"It's amazing!" Paul exclaims looking from his now scar free forearm to Deatons face. "I didn't think magic was really a thing." He says shaking his head and running his fingers over the smooth skin. "What some would call magic, others would call nature." Deaton says handing a small jar to Kyle. "The physical component is simply herbalism. The healing boost you get from your mates though. I can't explain how that works so we may as well just call that magic." Paul looks at his arm incredulously again. Looking up and blinking through tears. "I don't have the words." Paul rushes forward and pulls the vet in to a tight hug which the reserved man shockingly returns without hesitation. "I'm sorry that I didn't have this for you sooner. I didn't know the burden the scars placed on you at first and then…" Deaton trails off hesitant to mention Paul's captivity. Stepping back Paul drags the back of his hand over his face wiping the tears away. "I've never had a very healthy self image. After what happened with Mark and what I looked like….after… I…..For the longest II never thought I was attractive enough for someone like Isaac or Kyle. They are both...so beautiful inside and out. I just didn't feel that I belonged...They deserve...The best of everything and I always felt I wasn't handsome enough, smart enough…. good enough." Isaac and Kyle both draw closer to Paul at his words.
"I thought they were crazy, blind, or being controlled by the bond. Surely such amazing people wouldn't choose me on their own. Eventually they convinced me that they really did find me beautiful. That they were as happy with me as I was with them.. I was happy, truly happy for the first time. The scars were just a reminder on the good days. Or an anchor weighing me down on the bad days. I always tried to keep those feelings from them. They feel my pain or sorrow so strongly you know? If I'm down they are down, which makes me feel even worse because I know its me making them feel that way. I know the scars are just on the surface but if I can finally heal them. That's just one less reminder, and another step towards putting Mark and everything else behind me." "So long as you don't use more than this much." Deaton says drawing a small circle on his hand. "You will eventually be able to remove them all."
"What happens if he uses too much?" Isaac asks taking the jar from Kyle and peering inside. "Will I turn in to a gremlin? What happens if I get it wet or put it on after midnight?" Paul asks with a laugh. "Nothing so dramatic. Most likely a rash." Deaton says with a smirk.
Isaac's phone peeps indicating an incoming text message. When he pulls it out to look Paul feels a slight ripple of trepidation over the bond before its quickly muffled. Isaac purses his lips sneaking a glance at Paul who is looking right back at him. "It's nothing." Isaac says by way of explanation in response to Paul's' raised questioning eyebrows. Kyle sighs softly knowing the conversation is definitely not over.
"We won't keep you any longer." Kyle says as they all hear the tinkling of the door chime indicating someone entering the lobby. "Very well. If you have any questions please let me know right away." Deaton says walking out of the room towards the lobby. The three turn and head out the back of the building where they are parked. Soon they are driving down the road headed home. Isaac squirms in his seat a little before glancing over his shoulder. This continues for several minutes until Kyle finally speaks up. "He's waiting for you to interrogate him." "I'm waiting for my mate to stop keeping secrets from me." Paul says dryly. "I figure if he hasn't told me by the time we get home I'll punch him in a kidney." Isaac chuckles shaking his head. "I want to wait until we're home." "Ok puppy, I trust you." Paul says sliding back with a sigh looking out the side window. "Probably still going to punch you in the kidney for hiding your emotions from me." Isaac reaches back and gives Paul's knee a brief squeeze.
Eventually they are at the house when they get out of the car Isaac braces when Paul steps near but instead of a punch he receives a smack to the backside. Isaac slides his arm over Paul's shoulders and the trio enter the house. "C'mon." Isaac says gesturing with his eyes up stairs.
Once they are seated in their bedroom Paul speaks. "OK out with it you're starting to freak me out." "I heard from Peter." Isaac says slowly. "OK? I assume he's alright?" Paul replies slowly. "He's located Dr. Allen." Paul flinches staring at Isaac unblinking for several moments. "Has he killed him yet?" Paul finally whispers hands trembling slightly. Isaac shakes his head as Kyle takes the shaking humans hands in his. "Not yet he's just located him today. He'll watch for a bit before he makes his move." Paul looks down at his lap blinking rapidly. Eventually he pulls his phone out.
To Peter: PLEASE be careful Peter. None of this is worth you not coming back to us.
Paul frowns dropping the phone on the cushion next to he looks up and opens his mouth to say something when his phone peeps softly.
From Peter: Wouldn't do that to you.
"Didn't expect a reply." Paul says with a small grin that quickly fades. "He'll be fine he won't take any unnecessary risks." Kyle says slipping an arm around him. Paul slumps resting his head against Kyle's. "I just want all this to be over. All I want is to be Isaac, Kyle and Paul. Not Subject 01, not a victim." "You're not either of those." Isaac says scooping both Kyle and Paul up in his arms and depositing them on the bed before climbing on top. "You're my boy." He says kissing Paul firmly. "You're Isaac and Kyle's. The rest is just...Noise."
The next morning Isaac and Kyle and laughing with Paul at the table and feeding him bacon. "Guys stop." Paul says laughing. "If I eat any more I'm going to pop." Just then Danny walks in and smiles at the trio. "So Paul." Danny says. Isaac whips his head around narrowing his eyes at his pack mate. "Woah easy now." Paul says putting his hand on Isaac tense leg. "He's going to ask you to go to the office." "How do you…" Paul starts to ask. "He's apprehensive." Kyle chuckles. "Not trying to die before work today." Danny says holding his hands up in mock surrender. "BUT… It would be cool if you could come in for a little bit. The Compellant rep is going to be in today. Would be great if you could be there to help us sort through all the features." "Paul works from home." Isaac says firmly. "He doesn't have to come in if he doesn't want to." Danny says shaking his head. "Guys…" Paul says. "Paul is sitting right here and makes his own decisions." "Isaac and Kyle can come too. I'll be there as well." Danny says hurriedly. "No." Paul says. Isaac starts to relax for a moment before Paul continues. "I'll come in on my own." Kyle and Isaac both tense up and turn to Paul. "Boys." Paul says with a grin. "It's going to be fine. I'll go in listen to the guys presentation and then go over the stuff with Danny and the engineering team. It's half a day tops." "Are you sure?" Isaac asks leaning close to Paul. "Positive." Paul says. "Just one thing." He says looking at Kyle. "Can I borrow Bumblebee?" Kyle smiles big. "Absolutely."
That evening the discussion with the rest of the engineers is winding down. While Isaac and Kyle had stayed home Stiles and Scott had both dropped by "just to see how things were going." An incoming text draws Paul's attention.
From Kyle: Meeting go OK?
Paul smiles warmly and replies.
To Kyle: Yeah went well. You guys have dinner yet? I'm starving Danny ordered pizza.
A brief burst of another kind of hunger whips across the mate bond just as his phone peeps again.
From Kyle: We ate dinner but were hoping you could be our desert.
Paul audibly gulps as a picture comes in. Paul feels heat begin to pool in his crotch as the image opens. Its Kyle and Isaac sitting so that their erect penises are next to each other. Someone, Isaac judging by the size of the hand has both shafts gripped firmly.
"Paul?" One of the engineers speaks up. "You OK?" Paul's head snaps up "Huh?!" He says loudly. Danny comes in the room carrying several boxes of pizza. He glances at Paul's phone and catches a whiff of the scent pouring off his human pack mate. "He's fine." Danny says shoving the boxes at the hungry techs as a means of distraction. "Why don't you call it a night." Danny says. "I'll send the draft of our proposal for your review in a bit." "Yes I'll send it right over… I mean yeah I'll look it over and… bye." Paul turns on his heel and speed walks out of the room.
Danny pulls his phone out and taps out a quick message.
To Isaac: He's on his way home. Scott will follow to make sure he's safe. Don't break him. :)
As Danny is sitting down at the table his phone beeps with Isaac's reply.
From Isaac: Thanks for giving him some normalcy. Sorry for being a douche earlier.
Danny smiles giving Isaac a quick pat over the pack bond before focusing on the technical discussion surrounding him.