Work Text:
The pack was having a meeting. Normal. It was mostly just Deucalion speaking and Kali answering since Ennis didn't talk(Ethan believed he was selectively mute but didn't dare to bring it up), and the two brothers just kept their mouths shut as it wasn't their place to speak.
At the end of the meeting Deucalion let them go, but as the four of them left Deucalion suddenly spoke. "Ethan, stay behind a minute."
Ethan and Aiden instantly stopped in their tracks, feeling confused. They stared at each other and Aiden sent him the 'what did you do?' look, Ethan shrugged. He looked at Kali who didn't stop in her track but looked surprised, just like Ennis who sent them a glance.
Both Ethan and Aiden stayed behind and turned to face Deucalion, but then. "I said Ethan, not you too."
"I belive-" Aiden started, he wanted to explain that anything concerning Ethan concerned him too but the big boss cut him off.
"No, leave."
Aiden felt frustrated, he didn't want to leave but he also knew when to listen to an order. With one glance into his brother's eyes he knew Ethan was just as unsure as him. With a soft sigh Aiden turned on his heel and was out of the room, leaving Ethan alone with Deucalion.
Outside the room, Ennis was waiting and sent Aiden a questioning look but didn't say anything. Kali spoke for him. "He means to ask what the fuck he've done, aren't you two always together?"
"I'd like to know myself." Aiden crossed his arms across his chest as he continued looking at the closed door where Ethan and Deucalion were behind. Aiden listened hard, hoping he could catch what they were saying.
Kali scolded him."Don't eavesdrop, you'll really be in trouble if you do."
Aiden scoffed, he already knew that. He wouldn't risk getting himself or his brother in trouble. But he was still worried for Ethan.
"Something just doesn't feel right. We're always together, the only time we're on our ways' at school or when he go see his lover-" He stopped talking and his head snapped up when he suddenly heard a sharp sound from inside the room. Aiden's ears perked and he took a step closer, only to be phisically held back by Ennis.
"Don't." Ennis mumbled, opening his mouth for the first time today, his hands on his packmate's chest and waist as he held him back. Aiden was clearly worried but Ennis didn't let go, he knew Aiden wouldn't do anything stupid like to storm in but the younger twin looked ready to.
Ennis gave him a hard stare, showing that it would be unwise for him to even think about listening in on the conversation any further. Aiden let out a soft grunt, but didn't try to break free as much as he really could if he tried.
Kali, who was just leaning against the wall, rolled her eyes and left, she didn't give enough of a damn to stay, and Aiden understood that, what he didn't understand was Ennis' behavior, but it didn't matter, not now.
"I hate this..." He mumbled, his eyes were still focused on the door as if something could happen behind it at any second even though the only thing he could hear was talking.
On the other side. Deucalion had taken a seat on a dusty crate, he vaguely turned his head to Ethan and patted his leg, a clear message to him.
Ethan swallowed hard. He didn't like this—didn’t trust Deucalion enough to be alone with him in a room. But he knew better than to refuse his Alpha's command.
Slowly, cautiously, he approached, keeping his gaze on Deucalion(Can he make eye contact with a blind guy?) while blinking as little as possible.
Deucalion didn't seem to care as he spoke up. "Now... healing so quick made you careless about hiding injury."
Ethan was confused, he didn't know what Deucalion was referring to, but then Deucalion reached to touch the hood of his clothes. "I guess this is yours."
Ethan's eyes widened slightly, a faint flicker of surprise crossing his features. He had been so focused on helping out and being useful that he hadn't even noticed the blood staining his hoodie.
"It's from a few scratches..." he muttered, but the words came out weakly, betraying his attempt to downplay the injury.
Deucalion chuckled softly, his fingers still tracing the fabric of the blood-streaked hoodie. He knew Ethan lied but the subtle tremors rippling through the younger wolf's body was unusual. Deucalion reached both hands to feel his wolf's face as he spoke. "So if I ask Aiden, he'll tell me the same thing? Tell me the truth, where did you get it from?"
Ethan had to hold himself back from frowning or snarling, should he tell the truth? What'll happen if he does?
"It's nothing, just embarrassing."
Deucalion raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced but he let go of Ethan nevertheless. "Embarrassing?"
Ethan tensed up, knowing that he wouldn't be able to keep up the act much longer. "... I had a fight with my lover this morning."
Deucalion's eyes narrowed, his expression hardening slightly. This wasn't the answer he was expecting, but it was more believable than a simple cut. He kept moving his hands on Ethan's face.
"A fight?" Deucalion repeats."So you're saying an argument with your partner ended up with you bloody?"
Ethan swallowed hard, the pressure of Deucalion's grip on his face was almost overwhelming. He looked down.
Deucalion kept a straight face. "So your 'lover' hit you—so badly it bled— because you..?"
Ethan cursed internally, realizing won't be able to lie his way out of it. He could feel Deucalion's intense scrutiny, and he wondered if he was digging himself into a deeper hole. He took a hesitant breath, his voice barely above a whisper.
Ethan: "... I refused."
He hated admitting it, his cheeks flushed with a combination of shame and anger. The grip on his hair changed, Deucalion's fingers petting him instead. "You break up with him, Ethan."
Ethan's heart sank at the harshness of the words. He nodded slowly, his eyes still downcast, not wanting to meet Deucalion's gaze. "Yeah... I will."
Deucalion's hand in his hair was almost comforting, like his mom would when he was younger, before he came out and got kicked out. It was strange, in every way, the softness in the demon wolf's demeanor.
Deucalion finally stop caressing his scalp and stood up. "Good. Now go, join your brother before he breaks down the door."
Ethan nodded weakly, feeling both relieved and overwhelmed. He trotted to the door and as soon as he shut it, a worried Aiden almost tackled him down.
Aiden's eyes darting over his older brother, checking him for any visible wounds, now that he pays attention, Aiden saw the blood on his twin's hoodie. Ethan gently swatted his hand away. "I'm okay, bro... it's nothing."
Aiden rolled his eyes, clearly not convinced. "It doesn't smell like nothing," he said, his hand still gently resting on Ethan's shoulder. "You look tense as a damn spring. You can't tell me you're alright."
Ethan tried to shrug off the concern, but Aiden was like a dog with a bone when he was worried. He knew his brother too well, knew when something was bothering him. "He just noticed the blood and told me to be careful..."
Aiden's grip tightened slightly, his eyes narrowing. "That's it? He ask where the blood came from and—"
Ethan cut him off with a sharp shake of his head, signaling *don’t say anything else here.*
Aiden exhaled through gritted teeth before forcing himself to relax and tug Ethan toward the door. "Okay. Okay. Let's just... Go back to the cottage."
Ethan sighed of relief as they went outside to their bikes. Ethan then gathered his strength and spoke once again. "Hey. Aiden, I'll go have lunch with my boyfriend tonight, can you come too?"
Aiden raised an eyebrow as he straddled his bike, looking at Ethan curiously. "You sure you want me third wheeling your date? It'll be embarrassing if he mixes us up too."
Ethan smiled back and nodded. "Yeah. it's my goal. I wanna see if he can take me apart..."
He paused.
"I'm gonna break up with him."
Aiden's eyebrows shot up in surprise at the unexpected announcement. "Wait, what? You're breaking up with him? Something happened?"
He leaned back slightly, studying Ethan's face to gauge whether he was serious or not. "I just... I guessed I realized I deserved better than this idiot." He shrugged. "So are you coming to 'third wheel' and be as annoying as possible?"
Aiden's expression softened as he saw the determination in Ethan's eyes. He respected his brother's decision, even if it was sudden. "Alright, sure. If you're set on breaking up with him, I'll come and be the annoying third wheel, no problem."
He grinned, his tone laced with a touch of playfulness. Ethan smiled back and just like that, they drove to the dinner instead of back home.
When they arrived, they pulled over and went in the nice little dinner. Ethan's boyfriend, Samuel, was already there and waiting. He had a charming smile on his face when he saw Ethan but it quickly fell when he saw both twins instead of just his boyfriend."Ethan? You're with... with your brother?"
Ethan smiled awkwardly, nodding. Aiden plastered on a polite yet slightly smug smile, his eyes never leaving Samuel."Aiden. and Yep, I'm here to third wheel today. Deal with it."
Ethan just sat down in front of Samuel while Aiden sat in front of them.
Samuel's eyes flicked back and forth between the twins, his confusion and annoyance evident on his face. He clearly wasn't expecting to have to deal with Aiden being there too. "Darling, I thought it was just going to be us, not you too."
Aiden leaned back in his chair, his smile widening slightly. "Tough luck. I'm here, so what are we ordering, guys?"
Ethan couldn't help but feel a pang of satisfaction at seeing Samuel's reaction. It was obvious that he wasn't very pleased with the change in plans, but Aiden's presence was like a shield, a support system, and it made him feel a lot more confident about doing this.
Samuel finally tore his eyes away from Aiden and looked at the menu, his voice tinged with irritation. "I ordered us some burgers. They should be here soon. Sorry *Aiden*, I didn't know you'd be here."
Aiden huffed and just smiled more, but it was forced now as if to match Samuel's. He called for a waiter and ordered fries.
Samuel's annoyance grew even more palpable. He shifted in his seat, clearly not too pleased with the situation.
Ethan could see Samuel's patience wearing thin, his hands clenching on his lap as he tried to control his irritation. It was honestly funny seeing him try to save faces.
Samuel took a deep breath, trying to compose himself. He clearly didn't want to cause a scene in front of Aiden and Ethan. "No, I don't have a problem with it."
Aiden's smile widened, his eyes dancing with a hint of mischief. He seemed to be enjoying the way Samuel was getting more and more uncomfortable. "Good."
The tension at the table was uncomfortable for Ethan, caught in the middle of his little brother and his boyfriend, fidgeted uncomfortably, feeling more and more uncertain about how this was going to go.
Thankfully, the waiter(waitress?) arrived with their food, setting their plates in front of them. Aiden began to eat his soup while Samuel pushed a hamburger to Ethan.
Ethan just stared at Samuel for a few seconds before clearing his throat.
Samuel frowned at Ethan. He finally started to understand what was happening.
"Samuel, we're breaking up."
Samuel almost choked on his bite, coughing hard. "That a joke, Darling ? It's not funny."
Ethan scowl and answered with venom. "I'm not your darling."
Samuel looked baffled, his eyes glued to Ethan as he tried to process this revelation. "Wait, what? Why?!"
Ethan replied very seriously and with slight disgustt. "Because I realized I deserve much better than your ass."
Samuel's face twisted in disbelief, then anger. "Excuse me? I deserve better! You're the one who—"
Aiden cut him off by slamming his hands on the table as he got up and leaned forward. "Finish that sentence. Go ahead."
Ethan watched Samuel nervously, half-expecting him to actually try something stupid—but he didn't, he just froze like a deer in headlights.
Ethan sighed, he didn't want to make a scene but anyway. "Let's go, Aiden."
Aiden looked at Ethan, then Samuel, before he nodded and the two brothers went to the door, leaving Samuel to pay for their meals.
The twins rode their bikes through the woods, going from a paved road to a path. Until they reached a small cottage, their home.
Kali was already settled on a couch and napping. Ennis too was there, but it was obvious he just came back as he still had his nurse uniform on, Ethan gave him a nod and Ennis sent it back.
Deucalion was here too, and eventually spoke to them- well, to on of them. "Ethan, follow me. Aiden, don't."
Ethan nodded e at Deucalion's command. He guessed what they wouldn't talk about, meanwhile Aiden was left clueless and damn worried, he reeked the scent of concern.
"Yes sir." He responded, falling into step behind Deucalion as the older man led him deeper into the cottage.
In the living room Aiden stayed here like he grew roots, that is, until Ennis moved him to the couch.
Deucalion led Ethan to his office, closing the door behind them. Once alone, Deucalion took a seat in his desk chair and gestured for Ethan to sit down in one of the chairs across from him. He leaned forward, his hands clasped together on the desk in front of him. "So, I guess you didn't waste time and went right away. Tell me how it went."
His tone was nonchalant and calm as usual, downing the tension by much. Ethan nodded to himself and answered. "So I broke up with him, and Aiden agreed to help me with it and all..."
Deucalion listened intently to Ethan's words, his face betraying no emotion. He folded his hands on the desk, his fingers drumming lightly against the surface as he thought about the situation.
Deucalion's expression remained impassive as he processed Ethan's response. He leaned back in his chair. "I see. You can go now, I know everything I needed."
Deucalion dismissed and Ethan immediately left the room, a heavy sigh escaped him. He felt relieved to be done with the discussion once and for all.
In the living room, Aiden jumped up from his seat once Ethan entered the room. He rushed over to his brother, a worried look on his face. "That was fast, I thought he'd have you in there forever."
"Did too." Ethan replied, then the twins heard a door opening and turned. It was just Ennis who changed into civilian clothes.
"Hey Ennis." The twins said at the same time, both slightly in a good mood. After a few seconds of silence Aiden spoke again. "Bad day?"
Ennis grunted in response. Despite this, he seemed to communicate well through body language and non-verbal cues.
Ennis made his way to the couch, sitting down where Kali wasn't sprawled yet.
Meanwhile the twins just grabbed a snack and sat in front of the couch(since there's no more place), putting tv.
The room was filling up with soft ambient sounds, the quiet hum of the television, the rustling of pages as Ethan turned them, the distant sound of a siren outside and Ennis, who was visibly exhausted, dozed off soon after sitting down.
Ethan was around his brother and pack, he felt good. It was pretty nice here after all, he could get used to it.