It’s been almost five months since Peter’s visited from his universe, and Tony has been worried he might not see him again.
When he does show up, the timing is perfect.
Peter kept showing up. Sometimes there would only be a few weeks in between visits, sometimes it was several months before Tony saw his favorite young adult again. Most of the time Peter was fine, if usually a little sleep-deprived, and just wanted to hang out, or get a little help on his suits, or talk through some decisions he had coming up. Sometimes he needed a shoulder to lean on, and was struggling a little bit, usually with Spiderman-related things, but sometimes just with Peter Parker things, and Tony did his best to give him lots of love and some advice here and there. “Whatever I did when I was your age, do the opposite, kid. You’ll do great.”
Pepper and Morgan were always happy to see him as well, and they’d invited Happy into their little circle of knowledge by about the fifth visit. Tony didn’t realize how much he had missed the kid as well, since he’d mostly acted exasperated with him before the Dusting.
One time Peter had shown up while the family was on vacation in Italy, at the villa Tony had inherited from his mom’s side. Luckily FRIDAY was able to tell Tony he had arrived, and on impulse, Tony had a suit bring Peter to them, where he spent several days trying every kind of Italian cuisine Tony could dig up. When random extended relatives visited, Tony just introduced Peter as “my kid,” and they left it at that. Tony hadn’t considered (or maybe hadn’t cared) about the whole “return portal being able to find Peter” thing, but it eventually did, a few days later, with an unimpressed-looking Strange on the other side of it. Tony just smiled enigmatically at the harried-looking man while Peter rushed around gathering his few things. He hadn’t spoken much about his relationship with the wizard, so he didn’t know how well Dr. Strange knew Peter, but he hoped the worried undertone he saw in the man’s face had a little bit to do with Peter the person, and not just with Peter the overpowered superhero, or Peter the possible dimensional-disrupting anomaly. His musing was interrupted by the subject in question grabbing him in a quick, almost-too-tight hug before he stepped through the breach.
You're Dave Strider, and you're taking control because Jake is obviously sleeping, probably with his mouth hanging open like the asshole he is. You hover around John, following him around, taking to just standing behind the counter with him. You occupy all his free time, which isn't exactly plentiful since he's at work, but you'll take what you can. Just being around him is enough, you think.
God, this is agony.
"Excuse me?"
You turn to look at a dude who has his credit card out and his eyebrows raised expectantly.
"Can I get a latte with nonfat milk?"
It takes you a moment to realize he's talking to you, since John is occupied with another lady, glancing at you with mirth in his eyes.
"Do I look like I know what that even is?" you ask, leaning on the counter.
"Don't you work here?"
"No."
"Oh. Well it's just that you're behind the counter—"
"So's the espresso machine, but I don't see you talkin' to it."
"Dave!" John huffs, yanking you back and handing you a cup. "If you're going to be here, you're going to work!" He looks like he's still trying very hard not to laugh, and you hate him.
And by hate him, you mean the opposite of that.
John has you make coffee, which really consists of sloshing some of it in a cup and then adding what you please in it. Milk seems like the most likely human thing, and then sugar, because sugar makes coffee taste less like depressing bean juice. After that though, you're unsure of what to do.
"Dave," John giggles, coming beside you and lowering his voice. "Don't you know anything about coffee?"
"Does the average person just walk around with this knowledge?" you ask, giving him a look. "It's not like I was trained to do this shit."
"It's mostly in the amount of milk that goes in the drinks!" John says, ignoring your sass. "See, that man wants a cappuccino, which is all basically evenly divided."
You watch him pull a shot of espresso, and then evenly disperse hot milk on top of it, and then foam. He hands it to the man you were smarmy to, giving the guy a flowery smile, and the loser saunters off to a corner of the store and out of your line of sight.
"And then Ms. Jenkins wants her usual caramel mocha. She works night shift at the hospital, Dave, so she has to have this perfect!" He grins at your sour face. "That's how Jake explained it while training me, so I'm doing that for you, too!"
John pulls another shot and then adds milk and syrup, pouring the foam up top. He then finishes his creation with whipped cream and a drizzle of caramel syrup. You watch, mesmerized, as he hands it to the lady in scrubs.
"Thank you," she says. "Got a super busy night ahead." She takes a sip and then gives John a thumbs-up before she hurries out of the shop, her beeper chiming as she goes.
Once the line dies down, you get to resume your useless lounging on the counter. No one else asks you to make coffee, probably because of your untrustworthy demeanor, or maybe because you glare at anyone who even looks at you. Either way, the store is pretty much dead the rest of the night, so you can't be bothered to care.
"So, I guess you'll be busy the next couple of days, huh?" John asks suddenly, and you look at him confusedly.
"Why?"
"Because? Tomorrow is Christmas Eve, dude," John says. "It's pretty much the only time of year we're ever closed. I don't even have to come in tomorrow since the shop is closing around two. Jake will handle it." He shuffles on his feet a minute before adding, "Maybe I should offer to work for him though since he's still so sick."
"Christmas is just another day to me, man," you say with a shrug. "Guess you're gonna chill with your dad though?"
"Yeah, we'll probably go to Gramma's. Um. Do you not celebrate anything?"
"Nah, that's all human stuff."
It takes you a moment to grasp what you said, but by then it's too late. John is looking at you with a mix of awe and justification on his face. He crosses his arms.
"I knew it," he says.
"You didn't know anything. I mean. What is there to even know?" You try and backpedal, but John is obviously having none of your shit. He jabs at your chest with his finger.
"When were you planning on telling me? Is this all just some—game to you? Some...trance?!"
You instantly realize what he means. He's wondering if his sudden and unexplainable desire to be around you is because of you, because you're...different. You hold your hands up in surrender.
"John, no. I wouldn't do that to anyone, especially not to you," you say honestly.
He stares you down for a moment, and then the ice in his eyes melts, his expression changing from angry to sad.
"Then what is this?" he asks, gesturing between the two of you. "What..."
You move toward him slowly, not wanting to force yourself on him. When he swoons into you, you hug him tightly, petting his wild hair.
"I can't really explain that to you, John," you say softly. "But I would never manipulate your feelin's. The only time I ever use my influence on anyone is when I'm feedin' off them."
He looks up at you. "Are you...um. Do you...feed on...sexual energy? Or...?" He's blushing so adorably, you can't help but kiss his nose.
"Nah. I'm a vampire. Just feed on blood and the occasional cup of apple juice. Also coffee, since I got all chummy with you. It's not that I hated coffee before, I just never appreciated it before meetin' you." You rock him side to side until you can feel the tension leaving his body. "How'd you know I wasn't human anyway?"
"Did you just forget Jake is my cousin? My gramma is a witch, so I know a lot about...demon world." He frowns. "What's it called again?"
"Derse."
"Yeah. Derse. Plus one of my friends is a vampire and she reminds me a little of you, just because I never see her eat anything and she's...you know..." He blushes again. "Weirdly beautiful."
You feel a rush of affection for John, and also a rush of jealousy for this woman.
"What's her name?" you ask as nonchalantly as you can.
"Kanaya. She's been dating my friend Rose for years now." John's eyes widen as you start to laugh loudly.
"Oh, man. It's amazin' we haven't met sooner, Egbert. Rose Lalonde has been a pain in my ass since the second I met her. Kanaya's pretty chill though. Cares too much about what everyone wears though. I could probably regale you with the countless times she tried to throw away my favorite beaten-to-shit hoodie."
"You know Rose? And Kanaya?" John asks.
"Well, I've known Kanaya for decades. I mean, her and us are the only vampires living outside of Derse, as far as I know. We were bound to meet. And Kanaya introduced us to Rose a few years ago. It was kinda weird 'cause Rose was like...sixteen at the time, I think? But anyway, she's in her twenties now, so I guess it's less illegal." You shrug. "Demon love is different from human love anyway. Tons of weird shit happens."
"Like what?" John asks, but before you can answer, another line of customers come in. You wonder why humans like drinking coffee so late. It doesn't make much sense to you, since most of them are supposed to sleep at night, aside from the few that work late shifts. But most of these people are definitely just drinking it for fun.
You hang around John, watching him dole out coffee like it's natural instinct to him by now, and by the time the shop is ready to close, it feels like time has gone too fast, but it always feels that way when you're with John. He's your destined, after all, even if he doesn't know it.
John leads you into the chilly night air and locks the doors behind him before he looks up at you nervously, fidgeting a bit. You hide a smile because he's just too cute, though you have a feeling you know what he's going to ask.
"So...um. If you're not doing anything for Christmas, you can come over and have it with us. I mean, Dirk will probably be there anyway, since he's always around Jake, so you won't feel too awkward..."
"Nah, Egbert," you say, and when John's expression falls, you feel a weird mixture of grim satisfaction and the urge to do whatever John wants just to keep him smiling. "That's a family thing, and I really can't eat anything anyway. It'd look weird as hell to your folks."
"But you ate that cake!" John reminds you.
"Yeah, and it made me feel gross later," you shrug. "Had to appease your old man, but if you're askin' me to eat an entire Christmas dinner, I might just puke it back up. Can't really tolerate human food like that." You put an arm around his shoulder and jostle him. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you wanted me around."
John is silent, but you can smell the blood rushing to his face, and you grin to yourself, though you do feel a little bad. You can't imagine how strange it must be to feel these strong demon emotions when John's only a human, and from the looks of it, a human who had previous internalized homophobia for one reason or another. You don't think John is doing it on purpose, but it still bums you the fuck out, because it's obvious what he wants—he just won't let himself have it.
"I do want you around," John says suddenly, taking you by surprise. "And I'm gonna be really busy the next two days with cooking and stuff, unless Jake needs me to work for him tomorrow and then I'll make time for that but... That means I won't see you until Sunday!"
"Sure does," you say easily. "You'll make it, man. All I do is take up your time anyway."
John looks like he swallowed some nasty ghoul blood, and also like he'd very much like to punch you in the face. But you want to make him keep talking. You're tired of these mixed signals. If John doesn't start telling you what he wants, he's going to drive you crazy.
"But you can come see me Christmas night..." John says quietly. "Tomorrow is...um. I have a lot of stuff to do and probably won't be able to get away from Dad. But...Saturday. I'll be home after dinner with Gramma and Jake. And then you can come to my room again."
"Is that what you want?" you prompt.
"I want you to have dinner with us!" John practically shouts, looking on the verge of tears as he comes to a complete stop on the sidewalk. "Why are you being so difficult?!"
You sigh and pull him into a hug, enjoying the way he melts into you shamelessly, his hands fisting in the back of your jacket.
"I'll come to your room on Saturday night," you promise him. "I think you should spend time with just your old man for now. You can tell he misses you."
"Misses me?" John asks, confused.
"Yeah, man. You're all grown up now. The guy has this air of—sadness around him. Just hang out with him and listen to dorky old man stories to make him happy. Unlike me, he won't be around forever."
John looks upset by your words, and he nods solemnly, letting you go. You walk him home, and as he starts to walk to his porch, you swing him around, your hands on his hips. He looks up at you with wide eyes, his adorable blush coming back, and you grin at him.
"But till then I gotta give you somethin' to remember me by," you say, pressing your lips to his. John's hands clench the front of your shirt, and they only grab tighter as you lick inside his mouth, swirling your tongue around his, kissing him hungrily like you've wanted to this whole time. John whines into your mouth as he kisses you back, and when your hands move to his perfect ass, you can feel his dick responding. Unable to help it, you grind into him, a slow steady roll of your hips into his, and the moan that comes out of him has your inner demon growling for more. You pull away from him before you do something you regret, like biting him, because fuck, you're thirsty.
In more ways than one, it seems.
John is dazed and hard, and he doesn't seem to know what to do about either of those things. You let him walk up to you again, and when he lifts his hands, you don't know what to expect. He slides your shades away from your eyes, moving them up to your hair, and he gasps as he sees your bright red eyes for the first time.
"Dave..." he breathes, and you can't help but surge down to kiss him again. John makes you crazy, makes you forget he's only a human, and that you're kissing him in front of his dad's house. You practically lift him off the ground as your hands find his ass again, and when his clothed length touches yours again, he cries out in pleasure and snaps you out of it at last. John is panting against your mouth, so hard he has to be hurting, and you...you're going to leave him like this, because he doesn't know what he wants, and you're not an asshole.
"Goodnight, babe," you whisper against his lips, kissing him once more before you set him back on the ground. He stands on wobbly knees, obviously confused by your sudden departure, but before he can say a word, you're gone from his line of sight, running as fast as you can to a tree right across the street. You watch as he looks around before turning and wobbling to his front door. You wait until he's safely inside before you make your way to the city to feed, wondering how the hell you're gonna make it without seeing him till Saturday.
***
When you wake up the next morning to your alarm clock going off, you whine and burrow into the pillow, feeling like complete and total shit. You roll over and turn off your chiming alarm, blinking awake tiredly and rubbing your eyes.
You're Jake English, and you don't think you've ever felt this bad in your life.
What's worse is today is Christmas Eve, and you have to close the shop. The good news is it closes at two in the afternoon, but the bad news is you're going to be insanely busy, because people are going to be frantically out buying last-minute holiday gifts, and you're the only one who is going to be there to give them the caffeine they crave.
"Babyyyy..." Dirk groans, rolling to you and scooping you into his arms. He holds you tightly and sleepily licks at your neck. "Don't go..."
"I have to, Dirk," you say softly. "I'll have a free day tomorrow, after all. I can last until then."
"But you're so sick..." Dirk feels your forehead and grunts. "See, you're burnin' up."
"I'm fine," you lie, sitting up and getting out of bed. You blindly search for the light switch, unable to see a thing in Dirk's dark basement bedroom. You make a mental note that today will be the day you buy that nightlight you keep forgetting.
Once you make it to the light switch, you rub sleepily at your eyes, finding a pair of pants you brought to Dirk's house tossed on the floor. You realize you don't have a shirt, but that hardly seems like a terrible thing, since you can just wear one of Dirk's. You go to his closet and skim through his clothes until you find a simple orange T-shirt, and though it's a little big on you, like all Dirk's things, it's very comfy and smells like Dirk. Besides, you have to wear an apron over it anyway, so it'll hardly matter.
Dirk is suddenly beside you, startling you, and you watch him with a tiny frown as he gets dressed in slow motion, looking ready to keel over at any moment.
"Pet," you say gently, and he looks at you with that same pleased expression, even if it is watered down from him being tired. He really likes that silly name. "You don't have to—"
"Yeah, I do," he interrupts you. "New bond...plus...Midnight Crew... Gotta protect you."
You huff at him because he's ridiculous. "Dirk, the werewolves are nice! They won't hurt me! Besides, why would they come to the shop again today? You're being silly." You pull his huge day cloak off the floor and secure it tightly over him, making sure no part of him will be burned, even if he'll hardly even be in the sun. You give him sad eyes. "I don't like you having to do all of this for me."
"I'd do anything for you, baby," he says simply, kissing your forehead, and you tilt into him with a tiny sigh.
"I know...and I hope you know I'd do anything for you as well."
"'S part of bein' mated," Dirk says. He looks you over and then leans in, sniffing at you with furrowed brows. "You look awful."
"Well!" You pout at him and start to make your way up the stairs. "Stop looking at me, then!"
"Babyyyy..." He follows you. "I mean you look sick. Please stay here. Spend my money, I've got enough for both of us. Bein' alive a long time tends to do that."
You shush him and then open the door, checking him over again to make sure he's well-covered from the sun before you lead him outside to the car. Once you're both inside you breathe a sigh of relief, because it always makes you nervous having Dirk in the sunlight. If he got hurt because of you...
Both of you are bleary and yawning when you make it to the shop. You do your opening duties and Dirk passes out on his favorite beanbag perch, buried in his absurdly large day cloak. Looking at him fills your chest with warmth, and before you know it you've drifted over to him. You lean over him and pet him, more in love with him than you even know how to comprehend. He suddenly emerges from his cloak and yanks you to him, pulling you inside the cloak with him, perfectly content.
"Dirk!" you laugh. "I still have to work!"
He merely licks your cheek and keeps holding you, nuzzling against you with a soft happy noise. Giggling, you wiggle free, petting your cuddly mate again as you finally make it to the doors and unlock them, letting in the frenzied shoppers you know are on the way.
The morning is complete hell, much like you knew it would be. People are ordering coffee faster than you can make it. The shop is so loud that even Dirk is roused from his sleep, and he peeks his head out of his cocoon to watch you with a sad expression as you wobble around, frantically trying to keep up with all the orders. The customers are rude and they get even more so when they realize you're the only barista on duty, and the line grows longer. But you stay determined and focused, and you keep the cheery smile on your face as best as you can. By the time two in the afternoon rolls around, you run to the door to close and lock it, and then you move to flop on Dirk, who wraps around you easily.
"You okay, baby?" Dirk asks, his hands threading through your wild hair.
"Tired..." you say. "Still have to close though..." You sigh and nuzzle further into Dirk's chest despite your words because you just want to stay on top of him.
"Let me help. I can handle the cleanin'."
"Mmm...I can do it..." You close your eyes and rest your face in the crook of his neck. "Just...just gimme a minute..."
The next thing you know, you're in Dirk's arms and he's carrying you around...the grocery store? You jolt, startling him, but he quickly rights himself before he can drop you.
"Dirk! The store! I didn't close it, I—!"
"Hey, I managed it. Calm down." Dirk actually rocks you while he pushes a shopping cart with his other arm. "It's good you're awake though, 'cause I have no idea what the fuck you need from this place."
You look around and see the two of you are drawing quite a few stares, either because Dirk is carrying you around, or because he's pushing a shopping cart with absolutely nothing in it and has been doing so for what has probably been a ridiculous amount of time.
"Dirk...how long have we been here?" You look up at him.
"I dunno...a while. Nothin' looks like stuff you like."
"You could have woken me up!" You kick until he puts you down and you find you stand corrected. There is something in the shopping cart. A single tomato, not even in a bag. It's just...sitting there. You look at him incredulously.
"You like those, right? You bought one yesterday."
You put your face in your hands and make an exasperated noise at him, highly inclined to both kiss his stupid face and punch him very hard. Instead of doing either of those things, you lead him around the store, skimming through items you know your grandmother needs for dinner tomorrow night.
"Are you sure you closed the store correctly?" you ask him while he trails behind you, looking sullen.
"Yes," Dirk says sourly. "I cleaned and emptied stuff and then locked the doors."
"And you turned everything off?"
Dirk is pouting at you. "YES, Jake."
You stop walking and look closely at him before you worm your way into his arms, hugging him tightly.
"Thank you, pet," you say sweetly, and he purrs quietly, his frown disappearing. You tell Dirk what to get from the shelves while you push the cart, letting him be helpful, and while he isn't looking, you get rid of the tomato.
It isn't until you're back at Dirk's house that you notice a slew of missed messages, all from John. He'd offered to work for you, and then gotten increasingly worried when you never responded. You decide just to call him while you're putting things away, because Dirk seems busy anyway. He's messing with those silly shades of his.
As soon as you dial the number, John seems to answer immediately.
"Jake! How're you feeling? Are you okay? You never messaged me back!"
You laugh into the receiver. "John, I'm fine! I was very busy and couldn't reply. We've only just gotten back to Dirk's house from the grocery store."
Dirk had insisted to buy all the groceries, and it still irritates you, even if Dirk is rich. You love his kindness, but you wish you could help out more. Sadly, your coffee shop salary doesn't pay for much at all.
"Oh, yeah. Well I was just...worried. Um. Dad wants to know what time we should be at Gramma's tomorrow," John says. You frown.
"Whenever you want, same as always. John...are you alright? Forgive me, but it seems you're worried about more than me."
"I'm fine! Just...kind of bored. And..."
Poor John. You can tell this is probably about David Strider. They seemed rather cozy at the coffee shop, and while you don't know exactly how this happened, you know your cousin very well, and you know he has always been self-proclaimed 100% interested in women only. A little aggressively, actually. When the two of you were in your early teens, you'd told him you had an interest in men, and John, bless him, he'd looked at you in alarm and said, "Won't Gramma be mad?"
John isn't bigoted, but he is very close-minded, and you aren't really sure what to say about the situation that won't rattle him on his...unique journey to find who he is.
"Ah," you say, as you gather the plastic grocery bags, putting all of them inside another one, intent to save them for storage. "Well, we can talk about all that tomorrow. Dirk is coming, of course, but you'll find he is very easy to talk to and Gramma is very intent to meet him."
"Aren't you concerned that he won't even be able to eat? I mean, unless he's gonna snack on your neck."
You were bent over, putting the plastic bags under Dirk's sink, but John's words make you jolt upright, slamming your head on the counter. You cry out in pain and blink away tears as your mind scrambles to figure out how John knows this.
"Baby?" Dirk asks, drawn in by your pain. He hurries to you and fingers the growing lump on your head tenderly.
"I'm fine, I'm fine," you assure him. "John, how did..."
"Dave. He...told me last night." You can hear John fidgeting. "But yeah, we can...um. We can talk about all that tomorrow. I just wanted to make sure you were okay. I guess I'll let you go, I don't wanna interrupt your time with Dirk." Before you can say anything else, he hangs up.
"Why the sad face?" Dirk asks. "Does this hurt that bad?" He's still poking at the lump on your head, and you swat him away.
"My poor cousin is going through an identity crisis! All thanks to your brother." You huff. "Should I be concerned about this? David is a good fellow, right? I've not spoken to him much."
"Dave's a shit, I've told you that over and over. But I raised him. So...he won't hurt John, if that's what you're worried about."
You nod, reassured, because even if you don't know Dave very well, you trust Dirk.
You bypass all of Dirk's attempts to get you to eat something, because you're not hungry at all. You decide you'll just eat the next evening, because if you don't, your grandmother will be worried, and because the thought of food is making you sick to think about right now. You fall asleep early, curled on top of Dirk, who is petting you with one hand and channel-surfing with the other.
Your alarm wakes you the next morning, and you groan sadly because you forgot the nightlight again, but at least the light from the T.V. is making it easy to navigate. Dirk is so tired he doesn't rouse, and you decide to let him sleep as you make your way to the bathroom, ignoring the tugging from yours and Dirk's bond. Dirk's fancy shower isn't even intimidating anymore, and it's amazing to you how much Dirk's house has started to become your own.
You're in the process of washing your hair when strong arms wrap around your waist, and you feel Dirk's warmth behind you, his chin rested in your sudsy hair.
"...You left me..." Dirk's voice rumbles, and you snort.
"You were sleeping so soundly! Besides, I'm still in your house, you silly thing."
"Bond still made me know you left..." Dirk yawns and starts sleepily helping you wash your hair. "You didn't feel it?"
"A little, but I already feel so gross, it hardly added to anything." 'Gross' is an understatement. You feel like a pile of roadkill, but you downplay it so Dirk won't be too worried.
"Maybe you should go to a doctor," Dirk says concernedly, turning you around to face him. "It's been days and you aren't gettin' any better. I'd be lyin' if I said I knew anything about human sickness."
"It's fine, pet, it's just the time of year. I haven't gotten sick in so long, I suppose this is my payback for being so healthy. I'll just take a few pills at Gramma's, how's that?"
Dirk frowns, but he lets the topic go, and you're grateful for that.
Once the two of you are clean, you move to Dirk's closet as he styles his hair. You end up borrowing a shirt and a pair of his sweatpants, because his jeans are a lost cause when it comes to staying on your body. You decide you'll just change at your grandmother's house. You notice Dirk is being quieter than usual, but you credit it to him being tired. He helps carry the few things you bought for dinner to his car, and by the time you're in his passenger seat, shivering from the cold, he still hasn't said a word. It isn't until you pull up to your grandmother's driveway that he finally speaks.
"Jake...wait." He looks at her house and then back at you. "Do...uh. Do you think she's...gonna like me? I mean, I'm a demon. And you've been with me a long time now but I still have no idea how to keep you healthy and you're sick now so—"
"Oh, Dirk!" You swoon into his arms, giggling at him and his silly thoughts. "Gramma is an absolute sweetheart! She's going to love you. As for the demon thing, just let me explain all of that! You needn't worry." You hold him to you, enamored with the idea that a demon like Dirk could be afraid of your gentle grandmother, though in all honesty, you're nervous too, because she's going to be nettled at the fact you didn't tell her about Dirk being a vampire.
Dirk follows closely behind you, safely covered from the sun, though it's a cloudy day anyway, and the two of you lug the groceries to the front door. You're about to knock when the door flies open, and your grandmother stands there, a wide smile on her face.
"Merry Christmas!" she says happily, wrapping her arms around you and jamming a Santa hat on your head before you can even respond. "Oh, Jakey! You look pale..." She feels your head. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine! Just a bit under the weather. I'd be better if I could set these bags down!" You go inside and drop the bags on the counter, and you turn to Dirk only to realize he isn't there. Curious, you go back to the front porch only to see your grandmother coldly staring at Dirk as he tries to get inside, only to be thrown back each time he tries.
"Dirk!" you cry out, hurrying to him, but your grandmother catches your sleeve and holds you back, her grip strong. "What are you doing?! Let me go to him, he's hurting!"
"Strider," Jade says with venom in her voice, sounding so unlike your sweet grandmother you recoil from her. "Are you planning on stuffing my grandson in some more sunglasses of yours?"
"Jade, I—I had no idea you were his grandmother..." Dirk's voice is strangled, and the look he gives you breaks your heart. You've gotten very good at noticing all his expressions even through his silly shades, and you try again to get to him, whimpering when you can't.
"Gramma...Gramma he's good to me...please..." You reach for Dirk, the bond between you hurting you because you can't touch him when he's in pain.
"Is that why you're freezing, Jake? Because he's good to you?" She's still glaring at Dirk, sizing him up. "Is that why your soul is tethered to his so tightly? Goodness, how could I have overlooked this? He's claimed your soul, Jake!"
You start to cry from the pain of not being able to reach Dirk, tears filling your eyes and slowly streaming down your face. Your grandmother is mad at you and Dirk hasn't done anything to warrant this treatment and it's Christmas and this is just a disaster!
"Jade, please..." Dirk says weakly. "We're bonded. I'd never hurt him...he's my mate. But he's hurting now because you're keeping me from him. Please don't make him hurt like this."
Slowly, the invisible barrier that was keeping Dirk out is lifted, and you launch into his arms as soon as your grandmother steps aside. The bond slowly relaxes between you, and you press your face to his, practically crawling in his cloak with him as you desperately touch him everywhere.
"Dirk...oh my poor Dirk, are you alright?" You sniffle, looking into his eyes as you speak.
"Shhh, it's alright, baby. I should've been more careful, but I'm fine. Calm down, okay?" Dirk says gently, and you nod, calmed by his deep voice.
"I won't be kept from you..." You tell him fiercely. "I won't."
"I won't let you be," he assures you, holding you with one arm as he gathers the bags he dropped before. "You're mine."
"Yours," you say easily, clinging to him like a koala as he carries you inside. The words, as always, carry a weight to them, and you know more than anything that Dirk will never be taken from you. He's your mate, and the two of you will always be together no matter what happens.
"How did this happen?" Jade demands as she scurries around the kitchen, putting things in cabinets and the fridge. She snatches the bags from Dirk, glowering at him, and you finally find your voice.
"Stop being so mean to him!" you snap, standing in front of your poor mate. "He hasn't done anything! He was already nervous about meeting you, so just stop it!"
"Hasn't done anything?!" Jade slams the fridge shut and gives you an incredulous look. "Do you not have any idea what it means to be bound to a demon? Do you not know he's killed before?!"
You falter at that, looking at Dirk. You had no idea he'd killed before. You thought he drank carefully from humans only to sate himself. He gives you a pleading look.
"Jake..." he says softly, looking very much like a man who's been cornered. He gives Jade a look, and she nods at him, letting him know to go on. "About fifty years ago...I had a boyfriend...named Hal."
"Was that his name?" Jade says coldly. "I never met the poor dear when he was alive, so I suppose I never got to ask him."
"I didn't love him," Dirk says, ignoring your grandmother. "He didn't love me. It wasn't that kind of relationship. Hal had...a problem. Always wanted the next high that came from...um. Mating." He glances at your grandmother before he continues. "I hadn't fed one night but he demanded we be physical and I don't exactly remember anything after he told me to bite him. When I came to, he was dead."
Your heart sinks in your chest. Why didn't Dirk tell you this before?
"Tell him the rest," Jade says.
Dirk sighs. "I was horrified. I'd heard of a powerful witch living in the area and I went to her without a thought, begging her to call Hal's soul back until I could fix this. And...all I had were my shades..."
You look at Dirk's sunglasses, which flash red again. You know you didn't imagine it.
"In...your shades?" you repeat dumbly.
"I thought you were just a poor boy who'd made a mistake," Jade says, her eyes on Dirk. "A vampire and a human? But now...now you've got Jake..."
"I won't hurt him," Dirk says, looking distraught. "I'd never hurt him. I...I regret all the time what happened with Hal. But I couldn't let him go, not knowing I was the one who killed him."
"Does he talk to you?" You look up at Dirk. "Is that why you're quiet a lot and then your glasses flash and..." You think of all the times it's happened, and you'd never given it a second thought. You think of all the things this...Hal person has seen between you and Dirk. "Was he your human, too?" You drop Dirk's hand, very upset by this.
"Jake, no," Dirk says, reaching for you again. "It wasn't like that. You're the only one who's mine. Hal was never mine, he was just...a past boyfriend."
You still can't help but be threatened by this. Hal's been with Dirk this entire time, observing you. Do they gossip about you behind your back? Are you a joke to Hal? Is he...going to come back and take Dirk from you? You look at your grandmother.
"Is there a way for a bond to be broken?"
Dirk goes stiff next to you, and the feelings of despair coming off him make you wince. You reach for him and pull him to you, and he comes like a ragdoll, flopped against you and whimpering softly as he squeezes you.
"No, Jake," Jade says. "A bond is forever."
You breathe a sigh of relief and pet Dirk's hair, finally feeling a little better. Dirk can't be taken from you. Your bond is forever, just like he promised.
"Would you snap out of it, you big lug?" You try to straighten yourself, but Dirk is leaning his entire weight on you. "I didn't mean I want to break our bond. I was making sure it can't be broken. I don't...want you to leave me."
"Never leavin' you baby..." Dirk mumbles in your hair. You huff as he almost flattens you to the ground. He's so useless.
God, you love him.
Your grandmother sighs as she looks at the pair of you, her eyes finally losing their steely quality and softening. She reaches up and straightens your Santa hat, and then she jams another one on Dirk's head, messing up his impeccably crafted hair.
"At least there will be more food for John since Dirk won't be eating," she muses, and then she cracks a smile, and the tension in the room melts away.
The atmosphere remains light as you help her make the ham and the dressing. You laugh and joke around as she prepares the yams and the green bean casserole, and you adamantly refuse to eat the casserole, as you do every year. It's gross! You don't care what anyone says!
You enjoy the way Dirk watches you and your grandmother cook, captivated. He seems every bit as interested in human things as you are in vampire things, though from what Dirk's said, vampires don't seem to have much of a culture. At least not one he talks about. Dirk answers your grandmother's questions calmly, speaking politely to her, and Jade seems to be warming up to him.
But your eyes stay trained on Dirk's sunglasses, which are still on his face. Still gleaming at you.
The phone rings, and Jade hurries to answer it, leaving you with Dirk. He moves to your side and pulls you to him, breathing in your scent as you wipe your hands on a towel.
"You smell like food," he says, still happily sniffing you. "And my shampoo."
"Has...Hal said much since we've been here?" Your mouth moves before you can stop yourself. You're just so curious about him and Dirk's nonchalance on the issue has only made you more curious. Hal has seen you naked. He...he heard what you said about Caliborn. He saw you sleep with Dirk.
The more you think about it, the madder it makes you! Hal has invaded your privacy and Dirk let him!
Dirk sighs like he knew this was coming.
"Yeah. He has. He...wants to talk to you."
You're taken aback as you stare up at your mate with wide eyes. Why would Hal want to talk to you? Is he going to threaten you? Tell you to back off Dirk or he'll show you what for? Well he's a pair of glasses! You'll gladly take him on! Your gaze shifts from nervous to determined.
"How do I talk to him?" you ask.
"I put my shades on your face," Dirk says. "But it can really wait until later. I mean, he never says anything important." Dirk's glasses flash red and Dirk flicks them with a frown on his face.
"No, I'd quite like to talk to him. It only seems fitting since he knows everything about me and I know nothing about him. I'm actually very sore about that, Dirk."
"Yeah...kinda knew you'd be..." Dirk says sheepishly. "But, I mean, I can't just leave him on the table all the time while I'm with you. It'd be miserable."
While you understand that, it doesn't make you less mad, and Dirk seems to realize that as he hands his shades to you. You stare at the smooth glass for a moment, almost sensing the excitement emanating from the inanimate object. And then, as if preparing for the worst, you stoically put them on your face.
It happens almost instantaneously.
So.Red text fills your vision. You're the one.
You look at Dirk, who is watching you with a grumpy face.
"How...how do I...?"
"You think," Dirk says. "Or you can talk out loud if you want."
What do you think I am? Ok Google? Siri? Please. I can hear everything going through that cluttered brain of yours. Focus your thoughts a little more. That's all you need to do. But if you can't seem to grasp that, go ahead and speak out loud.
You huff, offended, and you try to straighten out your mind, but for some reason, you can't seem to. You look back at Dirk.
"Stay there and help Gramma if she comes back. Tell her I'm in the bathroom." You hurry upstairs and wait until you're out of earshot before you murmur, "Sorry, I can't grasp the mind thing."
Haha, oh man. You've got Dirk so whipped. He didn't even try to follow you. And it's okay. Now I don't have to sort through all the garbage in your brain.
"It's not garbage!" you defend, though you're sure it probably is. "Why do you want to talk to me anyway? I mean...I'm all for meeting new chums but...shouldn't you...hate me?"
The red text hurries across your vision.
See, that's the thing, English. You'd think I'd hate you. I actually tried very hard to. But I don't hate you. I did wonder for a long time what Dirk saw in you, aside from your ass. It's almost as fine as mine was, back in the day.
You sputter, "W-what is it with you guys and my butt?!" Almost unconsciously, you grab it and cover it up. It is pretty nice, if you do say so yourself!
Quaff that ego, English. Be it. Use it. Hal says, reading your thoughts. You can almost hear the sarcasm in the words, which is silly.
"It's not egotistical! It's important to have...self-esteem! Otherwise we won't know our own worth!" You know that far too well, and you try to be kind to yourself, even if it's almost impossible sometimes, because you really hate yourself a lot of the time. But Hal is being quite rude to you! So you puff out your chest! "Besides! You just compared me to you and said your butt was nicer, so you can just...shove it!"
The glasses seem to quiver on your face.
Ha! Your "self-esteem." What a quaint thought. It could give one the verisimilitude that my ass is an actual thing again, ready for the taking. And trust me, if it was still real, I'd take you up on that offer to shove it.
Your face burns. Is Hal...flirting with you? Boy, is he sending you a lot of mixed signals here! You sit on the edge of the bath-tub and try not to be bothered by anything he says.
Heh. Sorry. Let's just say there's a reason I died.
"About that..." you murmur. "What happened to you? My grandmother put you in here? Did you have any choice or...did Dirk just decide for you?"
I had no choice in the matter. I barely knew I was gone before I came to in the shades. Dirk did it on his own because the fucker felt guilty. Was it what I wanted? I can't really answer that, since I never knew any other alternative.
"But do you think...you'd rather have died?"
Hmm, that's a deep question, English. In a lot of ways, I'm already dead. This isn't much of a life, now is it? I've only had my ex boyfriend who killed me to talk to for the last five decades. I'm stuck with him and just about everyone I knew before is either dead or incredibly old. I'm long forgotten. But...would I rather be completely gone? ...No, I don't think so. As silly as it is for someone who's been alive so long, I think I am scared to not exist.
Your heart goes out to him and tears fill your eyes. You don't know him, but you know he's hurting.
"I'm sorry, Hal..."
Um. Yeah. Anyway, we aren't talking about me. We're talking about you.
You shake your head. "You already know about me. I'm more curious about you. How did you meet Dirk? What was he like back then?"
It takes a moment for the red text to come this time.
He...was lost. And so was I. My parents were demon hunters and it really got under their skin that I was dating a vampire. Dirk and I didn't care much about each other for anything other than sex, and...I had a problem. With sex. I was always looking for the next high, the next thrill. I did a lot of things I'm not proud of. I guess, really, I made Dirk kill me. I knew he was starving, but I made him bite me anyway. You know how good a vampire's bite feels, right? I craved that. It was why I stayed with him.
"So it was an accident on both parts..."
I certainly didn't mean to die, if that's what you're insinuating. It was just...a different time. The sixties. I'm sure you know what that was about.
"Love and peace?" you guess.
Something like that. Free love. Free drugs. A lot of music and a lot of sex with people I didn't know. Better Dirk than a lot of others I was with. Dirk was nice to me, at least.
You wipe under your eyes.
Hey...are you crying? Jake, whoa, I didn't mean to make you cry.
"It's just so sad... You were so sad." You sniffle and reach for toilet paper to blow your nose with. "I'm sorry, I just...I know how you felt. I know what it feels like to be that alone."
Hal is silent as you clean your face from tears and take a few calming breaths. Listening to Hal reminded you a lot of how you felt when you tried to kill yourself. Your circumstances were different...a lot different. But Hal...he was someone who really could have used a friend. You wish you'd had the chance to help him.
"I should get back downstairs..." You tell him after a few more moments of silence. "I don't want Gramma to grill Dirk too much." You stand and walk down the hallway, down the stairs, and then towards the kitchen. You're almost back to Dirk's side when Hal finally says something else.
I wish I knew you before, too, Jake.
You launch yourself in Dirk's arms when you see him, both to relieve the pain in your bond from being away from him, and because Hal made you understand a little more about how Dirk was before you met him. Hal and Dirk were two lonely people who met when they thought no one else cared about them. They weren't in love, but they did love each other, and there was no way for it to end but in tragedy. Dirk's had to live with knowing he killed Hal for so many years, always having Hal there to blame him and throw it in his face. It breaks your heart! Poor Hal. Poor Dirk!
"Baby?" Dirk asks quietly, spinning you around so Jade won't see you crying. "What's wrong? What'd that little shit say?" Dirk growls and takes the shades from you. "I swear I'll snap him in half if he said anything mean to you."
"Dirk...I'm so glad I met you..." You bury your face in his neck and hug him tightly as Dirk puts the glasses back on his face, no doubt talking to Hal about why you're so upset, though Hal is probably just as lost. You kiss Dirk's cheeks and then his lips, lingering for a moment before you pull away, hoping you're presentable as you go back to helping your grandmother, Dirk's concerned eyes trained on you the entire time you're bustling about.
"Who was that on the phone?" you ask Jade.
"John. He and his father will be here in just a little while." Jade turns to you and smiles. "Ready to help with the pumpkin pie?"
It's your most favorite part! You nod eagerly and set to work. By the time you have it in the oven, there's a knock on the door. Jade rushes to let them in, and you barely have time to breathe before you have a warm bundle of John propelling himself into your arms, knocking you back against the counter with a thud.
"Goodness! John, calm down!" Jade chastises. "Honestly, the two of you see each other every day at work."
"Hardly!" John huffs, hugging you tighter. "Ooh, you smell like nutmeg." You're starting to accept your fate of being doomed to live underneath John forever when Dirk easily picks the both of you up, standing you on your feet again. John glowers at Dirk, his blue eyes narrowed before he turns back to you.
"I need to talk to you."
"Oh? Alright then. We can head to my room for an incy bit while things cook."
You almost run into John's dad on the way to the stairs. He drops the presents in his arms and yanks you into a bone crushing hug. No one can say the Egberts don't know how to make you feel loved, that's for sure.
"Jake! You're looking sick. Are you feeling okay?" John's dad asks, and you sigh, beginning to tire of that question.
"I'm fine. You brought presents again." You pout at him. "We said no presents! You do this every year!"
"Well, Jake, while you and John are two young men working to get on your feet, Jade and I disagree on the whole 'no presents' thing. We don't need anything from the two of you other than to do your best, but we can help you boys out."
"Oh, barf," John murmurs behind you, and you have to bite your lip to stop from smiling.
"Thank you, Uncle—" you start.
"Dad, Jake. We always go over this." John's dad looks at Dirk curiously. "And who's this tall young man?"
"Oh, Unc—Dad. This is my boyfriend, Dirk." You look behind you as Dirk moves to politely shake John's dad's hand.
"Boyfriend, hmm? Well, I hope you're treating my nephew right."
"Yes, sir," Dirk says. "He's too special not to."
"Barf, again," John grumbles, and you swat him, wanting to swoon in Dirk's arms. His strong arms that you can barely see when they're covered in that cloak. You think of ripping the damned thing off him and having Dirk carry you to your room...
As you get lost in want, John tugs you upstairs, looking back at Dirk with another huff.
"I meant I wanted to talk to you alone, Jake," John says, snapping you back to reality.
"Apologies, John," you say softly, "but I need Dirk close to me for now."
"Why?"
"Because. Because is why."
"But this is a private topic!" John hisses.
"Is it about how you want Dave's dick? 'Cause that's not private," Dirk says simply, and you vindictively enjoy the way John's face floods with color. John's being rather rude to Dirk, and you think Dirk's had enough foul treatment for one day.
"I do not!" John yelps, and before they can get any louder, you pull them in your room and shut the door.
"John," you say gently, plopping him on your bed and sitting next to him. "It's okay if you do. I hope you know that."
John seems unwilling to speak, his eyes trained on the floor. You sigh and look back to Dirk, who is...standing in your closet, inhaling your clothes.
"Dirk?"
"Your scent is everywhere in this room..." Dirk says somewhat dreamily. He moves to your bed on your other side and flops into your pillow, rolling around in your sheets with a soft purr.
"Is he on drugs?" John asks, observing Dirk.
"No. He's just never been in my room before. Now talk, John! I want to know how this happened!"
John tells you about his late evenings in the coffee shop with Dave, Dave's lingering touches and sweet words. When John talks about how Dave kissed him, you can feel the confusion coming off him, and your heart goes out to him. You pull him into a hug.
"Poor John. It's okay to be confused," you say softly. "It really sounds to me like you...really like David, though."
"I think I do, too..." John replies, his voice tiny. "But I've never liked a guy before... I've never even looked at a guy like that. But ever since I saw Dave, it's all I can think about." He rubs his hands over his face. "Ugh, this is so weird!"
You rub his arm, letting him get this off his chest. Dirk, meanwhile, has found your stuffed bear you keep on your bed, and is holding it as he looks up at you.
"Don't you say a word about my bear, Strider," you warn him.
"Is this the one you supposedly wrestled?" Dirk grins.
John snorts. "Since when have you wrestled a bear? You'd die before you could get a hit in."
"Stop ganging up on me!" You glower at both of them. "So maybe I exaggerated a bit, but we aren't talking about me right now!"
"I don't wanna talk about me anymore either," John says, frowning. "I think I can figure it out on my own." He looks at you determinedly. "Besides. What are you gonna tell Dad and Gramma about Dirk not eating dinner?"
"Gramma already knows Dirk is a vampire. She knew as soon as she saw him. And I suppose I was just going to say he's allergic to everything," you say with a shrug. "Some people are allergic to everything."
"I guess that could work," John says.
"Surprised you didn't invite Dave," Dirk says snidely, and John blushes again.
"I did. But...he said it was a family thing only..."
You barely have time to think of another topic of conversation before you're being called down to dinner. It goes smoothly, all things considered. John stuffs his face like he always does, Dirk sits next to you and observes you eating, which freaks you out a bit, and John's dad only offers Dirk food about fifty times, which is a reasonable amount for him. You're pleased with how things go but then...something doesn't feel right. You put down your fork and hold your stomach, wincing as pain shoots through your body.
"Baby?" Dirk asks quietly.
Without another word, you clamp a hand to your mouth and run to the bathroom, throwing up everything you'd eaten. You groan and reach for the toilet paper to wipe your mouth, and of course Dirk is there, offering you a glass of water instead.
"Here. Jade said it'd help with the taste," Dirk says, tipping the glass to your lips. You use it to rinse your mouth out and then you lean into your mate, feeling awful. "Knew you were still sick..." Dirk murmurs.
"I felt better..." you tell him, though you've felt pretty bad all day. "I think I just...ate too much."
Dirk helps you back to the dining room, and you sit at the table, trying not to be bothered by the smell of food. John eyes you worriedly and your grandmother makes you swallow some pills, and soon those make you sleepy. You're tucked into Dirk's side, half-asleep when Jade offers you a bite of pumpkin pie. You shake your head with a tiny moan.
"Oh, poor Jakey. I know you feel bad if you aren't eating pie." You feel her cool hands on your face and you tilt into them because they feel wonderful on your hot skin. "You're burning up."
"I thought he looked sick," John's dad says from across the table.
"I think you should get him upstairs, Dirk," Jade says.
"'M fine..." you mutter. "Need to...go to Dirk's house. My work stuff is there..."
In all honesty, you really don't have "work stuff". It's just that Dirk won't be safe from the sun in your bedroom. Besides...you really want Dirk's soft bed and not your own.
"Give me just a moment before you leave then," Jade says, and you can hear her bustling around in the kitchen. She returns with a little bag full of Tupperware containers full of food. "Here, darling. Eat this when you're better."
"I'll help you carry your presents to the car," John offers, following Dirk as he carries you outside.
The cold air makes you shiver, and you hide against Dirk. You can't believe the sun is just barely down when it feels so late.
"Jake, what's wrong?" John's voice asks suddenly. "You look—I mean. You aren't getting better. Maybe you should go to a doctor."
"I'm fine, John. I'll...be at work bright and early tomorrow and...show you."
"Jake, no. Just let me work for you. At least tomorrow. You need a day to sleep."
You shake your head until you hear both John and Dirk sigh in unison, and then you're on Dirk's nice leather seats, your head tilted against the window. You don't really notice Dirk stopping in the city to lure humans to feed from, and then you're barely aware of Dirk getting back in the car, driving home and then carrying you and everything else inside.
"Baby," Dirk's voice says, and you whine because he woke you up. "I know. I'm sorry. But you need to drink, okay?"
"Nnn..." you manage. You feel him press something to your mouth, and when you feel wet warmth smear across your lips, you instinctively open your mouth and drink.
Oh... This is what Heaven surely feels like. This warmth, whatever it is, it's filling your poor body that's somehow burning up and yet freezing at the same time. It's making everything better. You hold it to your lips and gulp mouthfuls until Dirk pulls it away from you, and you whine even more at the loss. Dirk laughs softly at you and curls around you, and you roll into him, licking at his neck, wanting...something. Something you know you need and aren't getting enough of.
"Sleep, baby," Dirk murmurs, petting your hair. It doesn't take long at all for you to do just that.
You're fast asleep before you can even open your presents.
***
As promised, you climb the tree outside John's window and hop to the siding of the house, about to tap on the window when you find it already open. You're Dave Strider, and you've used these two John-less days to think about where you stand on this relationship. You've decided you can't be jerked around anymore. You're all for giving John the time he needs to do anything...sexual with you, but you at least need to know John wants to be with you. If not, you...
Well. You'll think about that when you have to.
You don't even get to say a word.
John yanks you to him as soon as he sees you perched on his windowsill. John was obviously waiting up, as he's not even wearing his pajamas yet. He presses his mouth desperately to yours, kissing you silly. You're confused as hell, but obviously pleased, and when he looks up at you with those big blue eyes, you know you'll do anything he says.
"Stay?" John asks softly. He looks like he's had a bad day or like he's worried about something. You aren't going to grill him about a relationship right now, not when he looks so sad. You nod your head and let him pull you into his bed where he wraps around you like he's been waiting to do it all day. You sigh contentedly and hold him close, listening to his breathing start to even out.
Everything else, you decide, can wait, at least for tonight.
