him, going wide and—

“Frosty!”

Jack is too shocked to do anything other than automatically kneel down and catch her as she all but flings herself at him, leaving a gawking Kozmotis in her wake. Him and Kozmotis exchange equally dumbfounded looks while Seraphina hugs him with easy familiarity.

“Er, Sera honey, you do know that’s not the dog, right?” Kozmotis eventually stammers out.

“I know he turns into a boy,” Seraphina says matter-of-factly, pulling back with a bright smile.

Jack promptly realises she must have seen him turn on one of those occasions he’d fallen asleep and had to turn just as the family had gotten back from a trip. It’s a revelation that should maybe be more dreadful, but with Seraphina smiling at him so carelessly, he can only smile back.

She reaches out and puts her hand on Jack’s head. His heart swells at the gesture, that tiny hand ruffling through his unruly, abnormally white hair the same way it would through fur. There’s total acceptance in that simple act.

He watches her in awe as she looks over her shoulder at her father and notices the expression on his face.

“Daddy, can we still keep him?”

Without meaning to Jack peers around Seraphina to see Kozmotis’ reaction, trying and failing to keep the hopefulness from his face when their eyes meet. Kozmotis is wearing that troubled frown again until he sighs and looks away.

“He can stay for now.”

Jack could leap for joy, a few more days with a good roof over his head isn’t something he’s going to pass up on. Especially not when it means being around the Pitchiners for a little while longer.

“But he’s going to stay like this.”

“Aww, but—” Seraphina pouts.

“No buts. Now you still need to tidy your room so go do that and then you can play.”

When Seraphina turns back to him, Jack gives her an encouraging ‘go on’ and that seems to cheer her up. Once she’s gone after a last ruffle of his hair, he rises to his feet, looking to Kozmotis with gratitude.

“Thank you.”

Kozmotis shrugs uncomfortably. “You make her happy.”

That means more to Jack than he could ever possibly put in words.

-

Life with the Pitchiners resumes almost like normal. He’s given the guest bedroom and he eats with them at the dinner table. Seraphina still excitedly chats to him as if nothing’s changed, refusing to call Jack anything other than Frosty. The only difference is that he can talk back and Seraphina soaks up the attention happily.

In return for Kozmotis’ hospitality, Jack helps with chores as much as he can and that seems to help Kozmotis warm up to him faster.

Jack remains unaware of what Kozmotis might be planning to do about him and he doesn’t dare ask for how long he’s allowed to stay for fear of the answer. The subject is never brought up and Jack’s happy to keep it that way if it means he can stay for longer.

It’s rather nice being human and getting to use opposable thumbs around the house. It’s a definite improvement. Only there’s a downside too. As someone in their late teens, he still suffers from a case of raging hormones and he’s feeling that a lot more acutely now that he’s wandering around the house on two legs. His attraction to Kozmotis only grows and that’s bad news.

It doesn’t help that he’s slowly gaining Kozmotis’ trust which in turn apparently makes Kozmotis more comfortable around him. In the beginning there was a lot of wariness, understandably so, and Jack didn’t blame him one bit. That’s starting to fade and Kozmotis behaves casual and relaxed around him more often. He remains reluctant to leave Seraphina alone with Jack, though even that is starting to ease off.

It’s not as if Jack’s very purposely trying to endear himself to Kozmotis, it’s more like he can’t help it. Although Kozmotis doesn’t like being interrupted when he’s working, whenever Jack slips into the study with a cup of coffee after spotting Kozmotis rubbing his temples and looking fed up, Kozmotis always has a tired, grateful smile for him. It's a smile he wants to see as much as possible.

It’s the little things similar to that that appear to win Kozmotis over the most. Helping out with cooking and doing the dishes, convincing Seraphina to go to bed when she doesn’t want to go, all that leads to quiet moments where they can sit together in comfortable silence without having to force anything. Kozmotis doesn’t pry either, Jack figures he’s opting for the ‘wait until he comes to me’ sort of approach and he appreciates it greatly.

But he’s not so sure if he should go for it.

On one hand he does want to open up to Kozmotis, on the other he’s already gotten way too attached and over invested. His growing attraction isn’t helping matters at all. He feels he should leave before it gets any worse and yet he doesn’t want to now that he finally has a sense of family. Logically he knows, the sooner he leaves, the lesser the heartbreak. Kozmotis said it was only temporary with that 'for now', hadn’t he?

It’s a thought that grows more pervasive the closer he gets to the full moon. More often he finds himself staring at Kozmotis, especially when he’s rolled up his sleeves, and wanting to sneak out the guest room and slip into Kozmotis’ room at night. He misses sleeping at the end of Kozmotis’ bed, feeling his warmth and falling asleep to his steady breathing. Although his imagination leads him to far less chaste places and more into the ‘pinned down and naked’ kind of places nowadays.

The full moon drawing near only makes it worse. His wolfy side plus hormones equals disaster. He can’t control himself on the full moon and he has no doubt that having so many repressed desires will make them come to the surface. The last thing he wants is to be humping Kozmotis’ leg and knowing his luck, his wolfy self would do exactly such a mortifying thing.

He really should leave.

He doesn’t.

-

By the time it’s the first night of the full moon, he hasn’t been able to get himself to go. That leaves the only option of resisting the change which is rather excruciating. Still, Jack finds that preferable over disgusting the hell out of Kozmotis and potentially losing his home sooner rather than later.

It’s hard to hide his pain, however. And long after Seraphina’s been sent to bed and the night has truly fallen, leaving only the two of them on the couch watching TV, Kozmotis notices. It would probably be hard not to with how pale Jack has gotten. He’s sweating profusely and gritting his teeth, restlessly shifting every few minutes.

“What’s wrong?”

“It’s the full moon,” Jack replies in a trembling voice, failing to sound casual.

“So shouldn’t you be a wolf by now?” It’s the first time Kozmotis has addressed his wolf side after Jack’s ‘coming out’ and Jack would be proud of him for sounding so casual about it if he wasn’t in so much pain.

The ache permeates through his very bones, his skin itching and feeling far too small to contain him. It takes tremendous effort not to give in and change and talking makes his concentration waver.

“You said to stay like this.” Jack, by some miracle, manages to smirk briefly to show that he’s mostly joking. Kozmotis looks affronted regardless and that almost makes him want to laugh. The only thing that slips past his lips is a quiet groan of pain, making the affront on Kozmotis’ face change to concern. There’s a hint of fear in the air too, Jack can smell it. Whether it’s Kozmotis’ or his own is hard to say.

“I didn’t mean— Does it hurt? Not changing?”

“Yeah, kind of a lot.” The full moon is close to reaching it’s peak, Jack can feel it and in an explosion of the pent-up restless energy, he gets up to pace around the room.

Kozmotis rises slowly from his seat, watching him in both wariness and concern.

“So just change.”

“I don’t want to,” Jack snaps without meaning to, growing ever more agitated in his pacing, and quickly shoots Kozmotis an apologetic look in time to see Kozmotis’ questioning one. “I can’t control myself during a full moon.”

“So you’ll … hurt people?”

“No, no, I’ve never done that. It’s just …” Jack breathes harshly through his nose, reduced to moving back and forth like a caged animal. “I don’t like not being in control of myself.”

It’s a weak excuse, but he’s not about to tell the truth that he fears he’ll jump Kozmotis. It looks like a good enough excuse considering the sympathetic expression on Kozmotis’ face so he leaves it at that.

There’s not much room for coherent thought to explain any further either way. Not when the pain intensifies and shoots up his spine, halting him in his steps and making him double over, gagging at the agony. He’s only faintly aware of the sound of movement before there’s suddenly warmth on both his shoulders. Hands. Kozmotis’ hands.

“Jack, it’s fine.”

He looks up to meet Kozmotis’ worried gaze and he can only shake his head because no, it’s not okay. Kozmotis squeezes his shoulders and Jack finds that the touch is oddly steadying and helping him focus through the haze of pain. His skin feels oversensitive under his shirt and Kozmotis’ hands are like brands of heat, pulling all his focus toward the points of contact. He’s hyper-aware of Kozmotis’ proximity and although he was expecting to get more agitated because of it, he only feels comforted.

“Can I help?” Kozmotis’ voice has gone all soft though Jack can hear it just fine. It has that frantic edge to it that makes an appearance whenever Seraphina falls and doesn’t get up right away. Kozmotis is genuinely worried and fretting over him. Jack is touched. Would be more so if he wasn’t currently trying to keep it together while also considering the question.

He’s never had anyone around to help him through the change before so he has no clue what might help.

The physical contact seems to work, only it’s not enough. An idea does occur to him. He’s just not sure if it’s something he can ask of Kozmotis. He’s seen the way Kozmotis sometimes looks at him though. Either because Kozmotis knows of Jack’s attraction or maybe because he feels the same. The latter is doubtlessly Jack’s wishful thinking, but if Kozmotis already suspects then ...

“Could you— maybe— this is a stupid thing to ask,” Jack babbles and Kozmotis remains patient, gently squeezing Jack’s shoulders again and Jack has to resist the urge to bury his face against Kozmotis’ chest and whine. Instead he just blurts his request out.

“Could you kiss me? I just … I need to- focus. Something to focus on? It’s fine if you don’t—” Words are getting too hard and Jack falters, starting to feel far too flustered to continue. He doesn’t even have the presence of mind left to feel embarrassed, only to silently plead with his eyes for some form of distraction.

He must look desperate and frazzled enough because after a moment of bewildered staring, Kozmotis leans in.

Even though Jack can see it coming, he’s too surprised to be prepared for the actual touch. There are warm lips pressed softly against his, sending a spark of sensation from the point of contact throughout his whole body like an electrical current. Everything goes still in his mind and the pain is forgotten. After a stunned beat, Jack closes his eyes and leans into it. He can feel Kozmotis’ hands slide from his shoulders to his back, fingers massaging soothingly.

It makes Jack whimper against Kozmotis’ mouth, tension leaving his body so swiftly that he has to steady himself with his arms on Kozmotis’ chest to keep himself from sagging against him completely. It’s very simple contact, just a press of lips, chaste, and it doesn’t become anything more than that.

Jack’s not sure for how long they stay like that, when Kozmotis breaks the kiss it doesn’t feel like nearly long enough. He’s left feeling dazed and yet peculiarly calm. It’s as if someone’s pressed a mute button on everything he was feeling previously. When he chances a glance up, there’s an intensity in Kozmotis’ eyes that makes him look away again, smiling weakly.

“Thanks, that … that helped,” he murmurs gratefully and he can see Kozmotis nod in his peripheral vision. There’s an abrupt pressure in the back of his neck, reminding him of his predicament. He can’t resist much longer nor does he want to now. “I’ll, um, change. You might want to look away.”

With great reluctance he steps back out of Kozmotis’ embrace. The moment he’s out of his arms, the change hits him like a freight train and he doesn’t have the time to see if Kozmotis turns away or not. It’s a frantic scramble to get out of his clothes before they can tear as he changes and the last thing he remembers is falling down on all fours before blacking out.

When he comes back to awareness, everything feels still and pleasantly fuzzy. There are fingers scritching behind his ear and the familiarity of the gesture is profoundly reassuring. He leans his head into it instinctively.

“Come, let’s go to bed.”

Those words are very familiar too as is the voice.

The owner of the voice starts moving and Jack follows after, up the stairs and into the room that smells the most recognisable. With a quick hop he’s on the bed, turning three times before lying down on his usual spot. There’s rustling on the other side of the room that the wolf pays no heed to. A moment later there’s a soothing hand moving through his fur a few times before the mattress dips.

All is as it should be.

"This isn't what it looks like!" He blurts out and then regrets it, cringing, because he has no idea what this even looks like. " ... Or maybe it is? I don't know."

Kozmotis narrows his eyes, shifting the grip on his gun menacingly and prompting another hurried response.

"But I can explain!"

Before anything else can be said by either of them, Seraphina’s voice calling for her father cuts in from the hallway. They both freeze, staring almost comically at each other with the same dread on their faces. Kozmotis snaps out of it first, moving off the bed and tucking the gun into the back of his pyjama pants before pausing to point a finger at Jack in a threatening gesture.

“Stay put.”

Jack can only nod wordlessly while his mind races to think of a way out. The window is starting to look mighty appealing. The drop probably wouldn’t hurt him at all. He might have gone with that hare-brained scheme the moment Kozmotis slipped out the door if it weren’t for Seraphina’s voice pulling him from his panicky thoughts.

“Where’s Frosty?”

“Frost is— still asleep. Let’s let him sleep in a little, okay?”

He can hear Seraphina’s protests even as she’s ushered down the stairs by her father. He knows her father’s words won’t deter her for long.

It occurs to Jack and his guilty conscience that he at least owes Kozmotis an explanation. Plus he wants to be able to say goodbye to Seraphina in some way. It’s those realisations that keep him from jumping out the window.

Rather than fleeing, he gets off the bed and moves to one corner of the room to change into his wolf form again. Not a moment too soon, because as expected Seraphina steps into the room soon after, having gone behind her father’s back if the panicked yell from downstairs is anything to go by.

“SERA!”

While Seraphina gives him the routine morning hug and he wags his tail in greeting, Kozmotis bursts into the room. The look of panic on his face is replaced by something unreadable when he spots the two of them.

“See daddy? He was already awake.”

Jack flattens his ears against his head a little, trying his very best to look as apologetic as possible with his wolfish features. Although he’s not sure if it’s working, Kozmotis sighs and lets his tense shoulders sag after a beat all the same.

“Yes, sweetheart. Why don’t you finish your breakfast and we’ll be down in a minute.”

The use of ‘we’ seems amendable enough for her and after a last ruffle of his fur, she skips out of the room, leaving Jack to look submissive on instinct. Doubly so when Kozmotis reaches for his gun. Fortunately it’s only to place it back in the drawer of his night stand though that doesn’t ease the tension that much when Kozmotis turns and frowns at him. It feels like an eternity in which he’s scrutinised before Kozmotis finally looks away.

“Turn away.”

The clipped tone is enough to get Jack to do so without question. He doesn’t have to wonder for long anyway as the familiar rustle of fabric behind him speaks for itself. He glances over when Kozmotis is finished getting dressed and he’s met with a contemplative look. It’s not a bad look, certainly much better than the fearsome scowl, but rather unnerving in its stillness. Kozmotis eventually makes a motion for Jack to follow as he turns to leave the room.

Jack realises that Kozmotis won’t be allowing him a chance to escape by keeping him close and well …

Fair enough.

The morning resumes like any other, save for the suspicious glances Kozmotis keeps throwing him and how Jack keeps himself a lot more subdued than usual because of it. He wags his tail only enough not to worry Seraphina. The walk to school is normal and Seraphina’s goodbye hug breaks his heart as he figures it will be the last time he gets to enjoy her affection. He doesn’t really get the time to dwell on it.

The walk back is hurried, Jack has to trot to keep up with Kozmotis’ brisk pace. He doesn’t even look at Jack the whole way through which does nothing to ease the tense atmosphere. It almost makes thoughts of fleeing tempting again. Not that he could if he seriously planned it, Kozmotis has an iron grip on the leash and he locks the door the moment they’re back inside the house and the leash is off.

Without even a glance at him Kozmotis moves upstairs, again motioning for Jack to follow. Jack can only watch nervously as Kozmotis rummages through his closet, grabbing a few items of clothing before he’s ushered out of the room and into the guest bedroom. Kozmotis puts the clothes down on the bed with a curt nod at him.

“Put those on.”

And without further ado, he leaves the room though Jack can still hear him standing in the hallway.

Nothing for it then.

It’s only when Jack has turned back that anxiety really strikes. It’s with slightly trembling fingers that he puts on the clothes laid out for him. At least the clothes work a bit soothing. They’re too big, of course, but they’re comfy and they smell of Kozmotis and he can’t help but be comforted by that.

He tries not to stall too long once he’s done even though his heart is pounding so loud he’s certain that Kozmotis can hear from the other side of the door. He’s not quite sure why he suddenly feels so anxious, Kozmotis wouldn’t kill him or anything. Probably.

He takes a deep, steadying breath before gently knocking on the door and opening it, keeping his head down and glancing up uncertainly.

Kozmotis turns around from where he was presumably guarding the door, giving him a long, hard look before he finally speaks.

“I need a drink.”

-

“... A werewolf.”

Kozmotis had stayed remarkably still and quiet throughout the explanation. Now that the information seems to truly sink in, he’s become a flurry of movement. There’s restless pacing and wild arm gestures and more than once Jack has to reach over and move Kozmotis’ glass of whisky to keep it from being knocked over, even managing to get a sip before the glass is snatched away from him.

All in all it’s not that bad a reaction. There are no guns being pointed at him or any signs that violence is about to occur. Kozmotis is pacing on the other side of the kitchen table and making no move to come to the side Jack is sitting at, which to Jack is a big plus. There’s no threat and Jack is a lot more at ease. Having finally fessed up also feels strangely relieving. The only guilt remaining now is for the agitation he’s obviously causing Kozmotis.

Kozmotis who abruptly stops in his pacing to look at him.

“What’s your last name?”

Jack blinks at the sudden change of subject, taken off guard. He’d hoped he would get away with only having said his first name and Kozmotis getting too preoccupied with the whole werewolf thing to bother with anything else. No such luck, apparently.

“... Frost.”

Kozmotis narrows his eyes, clearly not believing the lie.

“What’s your real last name?”

“Frost works just fine,” he insists stubbornly.

Kozmotis gives him a look of exasperation, throwing his arms up for the tenth time before he continues pacing. Jack considers the subject dropped though he’s wary when Kozmotis stops again.

“We gave you a bath.”

“It was a nice bath?” Is all Jack can offer in return.

“Oh, well, good to know someone was enjoying it.”

“So were you.” It’s not the right thing to say, most likely, yet Jack can’t help himself. It’s the truth, Kozmotis had looked like he was enjoying himself if only because of his daughter’s happiness.

Kozmotis scowls and looks away, going silent as he contemplates … whatever it is that’s on his mind, Jack is having a hard time keeping up with the odd jumps in the conversation.

“No wonder you never ate the dog food ...”

It’s a quiet mutter that’s probably more to himself than Jack. Jack decides to cut the whole discussion short there before Kozmotis can start moving on to whatever other realisation occurs to him.

“Look, I’m sorry about all this, okay? I’ll leave and you won’t ever have to deal with this crazy shit again,” he says as he slips out of the chair.

“No.”

Kozmotis suddenly does move to Jack’s side of the table and although Jack stands his ground, he tenses as Kozmotis looms over him with a stern expression. It causes flutters of nervousness in his stomach, but Jack hides his fear behind a frown and a defiant jut of his chin.

“Excuse you?”

“You’re not leaving until you’ve either told me your real name or where you live.”

Despite knowing that he owes Kozmotis at least that much, in the face of that authoritative tone that little fact goes forgotten.

“No, I’m not telling you!”

“Fine,” Kozmotis says so abruptly that it throws him off entirely. Jack can only stare in confusion as Kozmotis walks away, grabbing his coat and his car keys. “Then you’re going to show me.”

-

It’s with great reluctance that Jack finds himself sitting in Kozmotis’ car. The threats of being turned over to the authorities having worked well in Kozmotis’ favour. Beyond giving directions in a snippy tone, he doesn’t speak and fortunately Kozmotis stays quiet as well.

It doesn’t take long at all before they reach the abandoned house that Jack has claimed as his temporary ‘home’ on the outskirts of town. He can feel Kozmotis’ eyes on him when he tells him to stop the car and he resolutely doesn’t look at him. He doesn’t want to see whatever look of shock or pity might be on Kozmotis’ face.

Without a word he leaves the car and walks into the house, his gaze solemnly on the floor until he reaches the makeshift bedroom with the ratty mattress on the floor. Only then does he spin on his heels to face Kozmotis, spreading his arms in a mock gesture of display.

“Well, tadaa, here it is! My home. Are you happy now?”

There’s a troubled look on Kozmotis’ face as he glances from the mattress to the small pile of clothes next to it and then to Jack. It makes Jack queasy. Any moment now that look is going to turn to pity or disgust and he doesn’t want to see it.

“Now that you’ve taken me home, you can go.”

He has to resist the urge to just physically push Kozmotis out the building as the guy just turns away, still frowning and running his hand through his hair like he’s deeply thinking something over. Jack doesn’t get a chance to repeat himself like he wants to as Kozmotis suddenly seems to have made up his mind, looking back to him resolutely.

“No. This won’t do. You’re coming with me.”

Jack balks.

“You said no authorities if I did this.”

“I’m not taking you to the authorities.”

“Oh ...” Jack breathes in relief. “Then where?”

“Back home.”

Jack can’t really object to that though he has no idea what Kozmotis is planning. It can’t be anything too bad seeing as Kozmotis insists on buying him a new set of clothes on the way back despite Jack’s protests. In the end he doesn’t get too much of a choice, Kozmotis’ clothes are way too big for him and Kozmotis refuses to go back and let Jack fetch the clothes he forgot back in the abandoned house.

When they get back, he’s told to change and make himself something to eat while Kozmotis disappears into the study he uses for work. Jack does as told and any notion of escaping has left him by now. He feels an odd mix of confused, wary and yet hopeful despite better judgment.

He’s on his third ham sandwich when Kozmotis reappears to join him in the kitchen. The troubled frown seems to be permanently set on his face, though it seems lesser than before. As Kozmotis seats himself, Jack finally blurts out the question he’s been meaning to ask the most.

“Aren’t you mad? For … y’know, deceiving you and all.”

“I am mad,” Kozmotis says with such sudden intensity that it makes Jack flinch. He softens again a few seconds later. “But I understand too.”

Jack’s not sure what to say to that, the feeling that he somehow needs to explain and justify his actions remains.

“I was just … ”

“Desperate?” Kozmotis raises an eyebrow.

“Yeah,” Jack nods meekly. “It’s really kind of pathetic.”

He forces a weak laugh, earning him a headshake from Kozmotis.

“We do what we must to survive,” Kozmotis says.

Jack would protest that it’s not quite the case here, but the sober, almost melancholic look on Kozmotis’ face keeps him from voicing the thought aloud. It might have something to do with Kozmotis being a former soldier and so Jack decides not to pry.

“I’m really sorry. Thank you for— well, everything. You’ve been really cool about this.”

Kozmotis makes a noncommittal noise, only briefly glancing at Jack before he stares contemplatively at the wall.

“Is it your fatherly instincts taking over?” Jack jokes to try and diffuse the lingering tension.

Kozmotis’ lips quirk briefly and Jack considers that victory enough.

“Be glad they did.”

Jack is. They lapse into a silence that isn’t altogether unpleasant. Kozmotis seems to be deep in thought while Jack finishes his sandwich and simply tries to enjoy the company while he can. He doesn’t dare interrupt Kozmotis’s thoughts. The existence of supernatural creatures does tend to be a lot to take in.

It’s Kozmotis who eventually breaks the silence with a heavy sigh.

“God, how do I even tell Sera ...”

“You could tell her the truth?” Jack suggests and the look he’s leveled with tells him it’s not an appreciated suggestion. “Look, I’m just saying, kids believe a lot easier. But I can change back to—”

“No. You’re not going back to that.”

Jack shrugs his shoulders helplessly, not having any other suggestions to offer.

“I’ll figure something out.” Kozmotis sighs before glancing to the clock. “I’ll go pick her up. You just stay put and don’t change into ... just stay as you are.”

Jack nods, wishing he could be of more help. Perhaps telling a little girl werewolves exist might not be the best idea, but spinning it into something less scary should be doable, right? He has no clue what Kozmotis intends to do and he tries to leave it to him and not worry too much.