This is gonna prolly be the last chapter. Thanks for reading till the end.

Ended: 05/26/2014

…

When Tommy woke up the next morning, he couldn't quite remember why there was a weight on his chest.

But then it came back to him – Merton and he had fallen asleep in the Goth's bed.

Together.

Instead of freaking out – which he wanted to do – the wolf part of him forced him to calm down and just feel the weight of Merton, who was leaning against his chest, snoring lightly.

The weight wasn't exactly uncomfortable to Tommy, just unfamiliar.

And for once, in what felt like forever, Tommy felt at peace with himself.

All thanks to Merton being there in his arms.

"See? I'm completely rational and calm when I'm with my mate."

Tommy ignored the voice and just tilted his head back, thinking for a minute about what this meant for him.

He was going to be gay – there was no other way to describe it. He and Merton were supposed to be together. He would have to tell his mom and dad – no telling how'd they take it. Hell, he'd probably have to tell them about the werewolf-ism too – yeah, like that'd go over well.

At least he had Dean on his side.

"It'll be okay." Tommy jerked a bit to find Merton watching him, his chin propped up on his chest. Tommy, instead of questioning the Goth – he had learned that you just didn't do that if you could avoid it – smiled a crooked grin at him.

"I'm sure it will be. Thanks Mert." Merton smiled and rested his head back on Tommy's chest.

That's how the two spent most of the morning – just curled up on the Goth's bed, enjoying their time together.

And the wolf – and Tommy too – was happy.

…

Later that day, Tommy and Merton were at the Hungry Bucket eating a late lunch – Tommy kept one arm wrapped around the shoulders of the Goth, who was seated next to him. They ate in a comfortable silence, just enjoying the company of each other.

Of course, nothing lasts for these two in Pleasantville.

"Tommy!" Tommy jerked up at the voice, his arm tightening on Merton's shoulders.

"St-Stacy," he got out, surprised to the see the vibrant red-headed girl he had practically worshipped standing in front of him. "What… what are you doing here?"

"I'm back in town for the summer," she said, looking at him and then Merton, her face showing the confusion she felt at their closeness. Merton hadn't looked up from his book that he had brought with him, and Tommy still didn't move his arm. "I was going to call you," Stacy continued, playing with the ends of her long red hair, "But I didn't know if you were in town or not."

"Well, I am," Tommy said, smiling at her. "We should catch up sometime."

"Yeah, totally. Well, bye Tommy." He watched her go, not missing the intense borderline obsession he had once felt for her; if being with Merton meant he didn't drool over Stacy anymore, he would gladly take it.

"Well, this was nice while it lasted," Merton said, pulling Tommy out of his thought-induced gaze, which was still directed in the direction Stacy had walked off in. He looked at Merton, who didn't look up from his book.

"What was?"

"You actually understanding the wolf for once and wanting to be with me. Of course, I can't compete with Stacy – the girl you worshiped for the whole first half of senior year. And honestly, I wouldn't want to." Tommy blinked at Merton's words – they were so soft, but hard too; he meant what he said.

"Mert," Tommy began, trying to choose his words carefully, "When Stacy and I were talking I felt… nothing." Merton looked up then, his finger holding his place on the page.

"Really?"

"Really." Merton, although he didn't want to, smiled then.

"Well, I'm done eating. Want to go watch a movie in the Lair?"

"I'd like that."

…

They watched the movie much in the same fashion that they had eaten lunch – Tommy's arm secure around Merton's shoulders and Merton tucked against his side.

They were watching some twitchy black-and-white movie about monsters that Merton owned – one in a collection of many. Merton's head fell onto the broad shoulder of the Jock as the movie progressed.

And Tommy found he quite liked having Merton close to him like this.

"Mert, buddy," he said as the credits began to roll, making the Goth stand up and stretch. "I gotta get going home." Merton nodded as Tommy stood up, surprised to find him yanked into a hug by the taller teen. "I'll be over bright and early tomorrow."

"Okay," he said, pretty tired himself. Tommy kissed his forehead and was gone. Merton, face flushed from the small action, went to his bed, ready for some much needed sleep.

…

When Tommy got home, he wasn't too surprised to find his mom working in the kitchen on an upcoming news story – papers were spread around her and a pen was clutched in her hand.

"Hey mom."

"Tommy!" she said, kissing his cheek as he passed her. "You had a call earlier. I took a message for you. It was from a young lady." Tommy stopped in his tracks and looked at his mom, who smiled at him. "It's on your door." He just nodded and went to his room, where the note was taped to the door.

'Tommy, wanted to see if you were up to lunch sometime. Call me – Stacy' followed by her phone number. He pulled the note off and threw it on his desk, ignoring it for now.

Right now, he just wanted to sleep and dream about the peace Merton brought him.

He'd much rather have peace than the turmoil Stacy brought him.

…

The next day, Tommy had scheduled a lunch with Stacy, who grinned at him.

"Tommy!"

"Stacy," he said, giving her an easy hug – no more wolf trying to come out. Tommy was really enjoying this – he had finally accepted everything and it showed in his attitude. He seemed to not have a care in the world.

"So, I was wondering… if you wanted to maybe go see a movie?" He stares at her, surprised – Stacy always made him do the chasing, but now she was doing it?

"No thanks Stacy, I'm seeing someone. And I'm committed." She stared at him, mouth open.

"But it's me, Stacy! You've… you've wanted me forever! And now I'm throwing myself at you and you say no?"

"I say no. Bye Stace." He gets up and walks away, regretting breaking her heart but he had absolutely no interest in her.

He just wanted to see Merton.

…

"Hi," he said when he got to Lair, wrapping the Goth in a hug and breathing in his scent.

"Hi… You okay there big guy?"

"I'm fantastic!" Tommy said, as if he were a different person. "I feel so… peaceful. Relaxed. And it's all thanks you," he said, rubbing his nose along the Goth's, pleased when he flushed against him.

"You're seriously happy about this."

"I am! If you're good enough for the wolf, why wouldn't you be good enough for me? I mean, we can be ourselves around each other and I don't have to hide." Tommy grinned while Merton blushed. "You're all I want. Hell, all I need."

Merton nodded and Tommy grinned, giving him a kiss.

Merton could get used to being the wolf's mate.

…

Yeah, this ending was rushed and sucky, but I wanted to finish it so… this is it.

Thanks for reading and reviewing and pretending that this wasn't awful.

-JustMe133