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sitting here thinking about how Todd is standing out there watching all the students come out of the burning building one by one getting more and more anxious until finally, *finally* Dwight emerges from the 2nd story window falling safely onto the blow up mat below and the relief hits him so hard he starts to cry anyway I'm shipping dwodd in 2021
Title: A Vested Interest
Daltonfic Big Bang: Week 3, Day 5, Dwodd
Ryan Cobb still didn’t know about his desk chair, so money was still up for grabs. Nice.
“Fuck off!” Derek yelled, looking across the large, white and glass hallway of the Ohio Brooks Parker Galleria Mall to the Hot Topic.
“What is it?” Bailey asked, not turning from his sink full of dishes. He was up to his elbows in coffee mugs and dessert-stained plates. “Is Sebastian coming up to ask for another job application?”
“Shut up Bailey, you know it’s only because he thinks Julian’s hot, not because he wants to work here. And no; it’s not that asshole.” Derek gestured across the hallway; Bailey couldn’t see it because he still had his back turned, uncaring. “It’s that fucking asshole and his boyfriend!”
“Who?”
“You know, the assistant manager and that hipster guy!”
“Oh Dwight?” Bailey asked. “What’s wrong?”
“They’re fucking again!”
Bailey made an amused noise. “Good for them.”
“Good for them!?” Derek exclaimed, “What the hell does that mean?”
“Well, if you could get laid at work you would.” Bailey said, hiding his laughter. “I’m glad you don’t for the record; I don’t want to clean that up, but it’s a little funny.”
“Exactly- how is it that the goth who isn’t even in charge of that place is getting laid and I’m here in a fucking Starbucks like a loser?”
While Derek was ranting, he was ignoring the girl at the register. Bailey shot her a look, commiserating before drying his hands to take her order.
“And if we’re really splitting hairs here Bailey, shouldn’t he, I don’t know? Be doing his job? Instead of letting his little hipster boyfriend fuck him in the changerooms?”
Bailey rolled his eyes, grabbing a larger sized cup for their customer and waving her panicked look aside. It was the least he could do since she was putting up with Derek’s ranting.
“Jeez, Derek if it bothers you so much, just join in our betting pool and you at least could make some money off it.” Bailey said, steaming the milk like it was just another normal day. Which, working with Derek for at long as he had, it kind of was.
“Betting pool?”
Their customer interjected, “I’m from the Barnes and Noble next door; we’ve got it going with us, Clay and the boys in the store, Bailey and y’all, and then then Chels and the Pet Co. downstairs for how long it’ll take the manager to catch them.”
“All those people know? And Ryan still hasn’t figured it out?” Derek asked, confounded.
She shrugged, “Yeah, well, Pet Co. was waiting for the two month mark to send Ryan upstairs at the right moment; but Todd and Dwight were just talking; I’m thinking Clay ran interference so the bet’s still going.”
Derek looked caught between anger and intrigue. He looked at her with a scowl before, “Put me down for fifty bucks on two weeks from now. Ryan’s not an idiot, he’ll realize.”
“Not if he spends all his time downstairs with the fish tanks.” Bailey pointed out.
“Why is he even managing a Hot Topic if he loved animals so much?”
“He’d never sell anything if he worked downstairs, that’s why.” Their customer pointed out, wandering back to the Barnes and Noble with her drink. “Good luck boys!”
Oh it’s on, Derek thought, not realizing how difficult a task it would actually be to accomplish.
---
Two months of this nonsense aside, Dwight Houston had not set out to completely disregard professionalism and decorum when he got this throwaway job at the mall. His mother raised him better than that- or so she kept saying. He was only here for the sole purpose of keeping his car and proving he was responsible- nothing more. If he had enough knowledge of alternative culture to tell people why Hot Topic was the worst place to shop, that wasn’t his problem. He was merely the solution.
When Todd Hendricks, or “Hipster Guy” as he referred to him for the first two weeks in his head, walked in, there was no master plan to get back at his manager for promoting him in this insanity. No, it was only a short conversation, based around Todd’s utter incompetence.
“If she’s a real goth, she will not want anything we sell here. This is emo shit, New Oracle in Glensdale is the real space for crystals. This is just plastic and Yellow 33!” Dwight shook the fake silver jewellery at the customer and his wide rimmed glasses, plaid shirt, and rough, red scarf. “Your sister will not like this.”
“But that’s why it’s funny. Because it’s not authentic.” The customer (who would be known as Todd) said. “She’ll hate it and it’ll be hilarious.”
“It’s offensive! You say she’s a witch, then it’s doubly offensive.” Dwight said, motioning to put the piece back up on the highest shelf with the pole hook.
“I’m her brother, she’ll know it’s a joke.” He argued. “I’m not here to rock your goth purist boat.”
“I am not a goth,” Dwight said, putting the offending piece out of reach. “I am a post-industrial punk with spiritualist leanings; its completely different.”
“Sure.” Was the response, grinning like he’d not proven anything.
Dwight groaned, “Clay, back me up here; the Vampire Diaries spinoff jewellery is not something we should be promoting to any self-respecting goth.”
His part-timer, Clay Rizzo, poked out from behind the piercing display where he totally wasn’t trying to steal new lip rings. “I don’t know Dwight; I am one of those emo pieces of shit, so maybe I’d recommend it?”
“I get no support around here!” Dwight said, stalking to the back of the store. “Impossible!”
Todd looked over to the part-timer, decked in the unofficial uniform of all black and a hundred emo-band pins. “I think I’m dropping by more often.”
Clay gave him an evil grin. “Pleasure doing business with you.”
---
From there it escalated; Todd coming in multiple times a week just to annoy Dwight. Well, that’s what Dwight assumed until Todd asked for his phone number.
“What? Why’d you want that?”
Todd looked at him like he was an idiot. “Because I’ve been flirting with you this whole time? Were you not…”
Clay, unknown to the two of them, was watching with Robin and Jake from behind the t-shirts. They were supposed to be executing the planogram; but why do that when there was drama to observe?
“I was not.” Dwight said robotically. “Uh, okay, that’s…”
“I literally looped a tie around your neck and pulled you in, and you didn’t realize I was into you?”
Clay, who remembered that exchange, had to be smothered with a Haven shirt but Jake to stop him from making noise.
“In my defence, I’m not used to people flirting with me.”
“If you’re not interested, that’s fine. I just thought-”
“I’m not not interested?” Dwight interjected before Todd turned away and walked out. “I’m just, uh, not used to … this?”
“I can work with that.”
It somehow progressed, in spite of Dwight’s inherent awkwardness. Jake, Robin, Jasper, and Clay respectively waving the pair off whenever Dwight took his lunch break now.
“They grow up so fast.” Clay said dramatically while Dwight gave him the finger. Todd just smiled at his conspirator and told them to take care of the store. Not that he worked there. He was there often enough he’d take to reminding Dwight about stock orders, schedules, and that Jake had a family dinner coming up so someone had to get it covered. The store had never run so well as it did when Todd started dating their assistant manager.
---
“Where did you guys put the Manic Panic?” Ryan Cobb, actual manager of Hot Topic, called out from the stockroom. “There should be a packing slip for a 3 pack of each colour, but all I see is overstock of those short-shorts!”
“I don’t know, ask Jake,” Dwight said, standing on a step ladder with Jasper spotting him. “He was in last night when the delivery came in.”
“I’m asking you. How can you be my assistant manager and not know where the hair dye is? We have that Chang girl coming in later and I promised her we’d have her order in!” Ryan called. “I’m going on break, that dye should be on the shelf when I get back.”
Ryan left, once again for supposedly fifteen minutes- but the entire staff knew he’d be gone for the rest of the day downstairs to play with the parakeets Pet Co. just got in.
“Oh, you’re in trouble.” Robin said, amused.
“Shut up.” Dwight muttered. “I bet Jake just put them somewhere weird. Call him and see what’s going on.”
“I’ll call him. He told me nothing came in last night though.”
“Perfect, just fucking perfect.” Dwight groaned.
“What’s wrong?” Todd asked, coming in with a cardboard tray of drinks. “I just saw Ryan go by, if he’s actually in the store for any minute I’m scared the place will burst into flames.”
“Once in a blue moon, it happens I guess.” Dwight admitted, climbing down the ladder to receive his kiss on the cheek and the green tea Todd brought for him.
“What’s happening?” Todd asked, taking his own coffee off the tray and pushing the sugar-laden third and fourth cups to the part-timers he’d been subtly converting to his side. Jasper particularly grabbed his eagerly, gushing thank yous.
“Jake might have lost a delivery.” Dwight paused, “Or not? I don’t know about the warehouse, but they’ve been fucking up recently anyways. I swear I can’t find last night’s order but the stockroom does look like shit…”
“You have a computer? There should be a record of orders received and rejected? I know not everyone still does things hard copy.” Todd suggested.
“It’s in the manager’s office!” Robin volunteered. “Not that we’re allowed in there. It’s for Ryan and Dwight only.”
“Well, they can’t fire me so I don’t care about that rule.” Todd said, taking a sip of his coffee and beelining to the back room.
Dwight scrambled to follow him. “No! No! No customers in the back!”
“Oh come on, if Ryan’s going to get mad at you about it then I might as well try to help.” Todd said, finding the tiny room easily and placing himself in the desk chair like he owned the place. “Password’s hottopic123, very creative, not hacking proof at all.”
“It’s a formality, that’s why it’s on the post-it.” Dwight grumbled, reluctant to admit he was grateful for the help.
“Okay, well according to your emails it’s right there. They’re not sending it because of the USPS strike. I don’t know why Ryan didn’t notice that.” Todd said after a few open tabs and a control+f.
“Oh that’s why.” Dwight grumbled, pointing to the open tabs on tanks for tropical fish. “He was distracted.”
“Why is he in charge of a Hot Topic if he doesn’t want to even work here?” Todd asked, looking through the pages. “Like, if you’re desperate you could work for the raptor sanctuary; they’re hiring.”
“Wait, you know the raptor sanctuary?” Dwight asked, intrigued. “I have an owl there.”
“I’m sponsoring Rowena, the prairie-”
“Merlin.” Dwight finished. “Yeah, she’s the one who the workers are teaching how to do the flight tricks right?”
“Yeah.” Todd paused, “You’re Castiel’s sponsor? I thought that name was stupid.”
“It’s not stupid! It’s a good name!” Dwight said before realizing Todd was joking with him. “Oh, okay.”
“So, if Ryan is going to ignore the email in his inbox in favour of spending all his time at Pet Co. I propose we do something to get him back.” Todd said, spinning around in the chair and closing the door to the office. It was more like a cupboard with how much room there was.
Dwight looked at him suspiciously. “What do you mean?”
Todd locked the door, “You’ll see.”
---
Robin wasn’t sure what was happening until he went to knock on the door and heard it. Shit. Maybe Dwight was cool.
First thing he did was tell Jake over the phone, who told Jasper, who told Clay- who told literally the entire mall by the time he’d made it in for his closing shift.
“Who knew the dude had it in him.” Jake said, punching in, careful to give the office door a lot of room. “I mean, I would do that but Dwight’s always struck me as a bit of a-”
“A nerd?” Jasper supplied.
“I’m so proud of my dads.” Clay said, already on the top of a stepladder switching out t-shirts. “Like, I can’t use that office so I don’t give a shit- but it’s also hilarious. How long do you think it takes Ryan to notice?”
“First, they’re not your dads.” Jake said.
“Todd gave me a gold star for my pins last week, they’re my dads.” Clay said, half joking, but mostly trying to annoy Jake.
“Okay, fine. Secondly, Ryan isn’t going to notice shit. If he hasn’t notice you’ve been stealing lip rings to wear while at work he is not going to notice Dwight’s boyfriend fucked him in the office.”
“Or did Dwight fuck him?” Jasper asked.
“I don’t care.” Jake dismissed the comment. “Either way, it’ll be, like a year before Ryan realizes something is up.”
Clay grinned, “Care to put your money where your mouth is?”
“You’re on.”
The pot, by the time Pet Co., Barnes and Noble, Starbucks, and Radio Shack got in on the action, was somewhere around $400. The only ones unaware, were the couple in question and Ryan Cobb.
---
“Shit, Clay! This isn’t what it looks like.” Dwight said hurriedly, Clay pulling open the curtain to the change rooms enough to poke his head in.
“Really? Because it looks like you’re just passionately embracing Todd.” Clay shrugged, “I could be wrong.”
Todd would have normally made a quip back, but he was too close to reply. “Uh, not a good time.”
“Well, you’ve got almost no time at all for this quickie because Ryan is on his way back. AKA, he’s on the elevator and if you’re here balls deep-“
“I will curse you so hard-”
“You’re already hard, I get it. Put some pants on, wrap it up.” Clay said, flipping the curtain closed. At least the two of them were polite enough to not make any of the part-timers do cleaning duties on these occasions.
Either way, Clay has a vested interest in not alerting Ryan right now. The pot was up to $800 now, and he would need that for next semester’s books. College was expensive.
---
In the end, it wasn’t Ryan who caught them; it was the night security guard who got them outside in Dwight’s ridiculously out of date Chevy. With an ‘indecent exposure’ strike on his record, Ryan had to let Dwight go. The betting pool wasn’t sure if this meant the bet was on, or off.
The next week, when he found Todd wandering past the Hot Topic to the men’s bathrooms with one lanky, gothic boyfriend in tow- he shot Todd a thumbs up and informed the rest of the mall the game was still on.
Ryan Cobb still didn’t know about his desk chair, so money was still up for grabs. Nice.
Wendigo Woods.
Dalton Big Bang 2020 Prompt: Dwodd day and next weeks prompt: Horror
Warnings: Little gore, blood, animal attack references, kidnapping.
“Hey.”
“Hmm, why are you whispering?” Dwight asked as he cleaned his gun, taking the bullets out and polishing the sleek metal gun. The body of the Colt glistening as he tilted it against the sunlight, checking for smudges and fingerprints.
“Because this is during office hours, also I think you may be right.”
“That the animal attacks are not just animal attacks.” Dwight asked serious, placing the colt down gently.
“Yeah, we just got the news and this is 6th case. It’s from the next county, but it fits the description.”
“Males aged 22 to 30, fit, from the area with, missing for a week and then ends up dead. Cause of death: Animal attacks.” Dwight read from the stack of gathered new papers on the seat next to him. He frowned putting the gun aside and pulling a large map of the surrounding area out. “Okay, see you at home then?”
“Love you.”
“Love you too.”
*
Todd walked into their apartment and shut the door behind. “Anything?” He smiled at the domesticity of it. They met when Dwight saved him from his roommate that turned out to be a vampire. Initial shock aside Todd was extremely impressed with Dwight and how he neatly staked his roommate and cut off his head. He even stayed around a bit to make sure he was alright before leaving, asking Todd not disclose to anyone what had happened.
The idea that there were supernaturals around shook him to the core but he later learnt there was a group of individuals – Hunters who made it their mission to protect the world from things that go bump in the night.
Like Dwight, it seemed and being in the line of work he was in - a reporter, he kept bumping into Dwight, who used to surreptitiously hang around crime scenes, till they worked out at an arrangement.
Todd, being supremely grateful for being saved, started telling Dwight when he was getting too close, becoming a suspect himself when he started showing up at every crime scene. They made a deal for Todd to suss out the crime scene and gain intel regarding the investigation. Being a legitimate reporter Todd had access to all data and crime scene photos and investigation details that Dwight normally had to hack his way into or impersonate.
It worked and kept on working and they started getting closer, hanging out outside “work” as well and then one day Todd kissed Dwight who kissed him back and here they were.
“Well.” Dwight kissed him and turned to look at the map of the area. “Two from our county and one each from the rest. The victims, males who went jogging/walking, well one was walking the dog. The dog is safe by the way.” Dwight said looking at Todd’s frowned face.
“Anything else.” Todd asked hugging Dwight from behind, his chin resting on Dwight’s shoulder. “Early morning or late night is when they went missing. They seem to have a penchant for healthy, young males it seems.
“Except this couple.”
“Hmm.” Todd enquired, he hadn’t heard about a couple going missing lately.
“I think they were the first.” Dwight said studying the old newspaper and his notes scattered on the table. “They were camping around this here.” Circling a spot deep in the woods. “They were not on sanctioned camping ground as this is where animals are usually spotted.”
“So you think they were the first?” Todd asked intrigued, thinking about the case that took place almost a year ago, “That was ruled out as an animal attack.”
“There were tracks of animals around but the camp was thoroughly destroyed.” Dwight said reading the news article from online. “It looked ransacked, who knows what was taken and kills looked sloppy.”
“But now they improved.”
“You think the first was practice and now they’re killing for sport.”
“Or food.” Dwight said standing up.
Todd let him go and frowned at him. “You think someone is staying there?’
“Well, there are caves nearby.” Dwight said drinking a glass of water, “where the couple was camping. Though after the incident, the campgrounds were closed, camping was stopped and only the trails close to the entrance were allowed, so maybe they had to come closer, become bolder.”
“Especially if they wanted to eat.”
“Yes.” Dwight agreed and collected the newspaper clippings and assorted weapons and placed it carefully in his bag.
“So I guess you’re going in then.” Todd asked and Dwight kissed him. “Have to, saving people, hunting things, the family business.”
“Be safe.” Todd kissed him deeply, licking at Dwight’s lips till Dwight allowed him access to his mouth. Todd’s tongue slipping in.
“Always am.” Dwight whispered and pulled Todd closer to him.
*
“Fuck.” Todd whispered and checked his phone again, but the last voice mail he got from Dwight was two days ago, telling him all was well and that he had reached the camping grounds and to stop worrying, that he knew what to do. After that, there was no other communication and Todd was seriously considering getting the cops involved but how do you explain that Dwight went camping in the woods in the cordoned-off area because he thought there was something living in the woods, killing people, eating them.
“Fuck.” He whispered and rubbed his face. He would need to do this on his own but Todd didn't know exactly what to do. Plus Dwight had taken the majority of his stash of weapons and only the spares were left behind.
He needed help.
“Where is it.” he mumbled, rummaging through their things trying to find a certain sheet of paper with details of other hunters. The family business line was actually true with Dwight’s cousin being a Hunter in himself.
“Lucas, Lucas, Lucas.” Todd said going through the surprisingly short list of names. One would think there would be more hunters around considering the spate of crimes and supernatural creatures, however hunting being unsanctioned and in most of the cases illegal; payments or rewards for a job well done was not a concept, not to mention the nomadic lifestyle and running away from the law and the hazards of the job as more than one name were scratched off.
Todd didn’t even want to think what it meant and then he finally found Lucas Water’s contact details.
“Lucas Walters? This is Todd Hendriks – Houston. I think I need your help.”
*
Todd surveyed the group of people in his living room. They had all finally arrived with Lucas arriving first; a day after the making the call, who then proceeded to call in for reinforcements, who turned out to be Dwight’s friends as well.
They all started out together and then branched out, establishing an area under their control so to speak, this way there was a hunter in almost every state, sometimes more than one in areas with dense population.
Sadie, Morgan, Laura and Lucas – Laura being the last to arrive, flying in from London. “Pure family reasons” she assured “Not business.”
“So.” Lucas said and the others turned to him and then to each other. “You’re Dwight’s husband.”
“Yes.” Todd smiled. “Just for two months, settling in has a newly married couple.” The girls grinned and Morgan smiled and nodded.
“And now he’s missing.”
“Yes.” Todd said pulling their map towards him. “We’ve been investigating a series of animal attacks and Dwight. “ Todd stopped and took a deep breath “Dwight, he went to investigate.” He looked at the gathered hunters, “You know saving people, hunting things. But it’s never been like this before.”
“He’s been missing for close to a week now. “Morgan asked moving towards the table with the map and the new paper cuttings. “Yes, after the latest victim surfaced. which was almost a week ago”
“And Dwight suspected something supernatural?” Sadie asked picking up a news clipping
“Well, he definitely fits the victim profile.” Laura remarked looking at the headings.
“I know.” Todd said worryingly. “He has gone to roughly this area.” He said circling the area on the map. “The jogging trail ends here and then the camping grounds start. There are even sign towards caves, though that has been cordoned off.”
He played them Dwight’s last voicemail.
“So we know Dwight reached the camping ground and then there has been no further news.”
“No.” Todd said. “And it will be a week soon.”
“You have not reported him missing right.” Morgan asked,
“No.” Todd whispered, “I didn’t know how to explain. How to make them go to the woods, the caves which are basically cordoned off.”
“Good.” Lucas nodded, “We go there tomorrow.
“I would like to come.” Todd requested, “Absolutely.” Sadie nodded, “You’re a part of the family.”
*
They set off early in the morning, slipping through the police barrier that was placed at the entrance of the park, now that the frequency of the cases was increasing. They soon reached the end of the trail and started to follow the directions to the campgrounds.
They soon found the signs for the caves as well as the warning signs.
“This is where we should now be silent.” Lucas whispered, looking at Todd, “We are well away from the entrance of the park and the common jogging, camping area and in their territory so to speak.”
He handed him a gun which Todd took, checking to see whether the safety was on, tucking it into the band of his jeans. “What.” He whispered when he saw the others grinning.
“Dwight has taught you well.” Laura smiled and Sadie grinned.
“He saved my life, that’s how we met.”
“That’s Dwight.” Morgan said clapping Todd on the back. “Come let’s go.”
They soon came across a small clearing and found signs of camping. “That’s Dwight’s” Todd whispered finding his bag of weapons and spare clothes that was always in the bag along with cash.
“Everything is here.” Todd said as he looked through the bag. The clothes, money, weapons everything intact. “This was not a robbery”
“It never was.” Morgan said and pointed to rock lying nearby caked with blood.
“He was attacked.” Laura whispered, “And dragged” Sadie whispered, pointing to a trail which lead out through the clearing and then got lost in the undergrowth.
“That’s the general area of the caves.” Todd whispered and removed his gun.
“Easy now.” Sadie warned. “We need the element of surprise.
“I suggest we break for lunch.” Lucas whispered and at Todd’s frantic look he explained, “We would need the rest and the sustenance to handle whatever it is we’re dealing with.”
“It’s reaching noon now.” Sadie whispered, “We eat quick, rest and then start soon. We need to reach the caves and Dwight before evening.
“We will.” Morgan whispered and started handing out packed sandwiches and water.
*
“I have a distinct feeling, we’re being watched.” Todd whispered as he followed the others down the part towards the caves. They were surrounded everywhere by tall trees and greenery, the sunlight throwing shadows everywhere amongst the undergrowth.
“We are.” Sadie whispered and Todd gulped. “I can see a figure amongst the bushes who has been watching us, tracking our movement. They are staying just out of reach, but I have caught them.
“Who is it” Laura whispered from behind Todd. Morgan was the last on their line-up bringing up the rear. Sadie was in the front, followed by Lucas, Todd and Laura. They kept him in the middle, being the inexperienced one. Plus Dwight would have definitely killed them if anything happened to his husband on their watch Laura pointed out.
“Can’t see features properly. But they’re tall, thin, slim, matted hair and fast.” Sadie remarked watching figure flitting in and out through the bushes.
“So human then.” Todd whispered.
“Definitely humanoid, considering the claws and scratches and bites probably a Wendigo or Succubus, Werewolf.” Lucas said.
“And they can all be killed by our weapons.” Laura whispered.
“And how many do you think will be there.” Todd asked carefully thinking of Dwight.
“Considering the kills, one, I think.” Lucas said softly as they made their way towards the caves which could be seen up ahead. “There would have been more kills if there were more than one person to be fed.”
“We are reaching towards the caves, look alive.” Morgan whispered, “and our shadow has also disappeared.” Sadie confirmed.
“We are definitely in their territory” Lucas confirmed when they reached the entrance of the caves. It was pretty dark in the area, the canopy of the trees blocking most of the light, it was nearing three Todd noticed and then looked around. There were multiple entrances but only a few looked plausible considering the general height of the individual Sadie told them.
“That one and this one.” she pointed out, “They’re low lying, easily hidden and small enough not to be noticeable but big enough to fit a human.
“Plus I see footprints.” pointing towards fresh tracks on the ground.
“We split up.” Morgan said, “Sadie and I will take this one” he pointed to nearest entrance “Y’all can take the other.”
“Then what.” Todd asked slowly removing the safety of the gun.
“Then we behead, burn, salt the bones and any personal items and burn again.”
“And how do we know if the others have found Dwight or are in danger.” Todd asked
“Follow the screams,” Laura suggested and Morgan frowned at her.
“Our normal call would be better.” Lucas said looking at Todd’s scared face. “Let’s go get our boy back.” clapping him on the shoulder.
*
The smell inside of the cave was unbearable. Todd grimaced and pulled his shirt over his nose. The others were doing the same.
“This is why.” Laura said through her t-shirt as they came across the remains of a half-eaten deer and other woodland creatures.
“It’s been supplementing its diets.” Lucas said and went further inside the cave and where they were able to breathe properly “It would less noticeable with the animals than actual human beings.”
“I think we are reaching a dead end.” Todd said when he noticed that the path they had taken was slowly decreasing in width. “You’re right.” Laura whispered. “Let go back the way we came from, there was another tunnel near the entrance of the cave.
“I hope the others are having better luck.” Todd whispered and covered his face with his shirt and started walking.
*
“I think we’re in the right area.” Sadie whispered to Morgan,” I think so too.” Morgan whispered realizing that their part of the cave felt smoother, airier and they soon came to a gathering of a sort which definitely looked live-able noticing makeshift bedding and “Dwight” Sadie whispered when she found her friend knocked out unconscious.
“He seems unconscious. “Morgan said rubbing at Dwight’s mouth at the smear of crushed leaves and what looked like berries. “ He was drugged.
“Or could be medicine.” Sadie whispered pointing at Dwight’s ankle which was swollen and blackish blue in colour. “So that’s why he couldn’t escape,”
“Not to mention the egg on his head “She ran her fingers through Dwight’s hair and found traces of dried blood
“He’s concussed.” Morgan whispered and something jumped him.
He wrestled with the creature who attacked him from behind, trying to get control of him and Sadie reached for her gun but found that she couldn’t get a clear shot with Morgan in the way.
She thumped the butt of the gun hard on the creature’s head and looked upon a Wendigo with roars of sharp teeth and claws for fingernails. The creature dropped Morgan and jumped on her and Sadie tried to aim the creatures snapping jaw away from her face when Lucas, Laura and Todd entered in and with one quick strike of a blade, the wendigo’s head was severed from the rest of its body.
“Search the area for any more of them.” Morgan said pointing at the creature, cradling his heavy head, Laura standing on guard with a gun trained and ready to shoot. Sadie and Lucas nodded and left as Todd ran towards Dwight who was slowly starting to stir with the commotion.
“Todd.” Dwight croaked feebly and Todd smiled. “Shush, I got you. I got you. You’re safe.” And Dwight closed his eyes.
*
“You be safe now.” Sadie whispered and kissed Dwight on the forehead. “I know.” Dwight mumbled. “I was concussed and drugged okay, otherwise I would have had it in the bag,”
“We know.” Laura whispered and Dwight hobbled to get from the couch, his head in bandages, faces and arms dotted in scratches in process of healing. “No, you rest.” She kissed him on the cheek, “I don’t want to have to save you again.”
“I had it under control.” Dwight snarked. “Till it wasn’t.” Morgan told him gently nudging him in the shoulder. “Till it wasn’t.” Dwight agreed.
“So that’s it for us then.” Sadie said and Todd stood up, “Thank you, he means the world to me.” He looked down at Dwight who was smiling at Todd softly. Todd kissed him gently on the lips. “I don’t know what I have would have done without him.”
“Stay in touch.” Morgan said as he opened the door. “Stay safe.” Laura said.
“Don’t worry, I will be hanging around for some time.” Lucas said as he walked them towards the door. “Will check the area out again, see if this is last or if anything new pops out.”
“Plus, I got a new brother that I need to catch up with.” And Dwight kissed Todd on the cheeks.
We writing fanfic of a fanfic in 2021 lads
https://archiveofourown.org/series/2147001
An Archive of Our Own, a project of the Organization for Transformative Works
Title: Gradients
Daltonfic Big Bang 2020: Week 2, Day 2: Soulmate AU “When was the last time you saw grey?”
“When was the last time you saw grey?”
The question took Dwight by surprise. For as long as he could remember, he’d seen in shades of grey. Grey skies with grey clouds; grey houses lining grey streets; grey trees, with grey shadows, underneath which his friend sketched a grey picture. He had known there was colour, his Uncle described it all in lurid details- the blues, the greens, the golds. Dwight knew if he had a favourite colour, maybe it would be red? Or purple? They seemed to have all the good things.
“You said I should use the other one. Dwight, green and red look the same in grey.” His hesitancy gave way to excitement, “This is amazing! I’m so happy for you!”
Reed had been making a still life for art class; Dwight beside him trying not to mess up on his own project. Dwight took a look at the pastels between the two of them; none of them were grey. They hadn’t been grey for ages; but Dwight hadn’t noticed. Muted purples in with a pale green, cut with shades of yellow and peach; Reed’s hands were covered in colours Dwight wouldn’t have been able to distinguish when he was a kid. But today, he could pick out the yellow against Reed’s blazer. When had that happened?
“You met your soulmate!” Reed almost sprang up, but hit his head on the tree trunk. Dwight caught his stumbling friend.
“I must have.” Dwight said cautiously.
“Must have? You can see colours! I was so overwhelmed when it happened. It was just boom!” Reed gestured, his hands wild. “It was like, bye greyscale. How can you just guess?”
“I don’t know when it happened.” Dwight admitted, staring around them at Dalton’s grounds. He hadn’t noticed. How had he not noticed every fleck and gleam of colour around him? Had it snuck up on him? Every single story he had heard of soulmates described the rush of colour, flooding your vision as you met them, your soulmate. He’d even looked forward to it; he’d wanted to know who it was, the exact moment he’d found that person who would understand him like no one else.
Reed cut through his thoughts. “What do you mean, you don’t know? It’s, it changes everything? I mean, I didn’t think I’d find mine so early, but god Shane practically fainted when he saw colour. I get you may have wanted to keep it private, but, I can tell you the second it happened.”
“I didn’t notice.” Dwight admitted.
He hadn’t noticed. Oh god he hadn’t noticed. What kind of soulmate was he?
“So, you don’t even know who it is?” It dawned on Reed, with a soft look of pity. Dwight didn’t want that. Not from his friend.
“I, I have to go.”
Now that he was aware of it, Dwight couldn’t unsee it. Even his own clothes, purchased by his mother specifically so her son would never look like a mess; black came in so many shades. The shirt was slightly purple, a black verging on green, and grey laces that looked blue in comparison to that grey he had just assumed everything was.
How had he not seen it? When did it change? What changed? Who?
Who was it? Who was it that brightened a world without him even realizing it? No. He couldn’t have one. Not like this.
God it was a trick. It had to be. Some creature that could make it seem like he could see colours. He couldn’t have met his soulmate yet. They’d have mentioned it. It had to be like, a demon, or a fae- oh god what had he done to piss off a fae? Where was his iron? Where was the salt?
His jog turned into a run, scared as he hopped a hedge back to Windsor’s back door. He had to get to safety. There was something out there. His instincts must be so dulled from this spell. What else were they making him see? What else were they trying to fool him into believing?
The inside of Windsor was blue. So blue it hurt his eyes. He had to have noticed how blue it was. It was like a paint bomb went off. Maybe it did and it was another thing he didn’t notice- or was noticing only because of the fae. Shit. Shit!
Dwight sprayed his hand with holy water. Did that help? He threw some of the rock salt from his pocket over his shoulder. That didn’t help either. The rest of his supplies were in his room. He’d be safe there until he could figure this out.
Without a doubt, Dwight knew the world was grey that summer. Sadie’s tears, Lucas’s freckled arms, Morgan’s glasses- all stoney, clear grey when they enveloped him into the warmest hug when he made it back to them alive. Sadie had brushed his hair back, kissing his cheek. Lucas kept holding him when Morgan rambled on, more than he’d ever heard him speak at once. He couldn’t imagine what colours they all were. They’d been grey. What changed?
The stairs flew by, two at a time in a blur of blue and brown. He almost tripped staring at the colours beneath his feet. Why were things they walked on so bright? Who decided to make it all so loud and distracting?
David nearly slammed into him, Dwight had to throw himself against the wall before he bowled the other boy over. He could hear Wes yelling things at him as he rolled and continued; he had to get back to the room. He could figure things out back there. It was safe there.
Padlocks. He had padlocks. Oh iron ones even! Thank you Morgan, you mad genius. The door was unlocked when he got there, but he got to work immediately, diving into the closet to grab the box of locks and incense (labelled by creature it repelled). The lighter was out of his pocket as he started to wrestle with the bolts- no- no wait.
“Hi, what’s wrong this time?” Todd asked from behind him, barely fazed by the armful of supplies. He was leaning back on his chair- his… his grey chair.
“Was that chair always grey?” Dwight asked cautiously.
Todd caught where he was staring, gaze travelling down then back up to Dwight. He couldn’t interpret what his roommate was thinking. He couldn’t usually though.
“Yes it was. I thought it looked good.”
“So you can see colour?” Dwight asked, clutching the padlocks to his chest. His hands were shaking. Maybe Todd could help. He could help him figure this all out.
Todd nodded slowly, expression unreadable. “For a while now.”
Dwight held his thoughts together. Okay. Okay. Padlocks first. Got to get this figured out. Todd already had a soulmate. Good. Maybe they’d be able to help break this curse. A tricky fae was the last thing he needed right now.
He felt Todd’s eyes on his back as he bolted the door closed. He took the lack of argument as acceptance they’d be locked in at least for the rest of the night. He had told his roommate to keep a supply of food in case of emergencies; he could only hope out of all the advice he’d given Todd, this would have stuck. He felt like he was the only one trying to keep people safe here. His advice wasn’t annoying! It was practical.
“Nails?” Todd asked, opening the window to disperse the strong smell of incense. It was fine for it to go outside; let the fae know he would not be intimidated.
Dwight turned, the iron nails nearly all lined up at the foot of the door. “I think a fae’s cursed me.”
“Really?” Todd sat back down. The window helped, but there was no crosswind to help it along. The writer’s expression was pensive. Dwight assumed that meant explain.
“Yeah.” Dwight set the last nail in place, lining the whole thing with salt. He was nearly out of his supply. Oh what a time! “I can see colours. I think a fae is messing with my perceptions; its either that or a demon, but a demon would have clearer motives.”
“You found your soulmate?” Todd sounded worried.
“No.” Dwight said firmly, standing up and closing the door to the closet. “They’re messing with my mind. I would know if I met them; I wouldn’t just, not?”
The last bit was bitter in his mouth. Because what if he didn’t? No! Besides, the only new people he’d met that term were the freshmen. And they all treated him the same as any other upperclassmen. You’d think if it was one of them the gossip would have spread. They were the worst secret keepers ever. Not a single prank on Stuart had gone right since they started babbling to anyone who’d listen. It was a trick. A nasty trick.
“So it just happened today?” Todd asked.
Dwight shook his head. “I can’t remember when it started. But, I know for sure when I was home in the summer it was all grey.”
“Huh.” Todd said, arms slumped over the armrests of his chair. “Weird.”
Dwight looked around the room; chair aside, everything was still kind of grey in the room. His own side was more colourful than Todd’s for godssake or else he’d suddenly think the curse had lifted. He could see the brightness of the plaid on his Supernatural poster; the jewel colours of his books; the little rainbows that the crystals threw from the daylight on them. Todd’s side in contrast was dull; muted hues with barely a shade to them. Maybe he’d just not changed it up since he found his soulmate; but, he’d had this stuff for ages. Morgan always vowed he’d dress like a clown as soon as he found his soulmate- why only use greys if you could appreciate so much more?
He heard himself speaking, “When did you start seeing in colour?”
Todd smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. They were a hazel-green. He’d known that. How did he know that? “That’s a rather personal question, don’t you think?”
“I’m trying to figure it out.” Dwight said, sitting down on his bed with the incense burner, holding it out like the teak would protect him. “Everyone says you see your soulmate, and everything is suddenly focused. That’s how it was for Reed and Shane- they knew right away.”
“It’s a little more complex than that.” Todd said, turning back to his laptop.
“Are you talking about broken connections?” Dwight asked. He’d heard about one-way connections. People shrieking in delight as colour flooded their vision, only to have the other stare at them confused. That had happened to his Uncle Ford. He’d gotten over it, but there was a reason he’d never married. There were a lot of exceptions, like three-way connections, potential connections, or the complication of natural colour-blindness; but his mother said he would never have to worry about it because he and his soulmate would know the moment they laid eyes on each other. But, a broken connection… did that happen to Todd?
“Maybe.” Todd admitted. “It might have happened to you.”
“I’m under a curse. At least since the start of term.” He said, pensive over the possible fae candidates.
“Then I’ve been under a curse since freshman year.” Todd said, starting to type; like he wasn’t really interested in the conversation. He couldn’t hide the regret in his voice, creeping through the nonchalance. “I saw… I saw him when he arrived at Windsor, and I have to say I didn’t expect it. But, well, even after getting to know him he still saw grey.”
“Who was it? Do I have to kick their ass?” Dwight sprang up, “I bet they’re the fae! No way you don’t have a two-way bond! You’re awesome!”
Todd paused, looking away. “Yeah, no. I don’t think it’s them.”
“Well then, I’ll get Sadie to curse them! Or I’ll find the real fae; they’re probably holding your soulmate’s colour hostage.” Dwight declared. “It’s probably something like that.”
Todd shook his head. “It’s fine. I’ve got everything under control. I’ve got these contacts; they make it all-”
“No! It’s not fair.” Dwight knelt down next to Todd’s desk. “Whoever is doing this to you, I promise I’ll figure it out. Because I refuse to believe you have a broken connection. It’s not right! You deserve someone who cares about you; who gets you like a soulmate is supposed to. That’s the whole point! So whenever you’re lonely, there’s someone you can go to. Or whenever you’re happy, there’s someone who can make you laugh even louder. Or whenever you’re scared, they’re there to make you feel brave. And like, you do that all for me and you’re just my roommate- whoever they are, they’re missing out!”
Todd stared at him. “You’re an idiot.”
“What?” What. What?
Todd looked between mad and frustrated, raising his hands from the keyboard before closing the lid. “Just, ah, just leave me alone okay? I don’t want to talk about it. If you’re convinced this is a fae, you have Trinny’s email. I don’t want to talk about it.”
“But-”
“I don’t want to talk!” Todd snapped, grabbing his laptop and going into the washroom. “If you want to pee, go out the window for all I care.”
The lock clicked. Dwight looked between the open window and the two locked doors. What had he said?
No matter. He had a fae to hunt. Whoever Todd’s soulmate was, he would have to wait to put them on Sadie’s curse list until after he got the colour out of his eyes. He took another look at the greys of Todd’s side, a soothing balm of soft colourlessness in the confusion; it really was almost like he could see greys again; remember any loneliness was not permanent. He’d find his real soulmate, and so would Todd. He was sure of it.
Dwight frantically searches his closet for his finest supernatural merch when Todd asks what he's all goth'd up for.
"It's valentines day. The twitter destiel wedding is happening as we speak and I have nothing to accessorize with."
Todd laughs and wraps his arms around him. "You look fine. Here," he puts something around his neck. "I found your uh... samulet? Is that what it's called?"
"Thank you. I've looked everywhere for that!" He kisses him on the cheek.
Title: Let Dozing Dogs Lie
Slight rewrite of Sleepy Head, AO3
They were close enough Todd didn’t need to reach for his glasses to see the sharp features of Dwight’s face. “Sleep ok?”
“Better.” Dwight said. “Thanks.
The nightmares had subsided, but Todd had remained in his bed. One arm over them, his face in the back of Dwight’s hair. Dwight’s arms were curled up; the virtue of being pressed together on a twin mattress, clutching Todd’s hand to his chest as he snored lightly into the sheets.
He liked that Todd stayed. He liked the easy way he could wake up with a warm body pressed to his back. He felt safe, calm, and, in a small corner of his mind, loved. He would never say that last part aloud.
Todd shifted behind him, waking up the same way he did most days. The first time Dwight had felt the press against his behind, he did panic. It wasn’t something he’d really wanted. But when he got up to turn off his alarm, Todd was still sleeping, sprawled out and hard, grabbing for the retreating warmth. He’d wake up later, disappearing into the bathroom. It was after knowing Todd hadn’t expected him to do anything about it that he stopped worrying, accepting it instead. It was normal right? He shouldn’t be freaked out if it was just, well what it was.
Dwight didn’t know if Todd was aware he noticed. Dwight always woke up first, clambering over Todd to go on his morning patrol. They never woke up at the same time. Dwight had never seen much point to sticking around. Before Todd took notice of his nightmares it was just harmless pranks on his early rising roommate; now with Todd apparently being just an early riser? Well, he left quickly all the same.
That was until today. Todd stirring against his back, surprised to still have an armful of hunter.
“Morning.” Todd croaked; voice rough with disuse from the long sleep.
“Morning.” Dwight said, rolling onto his back, turning to say it to his roommate’s face.
They were close enough Todd didn’t need to reach for his glasses to see the sharp features of Dwight’s face. “Sleep ok?”
“Better.” Dwight said. “Thanks.”
“No problem.” Todd smiled briefly before Dwight felt Todd’s stiffness brush against his leg again.
Todd’s smile faltered, before shifting to get up, angled away from Dwight, “Uh I’m just gonna go to the bathroom.”
Dwight didn’t know why he said it, but he looked up at Todd, hands relaxed around his collar, “you don’t have to go to take care of it. You could just stay...”
“What?” His cheeks were dusted with pink, looking down at Dwight surprised. “I’m sorry. I don’t think I heard you right.”
“I said you could stay. You should. I’m still tired, I don’t want to exile you from your own bed just cause I’m here. It’s cold this morning.” Dwight remarked, blushing furiously. He found himself saying it anyways. He might not know what he really wanted, but he knew he didn’t want Todd to get up. He didn’t want to be alone under these sheets. If he was up first, he’d be out first; it was never the other way round. Routine was comforting that way.
“Dwight, you can’t say you actually want me to-“
“Why not?”
Todd was struck by the surety in Dwight’s tone- still sleepy but with that conviction he held to everything in his life. His eyes drifted closed, still drowsy, but he kept nodding like he knew Todd wasn’t going to run off.
“Um, okay.” Todd said, lying back down one knee up. They didn’t shift the sheets back but Todd’s hand under the sheets, under his pyjama pants felt so strange with the familar warmth by his side.
He could feel Dwight’s shoulder against his, hip to hip and thigh to thigh. Dwight’s hands remained on his chest in a facsimile of death, content as far as Todd could tell. He was listening though, twitching as Todd shifted the blanket when he reached down to touch himself.
“Ah,” Todd gasped, rolling his hips slowly as he gripped his length. He had never done this with another person, even back home he’d waited until he knew everyone was asleep even though he had his own room. And to do it here, with Dwight here? He couldn’t faze out an answer, beyond Dwight had noticed the whole time- that Dwight had felt him up against him. Todd had suspected but figured Dwight was too polite to say anything as he woke up earlier anyways. A small part of him felt offended that Dwight could be so easily disinterested, but apparently not. It wasn’t because of Dwight though, Todd lied to himself.
It had started off as just comfort for his roommate, his friend; this weird bedsharing thing they did. It made sense in a way that Dwight snuck his way into his dreams. It had freaked him out at first. but then, he’d enjoyed the images his brain presented in a spread every night. Dark, seedy images about what else they could do in this bed, if Dwight stayed in the morning. Or if they started earlier in the night, without a nightmare as an excuse.
But he had limits, staying to... take care of himself was not an invitation for anything more. Maybe Dwight truly was just tired and wanted a warm person beside him. He was careful as their elbows brushed, his hand sliding down to the base, giving himself a few short tugs. His hand was dry but life as a writer didn’t roughen it much. He slid it down again, grunting at his own pressure.
Dwight swallowed, scratching at his collarbone like he didn’t notice. Todd noticed though, his eyes fixed on Dwight, curious why now he’d say something then act like he wasn’t here.
He pressed his thumb to his head, circling with the barest of movements, careful to not go too fast. He rocked his hips barely up, nudging his cock through his hand.
“Uh.” It echoed in the empty room. The slide of skin on skin audible through the blanket, rising and falling which each thrust. He felt confined, wrapped in sheets and heat as his hips could only shift up and down into his tight hand. Speeding up was great. He grunted again, caught between the action and the object of his desire.
Dwight licked his lips, eyes still closed. He was listening to each sound of satisfaction Todd made, pretending nothing more than indifference while his elbow brushed with Todd’s; rife with the movement of getting himself off.
“Ah, damn.” He said softly, hard under his palm. It was like an ache, right under his skin wanting to erupt and scatter across the sheets. He pushed up again, seeing the bulge in the blankets were Dwight was. He reached down with his other hand to press against his stomach, like it could cool the thrumming building.
Fascinated, he rolled his head fully towards Dwight, gripping himself harder. “Yes, come on.” He breathed, a shudder as he focused on the head again with a jerk.
He could hear the shallow breathing from beside him, saw how subtly parted Dwight’s lips were. Wet from hot air; wet like he anticipated someone swooping down and kissing him. Todd licked his own lips, the heat under his hand intoxicatingly dizzying. “Come on.” He repeated, closer to the edge, “Yeah like that.”
He took another staggered breath, grunting into a thrust. The back of his throat got into it, his cock jumping in response, twitching in his hand, so close. Faster, his grip tightened into a fist.
“Shit,” Dwight murmured, hand fisting the collar of his shirt.
“You with me there?” Todd heard himself asking, hand hot against his throbbing cock. He nearly swore in relief. Dwight’s shocked expression and opened eyes towards him, taking in his roommate- pupils blown, skin pink, jerking himself off under the sheet. Todd felt electricity in his stomach, a hum of excitement and delight with Dwight’s eyes on him. He moaned under his breath, pressing his mouth into a line, thrusting his hips up.
He didn’t expect his moan swallowed in a kiss. Dwight’s arms bordering his head, a leg swung over him, and taking his sounds into his own deep sigh of frustration. He jerked up, mouth sliding against Dwight’s pathetically eager.
“Oh yeah,” he whimpered, pressing up with a muffled plea. The kiss went on, wet and needy, with an edge of desperate want. He felt Dwight’s weight on top of him as he jerked into his hand, and then immediately grabbed for Dwight.
He flipped them, rocking forward against Dwight’s leg, looking down at his roommate’s open expression. He kissed him again, his hand and Dwight’s meeting under Todd’s pants in a tangle of fingers around his dick. He was so sensitive, spilling out at first touch. He bit his lip, silent beyond panting need and choked silence as he came in a violent shudder. Dwight looked up at him, unsure what they’d just done, but not fighting Todd sinking down to gasp into his shoulder.
“Oh shit.” He murmured. Dwight agreed, laying back but not taking his hand out from under the sheets, grounding himself on Todd’s stomach; confused at himself, but not upset.
When they woke up again, they were sticky, too warm, and a little awkward; but a kiss made it all make sense. They said nothing. Dwight just turned red, and the two of them continued on.
Title: In Which Clay Plays Mentor
“Summer of Houston” compliant; mention of @margotkris’s Hanover Prefect.
“I am too Bi Yoda.” Clay muttered.
“Heard that!”
Clay was trying to lead the cohort of freshman through their orientation. Or rather Cl-orientation, Orien-clay-ion? Orientlay? He’ll work on that. Basically the real shit you needed to know coming into Windsor before the Prefect got here.
“Okay freshies- and transfers, yeah I see yah Zack,” Clay said in the most obnoxiously New Yorker way he could. This rich West Coaster was grinding on his last nerve not even five minutes in.
“Obviously you are all Windsors. What does Windsor mean? That we’re fucking awesome that’s what.” Clay said with a grin, “Our mission in school? Fuck shit up and don’t get caught. Or blame it on Maximillion, he’s Hanover’s prefect. You could blame it on Stuart but they have a damn teddy beat in charge. Everyone else is a jerk… sort of? We’ll discuss the blond legacies later.”
“Are you our prefect?” One freshman asked, devoid of sense; that was where his pocketbook instead rested.
Clay stared at him, “Hell no. I’m just a sophomore. I’m here to give you the real orientation. Okay- which one of you is from a family with a net worth under 100K?”
No one raised their hand. Typical.
“Okay so take it from a street smart, middle class jerk: in Windsor money won’t solve shit. It will help, but when our prefect arrives and strings you up by your guts for the ravens you’ll wish you listened to ol’Clay. Wit, cunning, ingenuity, and good reflexes are gonna serve you well here.”
“What? Our prefect would-”
“He’s crazy Zack, keep up before you’re sacrificed to strange and wonderful gods.” Clay said briskly with a evil grin spreading across his face. “You shoulda come last year, our prefect’s boyfriend taught us all how to bake cookies.”
Clay paused the tour of the ground floor, “Oh yeah, who can cook?”
Everyone looked fairly confident, but one raised his hand like it was a test, “I got training with our personal caterer.”
“To cut vegetables? Boil water? Or actually make something?” Clay grilled him.
“I can do salads.” He volunteered. “I make a good dressing…”
Suddenly the rest of the group didn’t look so confident.
Clay nodded approvingly. “Okay you are allowed in the kitchen without a buddy. Never attempt cooking without one, at least a fire extinguisher. They are located every ten feet. They will be your lifeline- wait.”
Clay turned, grabbing the nearest one and throwing it up the stairs they were passing to Kaelan. “Third floor?”
Kaelan laughed, “Yeah. Junior with a hair straightener.”
“See?” Clay said before the freshmen started smelling the smoke spreading through the common room. “Learn em. Everyone else, cafeteria is open late so don’t try to be a hero and cook. Only you can prevent dorm fires.”
They reached the fireplace, replaced with a bulletproof-glass gas installation after the football-hockey hybrid last March. Clay considered the group. He’d gone over the dumbwaiter, the worst teachers, and what to do if you needed to make special orders to the school (answer: office administrator. There was a different address for deliveries). What was missing?
“Ah yes! If experiencing a sexual identity crisis do not panic, pass go, or collect $200. Just lie down and accept a rainbow bracelet. Its 2012 you nerds and everyone in this school is hot.” Clay said sagely, pontificating to his captive audience.
“Speaking from experience, he doesn’t follow his own advice.” A voice said from the top of the bannister.
The group looked up to see Todd Hendricks observing Clay’s attempt at chaos reigning. He was holding a large cardboard box packed full. “Don’t listen to him guys. Clay stammered and stuttered his way into the most public bisexual awakening in the history of boarding schools.”
“Why you-“
“The boners were many and obvious Clay. Give it up.”
Todd retrieved the contents of the box. He tossed down a soft velvet bag to each of the assembled, not bothering to even descend the stairs. “Welcome to Windsor gift from your prefect. It’s the current Windsor survival kit under the new regime.”
“Its just a crystal, salt, um holy water? And … shit is this weed?” Zackary asked.
Todd gave him a withering look. “Its sage and other herbs. They’re protection charms. You’ll all be emailed the proper rituals and receive training next week after reorganization.”
“So, the prefect really is crazy?” The deputized cook asked.
“He’s in touch with the spirits. Call him a fundamentalist Christian or a heathen at your own risk. Or if you think you can survive a couple rounds with him out back.” Todd chuckled at a private joke.
Kaelan rushed back down from the top of the staircase. “Incoming!”
There was a scramble of the upperclassmen to clear the doorways, spreading to the edges of the room with Kaelan’s directives. Todd didn’t move, keeping his calm smile at the top of the stairs.
Ball of energy that he was, Shane Anderson knew how to make an entrance; somersaulting through the doors and springing up onto the coffee table. The outer doors smacked in the wind and rattled.
The freshmen looked spooked.
Curly hair flying, Shane could only yell platitudes to his pursuer.
“I swear I wouldn’t scratch your car on purpose!”
A crossbow bolt thudded into the floor where Shane had been. The youngest freshman shrieked. Todd laughed.
“You are gonna pay for that Anderson!” Their tall, dark haired prefect yelled. Empty crossbow in hand he ran after the bouncing senior with the energy of a man possessed; and possessed he did look, with clothes a week old and dark circles to match.
“I swear, I was just backing in!”
“Shane you don’t even have a full licence! You busted my headlamp! She is vintage!” Dwight caught up with Shane, blocked from the stairwell by Kaelan and a grinning accomplice.
Dwight got Shane around the waist, picking him up with ease, other arm around him to stop him squirming. “You are going to pay for repairs in full, file the accident report, and explain to the security guards and campus welfare why you are not allowed to drive for a whole month.”
“A month?” Shane whined.
“That, or I make sure you only have Murdoch as a driving instructor.” Dwight waited for Shane’s yelp before continuing. “And of course the untold horrors Sadie will curse you with. I’m talking curse for boils from last year in discreet places.”
“You wouldn’t.” Shane wriggled like his feet could actually reach the ground.
“I would. I drove here from Florida with only two stops for poltergeist sightings, I haven’t eaten anything except Burger King, and there is a cop who thinks I’m a panhandling preacher hooker which doesn’t even make any sense- but apparently its a criminal offence in Georgia. So just try me Anderson.”
Shane nodded meekly, but not scared like the assembled freshmen. Clay hadn’t seen his prefect quite like this before, but one couldn’t ignore a flair for the dramatic. Dwight let him go. Shane wasted no time scurrying out to the parking lot to make a call.
“Gonna need to clean that up.” He said, fatigue hitting him as he looked at the crossbow bolt in the hardwood floor.
“You always damage property when you’re shooting to scare.” Todd said, taking the stairs two at a time to step up to the new prefect, yanking the bolt out and handing it to Dwight.
“Who are they?” Dwight asked looking at the freshmen who were quaking.
“Freshies.” Todd patted his shoulder. “Go upstairs to my room, take a goddamn nap.”
Dwight rubbed his eyes, “yeah good idea. Wait, did you-?”
“Yes.” Todd answering the question before it was even asked. “I gave them the packets, sent the emails, your salt order is set, and your room has all the assignments in it. You can go over them after you wake up if you want to make any changes, but I figure you’d want to avoid that for now.”
“I love you.” Dwight mumbled sleepily, going in to bump his forehead to Todd’s, too tired for anything else.
“You too honey.” Todd said quietly. “Now shoo.”
Dwight was upstairs and out of earshot when one freshman started shrieking.
“Is this school insane?”
“He’s crazy!”
“He’ll kill us!”
“Is it weird to say I’m a little turned on?”
Clay looked at the last freshman. “The first step to acceptance is acknowledgement. Welcome aboard.”
“Stop it Clay, you’re not Bi Yoda.” Todd called. “If you didn’t get it that was Dwight Houston, new Windsor Prefect and he’s harmless. Shane’s one of his best friends. Now go grab your shit and keep moving in okay?”
“I am too Bi Yoda.” Clay muttered.
“Heard that!”
“Okay mom.”
“Stepmom! Don’t disrespect Mariana like that!”
“Stop calling my mom by her first name!”
“Well, she told me too…”
“Shut up!”
Another year at Windsor begun, another year of chaos to follow.
