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[thewolfinside]

Jason leans against the tree, legs stretched out before him. Ella is sitting in his lap, leaning against him, sleepily listening to him as he reads from the book in his hands. He'd taken her for a walk in the woods around the house, staying within the boundaries of the wards. They'd played in the lake for a bit and had a picnic.

Now he was reading her a bedtime story. Maybe 'Harry Potter' was a bit old for her, but at least she was paying attention.

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[changing-spots.livejournal.com]

"Ya know, if anyone had ever told me Jason Schuyler would be a Daddy? I'd have laughed so hard I died. Just like them weasels in that Roger Rabbit flick.'

Dropping down on the grass nearby, rushing through the words to get them out as Jason took a break to breath, to turn the page.

[thewolf-inside.livejournal.com]

"Yeah, well apparently you end up a daddy too."

Just grins and shifts Ella a bit, closing the book. Smiles down at her, watching as she rubs at her eyes and yawns.

"And honestly, I wouldn't change it for anything."

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"That's one prophecy that ain't ever comin true. I ain't cut out to be a Dad. Not good at the whole respsonsibility thing.'

Sprawling onto his stomach, looking up at Jason with narrowed eyes.

"So, what's goin on? Word is you and Gabe are hittin rough times. And that I had to hear it from Em who heard it in the Nexus? Man, hurts.'

Trying to keep his tones light, non accusatory.

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"Don't worry, it doesn't happen for a long time. At least ten years if I figured things out right."

Rolls his eyes, growling. Stops suddenly when Ella jerks, startled. Cuddles her close, speaking softly to her.

"Shhh, sorry Ellababy, didn't mean to upset you. Just silly blondes getting their info wrong upsetting me."

[changing-spots.livejournal.com]

Hearing that growl, Zane blanched, backing up slowly. Staying on his stomach, pushing hard into the turf to put distance between him and Jason.

"Hey man. She just knows what she heard her. But she didn't wanna ask Jase. Seriously. She hears shit, doesn't mean they're thinkin it right."

Eyes wary, looking ready to bolt.

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Pales, watching Zane.

"Don't do that, okay. I don't want..."

Drops his head, nuzzling the top of Ella's head. Closes his eyes, laughing harshly.

"What did she hear?"

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Stilling, trying not to show that fear again.

"She... Something about you and Gabe having issues. About him hurting you. And then she got all weird about some shit about Leela and Jase ended up having to put her down.'

Blinks, realizing how that sounded.

"He gave her a dose of that stuff to make her sleep without the voices. She got really irrate about Leela, crying and whimpering and shit."

[thewolf-inside.livejournal.com]

Doesn't look at Zane, going very still. Not sure how much Zane knows, what Leela has told him, is actually worried about how he'll react.

"You'll have to ask Leela about that, I'm not sure what she wants..."

Lifts his head, looking Zane in the eyes.

"I hurt him the other night, pushed to hard, the wrong way. He almost killed me, would have if Nate hadn't shown up."

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Clueless on the Leela front. Not listening to rumors, only even paying attention to Em for all that she whimpered and mewled, going near insane with what she'd "seen" in her mind.

"Dude... I...' Blanching, shaking his head as he looks away first. Unable to keep eye contact, knowing there was no way in hell he wanted Jason seeing the look, the heat of anger, in his eyes.

[thewolf-inside.livejournal.com]

"He's getting help, Zane. That's what's going on. He made an appointment to talk with someone, find out why he keeps losing it."

Sighs, looking down at Ella, petting the sleeping child's hair.

"He's scared. You know him, you know how hard it is for him to say that, but he did."

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Nodding with Jason's words but silent. Watching him, eyes flickering from the man to the child and back.

"Dude? No shooting the messenger. Seriously. But... Ella's a baby. Em not much more so, no matter whom she's fucking.' Not even seeming to catch that he is the same age as the girl he speaks of. "Are you sure.. I mean is it safe?"

Cringing, waiting for Jason to growl again.

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Quiet for a while, playing with cover of the book. Finally speaks, quiet, voice unsteady.

"For Jase and Em, Ella, even you, yeah. For Leela and Scud, pretty much. For me..."

Shakes his head, shifting Ella and laying her on the blanket beside him. Watches her sleep, petting her hair.

"I don't, I'm not sure. I don't ...no so much."

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Whining in the back of his throat, crawling closer at Jason's word. Nuzzling along Jason's thigh, his hip, up along his torso.

Nothing sexual. Merely giving Jason what he needed in that moment. Contact. From pard.

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Stiffens, fear shooting through him for a moment, wanting to push Zane away, but needing what he'd been denying himself. One hand reaching up, fingers running along one spike, relaxing slowly.

Doesn't say anything, just sits there, trying not to lose it.

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No words, just a soft, rough purr, nothing like Gabe's smooth as silk one. No hands, no tongue. Just a kitten's cheek running against Jason's arm, over his shoulder.

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Finally gives in, his head falling to rest on Zane's shoulder, his arms wrapping around the other man. Lets the tears come, shaking with silent sobs.

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"That's it, Jason. Let it out.'

Slinking right up next to him, holding Jason tight. Rocking gently, rubbing his back.

"It's going to get better. Come on. He loves you, man. He's seeking help."

[thewolf-inside.livejournal.com]

Holds tight to Zane, letting go of the pain and fear, everything he'd been holding in for the last few days. No sound to his crying, just hot tears spilling onto Zane's shoulder.

It's a while before he finally calms, just sitting there resting against Zane.

"It has to get better, because otherwise..."

Sits up, looking at Zane, eyes red and swollen.

"I'm dead."

[changing-spots.livejournal.com]

Leaning in, gently kissing Jason. There is no heat. No lust. Merely a brother kissing his kin. Comfort.

"Not letting that happen, Jason. Think about it. Gabe won't fail for that reason right there. He isn't letting you die."

[thewolf-inside.livejournal.com]

Nods slowly, licking his lips.

"I keep telling myself that, but then I see him trying to deal with a nightmare, or I'll catch him looking at me or Ella with this look and..."

Closes his eyes, shrugging.

"He has to get better, Zane. He has too."

[changing-spots.livejournal.com]

Pulls Jason close, hugging him tight.

"He will. He's got you and Ella. Just for starters. And Leela and...' Biting his lip, tensing as if for a blow. "You do know about him and Scud, right? But yeah, for them too. And the pard. He wants this. I've never seen him this determined to do anything. Not even when life was easy for him. And it's not now and he's trying harder than ever, Jason."

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Nods, then looks at Zane curiously.

"What about Gabe and Scud?"

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Blanches, shaking his head.

"Nope. Not dying as a messenger, man. Either you know what I'm talking about or I'm not saying a fuckin word."

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Just stares at Zane, then shakes his head, a small smile on his face.

"About fucking time. I was tired of getting third degree burns everytime the two of them were in the room at the same time."

Sighs, shivering a bit and then reaching over, pulling part of the blanket over Ella.

"I should take her back in, but if I wake her up..."

[changing-spots.livejournal.com]

"If you wake her? I'll wake her until my legs fall off and let you get some sleep. Simple as that.'

Heartfelt, honest.

"What family does, man." Pausing, canting his head. "You sure you're cool about... them? I mean, given the shit you're going through and all."

[thewolf-inside.livejournal.com]

"Thanks, hopefully it'll be a good night and we won't have to call in Gabe."

Nods.

"I've never worried about Scud, just like I wouldn't worry about you and him. It's..." Shrugs. "I don't, I just trust it."

Sighs, shaking his head.

"You want to hear something truly disturbing? I've figured out that it's the thought of me being with someone else, that he might have lost me, that triggered it the other night. And yet I would give up sex completely, let him go to whoever he wanted for it, as long as he didn't leave me."

Closes his eyes.

"I'm so fucked."

[changing-spots.livejournal.com]

"I know Leela is bedding a man that beats her black and blue, to the point I have to draw her bath and I run out and get her pain killers. She is biding her time for her bruises from this bastard to heal so she can go back to the leech and regain his mark. She is likely, from the scents on her, bedding her double from this other world as well as, possibly, your other. I scent them both on her, and her arousal. And yet... I'm still there. In her bed. And I'll still go out and get meds and help her heal because someone not good enough to touch her, beats her and she gets off on it. In ways she can't from my controlled dominance. I can't give her that, Jason. And yet? I'm still here.

I know of being fucked. Trust me."

[thewolf-inside.livejournal.com]

Pulls Zane to him, hugging him.

"So, we'll keep each other sane through all of this. Now, help me up, I think something vital fell asleep..."

Leans back, watching the other man for a second.

"Don't give up on her, whatever you do."

[changing-spots.livejournal.com]

Smiles, returning the hug tightly.

"Your cock can fall asleep? Man, that's a new one on me.' Smirking as he helps Jason up, his expression freezing.

"Not sure it's me that would be giving up, Jason. But... I'm not a monogamous man. I never will be. But I'm not her big brother slash fuckbuddy, there when she needs comfort or a fuck but little else. I can't live like that."

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Flips Zane off smiling, then crouches down, picking up Ella. Winces when she stirs, relaxing only when she falls back asleep.

"So, let her know that, flat out. Grab my book for me?"

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Nods, picking up the book and trailing after Jason.

"Naw. She has her life. I have mine. Not like I've got much to offer. Just a sixteen year old kid with more knowledge of dominantion than I should have.'

[thewolf-inside.livejournal.com]

Walks next to Zane, needing the closeness, the touch, still.

"You're a damn good friend, that counts more than anything."

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Leans against Jason, shoulders rubbing, not realizing how long it had been without contact with another who had the beast within.

"Yeah, well... Doesn't do you a fuck lot of good in the grand scheme of dating and shit."

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Lets Zane open the door, and then heads for Ella's room, puttng the girl to bed. Walks silently back into the main room and looks at Zane.

"You know, you could curl up with Gabe and I tonight, if you wanted too."

He's quiet for a few seconds, then grins.

"And Scud."

[changing-spots.livejournal.com]

Going over, reaching through the bars to scritch Corona lightly. Still his back to Jason as the offer is made.

Laughing, grinning as he turns.

"Wondered if you knew they were both in there. And... I'd like that, man. Miss... Miss Nathaniel and the others."

Biting his lip, sudden tears in his eyes.

"Well, fuck me. Damn, sorry about that man. Must be more tired than I thought."

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Shaking his head, walking over and hugging him.

"Sometimes, we forget that you're the youngest of us all... Come on, cuddle time in the big bed."

Winks at him and pulls him towards the bedroom.

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Snorting, rolling his eyes.

"Then how come I act the most adult? Huh? Explain me that."

Kicking off his boots as he goes, stripping down with abandon.

"And I think the blonde banging yer other is younger than me,' he notes in a whisper, waiting for Jason to curl up next to Gabe before crawling into bed.

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"Don't remind me."

The words whispered as he curls up against Gabe, snuggling between the two leopards and falling asleep.