[ Hank makes something like a snort. He very much doubts Gavin will ever want to spend a full moon with his brother, not when it would put him in danger, but then Gavin has had a much easier time of this than he ever did.
Huh. Maybe that's thanks to him? That's crazy. ]
Perhaps. We'll see.
[ Eli does that cryptic nodding bullshit that he loves so much and Hank rolls his eyes. Whatever, it's definitely not endearing. Why would he have a thought like that about Elijah Kamski? ]
If you wanna go looking, you're better off tracking sightings and shit. I doubt werewolves go on Reddit or whatever the fuck.
[ Hank has never actually looked?? Yeah, he didn't find anything way back when and he hasn't looked since. Hank please.... ]
[ Ah yes, the cryptic nodding. Oh how he's missed that. Gavin snorts and crosses his arms. ]
Then you'll just find incel werewolves and nobody wants that.
[ Yeah, enjoy that feeling Hank. Gavin's not hiding how much he loves his brother now so you're gonna be getting the full force of that happy baby bro feeling.
He looks back at Hank. ] Are you gonna drink that tea before it gets cold? 'Cuz I'm about to steal it from you.
[ Hank snorts. incel werewolves are the last thing he wants to think about... ew. He's already having to deal with how happy Gavin is and the bleedover of affection he feels for Eli. ]
Oh, uh. Shit. Yeah.
[ Hank takes a sip, making a bit of a face but trying to be polite about it. ]
I'm actually not much of a tea guy so if you wanna have it, go ahead. Sorry, Chloe.
[ Chloe is fine with it, she just wanted to give you something to keep you busy, dude. ]
You can stay. Chloe can surely entertain you while I work.
[ Elijah shrugs, like it's nothing. He waves a hand as if to say, 'make yourself at home.' He really does share a look with Gavin though, looking between him and Hank again. Oh, they're fucking alright.
Hank looks at Chloe. She's a nice girl... even if Kamski almost had her shot. She sure doesn't seem to have minded. It's still a little awkward for him. ]
[ Oh you'll regret that, Eli. He has little brother privileges now, he's gonna go touch all of your stuff. (And gives him a look at that look. Don't you start!!)
Still cradling the tea cup, he nods. Ah, look at him. So happy. ]
Yeah, it went great. [ He turns to Chloe with a smile. ] Can you point me in the direction of the couch? I got lounging to do.
[ He probably will, there's no doubt about that. But with Elijah gone, Hank at least feels a little less weird talking about him. ]
Good. Glad you and him got it figured out.
[ Chloe nods and leads them back into the "living room" which is to say a giant, gaudy room, with a giant TV for a wall and a single leather couch. Hank follows. Guess they'll have to share the couch. ]
Would you like me to bring you anything else, Ezra? Elijah still has some of your things.
[ Chloe smiles and steps away. It's ok Gav, Hank feels the same way, he's just trying to hide it. He still loves hearing Gavin's cute purrs so it's always a win when he's happy. Hank just wants to keep fanning that flame. ]
[ He downs the rest of the tea in a big gulp, putting it down on the little end table. He hugs his knees and buries his face in them, to hide his big dumb smile. ]
Really good. [ Gavin peeks his eyes back up at him. ] Thanks for helpin' me work up the courage. I mean it.
[ He's dangerously cute when his face isn't scrunched up in emotional constipation. And please... come hold him... hold him in your big warm arms, Hank.
[ Yeah, there's no real point in sitting on a couch together and not cuddling so Hank is gonna go ahead and scoot close enough so that he's at least closer to Gavin's side. ]
Tough love. I hear it works wonders sometimes.
[ yeah "tough love" that's definitely another word for "honest encouragement." ]
[ Gavin's heart does a few furious skips at Hank saying 'love' but his expression at least does't change. He scoots a little closer, shoulder to shoulder. ]
Yep. I've always responded well to a metaphorical boot in the ass.
[ Pause. He gently puts his head on Hank's shoulder. ]
[ Hank starts to purr, softly. He hasn't dated since his wife left him so they're definitely cut from the same cloth. It somehow makes Hank happy to know he understands Gavin, too. He should know his beta. He's his after all. ]
[ He turns and nuzzles against Hank's shoulder proper, that cute little rumble erupting from his chest. Yes, very happy. Alpha and brother, everyone's here now. Safe. Hank will look after him, and he'll watch over Eli.
How it should be. ]
I'm... I'm glad you understood. When I told you about all of this. [ He closes his eyes. ] Dunno what I thought would happen if anybody knew, I'd built it up to be such a monster in his head. Like I thought you'd think I was spying on the police for him or something.
[ That cute rumble and the comfort of having him near is honestly enough for Hank. He's a simple guy. Being a werewolf and losing everything and then all the shit with Connor -- it's all taught him to make the best of things and take advantage of what he's got. Gavin will always be there now. For better or worse, their little pack is expanding. It makes Hank smile. ]
You're kidding, right? [ Hank snorts. The thought of Gavin spying for Kamski is a pretty lame joke. ] It'd be one thing if I hadn't met the guy, but I did kinda get a vibe off him when I first met 'im. He smelled so damn familiar. Now it makes sense.
[ Gasp. Scandal. Hank doesn't seem to mind the touch at all. ]
Yeah, pretty hard to fight the twin thing.
[ Hank can't imagine what that was like, having to change his whole image to get away from his family. But luckily Chloe comes around to bring them an adorable reminder. That... sure looks like a photo album. A fancy, future-y one, but a photo album nonetheless.
Hank's eyes light up. ]
Here you are, Ezra. Your mother had these made for both you and Elijah, but it was never delivered to you.
[ ...oh fuck. Gavin feels a blush starting to creep up his neck. ]
Wait, what? Why the fuck did she do that? Was she having an empty nest crisis or something?!
[ He hasn't talked to his parents in the same amount of time as Eli, except he has no desire for reconciliation on that end.
Yep, it's a photo album alright. Blue, which was Ezra's Color when they were children. It's made like a book, but has fold open screens. And said first screen is him and Eli when they were literal babies, little wiggling nuggets swaddled in blankets with disgustingly cute knit caps on. ]
[ Yeah that sounds about right. Why else would she spend time on something like this?
Said blue one is Very Red right now. ]
Yeah, I was always blue and Eli was red... [ Swipe to the next page. Toddlers now; they looked even more identical before puberty hit. Both long hair, little shorts, suspenders and bow ties. Clearly an Official Family Portrait, probably for holiday cards. Another with them playing with big toy dreidels and wearing kippahs, clearly for the family in Poland. ]
no subject
[ He doesn't want to risk hurting you, Eli, not for a while. It'd devastate him. ]
Good luck with that, I guess. I don't envy the shit you'll have to sift through.
no subject
Huh. Maybe that's thanks to him? That's crazy. ]
Perhaps. We'll see.
[ Eli does that cryptic nodding bullshit that he loves so much and Hank rolls his eyes. Whatever, it's definitely not endearing. Why would he have a thought like that about Elijah Kamski? ]
If you wanna go looking, you're better off tracking sightings and shit. I doubt werewolves go on Reddit or whatever the fuck.
[ Hank has never actually looked?? Yeah, he didn't find anything way back when and he hasn't looked since. Hank please.... ]
no subject
Then you'll just find incel werewolves and nobody wants that.
[ Yeah, enjoy that feeling Hank. Gavin's not hiding how much he loves his brother now so you're gonna be getting the full force of that happy baby bro feeling.
He looks back at Hank. ] Are you gonna drink that tea before it gets cold? 'Cuz I'm about to steal it from you.
no subject
Oh, uh. Shit. Yeah.
[ Hank takes a sip, making a bit of a face but trying to be polite about it. ]
I'm actually not much of a tea guy so if you wanna have it, go ahead. Sorry, Chloe.
[ Chloe is fine with it, she just wanted to give you something to keep you busy, dude. ]
no subject
Are you kicking us out now so you can turn into a research gremlin like usual?
no subject
[ Elijah shrugs, like it's nothing. He waves a hand as if to say, 'make yourself at home.' He really does share a look with Gavin though, looking between him and Hank again. Oh, they're fucking alright.
Hank looks at Chloe. She's a nice girl... even if Kamski almost had her shot. She sure doesn't seem to have minded. It's still a little awkward for him. ]
So, uh... Guess that went well?
no subject
Still cradling the tea cup, he nods. Ah, look at him. So happy. ]
Yeah, it went great. [ He turns to Chloe with a smile. ] Can you point me in the direction of the couch? I got lounging to do.
no subject
Good. Glad you and him got it figured out.
[ Chloe nods and leads them back into the "living room" which is to say a giant, gaudy room, with a giant TV for a wall and a single leather couch. Hank follows. Guess they'll have to share the couch. ]
Would you like me to bring you anything else, Ezra? Elijah still has some of your things.
no subject
Yes, couch. Gavin sits on it and pulls his legs up, resting the tea cup on his knees. Purr, purr. But then he looks up at Chloe, a little surprised. ]
Wait, he does? I knew he was a sentimental idiot. Yes, please, I'd appreciate it.
no subject
[ Chloe smiles and steps away. It's ok Gav, Hank feels the same way, he's just trying to hide it. He still loves hearing Gavin's cute purrs so it's always a win when he's happy. Hank just wants to keep fanning that flame. ]
How's it feel, making up with him?
no subject
Really good. [ Gavin peeks his eyes back up at him. ] Thanks for helpin' me work up the courage. I mean it.
no subject
You did all the actual talking. All I did was tell you not to be a chickenshit.
[ He means that in a surprisingly endearing way. ]
no subject
He laughs a little. ]
You did. And it was surprisingly effective.
no subject
Tough love. I hear it works wonders sometimes.
[ yeah "tough love" that's definitely another word for "honest encouragement." ]
no subject
Yep. I've always responded well to a metaphorical boot in the ass.
[ Pause. He gently puts his head on Hank's shoulder. ]
no subject
Yeah, I kinda got that feeling.
no subject
I'd say you know me pretty well at this point, Anderson.
no subject
[ Hank starts to purr, softly. He hasn't dated since his wife left him so they're definitely cut from the same cloth. It somehow makes Hank happy to know he understands Gavin, too. He should know his beta. He's his after all. ]
no subject
How it should be. ]
I'm... I'm glad you understood. When I told you about all of this. [ He closes his eyes. ] Dunno what I thought would happen if anybody knew, I'd built it up to be such a monster in his head. Like I thought you'd think I was spying on the police for him or something.
no subject
You're kidding, right? [ Hank snorts. The thought of Gavin spying for Kamski is a pretty lame joke. ] It'd be one thing if I hadn't met the guy, but I did kinda get a vibe off him when I first met 'im. He smelled so damn familiar. Now it makes sense.
no subject
You can see why I never got my nose fixed. It would've been way too obvious before. [ He sighs. ] Guess it seems kinda silly now.
no subject
Yeah, pretty hard to fight the twin thing.
[ Hank can't imagine what that was like, having to change his whole image to get away from his family. But luckily Chloe comes around to bring them an adorable reminder. That... sure looks like a photo album. A fancy, future-y one, but a photo album nonetheless.
Hank's eyes light up. ]
Here you are, Ezra. Your mother had these made for both you and Elijah, but it was never delivered to you.
no subject
Wait, what? Why the fuck did she do that? Was she having an empty nest crisis or something?!
[ He hasn't talked to his parents in the same amount of time as Eli, except he has no desire for reconciliation on that end.
Yep, it's a photo album alright. Blue, which was Ezra's Color when they were children. It's made like a book, but has fold open screens. And said first screen is him and Eli when they were literal babies, little wiggling nuggets swaddled in blankets with disgustingly cute knit caps on. ]
Oh my god.
no subject
[ Yeah, Hank is definitely looking over your shoulder for this, Gavin. Baby pictures!!! ]
Ohhhhh my god, you were so cute. Is the blue one you?
no subject
Said blue one is Very Red right now. ]
Yeah, I was always blue and Eli was red... [ Swipe to the next page. Toddlers now; they looked even more identical before puberty hit. Both long hair, little shorts, suspenders and bow ties. Clearly an Official Family Portrait, probably for holiday cards. Another with them playing with big toy dreidels and wearing kippahs, clearly for the family in Poland. ]
No wonder I hate bow ties.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)