Sugar and Spice

"Be the change you wish to be in the world." Jules Benjamin, 22, Omega. Secretary at Thorn's Mechanics. Damn right I'm going to change the world someday. ß

[circusbetajack-deactivated20160]

On A Scale || OPEN

[circusbetajack-deactivated20160]

“His name was Vin…we….we were only mated for two years but…” Jack smiled a little bit. “He was a lion tamer…fucking fearless mother fucker. He wanted to hang out with me because I was a pissed off bitter waif…he helped me see that there was more to life then being pissed off about my situation. That I could do things to change it…convinced his dad to give me a try in the rings…and helped me get started knife throwing.” 

Jack turned his head back down to look at the Jules with wide eyes at the other’s story. He reached out to cup the boy’s cheeks gently and smiled a little watery. “Jules…your parents…that’s very different…17 years? I can’t even imagine that pain… and I’m only around still because I’m a coward and ran.”

[jules-benjamin]

“You are not a coward.” There was that voice again, cutting out sharp. It was a voice he’d learned from his father, to gain command of a situation or get immediate attention on him. “Just because we are Omegas, it doesn’t mean we have to give up complete control, Julian. You have control of your own life at all times, don’t ever forget that.” The familiar words rang in his ears, and Jules took a deep breath, shifting so that he could slide his hands up to cup Jack’s cheeks in turn. A small smile spread across his lips to try and soften his words.

“You aren’t a coward, Jack Hannigan. You are one of the bravest men I’ve ever met. Every day you can keep walking after losing your mate, even if you were only together two years... That just keeps proving your bravery to me. What happened wasn’t your fault. I know it wasn’t. You are a good man, Jack. You are. Vin had to have known it, and I do too.”

[adam-harris-deactivated20230430]

It wasn’t easy for Adam to let himself be handled and guided and tilted just so. But, for the sake of not going through the trouble of taking care of his own wounds, he let himself be. Didn’t mean he’d smile and sing-song through it though.

“Drowned in paperwork before,” the alpha grunted, pulling up a stool and taking his place on it. Adam’s eyes flickered to the kit he’d seen a while ago. It was bright white once, its supplies fresh and crisp. Now, not so much. But it’d do. “Survived. Can do it again.”

[jules-benjamin]

“Yeah, but you’d miss me once I was gone, and we all know it. I fill your life with endless chatter and annoyance and you wouldn’t know how to function without me.” Jules’ words were all teasing, because part of him was quite sure that Adam wouldn’t miss him in the slightest, that he really was just an annoyance to the lone wolf. But he shoved that all down under a bravado and a quick grin, and set to clean up at the cuts and scratches that were littered over Adam’s face.

“What exactly did you do to get all these? Run into a wall face-first? Get into a fight with that wall because it wouldn’t get out of your way? Are you going to point to one of the walls in the shop and laugh and say You should see the other guy?” His imitation of Adam’s low growl was fairly accurate, though his expression was twisted up in a silly grin.

[liamthewoundedhealer-deactivate]

  {✿}–❝Well you know your own limits best, but try to be careful… I’d really hate to see you get hurt too much,❞ Liam commented truthfully. He didn’t want anyone to get hurt if he could help prevent it and well the idea of another protecting an object over themselves seemed foolish. Though after a moment of thought, Liam knew he had some things he would chose to protect over himself so he really couldn’t protest too much. 

  ❝Thank you. I’m sorry I’m just a worry wart.❞ Liam chuckled a little bit. Nodding at the other’s question, Liam laughed a little and said,  ❝For the sake of such nice company I’ll say I don’t know the way. Besides Novel Howl’s just such a cute little shop.❞

[jules-benjamin]

“Ah, see, you’re already speaking my language. I love that shop. I’m pretty sure it was the second place in town that I entered, after Thorn’s. I probably should’ve picked an apartment building first, or maybe the diner, but I kind of stumbled into it because I needed somewhere quiet to think and... Well, it’s been one of my favorite shops ever since.” Jules’ face softened, looking over at the Alpha with a small smile.

“And hey, don’t worry about worrying too much, and that’s a weird sentence to say.” Jules chuckled, giving the Alpha a gentle nudge with his shoulder. “I’ve been known to worry quite a bit myself. I know how it is sometimes, getting all wrapped up in your own head, getting dragged down by that worry. It’s not just a matter of saying I’m not going to worry anymore and have it be gone, but... Letting go of it sometimes does help a lot.”

[zisforfuckoff-deactivated201601]

[ω]–❝Cool. People normally get a little lost when I start using actual astronomy terms,❞ Z said with a slight smile. It was true that not many people knew all Z knew about astronomy. Z had a private joke with himself that the reason he could remember all of the astronomy things was because his head wasn’t filled with any school related things. Dropping out of school at 15 may have had it’s advantages if he was able to remember the things he liked learning about. 

 Chuckling at the soft squeeze, Z held the hand a bit, but allowed it to slip away easily. At the question Z had expected, Z just smiled lightly and shrugged a bit. ❝Your expression was interesting. A lot of photography is being in the right place at the right time and capturing the moment. The light hitting you the way it was in combination with your expression as you gazed up… It was a good picture. Better than the one of the moon.❞

[jules-benjamin]

“It’s okay. I can keep up.” His tone was soft, playful, and he lifted his brows. Z being interested in astronomy made his own interest perk up. It wasn’t something he would’ve pegged Z with, and it had him wondering what had gotten Z into it, what he liked about it, and a dozen other things. Jules bit back on his curiosity as much as he could, fidgeting with the hem of his sweater like he always did when he was nervous, twisting it up in his hands and then rolling it back out.

Jules could feel his cheeks starting to flush a little bit as Z explained why he’d taken the picture, and a small smile curled across his lips. “Well, I feel a bit like a woodland creature at this point, deer in the headlights, but... I’m glad I could make a good picture for you.” He lifted his head again, that same small smile playing at the corners of his lips. “Ah, there’s my building up ahead.” Jules bit his lip, blushing a little more. He was taking Z back to his apartment so they could... Well, he was guessing they’d end up making out again, which would be nice. 

“Hey, I know I said this earlier, but... Us going back to my place, it doesn’t have to go beyond kissing, you know that right? I could cook for you or something. I just...” Jules rubbed a hand over the back of his neck. “I sound like an idiot to you don’t I? Sorry.” He chuckled softly.

[butterflycaps]

[dwellsbehindtheshelves-blog]

Aftermath of Punching an Alpha: Open

[dwellsbehindtheshelves-blog]

“If I wasn’t stubborn you wouldn’t love me…” Austin’s lips pulled up in a smile to mirror his friend’s frown, at least until his sore muscles demanded that he released the smile. He sighed softly and slid his eyes open again, watching Jules touch him. A part of him wished this was different circumstances so he could enjoy the other Omega’s hands a little more. 

His voice was a touch strained by pain, but still warm with humor. “When I get better then…and I’ll hold you to it.” The blonde leaned into the hands cupping his face, enjoying the cool fingers against his heated and bruised skin. He sighed and let his eyes slide shut again. “Hopefully I’ll still be pretty when it’s all over…” 

Austin grunted at the idea of being woken up every few hours and leaned into Jules as he was lifted back up onto his feet. “If you don’t I’m sure nightmares would do it anyway…” He licks his lips, feeling over the cracked skin. “I always want you to get me out of my clothes…I could use a go with an Omega…reassert my gay status after screwing around with Wyatt…” 

[jules-benjamin]

“While you’re not wrong, it’s not just your stubbornness I love you. It’s everything about you, dumbass. That’s why you’re my best friend.” Jules looked back up at Austin, a small smile slipping across his lips. It was a soft smile, a little tense, showing just how worried he’d been seeing Austin slumped up against that light post. First, him getting hit by a car, and now this...? Jules closed his eyes tightly for a moment at the thought of losing Austin. He couldn’t handle that.

“Austin, you’ll always be pretty, don’t be stupid. Once the bruising goes away and we get you cleaned up... You’ll be fine.” Jules bit his lip, working it between his teeth. His fingers clenched a little, a little frightened. Stepping into that hospital to check on Austin after he’d been hit by the car had been the first time Jules had been in one since his father had died. It had been like a punch in the gut. But right then, he would’ve carried Austin all the way to the hospital all by himself if it meant that his best friend would be okay.

A snort pulled from Jules as he shuffled Austin back towards his room. He gripped him just a little harder around the waist, pulling him in closer. However, it took a moment or two for the words to settle into his mind, and then his eyes went wide. “Wait, what?!” Jules waited until he got Austin settled on his bed to continue his line of questioning. “You slept with Wyatt? And you didn’t fucking tell me? When did this happen? Are you talking about heat week or was this outside of heat week? Because if it’s outside of heat week, what the absolute fuck? We are not fucking tonight, you’re hurt and I don’t get off on inflicting pain, thanks.” Jules leaned around, grabbing his Chapstick and offering it up to Austin.

“Why didn’t you tell me you’d fucked around with Wyatt?” There was a hint of hurt in his voice. He’d known that Austin was spending his heat week with Wyatt and Z, but something about the way Austin was talking made him think that this hadn’t been during heat week.

[betakylenox]

“Well, from the hysterics of the husband, I’d say she wasn’t due for another three weeks,” Kyle replied.  “As I recall, they were depositing money into the babies college fund.  Would have been a nice responsible trip if the pup hadn’t come early.”  Kyle nudged back, running the top of his shoe over the omega’s ankle.  “Seems to me that you should be glad to work when the man is in a good mood.  Well…unless he’s smiling about the surprise work he’s about to give you.”

[jules-benjamin]

“Three weeks early? Wow. I guess getting out and walking around was just what she needed.” Jules grinned warmly, and shrugged. “Your bank must be a really lucky place.” He laughed at Kyle’s words, and rubbed a hand over the back of his neck, trying to figure out just how he wanted to respond. “Well... I mean, I haven’t seen a real smile but he’s just not quite as abrasive as he usually is? And it’s not a bad thing, I’ve just gotten used to it. And he really isn’t that bad, as long as I don’t talk too much around him.” Jules laughed again, and then turned to face Kyle properly. “So, how’s it feel pretty much being your own boss? Do you get to take as long as you want for your breaks?”

[ethanparkwood-blog]

The moment Jules mentioned Galavant, Ethan threw his hands up in the air, sinking down into his chair. “Don’t even get me started on Galavant. That show is like crack to me. It’s just so awesome, and no one I know watches it. Now you have to promise me weekly Howlr chats about how great it is. Yes?” He grinned, raising an eyebrow at the other boy. “Ah, you’re a representation buff. I appreciate that. A good villain is normally enough to get me hooked. I have no idea why, but I love my villains.” He took a sip from his coffee, listening intently as Jules discussed his love of history. That was an interest you didn’t hear about all that much. “That’s so interesting. I used to really like mythology and all that, but I don’t know much about cultures or anything. You’ll have to tell me all about it sometime, especially if it makes you this cute. Don’t fly away, will you?”

The conversation shifted from one of excitement and joy to a much more sobering topic as Jules started to discuss his past. Ethan felt guilty for asking him about it after seeing how it affected him, reaching up to squeeze Jules’ hand and gently run a thumb over his skin. “I’m so sorry that happened, Jules.” The teacher spoke up, all hint of a smile gone. “That must have been tough. Points to you for getting through it. Seriously. Anyone who can push through that and come out the other side deserves all the recognition in my book. I am going to have to hug you now, though.” He smiled, rising to his feet. Holding out his hand, he pulled Jules up pretty effortlessly, their collected heights allowing him to lean over the table to hug the boy. Patting him on the back, he let go, bopping his nose before he moved to sit back down. “Sorry. Had to do that.”

“What is it you do? I don’t think you ever said.” Ethan spoke up, prompting Jules with a wave of his hand. 

[jules-benjamin]

“Exactly! I tried to find other people who watched it and it’s just like no one had even heard of it. It’s one of my biggest issues with this town.” Jules grinned brightly, laughing as he sank into the chair across from the Beta. “And we can absolutely have weekly Howlr chats about how amazing it is. I really have been neglecting the app, on that note. I never really know what to say on it.” The Omega shrugged, looking unconcerned about it. “I mean, I’m not the sort of guy that’s just going to send out a picture of my ass, though it is great, because I... I guess I like to talk a bit with guys before I let them see what’s underneath all the soft sweaters.” Jules plucked at the soft sweater he was currently wearing, laughing softly and looking down at the table. “But okay, seriously, you’re slowly becoming my new favorite person in this town, besides my best friend Austin. If you want a good villain, have you ever watched Marvel’s Daredevil show on Netflix? On one hand, Matt Murdock’s ass. On the other, the villain is so goddamn good I can’t even believe it. He’s interesting, well-developed, complex, has such nice suits...” Jules ticked these off on his fingers, grinning brilliantly. “Honestly all I need is for Netflix to make a show about a Series of Unfortunate Events or the Dark-Hunter series and I think my life would be complete.”

When Ethan said something about him being cute, Jules couldn’t help ducking his head, laughing softly. “Me, cute? I can be, I guess, but I usually don’t hear that when I’m rambling about history. I’d be happy to talk to you about the cultures of people all across the world any time you’d like, Ethan.” He looked back up at Ethan, eyes warm.

“It wasn’t easy, by any means. I remember there being times when I was younger that I just wanted them to stop, just wanted to have a normal childhood, but I... I’m proud of what they did, now. I always will be. I wish I had the sort of sway in this town to organize rallies like what I used to go to. Parades in the streets, care centers... We’ve got the Mother’s Den now, which is fantastic. But still. Fairmoore will never be New York.” Jules blinked at the mention of a hug, but he smiled again, and let himself be pulled up. He hugged Ethan easily, arms curling around his shoulders, and squeezing him in close. At the boop to his nose, Jules couldn’t help throwing his head back and laughing.

“Oh, what I do?” Jules sank back into his seat, nose wrinkling a little. “I’m a secretary over at Thorn’s. I didn’t really have a lot of options, just out of high school, just turned eighteen... I’ve been taking online classes, gender studies stuff and psychology stuff. I’ve always wanted to do more with my life, but Fairmoore is home now, I guess. I couldn’t go back to New York. I don’t know if I could handle it.” Jules smiled softly up at Ethan, letting out a little sigh. “Not glamorous, I know. Nowhere near as awesome as being a professor, even if it is just in Fairmoore.”

[julientheviper]

Though he tried his hardest, Rene could feel himself softening at the sight of the other. Something in his shoulders that just deflated a little and a small smile touching at his lips. He reached out gently, his hand catching Jules’ shoulder and smoothing his thumb over the bone, “Hey, don’t be sorry” He hummed softly, before letting his hand drop. He’d been there before, the other man had nothing to be sorry for. “I think I’ve sold my soul to the devil that is coffee. I don’t even care how shit it is, just as long as I get some” Rene murmured as he wedged his hand into his own pocket to take out his phone adding Jules as a contact. The message startled him, and he snuck a glance up at the other with his own raised brow before replying. 

You buying?

Then a second, only a few moments later. 

Kidding, I’d love to.

[jules-benjamin]

Jules lifted warm amber colored eyes to Rene’s face as the other man gripped his shoulder, and a small smile curled across his lips. It was a warm touch, gentle, and Jules shoved down any inappropriate thoughts about what hands like those might feel like gripping his hips. Instead, he lifted his own hand, brushing his thumb along the Beta’s wrist, feeling the slow beat of his heart. Jules smiled again, a little wider.

The dark-skinned Omega couldn’t help laughing as the message popped up on his screen. He bit his lip to hold in the laughter, and nudged the other man with his shoulder. “Alright. Blue’s, or somewhere else? I’ll always say Blue has the best coffee that you can’t brew yourself. I’m about 67% sure he puts crack in it. And since my coffee machine is the biggest piece of shit that I’ve ever paid money for and is always shitting out on me, I tend to buy a lot of coffee from Blue’s.” Jules paused, tilting his head as he looked up at Rene. A shy smile played at the corners of his lips.

[ethanparkwood-blog]

“Oh, I’m the same here. The other people at work have already begged me to stop talking to them about TV shows, because once I’ve started obsessing I’m very hard to stop. Like a runaway train.” He nodded, fingers playing with the lid of his coffee cup. “You’re a history buff? I wouldn’t have expected that. What kind of history?” He reached across the table, accepting the napkins with a grateful smile, and placing them close to the edge of the table, more as a precaution than as a necessity just yet. “Years? Wow. You’ve got a lot of time on me then. Does that mean I can consider you my town expert? What drew you here in the first place?” He high-fived the other man, grinning like a child, though the grin soon faded into a weaker smile as Ethan started to tell his story. “It wasn’t really by choice. My Dad caused a lot of trouble for the pack back home and ended up getting himself killed. My mom and I were exiled for it, but she didn’t really want me around her, so I moved here. Had an uncle that lived here before, so I thought I’d try it out.” He shrugged.

“I know, right? I mean, in certain situations, I’m happy to keep my mouth shut, but there’s just so much to talk about. I’m an excitable person, I need to get my opinions out there. It works out pretty well for my job, though.” He grinned, running a hand through his hair. “I teach Chemistry and Biology at FCC. Professor Parkwood.” He saluted Jules, winking. “And you?”

[jules-benjamin]

“Oh my god, there’s this show I started watching that I wasn’t sure would get renewed, Galavant? I’m pretty sure I know all the songs from it. Also, a show called the Night Shift completely captured my heart because there’s a gay doctor and just...” Jules folded his hands over his heart and mimed swooning. “I may be easy to please in that aspect, unfortunately. No matter how terrible the show is, I’ll probably get a little addicted to it with just the tiniest bit of representation.” Jules shrugged, grinning a little bit. “As for the history bit, I love learning about older cultures, the way they worshiped, the way they lived, how their societies worked. Mythology and fairy tales, the way those play into culture, are also huge favorites of mine. Gender studies throughout history is also something that I really get into.” Jules was nearly bouncing in his seat, getting to talk about the things that he enjoyed with someone he felt was actually listening, actually cared. 

When asked what drew him to the town, Jules couldn’t dredge the words up in his throat until Ethan had told his own story. Jules bit his lip, reaching out and gently giving Ethan’s shoulder a squeeze. “I uh... My parents were big Omega Rights activists. They organized a lot of rallies, did a bunch of different speeches. My father was an Omega, like me. And at a rally, when I was thirteen... He was shot. My mother died two years later, and I’ll always say it was of a broken heart, but uh... I lived with an aunt of mine until I turned eighteen, and then I drove and drove and drove until my car broke down. I was about an hour out of town then.” Jules tried for a small smile, but it was shaky. “I’ve been here ever since.”

Jules grinned as Ethan saluted him, his brows lifting. “Professor?” Jules took a moment to whistle, nodding as if he were impressed. “That’s awesome. Maybe not the exact subjects that I would’ve chosen, but they’re definitely awesome things to dedicate your life to.”

[ethanparkwood-blog]

“I just talk all the time. It’s awful. I find a single thing I’m interested in, and boom.” He held his arms out, trying to imitate an explosion. Shaking his head, a soft smile playing at his lips, Ethan reached for his own coffee. Blowing the steam off the lid, he took a small sip, testing the temperature before he took a larger one. That wasn’t a good idea, Jules’ silly joke drawing a snort from the teacher that threatened to spill his drink all over him. He just about managed to avoid catastrophe, giggling as he wiped his lip. “No, I’m Hamilton. I haven’t really done much pack stuff yet though. I only moved here just before Christmas. Still working my way around the pack, meeting everyone. I’m glad to have someone awesome like you on my team.” He went for a high-five, whooping.

“Why would I ever want you to shut up? I’ve finally found someone who talks as much as me, and he’s in my pack. This is the miracle I’ve been waiting for.” He cheered, perhaps a little too loudly, a proud grin enveloping his features.

[jules-benjamin]

“Oh god, I’m so glad I’m not the only one that gets that way. It’s sort of like I zero in on the one thing that’s caught my interest and I either obsessively research it or listen to it or watch it a million times until it’s sort of trickled out of my system.” Jules laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I get that way with music a lot, different things in history.” Making the other snort-laugh was certainly the highlight of Jules’ day so far. The dark-skinned Omega grinned behind the rim of his cup, shutting down his own laughter in favor of offering Ethan a few napkins. “I’ve been here a few years now, so I try to know everyone in the pack, at least by name.” Jules almost immediately high-fived the man back, laughing behind his cup again. He grinned a little wider up at the other man, head tilting. “What made you decide to move here right before Christmas? Not exactly the best time of year to be moving.”

Ethan was officially one of his new favorite people. He was loud, unashamed, and he talked so much. Jules felt as if he’d found a kindred spirit. “It seems like sometimes every other member of our pack just doesn’t know how to use their words. And it’s a damn shame. Words are so much fun. You get your point across a lot faster with a dozen words than a grunt or two.” Jules shrugged, pausing a moment to sip at his coffee again. “I mean, for some people, it works. They can pull off that silent thing. I feel like I’d just fade into the background if I tried that shit.” Jules grinned brilliantly up at the Beta, wiggling his brows. “So, what is it you do around town, if I haven’t seen you before?”

[ethanparkwood-blog]

“Both? Well, someone’s getting greedy.” Ethan grinned, beckoning the sranger over with a nod of his head. “You’re probably better off getting your own coffee, mister. I know I might look like the world’s biggest nerd, but the moment I take these glasses off, I’m a wildcat.” He pushed the glasses up the bridge of his nose, narrowing his eyes in a playful way. The boy whimpered at the smell of his coffee, and Ethan had to resist the urge to waft it under his nose. He didn’t want to be too mean, though. He knew the sway that a coffee addiction could have over its victims. Jules moved to go and order his own coffee, Ethan waving him away before he waited patiently for him to return.

“Did you just say you’re more normal with coffee? That’s a first. I mean, you seem pretty great at the moment, so here’s hoping you don’t become boring.” Ethan answered with a wink as the other boy headed back over to him, deliberately waiting until Jules had taken his first sip. “I’m Ethan. Even coffee can’t make me normal.”

[jules-benjamin]

“Normal is a relative word, after all. I tend to talk more when I haven’t had my coffee, though me talking more is also a relative thing. I pretty much can’t ever stop the flow of words that comes out of here.” Jules gestured to his mouth with a little grin, but his eyes closed as he took a sip of his coffee. “Ah, god that’s good. I needed to thin out the blood in my coffee stream, after all.” Jules flickered his eyes back open, biting his lip to try and stop the grin on his face. He switched his coffee to his right hand, holding out his left with slightly lifted brows. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m surprised we haven’t bumped into each other before. You... You smell like Hamilton? Am I getting that wrong? I mean, I’m probably not wrong but I just haven’t met you before and I feel a little stupid not knowing a pack mate of mine.”

Jules cleared his throat, sipping at his coffee again before grinning up at Ethan once more. “And there’s that endless supply of words that probably don’t make any sense that I’m known for. If you want to tell me to shut up you absolutely can.”

[jules-benjamin]

What was your last impulse purchase?

...

These. In the aqua.

[jules-benjamin]

do you have a favorite song to sing?

As soon as I post this, somewhere, there’s going to be someone who’s going to roll his eyes so hard he strains something. But I really love singing I’ll Cover You, from Rent. It’s such a fun song, and it usually ends up brightening my day. Another one that I really love is a song by Matt Nathanson, by the name of Come on Get Higher.

[jules-benjamin]

is there anyone you could see yourself in a relationship with, long-term?

I... Yeah, there are. But they’ve got other people they want to be with, better options, better places to be. I want something like that. I want something long-term. But right now... It’s doubtful that there’s anyone I might want it with would want the same thing.

[jules-benjamin]

What was the last movie that moved you to tears? Why?

The last movie that moved me to tears? You underestimate how easily some movies can make me cry. I’d have to say it was this movie called Eight Below. I don’t know what made me decide to pick it up, but the damn movie ended up breaking my heart. The dogs, anon, that’s what made me cry.

[jules-benjamin]

(jumping on the bandwagon, of course)