The Cut of One's Jib

"Dude, what are you doing here?" Jacob asked as Embry walked into the garage next to his house.

Embry stopped, his eyes widening as he took in Quil and Jacob sitting on a beaten up couch, both with beers in hand and staring at him with surprised looks on their faces.

"Quil said you guys were hanging out earlier. What am I not allowed in anymore?" he asked, his voice strained.

He didn't wait for an answer, instead going over to the cooler and grabbing a beer before settling in a lawn chair and opening it, then taking a long drink.

"Just thought you'd be with Freja," Quil said cautiously. Embry shot him a sharp look.

"Wait, the merdude is still here?" Jacob asked, sitting up and starting to grin. Embry rolled his eyes. "Thought it was just going to be a couple days."

"Please, don't. This is all I hear about at work and I thought I'd get a break," Quil moaned. Embry shot him another dark look.

"He still says there's more to learn," Embry grumbled as he sat back in his chair. "Puts on this whole, 'Oh, what's this? So fascinating!' act. I call bullshit." Jacob started chuckling. "It's not funny! I don't know how Freja stands it… and he's staying with them, so she gets it non-stop. Five minutes and I'm done."

"You sure this isn't just jealousy talking?" Jacob asked.

"No," Embry retorted. "Well… not like that. I trust Freja and all. I just don't trust him."

"Dude, she's your imprint," Quil said, as though he had already said this a million times before. And he likely had. It was the one phrase he repeated more than any other when Sven came up.

"I know," Embry said. "I mean, you really should have seen her grandparents when he showed up."

"We know, you told us," Quil said tiredly.

"They don't trust him either," Embry continued, ignoring Quil's tone.

"We know. Again. You told us," Jacob said. Embry just stared at them a few moments before he sighed haggardly.

"I honestly can't take much more of this dude. I mean, when he's not demanding that Freja explain everything to him, he's bringing up stories from when she was with the clan and… he's always touching her," he said.

He began to seethe slightly as his eyes narrowed and he thought about how Sven would play with her hair, or touch her arm. It was all slight, but whenever Embry was around it was all he could see.

"Didn't Freja say that they were more touchy-feely," Quil pointed out.

"Yea, but this is different," Embry said. "Whenever Freja's not looking, I swear he winks at me. It's like he knows exactly what he's doing."

"I'm sure he just doesn't understand how things work up here," Jacob said reasonably. Embry glared at him. "Or not."

"Regardless, I'm pretty sure that it's a universal rule that you don't flirt with another guy's girlfriend right in front of him," Embry replied.

"Again… maybe he doesn't think he's flirting," Quil suggested, earning yet another sharp look from Embry.

"Is this when you both tell me to grin and bear it?" he asked harshly.

Jacob and Quil looked at each other, clearly neither wanting to be the one to say it. But at the same time, after a week of constant complaining, it was starting to get old. Jacob sighed and looked over at Embry.

"I get it. Your protective instincts are in overdrive, but… just don't do anything to upset Freja. You said yourself that this guy is around her non-stop. Chances are she's just as frustrated with him hanging around," he said, keeping his voice calm. "Imagine what it's like for her."

"If she's upset, she's better at hiding it than I am," Embry replied with a sigh. "I just… don't get it. Even Freja herself said that she didn't expect him to come to the surface. Apparently his father and all are very much a 'stay in the sea' sort. Which makes me worried that he's planning something."

Both Jacob and Quil gave him dubious looks. Embry resisted the urge to snap at them, knowing he was already toeing the line with how much complaining they would let him get away with. But it wasn't as though Freja was listening to him. He'd talk to her grandparents, but Sven was always around.

"Look, I know you guys think I'm overreacting, but everything that she's told me about him - and everything I've heard from her grandparents about his father, I don't trust that he's here for educational reasons," Embry said, suddenly sounding very tired. "And yea, I know I've got no proof or anything, but I'm trusting my gut on this one. There's some sort of nefarious purpose to his visit. Like… maybe he's trying to talk Freja into going back with him…"

"And we all know that she won't do that," Jacob said.

"I know, but… this is so frustrating," Embry groaned. "It was only supposed to be a few days…"

Embry fell silent as he mulled over all the reasons - outside of "getting to know the land" - that Sven could be there, and he kept coming back to the idea that he was attempting to get Freja to go back to the clan. He wasn't worried about - she had made it very clear that her place was here, and with him - but he couldn't help but remain worried. Especially with how Astrid seemed to be constantly watching the Havsfru. If she didn't trust him, well, that was more than enough reason for Embry not to trust him as well.

But perhaps he was throwing this all out of proportion. Sven did seem clueless about most things. Maybe it wasn't an act. Maybe things were done differently among the Havsfru. Maybe there was no reason for Embry to be worried and that everything really was just a genuine curiosity for how those on land live. And genuine ignorance. Maybe he was making everything up with his wolf side wanting to do nothing but protect Freja from any perceived threats. Even when said threats weren't really there.

"Sorry, guys. I know I've been…"

"Insufferable?" Quil offered with a smile.

"Difficult," Embry replied, frowning slightly. "Maybe this really is nothing to worry about. But I can't help it when it comes to Freja."

"Hey, we get it. We've imprinted. We know what it's like," Jacob said. "I mean, I was literally this close to fighting you all because of Nessie."

"And I was this close to punching some high school kid who wouldn't stop flirting with Claire," Quil added. "We all have our moments. Doesn't help that the imprint is still relatively new for you and Freja."

Embry took a deep breath and slowly let it out. Right. It was just his protective tendencies. Nothing more. There was nothing suspect with Sven. Still didn't stop him from wishing the Havsfru would hurry up and go back to the clan where he belonged.

Embry took another drink and leaned back in his chair.

"Right. It'll be fine," he said, unsure who he was trying to convince in that moment.

"It will be," Jacob said. "And I'm sure Freja will appreciate it a lot if you go out of your way to make this whole thing easier for her." Embry snorted.

"I seriously hope you aren't suggesting that I babysit him," he replied.

"Well… no, I mean keep the grumbling to a minimum," Jacob said.

"Imagine how great that weekend away will be if you do," Quil added, winking at Embry.

He rolled his eyes and huffed, but couldn't help the small smile that appeared. While he was still a bit miffed that they had to put off their trip indefinitely with Sven still here, Embry had to admit that it would be worth the wait. And Jacob was right. Things would go a lot smoother if Embry acted like he was on board with everything.

"Suppose tomorrow is another chance to prove that I'm welcoming," he said. "Meeting them for dinner in Forks after work."

"How's fish boy dealing with land food?" Quil asked with a chuckle.

"Seems adapting to it, from what I can tell," Embry said. He then chuckled. "Should have seen him the first time Astrid tried to feed him a salad. Dude was terrified of tomatoes."

"Seriously?" Quil asked as he laughed and Jacob chuckled softly. Embry nodded.

"And here I thought I had just about seen it all," he replied.

"What else do you think might be out there?" Jacob asked suddenly. "I mean, we know about us, vampires, actual werewolves, whatever that means, and Havsfru."

They all thought about it a few moments, Embry's brow furrowing at the thought. What else was out there? Honestly, at this point he felt like nothing would surprise him anymore. His girlfriend turned into a mermaid. Jacob's imprint was half vampire. Really, there was no telling.

"I hope dragons are real," Quil said, breaking the silence.

Both Embry and Jacob studied him a moment. When they realized he was being serious, they both broke out into loud laughter.

"Are you being serious? Dragons?" Jacob wheezed.

"Come on," Embry managed to get out. Quil frowned at both of them.

"They could be real!" he shouted.

Embry only continued laughing, wiping tears from his eyes. Right. Dragons.

OOOO

Freja was grateful to be finishing up work. Between trying to do her job and watching out for Sven, she was a bit spent. While there wasn't a whole lot of trouble he could get into at the shop, he did have a tendency to wander out to the main part when she wasn't paying attention and had already gotten a few odd looks from customers for saying things that weren't exactly kosher. Astrid had come up with some quick excuse, but then shot Freja a look of warning as she ushered him back into the workroom.

But Sven was the clan leader's son and her grandparents were still very much banished, so it wasn't like they could get onto him or tell him what to do. So the task of gently telling Sven the rules of the land had fallen on Freja. For the most part he listened and all, but sometimes his curiosity got the better of him.

Honestly, she was surprised she managed to finish repairing a violin that was scheduled to be picked up in the morning. Freja had been terrified that she was going to have to call and tell them it was going to take a few more days.

It didn't help that Freja knew Embry was starting to get more than a little frustrated and she didn't blame him. She had been so sure that after a few days Sven would get bored and head back to the clan, but he seemed to be settled in for an extended stay. Which would only make Embry more frustrated. Freja was starting to run ragged with all the interference she had been doing between the two, on top of between Sven and her grandparents.

"Ready?" she asked brightly, looking over at Sven, who was studying a violin closely from where he sat at her grandfather's worktable.

He looked up and smiled, putting the instrument aside gently and standing.

"Where to today?" he asked grandly, moving much more easily in the clothes Freja had gone out and bought for him.

"Oh, we're just going down the street to the diner. Meeting Embry there," she explained.

Truthfully, she wasn't completely sure it was a good idea considering how Sven had reacted to all the meals her grandmother had cooked so far. But she also knew that her grandparents needed a break otherwise her grandmother might just toss Sven out herself. It wasn't so much that he was a bad houseguest, more so that he didn't understand the concept of personal boundaries. He still took to wandering around the house naked after his showers or just walking into bedrooms unannounced. Or stating his mind without any sort of filter. Or, well, there were a number of things that set off her grandmother.

So Freja figured hanging out at the diner was in order, if anything to give her grandmother a well-needed break.

"Why are there so many trees here again?" Sven asked as they stepped outside the shop. Freja raised her eyebrows slightly as he looked around the town.

"I told you, we're in a forest. Forests tend to have a lot of trees," she said calmly as they walked.

"But it makes it harder to see," Sven said, his brow furrowed slightly. "I don't like not being able to see what's coming." Freja chuckled.

"Really don't have to worry about apex predators here," she replied. She then stopped. "Or well… not in town. And if you stick to the trails, not in the woods either. It's so rare that there's an animal attack."

He looked over at her.

"But isn't your friend one such beast?" he asked, seeming a bit confused. "I would think that he and his kind would be more than enough to cause you worry."

Freja's eyebrows raised in surprise as her cheeks turned slightly pink.

"No, you don't have to worry about the packs," she said. "I told you this. Their purpose is to protect this area from other creatures that would hurt people. Er, rather La Push, specifically, but yea. It's fine. They wouldn't hurt anyone."

"Yes, so you've said. But I find it hard to believe that such a beast that is so easily prone to aggression and violence wouldn't hunt the flesh of these pitifully weak humans," he said lightly, looking around at the few people out and about.

Freja came to a stop, her frown deepening. While she reminded herself that this was just a product of Sven's upbringing - he really didn't know better - it still cut a bit deep.

"I've told you, it's not like our stories. And, well, I'm half-human," she stated.

Sven turned to her, his eyes wide for a moment before a sheepish smile came over his face.

"Right… but now you've embraced your Havsfru side - your true form," he said.

"It still doesn't change the fact that part of me is still human," Freja pushed. "And this is my home. And I've told you a million times, Embry is more than just a friend."

"Ah, yes… boyfriend," Sven said, seeming somewhat pleased with himself that he remembered the word. However, Freja still wasn't appeased.

"Look, I know all of this seems strange to you, but, like I said, this is my home. My friends. I followed all your rules, learned to fit in with the clan. All I ask is the same respect in turn while you're here," she said, planting her hands on her hips. "And that extends to Embry and the wolves."

Sven stared at her, for a moment appearing surprised that she spoke so directly to him. But then the corner of his mouth twitched and he smiled as he dropped into a deep bow.

"My most humble of apologies, Flicka. You are right. I am a guest here and I've been awfully rude," he said, looking back up at her with a happy glint in his eyes. "I will do better."

"Dear god, get up," she said, pulling him up from his bow, but she was smiling as well. "Apology accepted. And stop calling me Flicka."

"But it is what you are… My Little One," he replied with a grin.

"God, do not let Embry hear you say that," she muttered under her breath.

"What was that?" Sven asked, leaning closer, though she was fairly sure he heard her as his eyes began twinkling.

"Nothing, I'm hungry and we're going to be late," she said, turning towards the direction of the diner. If they were late, that would be one more thing for Embry to get sour over.

"Wonderful," Sven replied, offering her his arm.

Freja glanced at it and then up at his face, noting that he was still smiling. She then huffed in faux annoyance and took it, steering him once again towards the diner.

Embry was already waiting at a table when Freja and Sven arrived shortly after, looking over the menu, though Freja was sure he didn't need to. She slid into the chair next to him, leaning over to kiss his cheek as Sven sat across from him, looking around the restaurant, though his eyes kept coming back to Embry.

"Have a good day at work?" she asked. Embry smiled at her and nodded, though glanced over at Sven.

"How was your day?" he asked.

"Usual," Freja replied, reaching out and grabbing the menu in Sven's hands and turning it right-side up. "Nothing all that interesting to report."

"Speak for yourself. I thought today was fascinating. We finished repairing a violin," Sven said, his face lighting up.

Embry looked over at Freja, his eyes questioning just how much of the work Sven had done. Freja chuckled and looked over at him as he went back to reading the menu.

"Yea, we did so much work on that," she said, looking back at Embry. He only raised his eyebrows.

Soon enough they had ordered - with Freja once again ordering for Sven as he was unfamiliar with just about everything on the menu - and the server dropped off their drinks. Remembering the ordeal they had with the salad, she opted for fish and chips for him. It wasn't like the raw fish they were used to eating out in the ocean, but she wasn't keen on him having another meltdown over lettuce or tomatoes.

"How are the guys?" Freja asked, looking over at Embry.

"Good. They say hi," Embry replied. "Missing you."

"Aw, I'm touched," Freja said, her eyes lighting up as the server came back with a basket of fries. She eagerly grabbed a few, shoving them into her mouth, her stomach immediately thanking her.

Sven leaned forward, looking at them a few moments before picking one up and cautiously sniffing it.

"What are these?" he asked, a curious look on his face.

"French fries. Like… fried potatoes," Freja explained. He shot her a confused look. "Just try one."

Sven cautiously brought the fry to his mouth and took a small bite, the expression on his face unclear as to whether or not he approved. It then turned thoughtful as he took another, slightly larger bite.

"This is agreeable," he said as he finished it.

"Freja tends to find them agreeable as well," Embry said with a chuckle, looking over at her. Freja froze in shoving about five fries into her mouth at once and then frowned at Embry.

"Oh please, you can finish off several baskets on your own," she said before gulping down the fries.

Embry only continued laughing as he reached over and took Freja's hand, bringing it up to his lips and brushing a kiss over her knuckles. She couldn't help the heat that pooled in her cheeks when he did that. Or gave her that look. Christ, she hoped Sven decided to go back soon so they could finally go on their trip away.

But before they could be accused of staring, Embry looked over at Sven, offering him a warm smile. Freja couldn't help but feel happy with the action. It seemed Embry finally was coming around.

"So, I was thinking. Since we've got the day off, maybe you'd like to come out to the reservation," Embry said to Sven.

Freja's eyes widened slightly as she looked over at Sven, who had just shoved several fries in his mouth. He attempted to talk, causing Freja to chuckle slightly, but then cover it up with a cough and then reached for her soda. Sven finally swallowed.

"I should like that very much. Thank you, Embry," Sven said politely, though he glanced at Freja, a hint of nerves in his eyes.

She couldn't help but grin as she looked back and forth between the two, happy that they were finally getting along. It only took a week for Embry to stop acting so defensive around Sven. And for Sven to finally stop saying the first thing that popped into his head. Though she supposed they would have to wait to see how tomorrow went.

"The Quileute have many stories, as many as we do, I think," she said. "I think you'll find them fascinating."

Sven started to give her a dubious look, but then quickly schooled his features and smiled at Embry.

"I look very forward to seeing where you live and hearing these stories," he said, again adopting the polite tone from before.

About that time, the server brought their food, placing it down on the table. Sven breathed deeply of his fish and chips, then looked up, grinning at Freja.

"Aha, now you have provided me with something I believe I shall enjoy," he said, before diving into the food, flecks of fish flying everywhere.

Freja turned to Embry, who was watching Sven with wide eyes.

"Still working on that one?" he asked softly, looking over at her. Freja rolled her eyes.

"Just eat and leave him alone," she said softly. Embry smiled and nodded, before leaning over and kissing her cheek.

"Anything for you…"

OOOO

I have to admit, it's been fun writing Sven and his complete lack of boundaries and understanding of things...

Thanks for reading and following!