Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Ryan leaned his head back listening to the sound of cicadas humming on and off. It was strange how quiet the camp was. Then again summer transitions were always a bit awkward. While one group of kids went home, staff had three randomly dispersed days in the week to prepare for another group of kids. To prepare for introductions all over again and for another month of camp stories, kayaking, and mischievous kids getting into all sorts of trouble.

Ryan sighed, taking a deep breath in. It wasn’t like he wasn’t used to the summer transitions. After all it’s not like this was his first time working for Hacketts Quarry. But it did mean summer was half way over. He’s only gets one more month of this until he was back to god knows what comes next. A pit formed in the bottom of his stomach at the thought.

‘What did come next?’

‘School.’

The sound of a trunk slamming shut and the crunching of gravel pulled him from his thoughts. He looked out from the patio to see Mr H and Dylan chatting as they loaded up the car.

“You going somewhere?”

Ryan called down catching the taller’s attention. Dylan caught his eyes and immediately a shinning smile spread across his face. Only Dylan could shoot down any lingering anxiety with just a smile. Ryan blushes at the thought, pushing it away.

Dylan turned to say something to Mr. H, before descending the stairs to the porch.

“I thought you went home?”

“Yeah. I didn’t feel like buying a train ticket. Or dealing with my parents.”

Dylan gave a sympathetic smile.

“Well when I get back, maybe we can go find something fun to do until the others get back and we have to get ready for the next round of gremlins.”

“Where are you going?”

“Oh um…”

Dylan glanced at the car. Mr H seemed to have gone inside to grab something under the deck. He looked back at Ryan.

“We’re going on a supply run.”

“Are you brining supplies with you on the supply run?”

“You know how dangerous Walmart gets. Can’t be too cautious.”

Ryan rolled his eyes.

“It’s just some stuff we’re dropping off.”

“Uh-huh. I didn’t know you and Mr. H were close.”

“Well I mean I have been also working here for a while now. But I swear I didn’t do anything officer.”

“That’s not what I meant.”

“Careful. If you’re gonna interrogate me might want to put hand cuff me first. Not that I’d need them. I think I’d just look better that way.”

“Oh my god.”

Ryan blushed as Dylan smirked at him mischievously.

“But in all realness I volunteered to go along because I need to pick up some medication and god knows how far away the closest pharmacy is.”

“If I’d known it was for your crazy pills I wouldn’t have questioned it in the first place.”

“As if you don’t think thats hot.”

Ryan shook his head trying not to smile and re opening the book in his lap. He tried to ignore the almost puppy dog eyes Dylan gave when he realized Ryan was trying to ignore him. Dylan opened his mouth as if to say more, but was cut off by the door opening and Mr. H coming out.

“Ready DJ Dylan?”

“Yep.”

“Said your goodbyes for the night.”

“I’m not sure how he’ll make it without me.”

“I’ll manage,” Ryan replied not looking up from his book. Mr H ruffled Ryan’s hair like a proud parent.

“We’ll see you tomorrow kid.”

Ryan gave a dismissive wave, listening to the sound of Mr. H’s shoes descend the stairs. There was a hesitant pause before Dylan followed. He listened as the two bantered and got in the car, the ignition chugging softly. When the car finally pulled out and was nothing more than a cloud of dust on the road, Ryan shut his book and slinked inside.

Chapter Text

Ryan casually swung open the door to the nurses room finding Kaitlyn seemingly in the middle or organizing every medical wrap and ointment in the office. He didn’t question it. Kaitlyn was always on top of her game, and definitely was the most organized staff member out of all of them. She even talked about staying during the break simply so she had time to deep clean the nurses station. Still Ryan couldn’t help feel a little bad. Not only was she running the nurses office but a section of campers because the original staff member never showed. Laura and Max something.

“Do you need any help.” Kaitlyn looked up from the bin she was currently rummaging through.

“I know it may look like a mess, but I’m just waiting for some restocks.”

“So they are going on a supply run.” Ryan cautiously moved around the piles to the exam table, carefully removing a few boxes then spreading himself across the bed. An arm automatically slung over his forehead.

“Well I mean the lack of band aids we have is definitely not a joke. Jesus these kids are like walking bumper cars,” Kaitlyn replied.

“I think we all were when we were that age.”

“Then again maybe we still arw.”

Kaitlyn sighed, closing a box then hoisting herself on the counter. She looked at her coworker and friend immediately able to read his face.

“Ok what’s up?”

“Nothing.”

“Nothing?” Kaitlyn responded flatly. Ryan lifted his head to seeing her giving him her full “stern mother” pose.

“There better be tea or I’m kicking you out of my office.”

“I just didn’t know Dylan was going along with him.” Kaitlyn rolled her eyes.

“Why are you jealous Mr. H gets to spend the night with him before you do.”

“Har har har.”

“I mean he’s been working at this camp for a few years. I don’t think it’s that shocking he’d be asked to go along.”

Ryan sighed, and rested his head back down, looking at the ceiling.

“I don’t know. I just feel like normally he goes home between breaks or off somewhere.”

“I wouldn’t read too far into it.”

There was a pause as Ryan thought. True it wasn’t a big deal. It’s not like any of the staff were minors and Mr. H was definitely a father figure for a lot of the staff. Especially since most of them didn’t come from the best “situations.” And sure supply runs often meant an over night since the camp was in the middle of nowhere, also so it took a while to reach town, so that was pretty normal. Still there was something about it that felt…off.

“He said he was going along for some medication.”

Ryan looked up to see Kaitlyn who’d stopped rummaging through the bin next to her. The information seemed to shock her a bit.

“Well I can’t disclose medical information…”

“Your face gave it away. He’s not registered with any medications isn’t he.”

Kaitlyn puzzled for a moment then shook her head.

“Maybe he’s just not feeling well.”

Now that Ryan thought about it, Dylan did seem a little off. A big more sluggish than normal, and with the sort of look someone has when they clearly haven’t been sleeping well.

Maybe it wasn’t weird. Maybe he was just hyperfixating.

‘Maybe I’m jealous.’ Ryan quickly shook the thought away.

“You’re right.”

“Don’t worry. I’m sure your beloved will make it back in one piece.”

“It’s not like that.”

“You keep telling yourself that. Now can you help me carry a couple of these to storage. Some of these are boxes with party planning stuff and I don’t think a balloons gonna stop a kids scrap from bleeding.”

Ryan hoisted himself off the table and grabbed a couple bins Kaitlyn was pointing at before following her out the door.

‘You’re just over thinking.’

Chapter Text

Dylan was born like this.

Or so he thinks. He was adopted as a child and had no memory of his real parents nor any way to track them down.

He always knew something was off. He grew up able to hear things. Smell and see things other kids couldn’t. Sometimes his eyes felt off and he could swear they changed color. He remembered trying to tell his parents this and they responded by taking him to a doctor who declared Dylan had anxiety. Well the anxiety part was true. His parents didn’t believe in the whole pills thing, but did agree in getting him a therapist. And for a while he truly believed it was all in his head. That his therapist and doctor were right. So what he got restless on nights when the moon was high, or swore his veins turned black when his heart raced. It was nothing more than his mind playing tricks on him.

That is until after his 14th birthday when he was home alone for the weekend and woke up naked in the middle of nowhere. That’s when he realized it couldn’t have been a dream.

A forgotten face flashed across his mind. Eyes terrified.

‘You’re a monster.’

‘No.’

He suppressed the memory.

After that night Dylan learned control as best he could. He’d push off moon transformations as long as he could despite the pain and sickness that followed. At least long enough to sneak out of the house to safely change in an abandoned cabin deep within the woods. He quickly learned what the change felt like and how to suppress it. Moments of panic or stress when his veins darkened he pushed it back even when it hurt. Like his body was trying to split apart. It was all he could do. After all there was no one to tell him otherwise. To explain that this was normal.

Then again who was he kidding. Nothing about turning in a giant beast once a month was normal. What he did know is that it needed to be contained. That's no one could know what he truly was.

‘A monster.’

Dylan never met anyone like him. He lived in a small town, so it’s not like he really had the opportunity. Even when he decided to pick up a job at Hacketts Quarry summer camp a few years back he never met anyone like him.

‘Maybe my blood is cursed or something.’

Luckily during his first summer at the camp the first full moon fell on a time during a transition period. And since he begged Mr. H to clean up the radio shack and use it for morning announcements he had a quiet place he could change. Only he and Mr. H had keys to the building, and Mr. H barely acknowledged the place as it is. It was perfect. He spent his first full moon as a camp counselor chained to the radio shack with no one around to question it and everyone thinking he took a quick trip home.

That is until last summer when for the first time in his life he smelled someone like him. Well sort of like him. He discovered Mr. H was somehow cursed. And not only that back Kaylee and Caleb Hackett as well. Sure they weren’t born a monster, and there were subtle differences between them. Like how the Hacketts never having to deal with transforming outside of the moon cycle like. And yes their "beasts" looked a little different. And they healed differently. And they couldn’t push back the change. And they didn’t get as sick before and after the full moon.

Ok maybe there were a lot of differences. Still it was the first time in his life there were others who could relate.

Later Dylan learned about the carnival and the fire and the wolf boy Silas. How Kaylee tried to help a chained up kid and it backfired. It was strange. They were cursed with a bite. He was cursed through blood.

Dylan got a lot closer to the family after revealing himself to the Hackett’s. He finally had others who understood him (well sort of). A place to change. People to change with. Sometimes it even felt as if they were like a family.

‘A pack.’

‘Shut up brain.’

Dylan was grateful for the Hackett’s and all they’ve done. But they could never talk about it. Had to keep an aquantince like appearance in public.

'Don’t want to bring any suspicion to them.'

Yeah right. Dylan was a ticking time bomb. Any minute he could loose focus and someone could see his eyes or push something a little to hard. Anything to give him away. If Dylan got caught the Hackett's didn't want to be any where near the cross fire.

He didn’t blame the Hackett’s for the cautiousness. Hell it wasn’t all that bad. He drove up and spent Thanksgiving with them. Visited on their birthdays. Even called Mr. H when he simply needs some sort of fatherly advice. Could he ever talk about this to others? Absolutely not. Dylan would always be an arms length away from them? Yes.

But even at an arms length Dylan would take anything over being lonely. At least for now. That is until they got cured and Dylan would see be stuck as he Alone.

The face flash across his mind. Rain plastering their clothes to their bodies. The child holding their arm with tears streaming down their face.

‘Monster.’

A staticky car radio suddenly turning on shocked Dylan out of his rest.

“Whoops. Sorry kid.”

Dylan slowly opened his eyes groggily.

‘Fuck it’s bright.’

His head was pounding and his whole body ached from being twisted into something else. He still had a few larger scratches on his ribs from when his wolf apparently got bored in the cage.

‘Stupid wolf.’

“We’re almost there anyways.”

Dylan gave a slight nod, but immediately regretted the movement as his head was pounding.

“Hey supplies can you toss me some advil,” he called to Caleb and Kaylee who were sitting in the back seat. Caleb and Kaylee weren’t at camp for the first part of the summer, but they decided to help pick up some of the slack in the second part since scheduling got a little rough with the two no shows. It also gave them some extra hands to pick up some supplies, specifically band aids requested by Kaitlyn.

So inn a way Dylan didn’t lie to Ryan. They were picking up supplies. Hell more than supplies. They were brining back reinforcements. He just left out the part about turning into blood thirsty monsters.

The sound of a bottle jiggling pulled Dylan from his thoughts, as Caleb handed him some advil.

“Thanks he mumbled,” unscrewing the cap and immediately tossing a few pills back.

“Sure thing baby man,” Caleb teased back. Dylan wanted to respond with something witty and sarcastic, but was just too tired. And his head wouldn’t stop fucking pounding.

“Hey why don’t you take the day off when we get back. The campers don’t come until tomorrow night and we can push staff meetings to tomorrow morning or at least have someone fill you in,” Mr H said after noticing Dylan wince and close his eyes.

“No it’s alright. I’ll just need an hour or two and then I’ll be good.”

“You sure. You’re looking a little Caspery the Ghost over there,” Caleb playfully added.

“I can take over your responsibilities for tonight,” Kaylee added now having taken her head phones off to listen to the conversation. He felt an especially painful twist in his gut.

“You sure?”

“Yeah it’s really no problem.”

“Thanks lil K.” Dylan turned his head a little to flash Kaylee a smile and she reciprocated. Then he focused his gaze back on the road to try and stop his vision from spinning.

“I honestly can’t tell if this was just a bad moon or if I’m just really car sick.”

“Well we can at least get you out of the car in just a bit,” Mr H said as he pulled the onto the street leading back to camp.

“Ryan’s still there,” Caleb chimed in from the back.

“Yep. Stayed for the transition period.”

“Awesome. Gives me extra time to bother him before we actually have to work.”

“We’ll see about that. You can Kaylee have orientation to go through first.”

“Dude. We grew up here. We practically are the orientation.”

“You two are gonna have a couple extra jobs this session and you both need to know what you’re doing especially since you’ll be leaving a few days before the end of camp.”

Caleb dramatically sighed and leaned back. It was strange with him. Both kids were fairly quiet and reserved, but give Caleb Hackett time to warm up to you and you can’t get him to cool down.

“Trust me we’ll have plenty of time to bother Ryan,” Dylan chuckled as they pulled into the final stretch, passing the Hackett’s Quarry summer camp sign.

‘Plenty of time.’ He thought to himself as afternoon sunlight cast shadows throw the trees and the cicadas hummed.

It was back to pretending. Back to blase Dylan. Not a care in the world. Yep. Just regular normal human Dylan. At least for as long as the moon allowed it.

Chapter Text

It only took a few hours of rest before Dylan thought, ‘yep. That’s good enough.’

And in all honesty he did feel a lot better. He stuffed some pillows in his cabin windows and managed to get some rest despite one interruption when Jacob snuck in to grab something he’d left in Dylan’s cabin.

He swung his legs over the side of the bunk bed and climbed down, immediately stretching. Already his injuries were feeling a lot better.

‘These ones might not even scar,’ he thought lifting up his shirt to check on the healing progress.

‘Maybe this moon wasn’t so bad.’

Dylan checked his watch. It was later in the evening and sun set was just an hour away. He sighed and threw on his shoes. He didn’t expect to see anyone when he went outside. The girls were probably in Emma’s cabin gossiping and catching up with Kaylee, and judging by the banter coming from Jacob and Nick’s cabins they finally decided to clean up their spaces after yet another telling off from Mr. H.

Dylan turned and smiled when he noticed Ryan was perched on one of the old tires below the great tree quietly reading book. He had to stop himself from audibly aweing as he watched Ryan bite his lower lip concentrated on an intense part in his book.

He strode over to him with a big smile, careful as to not jump scare the smaller. Ryan upon hearing Dylan’s loud foot steps stalking towards him looked up and flashed him a small smile in response.

“You’re looking better.”

“What do you mean I always look great.”

“Trying saying that two hours ago when you climbed out of the car looking like a zombie.”

"Touché.”

Dylan joined him on the adjacent tire. A soft summer breeze wrestling the trees softly.

“What ya reading this time?”

“Honestly I’m not sure. I sort of just grabbed this one from the office without thinking.”

“Seems like you were invested.”

“Some weird true crime case or something.”

There was a moment of silence.

“Want to go on an adventure?” Ryan quirked a brow his interest peaked.

"Go on."

“Well I did promise we’d do something before the kids got here and there’s still daylight.”

“What do you propose?”

Dylan met Ryans hazel eyes with a cheeky smile.

“Come and find out.”

Ryan sighed, trying to hide the slight blush that spread across his cheeks. Dylan stood holding out a hand to help the other up, and Ryan reluctantly took it. He set the book down on the tire, so he could grab it later, and the two started to walk towards the lake in a comfortable silence.

“So. Did you get your medication?”

“What? Oh! Yeah. Cleared most of it up pretty quick.”

“That’s good.”

“You ready for a new cabin of campers?”

“Don’t remind me.”

“Oh come on, it’s not that bad.”

“I mean obviously I love being a camp counselor because I keep coming back, but I am not looking forward to the 1 am giggle sessions or the snorers.”

“But who else is gonna wake you up at 3 am because they ‘frew up.’”

“My cat already does that when I’m home.”

They reached the docks. The sun creeping closer and closer to the horizon. Already the sound of frogs nightly peeping started to play around them. Dylan pointed towards the kayak shed.

“Come on.”

Ryan looked unsure.

“Won’t we like you know. Get in trouble.”

“The rules are you have to have a staff member with you and we have each other. Besides isn’t this your domain.”

Ryan scoffed.

“Ah yes. My domain.” They looked at eachother. Ryan’s nervousness having lessened a bit with the banter.

“Just one quick trip to the island. We won’t stay long.” Ryan hesitated then nod.

Together they walked to the boat shed, unlocking the gate and slipping in. They heaved an easier to reach red kayak off of the stands and carefully maneuvered it into the water.

“After you,” Dylan said gesturing to the kayak. Ryan took his hand to help sit himself at the front of the boat, then helped Dylan climb in behind. Together they pushed off from the docks and began paddling towards the island.

“You never finished telling me your plans for after camp,” Dylan casually started.

“Oh um. I’m going back to school at Montock.”

“You got a full ride right?”

“Yeah. I guess I got lucky or something.”

“Or you’re just awesome and amazing and everyone’s favorite golden boy.” Dylan couldn’t see Ryan blushing again.

“What about you?”

“Me? Oh um. I think I’m gonna go back to my other job.”

“Aren’t you doing an online program.”

“Yeah.”

“What made you choose a virtual university?”

Dylan cringed.

‘Because I’m a monster who literally cannot be around that many people for months.’

“Family stuff.”

“That’s fair. I almost didn’t go at all because of Emily.”

“Your sister?”

“Yeah. I felt bad leaving and all especially because you know our mom isn’t always the most present.”

“I’m sure she’s proud of you.”

“Yeah I know. And I know she’s ok and has friends and stuff. It's just hard.”

“I get it.”

They pulled the kayak up to the side of the small dock. Dylan hopped out and attached a rope to the front of the kayak and then to the dock to keep it from drifting away. Ryan climbed out after him, helping hold the kayak in place. When the rope was tied they both stepped back then looked at one another other.

“Now what.”

“The best part.”

They turned towards the wooden stairs, Ryan following behind as the clambered up flights. It didn’t take long until they reached the highest point over looking the lake.

“Wow,” Ryan whispered.

The sun was just starting to set and the sky was a light in all sorts of shades like a water color painting, hues of coloring dripping into one another. The water was calm, and they watched as a bird gracefully glided to a rest on top the glassy surface. Dylan noticed Ryan glance down at the height they were at.

“Not a fan of heights?”

“Fan of the view,” Ryan responded as he looked up back Dylan.

“Less so of the heights,” he finished, his eyes looking amber in the golden light.

“I’m never gonna dance again,” Dylan started singing, immediately catching Ryan off guard.

“Guilty feet have got no rhythm,” he continued on now adding in some cheesy dance. Ryan immediately started laughing at Dylan’s antics.

“Dude.”

“What? It’s what I do when I get nervous.”

“Bust out moves from the 80s.”

“And sing cheesy songs from the 80s.”

“You’re ridiculous.”

“I’ve got a beautiful voice is what you meatn to say.” They both giggled turning their attention back to the setting sun and resting their hands over the rail. They were standing so close together, all Dylan had to do was reach out.

“I can’t imagine you ever getting nervous.”

“What do you mean?”

“You always just seem. I don’t know. Blase or something.”

“Blase.”

Ryan meet Dylan’s eyes with a playful grin.

“Why is there more under the surface blase Dylan?”

“I don’t know. You tell me.” Dylan could practically count every eyelash on the smaller, taking in the sight of his soft lips and gentle eyes.

Before Ryan could respond a shout interrupted them. They looked out to see Emma and Abigail waving to them from the mainland.

“What are you two idiots doing!” They shouted.

Both Ryan and Dylan looked at each other trying hard not to burst out laughing.

“Come on. Let’s go in before Emma gets actually annoyed.” Ryan nod in agreement and they made their way back to the kayak and to the shore. Emma stood on the banks with her hands on her hips like an angry mom while Abigail stood next to her seemingly trying not to burst out laughing.

“What are you two doing? We have a meeting in 30 minutes.”

“What are you two doing,” Ryan replied raising an eyebrow.

“We were just on a walk. Why were you guys on the island?”

“A moment of passion I guess?” Emma shot Dylan a look.

“Go put that away, so we can start this meeting on time.”

“With Jacob and Nick it's unlikely a meeting will ever start on time no matter what we do,” Dylan responded sarcastically. Again Dylan was hit with another glare.

“It’s not a big deal Em,” Abigail said from behind, resting a gentle hand on the taller.

“Dylan go put your toy away.”

“Yes mom.”

“You sure you don’t need help,” Ryan added turning around to look at Dylan.

“Yeah. I’ve got it. It'll be faster. Trust me.” Ryan hesitated then climbed onto shore.

“We’ll wait for you.”

“Dylan pulled out from shore and gently started to paddle towards the dock house. Once he was out of hearing range, Emma cleared her throat, and Ryan turned to face her.

“Sooo?" Ryan rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.

“You happened to stroll by the lake huh?”

“We were on a walk,” Abigail added.

“Yeah and sure maybe Abi mentioned seeing you two head off in this direction, but it's not like we were spying or anything.”

"Good cause you're not getting anything from me."

“Ryyyannn,” Emma whined. Ryan made the lips sealed gesture across his mouth.

“I'm sure nothing happened,” Abigail added.

"But we don't know that”

“Why would you think something happened,” Ryan questioned.

"The islands a great make out spot is all."

"And how would you know that." Emma smiled devilishly then copied Ryan’s lip sealed gesture. Abigail nudged Emma playfully, shaking her head in mock disappointment. Then again they knew she was referring to her ongoing fling with Jacob, so it really wasn't that much of a secret.

“Let’s go grab Dylan and get out of here," Abigail cut in. Ryan nod and they walked off towards the boat house to meet him.

Chapter Text

The following day campers arrived in bus loads in were corralled to assemblies, cabin meetings, and all sorts of intro activities. For the first week everyone was really busy. There wasn’t much time for staff members to hang out often fining themselves too busy rallying kids or setting up activities.

After the end of the first week the kids and staff fell into a routine, and the fast pace calmed a bit. Staff members were allowed to sit with each other again during meals (the first week they had to sit with campers), nightly patrols picked up make sure campers were ok and not wandering, and staff even had more break times in their schedules. It especially helped with Caleb and Kaylee working their own cabins and activities which lessend the load staff felt during the first part of summer.

With some spare time after lunch, and his campers having been dropped off at art class, Ryan snuck into the tree house by the bow range, and quietly curled up with a book. He’d already finished the previous book he’d picked up and immediately turned towards another. This time he picked up a random romance novel. He didn’t expect Mr. H’s library to have books like this. Of course the book could’ve been Kaylee’s or another one of the extended families, so it wasn’t that much of a surprise, but it was certainly a lot steamer than he’d expected. Still a book was a book, and with their phones having been confiscated at the beginning of summer, he was more than happy to have something to pass the time.

It was peaceful. Sitting in the old tree house and listening to kids giggle as Kaitlyn taught them how to use a bow. The sun shone warmly, casting shadows on dancing branches across the floor of the tree house and birds lazily chirped from above. Ryan barely registered that an hour had gone by and until the kids started loudly packing up their stuff to get ready for the next activity. A voice below caught his attention.

“Hey Kaitlyn!”

He looked out seeing Dylan approaching their fellow staff member. Kaitlyn greeted Dylan with a kind wave, and the kids immediately swarmed the taller. Ryan couldn’t help, but smile as he watched kids tug at Dylan’s arms and he nodded intently at whatever they were telling him. It was quite endearing how gentle Dylan was with them. He was always the counselor called on whenever a kid was sad or squabbling because Dylan was some kind of wizard apparently when it came to dealing with kids emotions. Always singing silly songs and cracking jokes to make them laugh. He was truly just a big golden retriever.

“Why don’t you give it a try?” He heard Kaitlyn say pulling Ryan away from his thoughts. He watched her hold out a bow, Dylan putting his hands up dismissively.

“No, no. I’m really not good at sports.”

“Awe come onnn!” Children whined, begging him to take the bow. Dylan hung his head, caving to the kids chants.

“Ok, but I’m really not that good.” He took the bow and arrow, the kids stepping back to watch. Carefully, he lined up the arrow on the string and pulled the wire back. In a blur it released hitting the outer edge of the target. The kids whined in disappointment.

“I told you I’m not any good,” Dylan said laughing at their response.

“Ok let’s get you guys to the cabins so you can all change for the pool.” The kids cheered in excitement immediately starting to clamber off. Kaitlyn turned to Dylan.

“Would you mind cleaning up. I can take the kids to meet Jacob, I just need to the nurses station.”

“Yeah no worries." Kaitlyn smiled, thanking him and turning to grab her water bottle.

“Remember to pick those up from the non sharp end,” she added before playfully patting Dylan’s shoulder and walking away.

Dylan watched Kaitlyn until she was out of view and it was just him, the open air, and the target. He was still holding the bow. Ryan furrowed his brow curiously as Dylan looked down a the bow and then at the target in front of him. He closed the book that’d been laying open on his lap and turned fully to watch. Maybe he should’ve called out letting Dylan know he was there and offered to help clean up, but something in his gut kept him in place.

He watched Dylan pick up an arrow and raise the bow once again.

In an almost fluid movement he released the arrow and it hit smack dab in the middle of the target.

Ryan turned away shocked.

It made no sense. Did he pretend to miss for the kids entertainment? No that’s not how Dylan is. He’d jump at any chance to entertain. So why? Why pretend? Did he not want to run athletic stations? No. Dylan always participated in capture the flag or any sort of fun team activities. Now that Ryan thought about it maybe he was holding back then as well. Why?

He waited until Dylan has cleaned up the station and left, then waited another 5 minuets to be safe before climbing down the rickety ladder and onto the soft grass.

'What was he hiding?'

Chapter Text

It was another warm summer evening, as kids milled about playing tag or huddled off in groups chatting. A few counselors sat around the campfire listening as Dylan sung some silly song about a zoo with his guitar and Abi drew sketches for a crowd of kids.

Ryan and Nick were walked back from the bath house with a group of kids, pausing briefly as they listened to kids shout animal suggestions for Dylan and him work them into the rythm of the music. They turned when they heard a shout and looked over to see 10 campers trying to tackle Jacob to the ground, one swinging on his arm like a monkey.

“I’ll go help him,” Nick said, before jogging over to Jacob in hopes of taking some of the rascals off him. Emma appeared carrying a box and laying it on a picnic table.

“Who wants ice cream!” She yelled and kids immediately abandoned their activities shouting in delight. They watched kids line up as Kaylee and Emma handed out small cups of ice cream and spoons.

Jacob and Nick walked with some stragglers towards the line, then turned and joined Abi and Dylan by the fire, prompting Ryan to join. Already Dylan placed his guitar off to the side and Abigail closed her sketchbook, immediately enraptured in a conversation.

“Hey guys.”

“Hey Ryan,” they replied, sitting himself on a stump across from Dylan.

“I think one of them nearly killed me,” Jacob whined holding out his arm in mock pain.

“Sacrifices needed to be made,” Abi responded sarcastically.

“I can’t imagine having that much energy once,” Nick added, picking up a stick from the ground and poking at the logs.

“What kind of kids were you guys?” Abi said, leaning forward with peaked interest.

“I was pretty chaotic like most of these kids. My parents put me in youth football, so I had a place to put all my energy.” They all agreed thoughtfully. Nick would be the athletic type as a kid.

“What about you Ryan?”

“Oh uh.” Ryan looked around at all the eyes locked on him.

“I was pretty quiet I guess.”

“I bet you were the kid with the best playlists,” Dylan said throwing Ryan a grin.

“I bet you ate crayons.” Dylan mocked surprise hurt, dramatically putting a hand over his chest.

“How’d you know?”

“The cheese socks gave it away.” Dylan looked down at his socks. They were deep blue and covered in cheese and cartoon mice.

“Hey don’t diss the cheese socks. You know they’re pretty awesome.”

“Eh,” Ryan responded with playfully, earning a smile from the taller.

It was Friday. End of the week and on Friday’s the kids were allowed to stay up a little later and counselors were allowed to throw a bonfire. Ryan hadn’t forgotten Dylan’s little bow display at the beginning of the week, but as the week went on he chocked it up more and more to being nothing. Just a lucky shot.

A group of little girls running over pulled them away from their conversation.

“What you got there Paige?” Abigail asked in her teacher voice. The little girls pulled out a flower crown they’d made from behind their back.

“Is that for me?” Jacob chimed playfully, making the girls giggle and shake their heads.

“Who’s it for?” Paige shyly pointed towards Dylan. It was then Ryan noticed Dylan's sublte reaction. His face had paled and he was looking at the flower crown with a nervousness Ryan had never seen before. As the little girl walked over Ryan noticed how Dylan automatically seemed to lean away.

“Wait actually,” Dylan beckoned the girls over and whispered something in their ears. They giggled and turned to Ryan. Ryan internally smacked his forehead.

‘Of course.’

The girls trotted over and placed the messily made crown in the ravenette head, cheering and admiring their handy work.

“Thanks Dylan.”

“Thank them. They did all the hard work,” Dylan replied with a cheeky smile. The other staff members quietly giggled, Abigail holding a hand over her mouth to stifle the sound.

“Where’d you find those flowers girls?” They pointed off towards the edge of the woods.

“There weren’t many so we could only make one,” Paige added sheepishly.

“Well I think one crown for Ryan is perfect,” Jacob added, getting an elbow from Nick.

The little girls giggled then ran off as another kid came up behind them and yelled tag. Once they were gone Ryan took the crown off and admired the flowers. They were a beautiful violet shade, ones he’d never seen before.

“Do you guys know what kind of flowers these are?”

“Aconitum,” a voice said behind Ryan causing him to jump. He turned to see Kaitlyn standing behind him seemingly having returned from the main lodge.

“But it’s a hybrid, and really uncommon, so it’s not toxic.”

“Good to know it normally is,” Nick said slightly bewildered.

“Relax. Mr. H keeps track of the local fauna and wouldn’t let the kids near anything he’d thought dangerous. Plus it looks like there was just a small patch of the stuff. It’s harmless,” Kaitlyn said.

“Why didn’t you want the crown Dylan,” Jacob teased.

“That stuff makes me itchy.”

“So you gave it to me,” Ryan remarked, crossing his arms defensively.

“No! I mean, like I think I’m allergic is all.”

“You had an allergy and didn’t write it on your health form!” Kaitlyn chastised. Everyone ‘oohed’ like little kids when one of their classmates just got called to the front office.

“I didn’t think it was that big of a deal.” Kaitlyn sighed disappointedly.

“Anything else you left out?” Dylan’s face flushed red. He looked briefly embarrassed. Another emotion Ryan had never seen on the brunette.

“Just the one.”

“Ok well, I see a lot of kids running around and a lot of staff members huddled by the fire. They have 30 minuets until bed time. Get a move on.”

Everyone groaned.

“Want to start a tag war,” Jacob said to Nick.

“Yes. Yes I do,” Nick replied as he tagged Jacob and ran towards the group of kids already playing. Jacob took off after him. Dylan stood brushing his pants.

“I’ll help Kaylee and Emma clean up.” Kaitlyn nodded approvingly.

“Is it alright if I take my leave oh king of the fairies,” Dylan added bowing at Ryan.

“You better before you become king of a flower rash,” Ryan respond holding up the crown threateningly. Dylan playfully held up his hands in surrender before jogging off to the picnic table. Ryan looked back down at the crown, running his finger across one of the pedals.

“What kind of flower are these again?”

“Acontium, but it’s also known as wolfs bane,” Kaitlyn replied sharply.

‘Wolf’s bane,’ Ryan thought to himself before tossing the crown into the flames.

Chapter Text

Dinner was always a rowdy time and the only time all the counselors were together in one space longer than 5 minutes. While the kids clambered and giggled at their tables, the staff had claimed one of the far back tables and instead spent their 45 minutes gossiping and venting away from the ears of prying children.

Currently Dylan was stuck playing crazy 8s with they guys, while the girls quietly chatted at the other end of the table. Emma was worked on a friendship bracelet one of her campers requested, nodding along as Kaitlyn gossiped about a professor she was not excited to see in the fall. Abigail sketched and absent mindedly snuck glances at Emma, while Nick started arguing with Jacob about seeing his cards.

Luckily for Dylan he was very good at masking. Putting on a charismatic face despite his anxiety. He practiced this trick for years, making it nearly perfect.

Mr. H lectured Dylan about opening up to people. That conversation ended with Dylan saying something along the lines of, “how can I be honest about how I feel when I can’t even be honest about what I am.” This particular statement left Mr. H a speechless and from then on he bothered Dylan less about it, and instead simply sent him worried looks every once in a while.

So Dylan just had to fake it till he made it. After all it’s not like there were werewolf therapists out there that could help him with his anxiety and fears surrounding his other half. He shivered at even referring to the wolf.

He may have been playing a game of crazy 8s, but his face was playing an entirely different game of poker. It had been a little over two weeks since the start of the second session. A little over two weeks since the last full moon. Slowly and slowly it crept closer. The wolf inside becoming more restless, and the more focus and energy it took to suppress it.

‘God this sucks.’

“And bam!” Jacob played his last card, standing up and thrusting his arms in the air with a victory dance.

“Only cause you cheated,” Nick replied and crossing his arms childishly.

“Want to start another round?” Caleb asked.

“What time is it,” Ryan added looking towards Emma who was wearing a watch.

“We have 10 more minutes.” Everyone sighed.

“Yeah let’s just make it a quick one,” Nick said, as Caleb started to shuffle and deal out cards. Dylan watched Ryan whisper something to Caleb and the younger laughed quietly, and give Ryan a gentle nudge like a playful younger brother. Those two really were like brothers, Dylan thought unable to stop the smile from creeping up on him.

The Hackett’s were good people. He’d miss them when he’d inevitably need to go home. Of course he’d still visit for most full moons and maybe a couple holidays, but for the rest of the time he’d be back to being alone. His stomach dropped at the thought of his lonely little room and the cabin in the woods.

“Dylan?”

Would the Hackett’s let him stay another moon?

“Dylan!” He was pulled back into focus as Jacob called him.

‘Shit.’

“It’s your turn dude.” Dylan played a card.

“Sorry.”

“You good?” Ryan said, Dylan locking eyes with the ravenette. He was looking at the taller with a mixed face of worry and suspicion. Of course. Only Ryan would be able to catch a slip up.

‘When had he become so observant of him?’

“Yeah, just thinking about how much stuff I need to do when I get home.”

“Boo! Don’t say that,” Emma chimed in, eyes still focused on the friendship bracelet attached to her water bottle.

“Yeah we’ve still got a two more weeks man,” Jacob said, sending a glance towards Emma. She didn’t notice.

“Just getting a head of myself I guess,” Dylan replied.

“Anything in particular?” Ryan asked.

“Oh just want to make sure I don’t forget anything is all.”

“You packed one back pack. What could you possibly forget?”

“Your number of course,” Dylan replied sending Ryan a mischievous look and propping his chin on his hands. Ryan glared. He was about to open his mouth to respond when the sound of Mr.H’s whistle stopped him.

“Alright Hackatter’s! Please clean up your spaces and I mean clean,” Mr. H emphasized as he picked a wrapper up off the floor and held it up for everyone to see.

“Then line up behind your counselors. They’re gonna take back to the cabins for some down time before bed.”

The sound of clamoring trays and chatty kids erupted all around them, and the counselors slowly started to stand. A few taking a moment to stretch, while the rest were busy cleaning up dinners and putting away the playing cards.

Ryan stood and walked past Dylan, but stopped briefly to whisper something for only Dylan to hear.

“Don’t aim your arrow too close to the sun.”

Dylan paled.

‘He saw.’

He turned to, but by then Ryan had been submerged in the sea of campers and was gone.

Chapter Text

It was late at night and Ryan was on patrol with Kaitlyn. They rounded the forest towards the main lodge in a comfortable silence. He really wasn’t in the best mood. Mr. H told him he got a call from his mother. Something about her being sick, so he allowed for Ryan to keep his phone on him for the time being. Still he was in a pretty antsy mood, and hoped to talk with Mr. H before bed. Mr. H often had some pretty good advice and always managed to say what he needed to hear, and god did Ryan need to hear some positives if he was to get any sleep that night.

As they walked up the hill, he exchanged goodnights with Kaitlyn and they split ways. Kaitlyn reassured Ryan she’d check on his cabin before bed, and he thanked her, then slowly trekked his way up the rest of the hill and up the long wooden staircase. When he got inside it was eerily quiet. The lights were off and the lodge creaked ever so slightly. He shivered.

‘Wouldn’t want to get caught here in a horror movie,’ he thought before descending the main staircase. Moonlight leaked through the massive windows, and illuminated his path to Mr. H’s office. When he made it with minimal tripping, he hesitated with his hand on the door. He heard whispering.

“Dylan there’s still time before the next moon.” Normally he’d never listen in on private conversations, but he couldn’t bring himself to pull away. He lowered his breathing as he listened.

“I know, I know, I just, I feel like somethings gonna go wrong.” He seemed panicked. A wobble in his voice Ryan had never heard before. It jarred him. He knew Dylan was playing some sort of facade, but never expected the person underneath that facade to sound so anxious and vulnerable. He sounded small.

‘He sounds like me.’

“Everything’s in order kid. I got the ok that you can stay here. There’s no need to worry.” He heard Dylan sniffle, and tried to imagine what a tearful Dylan would look like.

“I just feel like it’s gonna be a bad one.”

“Then we’ll be here for you.” There was more shuffling behind the door.

‘Probably Mr. H going to console Dylan.’

“You can’t promise that.” The words sat in the silence of the room, a breath caught in Ryan’s own throat. He pulled away feeling guilty for having overheard. It felt like vunerable. The kind he’s had many of with Mr. H in his office just the same. He wouldn’t want someone eavesdropping on him.

‘Tonight was not the night to chat.’

He was about to head towards the stairs case when the sound of shuffling heading towards the door and foot steps made his heart jump. Quietly he dipped into the spare bunk room, slipping behind the door and out of sight. His heart was raced as the office door opened and the sound of foot steps echoed through the quiet halls.

“We can talk tomorrow again if you need.”

“No it’s alright. Sorry for you know.”

“Hey don’t be sorry. Got to stick together right?” He heard Dylan take a big shaky breath.

“It’ll be alright.”

There was another moment of silence, then the door shut. He waited with bated breath, then more footsteps, but they seemed to be coming closer to the room he was hiding in. He could feel the blood rushing to his ears and the hairs on his neck stand on end.

One creak, then another then it stopped.

He closed his eyes, begged for who he assumed was Dylan to turn around. And maybe the gods above did hear him becuase just like that they did. He waited until they descend the stairs before letting out a breath.

‘At least I got the anxiety scared out of me,’ he thought, while he rested his hands on his knees and bent over to let his heart rate slowly lower. He waited a few more minutes before taking his own leave and only felt like he could fully breathe again after stepping outside into the cool night air.

With everything he’d learned about Dylan, it all seemed get weirder and weirder. He yawned suddenly hit with a wave of sleepiness as his adrenaline faded.

‘Tomorrow,’ he thought then began the trek back to his cabin.

Chapter Text

The next day Ryan went to the main lodge to talk with Mr. H and the moment he knocked on the door, it swung open and the older greeted him with a smile and, “just the person I wanted to see,” attitude. Turns out he’d hoped to send him and Dylan on a quick task to fix one of the picnic tables out back.

Before he knew it he stood behind the lodge with a broken table, a tool box and of course Dylan.

“I need to phone in on a meeting. Just give me a holler if you boys need anything.” Before Ryan could saying anything Mr. H took off, back around the corner of the house and out of view. He looked at Dylan and then at the table, unable to stop the awkward feeling of guilt creeping down his stomach. Dylan didn’t know he’d overheard.

“I have no idea why he asked us specifically to do this,” Ryan said finally breaking the silence. Dylan laughed and squat down to rearrange some of the pieces.

“I’m getting a degree in engineering, so I’m guessing that’s why he asked me.”

“You’re an engineering major?” Dylan realized what he’d revealed and blushed almost embarrassed.

“Yeah. That’s what I’m doing in my online University program.”

“I had no idea.” Dylan chuckled rubbing a hand across his neck.

“I don’t talk about it much, so nobody really does.”

“Still thats pretty cool.”

“Thanks.” The taller’s blushed darkened a little and Ryan couldn’t help feel his heart skip a beat at seeing him flustered. Dylan cleared his throat.

“He probably trusts you the most to make sure this gets done.”

“I don’t know.”

“I mean it’s not like he can trust Jacob. Or Nick. Image those two trying to fix a table.” Ryan laughed as he imaged the scene. They’d probably be argue 5 minutes in.

“True.” Ryan knelt down next Dylan. He watched him sort through the tool box, and couldn’t help anxiously bite his lip.

‘You can’t promise that.’ The words he’d heard Dylan say last night echoed through his head. Should he talk to him about it? He didn’t notice the concerned look Dylan shot him, too busy trying to figure out what to say.

“You ok?” Dylan asked. The words broke the ravenette out of his own thoughts..

“What? Oh uh. Yeah, just some family stuff.” Dylan continued to look at him patiently, giving Ryan room to share more, but didn’t force more information.

“It’s just my mom told Mr. H she was sick which was a total lie. Apparently our dad came around and there was a bit of arguing.”

“They’re divorced right?”

“Yeah. And it was an ugly one at that.” Dylan frowned.

“Emily’s fine. She’s been staying at a friend’s house while things blow over. I just feel super bad she has to be dealing with this alone.” Ryan looked down at his shoes. Tears threatened to spill.

“It’ll be ok.”

“I know. I just worry.”

“Do you think you’re gonna go home?”

“No. I know she’s ok and she’d be really pissed off if I dropped everything and went home.” Ryan laughed at the thought of his sassy younger sister chastising him if he showed up on their door step.

“I don’t know how someone can be so stubborn,” Ryan added. He raised his head and met Dylan’s large empathetic eyes.

“Hey.” Dylan hesitantly reached out. Ryan didn’t pull away as he let the taller gently place a hand on his arm.

“It really sucks what you’re going through, but I’m proud of you for being here. And I’m always around if you need to talk.”

Ryan wiped at his cheek unaware that a few tear did slip past. He smiled at Dylan, letting the warm touch of his hand ground him.

“Same,” he said softly. For a split second Dylan frowned at the offer, but quickly covered with a smile. Only Ryan noticed see how forced it was.

‘Just talk to me,’ he internally begged, but the watched as he turned back to the table insIt was late at night and Ryan was on patrol with Kaitlyn. They rounded the forest towards the main lodge in a comfortable silence. He really wasn’t in the best mood. Mr. H told him he got a call from his mother. Something about her being sick, so he allowed for Ryan to keep his phone on him for the time being. Still he was in a pretty antsy mood, and hoped to talk with Mr. H before bed. Mr. H often had some pretty good advice and always managed to say what he needed to hear, and god did Ryan need to hear some positives if he was to get any sleep that night.

As they walked up the hill, he exchanged goodnights with Kaitlyn and they split ways. Kaitlyn reassured Ryan she’d check on his cabin before bed, and he thanked her, then slowly trekked his way up the rest of the hill and up the long wooden staircase. When he got inside it was eerily quiet. The lights were off and the lodge creaked ever so slightly. He shivered.

‘Wouldn’t want to get caught here in a horror movie,’ he thought before descending the main staircase. Moonlight leaked through the massive windows, and illuminated his path to Mr. H’s office. When he made it with minimal tripping, he hesitated with his hand on the door. He heard whispering.

“Dylan there’s still time before the next moon.” Normally he’d never listen in on private conversations, but he couldn’t bring himself to pull away. He lowered his breathing as he listened.

“I know, I know, I just, I feel like somethings gonna go wrong.” He seemed panicked. A wobble in his voice Ryan had never heard before. It jarred him. He knew Dylan was playing some sort of facade, but never expected the person underneath that facade to sound so anxious and vulnerable. He sounded small.

‘He sounds like me.’

“Everything’s in order kid. I got the ok that you can stay here. There’s no need to worry.” He heard Dylan sniffle, and tried to imagine what a tearful Dylan would look like.

“I just feel like it’s gonna be a bad one.”

“Then we’ll be here for you.” There was more shuffling behind the door.

‘Probably Mr. H going to console Dylan.’

“You can’t promise that.” The words sat in the silence of the room, a breath caught in Ryan’s own throat. He pulled away feeling guilty for having overheard. It felt like vunerable. The kind he’s had many of with Mr. H in his office just the same. He wouldn’t want someone eavesdropping on him.

‘Tonight was not the night to chat.’

He was about to head towards the stairs case when the sound of shuffling heading towards the door and foot steps made his heart jump. Quietly he dipped into the spare bunk room, slipping behind the door and out of sight. His heart was raced as the office door opened and the sound of foot steps echoed through the quiet halls.

“We can talk tomorrow again if you need.”

“No it’s alright. Sorry for you know.”

“Hey don’t be sorry. Got to stick together right?” He heard Dylan take a big shaky breath.

“It’ll be alright.”

There was another moment of silence, then the door shut. He waited with bated breath, then more footsteps, but they seemed to be coming closer to the room he was hiding in. He could feel the blood rushing to his ears and the hairs on his neck stand on end.

One creak, then another then it stopped.

He closed his eyes, begged for who he assumed was Dylan to turn around. And maybe the gods above did hear him becuase just like that they did. He waited until they descend the stairs before letting out a breath.

‘At least I got the anxiety scared out of me,’ he thought, while he rested his hands on his knees and bent over to let his heart rate slowly lower. He waited a few more minutes before taking his own leave and only felt like he could fully breathe again after stepping outside into the cool night air.

With everything he’d learned about Dylan, it all seemed get weirder and weirder. He yawned suddenly hit with a wave of sleepiness as his adrenaline faded.

‘Tomorrow,’ he thought then began the trek back to the table instead.

“Alright. Do you know how to use one of these?” Dylan held up a drill

“Absolutely not.”

“Ok let me show you.” He watched Dylan’s hands carefully place the screw against the wood and use the other hand to align the drill. It seemed effortless the way he guided the screw into the wood. Ryan couldn’t help, but admire the face he made as Dylan picked up another screw to demonstrate again. His eyes were focused. His jaw set in a way that seemed to sharpen his features. Eyes locked in, but not in an overly tense way. A master at work.

“So you want to try.”

‘Oh he’s talking to me.’

“Uh sure.” Dylan scooted closer and handed over the screw and drill. He pointed at a fresh spot on the wood.

“Right there.”

“There?” Dylan carefully realigned his hand for him. It felt soft.

“Yep. Now align the drill.” Ryan did as instructed.

“Ok now push.” Ryan pushed down on the drill, the screw spiraling out of place and dropping to the ground.

“Whoops.”

“You can be a little more forceful with it.” Dylan picked up the screw and handed it back, urging the smaller to try again. Ryan again realigned the screw touched the drill to its surface.

“Now push.” Ryan pushed down once again, but this time Dyan’s hand remained on his own helping guide the pressure on the drill. It buzzed easily into place and they both leaned back to admire their handy work.

“Not bad,” Dylan said turning to face Ryan with a smile.

“You make it look easy.”

“I’ve had practice. Want to go again?” Ryan nodded and they spent the rest of the afternoon quietly assembling the rest of the table, with Dylan’s occasional instruction and humming to guide them. It didn’t take long to finish once Ryan got the hang of it and soon they sat on the picnic table proud of their work.

“Well Ryan. I think you make quite the carpenter.”

“Thank you Dylan the builder.” Dylan quirked a smile.

“Was that a Bob the builder reference.”

“It was an attempt.”

“Nice.” Ryan studied Dylan’s face. The warm color in his cheeks. The curve of his smile.

‘I bet those lips are soft.’

‘You can’t promise that.’ The words rushed back as a reminder. This wasn’t all of Dylan. There’s something he’d been hiding. Ryan looked away missed the slight look of disappointment.

“I’ll go let Mr. H know we’re done.”

“Sure.” He listened as Dylan stood and seemed to hesitate before he walked off.

Dylan was funny and charming and they were both were clearly in to each other, but he couldn’t stop hearing the conversation playing over and over again. He didn’t want to force Dylan to say anything. It wasn’t his place to interrogate the other. But maybe. Just maybe, if he opened up Ryan could see them becoming more than just friends. But until then he couldn’t bring himself to be with blasé Dylan. He wouldn’t settle for half truths. After all he’d seen firs hand what happened to relationships built on secrets and lies. He thought back to his parents and how loud their arguments would get.

He wouldn’t settle for only half.

Chapter Text

Today it rained and Mr. H decided to keep hike day as it scheduled. It went as well as expected. Ryan was partnered with Nick and Emma’s groups for the morning hike which honestly wasn’t too bad. The only part that sucked was it was the persistant rain, which left him drenched and chilly.

When they the groups swapped. Jacob, Dylan, and Abigail led their campers on a hike while group 1 did indoor activities with Caleb and Kaylee. Ryan led his sector of campers to the main lodge, and reminded them to wipe their feet in the matt before coming in. As the kids shuffled in he counted each head, as they pealed off wet layers to hang up to dry. The kids quickly settled into spots at the tables where Caleb had already set up some sort of activity for them to do.

‘At least the fire was going.’

He waved at Caleb who nod back, before dipping into the nurses office to bother Kaitlyn. Luckily Kaitlyn wasn’t busy attending to another sick kid and was instead quietly filling out what looked to be paper work.

“No kids yet?”

“Emphasis on yet,” Kaitlyn replied and spun her chair around.

“Means more table time for me.” Ryan jumped on top of the exam table and laid back with a sigh. He kicked his boots off, peeled off his wet socks.

“Hike looked fun.” Kaitlyn shot him a look of disgust.

“You should’ve asked to trade places.”

“I’ll pass. Besides someone’s got to be here when group 2 gets back especially since Jacob’s leading them.” She leaned back in her chair with a sigh.

“Fair.”

“So Ryan.” She crossed her hands on her lap and smiled mischievously.

“What can I do for you today?”

“Hide me until lunch time.”

“Any tea?”

“Well,” he hesitated.

“There’s this one thing.”

“Oh?” Kaitlyn leaned forward, resting her elbows on her knees and looked intrigued.

“I think Dylan’s holding back something.”

“How so?”

“For starters there’s a lot of inconsistencies I’ve never noticed before, but now have. Like when he went on the supply run for medicine. Plus after the first week I was in the tree house—“

“When he failed epically at bow and arrow?”

“Right, but when you left he shot again and hit the target dead center.” Kaitlyn quirked a brow genuinely curious now.

“So? Lucky shot.”

“That’s what I thought but then there was that whole thing with the wolf’s bane.”

“Ok that one did piss me off. What kind of counselor doesn’t mention being allergic to a plant when they’re literally outside almost 24/7.”

“And the way he reacted.” Kaitlyn put a hand to her chin.

“I mean it’s a valid reaction. I wouldn’t want hives.”

“See I tried to brush it off too, but I accidentally overheard him talking with Mr. H. and—”

“How do you accidentally over hear a conversation?”

“You remember that one patrol where I said I wanted to stop by Mr. H’s office?”

“Yeah?”

“Well when I got there, Dylan was already in the office talking with.”

“I mean I know you sometimes see Mr. H at ungodly hours, I guess Dylan doestoo.”

“But they never seemed that close.” Kaitlyn shrugged. She grabbed a pen off the desk and tossed it into the air, and caught it with one hand.

“That’s not all. Mr. H mentioned something about the moon.” Kaitlyn stopped tossing the pen and looked at Ryan with a raised brow.

“Ryan.”

“What?” There was a pause then Kaitlyn burst out laughing.

“What?” Ryan stressed again, feeling frustrated like he was missing the punch line.

“Are you trying to tell me Dylan’s like a secret werewolf or something?”

‘Oh.’ Ryan’s face flushed red in embarrassment.

“I guess now that I think about it, it does make him sound sort of like some sort of werewolf.”

“I’m pretty sure Mr. H keeps some of his fancy silver silverware in storage if you want to test out the theory.” Ryan blushed harder with embarrassment, and Kaitlyn made herself laugh even harder.

“Ha ha. Very funny. Wait why does Mr. H keep nice silverware in storage and how do you know about it?”

“He keeps a lot of stuff back there. Antiques and all that. I noticed a box next on the bottom shelf when I was in there restocking.”

“Interesting place to keep your wedding memorabilia.”

“I’ll say.” Ryan looked out the window at the rain drops stuck to the pane. Dylan was probably smiling and cracking jokes as he led campers through the rainy tree canopy. Why did he care so much about whatever he was hiding?

‘Because you can’t stand it when something you want is out of reach.’

He frowned looking down at his hands. Maybe he was also feeling a bit upset that Dylan hadn’t tried to open up to him. He’d known Dylan for a little over three years. Sure they mainly saw each other over the summers at camp, but still he felt like they were closer than that. Especially after this year. His mind vaguely flashed back to the beginning of the summer.

The two of them alone in the woods with nothing, but the sound of rain drops, as they hid under an oak tree. The feeling of Dylan’s hand has it gently cupped his chin. The way it guided his face to meet his own. Seeing starved Dylan’s gaze seemed. How primal. Ryan wanted to close the space between them so badly.

Ryan shivered at the memory.

“It’s sounds like the kids are getting a little rowdy.”

“Huh?” Ryan snapped his head towards Kaitlyn. They could hear the rise in volume from behind the door, and groaned in mock annoyance.

“I’ll go.” He slipped off the table and grabbed his boots and socks.

‘At least I can put these by the fire to dry.’ He walked over to the door, but not before Kaitlyn could get one more word in.

“Don’t over think it,” she called as he closed the door behind him.

‘Don’t over think it.’

His hand ghosted over his chin.

‘I don’t think I can.’

Chapter Text

“Dylan?” A hand gently squeezed his shoulder. He raised his head blinking away exhaustion, and yawned.

‘Oh.’ He looked around him. He’d fallen asleep on a table in the main lodge surrounded by crafts. With the kids off on a field trip and Kaylee and Caleb leaving in a few days, Dylan, Emma, and Ryan were tasked with putting together some activities for the last week of camp. The only problem was that Dylan was exhausted. Normally the pre full moon snoozing didn’t hit a week and a half early, yet here it was. Dylan knew he probably had the beginnings of dark circles under his eyes, given the look Emma and Ryan gave him.

“Are you ok?” Ryan asked, looking at the taller with concern.

“Yeah. Just didn’t get much sleep last night.”

“Do you want to sit this one out? Go see Kaitlyn?”

“No. I’ll live.” In truth he’d love to go take a nap. His whole body was starting to ache and everything seemed so much louder with every day. But he couldn’t have them thinking something was wrong. It was fine to suspect he was tired, but if he gave into his body’s demands they’d start to think something was really wrong, and Dylan didn’t want to spend his last week at camp treated like a sickly victorian child. He grabbed a bin and started sorting through their remaining crafts.

Emma and Ryan seemed to hesitate, but joined him when he didn’t say anything more.

“So you and Jacob?

“Yeah,” Emma smirked as she grabbed a marker and tested it out against a scrap paper.

“What’s your plans for that after camp?” She paused and wrinkled her nose in thought, her head tilting to the side.

“Mmmm. I think it should stay a summer fling.”

“How does Jacob feel about that?”

“We’ve talked about it a bit, but I’m not sure he’s fully grasped the idea.”

“Can I ask why? Not that I’m judging just curious.” Emma sighed as she picked up another marker.

“I’m going back to school. He’s going back to school. Our schools are hours away from each other, and I’m entering a pretty tough year because I need to start doing some shadowing. I just feel like it’d be too much, and nothing meaningful will come from two busy people trying to do long distance.” Dylan glanced at Ryan, feeling a tug at his heart. He only lived a few hours away from Montock college, but still. He had no idea if they’d have time to start anything, and it’s not like he could with him being what he was.

‘A monster.’

“That’s fair,” he replied absent mindedly digging through a pile of colorful paper.

“Yeah. I’m still rooting for Abi and Nick though.”

“Abi and Nick?” Ryan giggled at the thought.

“Right! Wouldn’t they be super cute together. I keep trying to bring it up to her, but she says away every time.”

“Poor Jacob. Now Nick? Soon he’ll loose all his lovers.” Emma threw a pom pom at Dylan’s forehead in mock anger. It smacked him then bounced right back on the table, making Ryan laugh.

‘He’s so cute when he does that.’ Dylan rested a cheek on his hand and admired the curve of the smaller’s smile. The way his cheeks dimpled ever so slightly. It was contageous. He wondered what it would taste like.

‘Shit.’ Dylan turned away and covered his eyes. He’d slipped, feeling his eyes had shifted into something more animalistic. Yellowy and wolf like. Luckily Emma and Ryan hadn’t seemed to notice.

“Dylan are you sure you’re ok?” Ryan asked again tentatively.

‘Get control. Get control.’

“It’s just something in my eye.” He felt his hands starting to get clammy. A rise of panic settled in his throat, ready to spill over.

‘Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.’

“Do you want some help?”

“No I’m fine.” He hunched further in on himself.

‘Come on!’ He heard who he assumed was Ryan approach.

“If you’re not—“

“I’m fine!” Dylan shouted, removing his hands from his eyes. They were back to normal.

‘Thank god. Wait.’

He noticed Ryan took a step back from him. A hurt look spread across his face as if Dylan had punched him or kicked a puppy. Guilt pooled in his stomach.
He didn’t mean to snap at the smaller. Ryan had been trying to help after all.

“Ryan I’m—“

“It’s ok. I didn’t mean to push.”

“Yeah, but—“

“I’m just gonna go grab some more bins from the storage room.” He watched the ravenette turn towards the door, unable to say anything else. It closed and he looked up at Emma whose mouth was hung open. She looked away sheepishly as if trying to pretend like she didn’t just see all that. Dylan groaned and put his head back on the table.

When Ryan left the room he swiftly made his was to storage. He didn’t know why, but something about Dylan snapping at him hurt more than he’d expected. He unlocked the storage room and slipped inside.

‘Why was he acting this way?’ Ryan took a deep breath and forced any urge to cry down.

‘No. He wouldn’t cry over this.’

He stopped at a corner row and knelt down, finding the extra crafts box, but paused as he read the label on the box next to it. ‘Wedding cutlery.’

‘She wasn’t kidding.’ He pulled out the box and peeled back the sides. Inside were beautifully decorated plates, and simple silverware.

‘I shouldn’t,’ he thought to himself as he picked up a fork admiring it’s gleam.

‘It’s stupid. Werewolves aren’t real. Dylan’s not a werewolf.’

So why couldn’t he put it down.

Chapter Text

Ryan cannot believe what he was actually about do.

His mind flashed back to the brief glimpse of yellow in Dylan’s eyes.

‘No it’s stupid.’

But then why did he still feel compelled.

After crafts the other day they hadn’t talked much. He wasn’t sure who was avoiding who. What he did know is that some force on earth tempted him in to take that silver fork. He didn’t know why. It’s not like he planned on stealing it. Infact he was going to give it to back as soon as possible. But something in him wanted to know what would happen if he gave it to Dylan. Maybe it was all in his head. He’d give him the fork. They’d eat dinner. Then go about their usual evening. Eventually Ryan would tell Dylan about it and this would be something they’d look back on and laugh about down the road. It was harmless. It’s not like it would actually hurt him.

He remembered being a kid and reading about werewolves in his fantasy books. Terrifying creatures cursed to turn when the moon was full. How it always ended with a grand fight and a silver bullet. But werewolves weren’t real. And Dylan’s strange behavior wasn’t because he was a werewolf. It’s nonsense. It had to be. His mind flashed back to the glimpse of gold.

‘But what if—Fuck this is stupid. It had to be a trick of the light.’

Ryan backed away from the main doors. He couldn’t do it. As he took a step back he bumped into something solid.

“Oof.”

He turned and to his embarrassment stood Dylan. He could feel his face flushed red with embarrassment.

“Sorry.”

“Not it’s all good. Hey actually I’ve been meaning to run into you.”

“You probably didn’t mean literally though,” Ryan said with a nervous laugh. Dylan only smiled his usual warm smile.

“Why don’t we get dinner together?” A nervous pit formed in the bottom of Ryan’s stomach.

“Sure,” he replied mentally kicking himself. Dylan moved around the ravenette and opened the door for him. Ryan gave a quick thank you before slipping inside. The building was already packed with campers. They walked over to the food line, Ryan having to refrain from glancing at the taller.

“So about the other day. I’m really sorry for yelling at you. It wasn’t fair to you.”

“It’s really not a big deal.” Dylan smiled and handed him a plate.

“So has your sleep gotten any better?” He already knew the answer to the question just by looking at the taller and seeing the slight shade or purple under his eyes, but still thought to ask.

“Better than yesterday. So I was thinking. I know you mentioned…” His words faded as they moved down the line. Was he actually going through with this? Guilt twisted in his gut. It seemed so stupid. Would he be upset if he told him afterwards? Maybe he was overthinking it all. Ryan certainly had a nack for that.

“…so what do you think?” Ryan blinked.

‘Shit what was he saying.’

“I’m sorry. Can you repeat that?”

“A playlist? You know for the ride home? I found a box of old disks and was thinking about burning them into one track.”

“Oh yeah, sure. I’ll take one.”

“Awesome.” Ryan hadn’t registered that they’d made it to the end of the food line, their plates adorned with pasta and bread. They started to walk towards the counselor table when Dylan paused looking down at his plate.

“Shoot I forgot a fork.” Without even thinking Ryan grabbed the silver fork in his back pocket and placed it on Dylan’s plate.

“I grabbed an extra.”

“Thanks.” Dylan looked at the fork on his plate then back at Ryan with a grin.

‘He doesn’t notice.’ Ryan could practically feel his heart beating out of his chest.

‘Fuck I actually did it.’ He followed Dylan to the counselor table trying not to panic. He took a seat next to Dylan who’d placed himself at the end of the table across from Nick. When Ryan looked up to see Kaitlyn across from him, she eyed him with suspicion. He swallowed nervously. Out of the corner of his eye he watched Dylan reach down, finger tips mere centimeters away from the fork. Blood rushed to his ears, muting the world around him. Then Dylan’s fingers moved to the side and picked up some bread. Ryan relaxed, and let out a sigh. Dylan was to busy joking around with Nick that he didn’t notice. Kaitlyn on the other hand stared lasers into him.

“What’s wrong?” She mouthed. He responded by glancing at the fork on Dylan’s plate then back at Kaitlyn. It took a moment for her to realize what he’d been referring to, but when she did understand she immediately face palmed.

“Why did you take that?” Kaitlyn then mouthed, but all he could do was shrug. It’s not like he knows. Nick suddenly turned to them.

“What about you guys?”

“Huh?” Ryan replied confused. Dylan laughed and put a gentle hand on Ryan’s shoulder.

“Now who’s the sleepy head.” Ryan laughed, though it may have come out a little forced. Kaitlyn looked like she wanted to punch him.

“Are you guys butts or boobs kind of people?” Kaitlyn flicked Nick’s ear, causing him to recoil.

“Oww!”

“First off I will not diminish women into simplistic categories, nor judge them based on their body shape because the beauty standard is bull shit as it is.” Nick frowned and rubbed his ear.

“Secondly, definitely boobs,” Kaitlyn added. Everyone laughed, and even Ryan managed to loosen up.

“What about you Dylan?” Kaitlyn said as the laughter settled.

“I asked if there was a dick option, but Nick said no.”

“Because they’re not sexy!” Nick exclaimed, earning another flick from Kaitlyn.

“Quiet down. There’s still kids around.”

“Sorry.” He rubbed at his ear again.

“Ryan?” Ryan turned to see Dylan smirking at him devilishly.

“Is there not a both option?”

“You guys are no fun,” Nick whined, crossing his arms childishly.

“I’m definitely a butt guy,” Jacob added from down the table.

“Clearly since you’ve been hooking up with Emma,” Abi said under breath.

“I don’t know if that’s a compliment or a diss,” Emma said looking up from her plate. Everyone erupted into conversation and laughter and after a few minuets Ryan had forgotten his nerves. More time passed as everyone causally ate and talked when suddenly the sound of a fork dropping next time him practically made him spin around..

He looked over just in time to see what looked like a burn on Dylan’s hand before it’d closed it into a fist. Everyone’s attention was now on Dylan, though they couldn’t have seen the burn unless they were sat where Ryan was.

“I just remembered I forgot something.” Dylan stood shooting everyone a smile.

“I’ll be right back.” He turned and swiftly exited through the main doors. Everyone went back to eating unbothered, but Ryan had gotten good at reading the taller and could see the pain behind his smile. He looked at Kaitlyn who met with an equally shocked expression. They both stood.

“We’ll be right back,” Kaitlyn said and they both hustled after the taller.

Chapter Text

‘Shit, shit, shit.’

Dylan got to the radio shack and slammed the door behind him. He could feel the transformation over powering him. He looked down at his hand. It shook as he held it up looking at the red skin starting to blister.

Pain shot through both hands, a dark color slowly creeping up them.

“Fuck!” He gritted his teeth in pain, and shoved his hands under his arms. It had been a while since he’d changed outside of the full moon. He’d gotten so good at suppressing the wolf. Pushing it back as long as he could, so that only on full moons he’d be forced to change. But as he’d gotten older it’d gotten harder as if the more he suppressed it the more it fought to get out. Something about this past week had been especially hard. He didn’t know what it was. Maybe the anxiety of summer ending and returning to his world of isolation. Or maybe it was the instinctive fear he’d been feeling in his gut that something was off. Whatever it was had weakend his resolve. Chipping at it bit by bit until all it’d take was a silver fork to break right through.

His legs gave out under him, as he struggled against it, but as the dark continued to slowly travel up his arms it’d become more and more apparent that he wouldn’t be able to stop this one.

‘Fuck I’m still to close to the camp. What if they hear?’ He could feel tears pricking at his eyes both from the pain and panic. He groaned as a sharp sensation shot through his spine, his bones screaming to shift.

‘Fuck!’

—————————————————————

Ryan and Kaitlyn ran down the hill, Dylan seemingly having disappeared. Kaitlyn bent over for a moment to catch her breath.

“Jesus he’s fast.”

“I’ve got a bad feeling. about this”

“You gave him the fork.”

“It was your idea.”

“I was kidding!”

“Well how was I supposed to know it’d actually hurt him.” There was a pause as Kaitlyn slowly looked up at Ryan.

“Did it actually hurt him?” He frowned and looked away, guilt pooled in his stomach.

“It wasn’t supposed to actually work.” Kaitlyn looked as if she could read his thoughts, maybe feeling some guilt herself. He took a breath and tried to refocus them.

“If I were Dylan, where would I go to hide?”Ryan looked towards the radio shack then at Kaitlyn. She nod and they started to jog over. The sun had gone down and with the campers still at dinner, it was eerily quiet. A slight breeze fluttered through the trees, and for a second it almost felt like they were being watched. Ryan looked at the steps that led up to the door and slowly crept up them. He could hear very faintly heavy breathing, but couldn’t seen anything with the window blinds pulled down.

“Dylan.” He knocked. Nothing. Kaitlyn climbed up the steps and stood next to him, her brow furrowed in concern.

“We know you’re in there. We just want to talk.”

Suddenly they heard a thud and a pained yell. Kaitlyn looked at the other in panic.

“We’re coming in.” Kaitlyn motion for Ryan to step back then kicked at the door. It didn’t budge. She tried again. Still nothing. Ryan remembered Dylan telling him about a spare key above the doorway. He’d mentioned it one time when they were talking about the morning playlist. He reached above the door frame and felt around.

‘Got it.’ His fingered grasped a metal object and he quickly pulled it down.

“Or we could do that,” Kaitlyn said as she brushed some hair out of her face. He inserted the key into the lock and twist. The door clicked and he cautiously swung it open.

At first they couldn’t see much. The room was dark and the blinds certainly didn’t help. Then his eyes locked on a figure lying in the corner shaking. He stepped closer.

“Dylan?” He groaned again, but didn’t move.

Ryan motioned for Kaitlyn to stay put.

“Don’t,” Dylan whispered as Ryan took a couple steps closer.

“We know. We’re not gonna hurt you.” Dylan’s back suddenly arched back with a cry of pain. He couldn’t now see the dark veins creeping up Dylan’s arms. His heart dropped.

‘Holy shit.’ It wasn’t a joke.

Another cry caught on a sob wrung through the small room. Ryan took a breath and put on a look of determination.

‘Now was not the time to panic.’ He knelt down next to Dylan who was now curled in a ball, his arms clung across his chest.

“Ryan.” He glanced at Kaitlyn who was nervously looking out the door.

“The kids finish up dinner in less than 10 minutes.” Ryan nod then turned back.

“Dylan is there anyway you can make it stop?”

“I don’t know maybe hand me another fork,” he responded sarcastically, but was cut off from saying anything more by another wave of pain.

“Ok.” Ryan thought for a moment. The kids would hear something if they were to come back now, and that would be nightmare with the current situation.

‘Come on think.’ He closed his eyes imagining where they could bring him. Then it hit him.

“Kaitlyn help me get one side, and I’ll get the other.”

“What are you doing?”

“We’re taking you to the shop. It’s a little further off and there’s some cages in the back just in case. Do you think you can hold off a little longer.” Dylan gave a nod, and pressed his lips into a line as if concentrating hard. Kaitlyn walked over and grabbed one side while Ryan threw the other arm over his shoulder. Carefully they maneovured the taller into a standing position.

“Can you walk?” Dylan’s eyes fluttered open and he took a step forward, his knees immediately going slack.

“Ok. Ok that’s fine. Just do what you can.”

As quickly as they could, they helped Dylan out of the shack and down the stairs and head towards the camp store. It was a further ways off, but would be secluded enough. At one point Dylan tripped stiffling back a groan.

“Almost there buddy,” Kaitlyn responded giving Dylan a pat.

When they finally reached the shop, Kaitlyn went up the door to unlock it while Ryan stood supporting the taller who was slumped slightly forward

“I really didn’t want anyone to see me like this. Especially you.” Ryan looked at the taller. His forehead was beaded in sweat, and his eyes though down cast, glowed yellow. Almost golden.

“It’s my fault. We’d joked about giving you a silver fork. We didn’t. I didn’t know. I’m sorry.” Dylan turned his head and met Ryan’s eyes. They really did look golden.

‘Beautiful.’

The taller gave him a reassuring smile as if trying to comfort him in this strange situation.

“Got it!” They both looked up as Kaitlyn ran back down the steps and they guided Dylan inside and into the back room. Kaitlyn closed the doors behind them.

“There.” Dylan nodded towards the cage.

“Are you sure?” Ryan looked at Dylan read an expression he’d never seen before on the brunette. He looked terrified his eyes. Welling with tears, and pressing his lips in a frown.

“I don’t—,” Dylan chocked on his words.

“I don’t want to hurt you.” Ryan wanted to say, ‘I don’t think you will,’ but decided not too as Dylan spazzumed with another wave of pain. When it died down slightly he spoke again through gritted teeth.

“Please.” Ryan frowned, but helped the taller into the cage, and guided him to the ground before closing the door and using a key Kaitlyn handed him to lock it. He stepped back, as they watched Dylan fall forward screaming. Kaitlyn grabbed his hand and led him to the front of the store. He didn’t want to leave Dylan, but also knew he wouldn’t want them to see. They closed the door behind them and slide down to the floor as they listened to their coworkers screams meld into something more animalistic. Then there was silence.

They looked at eachother still in shock with what just happend. Ryan replayed the look of terror in Dylan’s eyes over and over. It would be a long night.

Chapter Text

Ryan awoke suddenly not quite sure where he was.

‘Oh.’ He remembered looking around at the shelves of nick nacks. How long had he’d been asleep? He turned to look at the clock on the wall seeing it was 3am. Kaitlyn had left an hour after Dylan had changed. It’d be too risky having all of them out of commission and she didn’t want others to go looking for them. She promised to come back to get them in the morning.

Most likely she had told the other counselors that Dylan wasn’t feeling well and Ryan stayed back to take care of him.

He yawned. Moonlight pooled through the windows, the sky still inky and dark. He looked at the door between him and the back rooms. Was Dylan ok? It was quiet. Maybe he changed back? Ryan stood and carefully opened the door stepping inside. Though moonlight lit up the left side of the room, the maze of shelves darkened it significantly, leaving the caged area almost pitch black. It sent a chill up his spine.

“Dylan,” he whispered. There was no response. Cautiously he took a step towards the cage. Thats when he heard a low growl. He froze, heart racing. Two yellow eyes pierced through the darkness.

‘Definitely still wolf Dylan.’

He tried to take a step back towards the door, but it only made the wolf growl louder. Slowly he lowered himself to the ground not sure what to do, the wolf’s eyes trained on him. The creature stepped forward into the light.

‘Holy shit.’

It wolf was massive. Much larger than any dog or wolf. More like a bear.

Ryan’s heart dropped. The wolf reared its teeth with a low growl, and he tried not to think about how sharp they looked. Even with the cage between them, he felt like it could easily bust it down the door if it’d tried. Ryan lowered his head. He knew it was stupid, but he’d seen dogs do it as a way to show submission. He closed his eyes and prayed it would work, clenching his fists to stop them from shaking.

Then it went silent. He cautiously looked up. The wolf was sitting, its head tilted to the side with curiosity. Ryan put his head back down and waited. After a few minutes he heard the wolf lay down. He snuck a peak. It was still watching him. With no whereto go he closed his eyes.

He hadn’t realized he’d fallen asleep again until he woke up to the sound of pacing and distressed whimpers. Ryan rubbed his eyes, vision coming into focus. The wolf paced back and forth. His breath caught when he saw a trail of blood. It’d clawed itself, the marks long and deep along his side.

‘Fuck.’

Without thinking Ryan raced over to the cage and unlocked it in a frenzy. He threw open the door. The wolf backed away growling and once again bearing its teeth. Ryan looked into their eyes and it registered how scared the wolf seemed. Its hair was raised, ears perked defensively. And yet it didn’t immediately go into attack mode like Dylan suggested would happen. He took a step forward and the wolf bolted, knocking him to his side. With a thud he hit the ground skimming his elbows, leaving red burns.

‘To fast.’

He took a moment to catch his breath before getting up to search for Dylan. He quietly called out for the other as he worked his way around the maze. After a few minutes he started to get worried that he’d gotten out somehow, but relaxed when he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. There in the back corner, crouched low was the wolf. It pressed itself up again the wall growling. It’d knocked some boxes off the shelf. Luckily the boxes had some old blankets and some camp shirts. The wound on his side still oozed.

‘Slower.’ Ryan got down on his knees and put his head down.

“Please. I’m not gonna hurt you.” The growling quieted. He looked at the wolf. He’d layed down, ears slightly more relaxed. It looked tired. With careful movements Ryan crawled towards the beast, reading its behavior closely as to not frighten him again. As he got closer he could study the wolf in more detail. It had brown fur that lighted along its stomach and darkened around its top, with a slight curl. He noted the same gold in its eyes that Dylan had. Which made sense. After all this was still Dylan. Just a different part of him. The realization hit him.

‘Beautiful.’ Ryan reached out. Wolf Dylan flinched, and growled low. Ryan paused his hand hovered above the fur. When the wolf determined the gesture wasn’t a threat it calmed. Ryan took the opportunity to run a hand down the wolf’s back. It was soft. He watched wolf Dylan’s ear flatten as he leaned into the touch. The only time the wolf reacted was when his hand got too close to the wound. Even then it’d seemed more like a warning yip, than a real threat. Fortunately it’d stopped bleeding at least.

‘We'll clean it up tomorrow,’ he thought as he turned from the gash and continued to run a hand through the wolf’s fur. The repetitive movement slowed his own heart rate and he’d once again began to drift off to asleep. But this time it felt more peaceful. Warm even.

‘Safe.’ Ryan didn’t know he’d fallen a sleep with head against the wolf, and that the wolf had curled its body around the smaller in return.

As sun began to rise, and the early sounds of bring song rang out, they never moved. Two boys clung to one another, sleeping peacefully.

Chapter Text

The first thing Dylan felt when he woke up, was clothes being thrown at his face. He bolt up, though his vision was still fuzzy from exhaustion. He looked around in confusion. They were in the back of the camp shop surrounded by blankets, shirts, and boxes. He turned, a spike of fear twisting in his gut as he saw the blood droplets on the ground and felt Ryan stirr next to him.

‘Fuck.’

He looked at the smaller, and scanned him, but as he also sat up, there was no trace of pain on his features .

‘That’s good. Right?’

Kaitlyn stood in front of them. Her hands sternly placed on her hips and she wore a sour expression.

“I brought you clothes. Also, what the fuck happened?” Dylan looked back at Ryan who awkwardly rubbed a hand across the back of his neck.

“I um, well—“ Kaitlyn’s posture relaxed.

“Your elbows.” He followed Kaitlyn’s eyes. Ryan’s elbows were red and raw. Large patches streaked across them. Dylan once again looked at the blood on the ground, and paled.

“Was this… Did I—“

“What? No! No this was my fault. That’s not mine” Dylan eyed him suspiciously unsure whether to believe him.

“Ok then what’s all this?” Kaitlyn asked pointing to the crimson trail. Dylan realized.

‘Ohhhh.’

He’d been too panicked to feel the dull ache in his stomach. Then again when his whole body always hurt after being twisted into something different, so he didn’t notice it at first. Dylan looked at the blanket he’d wrapped hisself up at some point in the night. He knew his stomach held another nasty gash like the last full moon. His wolf didn’t always lash out, but moons where it did somehow made the aftermath even more painful.

He still healed fairly quickly and by next full moon they’d definitely disappear or if they were partially deep, at least scar over. He pulled back the blanket to peak. Two jagged gashes ran along his stomach, which wasn’t all that surprising. However what was how much further along the healing process they were than normal.

‘Were they healing faster?’

Dylan still felt like shit, but now that he thought about it, in general he didn’t feel as bad as normal/

‘Huh.’

Ryan chirped up from next to him.

“I went to check in on him and his wolf and I saw he’d ben hurt.” Kaitlyn’s eyes widened.

“Can I see?” Dylan’s faced burned red with embarrassment as he lowered the blanket. Kaitlyn bent down to look at the gash making no reaction upon seeing the amount of scars on his chest. Ryan on the other hand. Well Dylan couldn’t bring himself to look at the smaller’s reaction. Kaitlyn took a few minuets examine the gash.

“How’d this happen?” Dylan could feel his face turn an even darker shade of red.

“It gets board sometimes I think, and you know. If there’s nothing else to claw at,” he trailed off. Kaitlyn’s face remained neutral.

“Ok. How about you get changed. And then we go back to the nurses station, so I can clean you both up and so we can talk. Mr. H knows you two are down for the count today, and the kids are off at the lake, so you’ll have time get cleaned up. Sound good?” They both nod. He turned to Ryan who gave him a soft smile, his eyes compassionate and kind. Then Kaitlyn helped the smaller up and they left to wait for him at the front of the store.

As he changed he couldn’t help, wonder how he’d gotten there. Did Ryan let him out? And if so then why? Why didn’t his wolf attack Ryan? He pulled on a random pair of pants and shirt he assumed Kaitlyn grabbed from his cabin.

‘This was going to be a long talk,’ he thought, groaning at the notion.

When he finished changing, he put some of the shirts back in their boxes and made a pile of blankets and shirts he’d come back to wash later. It’s not that he was staling … ok maybe a little.

A knock sounded at the door.

“You ready?”

“Just a second.” He frowned at the mess he’d have to come back for, then slipped on his shoes and went to meet them. Together they walked in silence towards the main lodge, a pit of anxiety formed in his throat.

They hadn’t run away or hurt him, and he hadn’t hurt them which was a good sign he supposed. But still. He’d only told a few people about his condition. The first being Mr. H and the Hackett family. The second…

His mind flashed back to the memory of the boy.

‘You’re monster.’

God he’d hoped the same thing wouldn’t happen. He didn’t know what’d he do if they’d stopped talking to him. Especially Ryan.

When the entered the nurses office, Kaitlyn opened the door to let them inside before closing and locking it.

“You first.” She snapped her fingers at Dylan, then gestured to the table. He sighed and hopped up on the table while Ryan took a seat in a chair off to the side. Then it was quiet. No one quite sure how to start the conversation. The only sound was Kaitlyn rummaging through some drawers.

“So,” she said finding what’d she’d been riffling for. She sat on the spinny chair and turned to face them.

“Are we just going to ignore the dog in the room or what?” Dylan’s flushed with embaressment for a second time that day.

“You mean wolf.”

“Oh was that what it was?” Kaitlyn replied sarcastically. She scooted the chair closer and held up a bottle and some gauze.

“Lift up your shirt. This may sting a little.” He did as she instructed, and she gently pressed the liquid to the wound. There was another moment of silence as they watched her wipe at the gash.

“How did this happen?” Ryan finally spoke up. He bit his lip nervously.

“I think I was born like this.”

“You think?”

“I was adopted so I’m not sure, but there were always signs and stuff. I didn’t start changing until I was 12.”

“12?!” Dylan looked away.

“I mean, do your parents know?” He shook his head.

“Someone accidentally found out when I was younger, and well. Let’s just say it ended poorly.”

“You haven’t told anyone?”

“Mr. H knows.” Kaitlyn and Ryan looked at each other. Dylan wasn’t sure if he should be telling them this. After all he’d be outing Mr. H, and he wasn’t entirely sure if it was his place to do that. But he also didn’t want to lie to them becuase god was he tired of lying.

“Mr. H is also sort of one.”

“Sort of?”

“He wasn’t born a you know—“

“Werewolf?”

“Right. He was bitten and it’s a little different for him?” Ryan and Kaitlyn shared another confused look.

“Like he only transforms on full moons and I’ve been told our wolves,” he tried not to cringe at the word.

“Looked different. I have to suppress mine all the time, except on full moon. My senses are also better outside the moon, and even shifting is different. He heals a lot faster too.”

“And you get tired and stuff before moons and Mr. H doesn’t.” Dylan nods, watching the gears turning in Ryan’s head.

“Hold on. Do you think it’s because you’re supressing it?” Dylan’s eyes widened in surprise.

“I don’t know. I’ve never considered that.”

“I mean besides the obvious, I think you look a bit better than yesterday, and the full moons still a little less than a week away. Should you still look…”

“Like shit?” Dylan finished. H paused briefly to consider. Was suppressing the wolf the reason he felt miserable before moons? No. There’s no way. He was a monster. It couldn’t be that simple.

“It wouldn’t be a good idea to ‘let it out,’” he said using his fingers as quotations.

“Why?”

“You saw. I’m,” he trailed off.

“If you say monster I’m going to start flipping tables.” Dylan’s brows furrowed, and felt a little baffled.

“It’s dangerous.”

“You were the farthest thing from dangerous. If anything you looked terrified.” Ryan threw his hands up as he spoke.

“Did you open the cage?”

“Only because you were hurting yourself and…look. I didn’t want to see your hurt. I opened it without really thinking it through and you freaked out and ran.” Dylan frowned looking at Ryan’s raw elbows.

“Is that how you got hurt? Because of me?”

“No. I got hurt because I’m a klutz and it was dark.”

“Ryan I could’ve really hurt you!” Dylan could feel tears begin to prick at his eyes. He wouldn’t be able to live with himself if he’d hurt Ryan.

“But you didn’t!” There was a pause. A heaviness clawed at his chest and he had to close his eyes for a second to catch his breath.

“Why did you think you’d hurt—“

“Because I’m a monster!” Kaitlyn stopped cleaning the wound and moved back to give both of them a little space. Ryan looked like he wanted to reach out.

“When. When I was little, and I first became like this, I didn’t know how to control it. Whenever I got too emotional or stressed or angry I’d start to shift. There was,” he paused laughing dryly, and not sure why he was telling them this or why they let him keep talking. But neither stopped him. He took another breath.

“There was this kid. Tom Wellings. God he was. He was just the funniest and kindest person. Could light up the world with a smile type, you know? My first day of school he saw I was sitting alone on the bus, and I remember being so nervous. I was so worried people would think I was weird.’ The adopted kid from down the street.’ But he marched right up to me and introduced himself and that was that. He became my best friend. Then I turned 12 and all this started happening. We were playing in the woods. We were always told not to play on the bridge. It was this old wooden bridge that ran along a river. And it was a stupid bridge really because it was built with zero support guards. And of course we didn’t listen to the adults.” Dylan looked down at his hands, and started to pick at his nails anxiously.

“We were rough housing, and he slipped. I reached out to catch him and, he was fine of course, he didn’t fall, but I scratched him when I grabbed him to pull him back up. He saw my eyes, my teeth and nails. He saw everything and well.” Another breath.”

“He said I was a monster and I never saw him again.” It went silent. The two unsure what to say. Dylan laughed again humourlessley.

“And I mean he wasn’t wrong.” Dylan felt a warm hand gently cover his own, forcing his hands to still. He looked up. Ryan was gazed at him with glassy eyes. He hadn’t realized he himself had started to cry.

“You’re not a monster.”

“But—“

“You’re. Not. A. Monster.” Dylan tried to read the smaller face for any hint of fear or bluffing. But no matter how hard he searched he couldn’t find anything. It seemed genuine.

Kaitlyn cleared her throat.

“Did he turn?”

“No.”

“Then how did Mr. H become one?” Dylan shrugged.

“Because he was bitten and you weren’t” Ryan added thoughtfully.

“And maybe that makes them different creatures.” Dylan looked at Kaitlyn confused.

“What do you mean?”

“If you were born like this then maybe you were just meant to be this way. You did say there were a lot of differences between you two. Sure you both change under the full moon, but for you this seems more genetic. Intuitive. Maybe Mr. H is the only one who’s cursed.”

Could this really be natural? No. There was no way. If this was normal then why had he’d never met anyone else like him?

‘Damn.’

If only his birth parents were still alive. He’s track them down in a heart beat to get answers.

“The doesn’t make me any less dangerous.” Dylan gestured at his stomach. Ryan’s forehead creased with empathy.

“I mean,” Ryan hesitated for a second then continued.

“I once read that when wild animals are locked up they can get really scared and depressed. I’m pretty sure there was this Orca whale I forget their name, but they were abandoned at this aquarium alone, and someone decided to fly a drone overhead. The footage showed how depressed it was. Even to a point where it’d swim up the pool sides and ram its head over and over.”

“Ryan. I’m not a whale.”

“Well yeah, but you’re not human either.”

Would giving in to the wolf help? Was it even possible to unlock the cage he’d spent so long crafting, and where he perfected every detail down to how he smiled around others. It was a lot to think about, and he still wasn’t sure any of it was true.

“Wait. How have you guys been so calm about this?”

“For starters, I’ve seen a lot. Nothing surprises you after you volunteer at a nursing home for 5 months,” Kaitlyn replied as he finished taping off a bandage. She then gestured for him and Ryan to swap places.

“And also, we had some suspicions,” Ryan added, getting a threatening look from Kaitlyn.

“Ok, well I had suspicions at least.” Normally Dylan was very careful. Too careful some would say, but somehow it didn’t surprise him Ryan noticed. He always had a way of looking past the wall Dylan had built. Maybe never all the way, but enough to read him in ways no one else could.

“I was curious after the supply run, then noticed things like when you purposefully missed the shot and how you leaned away from wolves bane.” Dylan couldn’t help feel a little impressed. And also maybe a little proud knowing Ryan had eyes for him.

“And the fork…,”

‘Oh yeah.’ Dylan frowned. Did Ryan know about silver? The smaller seemed to catch on immediately to Dylan’s thoughts.

“I didn’t want to hurt you on purpose. If I’m being honest I’m not even entirely sure why I did it. I thought nothing would happen and I’d be able to tell you later and we’d laugh it or something. And the part of me that thought what if, but then I expected it to be like a paper cut or something.” Dylan nod. He wasn’t trying to hurt him that’s good.

“The answer to your question is no. No it doesn’t feel like a paper cut. Yes it hurts like a bitch. Normally it just burns, but I guess with the full moon being less than a week, it kind of shocked my system into changing. And I’m not saying that’s your fault, but please don’t ever do that again.” He smiled at the other and he could see some of Ryan’s nerves relax ever so slightly.

“Noted.” There was another brief pause as Ryan pressed his lips together in thought.

“There is one more thing,” the smaller added. Dylan tiled his head curiously.

“I also um. A few weeks ago I went to see Mr. H pretty late at night and over heard you guys.” Dylan’s face paled.

“Oh.” He swallowed.

“How much?”

“Just something about the full moon really and that’s about it.” He nod.

“I’m sorry. I should’ve turned away the moment I heard voices.”

“It’s ok.”

“Are you sure?” Dylan smiled reassuringly.

“Next time just asked.” Ryan’s face went blank and he blinked a few times.

“I wanted to, but would you have given me an honest explanation?”

“Whaaaaat? That’s crazy!”He looked at Kaitlyn as if begging for back up, but she just coughed and looked away. Dylan sighed, shoulder’s slumped forward.

“Yeah you’re right.”

“But now…,” he felt Ryan reach out and run a hand through Dylan’s hair. It sent a pleasant shiver down his spine.

“You have no reason to hide.” He hesitated at the words, searching his gaze once again for any sign of fear or lying, and again finding nothing, but honesty. He smiled. A warm feeling settled in his chest.

“Ok.” Ryan smiled back and continued running his hand through Dylan’s hair. He leaned into the touch.

“Hmm. I guess human Dylan also likes this,” Ryan said with a giggle. Kaitlyn burst out laughing, and for the third time that day Dylan’s face turned red with embarrassment, but this time in a way where it didn’t feel as heavy. And for once the world felt a little less lonely.

Chapter Text

A few days later things went back to normal. Mr. H didn’t chastise them for disappearing for a night, in part because Kaitlyn told him Dylan was sick, and also because it was Ryan and Dylan. The next week was however pretty busy. Kaylee and Caleb left early both to get ready for school since theirs started early, and to prepare for the full moon (though everyone except Dylan didn’t know about that part).

Either way, with four less hands helping out, everyone was kept on their toes. It wasn’t until the last night of camp that things started to calm down. Some campers went home a day early and they held a little farewell ceremony for the campers with enough time for them to pack and get into bed early.

Ryan laid in his own bed unable to sleep. Tomorrow all the kids would be going home, and they’d be packing up their own belongings. It would also be a full moon. After their time in the nurse’s office Ryan was able to ask Dylan more questions in the following days. Despite their busy-ness they found themselves spending more time together. Somehow Ryan felt more pulled to the taller. Without Dylan’s wall of secrets, what was already easy with Dylan somehow became easier. Naturally falling into step with one another. It felt unfair they’d find such steady footing with only one week left of camp. He wished they had more time together. Of course they’d be able to exchange numbers and stuff, but it wasn’t the same. Maybe that made Ryan greedy or clingy. After all it’s not like he owned Dylan or could make choices for him. Still he didn’t like the thought of Dylan being alone. He didn’t like the thought of being alone himself.

He tossed in his bed, unable to shake his racing thoughts. Eventually he caved and decided to go for a walk. By then it was around 1am and everyone was asleep. He kept down the bunkbed and slipped on some shoes. He quietly tip toed to the door making sure to cover the hinges with his hand to muffle the squeaky hinge.

It was nice outside. A brisk breeze danced through the trees and Ryan took a moment to breathe it in. It smelt like the end of summer. The kind of crisp smell, letting the world know autumn was on its way. Still it was fairly warm out and with the moon almost full, the surrounding forest didn’t feel as dark.

He turned and noticed a light on in the radio shack, and titled his head curiously.

‘Was Dylan also awake?’ He made his way over to the small wooden structure and stepped up the creaky wooden stairs. He knocked softly, and heard a muffled, “come in,” from inside. Opening the door he found Dylan sat at the table.

Now inside with the lights on Ryan was able to take some time to truly appreciate the space. Mr. H had allowed Dylan to clean up the space as he pleased, as long as he could keep some stuff stored, and Dylan did a fabulous job. He found an old long couch and pushed it against the wall, and hung fairy lights behind it. To the far wall he’d cleaned and organized the work bench, adding some posters and a desk lamp and floor lamp next to the couch. He’d even found an old coffee table for people to put their feet up if they sat on the couch. Not that people went into the shack. The only person who had time and was truly allowed in the shack was Dylan. Mr. H barely went into it. In fact Ryan’s pretty sure he’s never seen Mr. H go inside.

It was nice. Cozy even. He could understand why Dylan spent a lot of his free time here.

“Make yourself comfortable,” Dylan said, not needing to turn around to know who’d entered. Ryan took a seat on the couch and ran his hand across the cushion. It was soft. Dylan finished writing something down then, joined Ryan on the couch placing box of disks on the table.

“You’re up late.”

“I could say the same. Full moon jitters?”

“Yeah, and I also wanted to finish putting together that playlist before we head out tomorrow.” Ryan frowned at the thought of packing in to a car and driving back to his small town. He noticed Dylan also frowning.

“What’s up?” Ryan sighed looking around the room and admiring the ambiance of the place.

“I don’t want to go.” Dylan put a hand on the smaller shoulder consolingly.

“I know what you mean. I’m gonna miss this place. Screaming kids and all. But more importantly I’m really gonna miss you.” Ryan blinked at the taller, admiring the curve of his face. The way his eyes softened whenever he looked at Ryan. The rosieness to his cheeks and soft pink tint to his lips. He bit his own.

“What if you can with me?”

“What?”

“To Montock. You could transfer. I’ve heard they’ve got a really good engineering program. We could even room together and you’d have someone with you on full moons.” Dylan looked away. It pained Ryan to see the sadness in them.

“I don’t know.”

“Then just think about it.” Dylan turned his face back grinned softly.

“I’ll think about it.” It wasn’t a no at least. They sat for a moment listening to the sounds of the night around them.

“Do you want to see what I found?” Ryan couldn’t help the giddy grin that found its way on his own face.

“What did you find?” Dylan reached into the bin and pulled out a couple CD’s. It was adorable the way he’d get so excited to share things with him. The way his cheeks dimpled ever so slightly and eyes light up like stars. He handed him a CD labeled Careless Whisper.

“This is the song.” He couldn’t help, but laugh. He hadn’t realized at the time that Dylan was singing him Carless Whisper when they had climbed the zip line over a month ago.

“Careless Whisper? Really?”

“Uh-huh. Really.”

“You’re such a nerd.” A mischievous look glimmered in Dylan’s eyes.

“Then maybe I’ll just take it back.”

“No!” Ryan giggled, holding the CD above his head, and leaning away. Dylan got on all fours and crawled towards him reaching at the disk.

“No it’s mine now,” Ryan taunted, playfully trying to block the taller’s reach. Dylan had practically crawled on top of the smaller and was about to grab the disk when Ryan swatted his with his other hand. Dylan caught it and the let their laughter simmer. Without thinking Dylan locked fingers with the hand he’d capture. The two fitting perfectly into place. He looked at the taller, his breathe caught in his throat. His shirt road up a little while he’s been guarding the disk, his stomach slightly exposed. Dylan’s eyes turned to something much more primal. The same hungry eyes he’s seen the night they’d kissed on patrol. But this time they seemed even more frenzied. Maybe it was because Ryan knew the truth now and Dylan was no longer guarding behind a mask. Or maybe it was the effect of the full moon, the taller psyche closest to the wolf within. A shudder traveled down his spine and through his legs.

Dylan pinned Ryan’s other hand above his head, the smaller dropping the disk, but not protesting the movement. His hand was firm. Enough to keep him restrained, but not in a painful way. He leaned in and Ryan could practically taste the smell of evergreen on his tongue. He leaned up slightly and closed the distance their lips clashing in rhythm. He felt Dylan’s tongue slide into him, tasting him, as he tasted back. He wanted more. He wanted him inside of him.

He unlocked his fingers with Dylan’s hand and reached up, fingers grabbing at the back of Dylan’s hair pulling it. The action prompting Dylan to nip his lips. His back arched, and he moaned softly as the tongue worked its way down his neck covering every inch of it with Dylan. He felt the taller begin to suck and a wave of pleasure ran down his crotch. He pressed it up against Dylan’s and could feel his excitement too. He moved his hand from his hand, to the large bulge he thrust up against. His legs opening to let more in between him. Inviting him inside. Dylan started to bite gently at his neck the harder he rubbed, and he couldn’t stop another moan from escaping past his lips. It must’ve triggered something inside Dylan because he heard a low growl practically reverberating into him.

Dylan paused and quickly pulled away, covering his mouth. His faced turned red. The shade it turned when he was embarrassed.

‘So fuckin cute.’ He couldn’t help, but giggle at Dylan’s reaction.

“Did I just fuckin growl,” Dylan said, still astounded by the sound he made.

“Yeah. Your eyes are looking a little yellowy too.” Above his Ryan could see Dylan’s irises had shifted into that golden color he’d seen before. Sharp and piercing. Predatory. Dylan leaned back on his knees embarrassed.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean—“

“It’s fine—“

“No I don’t want to make you—“

“Dylan—“

“I should probably stop with the moon—“

“Dylan!” he grabbed the front of Dylan’s shirt and yanked him down so they were face to face, refusing to let go of the arosual he’d been waiting so long to release. He would not let Dylan run away again. Determination melted over his features. A look that left Dylan speechless in Ryan’s grasp. He leaned up and whispered in the taller’s ear.

“Shut up and fuck me.”

“Are you sure?” Dylan’s voice resonated through him. Low and sultry. His body gone stiff like a runner waiting for the gun to blow. He leaned ever closer. The hairs on Dylan’s neck standing on end. He could feel the river run down Dylan’s own neck. Ryan smiled.

“Yes. Fuck. Me.” And with those three words, Dylan was set ablaze. His lips aggressively pressed against his own as if trying to consume the smaller. Both hands slid up his thighs and to the band of his sweat pants, gripping the edge. Ryan yipped as his pants and boxers were pulled down. He reached out and pulled Dylan’s shirt off, while Dylan’s lips moved back to his neck, and his own hands found their way to Ryan’s shirt. They tossed the shirts to the ground, Dylan undoing his belt and sliding down his own pants. His eyes widened.

‘Holy shit.’

His dick was huge. Ryan liked to think his own was average size, maybe a little above, but he’d seen one like that. He swallowed feeling both nervous and excited. Dylan growled again and reached down for Ryan’s appendage and began slowly jerking it in rhythmic movements. Ryan moaned and thrust along, his hips and Dylan’s hand becoming in synch. He moaned and arched his back again, feeling his legs becoming wet.

In one fluid movement Dylan grabbed his hip and flipped him over, Ryan now strattled in downward dog. Dylans hands never left his hips. His fingers only tightened on them. He felt the tip of Dylan’s appendage near his hole and for a second his heart dropped thinking about how large it was.

Would it even fit?

“Uhh, I don’t—,” Ryan’s voice was cut off with a gasp. Tears pricked at his eyes and his whole body felt electrified. Dylan had thrust deep inside him. Ryan barely had time to processes before Dylan pulled back and did pushed again. His hands turned white, gripping the couch front of him and another strangled noise left his throat. His legs started to shake, his body struggling under the shear amount of arousal he was feeling. Dylan continued to thrust in and out. His hand reached down and grabbed Ryan’s appendage and he began jerking along with each thrust.

Ryan could feel Dylan’s dick deep inside him, hitting his spot over and over. His nerves felt on fire. Just the mere thought of having Dylan so deep inside him, made his nipples harden excitedly. He felt Dylan lean down still thrust and moving his hand. His mouth hovered just above Ryan’s ear, the feeling of hot breath making the hairs on his neck stand.

“Are you gonna come for me?” Ryan moaned again, as Dylan thrust especially hard. He could feel beads of sweat dripped down his forehead.

“Y-yes.”

Dylan leaned closer. His nails dug into his hip as he thrust harshly again.

“Good,” Dylan’s voice was low, and resonated through him like a shiver.

“Do it.” Dylan thrust again, their bodies shifting forward together agressivly. Ryan yelped slightly, unable to hold it back. He came, relief folding over him, and he collapsed forward his arms giving out. He whined as Dylan pulled out of him. He again felt Dylan’s hands on his hips, this time flipping him up. Dylan loomed over him. Eye’s practically glowing. He lowered down and started to lick the cum splattered all over him. Ryan couldn’t help but grab onto Dylan’s dick, and began jerking, as the taller’s tongue made its way up his body. He couldn’t stop the shivers of pleasure making his body twitch as he yanked at the large appendage, and felt Dylan’s tongue.
His vision blurring slightly from the amount of pleasure. For some reason he felt like he needed to return the favor. He reached out for Dylan’s shoulder’s and pushed in back, Dylan letting out a surprised sound. Kneeling forward he moved the dick from his hand to his mouth as best he could.

‘Fuck it’s so big,’ he thought struggling to fit the whole thing in. He started to jerk and suck, Dylan moaning low. The taller’s hand’s gripped at the back of his neck, forcing him down deeper. His eyes welled up with tears. He couldn’t fit anymore, but he wanted to. He began to yank and suck harder. His mouth and hand moving in beat, to Dylan’s groans.

“Fuck, I’m gonna come.” Dylan looked at him half expecting Ryan to pull out, but instead he locked eyes. Dylan unable to hold back, released warm liquid into the smaller mouth, falling back further with relief. Ryan kept his eyes locked with Dylan’s as he pulled back and swallowed the substance almost definatnly. The thought of Dylan becoming apart of him, exciting him. Dylan watched with wide eyes and smirked.

“You dirty dog.”

“Takes one to know one,” Ryan replied licking each finger, as if to taunt the other. Dylan growled and yanked Ryan down top of him, the two locking lips once again.

They spent the rest of the night fucking and kissing, eventually falling asleep curled around each other on the couch until the sun peaked above the horizon and morning birds began to sing.

Chapter Text

They slept curled on the couch till early morning. Their bodies pressed up against each other, Dylan’s arm acting like a pillow for the smaller. Ryan awoke first, his eyes fluttered open and taking in the heat of Dylan’s body pressed up again him. Dylan was still asleep and he watched as his chest rose and fell to the soft sound of steady breaths. He couldn’t help, but notice the scars that ran up and down the taller’s body. Some of them pale marks, jaggedly running the length of his torso. Others smaller and accompanied by other marks in strange claw like formations. Some looked deeper with rough raised skin. And then there were those still healing it seemed, red and puffy. He ran his fingers along a particularly old scar that cusped the side of his thigh. It was one of the older one’s. Practically faded against his complexion, but still donned small puncture marks in the shape of a small animals jaw A small wolf.

He couldn’t image little Dylan curled up somewhere alone in the dark dealing with this. Just trying to imagine it sent a deep sinking feeling into his gut.

‘It’s not ok.’

He felt the body next to him begin to stir, and Dylan’s deep brown eyes opened with a few tired blinks. Ryan met the other’s gaze, and immediately a warm smile graced the taller’s face. Dylan maneuvered his arm out from under Ryan and propped himself up on an elbow.

“Good morning,” he murmured in a low voice still groggy from sleep. He leaned down and began to kiss his cheek, then moved down his jaw to his neck. Ryan giggled and ran a hand through Dylan’s tussled bed head, admiring how adorably goofy he looked. Dylan began to nuzzle his face in the crook of Ryan’s neck, wrapping his arms around the smaller trying to pull him closer. This made Ryan giggle even more, his fingers now tracing up and down Dylan’s neck.

“Good morning,” he finally replied and gave Dylan a gentle kiss in return. He felt Dylan’s breathing begin to even out again, as he responded with a happy noise. He could spend all day like this. Wrapped up in Dylan’s embrace. The sound of morning birds begun to coo in the crisp air and he took a deep breath. He could practically taste Dylan’s evergreen scent on his tongue. He wondered what it would be like to wake up to the smell every morning. For the smell of evergreen to be more than a summer thing, but a winter, spring, and autumn smell. God he wanted that. He wanted Dylan to come with him. His heart ached with a yearning desire he’d never felt before, unable to hide the feeling on his face.

Dylan seemed to notice the change in Ryan’s mood, and opened his eyes.

“Are you ok?”

Ryan tried a reassuring smile, but it only made Dylan frown with concerned. He swallowed, finger’s going to running through Dylan’s fawn hair without thinking.

“I just…,” he bit his lip.

“…come with me,” he finished searching Dylan’s face. The taller gave him another sad smile like one he’d given him when he asked the first time around. His heart twisted again. Dylan pressed his mouth into a thin line, before he slowly sat up and carefully climbed over the smaller.

“We should get up before the camp does.” Ryan stared at the ceiling unable to suppress the disappointment clawing at his throat. He listened to Dylan step into his pants.

“You’re not dangerous.” Ryan turned his head and saw Dylan freeze at the words, his hands going white as he gripped his shirt in front of him. Dylan’s jaw tensed and Ryan noted how his eyes trained on the scars though his own view was blocked by the shirt Dylan held in front of him.

“I can’t.”

“But you want too,” Ryan replied sharply and sat up feeling his disappointment shift into something more fiery.

“I couldn’t live with myself if I hurt anyone. If I hurt you.”

“You were trying to save that kid. It was a long time ago—“

“But I still hurt him—“

“You didn’t hurt me a few nights ago—“

“And what about next time. I can’t guarantee your safety.” Ryan’s cheeks started to burn with frustration, his fists clenched at his side.

“That’s my choice to make.” Dylan looked away guilty and Ryan couldn’t help compare him to a kicked puppy. This made him feel his own bout of guilt. Maybe he was being too forward. Or too clingy. He looked down around his hands.

“Sorry,” Ryan added. He knew he could be pushy, and didn’t want to force Dylan into anything. But he also didn’t want Dylan making a choice based on what he believed would be best for Ryan. That wasn’t fair to both of them. He was pulled from his spiral by a gentle kiss on his forehead and looked up to see Dylan looming over him with a soft smile. He hadn’t even noticed the taller crossed over to him.

“I just need a little more time. Ok?” Ryan felt his eyes soften and he gave a nod. Dylan’s fingers lingered on his shoulder before he pulled away and walked to the door. Ryan looked away and took a deep breath, but was caught off guard as his clothes were launched onto his lap. He looked up to see Dylan smirking, one hand on the door nob.

“I hate to tell you to put your clothes on.”

“That’s ok. You can just take them off me again later.” Dylan looked him up and down slowly, that same primal desire from last night flashing in his eyes.

“The hold you have on me Erzahler.” Dylan paused before slipping out the door and leaving Ryan to change.