I guess my turn to write the chapter came at the right moment. Our exams just finished. Woohoo! I am free and ready to do crazy stuff. *Spends time on fanfiction and Tumblr* Hehe. I'm excited for this chapter and, well, every single chapter. Exciting things will happen. Hopefully. Well, let's get started before I begin rambling.

Enjoy! (Also thanks for the kind reviews, guys! You're awesome!)

Going back home was a bit nerve-wrecking. Ethan had always been calm, but when it came to family, he didn't like trouble. They were family, after all. They shouldn't be having troubles with sides or anything, but they were. And that was the worst part. Maybe Jane made everything better just by existing in the family, making him not feel left out, but his parents weren't going to change their minds about Jesse any time soon, and he knew that. They had known who Jesse was longer than he did, which meant he had fooled around with them morr.

He opened the door, expecting that once he'd find his parents, they'd still be angry. This morning, he didn't see them. He ran outside before they could wake up. He wanted some time alone without his parents scolding him for being not very loyal and running away to the Weir's house.

He wanted to go to the kitchen to get himself some water. Sadly his parents were standing there, talking in low whispers. That was until they noticed him approach. They suddenly stopped and stared at him, a mixture of emotions on their faces. He could detect anger, sadness, shock, and happiness all together at once.

What surprised him the most was his mother coming closer to give him a hug. He expected her to grab his arm and yell, but she didn't. She started stroking his head, and when she did, he was almost going to lean in to feel her warmth. But he didn't. She and his dad rarely made him feel loved, and he was afraid that if he did get used to this, he'd get too attached to the warmth. If that happened, maybe someday, he'd lose this love and he'd long for it. He didn't really want that. He didn't want to make himself believe that they'd give him that love again. They were never the type to show their passion for something.

"I was so worried," she managed out. "You ran away and I didn't know if you'd come back again. And then we didn't see you this morning and I thought you really were gone." Oops. He forgot that maybe his parents would think that. Another flaw in another plan, it seemed.

"I was here. You just didn't see me," he said. His voice almost sounded robotic. He didn't really know what to feel at the moment. Maybe that was why everything felt blank.

"Don't run away like that again," his dad said from behind his mom.

She let go of him and studied him, looking at him as if it was the first time in a year to see him.

He ignored her wandering eyes and said, "Then don't treat me like I'm the plague. Like I'm a disgusting thing that you want to get away from."

"We never-"

But he pulled back before she could continue. He didn't want to hear this. He walked upstairs, and realized something. His parents might misunderstand his feelings at the moment. He turned around and looked at them. It broke his heart how hurt they looked, but he pushed that aside and talked. "I love you. I really do. It's just that I feel like I'm trash in this house at the moment."

He left it at that and climbed upstairs. When he entered his room, his mood was instantly better at the sight out the window. From his own window, Benny was sitting on his computer chair, probably trying to finish his homework. He looked up hesitantly and saw Ethan and waved. He mouthed "you okay", and as a reply, Ethan did the hand gesture of "so, so".

Benny pursed his lips and nodded slowly. For a few seconds, he seemed distracted by his thoughts because he was staring at nothing, really, in particular. Maybe just the wall. His eyes suddenly widened and he got something out, all the while smiling. It was his phone.

Ethan chuckled at how Benny's expressions changed so suddenly. He found the spell caster as goofy. He got out his phone and within a few seconds, it said:

got an idea how 2 prove 2 anastasia dat ur good! –Benny

Oh, he was so doing this horrible way of typing on purpose. He looked up at Benny without raising his head as if saying "are you serious". Benny's head went up and he opened his mouth. He was obviously laughing judging by his shaking shoulders.

He rolled his eyes and typed:

Will you tell me what it is? –Ethan

Benny stopped laughing and looked back at his phone. And he typed away.

How hard will it be finding that spell you stole? –Benny

Not that hard, actually. Maybe a bit, but not too difficult. Ethan found himself with Jesse a lot. He could find the spell if he'd try to make Jesse feel like Ethan's loyal once again. He smiled at his boyfriend.

I'll get it tomorrow. –Ethan

Benny beamed up at this. He looked to the side and raised his fist. He looked back at the window and feigned embarrassment. He laughed at Benny's obvious attempt at making a show. His boyfriend gave a sweet smile before raising a book from what he guessed was Benny's table. Homework. Right.

They waved at each other and then Benny closed his curtains.

Well, now he had to go to Jesse's mansion the next day. Great. Hopefully, after this, he wouldn't ever again.

Ethan that afternoon was hesitating when he entered Jesse's mansion, but of course, he wouldn't show that. He lifted his head high up, put his hands in his pockets, and walked in as if he owned the place. A few vampires greeted him like they usually did, but he noticed that some were just staring at him. Maybe they knew about the argument he and Jesse had. Still, he didn't let that get into his head. He kept walking until he found his "friend". Not that the guy ever betrayed him or anything, but being good made him realize how horrible of a guy he sometimes acted.

"Hey, Arthur," he greeted.

"Hey," he said back. "You look better than you were yesterday. Seriously, what happened?"

He shook his head and gave him a fake reassuring smile. "Nothing big." Another lie. Wow. To how many people had he been dishonest?

"Are you sure?" Arthur asked.

Ethan nodded.

Arthur believed that so easily. Of course he did. Ethan was an expert in body language and lying. "Hey, you up for training with me?"

He didn't really want to. He wanted to find Jesse, but this wasn't a bad idea, actually. This way, he could show Jesse that he wasn't going to slack and that he should be trusted. Plus, maybe by fighting with Arthur, someone with weaker yet still great skills, he'd show everyone of how good he was at fighting. With Jesse, he'd fight well, yes, but Jesse was stronger than Ethan. He was kind of unbeatable. Kind of.

"Sure." So they went to the training room and prepared themselves. Ethan threw away his jacket and gave a smug smile like he used to do before whenever someone wanted to train with him. The look said it all: "Good luck. You'll need it. Maybe some bandages, too." Really, he wasn't feeling so smug, but he knew that he should at least warn his friend of possible injuries before starting.

Arthur began by throwing some punches, but Ethan dodged them all. It helped more that werewolves were slower than vampires, though they were stronger, but Ethan knew how to deal with that. He didn't just train with Jesse. He also fought others.

He let Arthur have his fun throwing punches and kicks, but he knew he'd get tired eventually. When he did, he took his chance and kneed him in his stomach, which caused him to go back a few steps. At his moment of weakness, Ethan noticed how he was paying more attention to his stomach more than his opponent, so with a fast movement of his leg, he knocked Arthur down and put his foot on his chest.

Arthur let out a laugh. "Two hits. Wow. You're gonna have to teach me how to fight like that." He extended his arm to let Ethan take it, but he didn't.

"Alright. First rule: never trust your opponent." He said with a smile and then again, quickly, he flipped the boy and help his hands behind him.

With the help of Ethan, Arthur got up and looked behind Ethan's shoulder with nervousness. That was when he heard clapping coming from only one person. He instantly knew who it was. "Bravo. Looks like I taught you well."

He turned around and tried his best to be respectful. "Please. I was going easy on him."

Jesse smiled. "I noticed." He looked back at his office. "Care to join me for a small chat?"

He nodded and followed him after grabbing his jacket to his office where all his books and papers were at. All of them. Jesse made Ethan sit in front of him, but Ethan couldn't help but look at the contents of the table.

There were a few papers were thrown here and there but none were like the paper of the spell. That one was a bit yellow. There were a few brown, old-looking papers, but none were yellow. Then there were some books with information about vampires, werewolves, witches and all that. And there was a leather-bound book. It was messy inside. Different sized papers were inside, and some of them weren't even tidy. It was so chaotic. Maybe the spell was stuffed in there? Then again, there was a closed file, too, so there was another possibility as well.

"You seem fine today. You're training, doing progress, not looking like you're gonna sass me," he said. Yeah, right. Well, he wanted to sass him, but he guessed now it was out of the question. He also wanted to roll his eyes, but he fought the urge to do it. "Keep it up and you'll earn back my respect." Ethan nodded, trying so hard to still keep up the act. He can do this. He just has to get some time to look through the book and file. "What I want you to do right now is train your friend a few things. He still doesn't seem so good at-"

"Jesse, one of the dogs wants to see you," a vampire behind Ethan interrupted.

"Why? What's going on?" he asked.

"Says he caught a spy," he said.

A spy? As in from Anastasia's side? This couldn't end well for the guy. Or girl.

Jesse stood up and looked at Ethan. "Stay here. I'll be back in a minute." And he left. Well, if luck wasn't on his side.

Quickly, he made sure no one was in the room and first opened the file. He flipped through the papers. Nothing. Shit. He already lost precious time looking through it. Worse, he could hear Jesse's angry voice saying, "Take him out." He had to hurry. He opened the book with the messy papers. At first, he was panicking looking through the papers, but his eyes landed on a yellow piece of paper sticking out of the middle of the book. He opened to that one and sighed in relief. The spell. He found it. Quickly, he took it and stuffed it in his pocket and closed the book.

Right at that moment, Jesse decided to walk in. Ethan turned around innocently as if he didn't do anything. "What happened?" he asked, trying to look curious. "You sounded pretty angry."

"It wasn't anything big. Just an idiot who thought he could get away with asking for deep information. I hope Anastasia doesn't know much, though," he muttered. He sat down in front of him. "Anyway, where were we? Yes! Your friend! Teach him how to stay on his feet. I swear that kid has no balance. Work on that."

Ethan nodded and stood to get up. He walked to the door after being dismissed, but as he was closing the door, he couldn't help but catch the doubtful look of his face.

Ethan didn't stay true to his words. He taught Arthur, yes, but not well enough. Of course he wouldn't teach the enemy his skills. He really didn't care anymore about Jesse's side. He was too distracted thinking about the spell that he got back.

When he got to the Weirs' house, well, really, he didn't tell Benny he was coming, but he guessed he already knew that. The person who answered the door was, like usual, Mrs. Weir. "Hey, Mrs. Weir."

"Hey, Ethan," she said with a smile. He noticed how as days passed, she became nicer to him and slightly happier to see him. It was as if she knew the longer Ethan spent time with Benny, the better he got. And that was true. "Benny didn't tell me you'd come today."

"I didn't really call him today," he replied. "But listen, I got something that'll make you really happy again."

She looked at him curiously. "What is it?"

He got the spell out and unfolded it, showing it to her. "I got it."

She breathed in and bit on her lips. He can see how relieved she was. She was smiling then, but it was nothing compared to Ethan's smile. He was happy seeing her like this. Before, she seemed so miserable.

"I'll give it to you but after I show it to Benny, okay? I made a deal with him yesterday that I'd bring it and I bet he wants to see it. Plus, we want to bring it to Anastasia to prove I'm not a horrible person."

She nods, seemingly speechless. Though, he waited. Maybe she wanted to say something. And she did. She managed to breath in and out enough to calm down and say, "Thank you."

"You don't need to thank me. It was my fault it landed in Jesse's hands," he said, giving her an apologetic look.

She shook her head. "It's alright. What matters right now is that you have pure intentions." She paused before smiling again and saying, "Good luck."

He thanked her and then left to Benny's room. He felt a bit guilty, but it was time to forget about the past. The old him wasn't someone he wanted to remember.

He knocked on the door and waited for Benny to answer.

"I know it's you, E. You can come in," he said.

When he opened the door, Benny was already grinning from ear to ear. "Do you have it?"

Ethan nodded and brought it out again. Benny jumped up and down on his bed while still sitting. "Yes! I knew you could do it!" Ethan went down to sit by him only to be kissed briefly by Benny.

Because he wasn't expecting that, he was frozen for a second, but then he snapped out of this and asked Benny the obvious question. "When are we going?"

Benny shrugged. "Don't know. How about now?"

"Now?"

His boyfriend nodded. "The sooner you're free from Jesse, the better."

Benny wasn't the smartest, but Ethan had to agree with this. "I guess you're right." Even before he finished his sentence, Benny was getting up to get his stuff. When he noticed Ethan wasn't moving, he took him by the hand and chuckled. "Come on!"

He laughed at his goofy boyfriend and let him lead the way. At least with Benny, he knew at least he wouldn't do badly when explaining his situation. If anything, Benny looked like a trusted guy.

Benny noticed how Ethan was nervous when they approached the vampire council building. The whole ride there, he was fidgeting with his hands.

He squeezed his hands when they were by a stop sign. He really wasn't the best driver, so he always made sure to keep both hands on the wheel. "It'll be alright. I'm here."

Ethan nodded, but he wasn't convinced. He kept worrying until they reached the building.

"We're here," Benny said. "Let's go."

Walking there, he held his hands. It was nice to hold Ethan's hand. That tiny gesture held some magic to it. By that simple motion, he was calming Ethan down a little. Just not completely. When they were by the gates, a vampire suddenly appeared in front of them. "Why are you here? Meeting ended a while ago." Then his eyes landed on Ethan and he hissed. Ethan, on the other hand, didn't even move. He seemed almost fearless. Of course he was. He was with Jesse this whole time. What vampire could scare him more? Well, Anastasia was scary, but the vampire in front of them was no Anastasia. "The Morgans are not welcomed here." And he looked at him in disgust.

Ethan dug into his pockets and showed the vampire the spell. "I think Anastasia wants this back. If she doesn't, I can always keep it."

The vampire was slightly conflicted, but he still refused. "She wouldn't like it if you came in."

"Come on," Benny spoke. "I don't think Anastasia would like it, either, if she has the chance to get the spell back but you wouldn't let that happen. Plus, Anastasia wanted information about Ethan Morgan, and he is. Anyway, if he was a bad person, I wouldn't let him hold the spell in his hands."

"Fine," the vampire gave up. "But I'm doing this because Anastasia wants the spell." He side-stepped and let them open the gates.

Ethan's confidence was gone again when they stepped inside. His breathing was becoming fast, his hands were actually shaking, and his eyes were wide with fear. "I'll be alright."

"What if they decide to kill me?" he asked.

"E, this type of thinking, I don't want it. You better get your act straight because I… I will, um…" Okay, maybe he wasn't the best at being harsh, but at least that actually managed to make Ethan laugh.

This time, Ethan was a bit calm, holding Benny's hand, smiling a little bit. Then they were standing in front of the doors on the council room. The guard in front looked over the two cautiously before telling Anastasia of their presence. And then they entered.

At the sight of Ethan, Anastasia gritted her teeth and growled. "Benny, what is the meaning of this? Why is he here?"

He looked at Ethan who was back to his "confident", douche-baggy mode. How fast he can change how he acts. Kind of made him realize how he was actually once like this while they didn't know it.

"I know I told you I'd tell you anything I know about him, so I'll tell you."

"Then why is he here? He's not welcome," she said.

"Because after I'm done telling you what's going on, he's going to show you something," he said.

All the council members were hesitant. They looked at each other before one of them said, "I think he should tell us. Benny's not the type to lie."

They all might have given an approving nod, but Benny knew they didn't fully trust Ethan.

"Truth is, Ethan isn't evil or anything."

"Then how do you explain him being Jesse's weapon?" Anastasia asked.

"I was his precious weapon. Now I'm not. But he doesn't know that," Ethan answered.

"How do you even trust him, Benny? How do you know he's not lying?"

Benny looked at Ethan who nodded. "Well, we've still been in contact even after the revelation, and I noticed that he started to change. And a few days ago, Jesse noticed he was being unfaithful to him, so he came to tell me that he was a good person now. So, yesterday, we decided that he should come today to tell you that he wanted to join our side but-"

"And why should I do that?" she asked. "We have no reason to let him join us. Plus, what does he have to prove himself worthy of joining us?"

"You know how I stole that spell from Evelyn Weir?" he asked. She didn't look one bit happy with that reminder. "And you know how I'm Jesse's right hand, so I should never ever disobey him?" He took out the spell and put it on the table.

She looked at him and then at the paper with disbelief, but then she took it to make sure it was the spell. "You're not lying," she stated.

"How'd you know that?" he asked. "Not that I'm complaining."

"I can feel your heartbeat. It's fast, but I know the difference between untruthful fast and nervous fast," she said.

Ethan gaped at her. Benny guessed Jesse didn't know how to do this.

"Fine. You'll join us, but only if you stay loyal to us. I know it's hard with how your family is, but we're not looking for allies who betray us," she said.

He nodded. "Thank you."

She extended her hand with the spell in it. "Take it. Give it to Evelyn now."

Ethan didn't look like he'd move anytime soon, so Benny took the paper instead.

"Oh, and I expect you to come our meetings. Maybe possibly help the others who want to improve their fighting," she said.

He gave her an approving yet nervous smile. Benny didn't blame him. She was a scary girl even when she didn't want to be.

"I hope I made the right choice," she said, and before Ethan could reply, she gave them a dismissive wave. They left without any argument.

While leaving, Benny looked at Ethan to see his reaction to all off this, but his face was blank. Was he okay?

"I can't believe she just… said yes," he said. "And she can know if I'm lying? Wow. Alright." He burst out laughing all of a sudden, and Benny couldn't help but smile at him.

"Are you alright?" Benny asked, he himself laughing at Ethan's reaction.

Ethan nodded, still a bit hysterical. Benny wrapped his arm around his crazy boyfriend and gave him a kiss on the cheek. He calmed down at his touch and continued his walk with a smile. "Yes. Yes. It's just that I'm happy but this is slightly overwhelming."

The spell caster nodded and walked his still-happy boyfriend to the car. Once they were seated, Benny asked, "You gonna be okay with your family?"

The change in topic made Ethan uncomfortable. "I hope so," he said in a hushed tone. This was his signal to stop talking about this. Ethan's silence.

He held Ethan's hand again to reassure him that things would be alright. That they were on the right track. That he did the right thing. Because at least now they had Anastasia's approval.

That is the end on my chapter? Did you guys like it? I hope you did, 'cause if now, how the hell are we supposed to please you? *shakes head* Hehe. Nah, I know you liked it. I know it. *is too determined to be told otherwise*

I finished this quickly. Go free time! Though I kept getting distracted by the TV. Idiot me. But I am tired and I cannot write further.

Until next time…

-TEM