The spell is broken

[Alva Ren]

"Damnit Aldon!" Alva muttered angrily to himself as he stared down at his phone, unsure as to whether he wanted to clench it tight or throw it into the wall. He settled for shaking it instead, as if he could shake some sense into Rae too. Alva didn't normally curse or swear but he wanted to very badly in that moment.

Most of his irritation stemmed from guilt; from being caught in the act. What made it worse was that he had no defense and nothing he could use to hide behind. He... Well, he was flattered by Susumu's gesture of concern. He liked that a handsome man wanted to pay some attention to him, that Susumu seemed to care about his well-being. Who wouldn't be flattered?

It didn't mean anything, though. It didn't mean that Alva was remotely close to contemplating tossing Rae aside for Susumu. It was an isolated incident, anyway... I'm just making excuses... He swallowed hard past the guilt forming a lump in his throat. Nothing happened, so why did he feel this way? Why did he feel like a rat? It wasn't like he kissed another man or made love to him, it was only some hand-holding and a brush of Susumu's hand over his brow.

Glumly staring down at his phone, he fired off a few indignant texts to his cousin but they didn't make him feel better. All it did was worry him more, about what was happening to Ryland (could he seriously not wait a few days?! What was this magic spell that Aldon wove over him?!) and what was about to happen to him.

[Reagan Ryang]

What did it mean?

The words cycled constantly through his mind as he drove way faster than the speed limit. His head wasn't even on the task at hand and he was never a good driver to begin with--as Josh loved to point out every fucking time they got into a car together. It was just... things were so weird right now. Was it not meant to be? Why were they both doing weird things at the same time?

Rae didn't think he was bored. Maybe he needed a little something more... his frustration really made itself apparent during the full moon and the days leading up to it. That might have something to do with it for him. But for Alva? Was Alva bored with him? Didn't he do everything right? He was the perfect boyfriend to him! He knew it because he was so sweet with him it was almost sickening to other people. It never felt forced or fake though. Maybe Alva thought it was. Maybe this other guy had more to give.

But it still made him furious. Frustrated. Maybe even scared.

No. Why should he be scared? He was way better than that other guy; he didn't even need to see him to know. He was Reagan Fucking Ryang. He was fucking Raezyr... so cool at the time when he insisted on being called it. Now it made his cheeks tinge slightly in embarrassment. Letting out a sigh, he turned a corner way too fast--causing the car coming around on the other side to come to a sharp halt. They honked and he flipped them the finger and he continued, screeching right into the parking lot to the Hazleton animal shelter.

When he parked, he could smell the rubber burning from his tires. He cut the engine and didn't even look outside to check where Alva was. He slipped out of the driver's seat and slammed the door after he got out, his gaze finally scanning the area.

[Alva Ren]

Alva heard Rae before he saw him, so loud was the ear-splitting screech of tires. Funnily enough, the sound wasn't as loud as he expected. Alva didn't know what was off about him but his senses weren't as sharp as usual. Earlier, as he came out of the shelter, he couldn't even detect the scent of a wolf or of a fox in the air. It was like somebody had dulled all of his senses--or reduced them to the efficacy of a human's.

He had other things to worry about, though. Almost a little cautiously, Alva wheeled himself out from the alley, rounding a corner to peek into the parking lot. Sure enough, there was Rae's familiar car. And Rae himself, looking stormy as he slammed the door shut. That action alone wanted to send Alva into hiding. He pocketed his phone and timidly inched forward, not sure what to expect.

"Rae?"

Alva kept his voice soft, as though he was coaxing a wild animal. He waved, a small wave, and pushed his chair out into plain sight. It was guilt that made him seem hesitant, when normally he would have happily rolled on over to Rae just to tackle him around the middle. Alva bit his lower lip, wondering if the guilt he felt showed on his face. He didn't do anything wrong! Except it felt too much like he did.

[Reagan Ryang]

There he was. It would have been hard to miss him. Rae knew his familiar scent anywhere and there weren't a whole host of people here in Hazleton who were stuck in wheelchairs like Alva was. The way Alva spoke his name and the way he waved at him--everything about him seemed hesitant. Rae hated it. It was like Alva was actually half afraid of him or something. His stormy steps slowed as he reached Alva, and it felt like a good deal of his anger was draining away with each one.

Was it just him or did Alva look... sick? Or was that guilt? No, no. There was definitely a physical component. Alva was paler than usual. Maybe his reluctance and hesitance wasn't fear or guilt but physical sluggishness.

He thought of what Aldon claimed to have seen. Aldon had no reason to lie to him but neither did Alva, at that. And Aldon could have been embellishing shit to get rid of him. It didn't feel that way when they spoke, though. He sure seemed serious enough and Rae liked to think he wasn't that goddamn stupid that he'd fall for a simple trick like that.

Now that he was here, he wasn't sure how to express himself. The anger, as it often did, had disappeared as quickly as it had come. He wasn't really much for holding onto it, even if it was quick to ignite. He certainly had a hard time maintaining it whenever he was around Alva. Besides, seeing him made it all seem too ridiculous to be real. Alva? Cheat on him? From what it sounded like, the other guy was the one doing things. Nobody said that Alva was touching faces and for all he knew, the hand holding bullshit was the other guy being a creep.

"Are you feeling okay?" he said, finally breaking the silence, his voice laced with a hint of apology.

[Alva Ren]

"Rae I'm--" Sorry, Alva wanted to say, as the tension rose unbearably. Alva nodded, though, at his concerned question and felt one cheek with the palm of a hand. He was a little sickly warm but he knew that it was the after-effects of the curse. It would pass soon... probably. He trusted that the antidote Susumu gave him would do its job; he was no expert by any means, so it was either believe in Susumu or worry himself even more.

"I'm okay."

He was sick to his stomach now, but not because of the curse. It was just... silly, acting the way he did--feeling the way he felt--about somebody else. Alva lowered his head, staring down into his lap. He loved Rae. There was no questioning that, no debate about it. All it took was seeing Rae to bring back that little flutter in the pit of his stomach (the good flutter, not the guilty one). Granted, those butterflies weren't as active as when they first started dating, five years ago, but it wasn't like Alva felt nothing towards him. He wouldn't be here now if he felt nothing.

Slowly, Alva reached out. He latched onto Rae's hand and squeezed it tight.

[Reagan Ryang]

Right. Because somebody who felt okay normally reached up to touch his own cheek to feel if it was warm. That, however, did give Rae some hope. That dude who was doing the face touching was probably only doing it because Alva looked sick. Even Rae wanted to do it. Alva was pale but there was still a slight color to his cheeks... although that could have just been embarrassment or something.

"You don't look okay."

The words were out of his mouth before he could censor them or soften them into something nicer. He was about to feel Alva's face for himself when Alva did it first. Reached out. Took his hand. Held on.

And he did feel warmer to Rae or maybe he was imagining things. No, he was sure that he wasn't. He'd held this same hand for how many years? How many times? And when he reached up to touch the same cheek Alva touched, it was warm, too. When his fingers slid upward into his hair, he could have sworn it was just the slightest bit damp. Suddenly, everything seemed to be shifting back into focus, into a picture that made sense to everything he knew about himself and Alva. The guilt was his own for the things he hadn't told Alva and the argument he'd had with Josh and the threat of Josh saying something. And he wanted to say something so badly, now, to alleviate it, so that it would stop getting in the way and not start shit between himself and Alva the way it very well almost did.

He didn't, though. Now seemed like a shitty time to bring it up, especially if Alva was sick.

"Why didn't you just tell me you were sick?" he asked. "Idiot." It was said fondly as he leaned down to kiss Alva on the temple. "C'mon... let's get the hell out of here."

[Alva Ren]

Alva could lie all he wanted but once Rae touched his face, he would know. It was pointless to argue that he looked okay when he didn't. Alva didn't know how he looked, though; there wasn't a mirror around to check. Did he look terrible? He didn't feel so hot but he wasn't in agony, not the way he was back at Susumu's apartment. Thank goodness for that, though. Alva didn't want to go through that experience ever again--once was more than enough!

"I did tell you..."

He did, but Rae was probably too angry to believe him. Alva knew what Rae was like when he got mad. Nothing anybody said could convince him to come down; it just took time, and for people to give him some distance. Alva thought that he was pretty good at calming Rae down but not when he was the one that got Rae riled up in the first place!

"I'm sorry," he said at last, feeling like it was too little, too late. Don't be sorry, his mother used to say when he got into trouble, just don't do it next time. Well, there wouldn't be a next time anyway! Next time, Alva would... He'd resist, just like he told Ryland to resist! They weren't animals; they were better than their emotions and their base natures.

"Where are we going?" he asked as he turned into Rae, catching the side of his jaw in a swift peck. At least Rae didn't look or sound angry anymore! Alva relaxed--a little.

[Reagan Ryang]

"You..."

Oh right. He did try to tell him but Rae was too far gone on the path of rage and wrath. All he could think about was how close he was to losing everything. It scared him. It scared him that he came so close to losing Alva over his own actions. It made him wonder--did Alva know? Did he feel the weirdness that had come over him after that weekend at the cabin? Every second that they spent with Josh, he could feel the hairs on the back of his neck standing on end, every muscle tense and taut, waiting for the other shoe to drop.

They were in the clear but he couldn't help but feel like a rotten piece of shit. Even his mind had gone elsewhere and what did they say? Guilty minds were quick to see their reflections in others? Well he sure as hell thought he saw it in Alva but now, now that they were together and he could see Alva, it really did feel like the stupidest thing he'd ever assumed.

"No..." He frowned. And he didn't say it often but he said it now, "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have assumed all that stupid shit. Pretty sure that guy was just trying to help you, right?"

He directed Alva and his chair toward his car, which still smelled a bit like burnt rubber. "Home," he said, "Unless... do you want to go to the clinic?" He paused in order to slip his hand over Alva's forehead. "'Cause it feels like you're burning up."

[Alva Ren]

"Yes, he was trying to help." Alva nodded emphatically. Susumu really did only try to help him. Alva hadn't lied, either, when he said that he was unwell earlier--he just didn't specify the cause. Rae didn't have to know the details, though. He would worry, or worse, try to kick Susumu's ass (as Rae was wont to when that protective streak kicked in). It already showed how concerned he was, that he was apologizing. That was a rarity!

Even if the curse was an accident, something told Alva that Rae just wouldn't listen until it was too late. Besides, Rae had more than enough on his plate already, what with his father being assassinated and all of his pack up in arms. Alva felt terrible that Rae was being dragged through all of it and he didn't need to add to Rae's problems by mentioning a little curse.

As he and Rae turned towards the car--which now smelled of burnt rubber, the closer they came to it--Alva shook his head. "No, I'm all right. Maybe I just need some sleep." He felt... He didn't know. Off. Strange. A little muzzle-headed and faint, but he was trying not to show it. It occurred to him that he ought to get help, like Rae suggested, but Alva was stubborn too. This feeling would soon pass, he thought. And if not, he could always contact Susumu; he had his phone number, after all.

Some rest was all he needed, that was all. Alva smiled up at Rae and laid a gentle hand on his arm. "Let's go home, Rae."

(Transition to Gregg/Ald?)

[Greggory Lennox]

A boxing match played on the television. Gregg toyed with his cell phone, turning it over in his hands as he listened to the commentary in the background. One of the guys had called him earlier with a short message for him. There was a meet up in Portland and he was expected to be there tonight. Gregg wanted to tell Aldon about it... but he also knew the trouble that would come with it. He at least wanted to let him know he was taking off--in person--but he hadn't been around for most of the day.

Gregg jiggled a leg agitatedly as he turned the phone around in his hands. Not for the first time, he thought about texting Aldon. He didn't have anywhere to be for hours but...

Something just felt weird about him today. Was that just him? Or was it his new instincts? Could be nothing. Still... Gregg stared down at the dark screen of the phone, then ran his thumb over it, unlocking it. Maybe just one text. It wasn't clingy or anything to just ask him where he was. Gregg was the last person anybody would have accused of being clingy, anyway. Just as his thumb began the sentence, however, he heard the familiar sound of keys at the door and he quickly sat up, shoving the phone onto the table beside the couch.

[Aldon Huang]

Aldon was still nursing his bruised throat as he dragged his feet into the building, into the elevator and up to his floor. He alternately cursed Rae and Alva for what he considered to be the worst day of his life. And the best. Sort of the best-worst day of his life because on the one hand, he was back in Ryland's good graces and that was a superb place to be.

On the other hand...

Gregg.

Aldon actually stood outside for several minutes, balking. Why couldn't Ryland just let him be a jerk and run off without another word?! But then he remembered that Gregg lived with him, so all of his stuff was in the apartment. Aldon had to return sometime...

Sighing, he finally pulled out his keys and reluctantly put key to lock. He had to get this over with sooner or later. Ryland was pretty firm about breaking up with Gregg, although the immature part of Aldon wanted to say that if Ryland was so keen on breaking up, why couldn't HE do it instead of Aldon? But that was ludicrous, of course, because Ryland wasn't dating Gregg.

The door swung open slowly and Aldon peered inside, hoping that Gregg wouldn't be in. He was, though. Aldon's heart sank even as he smiled, albeit in a much subdued manner. "Hey... Gregg." He edged inside and pushed the door shut behind him. "Sorry about ditching you earlier." Aldon toed off his shoes and sort of hovered in the entryway. "Do you have a minute to talk?"

[Greggory Lennox]

Why did he look at the time? Whatever time flashed on the cable box wouldn't matter because regardless, Gregg would hang around and hear Aldon out. His hunter... friends could wait. In truth, Gregg didn't want to see them. What could he possibly tell them? He could rat out the wolves but they were already hurt and wounded with the death of their alpha. The hunter side of him said that it was the best possible time to strike, that it was the perfect moment for him to say something, to have them come in with silver bullets flying.

But he was one of them now. He had been turned and that made him the very creature they hunted.

Even if he wasn't, he had grown a soft spot for Aldon especially. The thought of putting a bullet through his heart or his head made his stomach revolt. He couldn't do it; so when he met with the other hunters, what was he supposed to do? What could he do? What could he say?

"Yeah," was what he said aloud, but he wanted to talk to Aldon. Eagerly so. There were a lot of things to talk about, a thousand and one. He had to warn him... tell him... He had to tell him where he was going tonight and who he was meeting. He had to... find out what they were doing, what their next step was, and... who had killed the alpha. But even as his heart raced at the thought of speaking up on it, he also couldn't figure out where to start.

So he'd let Aldon say what he needed to say. It would give him time to mull it all over, to choose his words wisely so that he didn't end up doing more harm than good.

"What is it?"

[Aldon Huang]

"Uh--" What was it? What was it? Aldon opened his mouth to say that he was breaking up with Gregg but... Gah. It was so hard. It was harder than he expected it to be, which wasn't actually that surprising because, well, he cared about Gregg. He cared more for Gregg than he had for anyone in a long while.

Although his feelings for Gregg paled in comparison to his feelings for Ryland, they weren't insignificant. Aldon had been prepared to give their relationship his all. He was ready, he thought, to let someone else in and he genuinely liked Gregg. That serious face started becoming endearing once he learned that Gregg had a dry (very dry) sense of humor behind it. Sometimes Gregg was even inadvertently cute--which Aldon was quick to point out every time, because that amused him.

"Well it's just." He stepped further inside, since it was dumb to hover in his own entryway, in his own home. "We..." should break up. "We need to prepare for the next full moon," Aldon finished miserably, chickening out at the last second. He looked at Gregg, into Gregg's eyes, and. Gaah.

The thought of hurting his feelings made something in Aldon curl up and shrivel. But the thought of Ryland waiting for him to break up with Gregg so that they could be together made for a conflicting argument. Aldon dropped his head. Although he and Gregg never had a real discussion about their feelings, they did still exist. Somehow, without Aldon even knowing it, he had grown fond of Gregg. The miserable throb in his chest said as much.

[Greggory Lennox]

"It's coming up soon, isn't it?"

He didn't know why he asked because he already knew and he wasn't one to waste breath on stupid ass questions like that. Yet the words had already come out, an easy type of conversation between them. Gregg had been caught off guard by just how quickly Aldon managed to worm his way into his heart. For so many years, Gregg had stayed away from all of this, from romance, from relationships, from being close. Physical needs were easy enough to take care of. Emotional needs... He felt stunted in the area, as if he'd cut off whatever limbs came with having a heart for somebody else.

It was nice, though, to have this feeling, to be secure in the knowledge that he had somebody, that when he went to sleep, it was beside another person and that when he woke up, there would be somebody there. He never thought that would become such an important part of his life but oh, it had.

Slowly, he raised his brows.

"Are you going to sit down?"

[Aldon Huang]

"Yeah..." The full moon was looming and once again, Aldon would have to drive all the way out of town with Rae and Josh to change deep in the woods near Eagle Ridge. For them, it was almost tradition. They were all born with the virus; it was their common ground, and the thing that brought them together as bosom friends. Otherwise, Aldon didn't know if he would have voluntarily made friends with Rae the Bully and Josh the Other Bully. They were both bullies in different ways--Rae somewhat violently and Josh emotionally, by preying on others' shortcomings and insecurities.

Aldon? Aldon was an emotional manipulator. Not much better than his two friends, admittedly.

Sighing, he lifted a hand to his cheek and rubbed it. "Huh? Oh!" Sit down. Right. Because this was his home.

Correction: Their home.

Not that he and Gregg were an old married couple or anything, but some days it sorta felt like that. There was a comfort level that they unconsciously slipped into. Aldon was the Loud One; Gregg tolerated his torrent of words. Aldon made meals and left cutting boards and utensils dirty in the sink. Gregg... presumably that bothered him a little bit because Aldon usually came back some time later to a clean sink and clean dishes. It worked out in the end. He thought they had a good thing going; he thought this was something he could get used to, and then Ryland popped back into the picture and everything was turned upside-down.

Slowly, as though he had lead blocks for feet, Aldon approached the couch. He sat down beside Gregg. Lightly, the outside of his knee nudged the outside of Gregg's knee. "You gonna be okay changing without me?" It was still sort of weird how Gregg went unscathed last time, but Aldon wasn't keen on bringing him along again to find out. Not that he should be thinking about that anyway, since presumably by then he and Gregg would be history.