Hunters
Written by Jasmin.
132 posts.
18 years old.
in looooove.
I am Female.
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Post by Jade Little on Jul 11, 2017 18:50:44 GMT
Despite what Erin was saying about it not being worth that Jade got hurt, Jade couldn’t find it within herself to agree- there had to be a reason behind the murders. Maybe, just maybe, if they knew the motive then they’d be able to help and perhaps that would make them feel like better heroes than if they just killed the pack. That was probably only a sentiment Jade understood and probably only she would ever consider. It just felt, to her, like the right thing to do and that was all Jade ever wanted. Jade stayed silent though, didn’t bother arguing her side of things again knowing that it would get her nowhere when Erin wanted to protect her so much.
‘I didn’t want you to get hurt’ was what Jade wanted to tell Ashton as to why she’d done it alone cause sure, hurting herself wouldn’t end nicely but getting Ashton hurt? She’d never be able to forgive herself. So, Jade stayed quiet on the matter because that concern for him and that complete weakness towards him was not what she needed to show right now even if she the presence of him being there was making her feel better.
Ashton’s words- Ashton’s use of baby had Jade squirming. There was definite regret now as she wondered what would have happened if something awful had occurred. What if her actions had ended up in Sabrina being hurt as well? She realised now, of course when it was too late, that it was a stupid thing to have done and to even have considered. She just wanted to be a hero and she knew that no one else was going to give her that title. It was one she had to earn, no matter the risk. “Hey, stupid things make for good stories.” Jade said to Erin. There was a flatness to her words though as the calm she’d been clinging on to began to drift away- Jade could practically see its footsteps walking out of the door and down the hospital hallway. It suddenly felt hard to laugh or smile despite the fact that she knew she was safe and knew that the two people of either side of her cared for her. Did that make it wrong to feel bad when at first, she’d felt proud for doing this and hadn’t let her fear win? As now all that was winning was her fear and the growing regret of knowing that this could all have ended in a much more dramatic way.
That feeling of fear was only increased when her parents arrived and Jade felt her stomach drop. Her attention flicked over to Ashton’s too-handsome-for-this-world’s face one last moment before she began to deal with her parents and the doctor. At least her injuries weren’t life threatening and she’d be able to go back to normal soon enough. Maybe she wasn’t such a shit hunter and hero-wannabe after all. If surprise flickered across Jade’s face at Erin actually coming to her rescue and coming up with some complete bullshit explanation, no one seemed to notice. Apart from Ashton where the look her gave Erin did not go unnoticed by Jade. She was just glad that they got on more these days as it made situations like this a lot easier and less tense.
Oh, Ashton, why did he have to drag himself into this too? The look Jade gave Ashton as he started explaining a fake tale of his own was nothing but shock mixed with a hint of admiration. Both Ashton and Erin had taken blame upon themselves and Jade couldn’t even thank them just yet for that would give the game away to her parents. Maybe this was what love was truly meant to be even if thinking of love and Ashton in the same sentence made Jade’s heart clench and her brain do flip-flops. It was a feeling that was becoming harder to ignore and deny. The hint of Ashton’s tears were the icing on the cake for Jade’s remaining pieces of calm as they shattered from her body and she found herself tearing up. An idiot, she was a fucking idiot but before she could cry she needed to confirm Ashton and Erin’s stories to her parents. “It’s true…” Jade said, looking away from Ashton’s face and up at her parents. “We’ll all be more careful next time.” She added even though she found it very unlikely that there would be a next time. At least not an immediate next time. “But, I’m fine- honestly, that might seem hard to believe but trust me, I am okay. I just wanted to help.” Jade told them as her parents exchanged looks and Jade lifted Erin’s hand up and gave it a quick kiss. She’d never survive without her twin.
Mr and Mrs Little took a moment before they said anything and their next words were brief, “we’ll discuss any punishment for you, Erin and Jade, when we all get home.” Their dad said which Jade could only take as a slightly positive sign that they didn’t dish out a ten-year grounded-sentence right then and there. “Ashton, I’m sorry that my daughters have caused you to be up at such an hour. But thank you for being there for them, I’m sure they’ll see you soon at school.” Were his last words and Jade couldn’t help but notice how her dad was trying to get rid of Ashton. Given her current predicament she doubted she could argue back with him on that front even if Ashton’s being-there was one of the only things that seemed to help ease her pain and worry.
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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 Jul 12, 2017 4:23:22 GMT
As guilty as it made him feel to make Jade lie to her parents—it was a different story with Erin, he could care less if she lied to anyone, but his girlfriend was just so pure that it bothered him to watch her spill false truths—Ashton was thankful that she didn't hesitate to agree with the tale her sister and him were weaving on either side of her. If her parents found out the truth? Who knew how long it would be before she was forgiven, before they trusted her enough to let her out of sight. Should they be on edge, everyone would be and he feared that would make his precariously balanced world unravel. If Mr. Little kept too close of an eye on his girls, would he notice that Erin was spending just as much time with Jade's boyfriend as she did? Would he figure it all out before the pair had a chance to sort out their own mess? No, it was better to have her fib now than face the hell of what could come under the scrutiny of a worried parent.
So as guilty as he may feel, he was equally proud of her for managing the lie without faltering.
He was rubbing off on her after all.
His eyes batted away from her parents' faces, one worried and the other scolding, to glance at Jade—though he faltered at the sight of tears drowning her own eyes. Ashton wanted nothing more than to reach out and sooth the regret creasing her forehead, but he held back. Couldn't risk pissing her father off anymore than he had at the false admission.
Until the man had the guts to try to dismiss him from Jade's side. Like hell he was leaving her side after the night she had.
Jaw tight, he pushed his shoulders back and sat up straighter as he spoke—as respectfully as he could, he may add, "It was no trouble at all, sir." His eyes softened as he leveled his gaze with Jade's, a smile curling the edges of his lips as he promised, "I'll always be there for them, they've grown on me." They both have, more than he could have imagined. How had he gone from a bad boy player to a boy racing to his girlfriend's bedside—tears pressing at his eyes, and yet, the only relief he'd been brought was by her twin's knowing looks. He'd fallen hard and didn't know how to get back up.
And maybe that's why there was a bite to his voice as he batted his eyes back up to her father, maybe it was because the man had the audacity to send him away after he'd been awoken to his own stench of fear. "I'm sure I'll see that at school, too. Just as I'll be seeing them both, if Erin stays, all night. No disrespect, sir," all the disrespect, fuck him for attempting to banish him, "But I won't be leaving Jade's side tonight." He squeezed Jade's hand as he scooted his chair closer to her bedside, eyebrows drawn in close stubbornly as he glared up at her father.
Ashton could smell he anxiety rolling off of his girlfriend, could sense how it spiked at the mention of him leaving, and he knew there was nothing that could tear him away from her right now. She needed him, and for all the wrong he'd done with her sister, he had to give this to her. He had to.
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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 Jul 13, 2017 19:28:06 GMT
Listening closely to Jensen, Sabrina could tell how much interest Jensen had in Ashton’s love life. It was amusing but Sabrina made sure not to laugh in case the meanings behind it came out wrong. Even she could see the change in Ashton- could see how panicked he’d been and how that couldn’t be fuelled by anything but care. “He is a decent guy, underneath it all.” Sabrina said, looking towards the direction she’d seen Ashton racing off to. Despite any front that Ashton put on, underneath it was care and loyalty to the pack even if they did all get under each other’s skin. Which maybe wasn’t the safest thing when they all had the ability to shift in werewolves- might run a bit of a health and safety hazard. Sensing Jensen looking at her, Sabrina met his gaze but kept her face blank for she wasn’t really sure what to think. She didn’t feel like she’d spent enough time with Ashton recently to get a gauge on what he was truly like these days. Maybe this was all just part of him growing up. Sabrina could tell that Jensen was shocked by his cousin’s changes so maybe this was unusual behaviour. In fact, the only person in the pack settling down that wouldn’t come as a surprise would have been Jensen, the rest all seemed to have just a bit too much baggage for anything good to come of it. “Let’s just hope that he doesn’t mess up then.” Sabrina says whilst having to fight the urge to grab his hands and force him to stop fidgeting as it was putting her on edge. From what Sabrina had seen, Jade wouldn’t be the one to mess up the relationship so that card would fall to Ashton and despite scolding herself for thinking it, she had to wonder that it was only a matter of time before that happened.
Rolling her eyes at the patriarch comment, Sabrina relaxed back into her chair, folding her arms across her chest loosely. Now that there was no genuine danger, the feeling of fatigue which she’d been fighting was definitely winning. She didn’t want to fall asleep until she knew of Jade’s injuries though. Sabrina just had to guess and hope that they weren’t too serious. “Well, you better not go replacing me in the future. Jade and Erin can be honorary female members.” Sabrina said, smiling at Jensen as she amused herself with what she was saying. A thought dropped in her mind then but Sabrina had to push it aside- it didn’t feel like her place to ask.
Besides, the message from Blake distracted her and Jensen’s comment made her laugh as she thought about what to say in response. “He’ll have to wait for an answer as I don’t know the answers to his questions.” Sabrina said, locking her phone for now. Blake could wait. It was a game of sorts that she liked to play as she made him wait for a response. He was too much fun to wind up and she wanted to keep him on his toes, always and forever.
The thought that had plagued her a minute before came back to her then and she just had to blurt it out, “does Jade know that we’re werewolves?” Making sure to keep her voice low, Sabrina stared desperately up at Jensen, hoping that the answer was yes as she wasn’t sure if she’d given the game away or not. She just hoped that Jade’s memories of the night were pretty blurry to remember specific details.
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Hunters
Written by Rebecca.
146 posts.
18 years old.
help.
I am Female.
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Post by Erin Little on Jul 17, 2017 18:16:12 GMT
Erin sat watching Jade and Ashton, the familiar feeling of being a third wheel washing over her. She knew they had a reason for being sappy this time round, she'd nearly died and he did care about her, but that didn't mean Erin appreciated seeing and hearing the coo's off affection, the blushes passing over Jade's cheeks, them holding hands. It wasn't jealousy, she told herself, it was just that she didn't like PDA- especially when it involved her own sister. She rolled her eyes when Jade actually replied to her "Yeah, stupid things like getting drunk and stealing a shopping trolley, not going up against a pack of rouge wolves" She pointed out, though now there was a hint of amusement in her tone. The jokes that had begun lightening her mind fled quickly, though, as she glanced up at the sound of her parents opening the door, bracing herself for what was to come. Erin sighed at their fathers response, there was part of her that was glad that he hadn't gone completely ballistic and yelled at the girls there and then, ranting about how they were grounded for the rest of their lives, but she almost wished he had. His voice held the certain tone of a parent who was 'very disappointed' in their child, and Erin hated that. She was a girl made of fire, and she could deal with anger being thrown her way- she'd throw it right back with increased force, but calm disappointment? It wasn't something she could deal with, so she just sat there in her seat, sinking further back and thinking, once again, that Jade was going to owe her for this. Once again Erin had thrown herself under the bus for her twin, and there was no doubt she was going to be punished just as badly as Jade for no real reason. Still, she was almost glad of the punishment- it was Erin who hadn't kept a better eye on her sister, and she deffiently needed to be punished some how for that. Jade was her responsibility, she always had been and always would be, and if something worse had happened to Jade she would have never been able to forgive herself. What had happened tonight was bad enough, and Erin honestly felt like she deserved some kind of punishment for allowing it to happen, despite the fact she hadn't known about the plot. She looked away from the floor then, first up at her father and then over to Ashton. She couldn't vocalise it, but she didn't want Ashton leaving right now. She told herself that he was comforting to Jade, that it wasn't fair to make him leave Jade when he was obviously helping to keep her calm in this mess of a situation, and that her longing had nothing to do with her own feelings towards him. He deffiently wasn't a comforting presence to her too. Of course not. There was no way Erin could really speak out against either of her parents tonight, though, so all she could do was be thankful that Ashton had the guts to speak out against their dad, and Erin tried to back up his words with a sincere look towards her parents. Their fathers lips were pursed, as were their mothers, and the two men seemed to be having a little stare down as Mr Little worked out how to reply to this rebellious boy who seemed to have a soft spot for his daughter. He crossed his arms in front of his chest "You can stay for an hour or so. I don't think your parents would appreciate us keeping you out all night" he stated, leaving no real room for argument this time round. ______________________________________________________coded by nahara46 of gs, adox and swa
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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 Jul 18, 2017 7:54:03 GMT
Did he really just say that? Had neither of the Little girls informed their parents that Ashton was an orphan? That he was living in a house full of troubled boys and a drunk—the only father figure being a boy too young to be saddled with that title? That no one would care when he came home as long as he eventually did? He knew he couldn’t blame either of the twins, knew it wasn’t their place to share his story, but maybe if they had—if someone had let their father know to not mention parents, not in that tone—maybe he would have been able to keep up the respectful aura. As it was, his lip lifted in the slightest of snarls, his hand tightening around Jade’s to ground himself as he parted his mouth to respond to that hard look on the man’s face. “I don’t think they’ll mind all that much,” he bit out, unable to choke down the emotion in his voice—anger, sorrow, pain. Those were his parents, the only people who’d ever truly given a damn about him. The ones who were meant to pick him up when he was down, the ones meant to put him back on the right path. Not Jensen. Not his drunk uncle. Not anyone but them, but they weren’t here. They never would be. It was his fault. All his damn fault. If he hadn’t insisted they watch this one boxing match, if he’d let them have the evening to themselves, they wouldn’t be piles of ash buried under a shared tombstone. They’d gotten in the car accident rushing to his match. It was his fault they were dead, and Mr. Little had the balls to throw it in his face that no one would be waiting for him to return from the hospital but the boy in the waiting room? He couldn’t help but spit out, “Considering they’ve been dead for over a year.”
He choked down his emotions, knowing this wasn’t the place for this. Ashton was already worked up worrying over Jade, if he let her father’s words cut him deep, he was afraid he wouldn’t be able to hold back the wolf in him. Now wasn’t the time, so he did the only thing he thought to do. Retreat. For now.
Letting his eyes fall to Jade’s, he dragged the back of the hand not cradling hers across his cheek—catching the stray tears that had fallen without permission. He didn’t like talking about his parents, would rather forget what he’d lost than live with the memory of falling to his knees, the cop’s hand gripping his shoulder as he broke the news to him—that he’d never listen to his father’s laugh or feel his mother’s touch. It was better that he forget, because he couldn’t take the pain. “I’ll be back, okay? I’m going to go let Jenny and Bri know what’s going on.” He pushed himself out of his seat, leaning over her bed and pressing his lips to her forehead gently before he forced himself to let go.
Taking a step back, he glanced over at her parents as he gathered what politeness he had left as he excused himself, “I’ll leave so you can talk to them alone, but I’m not going to let her stay here by herself all night.” Straightening to his full height, he finally addressed Erin, eyes soft—knowing—as he asked, “I’ll be in the waiting room. Get me when I can come back in?” He knew she would, but waited for her affirmation before he reluctantly left the room. It was the last thing he wanted to do, but he figured it was best that he left civilly than being dragged out by a butch nurse.
Besides, this gave him a chance to ease his pack members’ minds and send them home—and maybe, if he was lucky, a chance to regroup with Erin before they joined Jade back in the room.
With his head held high, Ashton marched into the waiting room—taking a seat beside Jensen and forcing his patented cockiness as he greeted, “Ladies.”
He just had to fake it ‘til he made it tonight. There was no other choice. He couldn’t break down. Not here. Not ever.
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Hunters
Written by Jasmin.
132 posts.
18 years old.
in looooove.
I am Female.
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Post by Jade Little on Sept 14, 2017 12:00:43 GMT
That rising tension between Ashton and her parents had Jade wanting to sink into the mattress of the hospital bed and never come out. It was thick. Her father and Ashton staring each other down whilst Jade’s mother continued to look worried. Eyes flicking between her parents and Ashton, Jade found that the only one she wanted to look at amongst the tension was Erin. She and her twin could laugh about this another time, they’d be able to make jokes about equally over-protection parents and boyfriends. That would take time to fall funny and right then, Jade felt they were all running out of time to salvage a civil conversation which is what she truly needed to hear. Not this bickering which she’d argue about with her parents at a later date.
Ashton said that he’d always be there for her though and that helped Jade to calm a touch. Tensions were just high because of the state she was in. It was nothing more serious than that. This tension would ease and Ashton and her father would make up, right? Or maybe Jade’s head was just so full of fantasy that she could reassure herself that that was what would happen. The edge that had crept into Ashton’s voice set a dampener on that fantasy world and future she was slowly building and piecing together in her mind. Like a cloud drifting over the early morning sunlight after a dreary day of rain, Jade was reminded that that future was unlikely no matter how much she wanted it. No matter how much she lay awake at night wishing that it would happen. A fairy-tale like that could only be found in a Disney movie and since she was a hunter of supernatural, she was already too far away from that state of mind to begin to think it was probable.
Studying Ashton’s body language as his chair moved closer to her, Jade could begin to gauge how angry and hurt he was. She should have expected it- him to react in this way. Yet, it was different to the boy she’d gotten used to knowing and kissing and wondering if she loved. There was something, something almost, feral and wild underneath it. It just made her more anxious so she clung to Ashton’s hand and began to tell herself in her head that everything would be fine so long as Erin and Ashton stayed by her side.
How was Erin feeling through all of this? Did she enjoy seeing Ashton be dismissed by their parents or did she too want him to stay there? It was times like this that Jade actually wished that twin telepathy was a thing just so that she could always understand what her sister was actually feeling. Sometimes looking at Erin felt like looking at one of those distortion mirrors where what you think you should look like is suddenly transformed or hard to understand. This look on Erin’s face suggested to Jade that she wanted him there, too, and thank fuck for that as Jade could hardly fight the battle for Ashton staying there on her own when her parents currently owed her no sympathy.
Parents. Parents… fuck. Jade’s eyes widened with shock as she took in a short, sharp intake of breath. Oh shit. She’d been meaning to mention it to her parents for a while but had never felt like there was a suitable time to do so and now… now it was too late and Jade’s heart clenched as she wondered how Ashton was feeling in that moment. This was all her fault. Everything about this situation was because of her and there was no escaping it. Ashton’s distress was clear as her hand was held even tighter, bordering on being crushed but not quite reaching that line yet. She had no right to complain even if did accidentally crush her hand ever so slightly since it was because of her that he now felt this way. There was nothing she could say, nothing she thought to do as Ashton told her parents that his own parents had been dead for over a year. So she just stared at her dad, levelling a glare at him and he at least had the courtesy to look shocked. Her mother looked alarmingly towards her father before swotting the top of his arm with the back of her hand, a signal for him to apologise or say some form of condolence. The twins’ dad stayed silent however.
Jade’s attention was dragged back to her boyfriend at his hand crossing over her cheek, smoothing away tears she hadn’t noticed had continued to slip free. This was just too many emotions at once. She’d need days to process it all. They all would. It was with great reluctance that Jade let go of Ashton’s hand so that he could leave- the role switching momentarily so that she was crushing his hand even when he kissed her forehead. She had to say okay though, had to let him reorganise himself and calm. “I’ll miss you.” Was what she said as she let go of his hand knowing that those words would make her father stew just a little bit.
With Ashton gone, Jade turned on her parents, eyes dark and angry. “Are you happy?” She asked, voice rising as that calm that Ashton had bought left with him. Now would be the time to tell them that Erin had nothing to do with Jade going out tonight but the likely outcome of that would be Erin being mad at Jade for going back on their lie. At least with Erin still here, Jade wouldn’t go to angry on her parents- hopefully.
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Supernatural
Written by Megan.
76 posts.
18 years old.
in looooove.
I am Male.
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Post by Jensen Pines on Apr 21, 2022 22:43:21 GMT
A breath filtered through Jensen’s teeth, long and slow as it billowed over his lips. Tension bled from his shoulders as he stilled his hands and leveled his eyes on Sabrina. It calmed him to know she thought Ashton was at least decent. Things had never been easy between her and his cousin, but after Ashton apologized to her about what had happened that night so long ago, they seemed to be better. He didn’t like to think back on it, didn’t like remembering Ashton’s breath reeking of alcohol spiked with wolfsbane as he cornered the girl–didn’t like recalling the sharp snap of her hand crashing against his cheek after he’d kissed her. He didn’t like that night. Sabrina had used the incident as a reason to flee the pack, but they knew now that it wasn’t the real reason. Jensen wished she would have turned to him for help. At fifteen, there admittedly wasn’t much that he could do, but he would have done something. She shouldn't have had to suffer alone. He still didn’t know all of the ins and outs of that situation with her family and he didn’t want to push, but it still stung to know she had abandoned them when they would have never done the same to her. She’d been his best friend when Ashton was away, the one he turned to for help after he’d lost touch with Iris. Turning to Blake for anything serious wasn’t an option and Murphy barely listened to a word Jensen said. She had been his safe spot and when she’d left, she took a piece of him too. He’d been so lost. After his parents divorced and his mother moved away, he was left alone in that house with his drunk father. Ashton was only around during summers. Blake and Murphy came over often, but it wasn’t the same. Now, with so much changed–not just the dynamic shift with Ashton as their alpha, but with Iris back in his life and the pack living in his home–he was struggling to find his footing around her again. They were both so different, and yet, she was still his safe spot. Able to calm him down with a short sentence and a soft smile.
“Yeah, let’s hope,” he said with an airy laugh, glancing back towards where Ashton had run off to as he let that trail of conversation fade. He didn’t want to dwell on his cousin’s love life. He knew something was going on between Erin and Ashton, but he had purposefully turned a blind eye to it. What he didn’t know, he couldn’t say. Therefore, technically, he wasn’t lying. He just prayed that the boy figured it out before it went to hell. His cousin cared for Jade, that much was clear, but he was too much of a guy to admit that. Ashton was never good with emotions and it was making him dig a hole now that Jensen doubted he’d ever be able to climb out of if it got much deeper.
Jensen hated the situation, but he was loyal to a fault. This wasn’t just his alpha, this was family. He’d always choose Ashton, no matter how fucked up this was. No matter how much he liked Jade and Erin. He wasn’t going to intervene, it was too late for that, but he’d be there to clean up the mess.
His soft blue eyes found her again as she spoke up once more, lips twisted into an adoring smile as he promised, “Rina, there’s no replacing you.” And he meant it. She was vital to the pack, a core piece that couldn’t be replicated. Jade and Erin were great additions. Jade was a sweetheart that he imagined a sister would be like and Erin was a spitfire that went toe to toe with Murphy with ease. He liked spending evenings with Jade while Ashton tackled dinner in the kitchen, bantering lightly with her and bonding over their attachment to the boy who couldn’t cook without music. He liked when he and Erin were left alone in the living room after Ashton had chased Blake out of the house, the pair of them making fun of the boys as they watched them fight in the front yard over something silly. He enjoyed them, he was friends with them, but they weren’t pack. They weren’t Sabrina.
“Besides,” he chuckled, throwing his arm around her shoulder and tucking her to his side in a brotherly manner, “We’ll never have to because we’re never letting you go again.” And like hell if any of them were going to let her run off again. Jensen sure as hell wasn’t. Ashton would use his power as alpha if he had to. Blake would chase her down and even Murphy would put up a fight. They all cared for her. “You know Blake wouldn’t last if you were to leave again,” he said much softer, having learned not long ago that the boy had always had a crush on Sabrina and it had shattered him when she suddenly wasn’t there. He knew Blake was still struggling with her being back. He’d changed so much because of her leaving and didn’t know who to be anymore. Jensen helped where he could, but knew it wasn’t something he could fix. Eventually Blake would have to come clean about his feelings and hopefully Sabrina would find it in her to apologize for how things had gone down.
Jensen glanced down at her, noting how tired she looked and yawning himself as he leaned back into the seat–ready to relax and wait it out in the uncomfortable plastic chairs of the lobby.
And then she spoke up.
He went rigid, eyes round and full of anxiety. Wasn’t that just the million dollar question.
“No,” he all but whispered, bashful and nervous because she should know. It’s been nine months. Erin knew by accident, but Jade didn’t. He’d fought with Ashton about telling her, but well, Ashton threw it back in his face. Jensen was being hypocritical after all.
“Erin does, but he hasn’t told Jade. They’re hunters so I get why he's hesitant, but it doesn't make sense for one to know and not the other. He should tell her but he hasn't. And I, uh,” he leaned back, sheepish as he rubbed the back of his neck and looked away, “I haven’t told Iris either.” He knew it was wrong, knew that she deserved to know, but after Jasper fucked her up so bad, he couldn’t bring himself to let that truth out. He didn’t want to be another ‘J’ named werewolf, wanted to be different from him and treat her right.
Before she had the chance to chastise him, Ashton stomped down the hall and fell into the seat next to him like a saving grace. He was thankful for only the briefest of moments, rolling his eyes at the comment before he took a good look at him. Ashton was like his other half, he could tell the boy was hurting no matter how well he tried to hide it, but he knew better than to ask with Sabrina sat beside him.
Later, then. He’d check in later.
He playfully shoved his shoulder to get a smile on the boy’s lips before asking, “How is she?”
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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 Apr 21, 2022 22:43:50 GMT
Ashton seemed to gather himself for a moment, knowing the question was coming but not ready to answer. He leveled his gaze on Sabrina, hoping that how grateful he was glimmered in the green of his irises because he’d never be able to put it into words. She saved Jade’s life. She made things infinitely more complicated because she put into perspective just how fucking much he cared for Jade–how important she’d become in such a short time. It terrified him. He loved her and that terrified him. Ashton had never loved someone before, he’d never let himself. Family was one thing. Family was given. Outside of that, though? He couldn’t. He hadn’t been capable of it and didn’t want to be. But Jade. God, Jade. Her kind smiles and bright eyes and sunny laughs and pillowy lips and plush curves and witty banter and silky hair and her. Just her. Fuck. Tears bubbled at the corners of Ashton’s eyes and he quickly turned his head–acting as if he was looking towards her room as he angrily blinked the watery weakness from his lashes. He loved Jade, but he was fucking her sister. He loved Jade, but he cared for her sister. Ashton didn’t feel for Erin the way he did for Jade, they were both too cold and bitter and full of spite to fall in love, but it was long past casual fucking. She’d become a safe haven for him, someone he had come to depend on. When he was lost, he sought out her eyes–knowing she was strong enough to help him carry the weight where he couldn’t bring himself to burden Jade. Erin was who he’d come to rely on, while Jade was who he wanted to protect. She was the level-head and firm truth. She was confident and sure and brilliant and he was keeping her in the fucking dark while he paraded around with bright, beautiful Jade. The girl who’d had him hooked from the moment they met, the girl who made him so fucking afraid that he’d done the unthinkable. He needed both of them. He couldn’t do this without them. He didn’t want one without the other. It wasn’t fair. He fucking knew that. He’d become so dependent on the stability of Erin and the softness of Jade. He was greedy and an asshole and so fucking stupid for getting himself in such a mess because there was no clean way out. He could run. He could leave them both high and dry but he’d be wounded no matter what. He didn’t want to lose them. He couldn’t. But if he came down to it, if he had to choose–he knew his choice. He knew he’d pick a life with Jade, but knew that once the truth came out, it was over. If he was lucky, Erin would be thrown to the side along with him and be desperate enough to stick with him. He didn’t deserve her. Either of them. They didn’t deserve what he had done to them. He wanted to go back, to just be man enough to come to terms with his feelings for Jade instead of hiding behind Erin–instead of using Erin.
God, he was fucked up.
This is why he’d never had girlfriends.
What a mess he’s made.
He looked back at Jensen then, confident his facade was back in place as he curled his lips into a cocky grin. “My girl’s just fine,” he purred, though his eyes unknowingly betrayed him. Worry and concern flecked in the emerald and ivy. “Doctor came in while I was in there and said that it was mostly just bruising. A few cuts, but nothing serious. No stitches or broken bones or anything,” he explained further, trying to remember what all was said, but he’d been so upset seeing her pale in the hospital bed–under the weight of Erin’s jealous gaze–that he hadn’t been truly listening after the initial all-clear the doctor had given. What their father had said hadn’t helped him keep a level head either, the pain still burning at the back of his throat, choking him up as he tried to play it cool. He knew it was pointless, his pack knew him well. As his eyes found his cousin, he deflated, seeing the concern and compassion deep in those baby blues. Maybe he could break. Maybe he could be real for once.
Shoulders slumping, he hung his head and let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding. “Fuck, man,” he hissed, at a complete loss for what to do. He was tired and overwhelmed and so full of emotions he couldn’t begin to comprehend. He was tired of being the alpha, of being strong. He was tired of leaning so heavily on Jensen. He was just a kid. He shouldn’t have to bear the weight of the world on his shoulders just because he was the maturest. He was tired because it was nearly five in the fucking morning. Ashton let out a shaky exhale, squeezing his eyes tight as he felt the burn of tears return. He had to open up, he had to learn to trust his pack to carry him if he wanted them to trust him back. “I was so scared when you called, Bri. I don’t even remember fucking driving here. I just had to get here and I just–thank you,” he raised his head then, meeting her eyes with a sincerity he shouldn’t have been capable of, “You saved her and there will never be anything I can do or say that’ll convey how fucking thankful I am for you.” There’s so much more he wanted to say, but he couldn’t. This was Ashton, he wasn’t one to write poetry or weave intimate tellings of heart. He couldn’t tell her how much it meant that she accepted his apology, how much it meant that she was back and actively a part of the pack once more. He needed her to help Jensen parent them when he couldn’t figure out how to lead them. He needed her to tame Blake and push back at Murphy. He needed her like he needed the rest of them. He was an alpha by blood, but he’d be nothing without them.
He’d be nothing if Jade hadn’t filled the hole his parents had left–hadn’t plugged herself into his life and given him something to live for again. He was stupid for getting involved with Erin, for dragging her into this mess and wrecking her relationship with her twin. He was a dumbass and an overall shitty human being. He was scared. Ashton was so fucking scared and didn’t know how to handle it.
“I love her,” he spilled suddenly, eyes wide with surprise–like he hadn’t meant for the words to stumble past his quivering lips. It was the first time he’d said it aloud, the first time he’d spoken the truth. “I don’t know what I’m doing,” he admitted, meaning more than either of them could know. He didn’t know how he’d fallen for both girls, how he’d come to need them so viscerally. He didn’t know how to be a loving boyfriend or even a decent person. He was a kid. He was just a lost fucking boy who’d dug his grave and wasn’t ready to lie in it.
“Guys, I,” he stuttered, eyes wet and lost and so unsure, “I don’t know what to do when I go back in there.”
He looked at them for help, for answers, for something–anything.
Jensen floundered. He hadn’t been ready for this kind of spilling from Ashton–unprepared for the weight of his truths. As their eyes met, something secret was shared. Ashton knew then that Jensen knew. It didn’t have to be said, they never needed words. Jensen knew Ashton was in fucking deep–that there was no easy way out. His cousin looked away, towards Sabrina, eyes begging her to have the answer because he couldn’t talk to Ashton the way he needed to with her around. Ashton’s mouth was in a round pout, completely taken aback by this revelation. Who else knew? How the fuck was he going to fix this if Jensen couldn't even lend a helping hand? Ashton sought out Sabrina’s gaze, desperate for her to fix this.
A fucking mess, indeed.
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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 Apr 29, 2022 21:24:26 GMT
Sabrina was still struggling to settle down in the pack. Seven months of having them back in her life and she still felt out of the loop. More than out of loop, out of step with them. With Blake their bond had come back more naturally – like breathing or falling asleep at night. It just felt easy or at least it was when hurt didn’t flicker in his eyes, reflected back by the indignation in her own. With Murphy, well, who did he even like? Sabrina didn’t take his meanness personally and rest assured she got plenty of her own jabs in to level the playing field. Ashton was often too busy these days with the Littles for Sabrina to see him one on one all that much but their relationship seemed to be a bit better than before. The apology had helped. Even though Sabrina knew she had equally as much grovelling to do. With Jensen it was more difficult. He’d been someone she’d just clicked with when she was younger. They were level headed enough to not wind the other up or retaliate by pushing the other in the dirt when they did get under each other’s skin. As certified Mum and Dad of the pack, it was them who’d kept the other three in line despite underlying hierarchies or who would probably be alpha one day. Sabrina regretted leaving them all, a lot. More than she would ever be able to truly say. Turning her back on Jensen was a black mark on her soul. If any of them would have taken the time to listen and understand her side, it was him but she hadn’t even given him the chance to hear. She hated that there was still a slight barrier between them but nights like this, where there was no pressure to perform to the others or anyone else, Sabrina let her shoulders relaxed. Could almost pretend those two years had never happened.
It was odd, over the past months back in their lives she’d found herself relaxing more and more. A couple of weeks ago she’d woken up on the Pines sofa, having fallen asleep after a movie night that she just hadn’t been able to drag herself away from. She woke up with early morning light streaming in and found that her heart beat at a slow pace, her hands weren’t shaking and she wasn’t in any rush to move. She felt completely safe. Safe even when Jimmy walked in and threw a soaked flannel on her face causing her to swear loudly in about four different languages. She hadn’t realised how long she’d been in survival mode for, barely making it through each cycle. Mourning the loss of her four brothers (not the biological ones of course, they could all choke) and the comforting walls of the cabin. Now, they were all back in her life and she didn’t want to lose that feeling ever again so as Jensen gave her a warm smile, an equally grateful one split across her own face. “Good because you can’t get rid of me.”
Resting her head against Jensen’s shoulder, Sabrina chuckled lightly at his words. At ease knowing she didn’t want to let go of them either. Even if they did drive her insane from time to time. It was all part of the fun. At the mention of Blake, Sabrina’s eyes squeezed shut. Yeah, that part wasn’t going to be forgiven anytime soon. “I didn’t realise he would care that much, you all had each other. I thought you’d be okay.” She replied, voice equally as quiet. It was the line she told herself when she couldn’t sleep at night, guilt weighing too heavily on her shoulders. They’d all been together, they could rely on each other. She was the one who left. Whilst her logic was definitely flawed, she couldn’t shake it even though she’d said the very same to Blake in a heated conversation that night in his car that still played on loop in her brain, even though he’d called her out on her bullshit excuses. She’d wounded Jensen and Blake the most by abandoning them. There was still plenty of making up to do. To Blake most of all for what her actions had caused. She found herself wondering if the situation would have been different if she’d ever just stopped by to say hello. Maybe then she wouldn’t have left every party with her ears burning of who Blake was off seducing that night. Not that she cared about who he wanted to sleep with. Not that she’d found a slightly different ache in her heart from time to time when she thought about him. Don’t be ridiculous.
For a sweet moment, they sat in companionable silence until Sabrina had to go and ask that damn question. Shooting upright at his reply, Sabrina stared over at him in disbelief, eyes rolling with every word he said. After tonight Sabrina had managed to put two and two together that Jade was no ordinary girl but fucking the enemy? Interesting move. Then again, who was Sabrina to talk when she had Rose Harper to thank for the very weapon that had saved Jade’s ass tonight. Sometimes a bit of fraternisation was necessary. Oh, and the icing on the cake, Jensen’s own girlfriend didn’t know. “You two are full of crap,” Sabrina chastised, rubbing her hands over her face before grimacing, remembering the foreign blood on them. “Iris used to hang around the Gold Pack, I’m sure she’s a little clued in.” There’d been a time when Sabrina had debated joining them but the thought of that news getting back to Blake and Jensen had stopped her every time she considered walking over to Jasper. That was all Sabrina was able to say on the matter before Ashton came marching over. Settling back down into her seat, Sabrina only rolled her eyes at his greeting. She had to bite back her laugh, finding Jensen doing the exact same action. A girl could leave a pack but the pack mentality was a lot harder to shake.
Sitting forward so she could see Ashton clearly, Sabrina met his gaze head on. The look in his eyes made her heart clench ever so slightly. This was the grand entrance back into their lives she’d fantasised about on stormy nights when she felt her house rattle and knew her tears would be muffled with the lashing rain. The look was gone in a moment, alpha Ashton back in action. He was as bad as Blake for putting on a performance.
Relief coursed through Sabrina, glad that Jade wouldn’t have any lasting damage. Although part of her hoped her parents would give her verbal hell for being such a complete idiot. It was complete luck that Sabrina had been out there, she’d been meaning to go to her hideout for weeks to collect the last of her things now that she didn’t need to shift in isolation. She’d been halfway there when she heard what sounded like a fight and she’d sprinted off. With the rogue pack making their rounds, Sabrina was keeping her wolfsbane close to her as often as she could. Rose had been smart enough to bring it to Sabrina in a more weaponised form and Sabrina would be giving the other girl a large piece of chocolate the next time she saw her in thanks.
Ashton’s charade didn’t last long. “Hey, hey it’s okay. It’s the least I could.” Sabrina offered quietly, afraid that if she said much more than that he’d start sobbing. Maybe she’d settled back into pack life more than she’d truly realised because in that moment, Sabrina wanted to do whatever she could to ease the burden on Ashton’s shoulders.
There was nothing she could offer to what he said next. Sabrina had said those words to Addie and no one else. Never her parents, certainly not her brothers. She’d never had anything romantic stick around for long enough to get to that point. Sabrina nudged Jensen’s side with her elbow, surely the man with a girlfriend would know what to say to that. A congratulations didn’t feel appropriate somehow when it was obvious there was something weighing on his shoulders. The look Ashton and Jensen shared suggested to her there was more than she’d clocked on. Now was not an appropriate time to message Blake, which she should do now she knew more, but man she wanted to know what he knew. If they were a pack, Sabrina felt she should know what was going. Within reason, of course, she didn’t need to know when they went to the bathroom. Ashton was looking at her now. Schooling her face into something neutral, Sabrina sighed “well, I’m not the relationship type,” she began trying to give herself time to come up with a piece of useful advice. “But I’d say it’s been a long, emotional night for most of us. Better to leave any serious conversations for a few days. Nothing good happens between 1 and 6am.”
Phone buzzing annoyingly in her pocket, Sabrina yanked it to see that it was once again Blake. Unlocking it quickly, she handed it over to Jensen. “Jensen, be a lamb and fill in our dear friend.” If her phone buzzed one more time, Sabrina was worried it would end up embedded in the hospital wall. “Now, Ashton, I love you is a big statement and if you’re saying that you don’t know what to do, then I think you should keep that information to yourself. No girl wants to be told she’s loved with a question mark behind the sentence. Be sure with what you want to do because you can’t take that back.” Sabrina couldn’t imagine someone telling her they loved her but the pain she could picture with them retracting that statement was easily imaginable. “I think tonight you go and make sure she’s fine and doesn’t start freaking out about the situation. In a day or two maybe have a more serious conversation but not tonight.” Glancing over at Jensen, Sabrina wondered what his two cents would be about the situation. He knew Ashton’s relationship with Jade far better than she did. “Oh and uh... also make sure she thinks any reference to us being wolves was purely joking because I may have suggested we were.” With that Sabrina plastered a fake smile to her face, not knowing if her advice was at all useful.
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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 Apr 30, 2022 22:37:21 GMT
Why had he said that? Why the fuck had he let those three short, heavy words tumble from the confines of his heart? He loved her. Did he love her? Was that what this was? Ashton hadn’t kept score, but he knew he had been with, at the very least, a dozen women, but it may be closer to double that. He’d been so proud of the number once, had worn it like a medal, but after watching Jade’s eyes darken with nerves and lust as she parted her legs and made room for him in her most sacred place, he felt ashamed that he’d ever laid with anyone else. He wishes he’d been her first, that they had saved that religious experience for one another. He’d never felt like that before, never cared about such novel things. But Jade made him a damn girl about these stupid things, had him sharing chick-flick moments with Jensen on the couch after coming home from their respective dates, gushing about their girls. It was pitiful and it was embarrassing and it was love, wasn’t it? The way her cheery laughs made his chest tighten and how her hands moved across his heated skin to tangle with his own soothed the ache in his heart. Jade could tell a joke so lame and cheesy and he’d still be bent over gut-laughing because of her delivery and her hopeful eyes praying he’d find it funny. He found himself holding doors open for her, rushing around his jeep to pull the car door open for her, and keeping extra feminine shit around so she’d always be covered. Hairbands and toiletries and keeping spare clothes in his trunk in case she got cold or needed to change. Ashton was always looking out for her like an honest boyfriend should. He was late to his classes after walking her to her own. Kept his arm tight around her waist or shoulders, gaze threatening to any boy who dared look her way. Ashton spent a stupid amount of time fixing his hair in the rearview mirror before walking up to her house and too long cleaning his room when he knew she was coming back to his place. He cared about all of the small, silly things he hadn’t before. He didn’t care if a girl saw his boxer shorts on the floor or if she had to open her own door, but he did with Jade. He wanted her to be happy and to keep that dewy look in her eyes when she fawned over him. But it wasn’t just the small things either. It was making sure she always ate and asking how her friendships were growing and listening to her complain about everything under the sun. It was loving her. God, this had to be love.
But how could it be when he knew the taste of Erin’s lips and the shape of her body and how red her eyes got when she cried? How could he love Jade when he went out of his way to tuck Erin’s hair into place before she left his room, dipping down to kiss her gently as he did? How could he be in love with Jade when he made up excuses to not spend the evening with her because her twin sent a longing, scornful look his way? How? How could he have fallen so hard so fast for the pair? It was destructive and set on a crash course. There was no happy ending and he kept fooling himself that there was.
Because he did love Jade despite his entanglement with Erin. From the moment he saw her. If only he’d met her first.
Ashton’s eyes were round and wet and unseeing as his heartbeat pounded against his chest, drowning out the interaction between Jensen and Sabrina.
Jensen fumbled with Sabrina’s phone, scrolling up just far enough to see the messages from the last thirty minutes so he could read through all of Blake’s nosey and worried questions. Had he been any of the other pack members, he would have snooped around her phone for the hell of it but as it was, this was Jensen. He would never, wouldn’t even consider it. She trusted him enough with her unlocked device and he was only going to do as instructed. Eyeing Blake’s name and contact picture, he hesitated. He recalled what she’d said before Ashton had stormed up to them. How on earth did she think that any of them would be fine without her, least of all Blake? He’d been her shadow when Ashton wasn’t around, puppy-love looks and hands softer when they reached out. Jensen felt stupid for not seeing the signs sooner, that Blake held a flaming torch for Sabrina. He didn’t want to say love, but what else could it be after all this time? Jensen’s eyes cut to the girl then as she struggled to come up with something to say to his cousin. Did she have feelings for Blake too? Could she given how she left? He sighed, knowing he wouldn’t be able to tell now, but maybe he’d feel her out later about it. Jensen turned his focus back on replying to Blake, typing quickly on the phone what little he knew before locking the screen. He kept the phone on his lap, knowing the boy would text back swiftly and that the vibrations would piss her off considering how she reacted to his last text.
His eyes shifted to Ashton, his own filling with dread as he watched him struggle to come to terms with the war in his heart. Jensen wished he had the words to console him, to lead him off this shipwreck.
Ashton wadded from his murky train of thought as Sabrina directed her words back at him. It had felt like hours but had been mere seconds between her handing her phone over and her addressing him again. He blinked slowly at her as he grasped what she was trying to convey, coming back to himself and realizing how far he’d let himself slip. His hand wiped roughly at his cheeks, finding it bittersweet that they were only moderately damp–he’d cried, but only a few tears. What she was saying made sense. Of course it did. She was a girl and this was her forte, despite her not being the ‘relationship type’. He nodded dumbly along with what she was saying, knowing she was right. He couldn’t relay his feelings to Jade now. Not after her accident, not with Erin in the room. He needed to sit down and really think about this because he couldn’t take it back if he said it. Seeing her in the hospital bed had shaken him, made him realize how important she really was to him after the prospect of losing her. But what he was doing with Erin, even if he really did love Jade, was it fair to say that? Would it be fair to tell her and then have all of this blow-up someday? Did it really matter? Ashton was bound to act on impulse in the moment, but at least he had gotten it out of his system in front of the parentals of the pack instead of word vomiting it on Jade and Erin in the heat of the moment when he went back in there. He sighed, nodding again more firmly this time. He had let his fear drive his tongue but he knew better than to do that now. He wouldn’t tell Jade yet, maybe he won’t ever.
“No, no,” he said in a tired voice, moving his fingers through his hair before looking between the two of them, “You’re right. God, I don’t know why I even said it.” He shook his head, letting out a bitter laugh as he corrected, “No, I know why I said it, but I shouldn’t have now.” His head bobbed from left to right again as the words died on his lips. He didn’t have to explain himself to them. A look shared with Jensen showed that he already knew what was on Ashton’s mind. Fuck, man. If Jensen knew, then Murphy and Blake did too. They all knew and kept their mouth shut out of respect for their alpha. For their brother. He wished they wouldn’t have to keep the secret too, but was thankful that they had.
“I won’t tell her with a question mark,” he promised, eyes finding Sabrina then, “I don’t want to hurt her. I’ll sort my shit out before saying something like that to her. Just, you know, seeing her in there put things into perspective for me.” And god, he wished they hadn’t. He quite enjoyed playing oblivious to the song in his heart. “Thank you, again, for–you know–saving her and then this,” he waved awkwardly, not sure how to put the meaning of the conversation into a few words and hoped the motion sufficed, “It’s nice to have you back, Bri.” He knew he hadn’t been the best to her before, but he hoped she could see the sincerity in his eyes. He’d never say the words aloud.
Rolling his shoulders back in place and smoothing out his face, he pushed all his teen drama to the side and focused on the severity of the situation. He’d heard what they had been talking about before he walked up. Sabrina knew their girlfriends were in the dark about them being werewolves. His eyebrows were drawn close as he tried to decipher what Bri hadn’t explicitly said, but could only gather that something must have happened while she was saving Jade. “Thanks for the heads up, but I figure it’s about time we tell our girls about that too, huh?” Ashton elbowed Jensen and his cousin gave him a sharp look.
“You act like I don’t know that.,” Jensen sighs, shaking his head, “I just don’t want her to look at me and see Jasper, you know? I shouldn’t have waited so long, but we’ve been so happy that I just couldn’t.” And maybe it was too late now, but he knew that she’d be okay after the initial upset. “But I will. She deserves to know that,” he promises, glancing at the pair before looking to Ashton.
The older rolled his eyes but nodded regardless, “And I’ll tell Jade. Might as well do that tonight. Erin being there might make it easier.” He looked at Sabrina then, explaining so she wasn’t so out of the loop, “She caught me on a full moon a few months back. Nearly killed her because she gets on my fucking nerves, but we came to a truce.” He hesitated for just a moment, Jensen giving him a look that told him to clarify before Sabrina jumped to a conclusion, “For Jade. She was going to rat me out but kept it secret because she’s a softie for the girl like me. Didn’t want to make her upset when she finally found something that made her so damn happy.” He winked and flashed her a dazzling smile to hammer the nail in that coffin.
Sabrina couldn’t know it was because he had a soft spot for Erin too, that he harbored sickly sweet thoughts right alongside those bitterly sour emotions.
A yawn ripped through him, pressing his hand to his mouth to cover it. He pulled out his phone and winced at the time and amount of texts he had from Blake. “You texted him back?” He asked and Jensen hummed a reply back. “Why don’t you guys head home? It’s late and she’s gonna be alright if y’all want to head to the cabin. Bri, you can crash there if you want,” he offered, a hint of his southern drawl peeking through in his tiredness, though he didn’t need to give her permission. Jensen sighed, not wanting to leave Ashton here alone, but he understood the dismissal. The guy needed time alone to sort through his thoughts and not be forced to play alpha for them.
He glanced at Sabrina, leaving the choice to her.
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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 2, 2022 20:07:09 GMT
It was so interesting to watch Ashton like this. So open and honest with her and Jensen. Gone was the bravado most people saw. Here was the true boy beneath. Not man, not wolf. Teenager. Orphan. Just as alone and confused as the rest of them. This was the support she’d been missing out on. Two years of only having the pages of a journal to truly turn to when she was upset, or worried, or even when she was proud of something. Sabrina still felt that she had a lot of making up to do. At least her words were coming across as somewhat useful tonight.
If only the five of them had been shown consistent love.
Consistency – that was what they all lacked. Never again would she add to that burden. She would not falter as their friend, as their sister and pack member. Certainly not without telling them that is.
Sabrina smiled lightly, tiredness heavy in her eyes but she could read every emotion on Ashton’s face. “It’s good to be back,” she confirmed, offering Jensen an equally happy smile. “Someone has to stop you all from being silly with girls’ hearts.” With Ashton’s next words to Jensen, Sabrina just rolled her eyes, leaning back in her chair and praying silently for Iris and Jade’s sanity when that bombshell was dropped in their laps after all this time. At least Iris had Rose to explain and talk over everything. Whilst Sabrina wouldn’t exactly say she and Rose were close buddies, she’d been able to depend on the girl and her discretion for many months. A solid friend for someone else, for sure. Sabrina tried to not get too comfortable around those who had weapons that could end her life in mere moments. Although from what she’d been able to tell, the Harpers acted a bit differently these days – ever since Natalia and Alex came back.
Despite Ashton’s best attempt at an Oscar-worthy performance, Sabrina questioned that explanation in her head. Something certainly felt amiss but Sabrina simply returned Ashton’s grin, compiling a list of questions for Jensen in her head. And what better opportunity than trapping Jensen in her car as she drove him home. “Bed sounds like the only place I want to be,” Sabrina replied already hopping to her feet, suddenly energised by the thought of grilling Jensen. “I’ll drop Jenny back at the cabin. Have fun with Jade and Erin, doting boyfriend is a good look on you, Ashton.”
Sabrina stepped away, heading for the exit and giving Jensen a moment alone with his cousin if he needed it. Not that you could really get a moment around when your closest friends could hear what you said from the other end of a football field. Cutting across the car park, Sabrina slid into the driver’s seat and groaned as she looked at the passenger side. Not only were there flecks of dried blood on her hands, there was delightful pattern of it pressed onto the seat. Jensen was there a second later, pulling open the door without really considering what he was stepping into. “Wait, wait!” Sabrina said, flapping her hands to keep him from sitting down just yet. Leaning over, Sabrina pulled open the glove compartment to reveal her handy stash of antibacterial wipes. “Can’t be too careful,” she mumbled making quick work to wipe off the blood from the seat and her hands as best she could. “Alright, should be sanitised enough.”
Within a minute, they were on the move the sky mercifully still dark. Sabrina hoped she’d make it home before dawn truly raised its head. “So...” Taking a sly look over at Jensen, Sabrina’s fingers tapped against the steering wheel, radio low as she really didn’t need too many distractions when she was this tired. “I find it interesting that one twin knows about Ashton’s little canine moments and the other doesn’t. Especially, when the one that knows is the one I thought he rather disliked.” Sabrina didn’t want to make Jensen squirm, wouldn’t push him if he didn’t immediately offer some form of explanation. But, man, she needed to know how that had occurred. If Erin was a hunter, Sabrina supposed it made sense for her to be out during a full moon but it just... there was something in Sabrina that wasn’t buying it. “I also can’t believe that you haven’t told Iris. Her best friend is literally a hunter, who I know and she knows that I’m a werewolf. I feel like it’s only a matter of time before Rose pieces together that I’m hanging out with you all again and a lot happier and calmer for it. So you better hop to it before someone beats you to revealing that.” Not that Sabrina thought Rose would, they had an unspoken ‘no questions, no probing’ policy between them. But maybe Sabrina needed to pressure Jensen on this just a little bit, especially when Jensen had seemed a little bit hesitant earlier.
Sabrina fell silent, eyes on the road as early morning traffic started to make its way by. Maybe it was because she was tired and worn out. Maybe it was because Jensen felt like the safest person to tell and she was bored of eating herself up over it. Maybe it was because Ashton of all people, the original womaniser of the group, had just told them he loved his girlfriend but Sabrina opened her mouth and admitted something no one else had ever heard. “There was,” Sabrina started quietly, taking a deep breath. “There was another reason I left and I know you hate lying and can probably guess that I’ve been trying to cover my own ass with all my excuses.” She’d noted his hesitation on her phone and could tell that he didn’t quite believe what she was saying or how she’d justified it. “This stays between us, okay?” If they were still children she would have lifted her pinkie finger to him and made him promise his silence based on that action. But Sabrina was a firm believer in keeping both hands on the wheel so any pinkie promises would have to wait until they were parked. “When and after Ashton kissed me, I felt this huge almost suffocating wave of guilt. It was like I couldn’t breathe and then I just slapped him but I almost wish someone had slapped me to get rid of that feeling. I was 15 and felt like the world I’d created in my head was just gone. I couldn’t kid myself anymore.” Sabrina knew she was half talking in riddles, hoping simile and metaphor would hide what she was trying to say. “Blake asked me, that day I came back to you all, whether he was the reason I left and of course I said no. He wasn’t the reason I left. My feelings for him that I’d tried to ignore and just play off as the fact that I felt the most like myself when he was around were the reason I left.”
Pulling up to a set of traffic lights, Sabrina came to a stop as the lights turned red. Looking over at Jensen, Sabrina worried her bottom lip unsure how what she was revealing would land. “For two years, I’ve tried to convince myself that I feel nothing. For two years I told myself that when I saw him with girls at parties I felt sick to my stomach because I remember him with boogers around his nose and chasing me around the garden with some toad he’d picked up. But then he had to pick me up and I had to look at him and be the closest I’d been to him in forever. And I couldn’t deny why I’d felt that guilt anymore. I felt that guilt when Ashton kissed me because in my head, my heart already belonged to another.”
“I thought my heart belonged to Blake and I...” Sabrina sighed, pressing down on the gas as the lights changed back. “I thought his belonged to me but from everything I learnt about him while I was away, I know I’m stupid for thinking that. He’s not interested. He only wants me so he has someone to chase around and annoy.” Miraculously, she didn’t cry but she stayed quiet then. How Jensen would react to the final reason as to why she’d left, she had no idea. Wishing the radio was louder, Sabrina just focused on the last few miles back to the cabin, part of her wishing she could take back everything she’d just said.
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Supernatural
Written by Megan.
76 posts.
18 years old.
in looooove.
I am Male.
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Post by Jensen Pines on May 3, 2022 4:11:05 GMT
Ashton would like to say that he believed that Sabrina had bought his performance, but he knew that look that passed over her features–knew that scent that spilled from her pores. Suspicion. He’d always been a fairly tuned-in werewolf. He didn’t have the best control when he was younger, nor when he first accepted his alpha bloodline, but he was honed into his instincts and senses. He liked to believe that’s what allowed him to get away with Erin for so long, he was able to read his girls like a book, learning what to do and say to keep his secret safe. Sabrina didn’t call him out on it, but she didn’t buy it completely. He shouldn’t have gone so far into detail, he figured. Oh well. He spared a look to Jensen, standing with the both of them as they began to get themselves ready to leave. Jensen dipped his head shallowly, nodding that he understood the unsaid order. Words were never needed with them, Jensen would spin a believable tale to buy Ashton a little more time to sort through his shit. Jensen hated lying. He wasn’t a liar. But for family? For his pack? For his love? He’d bend the truth. Those important to him always came first. They seemed to always be the ones asking him to toss his morals aside. Jensen was fine weaving a white lie for their greater good.
Before Sabrina could step away, Ashton pulled her into a hug. He’d been so hesitant to be close to her–to touch her–since she’d been back, but he couldn’t stop himself now. She’d saved Jade’s life. He didn’t have the words, but as his arms tightened around her, he trusted that she knew. “I’ll try to keep the look, then,” he teased as he let her back away, calling to her retreating form, “Thank you again, Bri. For everything.” And she may never hear the words from him again. Surely in the morning when he was rested and calmed, he’d flush with shame at how weak he’d been in front of her. She was the mother of the pack, he couldn’t help but lean on her now that she was here. He tried not to, though. He needed to be alpha and find control in himself.
Once her footsteps were whispers in their ears, he dropped his voice and eyed his cousin. “I’m trusting you,” it was said as a demand, as a plea, “We’ll talk later, okay? Just cover my ass for now.”
Jensen tapped his cousin’s shoulder, smiling sadly as he promised, “Always, Ash.” And then he was on his way, trotting after Sabrina.
Ashton took the following ten minutes to calm himself, standing before the bathroom mirror and eyeing himself. He hated who he saw. Handsome devil, yeah, but a devil nonetheless. He sighed, washing off his face with the cool water before running his hands through his hair. It was longer than it had ever been, but still shorter than the rest of the boys’. Jade liked trying to braid it. Erin liked pulling it. He sighed again.
After he’d been out of the room for about twenty minutes, he was antsy to get back in. Fuck what he said to Erin, he couldn’t wait anymore. He went to Jade’s room, knocking on the door rather than barging in. Time was up, but he wasn’t going to be a complete ass about it. He waited impatiently for someone to let him in.
Jensen was a bit startled when he reached the car door. He wasn’t queasy, but he hadn’t been prepared to see Jade’s blood crusting on her leather seats. As Sabrina pulled out the wipes, he was quick to grab a few and help her wipe down the seat. He laughed at her joke, knowing that they couldn’t catch anything, but was glad for the precaution regardless. Addie rode in this seat, he’d rather take the few extra moments to clean it now than have her struggling later when they were running late for school.
The silence was welcomed, but he knew it wouldn’t last. Her fidgeting was loud in his ears, words teetering on the tip of her tongue. And there it was.
Jensen released a long breath, watching out the window for a moment–eyes tracking the darkened landscape as he put his thoughts together. Sabrina didn’t know what a liar he’d become. Before she’d left, he’d still been the saint of the pack, but things weren’t okay with her gone. He’d changed like the rest of them, some parts for the worse and some for the better. He was thankful he hadn’t had to lie to her yet. He wished he didn’t have to now. “Well, given it was Erin he ran into and not Jade, I think it makes sense. He never planned on telling any of his partners about being a werewolf, but he’s also never had a girlfriend this long,” or ever, but they both knew what he meant, he didn’t want to belittle all of those girls to Ashton’s quick lays, “If he hadn’t run into her, then I don’t think she would know.” He shrugged, looking at her then, playing nonchalantly like this wasn’t the least bit suspicious. “He told me that he’d been on his way home from Jade’s and he’d forgotten about the full moon–despite me reminding him, but that’s beside the point,” he huffed, still annoyed that Ashton had been so relaxed about the calendar, so stupid, “He turned and had been out for a while. Erin had a fight with her parents sometime after he left and she ran off. I don’t think she’s an active hunter like her parents must be, but,” he shrugged then, “She stormed off and they ran into each other. He hurt her, but she mentioned Jade and he managed to come back a bit. I think he’s been using her as an anchor. She helps him a lot more than even me.” And so far, he hasn’t lied, he was just leaving out a very important truth. This is how he got away with it all without drowning in guilt later. “They still were obnoxious with each other for a long time. It was impossible to have them around each other in the beginning, but I think that them both knowing about this all has helped them mellow out. I don’t know why she hasn’t told Jade, but she probably doesn’t want to upset her. And I think as time went on, it would just make it worse because she waited so long–I’m not sure. Plus, you know, Jade. Erin loves her sister, and, I mean, Ashton loves Jade too,” his voice was heavy with disbelief, still in shock that Ashton had said that given what he was doing with Erin. Again, he shrugged, a pensive look on his face as he gazed through the windshield, “She makes it easier for them to get along. I’m just thankful that he didn’t hurt Erin too bad or turn her on accident. It could have been a lot worse. But Jade is just, she means a lot to him. I just pray he’s smart about how he handles her.” And wasn’t that the truth.
He looked her way again, his face carefully relaxed and scent calm and concerned. He had time to prepare for this moment, knew she would ask the moment Ashton over-explained himself. She wouldn’t catch him, she had no reason to believe he’d hold anything from her.
Now to her second statement. He couldn’t avoid it now, there was no Ashton to storm in and prevent him from being chastised this time. He looked sheepish, scent embarrassed as he forced himself to not cower under her words or her gaze. “I didn’t realize you’d gotten so close,” he stalled, biting his lip as he put together an answer, “I know I need to tell her. I will soon. Maybe this weekend, but I just. I didn’t want to be like Jasper. I meant that. And I know I’m not him, but,” he shook his head, not sure how to verbalize his thoughts, “I just don’t want her to lump me in with him. I want her to just see me. She didn’t for the first few months and I was fine with that because it was so soon after and I know her, and I don’t know, Rina. I’m just scared. But I, I think she knows anyway and just hasn’t called me out on it. She knows about the supernatural. I don’t spend full moons with her. She is so damn smart and I think she’s just letting me get away with it for the same reason. She doesn’t want to see Jasper in me either.” He hoped she’d understand now. It wasn’t to pull the wool over Iris’ eyes. It wasn’t to deceive her. It was to keep their love theirs.
He studied Sabrina closer then. Not for the first time, he wondered how Iris felt about how close he was to her. They had talked about it and she sounded fine, but there was always a spike to her heartrate that he couldn’t call her out on. He was close to Sabrina, always had been. Not the way Blake was, but like siblings. They were comfortable in each other’s bubbles, often shoulder to shoulder–or shoulder to the top of her head rather, Jensen was the tallest of them all. He knew Iris trusted him, just as he trusted her. They were perfect in every way, aside from this small withholding of facts. They’d been best friends as kids. He’d known her even longer than Sabrina. That kind of love lasted. That kind of love was certain.
His thoughts were interrupted when Sabrina spoke again, before she answered his replies, something that couldn’t wait. Jensen turned towards her the best he could given his size, giving her his full attention as she fought to keep her voice even with the emotion thrumming in her veins. He wanted to be surprised, but he had the suspicion that she had been holding the true reason back. He was happy to buy the family excuse until she was ready to tell them. Apparently, she was doing that now.
Oh. He should have expected that answer, but he hadn’t. Guilt flooded him. All this time? She’d suffered all this time because she couldn’t see that Blake was at her heels with his heart on a platter? He wanted to laugh. They were idiots, chasing each other in circles. How had they not realized? It was a simple misunderstanding that cost them two years of time together, but maybe that had to happen for them all to grow as individuals.
Jensen could tell Sabrina was on the verge of tears, could hear the way her voice shook, and knew he couldn’t make light of this situation. Steeling himself, he reached out and settled his hand on her shoulder–not asking for her attention as she drove, but hoping it would comfort her. “Rina,” he started, voice soft and warm and so full of love and trust that he hoped she’d settle down, “Of course, this is between us, you don’t even have to say that.” She chose him to tell for a reason, this is how they’d always been with each other. “Don’t feel bad for lying about it. It’s okay. This is a big deal and you’re justified in your secrets,” he promised, working his way to the heart of her confession. Those were big feelings she was throwing around. He wondered if Ashton’s own confession was the acting force behind this.
He had to choose his words right, for he didn’t want to speak for Blake, but he didn’t want Sabrina feeling so lost. Damn, why was he always the mediator? It wasn’t an easy job.
“I don’t think you should be so quick to write his feelings off, Rina,” he said in his fatherly tone, eyes narrowing slightly like he’d caught her doing something she shouldn’t have, “You know Blake. He didn’t have his first kiss until after you left. He wasn’t like this until you weren’t there for him to follow like a little love-sick puppy. I wouldn’t say that he’s just looking to chase after you now. Think about it. You notice that he hasn’t been out at parties as much? He hasn’t come to me and talked about his conquests. He hasn’t been anything like he had been when you were gone. I know you’re smarter than this, Rina. These feelings are scary, but don’t assume his.” He took a breath, looking away and hoping he was saying the right thing. “I’m not Blake, but I know what I’ve seen. You weren’t there, Sabrina. He was heartbroken when you left. And now, he’s just, he’s hoping he doesn’t fuck up and scare you off again because he’ll always blame himself for people leaving him. Just, I think you should give him a chance to answer for himself instead of you doing it for him because I think you’ve got it wrong. I see the way he looks at you. I’ve always seen the way he looks at you.”
And maybe that was a step too far, but God, these two were hopeless. He had to give her a nudge in the right direction or they’d keep missing each other for the rest of their lives. Blake wouldn’t make the first step. Not with her. He’d rather keep her as a friend than lose her. Jensen understood the fear of that.
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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 20:03:38 GMT
The whole morning was throwing Sabrina off. Hugs and thanks from Ashton? Unheard of – at least for her to receive. Jensen completely talking out of his ass? Not the Jenny she knew and despite all the moons apart, she did know him. The good parts anyway. He never would have lied to her in the past. Then again, when she was a young girl and running with all of them through the preserve she’d have never pictured a future without them. But that had happened and clearly, Jensen was happy to paint a pretty story. Sabrina allowed herself to look over at him, matched her scent to his own but she just... woman’s instinct or whatever, she struggled to push the understanding smile to her face. He wouldn’t reveal what his cousin was up to and fine, Sabrina wouldn’t poke her nose into someone else’s business. All she could do was stay observant, take a leaf out of Murphy and Blake’s books. A little snooping never hurt.
Sabrina dropped that topic better to come off as believing what he’d said than put Jensen, and Ashton, on edge.
Jensen’s hesitation to come up with an answer on why he’d stayed silent on his secret was obvious and she wished she could kick him to jostle him along. At least his explanation seemed genuine this time, the real boy talking to her. She nodded along with what he was saying, not bothering to interject that she and Rose were no closer than the sun and the moon but they just saw each other when it was necessary for their paths to cross. Sabrina was glad that Jensen had found someone and whilst she hadn’t spent much time with Iris, from what Sabrina could tell, the girl was nice and friendly. Exactly the kind of person she wanted Jensen to have by his side.
Jensen’s reassuring hand on her shoulder helped with her monologue, the world feeling a little bit lighter with every word that managed to pass her lips. The words that had been hinted at in her journal but never written explicitly in case it fell into the wrong hands. She’d had no one to share this side of her with, no close girl friends to talk to about her crushes during a sleepover. No one daring her to kiss who she really wanted to at a party and even if they did, she would just pick the best looking boy in the room. The closest friends she’d eventually formed were the other staff at Sals. The older cooks who would always box up food for her to take home. The other waitresses she would gossip with during low points. The young 15 year old bus boy who used her to practice his flirting. All human, all perfectly normal, but in the walls of the diner she’d formed the bonds to get her through her loneliness. To get her through the black bit where her heart used to be. Seven months in the pack had helped fix it but there was a huge part of her heart missing. No, not missing. Hidden. Buried deep inside her soul where it would be safe – where she would be safe from acting on emotional impulses and running to Blake. There was too much history between her and Blake – between her and all of the pack – for her to easily explain her feelings for her ‘mystery man’ as he’d been dubbed when the other waitresses asked her if she was seeing anyone. Sabrina would bat them away, reiterating time and time again that she wasn’t interested in relationships “except for your mystery man” they’d chirp back. She was still annoyed that she’d even let it slip that there could possibly be someone she cared for in that way. It had come out by accident, a sleepy Wednesday evening shift where there were three waitresses working and only one customer until someone else had come in. Sabrina hadn’t been looking towards the door. She’d been busy polishing forks behind the counter when she’d glanced up and dropped the pile of metal onto the floor with a loud crash. It hadn’t been Blake but the shaggy black hair, tanned skin and similar height had been enough to make her think it was. The other two girls hadn’t let it go, annoying Sabrina into admitting that he looked like someone she used to know. She’d kept details brief but it was enough for him to get the nickname.
There was only one nickname Blake had and she’d given it to him. It was hers. But she wasn’t his.
Wait. Wait, “wait, Jensen what?” Sabrina felt like her head was about to fall off. Felt like she shouldn’t be driving whilst having this conversation. Thankfully they were nearly at the cabin, the roads getting quieter as traffic thinned out in the sparsely populated area of town. “What do you mean the way he looks at me? He looks at me like he always has. Like a boy who’s seeing a girl for the first time and realises that they’re different. But that... that doesn’t mean anything.” Right? Sabrina’s brain was running 2x speed, playing every word Jensen had said quickly not wanting to forget anything. “Well, none of us have been going to parties as much, we’re busy, most of you have girlfriends and it’s senior year...” Sabrina trailed off, knowing she was just trying to explain his actions because the thought of getting her hopes up was unbearable.
Palms sweaty and brain firing so rapidly that she was no longer seeing the trees that flowed past the windows, she couldn’t take it anymore. Checking her mirrors quickly, Sabrina pulled to a stop at the side of the road. There were still a couple of miles or so till the cabin but if she didn’t stop now she knew there was a chance Blake could hear. Turning the car off, Sabrina looked at Jensen, breathing uneasy. “I don’t know what to do. Can I even talk to him about this? No, right? It would totally freak us both out and I don’t want to unsettle the pack again. Jensen, I have tried to ignore the way I’ve felt for two years, well, longer than two years really because I knew before I left that I felt differently for Blake than I do for the rest of you. What if you’re wrong?” Sabrina had never told anyone how she’d felt, usually a bit of prolonged eye contact did the trick for her. She’d never had to be that vulnerable to someone, couldn’t imagine anyone returning the favour. “You know what, don’t answer that. In fact, forget everything I said. I’m just tired.” There was no way it could be that easy. Not for Sabrina. She didn’t think she even deserved it after leaving Blake like she had. Starting the car again and driving off, Sabrina knew she was giving Jensen very limited time to make any final points he had.
The cabin came into view before long and Sabrina braced herself for the look on Jensen’s face. “Thanks for keeping me company in the waiting room and for hearing me out.” Even if she had then completely freaked out and would pretend the conversation never happened. “I’m not sure I’ll make it into school, I was gonna have a half day anyway so I’ll see you at Blake’s birthday?” Sabrina offered already dreading the long day ahead of her.
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Supernatural
Written by Megan.
76 posts.
18 years old.
in looooove.
I am Male.
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Post by Jensen Pines on May 4, 2022 0:22:34 GMT
Jensen held in a sigh. It was pointless to lie to one another. Not because of their senses, but because at the end of the day, they still knew each other. Like the back of their hand, like their favorite film. There was no escaping the truth of it. Sabrina knew he hadn’t told the full truth and Jensen knew that she knew. He had only repeated what Ashton had told him that night when he got home. Jensen hadn’t known about the affair then so he honestly didn’t know that it wasn’t true. He hadn’t technically lied so she couldn’t call him out on it. Or maybe she just didn’t want to. Or maybe this turn in conversation had her attention captivated. He hadn’t been there that night. He hadn’t seen what Erin and Ashton got up to. He wasn’t a worthy witness. He wasn’t the one she would have to keep an eye on, but there wouldn’t be much to watch. Ashton knew he’d been caught by the boys, knew he had to be more careful. Jensen would tip him off that Sabrina hadn’t completely bought the excuse and he could only hope that Ashton would take the precautions if he wasn’t going to cut Erin off completely. He frowned at the thought, hating that his cousin got himself in this mess–that he was hurting those poor girls. They’d be the ones to never recover. Ashton would move on once the dust settled, but they were sisters. There was no coming back from that for them. He didn’t understand Erin’s reasoning, didn’t think he wanted to even try to figure out where her head was, but he couldn’t imagine doing something like that to any of his pack members–because they weren’t blood brothers, but they were brothers in every other meaning of the word. He wished he’d been clueless, that he hadn’t been forced into this ever-watchful figure of the pack. He wished he could be oblivious, smiling as Ashton smothered Jade with kisses and laughing as Erin shoved him into the pool–because now those moments were soiled. He knew why Erin was so comfortable, he knew where those lips had been as they carved a path down Jade’s neck. It sickened him. Jensen couldn’t fathom ever even looking at another girl now that he had Iris. He loved her. She loved him. It hadn’t taken long for them to say those words to one another. He’d known her most of his life, it was easy to fall back into place with her. He didn’t want anyone else, he’d never need anyone else. She was his whole world and that’s why he was so scared to lose her. He couldn’t lose her.
His eyes snapped back to her as she all but choked on her words, wide and struggling to focus on her–he’d been so lost in his thoughts that his eyes had gone blurry. Jensen really wanted to laugh, he had to fight against everything in him to hold it back. How could they be so blind to one another? How could she assume he wasn’t just as lovestruck as she was? But he held it in, lips in a tight line as he watched her hands grip the steering wheel because he couldn’t meet her eyes. Perhaps if Blake hadn’t sat him down not long after Sabrina left and confessed his feelings, he wouldn’t be saying what he said. But then again, he had eyes. He hadn’t noticed it too much before, but the dynamic between them now put everything under rose-colored glasses. Blake was always at her side when he could be, like he had been when they were kids. It used to make Jensen jealous. Sabrina was his friend first, but when Ashton was gone, Blake was all over her. It got better when Murphy was introduced to the pack, but even then he’d still spin in the girl’s orbit whenever he could. Blake had come to him again a month after she came back, needing some fatherly advice on how to handle his feelings. He feared that his feelings for her had somehow made her run before and he needed to know how to stop that from happening again. He couldn’t turn his love off, didn’t want to. Jensen had promised him that it hadn’t been anything he’d done, that his dad was an asshole and his mother hadn’t been prepared for the hardships that had been dealt to her. It wasn’t his fault. His love didn’t make people leave.
Except he’d been wrong. In a way, at least.
Blake had been why she left, but not because of how he felt about Sabrina, but how she felt about him.
Jensen had spent a lot of time watching the pair over the last seven months, but he hadn’t seen this coming. Sabrina was a master at hiding her feelings for their friend, but then again, she’d had years of practice. Jensen didn’t take it personally that he hadn’t been able to point it out.
He was startled when she pulled to the side of the road, so lost in staring at her that he hadn’t been paying attention. He listened intently, working out an explanation that didn’t explicitly confess Blake’s feelings as she spoke. His mouth opened to speak, but she promptly shut him up. Jensen nodded, turning his head away. Well, that was the end of that. He was a man of respect, he was not going to pressure her into a conversation she had spent so long avoiding. It had taken a lot for her to say anything at all about this and he was honored that she trusted him enough to tell him. He wished she had a long time ago. “Okay, Rina,” he said in a warm voice, a promise without needing to say as much.
The drive wasn’t much longer to the cabin. The short silence allowed him to gather his thoughts. He found himself looking at her from the corner of his eye. He wondered how things would have been if she’d never left. Jensen knew he wouldn’t be with Iris, he wouldn’t have been at the party because Blake would have gone instead. He didn’t imagine he’d be happier because Iris made him the happiest he’d ever been, but things would have been different. Maybe he would have still found his way to Iris, he liked to think they were fated to be together one way or another. It was a pointless train of thought. There was no changing the past, no changing how she’d hurt him, and no changing the fact that he now knew Sabrina’s darkest secret. It was his to keep. He’d never tell a soul.
As the car parked and she dismissed him, he couldn’t help but smile. She was so flustered, it was precious. He missed this side of her. Stepping out of the car, he leaned down to say his goodbyes. “Of course, Rina. I wished you would have trusted me with that a long time ago,” he said, not trying to guilt her but letting her know he’d always been there for her, “Saturday sounds good. You need someone to grab Addie tomorrow–or today, I guess?” He felt the need to offer, knowing she had an extremely long day today and this morning had been quite overwhelming for her. She nodded and thanked him for offering. “No problem! Thanks for saving Jade,” he said again as he took a step back, but not able to stop himself from saying, “And you’re not this dense, Sabrina. Sleep on it, but I really think you should talk to him. You know I’d never lead you astray.” With that, he gave her a final wave and headed inside.
He’d been vague enough with what he said that he could have meant anyone, but when he walked in and saw that Blake had headphones in while he watched t.v. because Murphy was knocked out next to him, he was thankful. Blake perked up when Jensen walked into view, pulling his earbuds out and slipping out of Murphy’s hold on his arm. The guy was a cuddler, it was still shocking news even though they’d known for years. Murphy grumbled and turned on the couch while Blake crowded his space.
“So?” He prompted and Jensen rolled his eyes.
“I’m the one who texted you, doofus,” Jensen teased, “She’s okay. Ashton is staying there tonight. Sabrina dropped me off but has a busy day so she couldn’t pop in,” and that gave him an idea as Blake pouted over her not coming in to see him, “Speaking of, she needs someone to pick up Addie. I’ve got something after school, do you mind doing it?” He knew the boy didn’t, but it was still nice to see how excited he got at the idea of spending time with Sabrina’s little sister.
“Of course, dude! I owe her for working a double so she could make it to the party, anyways,” Blake grinned, happy to know that later today he’d get to hang out with the little gal before inevitably seeing Sabrina again. “You think we’ll still have it this weekend after what happened tonight?” He couldn’t help but ask, hopeful because he planned to finally talk to Sabrina about what he felt for her.
Jensen nodded, patting his shoulder as he walked past, “Jade was okay. She’ll get out later today and be fine by Saturday. We’re still having the party, bud.” Blake nodded, wishing him a good night and Jensen did the same. He was pleased with himself, knowing that Sabrina would be forced into a conversation with Blake and hopefully that would get her to ask–the talk they had would still be fresh in her mind. Jensen didn’t play matchmaker often. He hoped it ended okay.
Blake settled back down on the couch, popping his earbuds back in. His finger hovered over the app that he’d been watching the movie on but quickly moved it down to the messages app. “Night Brina,” he texted, adding a smiling emoji and then a sleepy one after finding the text too bland, “I’ll get Addie! See you tomorrow.” He hit send and then opened up the film. He passed out before it ended. When Jensen left for school, Blake was snoring where he lay in an upright position. Murphy had wiggled closer to Blake, his head on the boy’s lap and fingers clutching tight at Blake’s gym shorts. Jensen snapped a picture and sent it to Ashton, it’d be good blackmail for later.
He left for the day with a lighter heart. Sabrina trusted him again and his friends may finally get together. How could he not be happy?
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