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[ The phrase nearly sounded like a promise and it interested Chris more than he wanted to admit to. Attaching himself to anything or anyone would only hurt in the end, especially with how much he had to hide. He couldn't exactly tell normal people what his family did for a living and how they were training him to do the same. How could he explain the supernatural and not seem completely insane? No, he needed to drift in and out of things without leaving a strong enough impression for anyone to remember later. ]

Both. When I was younger, my mom read a lot about dragons and I guess my interest started there. [ The earlier bitterness didn't translate to mentioning his mother at all. Only wistfulness lingered and more than a little longing. He missed her so badly everyday and sometimes her loss made him so angry at the supernatural world. Without it, she would still be alive. Until his last breath, he'd blame Gerard for what happened to her. ]

She's just a lot. She talks a lot and has so much energy. [ He shook his head. ] She's also really, really bossy, demanding and always gets her way. [ Daddy's little princess. ] Do you have a lot of siblings? I don't have a big immediate family but in Paris I've got a pretty big extended one. [ Each one more bloodthirsty than the last minus his mother's side of the family. They were outside of the hunter organization and it always surprised him how Gerard married her in the first place. ] If I randomly slip into French, I'm sorry.

[ Mother: no longer in the picture, but missed. That much was obvious. Dearly departed, maybe? Peter could only imagine the loss. He's heard before that losing a pack member was like losing a part of yourself, and his pack was his family. It would be a blow to everyone to lose anyone, but the good thing about pack was that those left behind had each other. A lone wolf was a lost wolf.

Humans understood the idea of pack to an extent, something of its structure reflected in the support of a family, but they had no idea what it was truly like. ]

Isn't that because she's the youngest? I get it. I don't have a younger sister, but I have a younger brother, and an older sister. A ton of cousins— and my niece and nephew. [ Talia's kids. ] But they don't all live with us.

[ He smiled at Chris. ] I won't make fun of you too much for it. Are you going to take French? It should be an easy pass for you.

[ The Argents weren't something Chris divulged too much about and he already said more to Peter than he had with anyone else. It confused him why he wanted to talk to the guy at all, let alone about more personal subjects. Okay, family typically didn't exist as personal but the Argents were a very different breed to say the least. ] Possibly. She takes full advantage of being the youngest. [ It afforded her a little less harshness, something he made sure of. He made sure to keep most of Gerard's focus and demands because he could take them. The wounds eventually healed and they were worth it if he spared his sister from facing the same. ]

[ Niece and nephew? ] Your older sister must be a lot older huh? [ How would it be to have such a big family? A close one by the sounds of it. ] Must not be a lot of quiet.

Would kind of be cheating, wouldn't it? I mean, I'm fluent in French. [ He gave a slight shrug as the whistle for the class blew and everyone started rushing towards the doors to get back inside within the locker rooms. ] What's your next class? [ Why did he even care? Nothing about Peter made any kind of sense and a danger rested with his interest. A very, very toxic danger. ]

Ah. [ Peter's smile was knowing. Daddy's little girl, from the sound of it. Like how Derek was Talia's darling, precious boy. Derek was sweet rather than spoiled, but who knew if that would change? And Laura was already a bossy handful. She was going to be a terror one day.

It might sound overwhelming to anyone not used to it, to someone like Chris, with his small family, but Peter loved it. Loved everyone in his family, even if everyone got on each other's nerves sometimes and fights broke out over the pettiest of things, because at the end of the day, they were still family. Pack.

A little privacy would be nice though. ] A decade or so older, give or take. And no, it's always busy. But you get used to it.

[ He winked at Chris. ] I'd call it playing to your strengths. I have English next, what about you? Do you have your schedule in your bag?

[ He could look it over, see which classes they shared. ]

[ If Chris didn't know any better he might believe some of Peter's friendliness to be downright flirting. But why would he flirt with him? Chris didn't really consider himself anything too remarkable and not being the most open person only made it more difficult for anyone to connect with him. At least, on a deeper level beyond just the baser aspects of looks and attractiveness.

Digging through his bag once they reached the lockers again, Chris handed off the schedule. Why did he keep seeking Peter out? It made little sense and he knew the underlining dangers with the kind of lifestyle surrounding him. Getting anyone else involved would be reckless, even in just a distant sort of way. If nothing else, there would be too many excuses offered and lies to weave in and out of everything. ]

I'm still trying to figure out where everything is. The school isn't that big but new places -- [ He gave a half shrug and it only faintly occurred to him how his remark sounded like an invitation. ]

[ There's a whiff of something around Chris that Peter couldn't quite pinpoint, first with colliding mess of body sprays and deodorant in the change room, then outdoors with the wind snatching away Chris's scent at every turn. It sent a thrill down his spine, but short of pinning Chris against the locker and taking a deep whiff of his neck, he might not figure it out for a couple days yet.

Peter did enjoy a mystery.

He took the schedule, running his finger down the page. ]

We don't have English together, but I'm in both of your classes after lunch. [ New places were confusing. Chris didn't need to follow that up for Peter to take the unspoken, unextended invitation. He smiled, and handed the schedule back to Chris. ] I'll find you later in the cafeteria, and I can walk you to the rooms? Since we'll be going the same way.

[ The heart pounding anticipation curling around him didn't make any sense, neither did the relief from Peter's remarks. Why did he want to spend more time around him in the first place? Chris never cared about 'making connections', beyond the necessary ones for the hunting organization. Involving outsiders only led to pain, which he knew from two schools ago and the mistakes he made there. He couldn't be normal and if he didn't watch out, Gerard would decide to pull him from school completely. Could he survive being around the man constantly?

He knew he couldn't.

Taking the schedule back with a shy smile, Chris nodded his head.

What in the hell? ]

I'll see you at lunch then? I probably should have brought something. Cafeterias are never known for five star meals. [ He shoved the schedule into his bag, taking a few steps back but not leaving just yet. ]

[ It was endlessly, relentlessly endearing, the shy curve of Chris Argent's smile, how he reeked of nerves and uncertainty at complete odds with his appearance. His stride and the graceful lines of it, coupled with how he always seemed to think before he spoke. And those eyes. Peter was charmed despite himself. The wolf in him completely agreed. It wanted to rub itself all over Chris and drench him thoroughly in their scent until there was no mistaking—

And that wasn't happening. He marshaled himself and grinned at Chris. ]

Don't worry. It isn't Monday, remember?

[ No Monday Mystery Meat to contend with, just the typical cafeteria hash. Peter jabbed a thumb over his shoulder. ] Gotta run. My locker's back there, and I need to grab my books for next class. I'll see you later, Chris.

[ With his heart still pounding, Chris nodded his head, trying to not look too disappointed. Why did he even care? He never bonded or attached himself to others and he certainly never 'crushed' on anyone. The one time he attempted it turned into a disaster and besides Gerard would line someone up for him.

Someone respectful and from a prominent hunting family. A practical arranged marriage rested on the horizon for him. The very same for Katie but she'd have more of a selection than he would since the women were the leaders. ]

I'll be seeing you, Peter. [ To spare himself anymore embarrassment, he took off in the direction of his next class, counting down the minutes until lunch. The fluttery anticipation didn't make any sense either.

When he entered the lunchroom, he felt too many eyes on him and whispers followed his trek towards an empty table. He didn't make friends easily at all and most tended to find his temperament odd for one his age.

He set the tray onto the table, looking down at it with barely veiled disgust. It didn't look good at all and he really should have brought a book or something with him.

The eyes were still on him and he felt like leaving but Peter said he'd see him at lunch.

Pathetic. ]

[ Peter ran late, caught up in a conversation about the upcoming basketball match and their opponents on the way to the cafeteria. He hadn't forgotten his promise, he was just distracted, the usual wash of gossip in the cafeteria filtering through to his senses, mostly ignored until he heard:

Is that the new kid? Over there, by the window— You go talk to him. No, you do it.

Chris.

He was easy to pick out, at the empty table by the window, the set of his shoulders uncomfortable and screaming that he'd rather be anywhere than here. Peter lit up, and headed towards him. He slid into the seat opposite of Chris, dropping his lunch down on the table. ]

You're the talk of the school. [ Said teasingly, ignoring the uptick in the buzz of conversation after he sat down in favour of pulling out his lunch: a massive club sandwich on sourdough, an apple, several pieces of Reese's, and juice. The cafeteria food was typical, he told Chris. Typical meaning shitty, which was why Peter packed his own lunch. ]

Nobody here bites. Well, not hard, anyway. They [ he nodded his head towards them, one of whom waved at Peter before they withdrew into a giggling gaggle ] would've made room for you. Are you just shy?

[ The way he lit up at the sight of Peter probably screamed pathetic but he felt too relieved to try and hide his reaction as he normally would. Typically, he kept a very firm grasp on his emotions, skilled to an extreme with compartmentalizing, something even Gerard felt pride over. To think of a father feeling proud over being emotionless and void of anything real when the time called for it, which tended to be often. Training his emotions meant keeping an edge over others who could use the feelings against him. There were so many ways to overcome someone but emotional manipulation just so happened to be the strongest and most lethal. ]

Must be a slow day. [ Chris remarked as he slid the glop on his plate from one side to the other. Disgusting. On the way home, he would need to grab something to eat since he lost dinner privileges for the next week and a half. He refused to 'put down' an omega and Gerard punished him dearly for it. The punishment would continue but he could deal with it.

Shy, right. Better Peter believe him to be shy than to know the actual truth. The awkwardness also didn't help him much. ]

Yeah - I'm not really good at -- [ He waved his hand out, offering a shrug of his shoulder. ] I move a lot. Never really get the chance. [ The fear over involving anyone in his life always lingered as well. ] I never know what to say. [ What if someone asked what are your weekend plans?

'Oh, I'll be performing drills and if I miss anything I'll be locked in the attic for a few hours in the dark hearing the mice scatter around me. Then after that, I'll sit in a forest waiting for something to come and if anything does, I'll have to try and not die because my dad would be really mad to lose his soldier.'

Yep, let him get right on that. ]

No, take it from me. [ He smiled at Chris, languid and with just a flash of white teeth. ] It's a very special day, and all because of you.

[ An unrepentant flirt, one of his closer friends had called him once. Peter didn't deny it. There was power in attraction, and it was easy to get what he wanted when people liked him. Of course, people always liked a pretty face, and he knew his was right in that range.

He wrinkled his nose at the garbage masquerading as food Chris was toying with, and took pity. It wasn't like him, but something about Chris reminded him of a kicked puppy. Plus, he could hear his stomach rumbling. He split his sandwich in two, tearing off half the parchment paper it was wrapped in, and slid it over to Chris's side of the table. ] My treat, since no one should have to eat what's on your plate unless they want food poisoning.

[ It was impossible for him to understand Chris's plight, but he made the appropriate noises, nodding. True, actual wolves had nomadic tendencies, but Peter couldn't imagine being constantly on the move, without a place to return to and call home. ]

You don't seem that bad to me. I'll let you in on a little secret— if you can't think of anything to say, just smile. That, and a face like yours> It'll win anyone over.

[ Most people preferred to do the talking anyway. He cocked his head at Chris. ] Does that mean you won't be here long?

[ A thin blush stained his cheeks at the remark and just the attention in general. He really didn't know what to do with it but he didn't want to push past it, at least. Somewhat progress to how he normally dwelt with things and it would have made his mother proud. She always wanted him to involve himself more with others to keep his heart purer than other hunters.

'A caring heart is a greater weapon than anything you load with bullets.'

He looked down at the sandwich half in surprise for a moment before he schooled his features again. It was the nicest thing anyone had ever done for him and he felt a lump in his throat, stupidly enough. He stopped having someone care for him when his mother passed and since then he took care of himself. ]

You don't have -- thank you. [ A shy smile pulled at his lips and he took a grateful bite of it. ] I'm not sure about all that but I'll try it. [ To prove his point, he smiled softly but it looked a bit sad almost. Chris really didn't smile much. What did he usually have to grin about? ]

[ He took another bite, fingers curling around his tiny bottle of water to take a sip. ] Usually, no, but it kind of sounds like we'll be here for awhile. Ge-dad was happy about something here. I don't know what but I've never seen him look so pleased.

[ There it was again, that tinge of melancholy to Chris's scent, reflected in his smile. Peter had to wonder— couldn't help but wonder (curiosity was his worst and best trait) why. Chris did only mention his father and his sister, no mother. Maybe she recently passed, and was the one who would've packed a lunch for Chris if he'd asked.

Well, there were some things that not even Peter would pry into on a first meeting. Everything was speculation for now, but he was looking forward to finding out everything he could about Chris— should he start with his last name? ]

You said he's interested in wildlife, right? [ Come to think of it, Chris also mentioned hoping they'd stay for more than two months. What was "a while" in his estimate? Six months? A year? (Anything longer than two months?) ] There's a lot of that around here. Not just in the preserve, but in the area around here. Lots of nature.

[ At the mention of 'wildlife', Chris' mouth twitched but otherwise he remained expressionless, trying to not give too much away. There were always so many secrets he needed to keep locked up and lies he had to master to deliver at a moment notice. So, keep himself separated from others made it easier to hide in his own constricting bubble. Involving anyone else only led to more pain in the end and why hadn't he learned his lesson already?

Peter didn't deserve such a messed up broken person in his life.

Nodding his head, he took another small bite of the sandwich half, trying to will away the churning in his stomach all the while. ]

Yeah and it seems like Beacon Hills has a lot more of it than any other place we've been. He's cataloguing things, probably as we speak. It'll be a breakthrough for him. [ Which meant a lot of unnecessary bloodshed and loss to surround them. Blood coated him so thickly, he didn't know how to feel clean. ]

What do your parents do? Your sister? [ Steering the conversation away from his family would make him breathe easier. ] Have any plans yet for yourself?

My parents? [ Peter cracks a grin. ] Mom's a lawyer, Dad's on the city council. My sister's probably going to end up like my dad. She has a knack with people.

[ What do they call that? Charisma, maybe. Leadership qualities. Everything that the alpha to be should, well, be.

Neatly demolishing his sandwich, he thought it over. High school was a transitional period, and Peter knew they were existing in a bubble from the outside world. He shrugged. ]

Not really. Figured I'd get an idea of it sooner or later. Maybe I'll go pro with basketball.

[ Or take up architecture, or become a lawyer like his mom. The possibilities were endless, and he's pretty sure whatever he wanted to do, he could. ] What about you?

[ Peter's family sounded far more well adjusted and not toxic like his own. The Argents raised hunters, not children and didn't really have the most tender of approaches. They weren't supposed to have many emotions, though, and Chris failed there, mostly thanks to his mother before she passed. Her love contrasted the harshness of Gerard and even in her loss, Chris kept to her image she left as best as he could. He wanted so badly to make her proud. ]

Seems like you do too. [ Unlike Chris, who earned the term mysterious far more than inviting. ]

[ Finishing off the sandwich half, his lips twitched a little. ] You must be good to think you could go pro. [ He never considered a future for himself because Gerard had everything mapped out already. It left him with very few choices. ]

Never really thought about it. My - dad expects I'll take after him. It's kinda how things work in my family. [ He paused for a moment. ] But I guess maybe -- if I had a choice -- something with history. [ Something that included guns but he couldn't very well say such a thing. What would Peter think? He'd be horrified most likely. ]

[ He smiled, a pleased thing that was just a little smug. Of course he was good with people. But hearing Chris say it must mean he liked him well enough, or found him easy enough to talk to. They were still talking, whereas he's heard from various friends already that Chris had been otherwise recalcitrant and ducked out of most attempts to get to know him. ]

Nothing like seeing it with your own two eyes to believe it, right? [ It couldn't have been a more obvious come find out for yourself, and a follow up to their earlier conversation than if Peter had planned it.

His family might be full of werewolves, but they were like most other families. His parents gave him free rein, and most of the responsibility fell to Talia. Seemed like his and Chris's family were opposites in every way. ]

Like a historian, right? You mentioned liking history earlier. [ Peter perked up. ] Or you can go into archaeology and find history.

[ Clearly, they were opposite ends of the spectrum and it intrigued Chris more than it should have. Entangling himself in Peter's life wouldn't be a wise decision and Chris never did anything without a cause. His words were carefully spoken and all his actions were calculated down to an artform. All in efforts to keep in line with the hunters philosophy and to breathe another day. Gerard didn't accept failure and stepping out of line resulted in a death sentence.

He smiled faintly and nodded his head, again far too interested in Peter and his life. ]

Be like Indiana Jones, having adventures all over the globe. [ A nearly wistful look ran over his face but disappeared rather quickly. ] I've been camping a lot. I'm pretty good at tracking. [ As much of a pro as someone with all human senses could be anyway. Any little edge over the supernatural kept him alive and while they had heightened senses, they didn't always take in such minor details. ]

I really like being outside.

[ Chris's secret was a ticking time bomb.

But even if Peter figured out what he was, who he was, would it keep him from meddling with Chris? He might be more cautious, sure. Keep his distance, watch and observe. His parents had talked about hunters before, of course. Best not to attract their attention, they'd advised. Some of them are better than others, which he'd assumed meant less prejudiced against supernatural on a whole.

Wasn't Chris one of them? Everything about him seemed harmless so far, and they were the same age. They'd end up even in a fight, probably.

A flash of mischief. ] Oh, are you? What, like tracking game? I'm not bad either. Camping, though. [ He wrinkled his nose. ] Once in a while's fine, but I hate sleeping on the ground.

[ Finding out the truth about Peter would change things, sharpening it all around the edges but would it make him stay away? He wanted to say 'of course' but the pull he felt towards Peter made it difficult to tell for certain, which seemed ridiculous. He didn't even know the guy and never entangled himself in others even at the best of times. Gerard raised him to be solitary except for when apart of a mission. A cog in a very big machine and everything needed to be perfectly balanced. One false movement made everything else crash.

Drinking the rest of the water, Chris neatly placed everything onto the tray to throw it away shortly. ]

Like tracking anything. [ A boast, really, but one of the few Chris actually had to offer. ] Bet I could find you easy. [ Again, more than a little overconfidence but even Gerard seemed somewhat pleased by his tracking skills. So far, he hadn't failed to find anything thrown his way and Gerard never made anything easy. ]

Really? I love sleeping outdoors, all the stars and just you and nature. It's - [ He shook his head, feeling the conversation drift to a place too vulnerable. ] My sister doesn't like it either. She says it ruins her hair.

Hmmm. [ They'd see about that, if Chris stuck around long enough. Peter wasn't huge on camping, but he did like hiking. Plenty of room to play hide and seek in the preserve if that's what Chris wanted to do. .]

Well, your sister's right. It does ruin your hair. [ Fifteen years in the future, and nobody would believe he'd ever agreed with Kate Argent on something. Or maybe they might. She turned out vicious and completely different from Chris.

Peter finished his lunch right before the bell rang, cleaning up the remnants and tossing them in the trash. ]

Come on, I'll take you to your next class, as promised.

[ Beacon Hills might not be so bad after all and he might make an actual friend for once. It'd all change when Peter became tired of his constant secrets, though, but hopefully he'd never discover the truth. Few would believe it anyway. A family of hunters?

Supernatural beings??

Seemed far too unbelievable and like a bad 80s flick.

Nodding his head, Chris stood up to take care of his tray, waiting for Peter to direct them on which way to go. ] Are there any volunteer groups here? French club?

[ Having covers for his lies always helped him in the longer run when it came to others. He'd have to stay being 'clumsy' to account for the bruises and cuts as well. ]

[ The crowd parted around Peter, students waving hello to him or nodding as he led Chris through and out of the cafeteria. There was no reason for him to suspect that Chris was anything other than ordinary. At the tender age of— well, maybe not young and innocent— but he hadn't had any run-ins with hunters before. The Hales were largely peaceful, after all, and blended in with the humans of Beacon Hills almost flawlessly.

He glanced at Chris, humming thoughtfully. ]

There's a debate club, and chess. No French club. You could start one— let me know if you do, I'll join.

[ And beef up on his languages. ] Other than that, it's mostly sports. What kind of volunteer group are you thinking of?

[ In another life, he might have enjoyed debate club and flexing his rather extended knowledge but in this point in time he needed to make sure to keep prying eyes away from him. Anyone digging too deep would find unbelievable and rather dangerous things and he needed to protect it all from seeing the light of day. Good things hunters roamed in their darkness and many refrained from peering into the shadows. ]

Can you speak any French? [ Starting a club would probably also bring too much attention but he loved everything to do with the French culture. ] Anything to help around. Community service looks good on transcripts and it's helping those who need it.

[ Walking through the hallways, Chris made note of everything they passed, committing it to memory just in case, including the students and teachers.

Of all places - why Beacon Hills? He really needed to figure it out to uncover Gerard's intentions. ]