[For Sam] Urban Fantasy AU

[lonered]

Keith can't get the image out of his mind -- the tall, striking man with the strangely two-colored hair and the eyes the clear and endless gray of the sky after a storm, caught in the light of the full moon, like the entire world is about to glow with it. It's almost a memory, he thinks, and that's why he can't let it go. He's never had a memory of his lost time before.

It doesn't make any sense. Why this man? He's seen him before, of course, around town. He's rather hard to forget. But this is something more than that, something more than a strange and inconsequential dream cobbled together from pieces of his subconscious and an attractive stranger. It has to be more. Whenever he dreams, after all, he only dreams of running, of the night air and the scent of the woods and the moonlight spilling over the world.

It's the first lead that he's had, and it's in this strange town that he can't seem to make himself leave. Keith doesn't know exactly how he's going to find this man, and the only plan he has is to keep an eye out. But life and luck are kind today, and in the coffee shop, just as he turns from paying for his caffeine, he finds himself staring at the man walking through the front door.

Violet eyes snap wide, and for a long moment Keith can't do much else but stare. He's still staring when the barista is calling his name with his drink. He turns to gather up his coffee, holding the cup and going back to staring at this man, as if he's trying to decide how to best approach him that won't immediately chase him off. 'I had a dream about you and the moon.' would probably make him sound crazy.

But he has to say something. He needs to put answers to this. The fugues, the lost time with no memories, waking up in places he doesn't expect, or waking in his bed somehow more exhausted than when he went to sleep, it's been growing worse lately. He needs answers before it drives him crazy.

So for now he just stares.

Comments

[spaceforged]

He nods and looks over at him. Every time he looks at him he feels comfortable. It's the oddest thing. He's never experienced this before. "Well, Keith. You're not alone now. And you didn't need to apologize before. It was bound to come up eventually,"

Shiro gently lays a hand on Keith's shoulder. "I'm okay. It just still hurts sometimes." It felt like he needed Keith to know that. "I'm long over him. Just not...the fact I am." That was really personal but it feels right too. "Anyway, he's the past. This is now." He pauses, pushing all his baggage aside then faces Keith with a thoughtful expression. "Lone wolves are real to our...I guess existence. I only know a little. Coran is...ancient. He could tell you a lot more about it all."

He pulls up a picture of the entire pack and taps the ginger-haired man at the back. He looks older than the rest of them especially when one looks in the eyes but there's a life there sparking within. "That's him. ...he has probably seen other born werewolves. We could arrange a meeting with him before the pack gathering. If you'd want that."

[lonered]

Not alone now. It's still a startling thought. Keith smiles as that hand lands on his shoulder. He wants to say something, but there aren't words. Pain lingers even when the cause of that pain is in the past. Shiro is over this ex, but Keith can understand that hurt still lingering.

But. This is now, Shiro says. And it is, isn't it? This is now for Keith too. He doesn't have to be the loner any longer, does he?

"I want to meet everyone. However you think that's best." He is fully aware he will need to talk to Lance, a fact that the wolf inside him is already eager to do.

[spaceforged]

He chews on that thought. Keith is trusting his judgment. It makes him feel like he's an equal at the top of the pack. Well, he supposes he is. Shiro nods slowly. "We should meet with Coran tomorrow when we get back. He could tell you a lot more than I can. Technically, I'm the newest of the Pack. The rest have been werewolves for far longer than me."

Keith isn't alone in learning the waters of being a werewolf. He takes out his phone and fires off a short text. He sets his phone down and turns the volume off. The phone vibrates six texts in rapid succession then four more. "He'll be texting back for a while then I'll read what he says." Old wolves. He pauses for a moment then sighs.

"He's a few hundred years old. Sometimes he gets a little...long winded." He doesn't mind it but some try to get a word in edge wise before Coran finishes. Fools.

[lonered]

Of course Shiro is his equal. Right now Shiro is the first and only person to reach out to him and to make the world make sense in a way that Keith never knew it could. He's also beautiful. And his cat likes Keith, so really.

"Well, you're the veteran between you and me. I may have been born like this, but I didn't have a word for it until a few hours ago." It hadn't been something real, just a secret that he's kept from himself and from the world. He's never felt so complete in his life.

Keith finds himself blinking as Shiro's phone starts going off, unable to hold back a grin. "Noted. I guess he's like that in person too?" Good to know ahead of time.

[spaceforged]

"Yep." The phone stops vibrating. He scans through the text and claims the gist of the words. Coran had not only known Keith is a werewolf but been waiting for them to cross paths. "Do you know of the bookstore off Farthing street just past the bus station on the northeast side?" He might.

It's a short trip off the college campus.

[lonered]

"Yeah, I've dropped in before." Bookstores, particularly small ones, were good places to learn about whatever town he'd rolled through. People were willing to talk, and there was usually at least one long-time employee who enjoyed sharing the local history -- and sometimes a great deal of who's who of famous folk who called the town home or once at the local diner, which tends to be less useful, but not something he minded hearing about.

But he'd only been the once, so what were the chances he'd have run into the person who just near literally tried to blow up Shiro's phone by maxing out its text receiving capacity.

[spaceforged]

He nods once. Coran’s bookstore only ever has Coran. For some reason no one has ever realized he has been there for hundreds of years. Coran has said it was his magic.

Shiro wants nothing to do with magic. But if it keeps Coran safe. “All I did was mention your name. He recognizes you. You left a decent impression on him.” He waits for that to sink in. “It wasn’t just your looks. He knew you were a werewolf that has no idea he was one. According to what he’s saying...he was waiting for us to cross paths.”

He isn’t pleased with that but he has never restrained Coran or demanded constant reports. “We can go down there in a few hours and talk to him.” It would give them time to be alon- internally he pauses. He has never wanted someone to be here with him in his safest place for as long as they would stay. “He says something here about pulling records of other born werewolves.”

[lonered]

Wasn't just his looks? Keith is curious about that, but he doesn't question that. Instead he's too busy being surprised by that. "So he knew what I was and just... hoped we'd run into each other?"

Well. Obviously they had, so maybe this older guy knew something... somehow.

"Yeah, okay." His thoughts have found themselves in an unconscious parallel of Shiro's. Does that mean he has a little more time with having Shiro to himself? He catches himself mid-thought and has to fight back a flush. He's not usually like this.

"It means one of my parents was a werewolf, right? I mean, Dad wasn't. I know he wasn't." Looking back, with the new knowledge of what he is, his wolf can confirm that for certain.

[spaceforged]

"Yes, that's what it means. Which is..." He trails off. Does he want to explain this? No. "We live for centuries, Keith. Do you know if she's-" He trails off and grips Keith's shoulder.

He doesn't want to be the bearer of any kind of terrible news. But, "...if you don't know. We live for a long time. She could still be alive."

[lonered]

For centuries. That's news to Keith and his eyes widen. But even if that weren't true. It'd been only a couple decades since his mother left. She could feasibly still be alive. He's always known that, but this certainly underscores it.

He looks up to Shiro, trying very hard to hide the old hurt that wants to surface in his gaze, before shrugging. "I don't know. I never met her. She left when I was a baby. I don't know why, and I don't know where she went." All he knows is that she left. His father never wanted to talk about his mother, not really, not specifically. He'd told Keith that his mother loved him, loved both of them, and that she left to keep them safe. He's always wanted to believe that, but the only thing he's ever really known was that she was gone.

[spaceforged]

He clamps down on the urge to let his wolf soothe away the hurt he can imagine exists in Keith. Pain is pain. Sometimes one has to live with it. "If you know her name we can search based around that. Some wolves don't change their name down through the years." He squeezes Keith's shoulder. He doesn't dare offer more than this.

"...and as an Alpha with a pack. You'll have official status in our world. You'll be known to other werewolves. She or someone who knows her might realize who you are." They might come to see. Born werewolves are so rare. More legend than truth, or at least, that's what he thought until he met this man.

"Pidge is the best hacker I've ever met. We could sic her on this too. It's up to you."

[lonered]

Keith hesitates for a moment, half at the thought of actually finding his mother and half at the idea of being an Alpha. It's a lot. But... it's still right. This is the first time he's felt like he's finally found the right path to walk.

He watches Shiro for a few seconds longer before nodding. Maybe it's time to look for the answers. "I never knew her surname. But dad called her Krolia. And..."

He reaches inside his jacket to draw a dagger, holding it out towards Shiro. "This was hers."

[spaceforged]

He stares at the daggar. The shape of the hilt looks almost familiar. But he's seen a lot of blades in the fragmented memories of his. But Coran has various ancient texts in his shop including books he never lets the public see. He nods once. "I don't know the name. But, we'll see what we can find out."

Keith's shoulder is warm under his hand. He forces himself to let go. "We will find her. For now...why don't I teach you how to shift without your wolf doing it for you?"

[lonered]

"Thank you," he murmurs, and he means it. He's only met Shiro, and this other man -- this other wolf -- is already doing so much for him, has already given him answers that he never even dreamed of having. Things are starting to make sense for him, and it's the first time in his life that's happened. It's warm and terrifying and good and exciting.

He sits up straighter as Shiro's hand leaves his shoulder (and already he misses the warmth of it, which is strange; he's never been a big one for touch) and nods. "Yeah. That's... something I should know. I want to learn."

[spaceforged]

Shiro picks up the boxes they haven't finished and carries them to the kitchen. "Push back the table and leave the floor clear. Strip to the waist after you're done." He unbuttons his shirt and pulls it off. His body is littered with scars.

He deposits the leftovers into the fridge and returns, dropping his shirt onto the couch and undoing his belt. He works off his shoes and socks. "Do you remember how it felt to run as a wolf? What you felt like to be a wolf?"

[lonered]

Keith is one his feet almost immediately, setting about moving the table and clearing a space like Shiro has said. Easy enough. But it makes sense. He doesn't want to ruin this guy's living room. "On it."

He reaches back to tug his shirt off, draping it over the back of the couch, turning just in time to see a shirtless Shiro. There are two reactions at war simultaneously in Keith then. The other man is unfairly gorgeous, and it's terribly hard not to look. But all those scars, Keith (and the wolf that is quite awake inside him) wants to growl at the thought of anyone hurting Shiro, to find whoever it was and shred them. It's a strong enough reaction, visceral really, that Keith is surprised at himself.

It takes him a moment to catch up with the fact that Shiro asked a question.] I... yeah. Yeah I think so. Always thought it was a dream before but yeah... I remember.

[spaceforged]

Shiro nods and deftly undoes the snap on his pants, leaving his hand there. He lost a lot of modesty in the short time he's been a werewolf. But he has this urge to be a little more considerate for Keith. "Keep that feeling in your mind. Let it flow through you."

He allows himself to get a good look at Keith. The shirt had hinted at a body toned by survival and keeping in shape. But without the cloth in the way he's beautiful from the intensity of his gaze to the way his long dark hair falls over his shoulders and accents his broad shoulders. His face is all sharp lines from his nose to the line of his jaw. There's something feral about him, a wildness that shines in his eyes that draws him in like a magnet.

He doesn't even realize he's come to stand side by side with him until he reaches out a hand between them and touches his bare arm. The way Keith is looking at him would piss him off if it were anyone else. But there's no pity in his eyes only a simmering rage locked up in something else. "Hold that feeling." He says again as he lets him go. "The people that made these marks are dead, Keith."

And he lets himself change lest he say something that might be too much. One moment there's a man then the black wolf is back in place, looking up at Keith with bright blue eyes. It's safer as a wolf. He won't feel that urge to run his fingers through soft dark strands and whisper soothing words.

It surprises him. He hasn't felt like this before. His relationships were always about letting his guards down and learning how. Not, this warm feeling in his chest. Internally he stares at his wolf who calmly looks back at him. 'Balance, brother mine. It's the clearest thought his wolf has ever shared and he doesn't know what to do with it.

[lonered]

That touch to his arm draws him out of that building anger, and he wonders at himself for it. Getting swept up in his emotions isn't new for him, but that had been stronger than usual. He takes a breath and blinks at him.

Dead? Good. Even if both Keith and the wolf inside him are both in agreement that they'd have liked the opportunity to tear them to pieces, because how dare anyone think they could harm his-- No. No that's not right. Shiro isn't his anything, he reminds himself and tries to focus. Then Shiro is changing, and Keith is busy watching him, wide-eyed, meeting that now-lupine gaze.

A flicker of a smile, more in his eyes than anywhere else. Okay. Hold that feeling. For a moment he shuts his eyes and takes a breath. The wolf inside him steps forward, and for the first time man and wolf meet and step into the change together. The next moment there's a wolf in his place, a dark gray that bleeds into a darker sable in places, eyes a shade or so of violet darker than his human gaze, but similar enough. A rush of exhilaration. This... this is the missing part of himself. He's finally found it.

[spaceforged]

Keith is as beautiful in wolf form as he was the first time he saw him. Tonight they'll run together under the light of the moon. He grins as well as a wolf can and stretches from his toes to the tip of his tail. He pads to Keith's side as he kicks out of his pants and boxers. He grabs them in his teeth and tosses them aside.

His ears perk up and he nods to him as if to say your turn.

[lonered]

Embarrassingly enough, when Shiro approaches, Keith's tail decides to give a very puppy-like wag, the embarrassment only compounded by the fact that his tail is currently trapped in his pants. Good job, Keith. Very dignified. Clearly an Alpha wolf.

But he manages to squirm and kick his way out of his pants and boxers as well, more or less kicking them off and out of the way. All right. There. Free.

[spaceforged]

He huffs a wolf laugh and waits patiently for Keith to get free. Shiro jerks his head and walks away heading for the back hall. He leads him to a door and stands up, pushing on the latch. All of the doors in the apartment have latches. He slips inside the moment the door opens.

Inside is a sunroom. The shelves start at the door and line the walls all the way to the wide window overlooking the back alley. A rope ladder is tucked beside the window just below the window latches. Shiro hops up onto the window seat and puts a paw against the latch. He demonstrates opening it. The window splits along an invisible line and opens out. He leans his head out and pulls it back shut. He looks at Keith and raises his eyebrows.

Give it a go?

[lonered]

Keith pads along behind Shiro, curious as to where they're going, but willing to follow Shiro wherever it is that he may lead. He trusts the other werewolf, and his wolf trusts him as well. It's a good feeling, new mind you, but good.

But oh. Oh! That's clever. Shiro has the whole place set up to navigate as a wolf then/ Keith ducks his head in a nod. Yup. Give it a go. Lead on Shiro, and he will follow suit, jumping up onto the window seat to mimic what he'd just seen. Yup. Very clever.

It's all so different and strange. He's been the wolf before, and bit by bit those memories are surfacing, but this is the first time he's been aware of himself in the moment in this shape. It's amazing.

[spaceforged]

He perks up and wags his tail, pleased Keith picked up quickly on how to navigate the window. He drops down off the sill and heads for the door. Shiro pauses to stretch and looks back.

They'd run tonight. An alarm sounds from his phone and he uses the door latch to slip back into the hall. Shiro trots over to his phone and puts his paw on it. Ah, time to go catch the train to downtown. He changes back, swiping his thumb across the surface of his phone screen.

"Keith, we need to head to the station. Unless you'd rather go by car." He reaches for his clothes, completely at ease with sitting naked on his apartment floor.

[lonered]

Keith watches before slipping down and following after Shiro, poking his head out the door when the alarm sounds. He watches the other wolf check the phone, and when Shiro changes back, Keith does the same without thinking.

It's only after he finds himself standing in the doorway, quite naked, and looking at Shiro -- equally nude -- that this particular fact hits him. Right. No clothes. And he supposes for someone used to being a wolf, that's entirely normal.

But for him, it is brand new and Shiro is the sort of stunning they carve statues to commemorate. He fights a blush and looks away, trying to remember where the kicked his pants. "No. No that's fine. Whatever's easiest."

[spaceforged]

He makes the mistake of looking up and stares at his alpha. Shiro forces himself to look back down at his clothes. Keith looks like one of those ancient statues of warriors.

All he'd need is armor and a sword in hand...or just the sword. He pulls on his boxers and tries to put it out of his head. He needs to get a grip. But he can't get it out of his head how easily he and Keith fell into a companionship as if they'd known each other for years.

He pulls on his clothes, buttoning his jeans and tugging his shirt back over himself. "We'll take my car. It isn't far and we won't have to deal with station delays."