Pairing-Aiden/Tommy-(m/m) mild 4x hand
New Orleans
Sunday, January 21, 2011
Marcel had burned his last bridge with Diego. It was bad enough that Marcel let those damn siphon vamps walk after killing Diego's crew at the docks. They had been doing Marcel's bidding, but Marcel made an alliance with them and let them go after the encouragement of his hybrid daddy.
"I hate wolves more than anything," Diego spat. He only had a few disjointed progeny around. None were very strong or daywalkers, but they were loyal and brave. Well, at least they were brave, he wasn't sure how loyal they were as most seemed there in the vamp den he made for the party and the promise of someday working for the King of New Orleans. Right now, that was still Marcel Gerard.
"Why, Boss? There ain't a lot of wolves around. I thought they were just a myth, truth be told," Anjou, a middle aged Black female vampire asked.
"They tore apart my family. Not a myth to me that damn day. Killed my sister right in front of me. If...Marcel hadn't found me and turned me, I would have died, too. I made a vow that I would kill any wolves I found. Yet, that was when I didn't know that Marcel's 'Papa" was the big, bad Klaus Mikaelson himself. I didn't know that my boss had a love for the filthy beasts. That was on me," Diego said taking a slug from his whiskey bottle.
Some of the vamps in the cramped flat nodded.
"But now I know. I know that Marcel is going to help a bunch of wolves not only turn on the full moon, but with some kind of fancy magic ring, turn any damn time they wanted. Did y'all ever see what a wolf can do to a vampire? Their venom is like slow burning acid that drives you insane before it kills you. The wolves need to go!" Diego shouted as he smashed his whisky bottle against the floor in a rage.
"So what do we do, Diego?" Anjou prompted. She wore a black leather jacket and her hair was in tight cornrows. Normally, Diego would have found her pretty, but today he just wanted justice. There would be time for love and fun when he was the king of this city, he had earned that.
"We take back the city! Marcel isn't even here. Witches attacked and hexed Father Kieran of the human faction. The wolves are poised to take over the city and we need to go to the Bayou and stop them! Until they get those rings, they are powerless against us," Diego shrieked. "Let's go!"
"But we can't walk in the sun! We'll burn," Anjou reminded him.
"Oh yeah, but I'm out of booze," Diego spouted. He'd just have a rest until the sun went down. "Sleep now, vamps. At dusk, we will go to the Bayou and rid the Bayou of the wolf threat."
Louisiana Bayou
Josh had wanted to take Aiden into the city for the day, but Mary still wouldn't allow it. She was just nervous.
Marcel had called earlier and informed him that the spell from the rings was tied to Tyler's blood. Marcel said that they wouldn't give up and that he was sure there was another way to make the rings. But now, Josh had to tell the others.
"Hey, Ms. Mary," Josh called out as Mary took clothes down from the line. "Let me help you some."
"Why thank you, Joshua. My arthritis is acting up today. Any news from up north?" Mary asked quietly.
"Yeah, about that...It's not good, ma'am. Marcel said that the spell didn't work right. The blood was tied to one of the hybrid boy's up there and they were afraid it would kill him. They are going to keep trying. I'm sorry for getting your hopes up," Josh said pausing folding the sheet he was unpinning.
"Oh Josh, magic ain't a science. The boys will be disappointed and Hayley, but maybe it is for the best. Those rings put a target on our own backs all the same," Mary mused.
"Yes, ma'am. I guess I better go tell the others. Is Mason still here?" Josh said looking for his tent.
"Nah, he took off for his family home this morning, I reckon. Another lone wolf lookin' for a pack," Mary smiled wanly. The crow's feet around her eyes spread out, but she looked stronger to Josh. Mary seemed to be standing taller.
Josh carried in the laundry to the house.
Ollie's face fell when he saw Josh with the laundry.
"Sorry, Grandma, I was gonna do it. I forgot," Oliver admitted. He and Jackson were watching football on the small tv.
"It's okay, boy. Y'all take a load off, you've been working hard," Mary said patting Ollie on the shoulder.
"Hey guys, where's Aiden?" Josh asked. He didn't hear him back in the small bedroom he shared with his brother Tommy.
"Oh, he and Hayley went with Tommy to check his traps. They said they might do some fishin', too," Jackson informed him as he kept his eyes on the tv. Josh mumbled thanks and went out to try to find his boyfriend.
Mary hollered, "Watch your footing out there, Josh. Snakes and all!"
Even though Josh knew a snake could not longer kill him, they still scared the hell out of him. He carefully picked his way across the swampy yard and then listened for voices. After he heard some, he vamped to them.
"Josh! About time. I didn't think you were coming," Aiden said rushing to hug his slightly older boyfriend.
"You know I can't stay away from my favorite nature reserve! All this awesome, like wildlife to um, enjoy. I especially love the snakes," Josh said sarcastically as he held Aiden to him for dear life.
"Any news from the city?" Hayley inquired. She was holding a bucket of guts or something. Josh could smell it and it was making him sick. He was trying to avoid looking at it.
Tommy laughed at Josh's disgust, "It's just bait and some stuff I put in the traps. Sorry, Josh. I know it's gross."
"No, Tommy. I probably shouldn't be so squeamish, being as I am technically dead and all," Josh quipped, still trying to avoid looking in the bucket.
"Something is wrong, ain't it?" Hayley pressed. "Just tell us, Joshua."
Josh stopped, "I'm so sorry, guys. The moonlight ring spell was a bust. Marcel said they had to stop. But they are going to try again something else, so don't give up, okay?"
"A bust? I got my butt busted for those damn stones. Shit, Josh, I can't believe this," Aiden complained. He glanced at Tommy. He had tried to protect him from all this, but there were few secrets out here.
Hayley patted Aiden gently on the arm with her free hand.
"I'm sorry, Aiden. I should have been there," Hayley said softly.
"Me, too, man," Tommy added.
"No, guys. It's just...all we went through. It seemed like it meant something," Aiden said kicking a fallen log.
Josh frowned. He knew Aiden would never really get over being paddled at school for skipping the day after they stole the stones. For Ollie and Jack, it was no big thing, but for Aiden, it was a traumatic experience. At least when it seemed to be for something, he could handle that, for it to be in vain, that was different.
"Guys, please don't give up hope. Marcel promised they wouldn't stop trying, okay?" Josh prompted. His heart broke for his young friends. They were out here making a life for themselves and they never complained, but Josh didn't know how they could stand it. It was miserable out here.
"Yeah, we won't. Sorry, Josh. I know how hard you tried and you put your ass on the line, too," Aiden smirked. Josh nodded and kissed him. He had put his ass on the line for those ring literally, but he didn't really want Aiden to know all the details about that either. Marcel had made it abundantly clear to Josh that he was to be truthful to Marcel at all times. Message received: loud and clear.
Josh hated nature and bugs but wanted to make Aiden happy, he asked, "Now, didn't someone say something about fishing? Let's go sit on the dock. Last one there is a rotten egg!"
"You're on!" Aiden laughed. But of course, they couldn't run because the bucket would overturn so they ended up taking their time.
Diego's sentry had found the wolf trying to sneak out earlier in the day. They had questioned him, but got no information. The sentry called Diego on his cell phone and told Diego.
"Tie him up in the swamp. I'll be the one to interrogate him," Diego claimed.
"Yeah, boss. He's all yours," the newly made vampire said.
But the time Diego and his crew got to the Bayou, it was dark. The werewolf was beaten badly and tied to a tree.
Diego had sobered up some, but still wanted to kill some wolves. According to Marcel's code, though, they couldn't just kill a wolf in their territory unprovoked. Everyone knew it was easy to trigger a wolf to explosive rage.
"Untie him," Diego ordered.
"But Boss, he's a strong one!" the sentry warned.
"I said untie him," Diego reiterated.
"The Bayou is wolf land. You have no rights here," the wolf huffed.
"You're right. We don't. But if your kind gets those trick rings, it's all over. Your faction is dead. Vamps and witches won't be overrun by dogs!" Diego snarled.
"Dogs? Would you say that to Klaus Mikaelson's face?" the werewolf asked.
"I've come up against the Hybrid before? How do you know him?" Diego asked with disbelief. Most supernaturals believed the Originals, especially the Hybrid, were legends.
The Docks
In the distance, Josh heard something. "Do you hear yelling?"
The others heard it, too.
Hayley started running, "Let's go see." A moment later, they found Mason staggering around with his wounds healing and Diego menacing him.
"Diego! What are you doing here?" Josh asked in shock. Diego was way out of bounds. If he had hurt this wolf, it could start a war with the factions.
"Stay back," Josh whispered to Aiden, Hayley, and Tommy. He stepped in front of them. Josh didn't like or trust Diego anymore. He knew about his past experiences with wolves.
"Just talking to an old friend here. He says he knows Klaus Mikaelson," Diego said smoothly.
"He's family, in a way," the wolf laughed.
"Who the hell are you? Another bastard?" Diego was now less inclined to kill this confident, jovial wolf.
"Not at all. I'm a native son of a founding family. I'm Mason Lockwood of Mystic Falls. Does that place ring a bell?" Mason said in triumph. Diego knew that was the original home of the Original family.
"Well, give them a message for me," Diego smirked. He vamped over and fed from Tommy's neck. Josh used all his strength to push him off.
Josh heard Hayley say, "Oh my God!" as he opened his vein and healed Tommy with his blood. When Josh looked up, Diego was gone.
"Son of a bitch!" Josh spat. "Tommy, Tommy, are you okay?"
Tommy was dazed, but waking. Aiden looked at Josh gratefully.
"You saved his life, Josh. Thank you," Aiden said hoarsely.
Mason came over, now walking a little better.
"You okay, bud? I feel like Marcel Gerard needs to hear about this. Diego, if that is one of his guys, needs to go," Mason said plainly.
"Ya think?" Josh said sarcastically.
By the time, Hayley, Josh, Aiden, Tommy, and Mason returned, Mary was frantic. She had cut a switch and was swinging it around.
"There y'all are. If you ain't dead. Get up here quick so I can whup you good!" Mary fumed, "Mason, what you doing back here, boy? Tommy, what happened to your shirt?"
Mary was no less pacified by the story of Diego's betrayal and attack.
"He's a dangerous one. He wants revenge. Y'all need to stay close. It ain't safe out there. We need to spread the word to the others. But kids do it safely. You don't, I'm going to light you up, ya hear," Mary thundered. She took her switch in the kitchen as if she was going to use it on any enemy who came through the door of the little house.
She heard a chorus of "yes, ma'ams" in reply and was finally encouraged to sit a little and get off her feet.
Josh said, "I'll call Marcel and let him know about Diego. It's going to be a blow. Diego used to be his best guy."
Aiden grabbed Josh's soft hand, "Now that is you."
Hayley and Jackson looked at each other and smiled. Their romance had intensified. They had turned on the full moon and run together all night as wolves. It was a great experience. Despite the pain of turning, both were looking forward again to it next month.
Maybe they didn't need those rings so much.
Late Night
Tommy was troubled that night by nightmares.
"Tommy, Tom, wake up," Aiden said as he shook his shoulders.
"Aiden? I was dreaming that Mama and Daddy were still alive. We was at the lake house, but a vampire was there and ate us all. That son of a bitch!" Tommy spat.
Aiden moved closer to Tommy in the double bed they shared. In their old house where they had lived with their parents, they had shared a room also, but had twin beds. Aiden had grown used to sleeping next to his brother. Sometimes when he dreamt of living with Josh in the city. They had a little room in the apartment for Tommy to live in. Aiden couldn't leave him here alone.
"Tommy, it's over. Josh saved you. He's a vamp, too. But he's good. And Grandma hears you talking like that you'll be lucky if you just get your mouth soaped out," Aiden warned.
"She ain't gonna whup me for cursing," Tommy sassed turning from his brother in bed. Mary probably wouldn't. Tommy had always been well-behaved, but Aiden was starting to see some signed that Tommy was getting a little too big for his britches.
"Well, I'll wear you out then. Mama didn't like no cursing either and you know it. I got in trouble for saying 'Oh my gosh' once," Aiden smiled.
Tommy turned back, "Sorry, Aiden. I don't mean to be ornery. What they'd do to you at school that day? I know you kept me from it but I should have been there with y'all. How bad was it?"
Aiden flushed in the darkness, "It was bad for me, Tom. Jack and Ollie, I guess they are used to getting licked. I ain't. We had to change into gym shorts and bend over. I don't want to talk about it no more. Just promise me, you ain't gonna do anything stupid and get yourself paddled at school. It ain't like anything I want to go through again."
"But what if there was a way we could get another witch to make them rings? We need the blood of a wolf who don't turn, right? What if we got the blood of pregnant werewolf? Eve told me about her niece who is fixing to have a baby. I was thinking of cutting out of school tomorrow and going to see about it," Tommy mentioned.
"Tommy, you almost got killed tonight. I won't hear of it. Now, go to bed," Aiden cut him off quickly.
"Wait. Hear me out. If you guys, take in a note for me, I won't get busted for skipping like you did. Come on, Gram won't let me off school, but I can catch up. I'll get the blood and get it back here for Davina when she returns. We'll have the rings next month. Let me do my part," Tommy begged.
"I'm gonna do my part," Aiden growled. He tossed back the sheet and pulled down the back of Tommy's shorts and smacked his behind hard over his underpants twice. Crack! Crack!
"Owww, what was that for?" Tommy wailed in shock.
"I said no and I mean it," Aiden hissed firmly. Crack! Crack!
"Aiden, you hit me," Tommy whined as he rubbed the spot where Aiden smacked him.
"Tom, I spanked you because you aren't listening. You never even had a real licking before and you don't want one now. I'm warning you to forget this stupid plan. Trust me, it's not worth it. You do this, a paddlin' at school is nothing compared to the whipping Grandma would give you for worrying her. She loves you and thinks of you as a little boy. If you worry her, you're gonna get it bad. Now go to sleep unless you want another good smack on the butt," Aiden threatened harshly. He couldn't believe he had swatted his brother. His hand stung a little.
Tommy turned away and teared poured out of his eyes from frustration. He had been cut out of plans before because his brother thought he was a baby. No matter what he did, they wouldn't let him help. Tommy would just have to go off on his own when they least expected it.
Aiden knew Tommy was crying silently and it broken his heart. He put an arm around his brother. Maybe he had been out of line to be so harsh with him, but Aiden was afraid for him.
"I'm sorry, Tommy. Don't be mad," Aiden tried. But Tommy shook him off and refused to turn around. Aiden let it go and figured they could talk about it tomorrow.
But in the morning, when Aiden woke up for school, Tommy was already gone.