How could paperwork exist without paper?

It was a question Scott had asked himself so many times in his life and yet still had no answer. Of course, in truth, he knew the answer, but the stubborn kid inside that he usually stepped on to keep doing what he had to do, still had a voice.

And it was a sarcastic one.

"Are you aware what time it is?"

It was ever so deep and sudden, Scott dropped the stylus he was holding and let out a high pitched yelp.

Turning, he found a massive black wolf at his elbow. "Virgil! For goodness' sake!"

The wolf snorted, obviously amused. "It's late. Bed."

Scott glared at his brother. How had he forgotten it was that night? Virgil did not tolerate overwork on the best of days. When he was in wolf form, he was much more likely to gnaw on any errant family member who wasn't taking proper care of themselves.

"This report is due tomorrow."

"It is tomorrow, Scott. Give it to Carly."

"Carly already has a lot on her plate. I can't do that to her."

"Then give it to Eos. You can check it in the morning."

Scott glared at his brother. "I can't give everything to Eos."

"Why not?"

He looked away. "It's cheating."

The scoff that crossed his brother's lips was so unwolf-like Scott had to check he hadn't transformed back into his human form.

Fortunately for Scott, he hadn't. Talking as a wolf was apparently harder and that gave Scott the advantage in this argument.

But then he was suddenly moving, drifting away from the desk.

"Virgil!" Sure enough, his brother had sunk his teeth into the arm of the chair and was dragging it.

His answering growl was determined and not a little angry.

"Damnit, Virgil! I have to get this done. There is a major meeting tomorrow."

With his mouth full of upholstery, Virgil couldn't answer clearly, but the snarl didn't really need translation.

Perhaps Scott should be grateful that Virgil hadn't pulled on a leg instead of the chair. There was one small, very tiny part of Scott's brain that sometimes wondered how much of Virgil was human at these times and how much was obscured by wolf.

Glancing down at those coffee eyes, all he could see was the caring, slightly pissed off Virgil he had grown up with.

When Scott could no longer reach the desk, Virgil stopped tugging and sat back on his haunches. "Bed."

"Virg-"

The growl was loud and menacing.

Scott held up his hands. "Fine. You can speak to the board members tomorrow and explain why this report isn't complete."

Virgil glared at him "Eos?"

The chime of connection with Thunderbird Five was immediate. "Yes, Virgil?"

"Link into Scott's mainframe, source the report he is writing and please complete it."

"Yes, Virgil."

"If you need help, please speak to John."

"Yes, Virgil."

Scott stared at the wolf, but didn't utter a sound.

"Thank you, Eos."

"You are welcome." The line cut out.

"Bed." Virgil's voice was so deep as a wolf, it was menacing.

Scott shivered.

"Now." The wolf stood up, obviously ready to herd him, if necessary."

"Fine." Scott didn't let up on his glare. They would be having words in the morning.

But Virgil obviously didn't trust him and followed him into the elevator. Dark eyes pinned him to the elevator wall.

"I can find my own way to bed, you know."

Another snort and a furry eyebrow quirked upwards tipping his head slightly to one side.

Despite being tired and cranky, Scott suddenly found himself biting back a laugh. Virgil was obviously not aware of just how hilarious he looked when he did that in wolf form.

His brother must have picked up on it anyway because his glare intensified.

Which made him look all the funnier.

Scott snorted, but managed to strangle the laugh…kinda.

Virgil growled and turned his back on him.

Leaving Scott to laugh silently unseen.

The elevator doors eventually opened and Virgil stalked out. He turned in the corridor and sat waiting pointedly for Scott to follow.

"What? You going to follow me home and tuck me in as well?"

"If necessary." It was grumbled.

Scott rolled his eyes and strode off down the hall to his rooms.

Virgil padded along softly behind him.

It was with a sigh Scott let his brother through the door. There was no point trying to stop him. Gordon's door still bore the scratches from the time he attempted to keep him out. Virgil had kindly fixed the lock though.

His wolf brother trotted in and jumped up on Scott's sofa, curling up with a pointed stare at the room's owner, obviously waiting for him to run through his bedtime routine.

"I hope you're planning on helping me get the hair off that tomorrow."

A grunt was all he got for that as Virgil rested his head on his paws.

Waiting.

"Fine. I'm having a shower."

Another grunt.

Scott sighed and strode off into his bedroom.

He had to admit that the shower was a good thing. It freshened him up and cleaned out all the grottiness of the day. Maybe he could finish that report after all. He could redirect the server up here…

He threw on his pyjama pants and exiting the bathroom, walked into his bedroom…and almost tripped over the massive black wolf sitting there.

"Virgil!"

"Go to bed."

"For crying out loud-"

"Go to bed."

Aaaaaargh! "Fine!"

He threw back the covers of his bed, climbed in, and with a stubborn, vengeful streak, turned off the light and rolled over to face away from his brother.

He could find his own way out.

It was pouty and petty, but Scott didn't care.

He should not have been surprised when the bed suddenly dipped under his brother's considerable weight and Virgil, all warm black fluff, curled up against his back.

The room was quiet after that, the only sound was Virgil's soft breathing. Scott felt his brother's ribcage expand and contract through the covers against his spine.

It was lulling actually.

Even though the wolf took up most of the bed.

Quiet and reassuring. No doubt it would become snoring once Virgil fell asleep.

But yes, lulling…

Despite himself, Scott soon drifted and fell asleep.

And if he rolled over in the early hours of the morning and snuggled up into a pile of soft fur, neither ever commented on it.

-o-o-o-