Title: Decision Made, Chapter 2

Rating: pg13?

Disclaimer: I don't own Big Wolf On Campus, I'm just a poor student with a bunch of candles, polished rocks, other weird stuff, and an old grumpy cat who only likes girls. Please don't sue, you won't get much . . .

Author's Note: I hoped you liked the first part of my little story, if you didn't, sorry and let me know. I like heat a lot and don't mind flames they just let me know someone actually read the story in the first place. If you're hoping for a POV from Merton this go round, sorry. Right now this is Tommy's show. I guess my muses wanted me to get out one Tommy oriented story before I went on my Merton kick. I love Merton and tend to write primarily about him, so probably after this you'll only get Merton stories. Hope you like this, Thanks.

_______ Means normal POV

^^^^^^^^^^ Means Flashback

Tommy's POV
_______________________________________________________________________

I laid there lost in thought, trying to figure what I meant and what my feelings were. Merton was my best friend, and we were close. In fact we were as close as brothers. Merton knew all of my secrets, and in return he had told me a lot of his. When I needed help, advice, hell just to talk; Merton was there. I didn't have to worry about what I said to him, I could tell him anything and not worry about it being told to anyone else.

Merton also confided in me some of his past. He talked of his cousins happily, about how different they all were and what it was like to spend the holidays with them. He spoke fondestly of his only girl cousin, saying how loving and understanding she had always been. And how in fact, most of the spell books, weapons, and other weird stuff was from her.

He spoke rarely of how cold his father was to him, how his mother could only show rare affection because of his father. The way most of his family ignored him, belittled him, and taunted him.

In fact, I had barely been able to get anything out of him about the rest of his family. I had coaxed a few storied out of him about growing up gothic. How much he was teased, even how bad some of the beatings had been. Some of what he told me was awful. Particularly an event in his eighth grade year where several Seniors had dragged him out into the woods to tie him to a tree, and left him there.

I think maybe that's when I first started to notice how much more important Merton was to me. At first it was like he had become like a surrogate little brother, as well as my best friend, but now . . . ., now it was more than even that.

I'd always felt a very long and wide protective streak when it came to Merton. I had even pointed out to him at one point. His response had been simply put as I was protecting a member of what I considered "my pack." That I was protective about the people I cared about, and the wolf in me simply strengthened those instincts as the equivalent of protecting my pack.

At the time, it had made a lot of sense, but now I think my protective instincts were stronger than just 'protecting part of my pack.' I think maybe it' more than me just being protective of a friend or 'pack member,' but more like protecting a . . . mate.

The word sounds wrong and right at the same time. The wolf part says I'm right, but the human part . . ., just doesn't know. What the human part feels is more complicated and less instinctual then what the wolf feels. The wolf part is uncomplicated by the complex feelings and thoughts the human part deals with, so it's interpretation is faster and blunt. I know what part of me wants, but . . . I don't know if the human part agrees.

A sudden noise startles me out of my eternal debate and I glance to Merton. The digital clock behind him on a shelf glows 1:15 a.m. on a Friday night, or rather a Saturday morning. Merton's curled in his chair, hands tucked under his chin and his head resting to the side. I softly push back the covers, and quietly pad over to him. His usual attire is gone, replaced by only a large, dark blue cotton T-shirt, a pair of black silky boxers, and a pair of black socks. His hair has been washed because it still looks damp and instead of being spiked, it hangs down over his eye, slightly curled.

I swallowed hard as I gently stooped to ease my arms under Merton and left him up. Moving softly and quietly I moved over to the bed. I reached down, while still maintaining a hold on Merton, and pulled down the covers on the bed. I slipped Merton onto the bed and pulled the covers up around him. I tucked the blanket under his chin, the feel of his skin against mine telling me he was cold, and then sat down on the bed. Slowly I reached out and slid my fingers into Merton's hair. It was thicker than I thought, and way too soft. I shifted my fingers through it and thick strands curled around them. I started when Merton shifted his head, making a noise in the back of his throat like purring.

I grinned in delight at the sound, the wolf part of me liking the sound, despite the feline mimicry of it. I considered the human part a moment, letting it have its say on the response. "He cares for you, werewolf or no werewolf. And you care for him, so all you have to do is get him to fall in love with you and life is great," my human side concluded.

I smiled, I had found a mate, or at least I saw the potential for it. Now all I had to do was convince him of it and life was set. With a soft smile, I lowered my head and pressed a feather-light kiss to his lips. It only lasted a second, but still when I drew back I had never felt happier. My werewolf senses had enhanced it so I could feel the softness of his lips and the flavor of his mouth.

He didn't wake up the entire time I was sitting there, but when I stood he shifted in his sleep, murmuring. I hesitantly reached down, stroking his back lightly. I could feel the bunched muscles under my hand, and softly stroked the tension away. He sighed in his sleep, and settled under the covers.

I nodded to myself as I walked away. Settling back on the couch I began flipping through channels. I would wait until dawn before going home. Then I'd figure out a way to broach the topic of werewolf mating with Merton. Knowing him he'd probably ask why I wanted to know, but I could come up with a cover story to give him. Then from there get him, to talk about how scents play a part in it. Once I had that info I'd figure out a game plan.

I knew it would be tough to make him understand how I felt, but I could only hope he felt the same. That I had found my mate in my best friend made me happy, but the thought of losing him scared me. I wouldn't survive without him in my world.

I glanced up as the first few rays of light hit through the black curtains of the windows in Merton's room. I carefully changed my clothes, moving fast but quietly. I scribbled a note on a note pad by Merton's computer telling him I'd drop by later. I eased the door open softly, making sure to relock the door, and then shut the door behind me. Smiling, I walked quickly home, ready for the new day.

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Author's Note: I like this chapter, but it sits a little restlessly with me. I'm working on the next chapter and need a little feedback on something. I'm afraid I have one more POV of Tommy's before Merton gets a say in the story. You see those little occurrences Merton was investigating are about to have a big part. What I need is feedback about how you like this chapter and if I should give Lori a part. Thanks, the muses are most ecstatic about the few responses to my first little story and have jumped on the writing Harley. They actually have three more chapters written of this story, but need help on the two that go between those chapters. I appreciate the feedback, oh and if you wish to flame, be creative. I hate people who flame with whiny childish comments like, "Ewwww gross, Slash!" So be creative. Thanks.