This is so different to anything I've written before but it won't leave me alone. So I thought I'd share the first bit of this 'verse and get a verdict of whether to continue or go back to what I know best.
-x-
It was difficult being a mom to five boys.
It wasn’t the first time the thought had crossed Lucille Tracy's mind, and she highly doubted it would be the last.
“Mama?”
“Hmm?”
Alan’s inquiring voice jolted her from her thoughts. She was standing in the middle of an aisle at the grocery store. Alan was sitting in the cart, legs swinging, as the three-year-old looked up at her with wide baby blues. She’d been stroking his hair absently, lost in her own world.
“Are you alright, Lucy?”
With a start, Lucy remembered what had started her thoughts wondering. Amy was a mom from the school gates, always so well put together without a hair out of place. Although her child went to school with Gordon, the little boy was always polite and immaculately groomed.
In comparison, her little tearaway was also in the cart to stop him from running off, standing on one leg as he tried to reach the box of cookies just out of his grasp. Lucy hid her smile: she’d known exactly where to stop to make sure he couldn’t reach anything of interest.
“Fine,” Lucy said warmly, hooking a finger through Gordon’s belt loop before he overbalanced. “My mind was miles away.”
“I’m not surprised.” Amy gave Gordon an exasperated look that he either didn’t notice or ignored. Likely, the latter. Lucy had no doubt the little boy sensed exactly how Amy felt about him, though. He was like that. All her sons were.
“Shopping with two of them must be hard enough; no wonder you left the others at home.”
“Oh, they’re here.” She paused, glancing around. “Somewhere.”
Alan pointed, and she followed his gaze. Scott was standing at the corner, hands in his pockets as he attempted to look nonchalant. It was clear he was trying to impress the three girls across the aisle, even if they were at least a couple of years older than him.
Virgil was with him, scowling. It was just as obvious he knew what Scott was doing and was less than happy about it. As she watched, she saw Scott give his brother a scathing look and Virgil instantly tensed. A few seconds later, however, and he relaxed again. Scott hadn’t moved or changed his expression. Lucy had a sense of what was likely to be flowing between them, and that bond spoke the truth, whatever words or body language might say.
John was... She swallowed. John was nowhere to be seen. But even as her anxiety spiked, Scott looked over and jerked his head to the left before resuming his previous pose. He didn’t look as if he’d moved at all.
She smiled. John was following along at his own pace, absorbed in his book and relying on his other senses to not walk into anything. She didn’t need to have eyes on him to know he was fine, not with the others around.
Before Amy could make a comment over her apparent lack of awareness, her son suddenly pulled away from her and grabbed the cookies Gordon was still reaching for, despite – or, perhaps, because of – Lucy’s secure grip.
“Simon! Put those back at once!”
“But, Mom,” Simon whined in a truly impressive pitch, “Dad would’ve said yes.”
“Your father isn’t here.” Amy grabbed the boy by the hand and tugged him back. Simon scowled, even as his mother looked apologetically at Lucy.
“I blame the full moon,” she said with a false laugh. “Always makes him go a little crazy.”
Lucy glanced at her sons. Gordon was gaping, staring at Amy with an open mouth. Lucy took the opportunity to tug him back until he sat down. Alan was looking confused, glancing between his mother and this strange lady.
“I know something about that,” Lucy said with a smile, smoothing her hand over Alan’s hair again, as much to keep him from saying anything. He lent into the touch contently.
Without warning, Gordon’s head suddenly whipped around. Lucy followed his gaze and, a few seconds later, John came around the corner, head buried in his book. He came to a stop next to them, leaning into her side without looking up.
Scott and Virgil also wandered over. Despite the scowl on Virgil’s face, he wasn’t doing anything to remove the arm Scott had thrown over his shoulders.
With her five boys back where they belonged at her side, Lucy sighed in satisfaction.
“Well, must dash,” Amy said. She pulled the cookies out of Simon’s hand and thrust them at Gordon. He took them in delight.
Lucy shook her head, amused, as Amy disappeared.
“Something we said?” Scott said with a grin.
“C’mon. Let’s get home,” Lucy said, ignoring Scott. “It’s a full moon, after all,” she added teasingly.
She wasn’t surprised that Amy had left when all five of them were together. There was something about her boys, something others couldn’t quite put their fingers on. But it was more than apparent when they were all together. It was strength and gentleness; danger and love; wildness and home.
Lucy smiled, ruffling Virgil’s hair and letting the backs of her fingers brush John’s shoulder.
“Let’s go home,” she repeated, her voice full of love.
-x-
Alan’s hair was still damp from the bath as he rested his head against her chest, snuggled on her lap. Gordon’s head was on her knee, staring up at her with wide eyes as he too listened to the story.
A sudden bang from upstairs made the walls shake and there was a whine that even she could hear.
“Take it outside, you two,” she called, her voice fractionally louder than before. Scott and Virgil thundered down the stairs and the subsequent bang of the back door made her wonder if they’d pulled if off its hinges. But then she heard it click shut and knew one of them – likely Scott – had caught it.
“You can go too if you want,” she told John. He was ready for the night ahead but shook his head, remaining curled up where he was.
Gordon looked up at her, hopeful, but she smiled and smoothed the skin between his eyes.
“Not yet, baby.”
She could hear Scott and Virgil wrestling outside; their yelps and mock-growls floating through the open window. She didn’t worry about them being out anymore. This property was big enough for them all to run around with enough security that no one would get too close. Not than an alarm was really needed. They had the safest house in town.
Gordon scrambled off the floor at the exact moment John looked up. She glanced over her shoulder to see Jeff framed in the doorway. It still amazed her how quietly he could move given his sheer presence.
Jeff caught Gordon mid-leap, kissing the top of his head. The six-year-old was growing fast, but he still looked small in his father’s arms.
“You guys look ready for tonight,” Jeff said, smiling at his remaining sons.
Another thud came from outside. Jeff rolled his eyes fondly.
“Those two are starting without you,” Lucy smiled. She stood, balancing Alan in her arms.
Jeff put Gordon down and took his youngest.
“You want to come and play with your brothers, Allie?”
Alan nodded, looking up with wide eyes. Jeff returned the gaze, something swirling deep in his own eyes as he watched Alan intently. Lucy found she was holding her breath, but then Jeff shook his head.
“Not this time, kid,” he said, apologetically and a little disappointed.
Lucy sighed as Alan’s lip quivered. She took him back.
“I’ll do bedtime,” Jeff began, but his wife cut him off by kissing him lightly.
“The others need you tonight,” she whispered. He needed it, too, although he’d never admit it, especially not in front of Alan.
To give him credit, he did look torn, hands still outstretched towards his son. But Lucy moved away, carrying Alan, and pausing just long enough to open the door for John and Gordon. She didn’t need to check to know Scott was aware his father was home and two more of his brothers would soon be joining him outside.
Heading upstairs, Lucy balanced the three-year-old on her hip, stopping at the window overlooking the yard. John and Gordon hadn’t hesitated now their dad was home: she could now see four sons tumbling around together happily.
“Me,” Alan said, little hands pressed against the glass as he watched his siblings.
“Soon,” Lucy promised, kissing his temple.
She heard the back door open before the sound of shifting bone and muscle. The boys stopped playing, turning as one to the door.
A long howl split the air as a huge, dark wolf stepped into view. Lucy felt Alan shiver with excitement in her arms.
Down below, four answering howls of varying strengths sounded as the four cubs bounded forward, greeting their father. Their alpha.
It was difficult being a mom to five boys, true enough.
It was something else entirely being a mom to five werewolves.
Okay I admit it the butterfly glitter bomb was a step too far. I’m sorry, laypeople. Please return all my underpants? You have no idea how much this drysuit chafes… please Karma, my sister, my friend 🥺
Kansas your comm stopped working again, which is really weird because everyone else’s is just fine. I’m running a diagnostic.
Kayak, Rigby gave me a package for you. Is this illegal or romantic? Both? Anyway it’s ticking and I want it off Two as soon as we land.
Layer please call your eldest brother he is wearing a groove in the floor. Also I made you something special.
Karen we need to talk about Shadow’s engine load limit. Please stop by at your convenience.
