Supernatural
Written by Megan.
299 posts.
18 years old.
two timin' hoe.
I am Male.
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Post by Ashton Pines on May 3, 2022 19:38:13 GMT
There was an unspoken tension heavy in the air as Sabrina hesitated to reach for Blake and agree to Ashton’s welcoming–when she refused waking Murphy and looked towards the car for escape. Jensen’s hand started to lift from her shoulders, brows drawn close as he looked from his old friend to his pack members on the porch. Seconds ticked by like hours, the chill nipping at their skin and threatening to frost them out. The tape piecing Blake’s heart back together was coming undone, and Ashton’s resolve was slipping. If she stepped back now, he didn’t have it in him to hold back this time. This was his pack. He was alpha now. If she threatened their happiness? Stormed in only to cause chaos? She would be put in her place and there would be no third chance. His ears picked up the sound of Murphy huffing and puffing in his room, having been woken up from the voices and the barrage of scents. He was grumbling as he sought out a shirt to wear, eager to come see how this would play out.
Just as Jensen lips parted to speak before either of the boys on the porch could, Sabrina stepped forward and spoke. The bubble popped around them, the anxiety bleeding from their bodies and causing all of their shoulders to drop in relief. None of them had noticed how tense they’d gotten at the prospect of her denial. Blake’s lips split into a toothy grin, Jensen’s face mirroring the elation. Ashton shook his head at how dumb they looked, turning to hide his own soft smile. This was his chance to right his wrongs. It wasn’t often he acknowledged his sins, but he’d seen how Sabrina leaving had hurt his boys. That was partly his fault and if he would apologize for anything, it would only be for their sake. Perhaps he was softening in the wake of his parents' death and under Jade’s influence. He didn’t look too closely at it. Blake and Jensen caught the stress in Sabrina, they didn’t need heightened senses for that, but didn’t comment on it. They knew this was a hard position for her to be in, especially when it was clearly not how she had expected to end her night.
Ashton entered the house first, heading towards Murphy’s room to intercept him and fill him in.
Jensen and Blake followed behind Sabrina, sharing a soft look between one another. They couldn’t believe she was really here, after so long and so much hurt. The two had grown closer in her absence, having been the ones closest to her. They’d mourned her loss together, finding their footing with each other’s help. Jensen smiled at her attempt at conversation, moving to sit on the couch across from her as he replied, “Wouldn’t dream of it, Rina. Guess we never really could accept that you’d never come back.” He shrugged, looking away then with teary eyes. He would have waited forever for her to come back. She had been like his sister, the one he could turn to talk to and rely on–as she had done with him. He thought she trusted him more than this, more than the others. He thought he would have been the one to get a goodbye, but he was left in the dark like the rest.
Blake hesitated for a moment, looking at the seating options before settling beside Sabrina. He knew this was going to be hard on her and it wouldn’t go well if they isolated her and made it feel like an interrogation. He didn’t know if it was the right choice, but it felt right to him. Jensen would keep Ashton in line while he did the same for Sabrina. He considered leaving space between them, but as he leaned back into the cushions, he spread his legs and threw his arm behind her. An act of normalcy, trying to negate the tension of the situation. His knee bumped up against hers, fingertips brushing her shoulder just slightly. Okay, so what if he just missed her a lot and wanted to touch her–to prove she was real, that this was really happening. Sue him and then fuck off.
Murphy was entering the living room before Ashton could cut him off, pulling on a shirt and sending daggers at the back of Sabrina’s head. So it wasn’t a dream. His lips parted, ready to hurl something nasty her way, but Ashton’s hand landed heavy on his shoulder. “No shit tonight, Murph,” he growled, eyes flashing red. It was a command, his alpha telling him what to do and he better fucking obey. Murphy cocked his head to the side, sizing Ashton up for a moment. He knew that the boy didn’t care for Sabrina all that much, but he did love his pack and it wasn’t hard to put it all together. Ashton was going to set aside his animosity and make nice for Jensen and Blake. How sweet. It made Murphy want to gag. He rolled his eyes, but nodded. He’d try to be on his best behavior, but no promises.
Ashton led him to the living room, sitting beside Jensen–across from Sabrina. Murphy glanced at the lazyboy seat Uncle Benny favored, but after a pointed look from his alpha, he rolled his eyes once more and sat on the other side of him. He should have stayed asleep. This was going to be lame. Murphy’s eyes found Sabrina then, frowning at the sight of her. She was a traitor. She shouldn’t be here. He had to pick up the pieces of the boys when Ashton was gone, he knew just how badly they had ached at her absence. She shouldn’t be allowed back after the hurt she caused. “So, we’re just going to pretend she isn’t some bitch who used us until she didn’t need us?” He bit out despite the warning to keep his mouth shut. Neither Blake or Jensen had time to react before Ashton turned on the boy.
“Murphy, keep your mouth fucking shut,” he ordered, eyes alight with hostility and scarlet hues.
“No,” Murphy hissed back, rising to a stand and pointing at Sabrina, “I’m not just going to sit back and let her just weasel her way back in because she only now realized she fucked up. You weren’t here to see them,” he was shouting now, gesturing to Blake and Jensen, “You don’t get how hard it was for them.” And now Murphy wasn’t one to sympathize, but these were his boys. His only family. He didn’t take threats to his family lightly. “This is fucking stupid and you know it,” he shot a glare at Sabrina, begging her to speak up so he had something to react to.
Ashton was slow to stand, claws sharpened on his fingertips and teeth bared as he towered over his beta. Murphy didn’t cower, but his heartbeat pulsed loudly in everyone’s ears. “James,” and he could count on one hand how many times that name had fallen from the alpha’s lips–it was dirty, nasty, wrong, “Sit down. Shut up.” And only because it was Ashton, he did. He didn’t look happy about it, but he did obey. “We’re going to hear her out. I know what she did was fucked up. I know how bad it was. Trust me,” his voice was softer as he took his seat once more, but still full of authority. There were many nights he’d spent guilt-stricken as one of the boys called him in sorrow, not able to help them the way he wished he could from Texas. “But she’s here now, and she isn’t the only one who fucked up,” he finished. Ashton looked at Sabrina then, eyes ivy once more and features back to normal.
Blake was livid, scowling at Murphy. It wasn’t often that the two fought and he knew that Murphy was only saying this to protect him, but Blake didn’t want to risk losing Sabrina now that she was here. It hurt then and it still hurt now, but more than that, he had missed her. He just wanted her back. He’d deal with the rest of it all later.
Jensen was nervous, glancing at his cousin. That had been his first true display as alpha of the pack. He’d been struggling with the newfound power, with the hierarchy shift. It was interesting that he’d used it to protect Sabrina, but he was proud of him for it. Ashton was changing. It seemed to be for the better. His eyes found Sabrina, wondering how the interaction affected her.
Ashton was, well, he didn’t know how he was. He felt guilty for berating Murphy when part of him felt the same way. He felt guilty for putting Jensen and Blake through so much pain with his stupidity. He felt guilty for forcing himself on Sabrina and backing her into this situation. He still didn’t know why he did it. He’d never liked Sabrina. She was pretty, yes, but he hadn’t wanted that from her. She was pack. It was different. But he’d been young and dumb and so fucking drunk. She said something that got under his skin and he wanted to do the same. He hadn’t meant for it to go this far.
“I’m sorry,” he said with an air of finality, hunched over–arms resting on his knees and hands clasped together. He had to set this straight, had to get this right. He should have apologized a long time ago. He didn’t cower from her gaze, meeting it head on. “I shouldn’t have kissed you. I shouldn’t have done a lot of things. I can’t tell you why I did it because I don’t know. I can’t even remember if I had a reason. But it was fucked up, Bri. I’m sorry I laid a hand on you like that. I’m sorry it was part of why you left. I’m sorry for making you feel like this pack wasn’t your home because it always will be.” He took a breath then, eyes cutting to Blake as his face rounded with shock. None of the boys had been prepared for that, for Ashton to take ownership of his actions. It was out of character for him to remorse, but not for him to put his pack first. It was a weird conflict that made sense with the context clues. “I didn’t hear all that was said with you and Blake in the car and I won’t make you tell us,” Murphy huffed, Jensen reached over Ashton’s shoulders to smack him on the back of the head. The two shared swats back and forth before Ashton growled and they settled. “But if you want to come back, you’re going to have to be honest with us,” and yeah, maybe Murphy shouldn’t have assumed, but no he didn’t feel stupid for jumping to conclusions.
“You lost my trust. Maybe not theirs,” he gestured towards Blake and Jensen and it was only then that they realized that she had lost theirs too, as much as they wanted to say otherwise, “And you’ll have to get that back before you can come home. So,” he nodded to the boys then, meaning for them to ask any questions they had.
Blake turned to look at Sabrina, pressing his leg a little closer to remind her that she had him. That this wasn’t them versus her, it was a conversation for them all. It hurt. It would for a long time, but her feelings had always been before his. That’s why he’d been so wounded when she left.
Ashton leaned back on the couch, throwing his arm around Murphy’s shoulders–hand firm where it rested on his arm. It was a warning and an attempt at comfort all at once. No one else was allowed to touch him so freely, but he owes his life to Ashton. He’d let the man get away with murder. Murphy preened under the contact, glaring at Sabrina as he kept his mouth shut this time around. Ashton’s mind was loud, feeling silly for apologizing for something that had seemed so trivial at the time, but proud that he’d proven to himself that he was capable of such a thing. Maybe it was because it was so late in the night or the pitiful look that had crossed Jensen and Blake’s face or just that he’s changed so much in the last few months. He’d lost his parents. He found hope in Jade. He’d found solace in Erin. He found a new him. He couldn’t tell if he liked this change or not.
Jensen was the one to speak up, face soft and body language calm–if not a little defeated–as he asked, “Why, Rina? I… I heard a little bit of what you said to Blake, but I just, not enough to wrap my head around why you left us? Why you left me? If you had needed an ear back then, I don’t get why you felt like I wouldn’t have listened.” And maybe it wasn’t personal against him, but it was hard to not take it personally.
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Supernatural
Written by Jasmin.
48 posts.
18 years old.
hopeless.
I am Female.
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Post by Sabrina Mets on May 3, 2022 21:01:15 GMT
Any comfort Sabrina had managed to feel in the few seconds she was sat down was interrupted in quick succession by two things. One, Blake’s body being so close to hers after all this time had her heart beating rapidly. She kept her attention on Jensen, smiling at his kind words even if she caught the gleam of tears in his eyes. Fuck, this was going to be a long night. Whilst her outward attention was on the boy opposite her, the very warm, very real Blake beside her was sending any normal thought she had haywire. Lock it down, Sabrina.
Two, Murphy arriving so quickly had any butterflies turning to rabid hornets in her stomach. She could sense his presence before she saw him, could imagine the look of disdain on his face. As everyone took their seats, Sabrina tried to block out the feeling of Blake’s fingers on her shoulder, of the way she wanted to lean back into that hand. Two years of distance and hiding her feelings deep, deep down had come undone in the matter of an hour. How tragic.
Sabrina’s dark eyes met Murphy’s and man, she would throw him across the room if she thought she could get away with it. She was fairly certain he returned the sentiment, especially with the words that followed. Bitch. Of course, he would go for a low blow. Sabrina expected it from him, it was why she’d hesitated when they’d mentioned waking him up. He’d be the one to make this conversation extra prickly. But Sabrina was used to prickly and all she did was stay silent, if Murphy wanted a reaction out of her all he’d get was a look in her eyes that told him he could try to fight her but she was more than ready to win. Ashton backing her up did come as a surprise and it knocked her composure somewhat having not expected that from him at all. From Blake, probably. From Jensen, fair chance. From Ashton? You had to be joking.
When Murphy stood up, Sabrina was ready to go, the pull of shifting all her brain was focusing on. What she would do to go toe to toe with him then and there. Someone beat her to it. As Ashton stood, Sabrina gaped slightly looking sideways at Blake, trying to tell if this was a common occurrence or not. She was leaning towards not, especially when Murphy’s first name was used. She forgot his name wasn’t actually Murphy – aside from when she’d call him Jimmy but coming from Ashton, Sabrina kept her mouth shut knowing she couldn’t get involved with this power play.
Catching Jensen’s eye, Sabrina couldn’t help the grin that crossed her face. She knew it’d probably rile up Murphy even more but she couldn’t help it. This shit was entertaining. Even if it was because of her. Really, she wanted to laugh – to tell them all to calm down but that wasn’t fair. She owed them this time.
The grin didn’t last as her attention was pulled back to Ashton. I’m sorry. So was she, her own guilt hanging heavily from her frame, any sign of amusement gone as she listened to Ashton speak. Jensen and Murphy’s little bitch fight behind Ashton’s head barely caught her attention as she savoured the apology. But far too quickly the attention was back on her – it was her time to shine and to weave a nice enough story to settle their nerves. Blake’s leg pressed against her own acted as a reminder that she’d already done this once tonight. This time she could minimise her complaining, focus on the matter-of-fact angle and hopefully avoid hurting too many feelings.
Of course, it was Jensen who asked the first question. These boys taking her decisions so personally were going to be the death of her. Before she opened her mouth, Sabrina looked over each of the boys, reminding herself who they were. The way she’d cared about them. The happy memories they’d all shared. “I’m really sorry that I didn’t say goodbye to any of you. You were my brothers and I walked away like you were nothing. I’ve treated you all fairly shit since then. I don’t like the way I left. I don’t like the way I can’t look at any of you now and not see that you dislike me in some way or another. If I could take back what I did, I would. And no, I’m not here to weasel my way back in, Murphy. I’m here because my car ran out of gas and Blake said that you, personally, would have a little bitch fit if I didn’t come say hi.” Sabrina’s opening could do with some work, and going on a personal jab at Murphy from the bat was probably not the smartest move but she really didn’t care whether he liked her or not.
Running her hands through her hair, Sabrina looked at Jensen properly, a sad smile on her face. “I left because my family needed me. Well, Addie needed me to protect her and I couldn’t do that if I spent half my time here with all of you. Pretending to have a freak out over Ashton kissing me seemed like an easy way to leave without dragging you all with me. It wasn’t fair to ask a bunch of 15 year old boys to take care of an 8 year old girl. Blake has argued his case that you wouldn’t have minded but I was 15 and acting on impulse. I didn’t know any better and I didn’t think anything through.” It still didn’t sound like enough of a reason. It never would because she was leaving the second part of her reasoning out. They could buy the first half and be happy or never understand her reasoning, the choice was there’s. “But I didn’t want to leave you. I just didn’t know what to do and I’d buried myself in such a hole of silence and distance that I had no idea how to get back to you all.” Sabrina was trying to keep her body parts to herself but maybe she pushed up her shoulder just a little to feel Blake’s hand a bit better. To remind herself that she’d won over someone tonight. It had just taken a bit of back and forth.
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Supernatural
Written by Megan.
76 posts.
19 years old.
ladies man.
I am Male.
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Post by Blake Griffin on May 4, 2022 15:35:11 GMT
Blake wasn’t one to stay quiet very often. He knew that silence sometimes was better than slinging together words he thought someone wanted to hear–that allowing them to ramble on got him the little truths he would have missed if he interrupted, but this silence was different. He didn’t have the words to speak, he could barely compute this situation. Murphy and Jensen were lively, bickering as they always did. The two could get along fine if they wanted, but being polar opposites of one another made that harder than it should be. Jensen on Ashton’s right was the little angel on his shoulder, keeping him in line and guiding him down the right path. Murphy on his left was the red devil in his ear, begging for chaos and leading him astray. It would have been a comical sight if Blake wasn’t freaking the fuck out. Sabrina was a hot warmth against his side, his brain keenly aware of all the spots they were touching. It was never like this with other women, but then again, Blake didn’t care about other women. Brina was always different, she’d always be more important than the rest of the girls. His eyes found Ashton then, pride heavy on his chest as the boy took his first true steps as their alpha. It was the first situation to come up where he was needed to lead. Sabrina was important, but maybe not more than Ashton–than Jensen and Murphy. They had given him a home, a family. They had never left his side and would never. He didn’t want to pit them against one another, couldn’t say who he’d save if it came down to it because he prayed they would never be in a situation where he would have to be the one to make that choice. Blake would never be the last man standing. That would always be Ashton, it would always be the boy who saved them all. He watched the way Ashton tamed Murphy, keeping a firm hold on him to keep him from popping up again. Murphy looked like a scolded child and the cat who got the cream all at once. He liked the attention from Ash, even if it was negative. Their bonds were strange. Ashton had been his best friend for so long, but when he was gone, it was Jensen and then Sabrina that filled that role before Murphy took hold. Jensen had been Ashton’s best friend for as long as he could remember, but then he met Blake and Murphy. Murphy would only get along with Ashton for the longest time, but eventually warmed to Blake. Jensen had been under Ashton’s arm since birth, but Sabrina had been who he relied on when the boy was gone. Their dynamic had been so fleshed out. Summers where when they flourished with Ashton and the rest of the year they cycled through each other, but now?
Ashton wasn’t going back now. He was home.
Sometimes they didn’t know who to be. They all relied on him so greatly that he’d purposefully made himself sparse by spending time with Jade and even Erin. The boys had suspicions, but no evidence yet to what his motive was when it came to his girlfriend’s twin. Blake spent a lot of time with Murphy and Jensen put his focus on Iris, but when Ashton settled in for the night, the boys would crowd the couches and throw on a comedy movie–or, more often than not, a Mel Gibson film if Ashton had the remote. Chipotle in hand or some meal that Murphy had cooked up. The kid found solace in the kitchen, would throw his spatula at anyone who entered while he cooked. They’d figured out who they were, found their places with one another. No longer was one more important than the other but an even playing field. Ashton made time for each of his betas–his friends and family–because that’s how he was. Dude could act tough and spit a hard game, but he was a softy under it all. He’d experienced loss and was heavy with the regrets of the things he didn't say or didn’t do with his parents. He wasn’t going to make that mistake again.
Blake couldn’t find his voice. His eyes fell to where his knee was pressed against hers, a small smile finding his lips as Jensen spoke. Good to know he wasn’t the only one who took it to heart, but he’d already known that. Murphy and Ashton had been hurt too, but they’d never admit to it. Sabrina’s voice filled him with butterflies and he was thankful that he had already heard what she had to say because he couldn’t make out a damn word past brothers. It was a slap on his wrist, making him want to pull away but he couldn’t find it in him to when she subtly leaned into his touch. He was comforting her. He could put his own feelings aside for one damn moment. His eyes found Murphy as she brought up his joke, looking sheepish under the weight of his glare, but shrugging all the same. He moved his arm to properly rest on her shoulders, nudging once at her arm to let her know she could lean into him if needed, but not guiding her to do so in case she didn’t want to touch that much. He could be a gentleman. Though perhaps only for her.
Murphy seethed at the comment, wanting to hurl some obscenity, but Ashton’s fingers tightening on his arm had him keeping quiet. Instead, he directed his anger on Blake. That was a low blow, even if Sabrina only took it as a joke. He hadn’t hated her before. Maybe he didn’t hate her now, but he certainly didn’t appreciate her being here. She’d once been the only girl who could take his blows and deal them back, she’d been a voice of reason when Ashton wasn’t there because he certainly wasn’t listening to Jensen’s whining. He had Erin now, though, to go back and forth with. He didn’t need her the way that the other boys seemed to. Even Ashton had found her useful, even if it was only for the way she kept Blake and Jensen busy. He rolled his eyes, a patented look for him, and grumbled, “Yeah, I think Blake was trying to pass the buck onto someone else. He would have burst into tears like a little bitch if you said no.” Ashton let it slide, letting out a small laugh. Blake looked shocked, lips in a pout and free hand pressed his heart as he finally found his words, “You wound me, Murph. To think I’d cry over a girl.” And he would. He had. They all knew it, knew he was saying it to keep the air light. If his fingers flexed instinctively on Sabrina’s arm to prove that she was really here, well, then she would be the only one to know.
Ashton’s head turned towards Jensen, feeling the boy stiffening at his side. Their eyes met and he wordlessly understood. Sabrina hadn’t planned to ever come back. His face softened, reaching out to pat the boy’s knee in a comforting motion and Jensen offered him a weak smile in return. It wasn’t often that Ashton would play the fatherly role, but he was happy to step up to the plate tonight so Jensen could focus on his own feelings.
Jensen was silent for a beat longer, searching his cousin’s face for the words he couldn’t find. He had to be careful, to be calculated. Sabrina wasn’t here because she wanted to be, but because Blake hadn’t given her much of a choice. He was both thankful and agitated. He wants her back, wants her home, but wanted her to choose it herself. Then again, maybe she had always been waiting for them to reach out first, to know that she was wanted (that she was allowed) back. With a deep breath, he ended his silent conversation with Ashton and met Sabrina’s dark eyes with his own wet blue ones.
“It’s okay, Rina,” he started, Murphy groaned–knowing that she was going to be left off too easily and irritated by it–but Jensen ignored him, “Blake was right. You know we would have helped anyway we could, but we were all still kids ourselves. Murphy was still struggling with his control and Ashton was only here for summers. Blake and I weren’t in the best positions with our home lives. It would have been a lot to ask of us and I think we can all understand now why you felt you couldn’t ask that of us.” He was diplomatic, careful in his words and how he said them. He stank of hurt and sorrow, but he kept his composure calm. “I don’t think how you left was fair. You could have just told us and we would have understood you not being around so often,” he stopped himself from saying they needed her, because while it was true, he didn’t think saying it would help right now, “You didn’t have to ice us out. We didn’t know what we did wrong. Ashton was gone so we didn’t know why you couldn’t be with us then. You just,” he struggled for a moment, not able to find the right word so he hoped his tone conveyed the meaning, “Left us and that made it hard for us to chase after you and drag you back. We wanted to. Hell, me and Blake had tried to more than once, but seeing you out on your own and knowing you chose to leave us? We just–it wasn’t something we could overcome. I hated myself for it, for letting my own feelings get in the way, but,” he sighed, shaking his head and looking at his hands, “A lot changed with you gone. We aren’t those same boys. We grew up quick regardless. I’m just–I’m sorry you felt that you needed to leave that way and that you’ve been on your own this whole time. I wish I had been braver and just talked to you earlier to clear the air.” Because it should have been him who did it. He was the mediator, but fuck, he was human too. Or werewolf, rather, but the sentiment was the same. He wasn’t perfect, he was hurt and lost and carrying much more than an eighteen year-old should.
Ashton’s eyes leveled on Sabrina, a primal part of him wanting her to show true remorse and beg for forgiveness for hurting them, but he knew that she wouldn’t. He wished he knew how to comfort better than this, than a simple hand on his cousin’s leg and an arm around Murphy’s shoulder, but he didn’t. He was never this way before. He never had to be. Her leaving had changed a lot. He had changed a lot. Being back here permanently had been a massive shift in not only his life, but who he was as a person. He glanced at Blake, spotting the hope and pain so clear on his face and he steeled himself. “Bri,” he called her attention, hoping the nickname would soothe her–showed that they were still friends after all of this, or that they could be, “I know you’re not here because you chose to be, but do you want to be? We got our answer and won’t keep you here against your will, but we’re not going to turn our backs on you either. That’s not how this pack works.” And if it was a jab at how she left, at least it was subtle. They were being much kinder than she deserved. Murphy smirked, glad that Ashton wasn’t completely lost in Blake and Jensen’s hopefulness. “It’s different now. I’m not going anywhere. This is my home and this is my pack. You want back in? We can work that out. If not, we won’t hold that against you.” Now that they knew why, he hoped that would be enough to settle the two softies, but he knew it would shatter them all over again if she left.
But he couldn’t say that. He was not going to guilt or manipulate her into this choice. He was not going to have it be his fault she stayed and regretted it. He would not be her excuse again.
Jensen and Blake turned their optimistic eyes to her. Murphy looked indifferently, but was intently listening. Ashton remained level-headed and confident, finding that he quite enjoyed his power as alpha. Their eyes were heavy on her, waiting for her choice.
“I know this is a lot all at once,” Blake spoke up then, giving her arm a soft squeeze, “And I know you weren’t prepared for this. You can, uh, you know–take the night or something. Right?” He looked towards Ashton and after the boy shared a look with Jensen he turned back and nodded. “Just, please don’t shut us out again. Even if you don’t want to be in the pack, you can still,” be his friend? Be the only girl he’s ever loved? “You know, keep in touch with me. Us, I mean.” Blake wasn’t like this. He was never stumbling over his words. He knew Sabrina would notice he wasn’t the suave guy he was at parties. He was kind of like how he’d been before, with her. Murphy and Ashton snickered quietly, but he didn’t look away from her. He couldn’t if he tried.
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Supernatural
Written by Jasmin.
48 posts.
18 years old.
hopeless.
I am Female.
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Post by Sabrina Mets on May 8, 2022 21:28:41 GMT
Sabrina would never voice what she’d been through the past two years living in that house. Her distance from the Pines Pack wore down on her strength, on her resilience to deal with the daily hell that her life had become. Her parents had been back once that whole time. The summer heat had been unbearable and Sabrina’s only solace had come from skulking in the backyard, eyes trained on the backdoor and continually counting to ten. The Mets house was not built to accommodate seven children, let alone their parents. Nine people in a four bedroom house on what felt like the hottest, driest day of Sabrina’s life had caused tensions to rise to near nucleic levels. Oscar and Isaac had escaped a few hours earlier but hadn’t bothered to say where or to take Addie with them. That decision alone had been the final straw. She’d exploded in front of her parents. In front of Luke and the two shitheads who still lived with her. Sitting on the worn out bench, splinters threatening to bleed her to death, Sabrina’s breath had felt completely ragged, breathing difficult as she fought against shifting and going back inside to finish the job. Addie had seen, had heard every single word Sabrina launched at their parents. Worse than that – Addie had seen Sabrina lose her fight, had seen her older sister, her forever protector cower on the ground. Sabrina could no longer convince Addie that she’d always keep her safe. Within a few effective sentences and shows of dominance, Sabrina had been forced to quit her tirade. Her parents would cut off the meagre amount of money they sent each week if she didn’t shut up. The shithead twins would follow her every move if she didn’t stop demanding they do something. “If you don’t want to be alone, little sis, you only had to say. We’ll follow your every move if that makes you happy. We’ll sit behind you in class, we’ll stand by the school gates as you pick Addison up, we’ll go and join you on all those long outings with your friends. You won’t be able to get rid of us.” Little sis. The name made her want to throw up or hurl a blunt stick through their necks. Whatever came first really. Luke, as always, had done nothing. Against their parents he never would and that’s what made Sabrina hate him in a unique way to the others. Coward, fucking, fucking coward. All she’d been able to do was get off the ground, push her shoulders back and walk out the backdoor. She knew she’d left Addie behind but if she hadn’t remove herself from the situation, Sabrina wasn’t sure there’d have been much of their family left.
Sitting on the couch, with Blake next to her and the other boys just opposite, Sabrina struggled to keep a thought steady in her mind. If she hadn’t left, she’d have been stronger that day. Maybe she could have fought them properly. Maybe they would have left her alone. The rest of that week-long visit had been unbearable, Sabrina had grabbed Addie an hour later, sweaty and irritable out of her mind but needing to leave. Bundling Addie into the car, Sabrina had slid into the driving seat wincing as everything was so damn hot. “This is bullshit, Ads, completely bullshit.” Sabrina had winced the moment she said it, turning the key and pulling away before anyone could bother to rush out and stop her. The wince didn’t come from swearing in front of her younger sister, unfortunately Addie had heard more swearing than most sailors from the moment she’d been born thanks to her five older brothers. No, it had been that word. Leg brushing against Blakes, Sabrina wished she’d gone to the cabin that day. She’d left to protect Addie but... but maybe in leaving she’d doomed her to a worse fate than she’d have had otherwise. She could have had four older brothers who would go to the end of the earth for each other, even if they grumbled whilst doing it. Instead, she’d had to endure occasional visits from three absentee and useless brothers and the continued present of two idiotic morons with inflated egos and zero control.
She’d messed up. She’d try to not make that mistake again. Especially not as Blake brought his arm down to rest atop her shoulders. When had she last been hugged, comforted, told she was cared about by someone other than her sister? Sabrina tilted her head up, looking towards Blake. Even as Murphy spoke, Sabrina’s attention stayed trained on Blake’s face and had to smother her laugh at the look of shock which crossed it even if she knew it was all acting. Just a bit of fun. How easy it felt to slip back into the boys and their jabs felt incredibly dangerous. To sit next to Blake like it was nothing. Even if it felt like everything.
Sabrina’s gaze flicked to Murphy at his groan, that same look on her face. ‘Come on, walk over and see where that groan gets you’ the look seemed to say but it was only there for a moment before Sabrina reminded herself where she fit into this pack at the moment. Which was, she didn’t. She wasn’t in the pack because they weren’t the same boys, as Jensen said. They looked about the same. The cabin felt the same. But nothing about this situation did. Sabrina shifted, uncomfortable in the seat and in her skin with the idea she’d grown in her mind that she’d be able to come back one day and pretend nothing had happened.
She had no words for what Jensen had said. Was scared that if she opened her mouth a sob would be the only thing that came out. Or more bullshit. One of the two. Neither of which seemed like they’d help the situation.
Bri.
Like a hammer brought to a gong, Sabrina’s attention honed in on Ashton. This was her chance. This was the only offer she’d get. Ashton’s tone told her there’d be no more second chances after this. Four pairs of eyes trained on her was a feeling Sabrina was used to but normally she had a tray full of milkshakes and fries to offer. Maybe a peace offering like that would have eased this situation. But Sabrina had nothing to offer them to soothe the pain she’d caused. Nothing other than herself. Back in their lives, back by their sides, back in the pack.
Back home.
Before Sabrina could speak, Blake was talking again. Ever her saviour. Ever the boy who’d pick out the prettiest Band-Aid when she scraped her knee even though they both knew it was pointless. Sabrina couldn’t stop the soft laugh as Blake’s hiccup. With me. Giving his leg a matching squeeze, Sabrina knew it was now or never. And never wasn’t an option. Not anymore. Not after that burning day in her house where she’d spent a good chunk of her savings on a motel room for the remaining days of her parents stay.
Staying would mess with her great escape from Beacon Hills. Sabrina knew that but what she didn’t know was how you could be a member of a pack across multiple state lines. But Ashton did. “Ashton, may I please speak to you,” Sabrina asked in the politest tone she could manage that she’d polished off working at the diner and serving older customers who licked it up. “Alone,” Sabrina added and without waiting for anyone to interject that if she had something to say, she could say it to all of them, Sabrina was stood up and walking back out of the living room. She had no idea who lived where in the cabin anymore but she wanted a couple of doors between this conversation and the nosy ears of the pack. Pushing open a random door, Sabrina scanned the room quickly, noting the flag tacked to the ceiling and the other decorations that screamed to her that this was Blake’s room. Every inch of her wanted to snoop around but soon enough Ashton was there.
Taking a few lazy steps around the room, Sabrina kept her face away from Ashton, suddenly feeling far too awkward. “So...” stalling, she was absolutely stalling. Giving up on walking around because, quite frankly, after a day stood on her feet, Sabrina was exhausted. Turning to face Ashton, Sabrina leant against the side of Blake’s bed, forcing herself to not think about who’d been in here. “I know saying I’m sorry doesn’t cut it and I know I have very little right to ask what I’m about to. I hurt your friends. Our friends, even. I’ve let them think for two years that I left because of you and I, truly, am sorry if that’s ever caused any strain.” She tried to keep her emotions out of what she was saying. She tried to stay on track with what she needed to get out. To get him to understand in a way the others might not. “I’ve wanted to come back every day since I left. Leaving- leaving in the way I did is the stupidest thing I’ve ever done. I just haven’t had the courage to figure out how to say hello. Tonight was a bit of dumb luck.” Fiddling with the soft material of Blake’s blankets, Sabrina toed her shoe into the ground. “So whilst I didn’t chose to be here, maybe it was fate,” Sabrina added with a snicker. She didn’t believe in such nonsense anymore. If she did, well, fate had certainly not been kind to her up until this point.
Except, maybe it had. Fate had made it that it was Jensen she slipped up to when talking about her mutt brothers when she was younger. Fate had made it that she fit into their circle of unruly boys. Fate had granted her plenty. She’d simply been the one to push its good blessings aside.
“I want to be here,” she confirmed, looking Ashton dead in the eye whilst hope flickered in her own. “I missed you all and I’m sorry I haven’t been there for you.” Sabrina didn’t want to bring up the pain of Ashton losing his parents, wasn’t sure what effect it would have but she hoped that sentence would suffice. “I know I can’t just walk back into this cabin, into your lives and pretend nothing has happened so I’ll do whatever I can – whatever you need – to prove that I’ve got your backs.”
Cutting her look, Sabrina’s attention fixated on a framed picture of the boys on Blake’s chest of drawers. Goofy smiles and relaxed postures as they stood around a grill, ridiculous aprons on and a hotdog in each of their hands. Regret flickered across Sabrina’s face, shoulders shrinking as the sadness she’d fought to keep at bay threatened to take hold. “Ashton, I plan on leaving Beacon Hills once I’ve graduated. I have to get away from my family. Every day I’m terrified that Addie will get caught in the crossfire. I want her somewhere safe and that’s not here. So, when I say that I want in on the pack, I mean that, truly there’s nothing I want more.” Except Blake. “But, I need you to know that I’ll be away as soon as I can. I’ll always be at the end of the phone in case you, or the pack, need me but I’ve gotta keep her safe.” Sabrina paused, still studying that damn photo. “I know a long-distant pack member isn’t very useful in emergencies so... I understand,” taking a deep sigh, Sabrina looked back at the pack’s new alpha, hoping he’d be able to make it work. “I understand if you can’t accept that.” Even if it would kill her to know she was never welcome. To know she couldn’t waltz through the door of the cabin ever again. She’d keep Addie safe, if she couldn’t do that then she’d change whatever situation they were in.
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Supernatural
Written by Megan.
299 posts.
18 years old.
two timin' hoe.
I am Male.
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Post by Ashton Pines on May 10, 2022 0:28:12 GMT
The boys watched the flurry of emotions flicker over Sabrina’s face, sharing looks between one another as they silently tried to make sense of what was happening behind her eyes. Jensen had been ready to speak, words on the tip of his tongue when she focused on Ashton and asked to talk with him alone. It seemed kind of moot given that they would be able to hear the conversation anyways, but this way they wouldn’t be able to chime in. Blake tensed at the idea, the feeling of her hand on his knee no longer calming him. Her being alone with Ashton didn’t seem ideal, but she requested it and left before anyone could object. He watched her go, brows drawn close as she opened his door. He didn’t think she remembered that’s the room he’d preferred when he stayed, but the fact that she chose his room of all rooms had his stomach in knots. He glanced at Jensen, who had his hand on Ashton’s shoulder as he spoke.
“I’m proud of you, Ash,” he spoke low, not wanting Sabrina to tune in through the doors and walls, “She’s, uh, important to us, you know? It means a lot that you apologized and are letting her back in. It’s a big step in the right direction, Alpha.” Ashton rolled his eyes but clearly preened under the attention.
“Oh for fuck’s sake, stop sucking his dick. Ashton has always been alpha. Whether he plays nice with Sabby Tabby or not doesn’t change shit,” Murphy huffed, much louder so Sabrina could hear from where she was, “If he shut the door on her face, you two would have accepted that as law and you know it. He’s only doing this shit for you.”
“I know that, Murphy! That’s why I thanked him, you asshole,” Jensen bit out.
“Just saying you don’t have to be a bitch about it,” he shrugged.
“Boys, really?” Ashton smacked the back of each of their heads as he stood, “Play nice for a fucking minute or I’ll kick your asses.” His eyes met Blake’s, where the boy sat uncharacteristically quiet across from them. “Bri is pack. How she left was shitty, but she thought it was for the right reasons. It’s partly our fault she felt she couldn’t come to us and you all know that. I’m not doing this just for you guys. She was my friend too.” He looked at Murphy then, pointing as he said, “And yours too. I’m not asking you to be happy about it, but you need to respect my decision. I know you missed her too, Murph. And I know that you aren’t going to forgive her as easily and that’s fine. But if she wants back in, she’s back in. End of discussion.”
Murphy swallowed his pride and cut his eyes to the side. He nodded but didn’t speak. Jensen smiled at him, so proud of how well he was handling this. He’d feared how the careless boy would take being alpha, but he was exceeding their expectations. Blake’s eyes were watery. He rose to a stand and hugged his best friend. Ashton patted his back before separating and following Sabrina into Blake’s room.
He shut the door behind him for the sake of having another layer of wood between them and the others. They would never truly be alone in this house, but he was man enough now to respect her wishes. Maybe he wouldn’t have been if she hadn’t left, maybe it had nothing to do with her.
Ashton waited for her to speak, watching as she stalled for a moment before leaning against Blake’s bed. She caught her grimace but didn’t say anything. Blake never brought anyone home. It was an unspoken rule. Ashton was the only one to break it, but no one would dare mention it.
He stood near the door, giving her space as he crossed his arms over his chest and listened. His eyebrows were raised, a thoughtful look on his face. This hadn’t been what he was expecting her to talk about, but it was much better than he’d thought she’d say. He frowned when she hesitated to call the boys her friends because never once did Jensen or Blake speak ill about her. During these two years, they held an open seat for her, as if they knew she’d come back rather than just hoping. Murphy was a dick, he’d let it slide when it came to him.
He took a moment to soak in what she said, lips pursed and composure steady. It made sense why she’d asked for him. More than an alpha, he understood how being a part of a pack from a distance worked. “They’re our friends, Bri. Always have been. And yeah, sorry won’t cut it alone, but you have time to make it up to us,” he started, taking a step forward as he dropped his arms to his sides. His voice was quiet in lieu of privacy but firm. Unforgiving but kind. “I appreciate it, though. They’ve never said it, but I know they blamed me for it for a long time. If I was anyone else, you know,” he let the sentence die on his lips. As it was, they’d never hold him accountable. Even Jensen was hesitant. Not because he was alpha, but because he was Ashton. He didn’t say anything about her wanting to come back since she’d left. There was no point in it. Nothing he said would matter, not when Jensen and Blake had already harped on how she could have come to them instead of leaving in the first place. It felt like a waste of breath. He called her Bri because he couldn’t be bothered with her whole name. It’s just how he was.
He was grateful she didn’t outright mention his parents’ death. He couldn’t imagine how he would have reacted if she had.
His eyes scanned the walls briefly. Blake had been slowly making this room his own for years, leaving knickknacks on the shelves and hanging flags on the walls, but since he’s moved in, he’s really made the room his. It was more lived-in than Ashton’s, for the alpha was still struggling to come to terms with the fact that this wasn’t just a summer stay. The corner of his lip quirked upwards as he caught Sabrina studying a photo they had taken the summer after she left. It was the Fourth of July. They had attempted to throw a pack party in the backyard around the pool. Murphy had been manning the grill when Blake snuck up behind him and shouted. Murphy had been so focused on the hotdogs that he hadn’t heard him coming. He’d jumped and knocked some coal off the grill. The dry grass had caught fire and the boys panicked as they fought to put the flames out. Ashton and Blake shed their shirts and used them to help stomp out the fire while Murphy and Jensen threw handfuls of pool water towards the simmering heat. Ashton’s mom had snapped the photo. The boys held up their hotdogs in victory, donning silly quoted aprons that his mom had brought out for them. It had been one hell of a night, the fireworks sizzling in the air and their bellies full of food and liquor. It was one of his favorite memories. He didn’t do much daydreaming anymore, no longer wasting away in his head. He didn’t like to think back to when his parents were still alive, didn’t like to remember the good times, and that they wouldn’t be there for the new ones.
Ashton sighed.
He was a tactile person, always one to touch, but he stayed where he was now. As badly as he wanted to place a hand on her shoulder or shove at her to get her to laugh, he didn’t. He didn’t want to risk upsetting her more in this already tense conversation. The boys were relying on him to fix this. As alpha, as their friend.
“You know us, Bri. The only one who is going to hold it against you is yourself,” Ashton began, sighing as he leaned against Blake’s dresser, “Murphy will give you a hard time, but at the end of the day, you’re important to him too. You can come back. We aren’t looking for grand apologies or shit. Blake wouldn’t have brought you here if thought we would have a problem with it.” He sighed again, kicking his socked foot against the carpet for a moment before he added, “We’ve changed an awful lot, Bri. I know you know that, but we don’t need you the way we did before.” It felt rude to say, but well, it was the truth and he really didn’t care how she took that. She was the one who left in the first place. “We grew up. We adjusted. We don’t need you to be here 24/7 or even in the state. We’d just like you to be.”
He studied her, weighing his words on his tongue. “It’s different now. Back then, I wasn’t alpha. My dad was. We were back and forth and we kids never really had a leader. Now we’re a proper pack here, but you know the pack isn’t a place. You really think we all plan to spend the rest of our lives here? Jenny is applying to colleges all over the place. I have to go back to Texas and handle the whole pack eventually. Blake and Murphy don’t know what they’re doing, but they have nothing holding them to this town but my family. No one expects you to give up your sister for the pack. No one expects you to live with us or babysit us. As long as we can call you and you pick up, that’s enough. That’s never changed,” he promised and he meant it.
“We accept you, Sabrina. And we missed you too,” he said sincerely, growing tired of being so open. He much preferred being a cocky asshole and not a respected alpha, but he knew he had to make the change. He just wanted to go to bed right now. “And I know it won’t change your mind, but if we do end up staying here past graduation, you know Addie has a home here same as you do. No one is going to touch you so long as any of us are around. I promise you that. You’re my beta, Bri. Always have been and always will be.” He hoped that appeased her. He really wanted to get this sappy shit over and go to bed.
In the living room, the boys stood by the fire. Two were trying to respect Sabrina while the other had no shame as he eavesdropped.
“Will you quit it?” Jensen slapped Murphy’s arm. Murphy shoved him back.
“Stop being such a bitch, Jenny. Just because you two want her back doesn’t mean it’s fair to Ash and me to just put our shit to the side,” Murphy said.
“So you’re admitting that Sabrina leaving hurt you too,” Blake joked, wiggling his eyebrows and shoving down his uneasiness.
“Shut the fuck up, Blake,” Murphy grit out, rolling his eyes, “You both are such pussies, man. She fucked us over and you are just going to let her back in? She’s just going to do it again! Didn’t you hear her?”
And yeah, they both did.
Blake turned away, crossing his arms over his chest. Jensen said, “That’s different, Murphy.”
“Is it?” Murphy countered, taking a seat in Uncle Benny’s chair and pulling out his phone.
“Of course it is!” Jensen said in a rushed whisper, “We aren’t all going to stay here the rest of our lives. She said she was sorry. She left for family! Give her a break! Her life doesn’t sound like it’s been rainbows and sunshine, Murphy.”
“Yeah, none of ours have been! That doesn’t mean I’d just abandon you guys,” Murphy shot back.
“Can you both just stop?” Blake hollered, holding his hands out between the two, “It doesn’t fucking matter why she did it or if she’s leaving again. She’s here now. Ashton has already decided and that’s that. If you have a problem, take it up with him.”
Murphy rolled his eyes, biting his tongue because Blake was his friend. Had he been anyone else, he would have called out Blake’s crush for Sabrina to hear, but even being so upset, he was able to keep his lips sealed. He wasn’t completely awful. He held those important to him close. That’s why he was so upset with Sabrina. Despite her once being someone he cared for, she’d hurt his boys so deeply that he was struggling with her just being allowed back.
Jensen and Blake knew that, they knew where he was coming from. They let it go. They settled down on the couch and listened to the muffled conversation in Blake’s room.
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