Apparently Hyenas belong to the feliform category and are therefore closer to a lion than to a wolf, I was going to make someone a hyena but wanted them to be a canine, thus, I now possess this info.

Would it be ok if I posted an original work here? Like would you guys read it? It's old and needs work, but I adore it like nothing else.

Me, writing this story: There are not enough fics where Connor falls first… I mean, there probably are others besides this one, right?


21. Πόθος

Getting Tera used to living in a house as opposed to the orchard was its whole transition, one that had Evan dragging Connor to buy some essential tools, such as a baby seat for the toilet, and a baby seat for eating; if Connor was bothered he didn't say it. Evan tried not to think too hard on the fact that he'd gone full parent mode, like, movie clichés included; but Tera was a charming little girl, it was very easy to see why Connor adored her.

Tera was also incredibly smart, which became a problem because Evan was sort of, maybe, developing a bit of a tiny, miniscule really, crush on her 'dad'; and he had yet to tell Connor she was calling him that, not knowing how he'd react. He had to, really, or maybe he could wait until Tera finally spoke up; Evan had heard what could only be the sounds of testing letters coming from her new nest once. He doesn't say anything because he knows what she's trying to do.

Connor is coming over practically every day, even if just for a short while, and Evan had been right in thinking that this wouldn't help with the whole liking him debacle; and now he has to worry about Tera questioning his reactions to the alpha. 'Why are you staring at dad?' and 'you look red, are you sick?' being her favorites; and really, Evan is suffering because on the one hand she's obviously worried because she cares about him, and that delights him like nothing else, but on the other hand he has a rough time trying to hide from Connor, so he doesn't have to translate and give himself away.

Connor himself doesn't make it any easier either, he's just so- god! So not what the rumor mill had made him out to be. No, Connor Murphy is a sarcastic little shit that will egg Evan on until he snaps and responds with less than kind words, and smiling after like he's won something.

Basically, he's a horrible, horrible influence; Evan is so gone for him it's not even funny. And the worst part is that he also happens to have a soft caring side to him, which likes to come up around Tera as he dads far too comfortably for someone who claimed to need help; Evan was ridiculously tempted to call bullshit on that one, if not for the fact that Connor didn't have any other reason to have let Evan in on this.

Evan tries not to think about that, about how this all started, what this still is; because it makes the ugly voice in his head rear up to remind him that he's to blame for all the misfortune Tera and Connor had had so far. Sometimes he wishes he had forgone the orchard, chanced the state park again; Connor wouldn't have even known he existed, and Tera would still be in the orchard, and his status as dragon would've remained hidden.

Logistically, he knows thinking like that isn't healthy; but when have his anxiety and depression ever been logic? And it's not like he's gonna do anything about it, not now that he's neck deep into this… situation. It should scare him, he thinks, how nonchalant he's become about the subject of death; and wonders if Connor got like that too.

Evan was half tempted to talk about it, after all it was Connor himself that brought their shared status as suicidal teens to light; but he's also entirely terrified of what would happen if he did. So he just… ignored Connor and any feelings he awoke in Evan; it was easier said than done, but it was better for everyone involved.

- ... . / -... - -.- / -... . / .-. .. -. -. .. -. -.

Connor has failed spectacularly at the whole 'don't fall for Hansen' gig, it's just- it felt good to know Evan was comfortable enough to be playful with him, to do less word managing, so of course Connor had to get him to express his frustrations too. He claimed it was purely to let Evan know it was ok for him to do it, that he could be human, that he could be angry outwardly, Connor was pretty sure it was healthy; or well, healthier than all that bottling up thing he seemed so prone to.

Connor knew how bottling things up ended, it blew up not only on you but also everyone close to you, it burned your bridges to crisp and caused the people you loved to fear you; he knew he was being hypocritical, what with bottling up his feelings towards Evan, but he honestly didn't give a shit. Connor knew, by the smile that tried to draw itself on Evan's face, that his efforts didn't go unappreciated; keeping his mouth shut was worth it if it meant he got to be the reason behind Evan's smile.

Connor found him talking to Alana in the hallway, the beta looked concerned and seemed to sense him coming, because she lifted her head to meet his gaze, said something else to Evan, and walked away. Evan runs a hand through his hair sighing.

"How come everyone thinks Jared wants me?"

Connor knows Evan is talking to himself, but he can't really resist.

"Isn't that what we want them to think?"

Evan all but jumps in place, even though he should've been able to smell Connor approaching; really, they've spent enough time together. He splutters for a bit before he gets himself back on check, giving Connor a look that has him repressing shivers.

"Alana's smarter than that"

Connor shrugs, he's not gonna fight him on that one.

"What did she say?"

Evan practically scoffs, and Connor does not get a spark of pride at the look, no sir.

"That I should keep Tera away from him, how she smelled too much like you"

Connor bites his lips, and leans into a nearby locker. Evan leans to the one besides him, facing him, and it feels like they're stepping into a bubble.

"I mean, I don't want her anywhere near him; but the way she said it…"

"What if she's right though?"

Evan blinks at him.

"What?"

"I mean, his problem seemed to be with your size, and now he knows so- he could be"

Evan pales a little, and shifts himself a little closer; Connor is used to this, and reacts accordingly, shifting himself to better help hide him. He tries not to think about the fact that Evan must trust him plenty to use him as human shield, or the fact that he wants to bring him even closer and wrap himself around him whenever he gets like this; Connor will not do any hankering, thank you very much.

"I… I really, really don't want him, not one bit"

Connor has to laugh, because the face Evan makes while saying that is way too serious; still, there's a silent request there, and well… it wasn't like Connor was going to let Kleinman have an easy time getting to him, or any other alpha for that matter, but Kleinman awakes the worst of him.

"I'll keep him away"

Evan smiles at him, and Connor somehow manages to smile back without giving himself completely away; honestly, he's so weak for this omega, it's ridiculous.

He bites his lip, remembering what his mother asked him to do.

"I need to ask a favor"

Evan blinks at him, head lolling sideways adorably.

"Yeah?"

Connor bites harder.

"Would you come over for dinner? To my house I mean, for the whole pretense we're trying to pull off"

Evan bites his own lip.

"I would have to ask mom to stay in, can't really hire a sitter for Tera"

"Yeah no, but I'm not sure I could use your 'half-sister' as an excuse"

Evan gives him a pained grin.

"Aren't the air quotes kind of a bad idea?"

Connor rolls his eyes and huffs; Evan smiles at him sheepishly.

"Sitters are expensive?"

"She might invite Tera too"

Evan winces.

"Yeah no, that would not be a good thing"

Connor nods his agreement and then shrugs.

"I'll think something up"