The full moon is tonight, the alpha is still out there with mind control powers, and I work literally all day. On top of that, freaking Scott stopped texting me back an hour ago because apparently I need to srsly chill tf out ares

"Ares?"

I don't scream, but it's a close thing. I whirl around, only just lifting my hands so I don't throw Tiny Feline across the room, and find Dr. Deaton standing at the doorway, frowning in concern.

I half expect him to say something about Wednesday - the appearance of Derek and what happened at the school - since I made it very clear Friday that we would not be talking about Wednesday and I just wanted to work and he had been so kind as to respect my wishes. But it's been half a week now, and I can't really hide behind excuses anymore if he wants answers.

"I think the kitten has missed you," he says instead, gesturing past me, and I look back as TF mews, stretching out for more pets. And I'm reminded of just why I love working here.

I clear my throat and go back to applying his medicine. "He just uses me for ear scritches," I accuse. "Have you found anyone to foster Tiny Feline once he's not disgusting?" I ask. The spots aren't as obvious anymore as the medicine works it's magic, and it's easier to see just how adorable this little shit is gonna be.

"I don't suppose you and Scott could take him?" Deaton asks hopefully, and I snort, drawing TF out of his doze. He lets out an annoyed mew before settling back down.

"Melissa isn't for that life. My abuela had a mean old cat and I think it emotionally scarred her and my dad." I crinkle my nose at TF. "Not that you're a mean old cat," I coo at him. "You're just a Tiny Little Feline."

"Mind how close you get to him, Ares," Deaton warns. "Humans can get ringworm too."

I straighten and take a step back. "I was finished anyway," I tell him, picking up the kitten and taking him back to his cage, making sure he has food and water before pulling off my gloves and tossing them. "Maybe I can convince one of the deputies to take him in."

"Would they have time for him?"

I pause in washing my hands, frowning as I considered the question. Pauly and his wife both work full time, and Tara was allergic to cats… Which reminds me, I'm going to have to make sure my spare sweatshirt is in the Turtle before going to the station today. "Silverman might?" I shrug. He hadn't mentioned anything regarding a life outside of work. "If all else fails, I bet I can guilt Derek into fostering him."

"Derek Hale." Deaton blinks at me in surprise as I turn, pulling exactly three paper towels free to dry my hands. "You think he'd foster a kitten?" No doubt he's remembering how downright murderous Derek had seemed Wednesday. The image of Derek with a kitten - maybe while he's shifted and missing his eyebrows, waving a string or feather at it - is almost too much, and I have to fight back a laugh.

"I could ask. Though he is kinda living in a motel right now," I say, crinkling my nose at the problem with the plan. Are you allowed to foster a kitten if you don't have a permanent living situation? Not to mention the whole currently trying to figure out what to do with the Alpha thing. I don't say this to Deaton, but it's also something that needs consideration, I feel.

"I'm sure we'll figure something out for the cat," Deaton says, breaking my trail of thought. I blink up at him and nod. He pauses and studies me for a moment, and I know what he's going to ask before he even opens his mouth to do so. "How have you been, Ares?"

He says it with such concern I can't find it in myself to be annoyed. I sigh, dropping my shoulders. "Do I look so bad that you have to ask?"

He arches a brow. "Now, I didn't say that."

"The implication was there." I brush a flyaway out of my face. "It's cool. I'm cool. We're all cool," I tell him, and his expression makes it very clear that he doesn't believe a single one of those claims. "We're mostly cool," I correct, and it's mostly the truth.

If you ignore what happened Friday. Which Derek and I have. Sure, I had to cut my run short a bit when my ankle started aching, and Derek had given me a smug I told you so look that made me wanna punch him in the face, but it was okay.

"You know," Deaton starts, "if you ever need to talk…" he offers, and I force a smile. He's being supportive. He cares. There's no reason to be upset about that.

"Thanks, Doc."

Human Puppy (7 new messages)
im sorry i was mean earlier but u were bein naggy soo
stiles made first line
i made cocaptain
jackson wants to kill me
hes been weird w allison too
r u mad now
(HP)
1. Congratulations on co-captian, mijo, and congrats to Stiles, wtf so proud of both of you
2. Don't kill Jackson back, how is he being weird
And 3. I'm not mad. I've been at work
(A)
1 thanks
2 hes bein fake frendly an touchy an i think hes tryin to steal my girl?
3 good bc i need you to help me
(HP)
1. You're welcome
2. He's probably trying to make you jealous.
3. Slash his tires
(A)
i cant slash his tires ares you sound like alicia. wat happened to bein the adult
(HP)
I am occasionally allowed to sin
Hey so off topic but wtf is the plan for tonight
Don't ignore me now we were doing so good
You're out of class stop ignoring me
SCOTT MCCALL
(A)
IM HAVING STILES TEXT YOU CHILL

Stiletto (new messages)
yeah so we're just gonna chain scott up in his room
Like i literally have chains
He was embarrassed so he's making me tell you
(S)
Jeesuhs
I mean, if it works?
I gotta go Tara is giving me mal ojo. Good luck! Don't die!
(A)

"If it isn't my favorite incarnation of the God of War."

I look up from the computer I'm working on and smile brightly, tucking my hands under my chin for maximum cute. Deputy Silverman laughs, and I can feel Tara's eye roll from where she sits next to me. Silverman, whose first name is actually Daniel, leans against the counter, propping himself on his elbow.

"If this is your attempt to be favorite Deputy, you have to get in line behind Pauly," I remind him sweetly, and he huffs dramatically.

"What did Paulson do to deserve your love?" he demands. I tilt my head to the side and look into the distance, pretending to be deep in thought.

"Well. He has been sacrificing free time to patrol my neighborhood recently," I remind him. Just yesterday I had flagged Pauly down to bestow upon him gifts of tortillas and coffee. Before the horrible event that was babysitting drunk teenagers, which. Never again.

Silverman groans, throwing his head back in a childish fashion. "And just today he bought me a water from the vending machine," I go on, holding up said water and giving it a little shake. He makes a face and swipes at it, but I pull it away before he can grab it.

"I could have bought you a water if you asked," he complains.

"But alas, you weren't here yet."

Tara sighs loudly and stands, one of the wheels on her chair squeaking as it rolls back. "I haven't had enough caffeine to deal with this," she mutters, and then disappears down the hall toward the break room where the coffee and snacks are hidden. I frown before shrugging it off and turning my attention back to Silverman.

"Where you needing something? Trying to get me to make brownies again? I swear, between the lot of you-"

Silverman raises his hands in defense. "Whoa there." He glances toward where Tara left and leans in again. "I just wanted to check on how you were doing." He pauses before unnecessarily clarifying. "After Wednesday."

I inhale and look at the computer screen in front of me. He's just being nice. Don't get mad. Don't get mad.

"I'm fine." I look up, and he's doing this thing with his face, like he's trying to convey that he thinks I'm talking bullshit. It isn't nearly as impressive as Derek and his magical eyebrows, but I'll give the guy kudos for trying. "I am, honest." He doesn't look convinced. "Seriously, dude, I didn't even know anything was wrong until you guys showed up, so there's really no reason for me to be all that messed up by it," I tell him. It's a lie, completely and utterly, but he doesn't know that, and that's all that matters.

"It doesn't hurt to check," he says finally.

"I mean, it will if I get tired of everyone bugging me about it and I end up on an episode of Snapped," I mutter, and he lets out a surprised laugh.

"Come on, it's because we care."

"You only want me for my baked goods." I crinkle my nose at him. Then, because I might as well since the guy is right here, I ask, "Soo. About Wednesday." He immediately adopts his Deputy Dan face and I think I might have started a conversation he isn't allowed to partake in. "Have you guys found anything out?"

He sighs. It's long suffering and wow. See if I bring cookies for his birthday. "I can't really tell you anything, Ares."

"Y por qué no?" I demand. "I was involved, don't I get to know about the progress made?" He doesn't answer and so I go on, dealing a low blow. "Bet Pauly would tell me."

Silverman huffs. "Look, we're working on it, but there just isn't that much to go off of."

I frown. "What about the number that texted all of us?"

He looks conflicted for a second before answering. "It was traced, but nothing came out of it." I frown, and open my mouth to argue, because surely it couldn't have been nothing. But before I could, Tara returns, and the conversation is abandoned. Silverman straightens from his lean at the look Tara gives him. "I'll just," he motions back to the bull-pin.

"You do that," Tara says dryly.

"Graeme," he salutes to Tara, then turns to me with a grin. "Aretha?"

I laugh, shaking my head. "Not my real name. Not even close."

"I'll figure it out, just you watch," he threatens, smiling all the while. "Maybe I'll just pull you over and make you hand over your license."

"You'd abuse your power just to figure out my first name?"

"Well, when you put it that way…" he calls over his shoulder as he disappears back to his desk. I shake my head and turn back to my computer. I can't focus, however, because I can just feel Tara's judgement.

"Dude, what?" I demand, turning to face her. She makes a face.

"Don't give me attitude, Delgado," she chides. I roll my eyes. She looks at me, and I swear if she's going to mention Wednesday… but instead she leans forward, making sure Silverman is truly gone before going on. "I can't tell if you're being purposely obtuse or you're just that oblivious."

I frown. "What are you talking about?"

She levels me with a look, and wow. Holy hell, she gives Derek a run for his money. "The flirting, Ares."

I choke. "We're not - I'm not -" She arches a brow at me and horror fills my very soul. "Have we been flirting?!"

"He's been flirting with you."

I think back to our interactions. Sure, they involve banter, but I banter with everyone. And there's bribery with baked goods, but everyone tries to get on my good side for the baked goods. I make a distressed noise and grab Tara's arm.

"I thought we were just being bros!"

She looks at the grip I have on her arm and I immediately let go. "If that's how you make bros, then I think you have more problems that Silverman." I whine and drop my head on the desk in front of me. This is. This is unnecessary. I don't have time to deal with this kind of thing. Not when I'm still dealing with the whole Derek thing. "It's not that bad," Tara assures me, and I turn my head to look at her. "He isn't horrible to look at, and he's a decent kid." I furrow my brow as I take this into consideration. Sure, Silverman is easy on the eyes. He's more of Warren's type though, with his blonde hair and brown eyes. Maybe he's bi? I wonder if I can find him on social media and send a link to Warren….

"Unless…" Tara hesitates. "Unless you don't like…"

I frown before I realize what she's saying. "Oh. Oh, no," I say straightening and shaking my head. "I usually don't like anyone," I say with a shrug. Usually being the key word. Because now there's Derek Hale.

Asshole.

Tara gives me a confused look.

"It's a thing, don't think too hard about it," I say, and push my chair away with a laugh as she swats at me.

Shift at the Station is over, gonna head home now

I send the message off to Stiles as I walk out of the station and make my way to where my Turtle is parked. It's so out of place surrounded by cruisers, and I'm about to send a snap of it to Warren and Sonya when my phone goes off in my hand. I frown at Stiles' picture before answering.

"What's u-"

"You need to not come home," Stiles says in way of greeting, and I make a face as I check over the Turtle before unlocking it and hoping in.

"That's rude."

"No, I'm serious, a hundred percent," Stiles goes on as I turn on the car and wait for it to heat. "Like, Scott is not okay."

"Are you kidding me, then I have to go home!"

"No!" His voice is panicked. "He told me to not let you come home. The alpha is messing with his head and-" He pauses. "He's scared he's going to hurt you. Like, really hurt you."

I let his words sink in. Swallow hard against the panic that rises in my throat and for a split second I can hear the screeching of claws on metal and see gold eyes glaring through the darkness. I blink the image away, and I'm not in the school, but back in my car, back in the station's parking lot. Still, I'm not entirely interested in repeating that particular experience.

"I… Where the hell am I supposed to go then?" I demand. Then, hit with an idea so fantastic it scares me, I say, "Have him call Allison."

"Alli-why?"

"No qué she's his anchor? Talking to her will calm him down."

There's a pause. "That's… not a horrible idea. You still shouldn't come home. Until I call you back."

"Stiles, what the shit, what am I supposed to do until then?"

"I dunno, but don't come home. Look, don't worry about Scott, he'll be fine. Just…" he huffs. "Stay away right now."

He hangs up before I can even argue. I stare down at my phone in disbelief.

"Are you freaking kidding me?"

I sit still for a second before shaking my head. I wonder what Angie is up to.

The lot of the diner is surprisingly full, and I'm forced to park closer to the end of the building, where it borders the Preserve. I'm finding that you can never truly escape those damn woods in this town, and so grip my keys tight as I quickly make my way around the Turtle and to the diner's front door. The OPEN sign flickers in the window, and I can't help but think of the lamp post at the school parking lot, and the second time Derek and I came. I glance back toward the Turtle, toward the tree line, half expecting to see red eyes to stare back. There's only darkness, and I push the door open and walk in.

The usual suspects are here, the truckers with their never empty mugs of coffee, looking tired and in need of a bed. They'll probably drive through the night though. Also, the ever present Angie. But more than that, there's a loud group taking up two booths closer to the front. They're young, but too old to be high school. About my age, maybe as old as Derek. College kids? I wouldn't be too surprised if that were the case.

It occurs to me that I've never been here without Derek. It feels… wrong, somehow. I hesitate by the door, gripping the book I found stashed in my car to my chest. One of the boys in the loud group, fair hair and dark eyes, arches a brow in my direction, and it takes a fair amount of willpower not to crinkle my nose in disgust. The gesture reminds me too much of Elliot.

Before I can make my escape back to the Turtle, Angie notices me as she refills one of the trucker's mugs and uses the pot to gesture to an empty booth in the back corner. It's far enough from the loud group, and I take a breath as I cross the room toward it.

"I'll be with you in a sec," Angie says as I pass her, and I nod in acknowledgment. I slip into the booth, scooting as far in as I can, and set my book in front of me. I stare at it for a moment before pushing it aside and pulling out my phone.

The diner is weird without you

I don't expect a quick response. It's the full moon, he's a werewolf; there are sure to be problems with him. Though last full moon he seemed pretty in control…

"What'll you be drinking then?" Angie demands, though not as impatient as she had been before. I think I'm growing on her.

"Oh. Um. Chocolate milk, please."

"Chocolate milk," she repeats, not making a move to write it in her pad. I nod, and she gives a long suffering sigh before walking away without another word. And okay, I might have been a little too optimistic there.

"Nooo mi tortaaa!"

I blink in surprise before looking down at my phone.

Derek (1 new message)
And you're at the diner why
(D)
Stiles says I'm not allowed to go home because the full moon is making Scott not okay
Apparently they chained him in his room. Not that I'd know because I've been slaving away at work all day
ANYWHO I'm gonna see if Angie the waitress notices if I spend the night here bc despite all my self depreciation, I don't want to die at the hands of a mind controlled teenage werewolf
(A)
Jesus Ares no
You can't spend the night at the diner
(D)
I can. As long as Angie doesn't notice. It's fine, it'll be great. An adventure!
(A)

Angie chooses that moment to return with my milk, and I note with delight how the straw she sets on my napkin has a bendy neck. My good mood is almost immediately soured as a loud outburst of laughter from the other tables makes me wince. Angie must notice, and she looks at the group in distaste.

"Nights like this are always the worst," she mutters to herself, and I look up at her in confusion.

"Mondays?"

She clicks her tongue and scowls. "The full moon."

"Oh." She shakes her head down at me and heads to the group as one of the boys holds up his empty cup and gives it an impatient shake. I make a face, and the guy from earlier catches it, smirks a slimy smirk and nudges the guy next to him.

"Gross," I mutter, going back to my phone.

(Derek 1 new message)
I'm on my way, don't lay out your blankets yet you idiot
(D)
No! Isn't the full moon going to make you lose your eyebrows?!
(A)

I hate you.
I'm coming, don't be stupid until I get there
(D)
Oh wow Señor Lobito, someone is grumpy
(A)

There's a disturbance in the force. I look up, and the Elliot wannabe is leaning over, talking to the boy next to him, nodding my direction more than once. It makes my skin crawl.

If you're really coming pls hurry
(A)
What's wrong
(D)
There's a guy making eyes at me and it's creeping me out. I need you to scare him away
(A)
Five minutes
(D)

And I know for a fact that this diner is at least fifteen minutes away from Mason. If I grin like an idiot at my phone, no one can blame me.

Okay so FIRST OF ALL: yourpalmoony is a freaking saint and if anyone ever says otherwise they can fight me. Her story The Gloaming is fantastic and Ares would highkey adopt Nikita immediately and you're writing is perf and seriously motivated me through my issues with writing third person (which you'll get to see in the future). ALSO, Moony made this HELLA perf poster for Kerosene Hearts that you should go check out on tumblr bc it's perf and I love it. ANOTHER fantastic human! friendly-neighborhood-hufflepuff, bb I loved those character edits and everyone should go see them bc one of them spawned a Word of Galanerd fact for Ares. Both are found under the Kerosene Hearts and Matchbox Bodies tag on my tumblr.

ALSO: kkiyomizu, you perfect human you. Seriously, ya'll I've been having some issues with the chapter I'm currently working on (32, which is a super important one) and here she comes with her brilliant ideas helping me break past a stubborn block. NOT TO MENTION hufflepuff-true, for dealing with my constant whining and letting me bounce ideas off of her.

Okay I'm done - EXCEPT I'M NOT! Everyone who has left a review, I appreciate all of you, those who have faved/followed, welcome to the party, and my longtime friends, strap in, bc the next couple chapters are gonna be a bit rough for everyone involved

Catch ya on the flip side, y'all