Love Bug Story 6 Wickedly Powerful Magnus Verse

by MistyMay6886

Beware The Love Bug: No, it's not a little beetle like car…it's an actual beetle. a fluffy little beetle.However the bite of these little critters has an…odd…effect… they're cute, fluffy, fluttering aphrodisiacs…While out investigating Alec gets bit and rushes off to Find HIS intended… Poor Magnus…there's only so much self-control one little high warlock can muster.

11. Chapter 11Rescues, Rogues, And A Possib

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Chapter 11:

Rescues, Rogues, And A

Possible Rumble...

**Chapter Notes***

Alright guys buckle up. The last two chapters basically constetute an entire story in and of themselves {33k words together}. It wasnt supposed to be that long but things kept getting pushed back and this was as far as I could push them so fair warning; it's a lot. I Thinki it was worth the wait though, hope you do too!

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*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*-Simon-*

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Wow it really is beautiful out here...

The moon is shining full and bright overhead, there's a soft, relaxing breeze slipping through the trees, all around them there are brilliant bursts of colorful wildflowers, mushrooms and climbing vines in full bloom. The trees are covered with honeysuckle, jasmine, passion flowers and wild roses, and all around them everything is covered in a soft, iridescently shimmering ethereal glow making everything look like it's gilded with fairie dust...

I mean he knows it's actually just the shimmering ephemera of an overgrown swarm of demonic lust bugs from a hell dimension but he's gotta admit so long as you don't really think about what it actually IS for too long it really is stunning.

He kinda gets why they've been so prolific here. The area really does seem like a dream come true. Simon sighs softly, trying to shake away the soft, warm feeling once more settling over him, glancing over, catching sight of Raphael's beautiful profile next to him, unable to stop another slightly wistful sigh, catching another whiff of the sun warmed honeysuckle, jasmine and passion flower.

God he really is stunning. Especially right now with the brilliant moonlight shimmering over him, highlighting his perfect features, the soft shimmers swirling and dancing around him in the pool of moonlight making him look even more like some ethereal fantasy come true.

Oh wow...that's j-

O-okay...you're slipping again.

Pull back, focus.

Simon shifted, coming back to himself, fighting off the soft, fluttery feeling he's been getting for the last hour. It didn't even really register until about half an hour ago when they followed the shimmery trails off the proper path. When they begin to see the shimmers everywhere- Everywhere everywhere. Clinging to the trees and dancing through the air like shimmering dust particles, twirling and spinning in the soft beams of moonlight breaking through the trees.

Now it's unmistakable and unquestionably distracting.

B-But it's okay...he's okay...he's got it. He knows what it is. He knows it's affecting him and he knows how it is affecting him. If you know you're being affected by something you can resist the effects. At least he thinks he can.

He hopes he can...

N-no...no he can. He's certain of it.

The fuzziness doesn't feel that overwhelming...he's actually able to tune it out almost all the way so long as he isn't too close to Raphael and he keeps from staring at him like a moron. It's easier said than done as his boyfriend is like the most beautiful, gorgeous, swoon-worthy person on the freaking planet but he can.

It's Raphael;he's pretty much used to the overwhelming gorgeousness by this point. Actually all in all he thinks he's handling it pretty well.

He knows he probably should have mentioned to the others when he started to feel the effects. He likely should have given them a heads up but he knows how protective Raphael and Kevin are of him and he didn't want to chance them wanting to leave to get some precautions. They don't need anything like that, He's got this, he can power through. All he has to do is focus on something else.

And there are easily a million things to think about rather than his totally fangirlable boyfriend. The case, the plan, the logistics of a seemingly self-contained wormhole in a gaudy purse, the potential capture a-

"Hey, so who are Kai and Declan?"

"Huh?" Simon started out of his meandering thoughts at the question, looking over at Divya.

The teenager shrugged, head tilting.

"Well you said you guys thought the bugs came over when they came to visit. Who are they? And how did they come to visit? I thought Calon Tywyll was a completely sealed off hell dimension."

Simon swallowed.

"Um-w-well-t-"

"Kai and Declan are basically Mags's parents. They raised him. And to near every type of being it is. About the only way most beings can cross over to our world is if they're specifically summoned." Raphael offered, subtly slipping closer to Simon's side, catching his eye, flashing a reassuring smile and wink before shifting back to the teens.

Oh...umm...t-that uh...that doesn't really help...

Simon swallowed, trying to fight down an embarrassingly moony sigh, giggle or excited shiver. Divya blinked, head tilting.

"So...Someone summoned them?"

Blake slowed, brow quirking.

"Summoned? Like that nightmare Handford-whatever thing Divya said Raj accidentally summoned? They're demons?"

Raphael began to shake his head before pausing, shrugging, huffing out a faint laugh.

"No-W-well...yes...kind of. Yes and no."

Divya blinked, brow rising.

"Uh Raph? You're kinda sounding like Simon here."

Kevin chuckled, smiling, glancing over.

"It happens way more than you'd guess. Think Simon's really rubbing off on him."

Hmm...I'd sure like t-

No...Stop...

Wait till you get him home. Then you can...um...

Simon shifts, clearing his throat, pushing down a soft little chuckle, swallowing, trying to ignore the flush on his cheeks. He takes as deep of a breath as he's willing to chance with the swirling, mind fogging pheromones dancing around him, subtly shifting over a bit away from Raphael, trying to tune back into the conversation still going.

"-as a compliment. No, no one summoned them, they can come and go as they please- and yes they are demons-well Declan is. He's a high demon. A Hanfod Lladrata is nothing compared to him."

Blake swallowed, shifting, glancing over nervously.

"Uh...o-okay. Again I'm new here but I did hit the books on demons pretty hard. All the books I saw said there were no High or greater demons in the human world, none capable of crossing over and from what they said one somehow managing to would pretty much be hell on earth."

Raphael sighed, shrugging, head tilting concedingly.

"And that is true...at least for the most part. A high demon out for trouble crossing over would be just about the worst thing possible. But as we've said the majority of demons are just sentient beings same as anyone else. Declan is a high demon. He is extremely powerful. He's also one of the most wonderful, kind, compassionate people you could ever meet." He chuckled faintly, shrugging, glancing at the others, flashing a warm, affectionate smile.

"He's a teacher- oh sorry professor- and honestly a complete nerd. He is obsessed with linguistics, culture, history, philosophy and about a hundred other disciplines that he will bore you to tears with but he gets so damn excited and engrossed you can't help getting swept up in his excitement, or at the very least pretending to so you don't hurt his feelings. He really is one of the best people I've ever met."

Divya smiled, nodding.

"Aww, he sounds really great."

Blake gave a slightly less real smile, nodding, shifting nervously.

"Uh-y-yeah...yeah he really does. But um...t-that doesn't really answer the question. This Calon Tywyll place is a completely sealed off hell dimension. Beings from it aren't supposed to be able to get to this side...at least that's what all the books said. So...um...

Exactly how did this very nice, super compassionate, dorky demonic professor just pop over to our side for a visit?" she shifted, head tilting curiously, reaching up, brushing her hair back.

"Wait, is he some kind of demon inventor? Like did he make something to allow him to move through realms? That's actually pretty awesome- utterly terrifying- but awesome."

Raphael chuckled, shaking his head.

"No- I mean I've no doubt in my mind he could- he's definitely intelligent enough. But no, he didn't make something to traverse dimensions. He didn't have to; he just married something that already could."

Divya blinked, glancing over at the other teen, the two sharing a shrug before turning back to Raphael.

"Huh?"

Raphael laughed, shrugging.

"Well like I said Calon Tywyll is sealed to near any being. However Declan's husband Kai isn't just any being. He's a Dinistr Dallu. An insanely-mind numbingly- powerful, unbelievably rare type of Fae- what's called an 'old one'. They're the beings that sealed the other realms off from the human world to begin with."

Divya and Blake both froze in their tracks, blinking.

"T-they...huh?"

Raphael huffed out a faint laugh.

"I know...Even in Calon Tywyll they're largely thought to be nothing more than myths and legends from a time long past. Declan spent years believing this Kai Magnus blathered on about was his imaginary friend. Shocked the hell out of him when they actually met...and insanely long, crazy, mind boggling story short now they're married.

Most beings from Calon Tywyll can't just traverse realms- it's all but impossibility- but for Kai it's really nothing." He chuckled, shaking his head.

"In any case they'd come into town for a surprise visit. We hadn't seen them in nearly half a decade, it really was wonderful getting to see them- nerve wracking- but wonderful."

Blake swallowed, eyes wide, nodding.

"Uh y-yeah...I could see that."

Divya laughed, flashing her a faint, reassuring smile, patting her arm before pausing, glancing back over at Raphael, holding up a finger.

"Oh right! I remember when we were working on the thing at the school. You'd mentioned them coming to visit and meeting Simon. Sounded like you were pretty annoyed Mags didn't give you a heads up."

Raphael scoffed, nodding.

"Oh I was- still can't believe Mara let it slip I had a girlfriend and then didn't even warn me to be ready. Well, not annoyed-terrified." He laughed, shrugging, head tilting, glancing over, catching the teens eye, smiling, holding up his hand.

"See I love Kai, I really do. He's my family too, just as much as Mags and Clary and generally a really great person but he is also nosy as all hell and a total busybody. And in the right circumstances insanely terrifying- even when he's not trying to be. Hell, especially then.

Anyways Mags blabbed and Kai- being the nosy, overprotective busybody he is- went out the next day and tracked Simon down. The two of them ended up spending the entire day together. I didn't even know until they got back to my place to start dinner as Simon was gonna teach Kai how to cook. And then I basically panicked and went into defensive mode because old ones are soul readers and can see everything there is about someone with little more than a glance.

He'd of known Simon knew about the supernatural the moment he laid eyes on him and he'd also know he wasn't spelled. I totally panicked, worrying he'd get the wrong idea-"

"That he was a Gwir-dyst?" Divya asked, brow quirking impishly.

It took everything in Simon not to flail like one of those tube guys outside of a car dealership, giving a nervous laugh, nodding, slightly fidgeting, shaking his head.

"I know, right? How totally insane is that? I mean me? That? Ha! Can you even imagine? I'm SO not like that. I'm like the furthest thing possible from that- I-I'm like-like the Anti-Gwir-dyst." He laughed again a bit too loud, rolling his eyes at the idiotic, flailing babble, hoping against hope the teens will just chalk it up to his usual Simon-babble, trying his best to as quickly and casually wave that off, continuing on.

"But you know with me knowing but not being spelled and Raph talking me through some techniques to see through individual glamours if I really concentrate I can actually see some things and the stronger the supernatural the easier it is to see through their glamour- which doesn't really make sense cause you'd think the more powerful the better they could hide it but the more powerful they are the more there actually is to hide and the more danger they could potentially pose so the more likely even an unsighted person is to catch something off about them because our brains while usually wired not to perceive the supernatural do still register threats even if we can't see why they register as threats and so when I met them I actually could kinda see through their glamours and Raph was worried they'd misread that and think I was one of those and...yeah...that-uh that'd be bad..." he trailed off breathlessly, shaking his head, smiling a bit too wide, reaching up, tucking a loose, honey brown lock behind his ear, waving animatedly, looking somewhat panic-ily over at Raphael and Kevin for help, eyes widening pleadingly.

Kevin blinked, swallowing before giving a bright laugh, rolling his eyes, waving him off.

"That really is too insane. Si's like the sweetest, kindest, most compassionate person you could ever meet. No possible way he's some vicious, evil, supernatural hunting nightmare. And I'm pretty sure I'd know. I mean I've known him since we were like seven. Really couldn't imagine anyone thinking anything that crazy about like the nicest person in the world but you know- seeing supernaturals without a spell is like defcon one with us and even though we do know there's some ways and work arounds and logistical issues and random flukes and all of that there's a lot of people who panic and react before they can figure out the actual truth-"

"Fortunately Kai isn't the type to panic and fly off the handle without actually getting the whole story." Raphael cut in, smiling charmingly, smoothly slipping around Simon, settling between him and the teens, glancing over at Divya and Blake.

Divya laughed, nodding, giving a bit of a wave.

"Yeah, doesn't really sound like the kind that'd be too quick to panic. I take it the visit went pretty well though?"

Raphael chuckled, nodding back, settling closer to Simon's side, reaching over, slipping his arm casually around Simon's waist.

"It did, very much so."

"Well minus Kai's 'rip you apart' reassurances." Simon laughed, shaking his head, unable to help kind of leaning into Raphael, nestling close to his side.

Divya gave a surprised laugh.

"His what now?"

Blake stumbled, looking over in shock at the smiling couple.

"He threatened you?!"

Raphael laughed, shaking his head, giving an affectionately exasperated wave.

"No, that's the bad part- he wasn't trying to be threatening- that was Kai being reassuring."

Blake blinked, eyes widening.

"Uh...d-does reassuring mean something really different in this weird, freaky hell dimension?"

Simon laughed, shaking his head, placatingly holding his hand up.

"No it doesn't, just came out wrong. He really was just trying to reassure me. We were trying to explain to him-well I was trying to explain- Raph was hissing, glaring, baring his fangs and trying to be as intimidating as possible-"

Divya laughed, head tilting, glancing over at Raphael.

"Well that usually works."

Raphael scoffed, rolling his eyes, nodding.

"Yes it does...with everyone BUT Kai. He just pinches my cheek and calls me adorable- it's irritating as hell."

Divya huffed out a surprised laugh, brow rising. Raphael shrugged unconcerned.

"Yeah, what can I say, there really is no such thing as intimidating an old one. It was basically instinct. I was just so worried he'd get the wrong idea, end up thinking Simon was threat to me and therefore something he'd feel like he needed to deal with.

But again Dinistr Dallu are psychically gifted. They can see into a person's soul, into their true self. He could see everything Simon was.

I honestly don't even know why I was ever worried. I knew what he'd see in him, the same wonderful, amazing person I see." He hummed softly, tugging Simon in closer, sighing, flashing a warm, soft smile, catching his bright honey gold eyes.

Simon couldn't help a soft, slightly swoony type laugh, settling closer to Raphael, relaxing against his side. Raphael's smile softened all the more, tugging Simon even closer, squeezing his side before turning back to the teens, continuing.

"And I was absolutely right. Poor Simon tried his best to placate and explain and babbled adorably but Kai just laughed, waving him off like it was nothing and said of course he wasn't a threat to me. If he was he'd of ripped his apart hours ago...which was, um..."

"Bit awkward?" Divya offered.

Simon snorted, cuddling closer to Raphael, glancing around him at the teens, nodding animatedly.

"Oh yeah. But it was fine. He genuinely was trying to be reassuring it just came out wrong-like really REALLY wrong. I've never really been one to hold something like an awkward slip of the tongue against someone." he chuckled, head tilting, flashing a faint smile.

"God knows I can empathize with that feeling and if anything it definitely was one hell of an ice breaker. After that everything else went really smoothly. Me and Kai cooked dinner, we all laughed and joked and had a wonderful time and a really great visit. Kai even hugged me goodbye and gave me his number so we could stay in touch." He smiled, glancing over at Raphael.

"He said they'd be back during the Summer Solstice, think that's coming up soon. It really will be nice to see them again..." he paused, head tilting, gesturing towards the illuminated trail winding through the trees and shrubs.

"Though with any luck this visit won't end up with stowaways."

Raphael chuckled, nodding.

"Right? Though at least this stowaway isn't some living nightmare. Just a fluttery little aphrodisiac that's fairly easy to deal with. Thinking we should be getting fairly close to the nest, don't you Angel?"

Simon smiled, relaxing faintly, relieved that his attempt at a conversation switch seemed to work and they've comfortably moved away from the whole Gwir-dyst thing, looking around at the shimmery, illuminated forest, nodding.

"Yeah- think we have to be. Looks like the ephemera is everywhere. This place looks like the inside of a snow globe."

Kevin chuckled, nodding.

"Right? I'm kinda wondering how we're gonna actually follow the trail though. There's so much of this stuff flying around it's hard to tell what's trail and what's just kinda there. Seems like that flickery stuff is coating everything. It's actually really pretty..." He laughed, head tilting.

"Or it would be if we didn't know it was the dust of about a hundred demonic lust bugs marking their territory."

Simon chuckled, head tilting concedingly.

"True...still it is pretty long as you don't think about it too much. And it is a really good sign. It really only started showing up actually ON stuff about a half mile off the proper trail, maybe forty five minutes back there. It's been getting steadily more noticeable the further we go. Thinking we have to be getting really close to the nest.

Think it was about ten minutes ago it really noticeably kicked up. Most likely that was the line marking out the bugs home territory. The book said the boundary is usually up to half a mile out from the nest. That's gotta be what this is."

Raphael smiled, nodding consideringly, sharp, dark gaze flickering over the shimmer dusted trees and plants surrounding them.

"I think you're right. And if the perimeter around the nest is UP TO half a mile out we have to be really close to the epicenter. You're doing great Amore."

Simon glanced over, perking up, feeling his cheeks warm at the praise, smiling gratefully.

"Thanks Raph."

Raphael huffed out a faint laugh, brow quirking.

"For what?"

Simon blinked, shrugging, reaching over, catching his hand, entangling their fingers.

"For just...you know...backing me up, being there for me."

Raphael chuckled softly, shrugging, squeezing Simon's side, lifting the hand Simon has entangled with his up to his lips, pressing a soft kiss to his knuckles.

"Of course Angel. I'd do anything for you, you know that."

Simon hummed softly, nodding, leaning over, brushing a soft kiss to his cheek.

"Hmm...Yes I do know that..." he murmured, gave a soft, low little hum, nuzzling lightly against his neck, leaning up, lips hovering just beside Raphael's ear.

"Hope you know I'd do anything for you, too."

"I-y-yes I know that..."Raphael stammered, swallowing, kind of fumbling a step, cheeks warming, quickly glancing away.

Simon smirked knowingly at the pretty warmth he can see highlighting Raph's cheeks, getting a heady little thrill at the delightful reaction- the reaction only HE ever gets from the impossibly gorgeous fantasy come true. He hums softly, reaching over, catching Raphael's arm, steadying him.

"You alright baby?" Simon murmured, voice soft and a little husky, settling just the tiniest bit closer.

Raphael flushed clear to his ears, kind of fumbling, nearly stumbling over some of the underbrush, starting, catching hold of Simon's arm to keep his balance.

"Uh-I-um...yes...I-I'm fine..."

Simon's head tilted, bright honey brown eyes flickering over him, pointedly lingering on his delightfully flushed cheeks before slipping up, catching his eye, brow raising knowingly, a teasing little smirk tugging at the corner of his lips.

"You sure about that...you seem a bit flustered."

Raphael blinked, gulping, giving out something that sounded worryingly close to a giggle. Simon's smirk picked up, brow quirking a bit more, leaning in, voice slipping low and quiet.

"Mmm...God I love that sound, my favorite sound you make...well, one of them in any case." He chuckled, flashing a flirty little wink.

Raphael swallowed, clearly fighting down another one of those 'definitely not giggles' before glancing up, trying to muster up a glare, missing the look by about a mile, instead settling for a near petulant pout. Simon chuckled softly, sound trailing off into a soft, low hum. He swallows, bright honey gaze flickering excitedly over Raphael, distractedly biting his own lower lip, lingering on Raphael's enticingly flushed cheeks and soft, full, thoroughly tantalizing lips, hand on his arm squeezing, tugging him a bit closer.

"You know I-"

"Ahem..."

Raphael startles, blinking, glancing around in confusion, startling again as he takes in the others. He freezes for half a second before standing up straighter, shifting, squaring his shoulders, straightening his jacket, clearly going for his usual strong, confident self.

"Y-yes...well...That's uh...that's really...yeah..." he trailed off on a faint huffing sigh before shifting, taking a deep- totally unneeded- breath in an effort to better regain his composure, clearing his throat before seemingly getting it together, coming back to himself in earnest, glancing over at Simon, brow raising, head tilting in concern.

"Um...Angel? I-I think the pheromones might be getting to you."

Simon hummed, settling closer, nuzzling against his neck, giving a soft, pleasant little sigh.

"Hmm...? Oh, that what it is? Weird, didn't even know Vampires had pheromones. Explains a lot though...you always smell so damn good." He mumbled, nuzzling, nipping sharply just behind his ear, at the spot he knew drove Raphael crazy.

Raphael gasped, shivering excitedly before catching himself, reaching up, resting his hands on Simon's shoulder, gently pushing his back just the slightest bit. Simon blinked in confusion before startling, suddenly coming back to himself.

Oh crap!

Bug pheromones you idiot-not vampire pheromones-LUST BUGpheromones. The case...that they are working...with witnesses...like Kevin...and two teenagers...and his extremely private, asexual vampire boyfriend... who he was just teasing and flustering and making blush in front of everyone a-

Ah crap...

He started again, glancing around, taking in the others before shifting back to Raphael. Simon swallowed, flushing brightly, shifting back a fair bit further, flashing a guilty, apologetic smile.

"I-oh...um...s-sorry guys-uh-E-Raph..." he gave a sheepish look, gaze shifting over Raphael in concern.

"Sorry..."

Raphael sighed, catching his hand, tugging him back in close.

"No apologies necessary Amore. I really did not mind."

Simon blinked in surprise, head tilting in confusion.

"I-but...you-I mean there's people around and you're usually a really private person in general but especially about that and I was j-"

Raphael shook his head, waving him off, flashing a warm, beautiful, reassuring smile.

"Angel it's fine, really. I never mind you being affectionate, ever. But you're not acting like you're usual self; I think you're being affected by the pheromones."

Divya snorted, brow quirking.

"And what's your excuse?"

Raphael huffed, rolling his eyes faintly, all but ignoring the teen.

"Simon I r-"

Simon sighed, nodding, waving him off.

"No, I know...I am- have been for about the last hour."

Raphael startles, eyes widening, bright, deep eyes slipping over him in concern.

"Wha-why didn't you say anything?"

Simon gave a slightly helpless shrug, reaching up, brushing a couple wayward lock behind his ear.

"Because at first it was nothing, barely even there and then when it got to be really noticeable was the same time we started to see the ephemera on the trees and in the air and I knew that meant we were getting close. I didn't want to chance you or Kevin worrying about me and trying to turn back around."

Raphael's head tilted, huffing faintly.

"Which shows how well you know me. We probably sh-" Simon shook his head, cutting him off, shifting forward, holding his hand up.

"No, we can't head back. We're nearly to the nest. It took us hours. We don't have time to waste. We're basically there and I'm fine. We need to get this done." He sighed, catching Raphael's eye, smiling reassuringly.

"I'm fine...really. I can handle it. I've been handling it for over an hour. I know it's effecting me and how it's effecting me so as long as I keep focused on other stuff and don't focus on you or get too close to you for too long I'm totally fine. I got this...I do, I know I do...okay?"

Raphael blinked, sharp, dark gaze flickering over him, hesitating, beginning to shake his head.

"But Angel w-"

Simon sighed, reaching over, catching his hand, squeezing, looking up, meeting his gaze.

"You trust me, don't you?"

Raphael froze, shifting, giving a slightly confused shrug.

"I-yes, of course I d-"

"Then trust me on this. I got this. I really do. I can do this..." he hummed, tugging Raphael in just a bit, giving a soft, slightly needy little sigh, gaze slowly traveling over him, lingering on his lips before moving up the rest of the way, catching those beautiful ebony eyes.

"Come on, not like I don't have practice tuning this kinda thing out with you. You're distracting as hell. I always have to work to keep my focus on anything else when you're close...today it's just a bit extra work." He hummed, leaning in, lightly brushing his lips against Raphael's, just the slightest bit of a touch before pulling back, flashing a warm, self-assured smile.

"See? I'm fine...in total control. I got this..."

"You might, don't know if Raph can say the same." Kevin quipped, clearly fighting off a laugh.

Raphael seemed to start, looking over at him, flashing an irritated glare.

"I'm not being affected by anything, I'm fine. I'm Ace; the books specifically say the bugs just effect sexual attraction. It's not affecting me."

Divya chuckled, head tilting towards Simon, brow quirking impishly.

"It might not be, but he sure as hell is."

Raphael huffed, rolling his eyes, waving her off.

"He is not!"

Kevin snorted, brow quirking.

"Oh please, you're spinning more than he is!"

Divya laughed, animatedly nodding.

"He's right, you giggled like a freaking school girl! And I didn't even know vampires COULD blush!"

Raphael blinked, starting faintly, shifting before quickly covering his embarrassment with an exasperated huff, folding his arms, head shaking, waving them off with a disbelieving, somewhat condescending laugh.

"I'm not blushing."

Blake snorted, brow rising, head tilting, holding up a finger, gesturing towards Raphael.

"So...is there another Vampiric type term for the bright pink on your cheeks and the tips of your ears?"

Kevin and Divya snickered; Simon kind of ducked down, swallowing, flashing a guiltily apologetic smile towards his boyfriend. Raphael scoffed, giving a subtle wave towards Simon, shaking his head, again trying to wave the others off.

"Oh it's nothing like that. It's not even really blushing it's just kinda warm tonight and vamps tend to run cooler and higher temperatures can kind of make it look like we have more color and anyway-"

"Hey, do you guys hear that?" Kevin interrupted, freezing, head tilting, mirth slipping from his features, suddenly on high alert.

His features shift, eyes brightening, ears and horns sprouting up faintly, cute elfin type ears perking up, twitching faintly.

"Woah..." Blake started in surprise at the sudden change in Kevin, head tilting curiously.

"Hear what?" Divya asked, blinking in confusion, looking around the quiet, shimmering forest.

Simon shifted, standing up straighter, slipping closer to the teens, readying to cover them if necessary, Raphael following suit, head cocked, eyes flashing jet black, checking for any kind of threat.

"There's someone else out here with us. Moving this way. Heartbeat's odd and erratic, going at an alarming rate. I think it may be familiar but it's really abnormal right now- feels almost manic."

Simon swallows, nodding distractedly, sharp golden brown eyes scanning the thick underbrush and foliage around them, speaking low and quiet.

"Stay close an-" he's cut off by an odd, high pitched, somewhat breathless laughing sound emanating from a clutch of heavy underbrush and foliage just past the remnants of a huge, fallen redwood tree, now overgrown with moss and toadstools.

He freezes, head tilting, looking over the others, seeing that they caught it too. He blinks in confusion, hesitating a moment before slowly moving forward, cautiously pushing his way through the underbrush and foliage, moving a bit further into the brush following the odd sound.

"What on earth is th-" Simon starts at an odd clambering kind of sound from the cluster of shrubs and plants, someone stumbling out of the thick brush, clambering along, stumbling over a large, gnarly branch of the fallen tree, tumbling to the ground in front of the group.

"Wha-Jace?!" Kevin exclaims, eyes wide, hesitantly moving closer.

"Jace?" Divya asked, head titling, looking over Raphael, Simon and Kevin in confusion.

"Ah damnit..." Raphael breathed.

The man on the ground laughs, kind of starfishing gracelessly on the forest floor, rubbing at his face, a huge, loopy grin peeking out between his fingers. He laughs again, stretching out on the forest floor, hands moving away from his face. Raphael gasps, recoiling in shock. Simon's right there with him.

Oh dear god...

The five of them freeze in horror, looking over the man sprawled out, laughing like a loon on the ground. He is absolutely covered in stark, pinkish red welt like marks. Distantly Simon registers them as the marks from the love bug bites...but...god...there's SO many.TOO MANY. More than it seems should even be possible.

They cover nearly his entire face and neck and apparently further as Simon can see from where he's standing dozens trailing off down inside his rumpled, half buttoned shirt. The bug ephemera is absolutely coating him, it's in his hair, his suit, his skin; everywhere.

Good lord, the man had to have been absolutely swarmed by them.

"Oh my god, what the hell happened to him?" Blake exclaimed, eyes wide and anxious.

"He must have found the nest…" Divya added, shifting closer to the other teen, the girls moving back cautiously.

"Think he fell into the damn nest." Raphael muttered, shifting over, moving between the teens and the loopy, manically laughing, bug addled man.

Simon's breath caught, nodding, sharp honey brown gaze shifting over Jace, half in concern, half wariness.

"He must have stumbled into the nest. The book says they're really defensive if someone gets too close, especially if someone actually enters the nest. They must have swarmed him, attacked. God that many bites, looks like they tried to eat him alive." He swallowed, shaking his head, chancing a glance over at Raphael, brow rising.

"He really doesn't sound good- almost unhinged…y-you don't think it broke hi-"

Raphael shook his head, cautiously slipping closer.

"No, it's not that. I've seen that, it's something you never forget and can never be mistaken for anything else. He wouldn't be laughing; he'd be terrified, screaming till he lost his voice, jumping at shadows. It's not that thank god but he's n-" he cuts off as Jace begins to struggle to push himself up to a setting position.

Jace hummed, totally oblivious to his audience, seemingly lost in his own little world before blinking as if trying to focus his vision. His eyes seem overly bright and near glassy, almost feverish. He gives a high sigh, blinking again, unfocused gazes shifting around before landing on Kevin. He gasps in surprise, smile ratcheting up bright and a bit too wide.

"Ohh...Kevin...Hey Kevin!"

Kevin blinked, caught off guard by the near giddy, overly cheerful tone from someone in such a state, a surprised, disbelieving laugh slipping out, automatically moving forward in concern. He kneels down next to Ash, reaching over, brushing his hair back away from his face to get a better look at the marks, eyes shifting over Ash's pale, somewhat swollen, bite riddled features. Kevin hissed in sympathy, head shaking.

"H-hey Jace...God…Wha-H-how do you feel?" He asked softly, shifting closer, eyes wide with concern.

Jace hummed happily, leaning into the touch somewhat wobbly, looking very drunk and like he was likely to fall right back down. Kevin's hand slipped down to his shoulder, catching, trying to steady the bug addled blonde. Jace sighed happily, shrugging, the move loose and relaxed without a care in the world, arm slipping around Kevin's shoulders to keep himself upright.

"Hmm...Waddya mean? I feel fine, good, great…"He mumbled, words barely half formed before settling closer, squeezing Kevin's shoulder, hand sliding over.

"Mmm, bet you feel amazing..." he mumbled distractedly, arm suddenly tightening around Kevin, pulling him in, catching his lips in a deep, messy kiss.

Kevin gasped in surprise. Jace hummed happily, wrapping his other arms around Kevin, pulling him in, slipping is tongue in, eagerly trying to deepen the kiss. Kevin made a little squeaking kind of sound, flailing before finding his balance, pushing Jace away none too gently, scrambling back to his feet and a good distance away from him, slipping over behind Simon.

"Oh god damnit- he's spinning on the pheromones, back up everyone. Move, move, move." Simon snapped, moving forward, waving the others back, eyeing the laughing man on the ground wearily.

"He's not in his right mind. That kind of dose it's not nearly as focused, it's everywhere-and it's freaking Jace. The dumbass hits on anything with a pulse when he's stone cold sober. What the hell do we do?"

"We got to get through to him, scare him out of it, knock him out of it, shock him out of it, something." Kevin whispered, hesitantly beginning to move forward again.

Simon shook his head, waving him back over to where Blake and Divya were huddled near the fallen redwood, somewhat shielded by the branches, brush and shrubbery.

"Kevin he can't keep his hands off of you when he's sober. Stay back; try to keep out of his line of sight. Keep out of the way, keep quiet." He barked, voice sharp and alert.

On the ground Jace laughed again, that giddy, drunken laugh, seemingly thinking it was some kind of game, rubbing at his face before clambering gracelessly to his feet, looking around at the group of people, trying to find Kevin, very unsteady on his feet. Simon took a deep breath, standing up straighter in an attempt to better block Jace's view of Kevin, shoulders straight, arms folded, giving a sharp, censoring look, pulling up the tone he usually reserves for people heading for the drunk tank.

"Jace you're wasted, knock it off."

Jace laughed, shaking his head, trying to wave him off, the move kind of throwing him off balance. He stumbled a bit, nearly landing on the ground once again before managing to catch himself on a tree, leaning kind of heavily against it, smiling, shaking his head.

"Nah I'm not- I'm totally good, haven't had a drop all day. Can't, 'm on the clock on a mission- a secret mission...Shhh!" he mumbled, finger shakily coming to his lips before breaking out into another overly bright, hazy smile.

"I'm good super good... And he's super gorgeous…" he slurred before blinking, hazy, unfocused gaze settling on Simon, head tilting, smiling wide and carefree.

"Mmm…you're gorgeous too…" he mumbled, darting forward, grabbing Simon, trying to tug him into a kiss.

Simon scoffed, stepping back to put some distance between them but still standing his ground, smacking his hand away, glaring furiously. Next to him there's a flurry of movement, a loud, furious hiss emanating. Raphael is suddenly right at his side, pulling Simon back, pushing him over towards the base of a large elm tree opposite the fallen Redwood, catching Jace's eye, fangs bared, eyes flashing black as pitch.

"Back off Blondie." He snarled, words low and threatening, trailing off into a deep, rumbly growl.

Jace swallowed, stumbling to catch his balance, blinking confusedly, looking him over in shock. Simon began to relax, a tiny bit of the tension in his shoulders easing.

Oh thank god that's worki-

"Woah cool- are those contacts?" he mumbled, leaning forward, totally missing the growl intensifying, deepening, going near subsonic, Raphael's nails lengthening, hands twitching, clenching into fists.

Jace -totally oblivious- shifts even closer, head tilting before breaking out in that damnable dumbass grin. He hummed, overly bright, hazy eyes slipping over Raphael, biting his lower lip.

"Damn...you're even hot with the creepy Halloween lenses." He slurred, beginning reaching for him.

Oh hell no...

Simon stood up straighter, moving away from the tree, stopping directly beside Raphael, sharply smacking Jace's hand away from his boyfriend, glaring.

"Knock it off dumbass, he's taken." He snapped, voice sharp and firm, reaching over, resting his hand firmly on Raphael's arm, tugging him closer and just a bit behind him.

Jace laughed, rolling his eyes, waving him off, leaning in with an irritatingly smug, self-assured smirk.

"Ah sure, right- come on cutie, I've seen you lookin' at me."

Simon scoffed, shaking his head.

"Then you need your eyes checked. Jace, you're wasted, you're not in your right mind and you don't know what you're doing. I feel for you but you need to knock it off right now."

He laughed like it was the funniest joke ever,

"Yeah, yeah, you're just playin' hard to get cause you're a good boy. That's fine, 's actually really cute. You don't need to play games with me though. No need to be shy cutie, there's nothing wrong with going for what you want... I saw the looks..." he smirked, gaze shifting again from Simon over to Raphael, nodding, winking, gaze again shifting over him leeringly.

"Seen him lookin' too- bet we could have a lot of fun..." he hummed, reaching forward with the uncoordinated, flailing grace only a drunkard could muster, grabbing for Raphael's arm with one hand, the other moving around, slipping low.

Raphael started, shifting back from his wandering hands, giving a loud, terrifying snarling hiss filled with venom. That's all it takes to push Simon over the edge. He darts forward, pulling Raphael back a good distance away from Jace's grabby hands, back towards the coverage of the elm tree, shoving Jace away with his shoulder. Jace once more begins to move; whether to make another grab or to just regain his balance Simon didn't know. He also didn't care at this point.

He shifted, turning, moving around Jace, catching his hand, yanking him away from Raphael so hard it may have pulled something out of socket if he wasn't so loose and loopy, the force pulling him around. He spun, arms kind of wind milling for balance before beginning to stumble again in the direction of Raphael. Simon growled, catching his shoulder, yanking him back around, shifting, planting his feet, pulling his hand back before slamming forward, catching Jace square in the nose. Jace's head snapped back, the blonde man dropping like a sack of bricks, out cold.

"He said back off." Simon growled, fists clenched, watching his still, prone body on the ground, tense and alert, waiting for another move.

The group stands frozen in shock. Raphael seems to be the first to snap out of it, swallowing, blinking, a soft breathless little chuckle slipping out. He slinks closer to Simon, lightly resting his hand on his shoulder, squeezing comfortingly.

"O-okay, knock out it is. H-" Raphael began before he's cut off as Simon turns, grabbing him, spinning him around, pressing him back firmly up against the base of the elm tree, kissing him desperately.

His hand slips up, catching in Raphael's hair, tugging, changing the angle, nipping sharply at his lips before deepening the kiss. Raphael shivered against him, relaxing back against the tree, hands slipping up, coming to rest on Simon's back, pulling him in closer. Simon growled softly, slipping his tongue in, taking total control of the kiss. Raphael whimpered, shivering excitedly, one hand slipping up, tangling in Simon's soft, honey brown lock of hair, catching, tugging him in more, all but melting into him.

It's hot and hard and more than a little rough, desperate and unmistakably possessive. It makes Simon's head spin and his pulse race, he feels like he'll never get enough.

Finally when air becomes necessary Simon reluctantly breaks the kiss, nipping sharply at Raphael's lower lip before pulling back just enough to look the other man over. Raphael swallows, blinking in shock, eyes wide, glimmering black and there's an enticing flush on his cheeks. Simon's breath caught at the sight, shivering eagerly, beginning to lean back in again.

Mmm...god he is s-

"Ahem..."

Simon starts at the sound, looking around, blinking in confusion, startling again as he takes in Kevin and the two teens. He gulps, again coming back to himself, more fully this time, feeling his cheeks warm, glancing away, brushing a loose lock of hair back behind his ear, kind of fidgeting.

"Um-h-hey guys so uh….sor-"

Divya chuckled, shaking her head, waving him off.

"Don't worry about it; a thank you kiss for a daring rescue is pretty much a given. I mean that's kinda an irritating, outdated stereotype same as the damsel in distress trope but thinking so long as the damsel's good with it you're good…" she chuckled again, brow quirking, gesturing towards Raphael still leaning kind of heavily against the tree with that distractingly bright, enticing flush to his cheeks and a slightly dazed smile tugging at his pretty lips.

"Clearly your distressed damsel's more than happy with it so thinking you're all set."

That seems to be the thing to shake Raph out of his kiss stupor. He startles faintly, casting an irritated glare at the teen.

"Hey I'm not a-"

Kevin snorted, flashing a teasing smirk.

"I don't know you sure looked pretty swoony over there."

Raphael scoffed sarcastically.

"Alright Bambi that's-"

"Hey can't really say I blame him. That was a pretty impressive move. Nice left hook by the way." Blake laughed, slipping closer to the others, giving an approving thumbs up before shifting, gesturing towards the unconscious man on the ground.

"So what are we gonna do with the grabby, bug befuddled dude?"

Simon blinked, looking down at Jace's prone form on the ground before startling, reality suddenly rushing back in stark focus. He groaned, sighing, irritatedly rubbing his temple.

"You mean the bug befuddled federal agent?"

Blake and Divya startle, blinking in surprise, sharing a look before shifting back down to the man on the ground.

"He's a Fed?" Divya asked.

Simon sighed, rubbing his face, pushing his hair back, nodding.

"DEA, and Alec's younger brother. Damnit! I am SO screwed here."

"You're fine Amore; it was defensive. Besides as high of a dose of the bugs ephemera, pheromones and venom he got there's no possible way he's remembering any of it."

Simon huffed irritatedly, giving a faintly sarcastic wave.

"Yeah, great. So not only did I punch out a federal agent and my best friends younger brother; I punched out a poor, drugged out of his

mind someone who was attacked and by the looks of it nearly eaten alive by a swarm of vicious, demonic lust bugs...yeah...thanks, that makes me feel much better."

Kevin sighed, shrugging, gaze shifting over Jace's prone body, head tilting consideringly.

"Well thinking unconscious is better than some of the alternatives here. He's out cold, hopefully he'll just sleep off the worst of it..." he paused, glancing up at Raphael, brow raising.

"Will he be okay? This isn't fatal- right?"

Raphael shook his head.

"No the book didn't say anything about even the possibility of a fatal outcome with Chwantiau. Even in full on attacks it's never fatal. He's gonna be miserable and he may end up wishing it was but it's nothing someone can't come back from with some rest and recuperation."

Kevin nodded, relaxing.

"Oh thank god." He nodded again, gaze shifting over the prone man before slipping back up to the others, giving a faint shrug.

"I-I mean I'm not exactly a fan of the guy but-"

"Hey what's that?" Blake exclaimed.

"What's what?" Divya asked.

"That weird glowing cloud like thing. I don't remember seeing that."

Divya blinked, looking over the odd, shimmering amorphous dust like cloud hovering in the air, becoming a nebulous, tangled mess in the area around them before trailing off through the trees.

"I think that's Jace's trail." She paused, glancing over at Simon and Raphael, head tilting.

"You said he likely fell into the nest, right? Looks like he's so coated with all the bug crap he actually left his own trail. It's a whole lot bigger than the bugs, really easy to see and it has to lead right to the nest."

Simon, Raphael and Kevin moved over closer to the two teens, Simon looking over the odd, undulating, shimmering mass hanging lazily in the air before glancing over at the teens, nodding approvingly.

"I think you're right, good eye guys. And if it's this thick we have to be really close to the nest." He paused, shifting, trying to peer through the trees to get an idea of the path the bug addled man took.

"We could probably get a better view from up there." Kevin suggested, pointing at the top of the large fallen, moss covered redwood tree Divya and Blake had been using for cover.

"I got it." Blake exclaimed, hurrying over, climbing up, using the remaining branches to pull herself up, clambering to the highest point on the trunk, a perch about ten feet up off the ground, looking around before pointing in the direction Jace had come from.

"Hey think I see it!"

"You do? Where?" Divya asks, scrambling up next to her on the fallen tree, looking in the direction she's pointing.

"Right over there, to the left bout ten yards up through the underbrush. See it? Looks like there's a break in the trees, maybe another clearing and there's that weird glow-y thing.-"

Divya gasped, smiling, grabbing the other girls shoulder, nudging her.

"That's the nest! It's gotta be! Hey guys, Blake found the nest. It's just up ahead, maybe ten yards in the center of a clearing, you can't miss it," She called over her shoulder, waving to the others before glancing over at Blake, flashing a bright smile, lightly punching her shoulder.

"Good catch girl. Knew you'd get into this."

Blake scoffed, shaking her head, waving her off.

"Yeah no, please. I'm not into this I just want to get this done." She rolled her eyes, beginning to climb down.

Divya smirked, climbing down next to her, shaking her head.

"Uh huh, sure. You're loving this, you know it."

Blake gave a disbelieving laugh, looking at the other girl like she'd just sprouted a new head.

"You sound as addled as those two. Maybe that bug crap is getting to you too." Divya laughed brightly, waving her off.

"Please, you just don't want to admit it so you can still complain and give me grief for dragging you along."

Blake shifted, head tilting concedingly.

"Well let's be real that was happening no matter what."

Divya snorted, head tilting.

"True..." she paused, gaze shifting from Blake over to the other three, settling on Simon, brow quirking.

"So we know where the nest is, we got the fancy lust bug round up bag and we have a bug addled DEA agent K.O'd on the ground. What's the plan from here detective?"

Simon, Kevin and Raphael cast one more glance at Jace on the ground before moving over closer to the teens, Simon climbing up onto the fallen tree, looking over in the direction Blake had pointed, blinking in surprise at what he sees.

Just a bit beyond the foliage there's a break in the underbrush, a small clearing similar to the one at the beginning of the trail. It's nearly a perfect circle of open land, in the very center of the clearing there's a huge weeping willow.

At least he thinks that's what it's supposed to be. He's never seen a weeping willow that was shimmering pink...or glowed like a radioactive meteor in a comic book...

Simon swallowed, blinking in shock, giving a slow, kind of shaky nod.

"Uh-y-yeah...think it's safe to say she did." He blinked again, gulping before climbing back down, turning to face the others, gesturing over his shoulder towards the clearing.

"Alright, Blake definitely found it. That has to be it. Looks like a willow tree, smack in the center of a clearing. It's glowing like it's radioactive. Looks like the entire nest is settled in for the night. That's good but by the looks of it there's even more than we thought.

We have the nest and the bugs seem fairly settled though if they already had one person trespassing into their nest they could still be pretty agitated and aggressive. The book says they hardly ever swarm outside of the nest unless there's a distinct threat to one of their own but this swarm's already a bit wonky, playing fast and loose with a lot of what it says and has already attacked one person so I don't want to take any chances.

The clearing looks like it's about a thirty-five foot radius so if we hug the edge of the clearing we should be able to avoid drawing too much attention.

Even so we need to stay sharp and on high alert and be ready if anything goes sideways. Everyone stay close, pay attention and follow the plan. We need to do this quick, smooth and as quietly as possible…" He paused, glancing around the group, giving a faint shrug, catching Raphael's eye, brow quirking.

"Those really aren't my strong suits. You think you can-"

Raphael smiled, nodding, settling close to his side.

"Of course Amore, just give me the word."

Simon smiled, nodding in agreement, relaxing faintly, flashing a grateful smile before catching himself, glancing at the others.

"Alright, one thing down, Raph's setting the trap. That's the most important part. It'll need to be done as quick and smoothly as possible. Again I know you got that. Moving on. Kev? Your hearing's better than the rest of us. Can you hear anything from over there that could give us any ideas?"

Kevin paused, head tilting, elfin looking ears growing, twitching, turning towards the clearing, listening intently before giving a faint, slow nod.

"Yeah, I can hear them. It's a really soft, trilling little buzz, kinda like by a beehive. They actually sound pretty calm right now. It's just a slow, droning buzz."

Simon nodded, pointing, brow quirking.

"Kay good, that's good. The second that changes let me know. The book said their pretty sensitive to light and sound, when we get to the perimeter we need to be as quiet as possible. No talking unless absolutely necessary.

Raph will go in straight ahead, go about fifteen feet into the clearing and set the trap, get it set and get out as quick as possible, the less attention you draw the better. Kevin flank left, I'll flank right, as soon as Raph has the trap set we all three reconvene where we started and find some coverage to wait for the trap to do its thing." He paused, glancing over, catching Kevin's eye, pointing, brow quirking.

"Keep an ear out and stay in our line of sight so you can signal if there's a change in the swarm. I'll be on Raph's right and I'll have the flashlight as that isn't part of the capture. Plus it's police issue and I'd really rather not have it sucked into a mini wormhole and then hurled into a closed off hell dimension.

Also if there's a change in the bugs or they start to swarm I should be able to use the light and sound to draw their attention." He shifted, reaching into the bag on his shoulder, fishing out the flashlight before turning back to the others, focus shifting over to the two teens.

"Divya, Blake? You two mind hanging back here a bit, keeping an eye on Jace? Sorry, I know you guys would rather be more into the capture but we can't just leave him out here alone unattended. Plus I don't really know how smoothly it will play out and I don't want to chance things going sideways and us losing track of him out here."

Divya gave a sharp nod.

"You got it."

Blake huffed, relaxing next to the other girl.

"Oh thank god, I just knew you were gonna insist on being in the thick of it and that you'd drag my ass right into the middle of it too."

Divya shrugged, head tilting concedingly, huffing out a faint laugh, brow quirking, gesturing towards Jace.

"You know generally I would but seeing what those fluttering, shimmery bastards did to him I'm actually kinda good with staying clear."

Blake gave a relieved huff, nodding in agreement before starting, holding out the glimmering sunset colored crystal to them.

"Here, you guys'll need this."

Simon nodded, taking the crystal from her, slipping it into his pocket, flashing a grateful smile, giving a quick, sharp nod, looking over the others.

"Alright, sounds like we have our plan." He smiled before turning, catching Raphael's hand tugging him in, catching his lips in a quick, deep kiss.

He hums softly, savoring the moment briefly before slowly pulling back, glancing up, catching Raphael's pretty, impossibly dark eyes. Raphael blinked, reaching up, brushing his hair back, kind of stumbling faintly before glancing over, brow quirking.

"W-what-"

"For luck...figured we could use it..." he hummed, flashing a bright, impish smile and a flirty little wink at the flustered, slightly wobbly vampire, turning to the others.

"Right, we got our plan and everyone knows where they need to be. Let's get to it."

With that he turned, shifting the bag off his shoulder, handing it off. Raphael took the bag, him, Simon and Kevin quickly slipping through the trees and underbrush towards the clearing. As the get closer Kevin and Raphael slow a bit, pausing when they come into sight of the ominously glowing tree.

Raphael blinks, glancing over at Simon, brow rising. Simon huffed out a faint breath, eyes widening, nodding animatedly, giving a fluttering wave. Raphael huffed, shaking his head, speeding up, the group stopping a few feet before the clearing. They settle close, taking their positions around the perimeter. Simon glances over, catching Kevin's eye, brow quirking.

He shifts, head tilting, elfin ears twitching before giving a faint thumbs up, nodding. Simon nods back, returning the gesture looking over to at the ominously glimmering tree, guestimating the distance, checking they're clear before waving Raphael forward.

Raph smirks, flashing a quick, flirty little wink before turning, darting out of the tree line, moving around the clearing so fast he's nothing but a silent blur, the entire set up for the trap finished in a matter of seconds. Simon startled at a quick breeze and a glimmer of movement just to his side, almost stumbling. Raphael catches his hand, tugging him up and back, slipping his arm around him, squeezing his side.

"All set." He whispers smugly, voice a whisper just by Simon's ear.

Simon did his best to muffle a faint chuckle, glancing over, rolling his eyes affectionately, leaning in, voice barely a breath.

"Show off…"

"Only for you Angel."

"That's a lie..."Simon mumbled, smiling.

Raphael's head titling concedingly, totally unapologetic.

"True...but with you is the only time it actually matters."

"That's the truth..." Kevin whispers, settles in next to the couple, the trio taking cover amongst a large thicket of overgrown bushes between two large, gnarled poplar trees. Raphael settled closer to Simon's side, Kevin ducking down beside them, the three peering through the foliage watching the bag.

Everything's silent for a bit, the three waiting, holding their breath. Simon shifts, trying to strain to get a better view.

"I can't tell is some-"

"Shh! Something's happening." Kevin whispered, leaning in.

As they watch the lights on the tree begin to shimmer and flair, glowing brighter. Simon begins to see movement amongst the branches and his ears begin to catch a soft, rhythmic buzzing, humming, trilling type sound. A few of the long tendril like branches of the tree began to move, at first Simon thinks it's the light breeze picking up before he realizes they're not all moving, just a few of them.

Suddenly he sees a few soft, shimmering points of light flickering out, buzzing out of the tree. They dance and flit around the open meadow, slowly approaching the bag with the faintly flickering light. Simon shifts lightly, holding his breath, settling closer to Raphael, reaching over, absently catching his hand, intertwining their fingers. Beside him Kevin shifts closer, hand coming up, resting on his shoulder, squeezing, settling close to his side.

"It's working!" he whispered eagerly, squeezing his shoulder again.

Simon glanced over, catching his deep turquoise eyes, nodding, smiling hopefully before turning back to the bag, watching the little cluster of bugs buzzing, spinning and dancing around the glowing bag.

Okay, come on...just a little bit more...that's it, almost there a-AH!

Simon gasped, lightly pumping his fist as he sees a few of the bugs disappear into the bag, an odd whistling sound emitting, the light suddenly shifting, turning from the low, softly glowing flickering orange of the candle to a brilliant, blazing neon violet, shimmering and pulsating. The other bugs darting around the bag seem to start, flight paths becoming fast and erratic, spinning, twirling around the bag before slipping into the portal spinning like something going down a drain.

The reaction is almost instantaneous. The lights in the tree flair and glow, shimmering and darting, the branches moving, first lazily like their caught in a breeze than more frantic like they're caught in a monsoon.

Suddenly the lights in the tree flash bright neon pink, near red all the lights raising up as one shooting into the air, flaring and flashing bright and alarming. The buzzing becomes louder, near deafening, sounding less like a lazy buzzing and more like an ominous, ear-piercing screech, like a jet engine or the howl of a tornado. The sound grows louder and higher becoming a near tangible thing, something you feel in your bones, drilling into your skull.

"Oh crap..." Simon gulps, blinking shifting closer to Raphael, blindly reaching up to his shoulder, catching Kevin's hand, tugging him in closer, holding on tight, half worried they were gonna be swept away.

The swarm raises up, spinning above their heads, faster and faster, the Chwantiau ephemera filling the air. From all throughout the forest Simon sees puffs of shimmering ephemera rising up out of the trees, spinning into the undulating mass, joining into the rest of the swarm. And within the swirling, churning ephemera clouds Simon spots sharp, bright flaring burst of light darting around, more bugs, coming from seemingly all directions.

The rolling, churning ephemera thickens, growing heavier and denser, occluding the swarm, looking like a huge, surging storm cloud. It flashes and flickers, the shimmering sparkles now looking less like spinning fairie dust and more like shards of glass catching and sparking in the light.

The huge, undulating mass raises up high above the tree line, blocking out the entire sky above the clearing, rolling, churning and spinning like a huge fiery tempest, the Chwantiau darting around blazing fast and manic, glowing so bright they look like sharp slashes of electric pink lightning cutting across a deep blood red sky.

Simon swallows, biting down on a fearful scream or whimper, pulling the other two closer, the three bracing against the trees, holding on as the wind from the churning, thunderous, flashing cloud whips up to a frantic pace, the speed and vehemence blowing the branches of the trees, making them whip, bend and crack, Simon eyeing the tree they're braced beneath wearily, looking for loose or cracked branches that may be sent flying.

The ominous insectoid cloud spins faster and faster, shifting from rolling, churning thunder like clouds to a whirling, spinning, shimmering tornado circling the clearing, whipping up into a frenzy before shifting, zeroing in on the bag. All of a sudden the cloud shifts, slamming down on the bag full force. More of the bugs slam into the bag, smashing into it, dive bombing into the brilliant violet pool of light. These disappear into the bag, the rest of the swarm becoming more and more agitated.

They spin and dart, clearly on the attack. Simon shifts down even more, till he's almost lying flat on the ground, pulling the other two down next to him, bracing covering the back of his neck like they'd do during tornado season back in school.

There's a sudden deafening roar, the sound of the swarm picking up, sounding like a screech straight out of hell. He squeezes his eyes shut, huddling down, pulling the other two close, trying to brace them as much as possible, holding on for dear life. There's a loud, thunderous crack, Sounding like something exploded. Simon shivers as he feels dust, dirt and small pieces of debris hitting him.

W-what was that?

What happened? Oh god, oh god...that was the bag, wasn't it? It overloaded, self-destructed, it was too much. There's so many- TOO many! No way that little bag is gonna handle all of those. They were expecting forty max, there's gotta be easily a thousand of them.

Oh god damnit...what are they gonna do? It's not gonna work, it's gonna fail and then they're gonna be stuck with a pissed off mega storm o-

His panicking, spiraling thoughts are cut off by a sonic boom, a physical shockwave rocking them, making the earth tremble around them before everything goes quiet and they're left in stark, deafening silence. Simon blinks, shifting, slowly beginning to push himself up, Kevin and Raphael doing the same, the trio setting up, looking around the clearing in confusion.

The sky is clear and bright, blazing full moon shining down, casting shimmering beams of moonlight over the surrounding forest, giving it a soft silvery glow. There's about a million stars shimmering and dancing overhead, a slow, lazy breeze slips through the trees, giving a pleasant soft, rustling sound, kicking up the warm, sweet scent of the honeysuckle, passion flowers and wild roses, the soft scent now mixed with the deep, rich scent of wood smoke.

Wait...smoke? What? What wa-

Oh...that'd do it...

Where the huge willow tree had stood in the center of the clearing now sat a large, gnarled, hollowed out tree stump, the edges jagged nearly looking scorched. Simon can still make out a few slow, spindly trails of smoke curling up from the sharp, craggy remains of the tree.

The three set in confused silence for a moment before finally coming back to themselves. Simon huffed out a faintly disbelieving laugh, shaking his head before startling, reaching into his pocket, pulling out the crystal, relieved to see it was still glowing brightly. He shifts, holding it up, waving it around the field but he sees nothing.

Oh thank god...it worked...

"Crystal's still working, they're gone...we're clear." He sighed, relaxing, slumping down, glancing over at the other two, flashing a relieved smile.

Raphael settles closer to his side, smiling warmly, reaching up, patting him on the shoulder, squeezing.

"Very impressive detective Lewis. I knew you had it."

Simon gave a soft breath of a laugh, feeling his cheeks warm, an excited little flip in his stomach, shaking his head.

"Well that makes one of us."

"Two- never doubted you for a second." Kevin added, settling closer to his other side, clambering to his feet before holding out his hand to help him up.

Simon smiled, catching his hand, standing, Raphael standing as well, the trio moving out into the clearing, collecting the bag, casting one more curious glance at the still smoking hollowed out stump before turning, making their way back through the trees. They gingerly pick their way back through the vegetation, finally emerging from around the fallen tree.

Divya gasps when she sees them, moving over quickly, Blake rushing along beside her, looking them over in concern, eyes wide and fearful, gesturing over towards where they came from.

"Okay what the hell was that?"

Raphael shrugged, head tilting, giving a casual shrug.

"The swarm was a bit bigger than we were thinking. Got a bit touchy there..." he paused, glancing over, catching Simon's eye, flashing a faint smile.

"Thankfully we had a seasoned, expert detective leading us. All went fine. Everything went off without a hitch. Bugs are bagged; nest is gone, along with all their ephemera and dust. We're in the clear."

"He's right. Si had it down cold. He's one hell of a detective." Kevin smiled, nodding, settling close to Simon's other side, reaching up, squeezing his shoulder.

Simon blushed, shrugging, waving them off.

"They're just being nice. It was definitely a group effort. But they are right about one thing. We're good now, everything's sorted..." he paused, shifting, taking a deep breath, gaze shifting from the other four down to the man crumpled on the ground.

"Well, almost everything. Still gotta figure out what we're gonna do with Jace. I mean we can't just leave him here."

"We can't?" Raphael asked, brow quirking.

Simon huffed, rolling his eyes, brow pointedly quirking right back, shaking his head.

"No. We can't. He's unconscious and vulnerable and is gonna wake up feeling like death warmed over. We're not leaving him like that to wake up in the middle of a forest."

Raphael huffed, brow rising.

"Yeah, well he's literally dead weight right now and we're three miles into a nature preserve. What are we gonna do, just drag him along? Who's gonna do that?"

The other four glanced between each other, shrugging questioningly before seemingly making a decision, brows raising in near perfect sync, looking pointedly at him.

"Well..." Kevin started.

Raphael scoffed disbelievingly.

"Seriously?"

Simon shifted closer, flashing an apologetic, wincing look.

"Sorry Raph but you are by far the strongest..."

Raphael huffed irritatedly, head shaking, glaring sharp and determined.

"Uh uh, nope, no way, not happening. There is no way I'm carrying the peroxide pest for over three miles for hours on end. I'm not doing it. It is not happening."

{****************}

*-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-*-Raphael-*

{****************}

Ugh...can't believe I have to carry this jackass.

Why did it have to be Jace? Of all the people in the world why did the one that stumbled ass backwards into a love bug nest have to be the obnoxious horndog that thinks they're gods give to everyone and will chase anything with half a pulse? The dolt is one of the most irritating people he's ever met. Why the hell would he ever agree to this?

Now here they are traipsing through the woods, Divya and Blake walking along ahead of them, talking and chattering, laughing about some of the crazier cases and odder supernaturals they've come across in the books him, Simon and Kevin a few paces behind, him with the dumbass peroxide menace slung over his shoulder in a sloppy fireman's style carry for the next two and a half freaking miles.

Seriously why would he ever agree to something so stupi-

"-nks again Raph." Him inner grumbling is cut off by a soft voice just to his side.

He starts faintly, blinking, glancing over, catching sight of those gorgeously intoxicating honey brown eyes and a soft smile that makes his head spin.

Oh...yeah...that's why...

Raphael sighed, head tilting, brow quirking questioningly.

"Sorry Angel, what did you say?"

Simon chuckled softly, slipping closer, smile warming, squeezing Raphael's shoulder before his hand trails down, coming to rest on the small of his back.

"I just said thank you. I know it's a pain- I know he's a pain but it really was the only option. None of the rest of us could have managed to carry a fully grown man for that long and we couldn't just leave him alone, unconscious and defenseless."

"Maybe you couldn't..." Raphael muttered.

Simon laughed, rolling his eyes, nudging his shoulder, smile tugging up, adorable dimples flashing.

"Oh please, you couldn't have left him there either. I know he's a pest but he's still a person and the sibling to one of our closest friends and right now he's helpless and vulnerable. Even if he is a walking headache when he's awake he's still a person. If it was up to you you'd of made the same exact decision."

Simon snorted, shaking his head.

"If it was up to me he'd be coyote chow."

Simon gasped, laughing in surprise, smacking his shoulder.

"Oh he would not! You'd never do that."

Raphael chuckled, scoffing, head tilting, brow quirking.

"You have way too high of opinion of me Angel."

Simon shook his head.

"No I don't. I know exactly who you are."

"Yeah, Batman..." Divya chirped in front of them.

"Batman?" Raphael blinked, glancing over at the teasingly smirking teen in confusion, gaze shifting over to Simon before pausing, head tilting, sharp, dark eyes flickering curiously over the pretty pink tingeing Simon's cheeks.

"What's she talking about Angel?"

Simon shifted, blush kicking up more, shaking his head, huffing, glaring heatlessly at Divya, giving a dismissive wave.

"Nothing, Her, Alec and Mags were just teasing me earlier today, trying to give me a hard time. Anyways you know you wouldn't have left Jace to the wolves."

Raphael huffed, brow quirking pointedly at the blatantly obvious flailing attempt at a subject change before relaxing, deciding to let it go, giving a faint shrug, smirking playfully.

"Of course not. We don't have wolves around here. It's lousy with coyotes though. They deserve a good meal."

Simon sputtered, eyes wide, lightly smacking his shoulder, flashing a faintly exasperated look. In front of them Blake slowed, glancing back in surprise, brow raising, giving a blatantly false, over dramatically affronted look.

"Raphael how could you say that? I'm surprised at you."

Beside her Divya nodded, giving an overly serious, censoring look, gesturing towards the blonde.

"Right? The audacity."

Blake nodded.

"I know! It's cruel; flat out careless is what it is."

Kevin flashed a faintly reassuring smile at the two girls, waving them off, shaking his head.

"Relax girls; he really is just grumbling and snarking. No way he'd actually do that."

Blake huffed, looking over expectantly.

"Well I would hope not! Do you have any idea how bad all that hair gel, peroxide and cologne would be for those poor coyotes?"

Raphael burst out laughing, brow raising, head tilting concedingly, pointing over towards the teens.

"Good point girls. Finally a rational argument for bringing him back. Guess it IS better this way, definitely wouldn't want to make some poor, innocent animal sick."

Kevin huffed disbelievingly, shaking his head at the lot of them, Simon clearing his throat, trying to hide a faint chuckle.

"God you guys are terrible." He glanced over at Raphael, shaking his head.

"You're such a bad influence on these poor kids."

"Yeah, yeah you say that now. Give it a week or so and let's just see if you're still whistling the same tune."

Kevin snorted, shaking his head animatedly.

"I still will. Like I said I'm definitely not a fan of the guy but I couldn't just leave him. I couldn't do that to anyone. He may be a pain and a pest and have an ego the size of Texas but under all the boasting and preening and smirking and pomposity there IS an actual person. He's a person alone, vulnerable and completely defenseless. We couldn't just leave a person out in the wilderness, unconscious and helpless. It would be heartless and cruel."

Raphael scoffed, rolling his eyes, waving him off.

"And those are all very valid arguments and everything but the problem is eventually he'll wake up and then that person he is is still JACE. I know I'm gonna regret this."

Simon and Kevin snickered. Raphael snorted, glancing over at Kevin, brow quirking.

"Uh huh, sure, you laugh now. Mark my words it won't be a month until the moron makes another one of his flailing, graceless moves on you and you'll be wishing we left him out here for the coyotes."

Kevin laughed, head tilting concedingly.

"Yeah most likely at least a few times. Even so I couldn't actually do that. We had to help him. It's the right thing to do."

Raphael huffed, rolling his eyes.

"Ugh god, how'd I ever get mixed up with you bunch of overly moralistic Boyscouts?"

Kevin chuckled, gesturing towards Simon.

"Eh we got really cute members; helps a lot with recruitment."

Raphael chuckled, glancing over at Simon, gaze flickering over him, head tilting concedingly.

"Well, can't argue with that." he paused, holding up a finger, catching Simon's eye, pointing.

"You owe me big time for this by the way. Hope you know you're making this up to me."

Simon giggled, eagerly nodding, settling closer to his shoulder. He hums softly, leaning over, nuzzling just behind his ear, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his cheek.

"Mmm...good- then my plan worked."

Raphael laughed, brow quirking.

"Your plan? So what, you're scheming now?"

"What can I say, I learned from the best."Simon smirked flirtatiously, leaning in, voice slipping low, soft and husky, right by his ear, breath tickling Raphael's neck, raising pleasant little goosebumps, sending an excited shiver down clear to his toes.

"Guess you've rubbed off on me pretty good too." He hummed, giving a soft, low chuckle, catching his eye, flashing a playfully impish wink.

Raphael felt his cheeks warm, coughing to try to unsuccessfully cover one of those damned annoying as hell high pitched laughs, unable to stop the little smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"Y-yeah...well-"

Divya laughed, rolling his eyes at the couple in playful exasperation.

"Yeah, yeah just promise me you won't do the whole 'making it up' thing with us around- Impressionable, ace teens remember."

Simon laughed, brow rising pointedly.

"Divya, you work with Magnus and Alec has spent over half the day tempting and teasing his mercilessly, pushing every last button he could find for the man. Kinda thinking our 'making up' will be the least of your worries."

Raphael chuckled, flashing an apologetic, somewhat amused look towards the teen, head tilting towards Simon.

"He's not wrong. I'm already trying to figure out an excuse to be out of town for the next week or so. Good luck with that."

Divya slowed, blinking, groaning, rolling not only his eyes but his entire head.

"Ah damnit! I didn't even think about that. I'm gonna have to buy a

'Do not disturb' sign for the door of the agency."

Blake chuckled, shrugging.

"You could always get his a tie to put on the door, same basic thing. Maybe that Alec has one they can use. He's a detective; they usually have suits and ties and all that crap, right?"

Raphael huffed out a faint laugh, nodding.

"They do, and he does. And I've seen Alec's ties. That is probably the best use for them."

Divya, Simon and Kevin laughed, nodding in unison, relaxing faintly.

"Very true. I know next to nothing about fashion but I do know at least enough to know how bad those things are.

One thing's for sure; I definitely gotta find some way to deal with them cause I sure as hell don't want to walk in on-woah!" Divya exclaims as he's suddenly grabbed by the shoulder, lifting clear off the ground.

Raphael starts, shifting, tossing Jace off his shoulder into the brush off to the side of the path, darting forward in a blink, catching the teens ankle, yanking his roughly back down and out of the grip of the unknown assailant. shifts, turning, rolling away from the swooping figure, pulling the teen along with him, covering him. He turns back to the sky, giving a low dangerous growl, swatting at the lightning fast blur darting in yet again.

The blow connects, just a glance of a blow, but it does connect, throwing the attacking creature off course. It rolls, hitting the ground, moving quick as a blur, giving an unholy shriek. It races across the path, darting into the tree line around one of the trees in a blink, scaling it like it's nothing, rushing out on the highest branch, hurling itself off, swooping away into the night, darting back into the thick surrounding tree line.

"What the hell was that?!" Kevin exclaimed, head darting around, searching the tree line in fear.

Simon shakes his head, scanning the trees.

"I-I don't know. It's big, it's human-ish, it had wings and it is REALLY pissed off, that's about all I got. That and i-" he's cut off by another one of those loud, ear piercing shrieks echoing throughout the forest, a glimmering, blue eyed shadow shooting out of the tree line again aiming right for Divya.

Divya gasps, eyes wide. Simon grabs the teen, hits the ground and rolls, moving her out of the way of the attack, scrambling in front of Kevin and Blake, trying to shield them, ushering them off the open path, pushing them towards the coverage of a massive thicket of oak trees and underbrush. Raphael slinked along, falling in beside him, movement fast, sure and fluid, instantly on high alert, pushing Simon partially behind him, moving into a defensive crouch, head on a swivel, giving a low, dangerous, inhuman hiss, sharp, inky black eyes affixed to the tree line, looking for the attacker.

"Do you see what it is?" Simon whispered, leaning in closer, scanning the surrounding trees.

Raphael swallows, shaking his head faintly, head cocked, dark eyes sharp and alert. He listens, shifting through the different sounds, the surrounding heartbeats of the others, the animals scurrying in the brush, low buzzing of some lazy bugs and the soft breeze slipping through the trees before he catches it.

There! Another heartbeat, further away. It's moving, quick and silent. He feels it circling, looking for an opening.

He shifts closer to Simon, head tilting, not chancing a glance away, zeroing in on the heartbeat, following its path through the trees, searching the thick, rustling trees surrounding them, watching for an opening, it's next move.

"No- it's retreated into the trees, it's still there though, watching, I can hear its breath, its heartbeat. It's circling us, scouting out the situation. Feels like it's looking for an opening.

It's very agitated and erratic, doesn't feel quite right. Breath is short and ragged and It's heartbeat is fast and thready, odd. It doesn't feel really right, not a natural pace. It…huh…"he paused, blinking in faint confusion, setting up just the slightest bit, head tilting the other way, move oddly smooth and animalistic.

"It's familiar…I've heard that heartbeat before…felt it. Not overly familiar but I do know it...I-it almost sounds li-"

Mr. Fairfax?" Divya exclaimed in shock, pointing animatedly at a cluster of branches about twenty feet up in a large redwood tree about thirty feet down the pathway.

Blake blinked in confusion looking over at Divya in disbelief before following where she was pointing, spotting the large hulking figure crouched among the branches. The being looks mostly human, save for their deep, glossy, midnight blue ram like horns curling back from their temple and odd, warm, grayish color and the thick, heavy looking dark grey wings hanging around their shoulders like a cape.

Their features are unusually sharp and striking, they have thick, wavy blonde hair and eerily glowing brilliant blue eyes. Their movement is smooth and fluid as they slink along the branch's, jumping to another tree, catching, landing without a sound, circling the group. They pause in another tree, leaning through the branches, the stark shimmering moonlight hitting them, illuminating the sharp, distinctly human face.

Blake froze, again blinking.

"Umm...Okay why is our favorite teacher attacking us?"

"Oh what fresh hell is this?" Simon grumbled, shifting closer to Raphael's shoulder shoulder, scanning the trees, gaze landing on the large, hulking figure now perched on a branch of a humongous redwood tree about thirty feet up, figure silhouetted perfectly by the full moon, wings unfurling, opening wide, a striking, brilliant play of shimmering colors dancing in the bright moonlight.

Divya shook his head, shrugging, totally at a loss. Raphael shifted closer, covering them, pushing Blake and Divya more behind him, wearily eyeing the hulking figure in the tree.

"I don't know but I do know he's not in his right mind. He feels off, odd, near manic. He almost feels li-ah damnit...he almost feels like Ash."

Blake gasped, fearfully, shifting closer to Divya, looking over at her worriedly.

"He fell into the nest too!?"

Raphael shook his head, not chancing taking his eyes off the bug addled gargoyle, tracking every twitch, move, heartbeat and breath.

"No, I don't think so, it's not anywhere near that level- not that manic and deep. It sounds similar to how Alec's sounded on the phone today. I think he was bit. Just like a normal bite..."

Blake started, looking over in alarm, brow rising.

"Yeah, and a normal bite is supposed to send a person's libido into overdrive and make them seek out whoever it is that gets their motor running most. Shouldn't he be spinning and flailing and fluttering off to find whoever it is that gets him going? Trying to woo them or impress them or whatever?

So again why the hell is he dive bombing Divya?"

"I-I don't know...why would-oh damnit...Raj what the hell did you do?" Divya groaned, shaking his head.

Blake blinked, glancing over, brow quirking

"Raj? What about Ra-" In the trees Bryan make another screeching roar, leaping off the branch, wings unfurling, opening wide and bright revealing a brilliant flash of shimmer colors. His eyes glow bright as fire, circling, again hurling himself towards them, this time directly at Raphael.

He dodges the blow at the last minute, catching his arm, spinning him around throwing him off course, sending him careening nearly head first into a large tree just off the path. Bryan manages to correct at the last minute, twisting, catching hold of the tree, nails digging into the bark of the tree, darting up and into the foliage, bounding out of sight.

Raphael shifts, giving a loud, dangerous hiss and an inhuman growl, eyes flashing black, head tilting, nails lengthening, fists clenching before regaining her control, taking a deep breath, pulling back, shifting closer to the others, shaking her head, looking back at Divya.

"What about Raj?" he bit out through gritted teeth, rolling his neck, trying to push down him instincts, pulling himself back from the precipice, rolling his shoulders.

Divya huffed, swallowing, gaze shifting over Raphael and the others in concern before turning back to the trees, leaning in, talking quick and somewhat breathless.

"I texted him an update about us joining the bug hunt. He didn't text me back but I-" Divya's cut off by another loud screech from the trees, the lightning fast figure shooting down straight for them.

Raphael tenses, growling, eyes flashing black, slipping back into a defensive crouch, head tilting, nails extending dangerously, a loud, deadly hiss sounding readying for the attack. Suddenly there's a cacophony of stumbling, panicked steps and incoherent yelling coming up from the woods, someone all but crashing through the trees, a figure hurling themselves out of the bushes, tumbling out of the trees and brambles, hitting the ground and kind of rolling before shifting, stumbling into Raphael's path, waving frantically, hair wild, eyes wide and panicked.

"He was Bit! He's bit! Oh my god please don't hurt him!" Raj exclaims, waving frantically.

The distraction throws Raphael off, he nearly misses Bryans blow, shifting at the last minute, dodging to the left, knocking the figure away, sending him skidding across the path before he catches his footing, giving a low, rumbly growl, glaring, eyes flaring bright and dangerous before scrambling back, again clambering up one of the trees, disappearing into the foliage.

"He's not leaving me much of a choice." He gritted, eyeing the tree branches wearily.

Raj flailed, nodding, waving fearfully.

"I know but he's not in his right mind, he was bit by one of those flying, fluttery lust bug things."

Raphael huffed irritatedly waving him off.

"Yeah I kinda got that- why the hell is he attacking me and Divya?"

"He's not attacking- he's protecting. He thinks he's protecting."

"Protecting who?"

"Divya!"

"From what!?"

"From you!"

Raphael groaned exasperatedly, rolling his eyes, glaring.

"Divya doesn't need any protection from me! I'm no threat to her! Now your bird brained boyfriend there on the other hand, that's becoming another matter entirely. He's got about two more chances and I'm taking him down."

Raj flailed, shaking his head.

"But no-h-he's not a real threat to y-"

"He's attacking, he's incapable of responding to threats and I have had a VERY irritating few hours. Two more tries that's it."

Raj blinked, swallowing frantically.

"But y-" he's cut off by another one of those shrieks, Bryan swooping back in going for Raphael's throat.

He snarls, shifting, catching his arm, spinning him, hurling him clear across the open field, growling, hissing as he rights himself, again swooping up disappearing into the forest.

"ONE..." he grits out, shifting, popping his neck, nails growing, fangs lengthening.

Beside him Raj gulped, eyes wide. Divya glared over, shaking his head at him, smacking him on the shoulder.

"Raj what the hell did you do? I'm fine- Raph's not a threat to me! He's not some evil monster-"

"But he IS! He's dangerous, terrifying. S-he enthralled me and he screws with people just for fun and he's already on some weird supernatural probation and he almost got banished and the only reason he wasn't was because his BFF and family is scarier than an entire rogue vampire clan and now he's preying on some helpless, clueless, innocent human guy a-"

"What 'helpless, clueless human guy?" Divya asked, brow rising.

Raj sputtered, eyes wide, animatedly flailing.

"That Simon- Alec's partner! H-"

"Is a detective, and an adult and really confused as all hell as to what's going on here and how I'm a part of it."

Raj flailed, eyes wide, just now noticing the other man, freezing like a deer in the headlights.

"Y-you-a-Simon...w-what are y-"

Simon huffed, shrugging irritatedly, giving a sharp wave.

"Working my case! The same one I was working this morning with Alec. What the hell are you doing here? And what are you talking about my boyfriend? What are you saying abo-"

Raj froze, paling, eyes wide as saucers, looking around fearfully at the hulking figure bounding through the trees surrounding them, at the Vampire, eyes black as pitch, fangs bared, ready for an attack, at the thoroughly confused, agitated detective standing in the center of it all, clearly in plain sight of the circling gargoyle and clearly hearing every word he side.

He freezes, swallowing, heartbeat skyrocketing, pulse spiking up to an alarming rate.

"O-oh god. Oh god! No, no, no, no! Oh man, oh man, I screwed up! I screwed up bad! Oh man! Damnit! Oh man he didn't know! H-"

"Raj I-"

"You didn't know and humans can't process-a-a-and now you've seen it and heard it and can't not see it again and it's all my fault and you're gonna lose it and end up in a mental ward a-"

"Raj it's oka"

"-nd Magnus's gonna have to wipe his memory which will probably screw up your thing with Raphael and then he's gonna want me dead even more than he already does a-"

"Raj! I-"

"-nd that's just if the spell works but it doesn't all the time! Divya said Alec still remembered a lot from the Branding murders and he wasn't supposed to so if it didn't work then it might not work on him either and he doesn't have a concussion and painkillers to blame it o-"

"RAJ I kno-"

"-n so I might have just totally screwed up and ruined a nice, sweet, wonderful guy's life and Alec won't have a partner and Raphael will be out to get me and he'll end up in a padded cell trapped in a living nightmare and they're all gonna know I broke his brain a-"

Simon groaned, rolling not only his eyes but his whole head, pushing his hair back, giving a loud, irritated grown, shaking his head, unable to take the flailing, panicking gabber for a second more.

"Oh for the love of-I'm a Gwir-dyst!" he shouted.

The entire group froze; even the movement in the trees seemed to instantaneously stop, like the whole world was suddenly put on mute. Raj swallowed, blinking, paling slightly, eyes wide, mouth kind of working but no sound coming out, taking a hesitant step back, holding up a nervous, slightly shaky finger, slowly pointing.

"Y-you're a-"

Simon sighed, deflating, giving a faint, helpless shrug.

"I-yeah...I am..."

"I knew it!" Divya exclaimed, pumping her fist.

Simon sighed, shaking his head, rubbing his temples, relieved Raj stopped babbling before he ended up hyperventilating or passing out. He took a deep breath, glancing over at Divya. head tilting.

"How did you know?"

Divya quirked her brow, head tilting, smirk tugging at her lips.

"The Anti-Gwir-dyst?"

Simon winced, shrugging, reaching up, sheepishly scratching at his neck, head tilting.

"I-okay...yeah that was bad."

Raphael huffed out a faint laugh, head tilting apologetically.

"It really was."

Simon scoffed, waving him off, glaring irritatedly.

"Oh shut up; I was spinning out of my mind in panic, whacked out on bug pheromones and doing everything I possibly could to keep from freaking jumping you."

Raphael huffed out a surprised laugh, shifting closer, brow quirking, flashing a teasing wink. Simon scoffed, waving the look off with another irritated glare. From the top of one of the trees they hear a loud, ear splitting shriek that echoes through the trees, Bryan taking flight, circling, eyes glowing bright as fire. Simon groaned.

"Ah god damnit- still with thi-"

"Not for long." Raphael muttered.

He sighs, internally groaning at himself hoping like hell the accounts were right and this actually works and he's not doing this for nothing before turning, grabbing Raj, spinning him around, hand slipping up, catching in his hair, pulling him in, kissing him soundly. Raj flailed, hands coming to rest at Raphael's shoulders, catching his balance.

As quickly as he went in Raphael pulls away. Raj flails, stumbling back, nearly falling flat on his ass.

"Dude! What the hell?!"

"Believe me; it was no more pleasant from my side." Raphael sighed deadpan, wiping his mouth, nose scrunching.

Simon holds up a finger, shifting closer, brow quirking.

"Not exactly a picnic from here either."

Raphael paused, head tilting, perking up.

"Hey does this mean you gonna knock him out like you did Jace?" He asked eagerly, looking over at Simon, dark eyes sparking bright and excited, gesturing towards the unconscious blonde sprawled out on the side of the path.

Raj started, blinking, just know noticing the unconscious man. He gulps, making a nervous little eep sound, eyes wide, taking a couple nervous steps away, looking Simon over in alarm. Simon huffs, rolling his eyes, brow quirking irritatedly, gesturing towards the panicky man.

"You kissed HIM!"

Raphael shrugs, smirking.

"Still..."

Simon groaned in irritation, smacking his shoulder, gesturing animatedly towards Raj.

"WHY the hell did you kiss him?"

Raphael huffed irritatedly, giving a fluttery wave.

"To break the damn spell and avoid having to hurt a bug besotted idiot gargoyle on a suicide mission. Think it worked-" he trailed off, glancing around at the trees, looking for Bryan.

"You good Bird brain?"

There's silence for a few awkward moments before finally about thirty feet up some of the branches on one of the tall redwood trees begin to rustle, slowly pushing to the side, Bryan somewhat cautiously leaning out, bright blue eyes wide and nervous.

"I don't know, am I?"

"Oh just get down here you idiot!" Raphael huffed, rolling his eyes before turning back to Simon, gesturing over to him.

"That was the 'old wives tale' thing in the book. How it says some people have managed to break the bites influence. If the object of their infatuation kisses someone else it's supposed to cut through the effects and break the spell. It seemed ridiculous. I didn't think there was any way it'd work but as I was very much hitting my limit and it was either that or actually retaliate against Bryan's attacks I figured it was worth a shot."

Simon paused, blinking, head tilting curiously before, standing up a bit straighter, nodding.

"Think it cleared it up for me too." He nodded again, smiling faintly before shifting over to Raphael, brow quirking pointedly.

"Why didn't you try that earlier?"

Raphael huffed, shaking his head.

"With Jace? The man was too far gone, too high of a dosage. His infatuation wasn't even focused he was happy to jump anything that moved. There's nothing that could cut through that level of saturation.

No way in hell it'd work there. I didn't even think it'd work on a normal one like this, just figured it was worth a shot."

Simon flailed, animatedly gesturing.

"And you couldn't have given me a heads up? Or thought of that when you realized the bug pheromones were getting me all moony and screwy?"

Raphael shrugged.

"I did..."

Simon scoffed, brows raising, expectantly waving.

"Well?"

Raphael huffed out a faint laugh, giving a fluttery wave.

"Well what? Again I didn't actually think it'd work to begin with and even if I DID think it had some chance in hell it was me you, Kevin, Divya and Blake. I sure as hell wasn't about to kiss a teenager and Kevin still gives me grief because I wouldn't put a shirt on when he barged into my place so that was a definite no go..." He smiled, gaze flickering over Simon, lingering on his lips before slipping back up, catching his eyes.

"Besides I didn't exactly mind it."

Simon huffed out a faint affectionately irritated laugh, rolling his eyes again, unable to stop the little bit of a smile tugging at his lips.

"God you are such an ass."

Raph chuckles, winking.

"Part of my charm."

Simon snorts.

"Yeah sure, right up there with Jace's 'charm'."

"Hey!"

Simon smirk's right back, shrugging, brow quirking near challenging. Raphael glared for a few moments before huffing, deflating, almost pouting. The rest of the group just kind of standing around awkwardly lost in everything that happened. Finally when the awkwardness becomes too much to handle Raj breaks the silence, glancing at the others, clearing his throat.

"Umm…s-so…Simon's a Gwir-dyst, huh?"

That surprised a faint laugh out of Simon, he shrugged, head tilting, giving a bit of a wave.

"Yeah, but only in the most technical sense. I'm nothing like that. I never have been and I swear I never will be. There's nothing in this world that could make me." He glanced over, catching Divya's eye, brow quirking, flashing a bit of a smile.

"I pretty much AM the Anti-Gwir-dyst."

Divya chuckled, nodding.

"Yeah I kinda already got that."

Simon chuckled softly, relaxing, flashing a soft, somewhat unsure smile.

"You did?"

Divya nodded. Simon blinked, head tilting curiously.

"How?"

Divya giggled, brow rising.

"I've met you."

Blake chuckled, nodding, slipping closer to the other teen, pale, greyish blue eyes shifting over Simon, head tilting, reaching up, brushing a loose lock of blonde hair back behind his ear.

"Also? You were worried about the humane treatment of a gigantic swarm of demonic lust bugs. That doesn't really scream heartless, soulless destroyer of all non-human beings."

Divya laughed, nodding emphatically, smiling soft and warm.

"Hey you can't help what you are, just who you are." Bryan offered, slowly moving closer to the group, glancing over, catching Simon's eye, flashing a faint reassuring smile, before starting, eyes wide, chuckling nervously, giving an awkward wave,

"Hi, I'm Bryan by the way." He smiled again, hesitantly extending his hand.

Simon blinked in surprise, smiling shifting forward, catching his hand, shaking firmly.

"Hey, Detective Simon Lewis. Good to meet you- I've heard a lot of good things about you."

Bryan laughed, wincing, awkwardly scratching at his neck, smiling sheepishly.

"Kay, good. Can you maybe try and keep those as my first impression rather than the whole bug addled, dive bombing thing?"

Simon laughed brightly, animatedly nodding, flashing a brilliant, dimpled grin, giving a reassuring wave.

"No worries dude; you're talking to an expert on awkward first impressions, this isn't even in my top forty."

Bryan gave a surprised chuckle.

"Mine either actually, seems like we're gonna get along just fine." He smiled nodding one more time before shifting, turning from Simon, glancing over at Raj, flashing a faint smile, brow quirking.

"Well at least we got this settled. Gotta admit it turned out much better than I thought it would. No supernatural Armageddon or anything." He paused, shrugging, shifting closer, settling at his side.

"So, Raj? You did say after all of this you'd owe me dinner. There's this really great little bistro over on Oceanview drive. They have amazing food and it's right on the beach, great atmosphere, really romantic.

Are you free Saturday?"

Raj blinked, head tilting in confusion.

"I-wha-B-but I thought the kiss thing broke the spell?" Raj stammered, looking Bryan over in concern.

"It better have because we're not having a 'do over'." Simon interjected.

For once Raj and Raphael are in total agreement both scoffing, giving near identical animated nods. Bryan blinked, eyebrow quirking pointedly, smirking.

"Yeah? It did…I'm back to normal. So is that a no on dinner?"

Raj again blinked, head shaking.

"Uh…b-but y-"

Raphael rolled his eyes, quirking his eyebrow.

"Raj? You DO know why it was Me, Divya, Blake and Kevin after the bugs…right?"

Raj blinks, head slowly shaking in faint confusion. Raphael rolls his eyes exasperatedly.

"Oh mi Dios, Idiota; the bite does not CAUSE sexual attraction where it doesn't exists it just exasperates it. We're all ace, were immune. Clearly Bryan here was not…at least where YOU are concerned…"

…

….

…

..

.

"Huh?"

Raphael groans, rubbing his eyes, shaking his head, glancing over at Bryan catching his eye.

"You have an out man. You sure you don't want to play the sex crazed bug bite card?"

"Nope, not a chance." Bryan chuckled, smiling, shaking his head, turning back to Raj.

"So Raj, is that a no on dinner?"

Raj flailed, eyes wide.

"Wha-NO! umm…uh I mean yes…I mean…umm…Saturday?"

{*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^} *-Magnus-*-Magnus-*-Magnus-*-Magnus-*-Magnus-*

{****************}

"Alright gorgeous, here we are." Magnus murmured softly as they came to a stop at the door of Alec's apartment.

"Yup, here we are." Alec chirped, smiling bright and relaxed, giving a soft, contented little sigh.

He hums, turning to face Magnus, leaning back against the wall next to the door, squeezing Magnus's hand, tugging him closer. Magnus shivered, just managing too fight down a faint whimper, not quite able to resist settling closer to the other man, leaning into him for just a moment. Alec sighed happily, tugging him closer still, leaning in, nuzzling against Magnus's cheek. Magnus swallowed, breath catching, turning into him for just a moment before catching himself, taking a deep breath, pushing back faintly. He swallowed, glancing up, catching Alec's eyes, brow quirking.

"You gonna get the door sweetheart?"

Alec sighed, relaxing a bit more against the wall, head tilting, giving a relaxed, careless shrug.

"Idon'no, I'm kinda fumbly...can you get it for me?"

Magnus shrugged, nodding.

"Of course sweetheart. Where are your keys?"

Alec gave an enticing, flirtatious little smirk, gaze flickering over Magnus, playfully biting his lip.

"Left front pocket."

Magnus couldn't help a surprised laugh, rolling his eyes, head shaking. He chuckled again, hand slipping down into the pocket for the keys before pausing. He glances up, brow quirking.

"Alexander, they're not here."

Alec chuckled soft and low, shrugging, an adorably impish, mischievous little sparkle dancing in his pretty hazely green eyes.

"Really? Huh...weird...thought that's where they were. I know they're in one of the pockets. You can go ahead and check, I'm sure they're there somewhere."

Magnus blinked, huffing disbelievingly, rolling his eyes, trying to fight off another chuckle, hesitating for just a moment before checking the other pockets, finding the keys in his right back pocket. Magnus can't quite keep in the laugh this time, leaning against Alec, head settling in the crook of his neck, shaking faintly trying to catch his breath. Alec gave that way too enticing, soft happy little sigh again, arms slipping loosely around Magnus, hugging him close.

"Oh my goddess..." Magnus sighed, unable to resist the embrace, reaching up, hand coming to rest on Alec's neck, pulling him in. He hums softly, leaning over, nuzzling lightly against Alec's cheek, pressing a soft, lingering kiss.

"Mmm...my darling detective, what ever am I going to do with you?"

Alec's breath caught, a pleasant shiver slipping through him, humming softly, hands coming to rest on the small of Magnus's back, pulling him closer.

"Like I've told you about a million times today; absolutely anything you want."

Magnus gave a soft whimpering kind of laugh, shaking his head against Alec's neck, nuzzling a bit more, shivering, breath coming kind of shakily. He presses one more soft, lingering kiss to his cheek before mustering every last bit of his tattered self-control he has left. He pulls back slightly, reaching up, fingers tracing along Alec's jaw, looking up, catching Alec's eye, shaking his head.

"Gorgeous I can't...not now...you're not-"

"In my right mind...I know..."Alec sighed, nodding.

"I feel it now..."he hummed, reaching up, brushing a lock of teal tinted inky black hair back, tucking it behind Magnus's ear.

"I just really wish I didn't."

"Me too..." Magnus sighed, nodding, leaning in, nuzzling against his cheek.

"I'm sorry sweetheart."

Alec shook his head, smiling soft and oh so warm.

"No, don't be. I don't know what happened or how I got like this but I don't want to take any chances. I don't feel right and I don't feel clear. I want you...god I want you so bad..." he hummed, reaching up, running his fingers along Magnus's cheek, thumb slipping down, tracing over his full soft shimmery teal tinted lower lip.

"But I want to remember every second...a-and I don't know if I would like this and I don't want to chance that."

Magnus whimpered, shivering, giving a shaky, unsteady nod.

"M-me neither..." he nodded again, shifting back just a bit more, turning, fumbling the key into the lock, pushing the door open.

He swallows, reaching over, catching Alec's hand, tugging.

"Come on sweetheart, let's get you inside and into bed. You need to rest."

Alec nodded, squeezing his hand, pushing off the wall, falling into step beside Magnus, the pair slipping into the apartment, closing the door behind them. Alec's arm comes up, slipping around Magnus's shoulders, leaning into him, keeping a hold of his hand, entangling their fingers, squeezing, nodding towards the left side of the apartment.

"Bedroom's over there, second door."

Magnus huffed out a soft laugh, nodding, easily supporting his weight, steering the two towards the door. They move into the room, Magnus helping him over to the bed, getting him comfortably settled on the bed before settling down gracefully in front of Alec. Alec blinks, head tilting curiously, bright hazely green gaze shifting over Magnus, eyes flaring hot and excited.

Magnus started faintly at the look, swallowing nervously, gesturing towards Alec's shoes.

"I-um-y-you really shouldn't sleep in your shoes. With you traipsing about the woods heaven only knows what's all on them, you don't want that in your bed."

"Oh! Um, y-yeah...yeah you're totally-yeah...thanks. I-I can g-"

Magnus huffed out a soft laugh, shaking his head, waving him off.

"It's fine gorgeous. I got it." He smiles again before shifting back, settling in front of Alec.

He again gulps nervously, feeling his cheeks heat, trying to ignore the excited shiver that slips through him, quickly glancing away from the captivating detective, busying himself with unfastening his shoes, slipping them off, tossing them rather carelessly to the side before somewhat quickly shifting back on his heels, glancing up, catching Alec's eye.

He shivers, feeling his cheeks warm, taking a shaky breath before startling, standing up rather quickly without much of his usual grace, reaching up brushing his hair back, glancing away, hoping the room is dark enough to hide the bright heat he knew was blooming on his cheeks. He swallowed, nodding, kind of fidgeting, shifting awkwardly, scratching nervously at the back of his neck.

"O-okay so, uh-y-are you good? Do you want a dri-er some water, or...a-anything..." he trailed off, wincing at the awkward, mumble-y tone.

Good lord, he sounds like freaking Simon!

He huffed faintly at himself, taking another deep breath, trying to get himself sorted, attempting to regain some semblance of his usual composure and confidence. He swallowed once more, kind of leaning into his magic, feeling it flicker and flair, the familiar heat and power raising up, enveloping him, lending him the strength to somewhat pull himself back to his usual self.

He steadied himself, finally feeling strong enough to chance a look at the oh so enticing detective. His gaze shifts back, briefly slipping over the beautiful detective setting on the edge of the bed, lingering on his shoulders and lips before shifting up the last bit, meeting those dizzyingly beautiful hazely green eyes.

Alec blinked, seemingly pulling himself out of his own little stupor, not quick enough for Magnus to miss the eager, smoldering spark in those gorgeous eyes or the excited, enticing flush tinting his cheeks clear up to the tips of his ears.

Oh...umm...that doesn't help...

Oh...right...the magic flaring kinda...um...

Ah crap...

Magnus swallowed, pulling a bit more of his magic up and around him cloaking himself in it like armor hoping it'll be enough to protect his resolve. He catches the brightening of that excited little flair in those pretty eyes, Alec swallowing, gaze flickering over Magnus, biting his lip.

Oh god damnit...if he keeps looking at him like tha-

No...Stop...Bad warlock.

Magnus took yet another deep breath, pasting on a blatantly false, hopefully somewhat convincing smile, head tilting.

"Ahem...d-do you need anything before I head out sweetheart?"

Alec seemed to startle at the question, gaze flickering over Magnus seemingly confused before something seems to click. He swallows, eyes dimming faintly, looking a bit disappointed.

"Oh, um w-well May-uh...no...I...no, it's good...I'm fine..." he mumbled, slumping a bit, glancing away.

Magnus blinked, head tilting in concern, shifting closer.

"What is it darling?"

Alec shook his head, waving him off.

"Uh-n-nothing...I-I'm good, you c-"

Magnus sighed, settling next to him on the bed, reaching over, resting his hand on Alec's arm, squeezing.

"No it's not nothing. What is it darling?"

Alec sighed, shaking his head, reaching up, brushing his hair back, again trying to wave him off.

"No it was a dumb idea. I'm good really, go ahead- I'll see y-"

Magnus huffed, shifting closer, squeezing his arm.

"Sweetheart just tell me what it is."

Alec flushed, giving a kind of helpless shrug.

"I-I just...I really don't-just-can you stay?"

Magnus sighed, shaking his head apologetically.

"Sweetheart we c-"

Alec shook his head, holding his hand up.

"N-no no...Not like that. I know we can't- I know I'm not sober and I don't want to chance forgetting that. I didn't meant it like that...just...can you just lay down with me, least till I fall asleep? I just...I just really want to have you close..." he trailed off, shifting back, scratching at his neck, shrugging.

"I-see- like I said it was a dumb idea...I'm fine you can g..." he trails off as Magnus shifts forward, leaning over to unfasten his boots before moving back up, comfortably settling against the pillows, smiling, gesturing towards the other side of the bed.

"Well I hope you're alright sleeping on the right, this is my side."

Alec huffed out a faint laugh, brow quirking.

"And what if that's usually my side?"

Magnus's brow quirked right back, shrugging totally unconcerned, giving a fluttery little wave, settling more comfortably on his side.

"Then that's rather unfortunate for you."

Alec blinked in surprise, huffing out a disbelieving laugh, brow raising, smiling softly, moving to the other side.

"It's my bed!"

Magnus nodded, settling closer.

"And I'm your guest. Guest's get first pick; it's hospitality 101."

Alec huffed out a soft laugh, stretching, settling back against the pillows, turning to face Magnus, cuddling closer, wrapping his arm around Magnus, tugging him in.

"So what, if I stay over at your place I get to choose?"

Magnus shook his head.

"Nope."

Alec laughed brightly, nudging him.

"Hey!"

Magnus chuckled, shrugging totally unconcerned, settling closer, arm wrapping around Alec, hand running soothingly up and down his back.

"What can I say, I'm a lousy host."

Alec burst out laughing, the sound bright and joyful. He practically wraps around Magnus, shaking with laughter. Magnus sighs, holding him tight, hand running over his back. Finally Alec's laughter trails off to a little chuckle before fading away altogether. Alec take a few deep breaths, cuddling closer, head coming to rest on Magnus's shoulder, nuzzling in against his neck, giving a soft, happy contented hum.

"Mmm...night beautiful."

"Sweet dreams my darling detective."

Alec huffed out a soft chuckle right against Magnus's neck.

"No chance of anything else..." He mumbled, nuzzling in a bit more.

Magnus can feel him relaxing, feels his breath even out. Magnus swallowed, feeling a shiver slip through him. He shifts back, reaching up, lightly brushing Alec's hair back away from his face, warm, indulgent gaze shifting over his features soft and relaxed in sleep. Magnus's breath catches at the sight.

Good goddess...

His features are soft and relaxed, an adorable little smile gracing his full, sweet, perfect lips. Magnus shivered, gently brushing his hair back away from his face, leaning over, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to his temple.

Oh dear lord...

He is so far gone on this guy it's not even funny...

H-he's kinda good with that...

{*_*^*_*^*_*^*_*^*_*^*_*^*_*^*_*^}

*****EndOfChapterNotes*****

{*_**_**_*^*_**_**_**_*^*_*}

Okay so I know a vampire blushing doesn't make sense...at least not with most Vampiric myths but I like to put my own twist on things. I'm kinda thinking the 'blushing' is tied really closely to the intimate feedings. Like because these feedings would be more frequent and not just for sustenance vamps that are engaged in this have more blood at their bodies disposal {Thinking it doesn't just work as food/fuel after a certain amount it can reabsorb into their systems and serves the same kinds of functions as it would in a human body- it boosts their strength and stamina and that-it also has the side effect of making them again capable of blushing- much to Raph's chagrin and Simon's delight lol.

This wouldn't be known to most- only Vamps and their paramours...this is also why Raph would be even more embarrassed about it than in a regular blushing situation lol.

OMG I love Mags and Alec's part, it made me smile like an idiot.

Woohoo! We're officially done!

The stories complete!

Yes, yes I know we have another chapter to post but that one's already done! I'll have it up like right after I put this one up. I can't believe I'm finally done with this story! It's been three years in the freaking making {FYI none of the other rounds will take anywhere near this long- this one had all the prep work for ALL the verses and all the variations of the verses and all my Aux's and everything else.

All that's sorted and everything is worked out from here on out. We should clip along a lot faster in the upcoming rounds- which is good cause there is a LOT coming.

So we now have 18 chapters left for this round. I know that's still a lot but when we started with 108 that's really nothing. Even so I think part of the reason it's gone so slowly is because I've been on these stories for SO long.

In order to combat getting stagnate again my plan is to alternate between the remaining chapter I have, going through the final 3 chapters of the ones already there and sprinkling in the new stories to give me a little breath of fresh air.

So here's my 'plan'.

*Devil Went Down To Jersey {V5 –ch1}*

*Death Was Just The Beginning {Verse 3 {Ch9}*

*Love Bug {Verse 2} {11 &12}*

*You Can Go Home Again {Verse 1} {Ch 9}*

Nosey Neighbors {Ch9}*

*Devil Went Down To Jersey {V5 –ch2}*

*Picture Perfect {Verse 8} {Ch9}*

*Death Was Just The Beginning {Verse 3 {Ch10-12}*

*Trust Is A Tricky Thing {V7-ch1}*

*The Demon In The Mirror {Verse 4}{10-12} *

*Opposites Attract {V6-ch1}*

Nosey Neighbors {Ch10-12}*

*Picture Perfect {Verse 8} {Ch10-12}*

*You Can Go Home Again {Verse 1} {Ch10-12}*

* Family, Friends, and Freak Outs {Verse 2} {1}*

I'm kinda thinking as I finish a story for the verse the next one in that verse is gonna jump onto the roster. This way by the time I officially finish round 2 I'll be comfortably into round 3.

Might be a bit confusing but my brain is specifically geared for multitasking {Thank you ADD} so it'll be fine.

So what do you guys think so far?

*~Page 52 of 52~*