Disclaimer: I own nothing. I wish I did. 8D I'd make them do naughty stuff that makes me giggle.
Warnings: Gay characters, language, implied things later.
Notes: Part 3, of my Raptor series. You should read part 1 and 2 before reading this. But here's a vague, brief summary: Wu turns Owen into a raptor. Owen now shifts into a raptor. He raises the girls like kids (they even call him dad a couple times). Enter Zach and Gray. Owen tries to fight it but feels an immediate attraction to Zach. Then Ida (the Indominous Rex) attacks. Charlie gets her tail blown off, but is still alive. All the raptors are still alive. Simon is still alive. Ida's half blind but escapes. Delta kills Dr. Wu. And Hoskins is nowhere to be found. At the end, Owen remains behind with the raptors to save the island. And Lowery stays behind to help Owen. Then in part 2, Ida has a next, Owen steals the nest, Ida attacks, nearly kills Owen. Echo figures out how to call Zach. Zach convinces Simon to take him to the Island. Simon takes Owen to a hospital (that is secretly the largest animal hospital but Owen doesn't find out until the end) and Owen's doctor is Tim Murphy. Zach stays on the island, raises the eggs. Owen gets better. Come back to the island. Then Zach leaves. Basically.
Pairings: Owen/Zach, background Claire/Zara
Summary: Zach's an adult now. He's graduated high school. But he still can't fulfill his destiny of living with his Alpha mate on the island and raise their dinosaur babies together. He has to go to college! And his new roommate is pretty nosey. But maybe Zach likes him. He kind of reminds Zach of his brother Gray. And then one night, he gets a little too drunk. And it pretty much ruins his life.
Raptor
Periphery
Chapter 1: Plunge
He let out a sigh as he stood up a beat behind his classmates around him. The robes looked stupid. The hats looked stupid. A sea of stupid swarming around him and ushering him towards the rows of seats. Why did his parents make him come? So, okay. Big deal. He graduated high school. With better grades than anyone every thought possible. He did all his assignments, studied every spare moment, passed all his tests, and did all the extra credit that he could. He passed his senior year with A's in everything and that helped him bring up his total grade point average. But he didn't do it for them. Or even for himself. And still! He could celebrate just as easily at home. In his room. With his phone. And a certain raptor trainer. He hadn't talked to Owen in nearly 3 days! And with everything going on, both on the island and with school and his parents, Zach hadn't been back to the island! And it was driving him crazy!
He sunk down in his seat as his classmates around him did the same thing. They were all facing a large stage and in the center, there was a podium. And some woman who was vaguely familiar was standing there, leaning over the microphone. But Zach ignored her as he pulled his cell phone out. He sighed as he sent a quick text to Owen. This is so boring!
Pay attention! Owen quickly texted back. Or you'll miss your name being called.
Zach rolled his eyes. He didn't want to hear them call his name. I'd rather listen to you call my name.
Zach! Pay attention!
Zach glared down at Owen's text. Why? He replied back.
Cuz they just called your name.
Zach jerked up. The kid beside him was gone, walking down the aisle. He blinked. He hadn't heard his name being called. He hadn't really heard any of the names being called. He hadn't realized they were at that part of the ceremony yet. He swore they just sat down and started. What the fuck?
"Zachary Mitchell, you awake, son?" The Principle was standing at the podium on stage, staring across the crowd at him.
Zach jumped up quickly and shoved his phone into the pocket of his robe. He turned and ran down the aisle to join the line of students filing up the steps to the stage. He tripped over himself and a wave of laughter erupted around him. Zach hung his head as he trudged across the stage. The man smiled at him and shook Zach's hand. Words were shared about the Principle being impressed with Zach's efforts over the last year. Being proud. Blah, blah, blah. Why was everyone making such a big deal about it? Why were they all acting like it was a big surprise?
Zach returned to his seat and sunk down as the rest of the ceremony went on. His phone buzzed in his pocket. Zach sighed as he pulled it out.
You're cute when you stumble.
Zach stared at his phone for a moment. Then a smile slowly spread across his face. Where are you?
Standing with your family.
Zach's eyes widened. He turned in his seat for the first time, his eyes searching the crowd. He honestly had no clue where his parents were sitting. But there were too many people. He couldn't see anyone. He sighed and sat back and glanced at his phone. Can't see. He typed to Owen.
Pay attention. Put your phone away. I'll see you after.
You better! Zach sent and shoved his phone back into his robe pocket. His classmates were standing. The ceremony was coming to a close. Zach quickly scrambled up. The ceremony wrapped up and suddenly, his classmates were running all over the school courtyard, hollering and laughing and throwing their hats around like Frisbees.
Zach couldn't join in on the fun, though. His mind was suddenly wrapped up in the fact that Owen was with his parents. Why was Owen with his parents? How as he with his parents? Were they talking? Would they somehow find out? Zach tried not to worry as he weaved through the crowd.
"Zach!"
He turned at his name and smiled at his waving brother. "Hey Gray."
Gray grabbed his hand. "We're over here." He said and started tugging him along.
The brothers weaved through the crowd. Zach followed closely and lowered his voice. "Gray." He hissed. "How's it... uh... going?"
Gray glanced over his shoulder and smiled slyly. "You'll see."
Zach sighed. "That's not exactly reassuring." He mumbled. But Zach's doubts were short lived when Gray stopped and he looked up. A chorus of congratulations and way to go's and clapping erupted from the small crowd suddenly gathered around him. Owen wasn't the only surprise guest standing with his parents. Claire, Zara, and Simon were there. All smiling. At him. Zach honestly had no clue which of them was a more surprising guest. Probably still Claire. He quickly ducked his head and turned to the side. He wasn't used to so much attention. It was weird. He'd never in his life gotten so much attention for something school related.
Simon was the first to step forward and give him a hug. "My boy!" He said, pulling away a bit but keeping his hands on Zach's shoulders. "I'm so proud of you! Graduating and getting into the college you wanted!" Simon hugged him again. "One day, you still come work for me! If you still want to, when you are done."
Zach forced himself to look at the ground as he nodded his head. Because he really wanted to look at Owen and proclaim loudly how badly he wanted to do that. Instead, he nodded his head. "Yes, sir." His voice came out in a mumble. He cleared his throat and tried again. "Yes, sir."
Claire rolled her eyes. "You have no authority in who gets hired! I run the island!"
Simon tilted his head to the side. He dropped his arms and turned towards her. "I own the island."
Claire shook her head. "The island is owned by a trust."
Simon shrugged. "Maybe. A trust that I manage. So that technically makes me your boss."
Zara pushed between them both, shaking her head. She grabbed Zach's arm and looped her own through his. Then she turned him and steered him away from the bickering match. "Get the two of them talking about who's really in charge and we'll be here all day."
Gray fell in step on Zach's other side and let out a laugh. "Oh yeah. She's not exaggerating either." The younger brother said. "We all rode over together in Simon's limo. They wouldn't shut up!"
Zach glanced over his shoulder. Owen was right behind them. And behind him, were his parents. Owen smiled and winked at him. Zach smiled back and turned back around.
Zara kept steering them away, towards the parking lot. She chatted idly as they went. About the island, wedding plans, the new PR program she's heading. "Social media." She said. "Is a wonderful thing. Right now, we're doing a contest. Winner will get to name the baby triceratops that just hatched."
Zach smiled. He already knew all of that. He was sure that she knew he did, as well. She was trying to distract him, trying to get the focus off of him. She was a new member of their growing weird family dynamic. But she'd quickly caught on to his aversion to being the center of attention. Because if he could have skipped this whole day, he would have.
They reached the parking lot and Zara pulled away from him and turned as his mom, Karen, stepped forward and started asking questions. Scott, his dad, hung back a bit. He crossed his arms but seemed in an okay mood. Both of his parents seemed to be behaving. The divorce was still going on. They'd finally sat the brothers down and talked about the divorce. For now, they were keeping the house. At least until after Zach went off to college, they said. Scott had moved out of the bedroom and had been sleeping in the basement. Both parents actually seemed happier. Gray was certain Scott had a girlfriend. Zach wasn't sure about that. But Gray had overheard him talking on the phone a couple times. And once, caught a glimpse of a picture of a woman on Scott's phone. But the man had evaded the questioning kid and told him to drop it. But whatever. What mattered to Zach was that they seemed happier. And they were able to play nice at his stupid graduation.
Zach edged closer to Owen. His parents were still talking to Zara, Scott having joined in. Gray was also yammering on with them. Zach wasn't even sure about what but none of them were paying attention to him or Owen. And Claire and Simon still hadn't caught up. Zach brushed his shoulder against Owen's and he breathed out.
Owen turned towards him and pulled him against him. He wrapped his arms around Zach tightly. "Proud of you." Owen whispered. Zach smiled and buried his head against Owen for a moment. But it was just a moment. Then Owen ended the hug and stepped back and punched him playfully in the arm.
"Zach!" A girl came running over, waving. "We found you!" She practically squealed. A boy followed a few steps after her.
Zach blinked at them. "Uh... hi!" He stepped over to meet her, trying to steer them away from Owen.
"Carly!" Karen smiled and stepped forward to hug her. "Congratulations! You, too, Seth!"
Zach sighed as he grabbed Carly's hand and pulled her back. "Mom!"
Gray slunk closer to Owen and stood on his tiptoes. "That's Carly." He whispered.
Owen leaned a bit closer to Gray to whisper back. "Who's Carly?"
"Oh, sweetie." Karen let out a laugh. "I wasn't going to embarrass you in front of your girlfriend."
Zach's eyes widened. "Mom!"
"Zach's girlfriend." Gray whispered to Owen.
Carly just smiled and stepped closer to Zach. She wrapped her arm around his and leaned her head against his shoulder. Seth smiled and turned to Karen and Scott. "A group of us are going to hang out for a few hours. Drive around, probably get something to eat. Just goof off." He explained.
"Yes!" Carly exclaimed loudly and seemed to tighten her grip on Zach. "Can we kidnap him for a while?"
Karen smiled and nodded her head. "Sure."
"Mom! Don't we have... like... family stuff?" Zach tried.
She shook her head. "Everyone's staying in town tonight. You can see them all tomorrow."
"But..." He tried again.
Scott shook his head. "Go have fun with your friends." He said loudly. "You've earned it."
Seth grabbed Zach's other hand and the two friends started pulling Zach away. Zach's eyes flashed to Owen. Fuck his life! Seriously! This just wasn't fair! But he couldn't exactly dig his heels in and tell everyone why he didn't want to hang out with his friends and celebrate graduation. Just fuck everything!
Owen stepped back and grabbed Gray. He pulled the kid out of earshot and leaned down. "Girlfriend?"
Gray smiled and nodded. "Yup."
"He said he broke up with her."
Gray nodded his head. "Mom and dad still think they're dating." He explained.
Owen straightened back up and crossed his arms. He wasn't sure how he felt about that. He breathed out slowly and shook his head. So much for getting to spend time with his mate and celebrating. But, maybe, it was good Zach was spending time with his friends.
Gray smiled and poked Owen in the side.
Owen glanced down at him. "Did you just poke me?"
Gray nodded his head. "Yup."
Simon and Claire finally realized they'd been abandoned and hurried towards the parking lot. Both seemed disappointed that Zach was gone. Zara snapped about them needing to stop fighting all the time. Then the whole lot filed into the limo and left.
-X-X-X-X-X-X-X-
He was crammed in the back seat, sandwiched between Carly and Seth. They were in a giant van, belonging to the parents of whoever was driving. Zach wasn't even sure who was. He hadn't been paying much attention. He was slouching as far down as he could, just wanting to disappear. There was music blaring and everyone was singing along. Loudly. And off-key. Any other time, he might have joined in and had fun with his friends. But Owen had surprised him by showing up! And Zach just wanted to be around him, even if he had to do it with his parents in the same room! He wouldn't complain. At least not out loud. They were in the same time zone and he was being pulled away again! It just wasn't fucking fair!
Carly stopped singing and turned towards him. She leaned closer and pinched him in the side. "Sourpuss."
He narrowed his eyes and glared at her. "You seriously just pinch me?"
"Yes!" She said, nodding her head. "And, I repeat, sourpuss! What's wrong with you?"
Zach glanced sideways at Seth, who was still singing loudly and leaning, towards whoever was in the front seat. He looked back at Carly. "My friend came today." He said softly.
"The one you met on the island?"
Zach nodded his head slowly. "Yeah. I haven't seen... my friend in a few months. We talk and text and video." He breathed out. "But it's not the same."
"Hmm..." Carly tilted her head to the side. "I don't remember seeing... your friend there." She frowned slightly. "But... I guess I have no clue what your friend looks like so..." She shrugged slightly.
Zach smiled. "Yeah, you don't."
"I'm so sorry!" She sighed. "If I'd known, I would have just pulled Seth off without you."
Zach shook his head. "It's fine. Everyone's staying the night, I guess."
Her eyes widened slightly. "At your house? Awkward!"
Zach shook his head quickly. "I hope not!" Even if that meant Owen in his house. And sneaking Owen into his bedroom. "My aunt, her fiancé, and their boss showed up, too. From the island."
"Full house."
Zach breathed out and nodded his head. "Yeah." His phone buzzed and he pulled it out.
New text from Owen. Girlfriend?
Zach smiled. As far as my parents know. Perfect straight son.
She knows right?
Zach rolled his eyes.
"What?" Carly asked as the car pulled to a stop. Everyone was suddenly getting out of the car and they followed. They were at a fast food place. Carly grabbed Zach's arm and pulled him back from the crowd. "Answer me!"
Zach shurgged. "He was asking about you." He said. "Wanted to know if you knew we weren't dating anymore. Uh... you and me." He added awkwardly.
"I'll tell him." Then she darted forward, catching Zach by surprise when she grabbed his phone. She darted back out of reach and Zach actually tripped over himself. He flailed a bit from the ground and Carly stood over him for a moment, dangling the phone above him. She let out a giggle. "I'm just teasing you, Zach. You know I'd never do that, right?"
Zach breathed out in relief and nodded his head. He got his feet under him and stood up slowly. He brushed himself off.
And suddenly, the phone in Carly's hand started ringing. She let out a squeak in surprise, "Oh!" Her eyes widened and she looked at Zach. "Uh... I didn't mean to look... it says Owen... I'm sorry!"
Zach scrambled the rest of the way up and snatched the phone back from her. He pressed answer and put it to his ear. "Hi!" He said quickly, sounding a bit out of breath.
"Zach? You okay?"
"Yeah!" He said a bit too quickly. "I uh... tripped..."
There was a pause over the line. And then Owen burst out laughing. "Of course you did."
Zach pulled the phone away from his ear for a moment and glared at the phone. "Asshole is fucking laughing at me!"
"Well... you did trip." Carly said, tilting her head to the side. "And you tripped earlier at the ceremony."
"Is that her?" Owen asked.
Zach put the phone back to his ear. "Yeah." He mumbled.
"Zach..." Owen let out a sigh.
"We're just friends!" Zach said quickly. "I swear!"
"Let me tell him!" Carly said, stepped forward.
Zach hesitated a moment. Then he pulled the phone away and hit speakerphone. "Okay, tell him."
"Hi, Owen!" Carly actually waved at the phone. Then quickly lowered her hand and blinked. "Uh... I waved at the phone. Oh my god. I'm such a dork!" She giggled and shook her head.
"A little." Owen said over the speakerphone. "Sorta cute, too."
Carly smiled widely. "Thanks! Uh... but yeah. We're not dating anymore. We broke up when he got back and said he had a boyfriend."
Zach rolled his eyes and shook his head. This was a mistake. He should have just ran for it the moment he got out of the van. He the track star. He was faster than all of them.
Carly smiled and stuck her tongue out at Zach. "But like... I'm not seeing anyone right now, not really interested. So I offered to pretend at school and with his parents. Because he wasn't ready to come out yet."
Zach sighed at that. "Understatement." He mumbled.
"But we are totally breaking up for real when we go off to college!" Carly said, pointing a finger at Zach. "Because I'm totally going to meet some awesome, not-gay college guys."
Zach held up his free hand and nodded. "Fair enough."
"So..." Owen strung out the word over speakerphone. "Carly, right?"
"Yes!" She said. "I'm Carly! Hi!"
Owen let out a laugh. "Hello, Carly."
"Zach didn't tell me your name." She added quickly, interrupting whatever Owen was going to say. "You called after I stole his phone and I looked at the display by accident."
Owen laughed again. "Yeah, anyways. Carly. You're really okay with this?"
Carly got quiet for a moment. She looked away and lifted her hand to her mouth to nibble on a nail. "I uh... I mean..." She stumbled over the words for a moment. Then she breathed out loudly and turned back to stare at the phone in Zach's hand. "I'm a little pissed. And a little hurt. I really liked him. But it's not his fault he's gay. Or his fault he met you. Fate or some stupid shit. But we were friends before I asked him out. So..." She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "I kinda still wanna be friends. And friends help each other so..."
"Carly! Zach!"
Zach quickly took the phone off speakerphone and pressed it to his ear as Seth came walking towards them. "Hey uh..." Zach turned slightly and whispered into the phone. "I gotta go."
"Yeah, okay." Owen sounded disappointed.
"I'll text you." Zach shoved the phone in his pocket and the three of them headed inside.
They ordered food and sat in a booth in the corner. Zach picked at his food as the group talked and laughed and at one point, Seth even jumped up and started singing. Zach smiled and laughed as he watched his friend. He rolled his eyes as Seth turned towards him and tried to pulled him up on the table. But he was saved by the manager who was suddenly there, angry and glaring. Seth quickly dropped back down to his seat. And was quiet until they were ready to leave.
An hour later, and they were at the mall. No real reason. But they ran into some other friends and someone suggested playing hide and seek. At the mall. Which was why he and Seth were sitting behind the mannequins in the front window display of the athletic supply store. The clerk at the counter had laughed when Seth told them they were playing hide and seek. And the man had said they should hide behind the trio of mannequins.
Zach pulled out his phone. He was bored. He'd officially been hanging out with his friends for nearly three hours. That had to qualify. Surely he could go home now. He sent a text to Owen. Come save me. He typed and sent.
Are you that bored?
Yes! Zach typed. It's been long enough. I need to see you. He sighed as he stared at his words on the screen. Did that sound desperate? He was a bit desperate. But was it too desperate?
Where are you?
Zach texted him the address of the mall.
It'll take me 25 minutes to get there. Tell them you have to go. Big family dinner thing.
Zach smiled. Hurry. He typed. Safely. He stood up and shoved his phones in his pocket. "Hey Seth."
Seth was very into the game. He was laying on the floor, peering out from between the soccer mannequin's legs. His eyes were scanning the walkway for whichever team was it. At Zach's voice, he sat up. He reached over, grabbed Zach's hand, and pulled him down. "They're gonna see you!"
"Sorry." Zach mumbled as he perched beside Seth. "But this is gonna be my last round. It's getting late and we got this family dinner thing. Parents just texted and reminded me. Ride'll be here in like 20."
"Shit." Seth shook his head. "That sucks, man."
Zach nodded his head. "Yeah."
Seth looked down at his phone as it chirped. "Yes! Carly's it!" He jumped up and fist punched the air. Then ducked back down.
Zach smiled. He pulled his phone back out and hit Carly's number.
Carly let out a groan as she answered. "We were hiding in the lingerie store and Brandon wouldn't stop giggling!"
Zach laughed loudly and shook his head. "Tell whoever brought their little brother, not to bring their little brother. Isn't he like 12?"
"No." Carly whispered, her voice heavy. "He's almost 17!"
"Huh..." Zach would have never guessed that. "Uh... well... anyways. I gotta go. Big family dinner."
Carly let out a laugh. "Oh yeah. Dinner. Sure. Hey Brandon, I have to use the ladies room. I'll be right back."
"Awe! Come on! Can't ya hold it?" A voice whined in the background.
"Shut it!" Carly snapped. "I'm not listening to you whine anymore."
"You're hot when you're angry."
"Sit here and don't move! I mean it!" She sighed loudly. I'm totally gonna smack him before this is over."
Zach laughed. "Sounds like he has a crush on you."
"Don't say that ever again!" Carly said in a serious voice. "Hey, so Owen? He sounded old."
"Uh..." Zach slipped out of the display window and stepped out of Seth's earshot. "He's not old!"
"Well... older." She corrected. "Was he that hot muscly blond guy talking with your brother?"
Zach rolled his eyes. Why'd she have to notice him? "Yeah."
"Zach!" She exclaimed loudly and let out a giggle. "Oh my god! He's so hot!"
Zach sighed. "Carly!"
"I bet you two are so cute together!" She actually squealed that time.
Zach rubbed at his forehead. "Stop it!"
"Are you taller than him?"
"Maybe." Zach mumbled out. "Like... half an inch or something."
"He a good kisser?"
"Carly!"
"He coming to get you?"
"Yes!" He snapped.
"Can I meet him?"
Zach paused for a moment. That had caught him completely off guard. What? He blinked. "Fuck no!" He finally answered.
"Why not?" She asked.
"Why do you want to?" He countered.
"Cuz he's the guy who stole my boyfriend."
Zach rolled his eyes. "No."
"Oh come on!" She whined a bit.
"No."
"I just wanna say hi."
"No." He said again.
"He's hot."
"Yeah, I know."
"So let me say hi!"
"You already said hi!"
She was silent for a moment. "That... doesn't count."
"In fact, I think you said hi twice. So nope. I'll talk to you later. Bye." He hung up the phone before she could respond. Then he said bye to Seth, waved at the store clerk, and slipped out of the store. He spent the next 15 minutes actually hiding from Carly. He'd seen her heading his way as he walked down the walkway. He ducked into a store and hid until she walked past. Brandon was trailing behind her and she was clearly looking for Zach. But he evaded her and darted outside when Owen called.
The raptor alpha pulled up in a soccer mom looking minivan. Zach stared at it for a moment before he opened the door and slipped in. "Seriously?" He pulled the door shut and shook his head.
Owen shrugged. "This is what your aunt rented." He said. "I think she wanted to like... drive everyone over together. And then Simon showed up in a limo."
Zach glanced out the window. There was no sign of Carly. But that didn't mean anything. "Drive. Now."
Owen watching him curiously. "Why the rush?"
"Because Carly's probably lurking somewhere." Zach said, his eyes still on the mall doors. He pulled on the seatbelt. "She wants to say hi." Owen let out a laugh as he pulled the van into the line of mall traffic. He let Zach direct him away from the mall and out into road traffic. Then they pulled off into the parking lot of a big store. Zach pointed to a line of empty parking spots towards the back. "Pull in there."
Owen watched him sideways. But he nodded and put the van into park and turned it off. He leaned back. "Okay. Now what?"
Zach rolled his eyes as he unbuckled his belt. He leaned over the center console of the van and tried to fiddle with the settings on the driver's seat. "This thing go back anymore?" Owen tilted his head to the side and smiled. He unbuckled his seatbelt and reached down. The seat slid back, moving impossibly far from the pedals and steering wheel. There was no way anyone would ever drive sitting that far back. But the second Owen's seat stopped moving, Zach was climbing over him. It was still a tight fit but he straddled Owen's waist and his back brushed against the steering wheel. Zach leaned forward a bit and laced his arms around Owen's neck loosely. "Hi."
Owen piqued an eyebrow as he moved his hands to Zach's waist. "Hi? You made me drive a half mile from the mall, park in the back of some random parking lot, and climbed in my lap like a dog. And you say hi."
"Didn't want anyone I know to see." Zach answered, a slight shrug to his shoulders. "Or worse... Carly."
Owen laughed softly. "She seems nice."
Zach shook his head. "I don't want to talk about Carly."
"Fair." Owen said, nodding. "What do you want to talk about?"
"I don't want to talk."
"Oh yeah?" Owen asked slowly. "What do you want to do?"
"Stop talking."
"Make me."
Zach leaned forward and captured Owen's lips. He opened his mouth and his tongue slid against Owen's. It wasn't like their last chaste goodbye kiss. It was hard, fast, and messy. It was seven months of no physical contact. seven months of both being too busy, of missed calls, forgotten texts, and falling asleep on each other. Seven months of frustration and hunger. Zach fisted his hands in Owen's hair and pulled. Owen trailed his hands under Zach's shirt. Zach pulled away, slightly breathless and his lips red. He let out a giggle and ducked his head a bit.
Owen smiled. "Ticklish?"
Zach's blush darkened a little and he looked out the window, suddenly remembering they were in a car. "A little, I guess." He admitted softly.
Owen's fingers danced across Zach's skin again and Zach shivered and flinched again. "Good to know." Owen said with a laugh. Zach threaded his fingers in Owen's hair again and pulled hard, forcing Owen's head back. Zach dipped his head forward. He touched his lips to Owen's neck. He ran his tongue up to Owen's ear and nibbled on the lobe a bit. Owen let out a rumble in his chest. Then he pulled his hands off Zach. He detached Zach's hands from his hair and held the younger man back. "You need to stop."
"Why?"
"Because you do." Owen answered, his voice dark.
Zach let out a frustrated sigh and he leaned back against the steering wheel. "I'm an adult now." He said, a slight whine in his voice.
Owen leaned back against the seat. "No."
"I did all your conditions." Zach insisted. "I broke up with Carly, I graduated high school, and I came back to the island!"
Owen shook his head. "Third one doesn't count."
Zach frowned. "Yeah, it does."
Owen shook his head again. "You being forced to come back so quick doesn't count."
"I wasn't forced." Zach said bluntly. "It was my idea. I begged Simon."
"No." Owen shook his head. "You're supposed to want to come back. Later. After college. To live with me."
"No, no, no!" Zach shook his head. "The conditions came before the college shit." He insisted. "You just said I had to like... take time and decide what I wanted with my life cuz blah, blah, blah. I'm a kid and I'm just starting or whatever."
Owen rolled his eyes. "A couple weeks isn't long enough to make a life altering decision."
"I already decided." Zach insisted again. "You're it for me." He proclaimed. "You're all I want. Forever."
Owen smiled. He reached up and slid his hand up Zach's neck. He pulled Zach down towards him until their foreheads touched. Owen closed his eyes. "You don't know what hearing that does to me." He said softly, his voice barely a whisper.
"Show me."
Owen breathed out and pulled away again. "Forever, Zach. You said it. Some quickie in a rented van in a parking lot ain't gonna cut it."
Zach let out a frustrated groan. He rolled off Owen, rather ungracefully, and plopped back down in the passenger seat. He crossed his arms and leaned against the door. He was pouting. And again, ruining their probably last few moments alone together for who knows how long. Because Owen would go back to the island to do his job. And Zach would have to spend the summer getting ready to go to stupid college! Shopping and shit. And packing. And moving across the country. Into a dorm room. With a stupid roommate. And getting books and whatever else shit he needed for college. He sighed deeply.
"Zach." Owen breathed out. "You seriously going to have a hissy fit every time something doesn't go your way?"
"I'm not having a fit." Zach mumbled. "Just... frustrated." He breathed out and straightened up. He was having a hissy fit. He realized it. And it was not an adult way to handle things. "Fine." He said. "So you're saying... not now. But not... never, right?"
Owen reached down and adjusted the seat back in driving position. "Definitely not never." He breathed out. "So subject change." He said quickly. "Your parents actually think you're still out with your friends. So you're probably good for a couple more hours."
Zach tilted his head. "Where does everyone think you are?"
"Back at the hotel, sleeping." Owen answered. "Jet lag."
Zach pulled out his cell phone. "We're going on a date." He said as he starting scrolling.
"Okay." Owen said. "Where?"
They didn't really have a lot of time. And it was afternoon of a workday. And it was too late to plan anything. Plus there wasn't really anything do to. Other than the lame, normal date shit. "Movie and dinner." Zach said.
Owen nodded. "That'll work."
"The movie theater is back at the mall." Zach said, bringing up the website and checking movie times. He really wasn't even sure what was playing or what half of the movies where. He was just looking forward to sitting in a dark theater with Owen, where no one would see them together. "So we'll have to wait and try to sneak in. Less chance of Carly seeing us."
"So we got some time to kill?"
Zach nodded his head. "Half hour at least."
Owen smiled. "So... since we're at a store... if I bought you a new pillow and blanket... if you don't have any like emotional attachment to them... could I have your old pillow and blanket that you've been sleeping with?"
Zach glanced up from his phone. He tilted his head to the side. "Why?" He asked slowly.
Owen turned his gaze out the window, avoiding looking at Zach. "Because they'll smell like you... and the bungalow doesn't smell like you anymore. The uh... twins miss it."
"The twins miss my scent." Zach repeated slowly, a smile stretching across his face.
"Yes." Owen answered.
"I'll say yes." Zach started. "If you tell me who really misses my scent."
Owen let out a sigh. "Fine. Me." He leaned back in the seat and crossed his arms. "Everything smelled like you when I got back. Everything. And I liked it. But then it started fading and it's completely gone and I can't sleep."
Zach's smile seemed to only get bigger. "You can't sleep because it doesn't smell like me anymore."
"Yes!" Owen snapped and then quickly breathed out. "I mean, the twins miss it, too. And the raptors. I'd give them the pillow. I'd share. But mostly, yeah. Me. I need it."
Zach nodded and opened the door.
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Author's Notes: Hope you enjoyed the beginning to part 3! Also, I started writing a side story, revolving around Gray. You don't really have to read it, but it will be mentioned way later in this part. So... it's titled: Raptor Sides: Gold and Red and Gray?