Back once again, with more... words.

Does anyone read the AN's? Anywhays, Thanks to Angellicvollyball for the Idea for this chapter. Again, I'm looking for scanarios for Jim and Claire to end up in, so let me know in the reviews.

I don't own trollhunters, yada yada yada ya... y'all have heard this before. Enjoy!

Chapter 13: Sloppy Damage Control

Claire and I have gained a regular routine. Wake up early enough to leave without getting caught in the sun, I sleep during my free period, and after school while Claire hangs out with Amanda, Maggie, Alex, and Kyle.

Not without questions though. The most reoccurring are, 'where do you go to eat lunch?' 'How come you never hang out with us after school?' And the always occurring, 'what the hell are the sounds you make?'

I'm having a really hard time not making my usual sounds, and keeping them in is only making it worse.

I like not being bored out of my mind all the time, but school is keeping Claire and I so busy. I haven't been outside to just be outside in a while. Being cooped up is really getting to me.

Claire got her winter clothes, and insisted I get something thicker than a jacket… I won that argument.

It's the third week of school and for some reason, the parent teacher meetings are twice first quarter, once second and third, and twice fourth. Somehow, Claire and I were lucky enough to get put in the same Advisory. And even more lucky to have Mr. Werber as our advisor.

Today is Alex's birthday, so I skipped eating to see Kyle give it to her.

We sit at the table and watch as he gingerly hands her a small box, neatly wrapped in brown paper with black music notes. A simple pink string tied around it.

We all watch as Alex meticulously peels away the paper without damaging it, a black box is left. She opens it up and inside a sparkling guitar pendant, made from wood and resin to look just like the real thing. A silver guitar pick on the thin black titanium chain next to the pendant, in a handwritten font it says, 'Forever King'.

Alex stares at it for a long moment, Claire and the other girls gasped at the beautiful workmanship. The guitarist fisted it and threw her arms around Kyle's neck. "Thank you! Thank you! Thank you, I love it so so much! Help me put it on." She gingerly hands him the necklace and spins around holding her hair up so he can place it around her neck.

She admires it as it rests against her strong collar bones, she then turns to Kyle with soft eyes and plants a long passionate kiss on his lips.

I look at Claire, "No one told me that was allowed." I smile with the playful banter.

"I don't think it is," Claire smiles, "But if their going for it…"

I cut her off with my own kiss, doing my best not to lick her as we pull apart.

"You could try when no one is looking," she whispers after hearing my whine.

I leen in to kiss her cheek and whisper back, "Yeah, but this tongue isn't exactly the best for that."

"I'm not sure whether to watch or look away." Amanda grins.

Maggie sighs, "Give them their privacy, though if that's what they wanted, the could go somewhere else."

"It's the moment Mags," Amanda says.

"And you're killing it with your talk of it." Alex says after she pulled away from a dazed Kyle.

"I love you," was all the words the poor boy could get out.

I laugh at the pair.

"So how do we know when our parent teacher meetings are?" Claire asked.

"Your advisor should have a list on their door, you gotta go check it. Your parents should have gotten an email as well."

"And what if our parents' can't make it?" Claire added.

"Than you talk to him and reschedule." Kyle says, snapping out of his stupor.

I lean forward and lower my voice, "You guys are aware, that Claire and I moved here alone. Right?"

Kyle and Alex's eyes blew wide open, "What?"

"My mom's a Doctor in Arcadia. And I moved here because… of reasons."

"I came with Jim, and my mom is councilwoman. She wouldn't pack up and move if the world was ending…" Claire glances at me.

"She didn't pack up and move when the world was ending." I smile. "But yeah, we moved here. No adult supervision."

"What about your uncle?" Amanda says. "The one you bought cloths for?"

Claire and I take one glance at each other then back at Amanda.

"That's none of your business," I say, a growel slipping.

Kyle furrows his brows as he looks at me, "Man, you and your weird sounds. What even?"

"Yeah Jim, we've known you for almost three weeks, what gives?" Alex prys.

"We know you're kinda deep in paranormal, are you cursed?" Amanda smiles, quirking an eyebrow.

"And how come we never see you outside of school? We've never seen you eat, and we've never seen your house. It's like you don't exist." Maggie states, her over observant nature becoming apparent.

At all the comments, I can feel their eyes on me. And my growl only becoming more and more prominent.

Claire stands, "Never mind, Jim and I should get going."

Claire grabs her pack and I do the same, slinging it over my shoulder. We walk to the library and I march into the back corner where I normally sleep while Claire does her homework.

I slump down, unable hold back a growl that's decided to make itself at home in my throat. Claire slides down next to me, she brushes her head on my arm. I do my best to nuzzle her back, though my heart's not in it.

"Jim… look I know you're frustrated," she sighs. "And I know I can't understand exactly what you're going through, but I wanna help."

"I know," I breath out. "I really do it's just…" I listen for anyone else in the library. But everyone is gone for lunch. I pull off the mask and set it down next to me, and start pacing on my hands and feet. "It's all build up. And the more I hold it in, the harder it gets to not let out." I snarl.

Claire takes a deep breath and watches with a sad smile. She crawls over to me and places herself in my path. She places her hand on my cheek, "Jim, I love you. You know that right?" she presses her forehead against mine.

I lower my body so she can reach me better, "I know… but I really wish we could tell some people. I wish we could have them over at our cave. I wish I didn't have to wear that stupid mask!" I growl and glare at the accursed relic.

Claire sits on her feet and places her hands on my shoulders, "Jim, smell me."

I'm a bit taken aback by her statement, but she pulls me into a hug and I understand what she means. I bury my face in her hair and take in a deep breath. Her scent crossed with mine in her hair is calming, and I'm finally able to release my growl.

She runs her fingers through my scruff and does her best impression of a purr.

I pull back and give her a soft wine.

"Well, it calms me down." She says softly, "Just trying to help you."

"Oh Claire…" I nuzzle her face and bury mine in the crook of her neck. She strokes my horns, and continues with her 'purr'. I purr back and hug her tight.

"Jim I know you want to let people in. You were so trusting before, and it's only gotten harder with our secret. But you know we should wait a while longer." She says, brushing my coarse fur.

I take another breath of her scent, "I know, but my sounds…"

"Are apart of you." She states firmly, "I know it's not the best to make them while you're wearing the mask, but if it's causing you this much stress just make them." She pulls away to look me in the eyes.

"But that puts the other trolls at risk, Claire."

"So just do the quieter ones, like your moans and little whines." She smiles.

I lean in again and we nuzzle noses, as she starts to pull away I make an apparent whine.

Claire giggles, "Like that."

I lick the corner of her mouth and then her upper lip.

"Jim…" She gives me a sly smile.

I flick my tongue against her lips again, "Yes?"

"Class is going to start soon." She says, but from the way she looks at me it doesn't sound like she cares that much.

"We have a free period," I say. I brush my horn across her cheek before running my head under her chin.

"Are you trying to coax a kiss out of me or act like a cat?" She gives.

"Just being playful," I turn. Crawling closer I lick her cheek and brush pass her again.

"Oh come here you…" Claire smiles and sits against the bookcase, I go back to her side and she leans over and kisses my cheek. I cross my legs and she climbs into my lap, and nuzzling my cheek. Then licks along my jawline, her arms around my neck.

I pull her in for a deep kiss, I gently pull on her lip with my tusks and she finds them to be the prime place to press her soft lips against. Whenever she pulls away for a quick breath I lick her cheek, or lips. And then…

"Jim?" Maggie calls. Standing in the library entrance.

I pull away from Claire for half a second to yell, "Go away." Before pushing my tusks back in the direction of Claire's waiting lips. She flicks one with her tongue as we try to ignore the call.

"Jim I'm sorry we were prying, but we're just curious." Kyle says.

"Oh great they're all here." Claire murmurs against my mouth. "Leave us alone." She yells. I lick next to her ear as she does.

I listen to see who is here, and Claire's right. All four of them.

"Com'on, we just wanna know why you make all those crazy sounds." Amanda whines.

"Or how." Alex states, I could hear her roll her eyes.

"And all those other things…" Amanda states.

"No," I shout. And pull Claire into my chest, make out officially over.

Thanks guys.

A fifth person joins, "Jim, they're threatening to dump me in the dumpster out back!" Justin says.

I growl and look down a Claire in my lap, equally annoyed.

"If you say anything, I'll feed you to Arrrggg." I yell at the boy from around the stacks.

I could almost see his reaction of huffing and folding his arms, "Arrrggg's a pacifist. Why don't you just tell them?"

"Three can keep a secret if two of them are dead, Justin." Claire yells. The more people who know, the easier it is for it to get out."

"Com'on guys!" Kyle pushes.

I slide Claire off my lap and grab the mask, shoving it on my face I round the corner. Angrily stomping with Claire following close behind.

I stomp up close to Justin, getting as close to his face as I can. "You will say nothing more about me or my life to anyone unless I instruct you. If you do not, I'll throw you in the hold, and you will never see the surface or the hellish light of day again. Do. I. Make. Myself. Clear?" I bite.

The others look at me with widened eyes, fear stricken. Justin nods furiously.

"Good, now get lost." I point at the door growling and he makes a run for it.

"The rest of you, I can not believe you're threatening to get to my secrets. Did it ever cross your minds that just knowing about my race is dangerous? The very name? There's a reason I'm choosing to keep you out of it. But maybe I shouldn't care if you get eaten by a Gumm-Gumm, because if you're acting like this, then I'm not sure we're really friends." I end it with a snarl.

Claire glares and shakes her head as I make my way back behind the stacks. "You should really be ashamed. We're trying to fit in," she lowers her voice as if I couldn't hear. "He's trying to fit in. So what if he growls sometimes? If you ever want to know things about us, you need to stop pushing for it." She turns and stomps back toward me.

I hear the others sigh and leave, except Maggie. I can hear her trying to say something, anything really. But it seems she doesn't have the words.

"What is it Mags?" I say softly.

"I… I'm sorry. We shouldn't have pushed it. I… I'll… sorry." She says.

"We want to tell you, we really do," Claire says.

"But it's just not a good time right now. I don't want you or anyone else in danger because of me." I sigh, "Remember, I'll tell you when I teach you swordplay."

Maggie gives a small laugh, "I'll hold you to that." Then she leaves.

Claire and I both let out breaths we'd been holding in, "Humans suck." I say.

"Hey, what about me?"

"You're a sorceress my love," I kiss her cheek and pull the mask off again. "You don't have to be identified with mere mortals." I smile.

She licks one of my tusks again and leans into my chest, "Well, no one's perfect."

"I disagree with that statement." I pronounce.

"Really?"

I nod, "You're the most perfect person I've ever met. And there's no one in the world who could sway my opinion on that."

"Awe, Jim." Claire nuzzles my chest.

I take a deep breath, "I'm exhausted, and I want sleep. But I don't wanna wear the mask." I glance down at the top of her head as she moves to look at me with her big brown eyes.

"Well, lay down. I'll curl up with you and keep watch." She smiles.

I give a pleasured whine, and slump down on my side, Claire stays sitting up, propped against me, but curls up on me, and lays on my shoulder.

…

I sit at the front of my class, mentally taking roll about ten minutes after the late bell. Everyone's here except Jim and Claire. Which is weird, because they're always early to class. They haven't missed any yet. Both good students, true to Jim's word he'd been doing his best.

They'd been getting close with Alex, Kyle, Maggie and Amanda. I wonder if they know were they are. Because I could have sworn I'd seen them in Mr. Cunningham's room this morning, they should be here.

"Miss Mags, where's Jim and Claire?" I ask.

The four student's eyes fall on their tables, "I think they're still in the library, Mr. Werber." Maggie says with her eyes down.

I stare at the four, somethings up.

"You four, in the hall. Now." I order. They file out I follow, "What happened?"

"We went too far," Kyle says rubbing his arm.

"Way to far." Amanda adds.

"We messed up Werbz." Alex says, looking ashamed.

Maggie looks at me and steps forward. "We were pressing Jim and Claire to tell us why he makes weird noses…"

"Like the growling sounds he makes when he's frustrated with a problem?" I ask.

"Or why we never see him outside of class…" Maggie says.

Amanda nods, "And Justin knows what's going on, so we told him we'd throw him in the dumpster if he didn't tell us."

"We found them both in the library and we kept pressing," Kyle admits.

"And he kinda went off on us." Alex finishes.

I glare at four of my favorite students, shaking my head. "And rightfully so!" I scold, "They don't ask about your problems. I would be pissed to find out if someone was digging for information about any of your pasts'. Why would you do that?" I wave my arms around.

"We… we were curious. But after what he told us, I don't think I want to know." Amanda says, trying to hold tears at bay.

"Was this something about his culture?" I ask.

"Um… he said that…" Kyle chokes, "He said just knowing the name of his race was dangerous."

I continue glaring at the four ashamed teenagers, "Well, that lines up with what he told me." Sorof, "In the library?"

Alex nods.

"Get back in class, I'll be back."

I march down the halls to the library and enter, why we've never had a real librarian is beyond me. "Jim, Claire?"

I walk further in, getting some glares from two students reading.

"Are you guys in here?"

"Yeah," Claire says meekly. I hear her voice from behind the bookshelves, so I walk closer. It sounds like she's trying to wake Jim up or something.

I round the corner, and I see Claire leaning against a sleeping Jim, his hood pulled over his face. Jim moans and Crawls out from behind Claire, his tired eyes land on me… oh hell he looks exhausted.

"Jim, are you ok?" I gasp.

He blows out a fast breath of air through his nose, "I'm fine." He bites. Than curls up next to Claire like a dog. I look to the girl for answers.

"You found us, so It's safe to infer that you spoke with Kyle, Alex, Amanda, and Maggie?"

I nod, "It wasn't right of them to push about your life," I say.

Muffled by the arm in front of his face, Jim speaks. "Well they wouldn't ask so much if I could just control my vocal chords." he moans.

I walk around and squat down in front of him, "May I ask permission to ask a few specific questions that you are in no way shape or form obligated to answer?"

The two student's look taken aback by the question, but Jim nods.

"The others said you said something about your race, does your race make you more different from other races?"

He nods, "Extremely."

"And it has something to do with your vocal chords?"

"Yes…"

"And they're asking how and why you make those sounds. But telling them would be giving too much information about your race which seems to be very secretive. So…"

"None of those were questions." Claire states.

"True… Here's my last question. Do you want me to bring notes by your house or do you want to get them from another student?"

Both, once again, looked shocked.

"You look like you're having a really rough day, and I'm not going to make it worse by forcing you to come to class. Like I said, I'm here if you need anything."

Jim sits up, his brows furrowed. "Are you sure you're a teacher… maybe like a fun guidance counselor or something? Because you're way too good at your job, shouldn't the administration be like… I don't know. Jumping down your throat for being nice? Or actually caring about students?"

I laugh, "I'm sure. Oh, and both of your meetings' is at five tonight. Make sure one of your parent's are there."

Jim's neck goes slack and his head is tilted at an awkward angle, "My mom's in California, and my dad's a deadbeat who walked out when I was five. The closest thing to a parent I have here in Jersey is older than dirt, and we aren't on speaking terms, also kinda a recluse. The next closest I've got is an antisocial jerk who debatably ruined my life. There's also Detective Skinner, and he's fine but has known me for less than two months. So, take your pick." His face looks peeved, but his eyes show amusement.

"Jim, your confusing the poor man." Claire states, she places a hand on his shoulder and he rubs his cheek against it. "We'll be there, but we can't make any promises about adult a guardian." She says facing me.

"Alright…" I press my lips and stand. "And Jim, I'm sure that if you explain to your friends that your race's vocal chords are different. They'll leave you alone about it."

Jim's face goes hard, a scowl set on his face as he looks up at me, "What kind of friends blackmails you for your secrets?" He snarled… he actually snarled. What the actual hell?

"Jim…" Claire says in a soft tone.

The young man releases his anger before turning to her, "I know. I know." He turns back to me, "Sorry for snarling at you."

I'm amazed at his control over his anger, and making sure that he never speaks in anger toward her. The love he has for this girl is immense. Now I'm thinking he wasn't kidding when he said he'd rip someone's face off if they'd hurt her. And that's worrisome.

I blink hard. I press my lips and tilt my head, "I know for a fact that they are sorry. They know they went too far. Do you want me to send them in here to apologize?"

"With all due respect Mr Werber, I'd like them to apologize on their own terms." Jim looks down at the floor.

Claire looks up to me while brushing the back of Jim's neck with her thumb, "If you could save the notes and give them to us at the meeting tonight, that would be great. We both need time to cool down, and Jim's still a bit upset."

Jim scoffs.

I nod slowly, "Yeah, I'll see you tonight. Jim you look like you got ran over by finals week, get some sleep." I turn and walk away, and hear one thing before I leave.

"If we ever tell an adult about trolls. It's going to be him."

Trolls…

What the f***!

-0-

Claire and I make our way down the hallway to Mr. Werber's classroom. She did her homework at the base of the structural beam while I slept, the lack of sleep is really getting to me, less than five hours a day is not enough. I was getting more as the human trollhunter.

We walk down the halls fingers laced, no one else is in the corridors so we nuzzle each other as we walk.

"Jim, you need to get more sleep. Even your glamor looks tired," Claire says, brushing her thumb across my hand.

"Can't do school and sleep, I'll be fine," I say.

"You've never been good at lying to me, have you?" She narrows her eyes and smiles.

I sigh and shake my head, "So did Skinner say he was coming?"

"I texted him, but he never responded." She states.

I shrug and hold the door open to the classroom, "Well, it's not like mom was going to fly out for a parent teacher meeting. Even if she did get the email…"

Claire walks in smiling at me.

"Well, I didn't just come for the parent teacher meeting." I freeze at the sound of her familiar voice. Slowly I turn to see her, red hair, glasses, and scrubbs.

My face falls to a smile.

"Mom."

In a second I rush to her side and wrap her in a tight hug.

"Woah! Jim, not so tight." She tries to breathe. I release her and spot…

"Strickler?"

"Hello young Atlas, it is good to see you attending school." He looks to Claire, "Miss Claire, you as well. I'm glad to know you've accepted Jim's title for you."

"Accepted and reciprocated, Strickler." She smiles.

"Claire how are you?" Mom asks.

"I'm absolutely fantastic…" Claire turns to me and whispered inaudibly, "She doesn't know we're mates. Does she?"

I subtly shake my head.

"Alright Jim, Sorry if I'm a bit late, but Randy Cross won't get off my case. Maybe you could…" Skinner freezes. He glances between me, mom, Claire, and Strickler.

"Wow, now all we need is…"

"Sorry if I kept you waiting Jim, Claire…" Werber walks in. "I thought your mom was in California."

"I did, and before anyone gets confused." I step forward, holding my hands up. "Werbz, Skinner, this is Mr Strickler, and my mom Barbara. Mom, Strickler, This is Detective Skinner, the adult in the know. And Mr Werber is a better teacher than you Strickler. Not sorry."

Everyone takes a minute to shake hands and say hi.

"Do I even need to be here?" Skinner asks.

"Considering Barbara probably won't be here every time there's a parent teacher meeting, yes." Claire says bluntly. "Also, my parents aren't here."

"Who's Stickler than?" Skinner asks.

"He's dating my mom." I drone.

"Oh."

"Alright, let's get this started." Werber says, sitting across the desk. "First, Mrs. Lake, I'd like to say that Jim's an excellent student. He works hard even when he doesn't get the material. He's funny and quick witted, and the most respectful young man to Miss Claire. In fact, I've never seen anyone treat their significant other with more kindness, love, and respect than he does."

I blush slightly.

"Really?" My mom asks, I turn to her slowly.

"Thanks mom." I deadpan.

Werber's brows knit together, "Really. Even if he's in a terrible angry mood, he calms himself before speaking to her to ensure he doesn't lash out. I've never seen someone his age with more self control. He doesn't stand to let others degrade her either." He gives a small laugh.

I shrink slightly, "you heard about that?"

Claire takes my hand under the table and squeezes, "Jim, everyone heard about that."

"Heard about what?" My mom's face slowly turns to a glare.

"Jim kicked the crap out of a bully. That's what I know." Skinner says.

Werber laughs, "Drake Marrow is one of the worst kids to ever attend Corbin City High. Jim's the first to be able to knock him off his pedestal. Randy Cross too." He smiles.

Mom glares at me, "We will be talking about this back at NTM," she says.

"Good for you, young Atlas." Strickler humms, getting glared at by my mother.

"But we're getting off track," Werber says. "I want to ask you about what kept his attention from school last year."

Everyone in the know stiffens.

"Way too much." My mom states.

"I don't qualify to answer that." Skinner says.

"I plead the fifth." Clare states.

"Destiny?" I laugh.

"There is no way to answer that honestly without days of explanation." Strickler says calmly.

Werber's brows furrow, he takes a deep breath. "Alright… Jim you said that it was taken care of at the beginning of the summer. Right?"

I nod, "Yeah, but there's never not loose ends. Like the Stalkling." I state.

Mom and Strickler quickly lean forward and glare at me, their chairs squeaking against the floor at the quick movement.

Claire takes a deep breath, "There was some sloppy damage control, one kid found out. Spilled just about everything."

"And that's another thing I wanted to ask about, Jim's culture and race?" Werber says.

"Hold up a sec," mom interrupts holding her hand up. "How much does everyone know?"

Skinner takes this, "Everyone knows that I hired Jim and Claire as supernatural experts to handle what we thought was a Jersey Devil, but turned out to be a stalkling. And that Jim's an exceptionally good… athlete."

"Sloppy damage control indeed, Jim." Strickler says, "How did Blinkous not put you through hell in training after a slip up like that?"

"I'm sorry what?" Werber tries.

"Blinky and I aren't exactly on speaking terms…" I shrink, "He doesn't know how much got out."

"James Lake Jr. You had better be more careful! Unless you want this town to end up like Arcadia. You know the mess it's in!" Mom scolds.

"Hey, he's dead, that won't happen again. And he's not coming back! I made sure of it when I killed him!" I snarl.

"Young atlas, watch your sounds." Strickler says.

"You what?!" Werber gasps.

"I mean about knowledge, Jim. Do you really want this whole town to know?"

"No, and it's not going to happen! I've got everything handled!"

"Handled indeed," Strickler scoffs.

"Hey, you have no right to talk to him like that! We're doing our best!" Claire shouts.

"Toby is doing better with Steve and Eli." Mom huffs.

"Well it's not like I've got a team to help me keep things under wraps! Skinner barely understands the basics. And Justin's a freaking twerp, who stuck his nose were it didn't belong. All I've got is Claire, and I can barely go outside. What was I supposed to do?"

"Can someone please tell me what's going on?" Werber asks, looking incredibly stressed out.

"It's not likely." Skinner says leaning over to him.

"Jim, you need to get better hold of these secrets." Strickler says, tsking.

"I agree, what happens if they turn on you…"

I stand quickly and my chair skids behind me from the force.

And I roar.

I freaking let loose with a blood curdling roar.

All hands cover their ears, tensing and cowering.

"Everyone shut the hell up. Mom, I love you, but unless you and Strickler can act like human adults and stop attacking me, get out." I growl. "We are here to talk about school. Not the fact that Justin is a loud mouth and kidnapping is frowned upon. I'm sorry people know of my unnatural strength, and the fact that I can kill a giant troll bird!"

Stricklar opens his mouth but I snarl once in his direction, and he shuts up.

"Glad to know you know who can kill who." I bite. "Werber, I will tell you more about my culture later. For now, We can talk about school."

Claire takes my hand, eyes soft.

I take a breath, "Mom, Strickler, are you able to continue this meeting in a civil manner?"

"Yes." mom says quietly.

"Strickler?"

He lowers his head, submitting. "Yes, Jim."

I blow hot air out my nose and sit down. "Sorry for scaring you Skinner, Werber." I tilt my head and give a harsh smile.

Werber's lips are pressed, he takes a deep breath before blowing it out. "Nice vocal chords, Jim."

"Thanks." I say flatly

We finish the meeting quickly and without more incident, Claire, my mom, Skinner, and Strickler step out and I wait for the door to shut before I speak to Werber. He smelled like he had questions.

"Who did you kill?"

"An evil warlord, who was debatably cannibalistic." I shrug. He'd eaten changelings, and siphoned the life from other trolls to stay alive. I'd call that cannibalistic.

"Why are you training, and why would it be hell?"

"Gotta train to not die, and if Blinkey's mad at me. Or is punishing me, the training is ten times worse. But like I said, we're not on speaking terms. And we don't have a training ground."

"Last one, did Mr. Strickler resign to you?"

I nod, "In combat I'm superior, I'm also… you know what. Later. I've got to go. I'll get the notes from you next time. I need to handle my mom and Strickler." I shake my head and sigh. "I'm really sorry you got dragged into this."

"Jim, I have no idea what this is. But I'm here for you, whatever you need!" He puts a hand on my shoulder and makes sure I understand he's serious.

"I've got a question for you."

"Alright," He nods, listening intently.

"To what extent do you know first aid?"

His face falls to one of concern, "I have military training. I could patch up a bullet wound and anything up to that."

I nod, "Perfect."

With that I leave and join the others out front of the school, now dark outside.

"I can not…" mom starts.

She's my mother I can not yell at her. She's my mother I can not gowel at her. She's my mother I can not snarl at her.

I take a deep breath, but I don't have to speak.

"You can not?!" Claire yells. "I can not believe how you behaved. Attacking him like it was his fault! You barely acted like adults, let alone mature ones. I expect you apologize or I'll be recommending a B&B. No one who treats my mate like that gets to stay in our home!"

I stand behind her, backing up her every word. And Skinner stands next to me. Through the scolding my mom must have missed Claire calling me her mate. Although just hearing her say it makes me feel better.

"Look, I understand we could have done better. But none of it was our fault. It was all circumstantial. But nothing of crucial information has been leaked." I explain quietly.

Mom takes a breath, "I'm sorry for yelling at you. Especially when I know so little about trolls." She says.

"I should have gotten a better read of the situation before attacking you, young Atlas." Strickler says.

"Thank you." I say through a growl.

"Did you guys rental car?" Claire asks.

Mom nods.

"Cool. Skinner, have them follow you to the bridge. Claire and I will meet you there." I say as I start walking away.

"Jim, don't you think you should ride with your mom?" Claire says, a smile on her face.

I whine a few times, thinking of something appropriate to say. "I need to cool down." is the response I decide on.

Claire nods in understanding, she pulls out the Horngazle and hands it to me. "We'll text you once we're there."

"You're not coming with me?" I whine more.

"You can't to parkour with me on your back. We'll go get some food so you have some time to blow off your steam. I'll pick up some scones from Mrs. Read, and then we'll skip school tomorrow so you can get some sleep."

I think about her offer, she knows exactly what I need. The three adults watch from the sidelines.

She holds out her hand, "Mask, and a kiss."

I glance around and check for humans, I don't see or hear any. So I pull off the mask and hand it to Claire. After she puts it in her backpack I kiss her softly on the lips.

She raises her eyebrows, "No, one of your kisses."

"But Claire, my mom's here." I whine.

"I know, show her who you are. Because that's who you've become and she's going to have to get used to it. Now com'on, before I kiss you."

I resign and nuzzle her nose before drawing my tongue along her jawline and into her hair. "I love you." I say, "And you're getting a bath tonight," I decide tasting her sweet skin.

A smile passes her lips, "Good," she grasps one of my horns and pulls my face closer so she can lick my cheek. "I love you too. Now go growl and snarl, and get everything out!" She encourages.

I glance at my mom, whose face… priceless. I can't even describe it.

I bound off toward the woods, and disappear into the darkness. I do parkour in the woods, growling and snarling with pleasure for the good part of two hours before I finally get a text from Claire.

I show up and open the wall, Skinner headed home. Said he couldn't handle more parent drama.

Once down the crystal stairs, I lead them up to Claire's and my Cave, both jaws drop once inside.