“You don’t get to be the one accusing me of being lifeless. Fuck you, Hale.”
“I’m not the one who’s been compartmentalizing every emotion for years, Christopher.” Peter countered, brow arching. “You certainly can if you’d like.”
“So says you, someone who hasn’t been to med school.” She taunted as she brushed his hair back, her hand working on the gash.
Peter sighed. “Fine, look at it.” he grumbled. “Sixteen years of military to get shot at by an idiot robbing a convenience store.” he shook his head. “Patch it up, I hate hospitals.”
Steve turned to look at him curiously, a bit surprised at the man’s generosity. “Really?” he asked quietly. It was almost too good to be true. He got out of the vehicle and stayed close to Peter as they headed inside. He kept his head down, not really looking at anyone until they were seated and he was handed a menu which he opened to begin looking through.
Peter nodded. “My family is one of the oldest and most powerful. We have plenty of assets. Get whatever you want, however much you want.” he assured, sitting across from Steve and looking over his own menu. He gave the other time to adjust to a new kind of leadership and find food he wanted, knowing the other would need food after not having eaten in a few days.
Peter looked up as the door to the shop opened, having been doing the inventory when she walked in. “Lunchtime already?” he asked, moving to mark his place with his pencil and going to help her. “What exquisite cuisine are we having today, dearest?”
“I’m not paid to enjoy myself.” Seth muttered. Tilting his head, Seth blinked at Peter. “A bonus? What would that bonus be exactly?” He questioned. Seth didn’t want to seem too greedy, but he could use whatever he could get. Even if it wasn’t money. More than usual… Right. Seth recognized him. Around the club. He flushed, realizing that the male knew exactly what he could do and if he wanted to impress him, he’d have to try harder than normal. Nodding his head, Seth cleared his throat. “Right, well, I’ll head out and get started then.”
Peter held up his hands innocently. “Whatever you prefer.” he assured. “I don’t know. Maybe lunch or dinner?” he offered. He led the way to the back patio, opening the door to the music and decorations. “The DJ is just over there,” he pointed. “You’re free to get something to drink or anything if you want, though.”
Steve slowly shook his head. “It happened a lot,” he said quietly. “If I didn’t do or say what they wanted me to, they just wouldn’t let me eat for a couple of days or until I’d apologized. Sometimes, it was almost worse to do that than anything else.”
Peter shook his head. “That’s ridiculous. No one should be abused like that.” His hands gripped the steering wheel tight, angry at the thought of someone being abused simply for being themselves. “You’ll find life within the Hale pack is much less stressful.” he explained, making his way to the diner. As they parked, he looked around. “Alright, just so you are aware, you can have whatever you like, no matter the price.” he promised.
“I’ll… consider it,” he answered quietly. “If I choose to stay.” He held his bag in his arms as he settled into the passenger’s seat, careful not to actually touch Peter as he moved. He was touch starved as it was… an alpha’s touch might send him into heat sooner or make him change his mind about wanting to stay.
Peter did what he could to keep Steve comfortable, starting to car and putting it in drive to head home. “It’s about a three hour drive. Would you like to get anything?” he asked, blue eyes looking at Steve.
“Could we get something to eat?” he asked quietly. “It can be drive through or something. I don’t mind eating in the car. I just… haven’t actually eaten anything in a couple of days.”
Peter frowned at the words. “They wouldn’t let you eat?” He asked, tampering the fury at the cruelty. “There’s an all night cafe with a buffet. Does that sound okay?” He inquired, driving along the road.
There was a shuffling as Peter heard his team lift Seth, and when he heard one of them say they had him, Peter relaxed just barely. “Get him to Terra. She can start healing him up. I’ll be there with Malia in an hour.” he ordered, knowing the others could hear before his attention turned to Seth’s voice. “Baby boy, stay awake a little longer, okay? Terra is going to take care of you until I’m there and then I won’t leave your side until you’re better. I swear, okay? Then you can say those words. Don’t go to sleep yet.”
Malia reached to take the phone when her father’s grip got too tight and she heard the almost inaudible sound of the phone starting to crack. “Seth, it’s MAlia.” she said, runnign fingers through her father’s hair. “I have to help dad get packed, so I’m putting headphones in so we can get ready to leave, okay?” She looked at the screen tracking the phones and smiled, helping her father from his chair and towards his room. “Terra is just around the corner. You’ll be able to rest soon. What kind of wound is it, can you tell me?”
“I’m saying those words now. I’m fucking tired, Peter.” Seth huffed out, causing him to wince in pain once again.
“…lia.” He smiled softly. “You’re taking care of him, right?” He asked, even though she already admitted to doing so and he knew she wouldn’t let anything happen. “Kay. I’m really looking forward to sleeping. For like a month.” Seth paused. “Wound is it? Uh… Gun. I was kind of… ambushed? It was just Jake and I and next thing I know there was more and… Why can’t I be better with a gun? These fucking knives are going to be the death of me.” He tried joking, glad that it was Malia on the phone at that and not her dad.
“D’ya think I could talk him out of wanting to talk to me about the whole werewolf thing? I love him and you and all, but I don’t think I’m ready for that kind of commitment.”
Lia. A nickname only Seth got away with. “You know I am. We’ll be there soon, I promise.” She assured as she helped Peter pack. She laughed a little. “Maybe not a month. Dad might have a stroke.” She teased, trying to keep Seth’s spirits up. “My offer to work with you on it still stands.” She promised, closing the duffel and handing it to Peter before heading to her room. Her hearing caught thw sound of a door opening and Terra talking, and she relaxed visibly. She knew her dad was nearby, wolf too close to do much even as she sensed him relax as well. She packed quickly and closed her own suitcase, nodding at her father and leading him to the room where her car was.
“I love you, too. I’m gonna be honest and tell you that that topic can’t be pushed off right away. That’s something I’m gonna have to explain more when it’s just the two of us.” She answered. “But even then, it will take time to talk him down from that.” She got in and let her father drive, buckling in. “So Terra has you, let her work her magic. She should let you rest pretty quick. Dad and I will be there soon. Just hang in there and fight, okay?” She asked. “We love you, Seth.”
“Oh.” Seth blinked before nodding slightly, allowing himself to step inside. He shifted awkwardly, glancing up at the male before shaking his head. “N-No. It’s okay. I mean I wasn’t invited here to enjoy the party. I was invited here to work. So… You’re the one I’m really here to impress, right? I mean, I promise everyone should be impressed, but you know there’s always that specific person you should want to impress the most.”
Peter gave a little laugh. “No, enjoy yourself if you’d like. The dj is open if you have any specific music you’d like him to play?” he offered. “Yes, that’s true. Maybe if you impress me more than usual, I’ll add a bonus.” he mused, grinning. Really, he just wanted to get to know the younger male. He’d been single for so long that to suddenly want a deeper connection – a real relationship – scared him and he wasn’t sure how to go about it.
themusechronicles 