Ashzera || Shadowhunters || Jimon || Double Puppy Dare || Jimon || Vampire Academy || Ashzera
Title: Double Puppy Dare – A Daylighter Among Moroi
Fandoms: Shadowhunters: The Mortal Instruments | Vampire Academy
Disclaimer: All rights to the Vampire Academy movie reserved to Angry Films, the books the movie is based off and its characters belong to Richelle Mead. All rights to the Shadowhunters show reserved to Ed Decter, the books the show is based off and its characters belong to Cassandra Clare. This fanfiction on the other hand entirely belongs to Kimmy and Takara_Phoenix. No money is made with this, though reviews are more than welcomed.
Warnings: m/m, fluff, hurt/comfort, f/f, m/f
Main Pairing: Simon/Jace & Mason/Christian
Side Pairings: Magnus/Alec, Isabelle/Natalie, Jesse/Ralf, Rose/Lissa
Shadowhunters Characters: Jonathan Christopher 'Jace' Wayland, Simon Lewis, Isabelle Sophia 'Izzy' Lightwood, Clarissa Adele 'Clary' Fray, Magnus Bane, Alexander Gideon 'Alec' Lightwood, Raphael Santiago
Vampire Academy Characters: Christian Ozera, Mason Ashford, Natalie Dashkov, Edison 'Eddie' Castile, Aaron Drozov, Jesse Zeklos, Ralf Sarcozy, Vasilisa 'Lissa' Sabina Rhea Dragomir, Rosemarie 'Rose' Hathaway, Dimitri Belikov, Victor Dashkov
Summary: By becoming a Daylighter, Simon Lewis became an exception. The first turned vampire to be accepted into Saint Vladimir's Academy. There, he makes new friends – and new discoveries.
His arrival and friendship with Mason Ashford turns the world of Christian Ozera upside down. And things don't exactly calm down when Simon calls in the Shadowhunters.
Double Puppy Dare
A Daylighter Among Moroi
Chapter 5: Jace Faces Simon
/Natabelle: Scheming Matchmakers\
It was only about two hours later that it fully sank in what had happened. That Jace Herondale was now Simon's bodyguard, because Dimitri tried to attack Simon and Jace went full-on guardian angel on his ass. It would probably never not be hot to see Jace engaged in a fight.
The whole guardian angel business, to be honest? It was hard. Simon should have known that being glued to Jace's side from dusk to dawn wouldn't be helping with his crush. Especially considering they kinda got it sorted that Jace did not, in fact, want Simon gone.
It was more like… they were friends now. Like, officially.
It was nice. It was also the reason that Simon took cold showers these days. Cons of being a vampire? He no longer got cold, so they didn't work very well.
He and Jace spending days together meant they got to actually talk. The "Strigoi" didn't really attack too often, so mostly it was just Jace trudging after Simon to class and distracting him with unimportant small talk. Simon let him. He had never needed to pay much attention at school and St. Vlad's didn't appear much different.
When he wasn't trying to pull off the bad boy persona, Jace was actually a pretty cool guy.
Simon knew there was more to Jace than met an eye. After all they went through together, he had seen it himself. But still, Jace usually only let himself show his true colours in mortal danger. When he was safe, his facade was up.
But somehow, in the last week, at the academy… it seemed to fade. Jace was more relaxed and casual. Simon wondered how much of it was the fact that among strangers, with the Moroi and dhampirs and no Shadowhunters around, he didn't really have to care about what people would think.
Isabelle disagreed. She was pretty sure while being among strangers helped, it must have been Simon's presence that affected Jace that way. She had known Jace since forever, barely remembered what it was like before he joined their family, and she knew what smitten Jace looked like.
He was the picture of it right now.
"...Is this some weird foreplay or are they really so oblivious?"
Natalie cocked her head where she was sitting next to Izzy, the two of them watching Jace attempt to teach Simon to fight.
"I'm afraid it's the latter."
"Oh God, they need our help."
Isabelle couldn't help but laugh, agreeing wholeheartedly. She hit it off with the gorgeous Moroi princess right away, and the prospect of the two of them trying their hand at matchmaking seemed definitely fun. Not to mention, Isabelle was definitely down to spending more time with Natalie and get to know her better.
"So our help they'll get."
She grinned, positively predatory, and Natalie's eyes sparkled. The game was on.
/Mason Gets Hurt\
After a day of being ignored, Mason was starting to doubt the genius of his plan. By the time Tuesday rolled around, no teacher had attempted a Strigoi attack on Christian yet, but the Moroi had grown increasingly hostile and quicker at shutting down any attempt Mason tried at a conversation.
It was annoying.
This was supposed to be a bonding experience, a way for the two of them to get closer, for Mason to get to know Christian better and for Christian to understand that Mason's intentions were good. But for that, they would need to actually talk.
Mason trudged after Christian now, ever vigilant, as the Moroi headed for a secluded part of the school gardens. Their last classes have just ended but they were forced to stay together until dawn and Christian was none too happy about it.
"Stop following me."
"No can do." By now, Mason stopped with the friendly tone and just answered as grumpily as Christian barked at him. "I'm not going to fail the class." He added, as an afterthought, not really keen on admitting his hidden agenda right now.
Christian finally stopped under an oak where he usually sat and read, away from people. Mason tried stalking him once, watching him from the shadows of the forest and enjoying how calm and relaxed Christian looked there, surrounded by nature and good literature.
He looked furthest from calm and relaxed right now.
"What do you want from me? Why did you do that? Told the teacher to assign us together?"
"I don't know what-"
"Don't lie to me."
Mason didn't get to finish his sentence, because suddenly his sleeve was on fire. He rushed to extinguish it, but of course that's when Dimitri Belikov dropped from the oak, acting out a Strigoi attack on Christian.
Mason didn't think, he moved on instinct. In one move, he pushed the Moroi out of the way and took his rubber "silver" stake, blocking Dimitri's attack and taking proper fight stance. A tiny part of his mind that wasn't hyperfocused on defence was glad that somehow his sleeve was no longer burning, but he quickly told it to shut up and concentrate.
Even despite the fact Mason trained to be a guardian since he was in nappies, Dimitri Belikov was a challenge. It was enough every one of school guardians who were pretending to be Strigoi had years of experience and faced actual monsters, but no, Dimitri was one of the best. And shit, Mason could see that, already panting as he dodged every hit and kept the man at bay, not letting him get an inch closer to Christian.
Christian was right behind him, staring, and Mason had to remind himself not to yell at him to run. He was safe. It was just an exercise.
Seeing an opening, Mason put his whole energy into ducking Dimitri's punch and twisting around to put a rubber stake in his heart.
But just as his hand delivered the "lethal" hit, he felt horrible pain shoot through his ankle and he would have fallen if it wasn't for Dimitri, who caught him and gently lowered him to the ground. Great. He killed a Strigoi but he managed to twist his ankle in the process. He was fucking useless.
On the other hand, Christian was by his side in a second, his hand on Mason's shoulder and worry in his eyes. If that was what it took for the two of them to make peace, it might have been worth it.
"Are you alright?"
"Me? You got hurt."
"Yeah, protecting you."
Mason clenched his teeth as Dimitri did something to his leg, making the pain explode for a moment before it settled into a dull ache.
"Yeah, but I was never in any real danger, and you know that. Is he alright?" Christian turned to Dimitri with that last question. The guardian had the decency to look apologetic, even if Mason knew it wasn't his fault he put his foot wrong.
"He will be. Can you take him to the infirmary?"
Christian nodded, immediately taking initiative and gently helping Mason to his feet, putting his arm behind Christian's back and allowing him to lean on him. It would be nice if Mason's ankle wasn't distracting him from Christian's pleasant touch by throbbing painfully.
They didn't say a word on their way or once they arrived. Christian kept silent while the nurse patched Mason up, but he still stayed by Mason's side, even after she left. Mason wasn't sure what to make of it, so he kept quiet himself.
Whatever this was, he had a feeling that the first word in this belonged to Christian.
"I'm sorry."
"What for? You're not the one who made me clumsy in a fight."
Mason smiled, attempting to lighten the mood, but it was a half-hearted effort, honestly.
"But I am. I shouldn't have set your sleeve on fire."
"It's…"
Mason paused, unsure of what he wanted to say. It's fine? But it wasn't really fine, was it? Having you sleeve set on fire was less than fine.
"We can forget about it."
He shook his head and smiled resignedly at Christian. He wasn't sure what else to do or say, wasn't sure if it was worth it. He was behaving obsessively and stalking the poor Moroi. If Christian prefered solitude and Mason staying away would bring him peace, then Mason would stay away.
Even if it broke his heart to leave a cold puppy alone outside the door.
"Anyway, now that I successfully 'killed' a Strigoi, I have this assignment passed, so you can be free of me."
"It's not… I'm sorry. I was making it difficult for you."
"Well, I was stalking you so I guess we're even."
It seemed like a good place to end the conversation and Christian fidgeted, unsure if he should go, but Mason suddenly realized he had something more to say.
"Christian, there's one more thing. I just… I need you to know I'm sorry, okay? I was… way too pushy about it but I genuinely didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. It wasn't a prank. I went about it in all the wrong ways but I really just wanted to get to know you."
Christian looked at him, silent, eyes wide but unreadable, lips pursed and expression closed off, as if he was processing what Mason had said. Mason held his gaze, allowing the judgement, trying to convey his honesty in his own eyes.
"Fine."
"Fine?"
Mason looked at him with eyes full of confusion and so much hope, Christian couldn't help but smile.
"Fine." He sighed resignedly. "Get to know me."
/Jimon: Rising, AKA: Simon Gets a Puppy\
"Jace!"
"Iz." Jace smiled at his sister, stopping to let her catch up with him.
"So, how was your day playing a dhampir?"
Jace rolled his eyes, allowing Izzy to take the lead as they kept walking.
"Boring. I didn't get to beat up anyone. Well, besides Simon, but training with him doesn't count as a real fight."
Izzy laughed out loud, bumping Jace's shoulder.
"Oi. Cut him some slack, he's still new to this shit. So…" Her voice grew more serious. "Did you two kiss and make up?"
"I…" Jace avoided meeting her gaze. "I think so?"
"Jace."
She spoke firmly, waiting for him to meet her eyes.
"Did you apologize properly?"
He kept quiet, and it was answer enough. Angel, those two were too stubborn for their own good.
"Jace, you need to apologize. I know where you were coming from and once you explain it to Simon, he'll understand too, but you behaved like a dick, and that's not who you are. You have to tell him."
"Except that means telling him. As in, everything, doesn't it?"
Izzy's eyes were full of sympathy.
"It does. You could pretend it's just friendship, but Jace… Don't you think it's high time to face it?"
He just raised an eyebrow at her and she chuckled weakly. She knew just as well as him that he didn't consider this a good time. To Jace, the time could never come. He would rather stew in his feelings and the mess he made of them.
"So. What about you? How are you liking it here. And have you seen Clary?"
Izzy smirked at that.
"Oh, I saw her. She was very grumpy because she ended up actually going to the Headmistress about the cafeteria and the mission. She's taking responsibility and actually being the one to do the work for once and apparently we are awful for being too busy with our love drama to help her."
Jace laughed, amused by the concept. Still, he had to admit he was quite proud that although she was still freshly made Shadowhunter, Clary was able to tackle diplomatic missions by herself already.
They didn't really mean to leave her to it. It just happened.
"I'm sure she did just fine without us. As for the completely unnecessary talk about our love life. Enough about me. You've been hanging out with Natalie a lot. She seems cute?"
Izzy tried not squeal like a lovestruck teenager, opting to glare at Jace instead.
"She is. She was my guide into the world of St. Vlad's Academy. She's adorable when she rambles, but she's pretty intelligent and witty and fun to talk to."
"So… You think you're going to get to know her better?"
Jace raised an eyebrow and forced his brain to shut up when it tried to focus on how would Maryse react once she realized all her children ended up in same-sex relationships.
"I don't know. There's a spark. I'm having fun hanging out with her, so maybe? I haven't really tried a serious relationship in a while. Meliorn was never more than friends with benefits and there's too much tension between me and Raphael after I got him addicted to my blood. So, yeah, I may ask her out if she's into it."
Jace smiled at her and it was sincere.
"I hope she is. You'd make a nice nerd power couple."
Iz gasped in mock indignation, punching him in the shoulder as she stopped in front of a room.
"Okay. I gotta run, you have a good night. Day. Whatever."
She winked at him, and pushed him in, closing the door behind him and it was only then, when the click of the lock echoed that Jace realized it wasn't his room.
"Iz?"
He tried the doorknob but it wouldn't budge. Damn his evil, scheming, manipulative sister.
"It's locked."
He turned around, eyes wide and unsure what to say as he realized he wasn't alone.
"Natalie distracted me and led me here instead of my room. It's locked. There's a post it on the desk explaining they'll come to open the door in the morning. Evening. Whatever."
"Simon."
Jace still wasn't sure what to say, but he momentarily forgot about it as his eyes scouted the room and the terrifying reality sank in.
"Simon. There is only one bed here."
Simon just arched an unimpressed eyebrow at him. He was clearly more irritated by this whole situation than Jace thought, because the good mood he was in after the training just minutes ago was gone.
"No shit, Sherlock."
And yes, Jace did understand that reference, but he felt like pointing that out right now wasn't the best idea. He opted to stay silent, awkwardly leaning against the door that separated him from his freedom.
"Yeah, sorry, that's obvious. I just… Wait."
It occurred to him then, that maybe they didn't have to be stuck there, that maybe there was a way out- he found out how wrong he was when he reached into the pocket where he kept his stele, only to feel a piece of paper under his hand. He slowly took it out, his face falling as he read.
"Same message. They'll let us out before class. Sorry, Izzy must have taken my stele."
"Can't you activate runes without it now? Thanks to your special blood? You know, the one that made me a Daylighter."
He sounded strange and Jace hated how awkward it was. Yes, they were manipulated into being locked together for the night in a room with one bed, but they were friends. They should be able to laugh it off and deal with it without making it weird.
Instead they were avoiding each other's gaze and snapping. Jace shook his head and slumped against the door, sliding down to sit on the floor.
"That only works on the runes I have on my skin. Simon, I…"
He looked at the vampire and their eyes met, Simon stopping in the middle of the room and maintaining eye contact, expectant. Suddenly, Jace wasn't quite sure what to say, but he knew for sure where to start.
"I'm sorry."
Simon glared at him.
"You know, there's no need to act so hurt about it. Worst things have happened to you than being stuck with me for one night."
"Excuse you? It's not that! I literally volunteered to be stuck with you for the week-"
"-well, it's not like anyone asked you to-"
"-wait. Simon."
Jace took a deep breath and told himself to calm down before they let this escalate any further and say something they may regret.
"I'm sorry if it seemed that way. I don't mind being stuck with you. You are one of the best people to be stuck with. It's just…"
He lowered his gaze, avoiding Simon's eyes.
"...it's an instinct, okay? It's an instinct to try and find a way out of confined spaces. I don't have the best history with being locked up, you should understand that."
He looked up, and as his eyes met Simon's chocolate ones, he saw guilt in them. He looked away again, sighing.
"And that's not what I meant. What I was trying to say… I shouldn't have snapped. Apologies aren't meant to be snapped out like that. And I wanted to apologize. Not for the door, or being stuck with you. I wanted to apologize for telling you to get gone before you left."
Simon just stared at him, silent and with an unreadable expression.
"I'm sorry?"
Jace looked at him expectantly and Simon finally shook his head, bringing himself out of the reverie and smiling at Jace.
"Apology accepted."
He went to sit next to Jace, shoulders brushing, and Jace found himself turning to face the vampire, getting lost in his eyes and unable to look away.
"I really didn't mean that. I never want you out of my life, you're awesome. I just let my stupid feelings get into it all and made a mess…"
He wanted to say something else but Simon's eyes widened and it made him realize what he had said. He looked away, but the damage was done, Simon heard the truth, and he would have to face the consequences now.
"Feelings? Jace! What feelings?"
He felt his face burn and glanced at Simon's confused expression from the corner of his eye, but refused to face him fully.
"Come on, Simon. You cannot tell me you didn't realize. I literally told you I would let you kill me after Valentine had taken you."
When he finally looked up, Simon's eyes were narrowed and calculating and the vampire punched him the shoulder.
"I thought you were suicidal, not trying to be romantic! And it wasn't. Romantic, for that matter. I prefer you alive more than sacrificing yourself for me."
James smiled, blushing slightly, because that was actually a very romantic thing to say. Going out on a limb, he leaned in, allowing Simon a chance to pull away before gently kissing him.
Simon reciprocated the kiss with passion, languid, slow, but chaste and full of hunger. Jace couldn't remember ever being kissed like that. He dragged Simon in for another kiss by the lapel before finally letting go to catch his breath and letting his eyes wonder.
"For the record, you shouldn't be allowed to wear this uniform. You look entirely too hot in St. Vlad's jacket."
Simon laughed, pushing Jace away in mock offence, but his eyes were fond and sparkling.
"I take it one bed won't be a problem after all."
/Ashzera: The Get To Know Me\
"May I?"
The day had started off quite well. For once, first time in the last few days, he was free to be alone and have space to breathe, none if his stalkers in sight.
It was a relief, and yet strangely, he found himself… missing the company.
So he was almost glad when he heard the voice next to his seat just before their last period.
"Sure."
He sent Mason a fleeting glance, thinking how different and definitely much nicer it was to be actually asked if he minded someone sitting next to him.
Unsure what to do, he told himself to ignore Mason as the teacher entered and started talking. He tuned the lecture out, instead focusing on the drawing he was doing in the notebook instead of actual notes.
"Is that Kirova as Strigoi?"
Christian's pen stilled where he was drawing red circles around their headmistress' eyes and he looked at Mason, not backing out.
"Maybe. She's certainly evil enough for it, isn't she?"
Mason stifled a laugh, but he seemed to approve, so Christian tried to hide a small smile and went back to drawing. Maybe he used art to relieve a lot of his frustrations, sue him, he realized as he thought back to that one sketchbook that had Queen Tatiana on fire on the cover.
Considering he wasn't allowed to set real people on fire, he had to let the anger out somehow.
And yet… It occurred to him, considering Mason's presence by his side that he was hyper aware of, he didn't draw any of them this week. Despite how much he claimed he wanted to be rid of them, he never drew anything happening to Mason or any of his friends.
He didn't actually want anything bad to happen to them, he thought guilty, as he pointedly avoided looking at Mason's ankle.
"You're good at it."
With wide eyes Christian noticed Mason hijacked his sketchbook that was also laying around and was now flipping through it.
"Did you ask if you can take it?"
He growled in annoyance but waved a hand when Mason sent him a guilty headshake, allowing him to keep it.
"But thanks, I guess."
"Who is it?"
And of course, Christian thought, he had to find that one. Kicking himself internally for leaving the book in the open, he decided to answer. He was trying to work on socializing, right. Giving Mason a chance.
He looked the dhampir in the eye as he spoke.
"That was my aunt Tasha. She always brought me sweets when she visited when I was small."
He sighed and looked away, but continued.
"It was her my parents chose to kill to become Strigoi."
Mason looked at him with unreadable eyes, but Chris was surprised to find neither hatred nor pity in them.
He gently closed the sketchbook and gave it back.
"For what it's worth, I'm sorry. That they didn't just leave you, but took her from you, leaving you alone. You didn't deserve it."
Christian looked back at him, conflicted, but strangely grateful.
"Yeah, I'm sorry too."
Neither of them spoke till the end of class. Christian packed his bag, silently following Mason out, for once not minding the dhampir trudging next to him.
"Do you have bio now?"
Christian shook his head, waiting for a moment before figuring out he may as well keep the conversation up.
"No, and you?"
"Me neither." Mason bit his lip, as if unsure, or shy, which was a weird and unusual look on him. "Listen, about that thing where you agreed we could try and get to know each other a bit? Maybe we could like… Meet up, or something? Do you have the afternoon free?"
For a moment, Christian just looked at him, hesitant and anxious, at a loss for what to say. But Mason looked so uncertain and genuine, he eventually gave in.
"Sure. Let's do this. I just need to change and we can meet here in 10 minutes. I…"
In for a penny, in for a pound, right? Maybe trusting Mason would backfire, but he was ready to try, for once.
"...I know a place where we can go and talk in peace."
The blinding smile Mason offered him before limping to his room to drop his things made it seem like maybe in the end, it would be worth it.
/break\
"Christian… Not to be that person, but don't you think the church is a bit weird place for hanging out?"
Christian just smirked and kept leading him in the direction of the chapel.
"We're not hanging out in church. Well, not quite. Just… come on."
Mason raised an eyebrow but allowed Christian to keep his mysterious nature and keep walking. He was half tempted to say something when they did enter the church in the end, but Christian lead him through the chapel, into the back, and to the presbytery, up the stairs into the attic that apparently hosted a library.
Mason had no idea this place even existed, he was looking around in wonder, rows of books only lit up by faint glow coming through stained glass window. Christian seemed to relax once they entered the space, his expression almost peaceful, at home. This was clearly a place he came to often, maybe the sort of space that was exclusively his and suddenly Mason felt almost like an intruder… but also extremely privileged to have been allowed here.
If that wasn't the biggest sign of trust Christian had in him, Mason didn't know what was.
"Wait, are we even allowed to be here?"
Christian just shrugged, sitting down in an armchair by the window, the moonlight falling through the stained glass painting his face in a plethora of colours. He was breathtaking. Somehow, the answer to the question didn't seem important anymore as Mason took Christian in. The colors dancing on the Moroi's skin, the relaxed posture - more relaxed and at ease than Mason had ever seen him - and not to mention, just the two of them. Alone.
Yeah, even if the headmistress personally would waltz in here and give them detention, somehow Mason felt like he wouldn't even care.
"No idea. But I've been coming here for years and no one else ever appears, so I guess we're fine."
Mason smiled, eyes not leaving Christian as he went to take the other armchair, suddenly unsure what to do now, after Christian finally agreed to spend some time with him. What to say, how to behave, how to make the Moroi like him.
"So this is your place? Where you come to…" His brow furrowed, uncertain how he was supposed to finish this sentence. "...to what? Find some peace and quiet?"
Christian shrugged, and he seemed to hunch in on himself even more, the relaxed posture gone again, overtaken by usual tension. Mason hated it, and promised to somehow get rid of it again.
"I guess. At first…" He paused, for a long while, and Mason wondered if he was going to continue or drop the subject, but he spoke up again. "At first I came here because Strigoi can't enter holy ground. And it was the sort of warped comfort, somewhere between making sure my parents wouldn't be able to reach me here, even though I knew they were dead, and making sure I wouldn't end up like them."
Mason heard his heart break into tiny pieces.
"But then I got over it. I'm never going to go down that road. I would never want the life of a Strigoi. But it's not like life was easy anyway, since no one else seemed to get that I'm still just a Moroi, so I came here because… I felt safe here? It's just become my favourite place. It felt more personal than my room, and just sort of… homey and cozy I haven't had in a while."
Christian avoided meeting his gaze while Mason felt everything in him scream and cry out at the injustice of this world that hurt Chris so badly for no reason. He felt ice cold hatred against the system that was unable to help a child victim and chose to ostracize him instead, but he put it aside, focusing at the warmth at the fact in the end, Christian chose to share it with him.
"Can I hug you?"
And holy shit, Christian was looking at him weirdly and Mason really needed to work on his brain to mouth filter.
"Sorry. Forget that. I just… Sorry. Didn't mean to say that outloud."
And then Christian laughed, loud and genuine and relaxed, the tension gone again, making Mason feel like it was worth it.
"Your face dangerously resembles the colour of your hair."
Mason just shook his head, but he was pretty sure his blush was not receding.
"Forget it. So what do you do when you come here. Sit and stare and look all the handsome, broody prince?"
Christian sent him a narrow eyed look, although the slight blush visible on pale skin betrayed that the description (accurate one, after all) flattered him. Then, he rolled his eyes.
"What do you think I may be doing here, in a library, surrounded by books?"
Mason pretended to nod pensively.
"Hm, yeah, you're right. All that paper, seems like a perfect place to practice fire magic."
Christian opened his mouth in shock but his eyes sparkled with joy. It was a good look on him, and it made Mason wonder just how starved Christian was for human contact. Now that they finally got to talk, he seemed so open and sociable.
"Oh my God, Ashford, take that back! Blasphemy."
Mason laughed.
"Okay, so what sort of gems did you get to find here?"
Christian blushed even harder.
"Well, okay, so there isn't that much to actually read here, nothing that looks even remotely this century, let alone fantasy or crime, but there's some pretty cool stuff on magic and history and the rest I just brought myself."
"Sneaking into the library and adding books to it? Now that's a plot twist."
Christian shook his head, but it seemed an always fond gesture. He looked at Mason in a calculating way, as if considering his next move.
"And what about you? I mean… You know a lot about me considering we were virtually strangers not that long ago. Everyone at school, if not everyone in our society, knows my story. What's yours?"
"What do you want to know?"
"What's your family like?"
Christian's words were quiet but prominent, clear and almost pleading. Mason smiled awkwardly. Now it was Mason's turn to close off some and turn away from Christian a bit.
"You don't have to talk if you don't want to", offered Christian after an awkward moment.
He didn't want to make Mason feel like he owed Christian anything, much less the truth. They didn't even know each other. Why would Mason talk about something that clearly upsets him?
"No. I mean. It's only fair", replied Mason, shaking his head slowly. "I know everything about your family. Let's make it an even playfield."
"...No sports-metaphors please", grunted Christian with a deadpan, earning a small smile.
"I never met my father", started Mason, turning to fully face Christian, the two sitting so close that Christian could feel Mason's breath on his face. "Some big-shot Moroi. My parents met here at school, had an affair. My mom… was young when she had me. My father was never interested in raising a dhampir. To him, my mom had just been… something to pass the time until he could marry someone to elevate his family. My mom never really got over it, she… she drank a lot. I was mainly raised by her parents, but… they died. My grandfather died ten years ago, my grandmother died four years ago. Now it's just… me and my drunken mother. I guess… that's why I like the school. The… family I made here. Nat, Eddie, Ralf, Jesse, Aaron. It's home, thanks to them."
Christian stared at him in surprise. Maybe they did have more in common than previously thought. Mason had been abandoned by his parents too. Was alone too, in his own way. And where Christian had holed himself up here, alone, Mason had just found himself a new family, new people to love him and for him to love. Christian felt nearly envious. He wanted that too.
"You… I'm sorry, for what it's worth", whispered Christian.
"Believe me, coming from you it's worth more than from others", shrugged Mason. "And it's alright. I made my… peace with it. There's no use staying angry and bitter."
"Works pretty well for me", muttered Christian, arms crossed.
"It doesn't have to", offered Mason gently, reaching out to rest a hand on Christian's. "Me and the others, we… we are serious with our offer. Being friends. You don't have to be alone or angry or bitter anymore. But that is your choice to make. We're not going to push anymore, because I know that… that wasn't cool. But we're here. If you want to spend time with someone and… just talk, or not talk and just not be alone…"
"Yeah. I get it, Ashford. Stop being cheesy", sighed Christian.
But the look in his eyes was nearly… fond. It definitely made Mason hopeful, so he smiled at Christian. Christian's cheeks turned slightly red at that - and that really made him hopeful.
Could it be that the puppy not only wanted to make friends, but… actually liked him?
Mason wasn't an idiot. He wasn't blind. And he also knew that he wasn't bad looking so it wasn't in the realm of the impossible that someone could be attracted to him.
He grinned a little. Not today. He was going to make Christian come to him, just like he had just offered. He was not going to chase the pretty Moroi and make a fool of himself. For now, he was just going to talk to Christian. Become his friend. And once he could see that Christian sought him out willingly, then he was going to approach Christian about any possible romantic feelings. Baby steps.
Author's note: One puppy down, one more to go! ;D Now watch them being cute and Mason and Christian getting closer in the next chapter~