EYES WIDE SHUT

werewolf / fire chief lenny romeijnders + thirtyseven

[ruzekburgess]

“You maybe wanna hook up for a beer or dinner or something?”

[lennyromeijnders]

tristanmarquet​:

      “That’s not funny.” Tristan’s tone was sharper than intended, but for some reason the words hit too close to home. Not because he himself struggled with it, but because he had known plenty of people who did. And because at the end of the day, were his struggles really that different? “And they’re not. It’s just… werewolf stuff. I figured a pack would help the best with that.”

.

Her brow canted. “It is, a little bit.” His sensitivity made her curious instead of cautious, and Lenny circled around the other man as she tested out what it was that had bothered him exactly. They were all damaged in some regards, nothing that lived as long as a werewolf had made it completely through life unscathed— some were better at hiding their scars than others, but it seemed as though she had found his particular wound, and pressed on a place still unhealed. “In that case, I’m glad they’re kind to you and your,” she gestured, “Accommodations.”

[lennyromeijnders]

demetyilmcz​:

“I suppose you could say that,” Demet replies, pulling her along. There isn’t much about this city that she doesn’t know by this point, or so she likes to think. While the werewolf won’t be signing up to be a tourism guide anytime soon, it does make it easy for her to navigate around. “I am, along with my brother. A friend of ours is the alpha.” She nods her head in affirmation, looking at Lenny. “I know it can seem a little bit like a boys club, sometimes. A little bit rougher around the edges. But they’re good people. I trust them, and I feel safe with them.” Which is something that can’t really be understated, in a city like this. Though her relationship with Laila is less than ideal, and she would like to have more women around, she doesn’t regret the decision to join the Argos pack. 

.

She laughed, gulping greedily at the cool night air. Like most monsters, she felt best in evening, with a wash of darkness like an inky blanket over bare shoulders. Magic felt more powerful when the moon watched over it instead of the sun, and as a result she too felt as though she could race a lap around the circumference of the earth if she wished to. “So you’re friends with Rafael and Alarick? I thought of you as a woman of better taste.” Her grin was wide enough to indicate that she was kidding, and the sparkle in blue eyes and the little hiccup from too much to drink emphasized that nothing she said tonight could be held against her. “That’s what a pack is meant to do,” Lenny said with as much wisdom as she could muster. “When you no longer feel safe, it is time to leave. A lone wolf is a dead wolf, but so is one that is surrounded by those who would let them drown instead of hauling them out from deep water.”

[lennyromeijnders]

tigresshifter​:

“Have you… talked to him, then?” Did he tell her what he is? Why he left? That isn’t a conversation Andy wants to have to take on for him. She loves Leo, but trying to rebuild the bridge between him and Lenny is up to him, if that’s something that he wants. “Yeah, I did,” she says quietly, eyes dropping to the floor momentarily. It didn’t make things much better, at the time. Abandonment was still abandonment, even if it came with a halfhearted explanation. But this… maybe this makes sense. A newly turned werewolf, new to this world of supernatural. So she ran away. Anyone would, right? “They missed you a lot, you know.” We all did. To lose two of their children in close succession had been difficult on their parents, and Andy’s teenage dramatics had scarcely made things easier. What kind of kids are they, to all take off running to Greece?

.

“Fought with him mostly.” She’d left with nothing resolved, just anger brewing in her chest and storms roiling under her skin when she slammed the door of the bar behind her. He had left, and both were too stubborn to see why it was wrong, or why it was right of him to do. In the end, all it left was a wound that would not stitch closed. “I saw them again,” Lenny admitted, “Before I came here.” It hadn’t of been the same, she was an adult now— returning to her childhood home, a crater that had never filled. “I’m sad for them, but it’s nothing that can be mended now.” She looked at Andy, offering her a sad smile. “All we can do is try and fix things with us, I think. That’s what mom and dad would want for us anyways.” Lenny tucked a hand into pocket. “I’ve got a job here, at the firehall. I’m planning on staying a while, and I think that maybe we should spend some time together, if—“ She paused, “That’s what you want?”

[lennyromeijnders]

for: @gwenpembroke​ location: some bougie restaurant 

She’d arranged for them to have a table that overlooked the sea— the Aegean, as angry and churning as it was; was still beautiful to peer into, the depths were blue and merciless and they held more history than she could possibly imagine, tucked between the waves, whispered in the foam of each crash of surf against the beach. It was what had captured Lenny’s attention as she waited. This was an occasion that she had tried to dress up for, and blonde hair hung loose over her shoulders and a fitted black dress smoothed over her figure. She didn’t often make an effort like this, not when her usual attire was slicked back hair and the fire uniform. The sound of shoes approaching made her look up, and a smile curved onto her lips. “I was scared you were gonna stand me up for a minute there, Pembrooke.”

[gwenpembroke]

lenny romeijnders​:

“Daddy’s favourite?” Lenny echoed, reaching for the other woman’s collar, tugging her closer before she could truly step away. A smug expression found its way onto her lips and her brow canted, before she cooed a response by Gwen’s ear. “I’m Daddy.” She laughed, returning her desk to card back her hair, returning it to the neat bun that she had tied it back into before. Despite herself, she loved the sound of it- the idea that someone would always have time for her, and after years of being nomadic, it was something sweet for her ears alone. “I’ll see you then,” Lenny said, gesturing towards the door. “You might as well get some work done today.”

      It was probably just a joke – it definitely was rewarded with a laugh from the phoenix’s side – but it also turned Gwen on more than she should probably admit. “Of course you are,” she mumbled, a smirk on her lips as she pushed her hands into the pockets of her pants to prevent herself from tugging the clothes right off of Lenny’s body again. Gwen turned for the door, moving to pull it open, but she stopped in the last second. “I’m looking forward to it.” A mischievous smile was thrown in the werewolf’s direction, then Gwen left the office to return to whatever boring work awaited her after this blissful break.

[lennyromeijnders]

- END .

[lennyromeijnders]

rheadiamondis​:

“I’m not a fan of gin, if that’s what you’re getting at.” It was so bitter she couldn’t stand it. Whiskey wasn’t so bad, those espresso martinis that Hyacinth had introduced her to. The other blonde gave good advice though, it made sense. Not like Medusa was particularly looking to really indulge, it was simply something to do, something to blend in. But that being said, it was better to have something at least decent to sip on as the night went on. Waving down the bartender over the noise of the people around them, she gestures to the peach bellini on the menu and then her attention is back on the other woman. “I take it you’re an expert?”

.

“I don’t think anyone truly enjoys gin, anyone who says they do is lying or unwell.” Lenny grinned, leaning an elbow onto the surface of the bar as the blonde surveyed the options, studying her profile intently. She was beautiful, almost as though she was formed from marble, carved out of something pale and cold. It made her feel distant to the wolf who stood so close to her now, as though there were forces that kept her apart from one another, they were not the same— they never would be. Lenny took a mouthful from her drink, lifting a shoulder in response. “Just years of practice under the belt.” She gestured the other way. “Why’d you suddenly decide to become a drinker?”

[lennyromeijnders]

callypso​:

Knives, she had an entire arsenal stashed in a cave off shore. “Do you seek a certain type of blade?” Iron, obsidian, gold. Some metals were more commonly made into knifes and some were only sought and desired if there was a certain enemy in mind. Some desired long swords, and some desired double sided blades they could hide in a garter or a boot. She had weapons that pre-dated even her life but she kept a trained eye on the market and had times privately manufactured her own goods. “In return, I desire a vial of blood from each of your siblings. Nothing too ghastly, simple drops will do.” It’s an edge of a smile she keeps but it’s mostly contained in shadows, she is dead and hungers for nothing. Only to see how far others are willing to go to extract vengeance. “I’m sure it’s of no consequence to you that whoever you kill with one of my weapons, I will heed the call of. So kill carefully unless you wish to be exposed.”

.

“Anything will do, so long as it will make someone bleed.” She wasn’t sure if she would have need for such a weapon, often her most common enemies were vampires— but it was her bite that was more lethal to them than any knife that fit neatly into her grip, but the idea of holding onto something to carve into those who wished to press her into a corner and cause her harm was more comforting than knowing that she sheathed claws under skin that would do damage as well. “Blood for a simple knife set? I have money, you know.” A smile tugged at her lips, she had heard rumours of Calypso’s bizarre demands; perhaps there was a reason that she wished for these things, even though Lenny could scarcely see the value in blood from a shifter and a kobalos. “I’ve never been reckless, you don’t need to worry.” Lenny tapped at her lower lip, considering another query that she had had. “If the information is free, I’d like to know.” Her head tipped and she formulated her thoughts. It was a curiosity that she would not utilize, but it still burned in her mind. “How does one kill a kobalos? Permanently, it’s easy enough in one life.”

[lennyromeijnders]

leonidaskaratasos​:

      “You have no idea,” Leo snapped. The truth was, it had always been easy. Well, sometimes it had been easier than other times – but it had never been as hard as it had been in this life. At first he didn’t think it was, but then he’d started to miss his fights with Andy, and he wondered what Lenny was up to. He tried to shut the thoughts out, but they had come back full force when their younger sister showed up in Corinth. “You don’t know what it’s like. To live life after life and lose family after family. I watched too many people die. At some point it just becomes easier not to care about them.” Or try to, at least. “I sent a postcard.”

.

She stiffened, blue eyes growing colder— from the ocean to something akin to ice, if her brother wanted to house fire, she would be something that refused to burn. It was her role as the older sibling, to be something steady, a pillar that would not fail; but she hadn’t of had to be a sister in a long time, she was beginning to forget what the responsibilities of such a role were. He plead his case and her lips smoothed into a straight line. “And you don’t know what it’s like to be left behind.” Lenny looked at him, her selfish brother, and felt anger swallow up her heart. “To be considered not worthy of a look back, or worth spending a life tied to. So you get hundreds of lives? We only have this one, and you thought it your responsibility to fuck it up.” She was angry for herself, for her parents, for Andy—but Leo was nothing but smug and infuriatingly unyielding. “A fucking postcard. Should’ve just spat in our faces.”

[lennyromeijnders]

demetyilmcz​:

Demet doesn’t mind the walk. It’s why she came out this evening in the first place, after all. Though she hadn’t been intending on company at the time, she can scarcely find herself willing to disagree with the request. Lenny is kind, and there’s an inherent safety she feels when in the company of other werewolves. “A few years now,” Demet says, nodding her head lightly. “But my family has been in the city for much longer.” For about seventy years now, there’s always been a few Yilmazs around Corinth Bay. Blue eyes linger on Lenny’s face as they walk, before she finally asks, “you’re not pack, are you?” It’s said only to be polite, as the werewolf is already aware of the answer. Though she supposes the other woman could belong to another pack outside of the city — she might only be visiting. 

.

“So you know the city well enough to guide me home,” Lenny returned, her lips formed in a broad, uncharacteristic smile. The drink would fade and she would lose her low snicker, but while she had the excuse she slung an arm around Demet’s shoulders, focusing hard to keep herself from stumbling. The question made her nose wrinkle and she shook her head. “Absolutely not, haven’t seen a real reason to join it.” Her own sapphire gaze cut over to catch the other wolf looking at her, making her smile wider. “Are you? I’ve seen some of those wolves, they don’t seem anything like you.” By that she meant that they were coarse, the energy was masculine— it was a far cry from the gentle spirit that continued to help her on her way.

[lennyromeijnders]

tristanmarquet​:

     “I see.” Tristan had also been a werewolf for a long time, and a part of him thought it had probably been longer than for her – but he didn’t want to assume anything. “Rafael’s not so bad,” he added with a shrug of his shoulders. He didn’t know Alarick too well, but then again Tristan did not have a problem with the authority of men. Maybe other than Lenny. “I’m part of it already. But not because of some boys club. Rather so that I can belong and… get help when I need it, you know?”

.

She didn’t know much about Rafael and Alarick in truth, just that her passing observations of them had been akin to most of her impressions of men in authoritative figures— self obsessed and arrogant. Lenny  preferred living under her own rules, it was why she did best at her job where she was the one in control. A smile hitched at her lips, indicative of her wry amusement. “What kind of help do you need? The Argos didn’t really strike me as an incognito AA group.”

[lennyromeijnders]

gwenpembroke​:

     “Oh, so you’re daddy’s favorite, huh?” It was a playful tease, but Gwen was quite certain not many men would let women rule however they saw fit. Lenny was lucky, and in turn, the phoenix was lucky that she could do whatever she wanted here and had such a relaxed boss. “So he doesn’t know you’re actually the bad girl?” Gwen laughed quietly, fixing the last of her clothes before leaning against the wall by the door. The phoenix didn’t have many appointments, not many places to go. It could make her sound lonely or make the wrong impression, but she was not fond of lying. “Put it in my schedule. I’m always free for you.”

.

“Daddy’s favourite?” Lenny echoed, reaching for the other woman’s collar, tugging her closer before she could truly step away. A smug expression found its way onto her lips and her brow canted, before she cooed a response by Gwen’s ear. “I’m Daddy.” She laughed, returning her desk to card back her hair, returning it to the neat bun that she had tied it back into before. Despite herself, she loved the sound of it- the idea that someone would always have time for her, and after years of being nomadic, it was something sweet for her ears alone. “I’ll see you then,” Lenny said, gesturing towards the door. “You might as well get some work done today.”

[lennyromeijnders]

tristanmarquet​:

@lennyromeijnders​

     “So how long have you been like this?” It seemed to be a common question between werewolves, once the initial small talk was done. And the other seemed nice enough to ask it. “Do you intend to join the pack? You’re not in it yet, are you?”

.

“Long enough that nothing surprises me anymore,” Lenny said dismissively, unwilling to admit that the date of her being bit had not been one that she celebrated like a birthday, she didn’t keep track of these things- it felt strange to award it importance when it had been neither a gift, nor a curse. “I’m not, and I don’t.” She looked over at Tristan with a snort, “I’ve seen their alpha, and the beta. Those men don’t interest me, nor does their leadership impress me. You should join though, perhaps you’d fit into the boys club.”

[lennyromeijnders]

maraothonos​:

The attention of others is not unusual for Mara, nor is her penchant for partaking in pleasure with them. Even mortals can provide a good bit of fun, taking them into her bed for a night and sending them on their way in the morning. Between the werewolf and the human that became her bedmates this evening, she’s rather content with herself as she lounges comfortably, eyes drifting over from one sleeping form to the other woman who hasn’t quite dozed off yet. “I believe I always look good,” the words are vain, but playful, more teasing than genuinely boasting. The blonde is no plain woman herself, the low light of the room catching against her hair and turning it golden. “You certainly had more stamina than I was expecting. I’ll have to remember that about wolves.” They are not her usual choice, but Mara has to admit this is a tally in their favor. 

.

“Perhaps it’s not true of all wolves,” Lenny murmured, the words warm against bare skin, pressed between the folds of tangled sheets and long hair that was strewn around their heads like halos. “You might find yourself sampling the pack only to be disappointed that I was the pick of the bunch.” Her smile curved and it was toothy enough to betray what her species was. “I don’t ever claim to be just like everyone else.” She wasn’t tired, and despite the fact that the appeal of sleep in the nest of warm bedding felt like it would beckon to her— she was far more interested in this woman, something strange and unusual. “You’ve surprised me as well,” Lenny admitted, lifting her head so that her cheekbone caught the light, so that she looked sharp as a blade when she regarded her. “I’ve never known anyone like you.” It wasn’t a compliment to her personality, but she was sure that the other woman was clever enough to figure out that the true question lay behind the lines— what are you?

[lennyromeijnders]

rheadiamondis​:

Medusa’s eyes go from the woman to the bartenders and she can’t help but scoff, a smile curling on her lips. They are indeed in crop tops, there’s hints of glitter on the exposed skin and somehow, that amuses her. “Not quite my thing either.” She admits, attention back on the other blonde. Cocktails, yes they’ve proven to be good. Or at least the few other people have picked out for her have been hits. Hyacinth and his espresso martini contraptions were by far the best, but not everyone kept the coffee liquor on hand disappointingly. “I’m new to this. Any recommendations?” She peeks at some of the drinks written down that are on a flyer on the boots bartop. “Who decided to make everything a martini?” 

.

The men behind the counter looked young, but beneath the surface she could tell that immortality was the reasoning behind half of them maintaining such bright, tireless smiles. She wondered if she envied them, to know that their time would never end— they would enjoy life as beautiful as they were, for eternity while everything else faded away. “Always start with something heavy, follow up with something easy to sip.” Lenny leaned slightly into the other woman’s side, peering at the menu in her hands. “Skip the martinis, maybe go straight on to the peach bellini.” Blue eyes cut over and a smile curved on her lips, “You look like you like your drinks sweet.”

[lennyromeijnders]

gwenpembroke​:

      “Of course I have. But I kept talking while I did it.” Gwen’s grin was wide and mischievous. Gwen might have been an angel as a human and during her first years as a phoenix, but now she was anything but that. And she hadn’t been in a long time. Especially not when tempted by someone as beautiful as Lenny. “You did? I thought someone even higher than you made the rules.” Someone who had no fun, and overlooked plenty of fire stations along Greece’s shorelines. But the phoenix wasn’t about to say no either – she didn’t care if it was forbidden or not. “In that case, you have permission to take me out.”

.

Her grin broadened to match Gwen’s, something wicked within her ran laps to match the pace of her devilish heartbeat. “I run the station, I make our rules within it. My supervisor lets me do things how I see fit, we haven’t had issues before.” Her head tipped and blonde hair fell to one side of it, “I’ve got a good head on my shoulders, he thinks.” Surely there were other stations that weren’t awarded the same amount of freedom, but her reputation preceded her: how many other strangers immediately moved to a town and became fire chief? Lenny finished smoothing out her clothing, returning to a state that almost mirrored what she had looked like before she had called Gwen to her office. “Should I pencil it into your schedule, or will you just text me when you’re free?”

[lennyromeijnders]

leonidaskaratasos​:

      Leo opened his lips to say it really hadn’t been that long compared to how many lives he lived in the past, but he decided against it. He had learned at least a few things from his conversation with Andy about all of this. A slight frown appeared on his forehead at her question, then he shook his head a little. “I stopped counting after twenty or so.” It had definitely been many more times, but he had grown tired of counting deaths or remembering them. One death was as bad as the last, they never got easier, and they never got prettier. “Of course I fucking cared, Lenny. But I was hit with all my memories at age eighteen. I felt like an outsider. I was an outsider. And I’m just not like any of you – this is what I always do. A clean slate. It’s easier for everyone.” Because he couldn’t get attached if it meant he’d just lose another person. He was tired of mourning.

.

Her arms would have wrapped around herself, but she wasn’t a child anymore— she didn’t need to be secured. She was the oldest of their siblings, intentioned to be the strongest, their tether and what held the family together. Sander had torn them apart, and what remained was strewn across Europe, each of their pieces had blown into Greece. He was Leo now, and she had the choice to try and stitch them back together. She had been alone almost as long as they had been a family, and it sat in her belly like a knife. “It’s easier for yourself.” Lenny said the words sharply, unwilling to let him brush it aside. “Easier to cut yourself off, to not feel guilty. Our mother thought you were dead, you know? I sat with her when she cried. It tore Andy up, but I’m sure you know that already.” She shook her head, tucking in a hard breath. “You could have come back you know, at any time. Even just to let us know you were alright.”