Wolverines

“So, he’s a telepath?” Amon wondered. They were safely back in the apartment and dawn was near. Amon couldn’t afford another disappearing act at this time of the day, so he’d settled on the couch with Hunter in his lap, his head resting on Amon’s shoulder. Amon brushed his nose against his Thrall’s rich auburn hair and inhaled deeply.

Hunter. His name was Hunter. Amon had Paige’s telepathy to thank for that little tidbit.

“Yes, and most certainly more skilled than you are. I’m not yet certain of all that he’s capable of.” Paige said dryly as she put on the morning coffee for her own Thrall, Jacques. Jacques was currently managing an upscale restaurant downtown, and his shifts started early. As near as Amon could tell, the well built, 6’5” black man had always worked while Paige did not. Amon wasn’t exactly sure how they had gotten together or when, but they were a solid, if not slightly odd couple.

Paige hadn’t been kidding when she said Thralls weren’t meant to be pets. Jacques had stayed young and vital alongside her for who knew how long, and worked during the days to keep her sheltered and safe. Through Jacques Paige could feel the sun on her face, the taste of food in her mouth. It didn’t seem like that big of a deal to Amon, but Paige assured him it would be after a time.

Jacques stepped out of his bedroom, wearing smart slacks, shiny shoes, and a collar and tie. He draped his jacket over the back of the couch, looking unconcerned by the apparent new edition to the household.

“Good morning, my dear.” Paige’s tone was warm as she brought Jacques his morning cup of coffee. Paige was different with Jacques; softer. She spoke without the usual bite to her voice, and seemed more like the teenager she had been when she’d died.

“I trust you had a good evening.” Jacque’s baritone voice came rumbling up from deep in his chest. He graciously accepted the steaming hot mug and a gentle kiss to Paige’s forehead.

“Somewhat eventful at any rate, my dear.” She reached up to fuss with her Thrall’s tie before smoothing out his shirt and moving to let him into the kitchen.

“Hi Jacques.” Amon waved, “Good morning. Salutations.” He was unsurprised when Jacques made no move to respond. Jacques tolerated his presence in their home to please Paige, but that was about all. Jacques and Paige were very private, solitary people. When they gave you their words, their smiles, their friendship… It meant something. Amon simply hadn’t earned his place in Jacques’ life. Paige was harsh with him more often than not, but he treasured every moment of friendship she decided to give him.

Amon smiled down at Hunter, who’d been dead to the world ever since Amon had finished the Bond for real. He let a hand trail down the sleeping human’s spine and pressed a kiss into his forehead. Paige watched them from the kitchen and sighed.

“Well Amon, I hope for your sake it works out.” She eyed the pair. It was a horrible idea for Amon to be getting so attached so quickly. They didn’t even know this young man. Amon looked up at her and grinned like a fool half in love. Fool was right. Thunderbolt? Sure. She’d thought Amon would old enough to know the difference between lust and love. Then Amon could have fucked him – or tried to – and the matter would be ended.

“At least if he’s got his own place you can get the hell off my couch.” She said dryly, and Amon’s face fell. “Yes, I know. Seems awfully quick, doesn’t it, to suddenly be relying on a strange human to keep you safe during Sunlight hours, stick around so you can feed on him, hope he’ll be a good companion and not freak out.”

Amon sighed and brushed a few locks of hair from Hunter’s face. At least if nothing else, Paige thought, his Thrall was good-looking enough. That auburn was really lovely, though Paige preferred Jacque’s black skin and bald head.

“I know you think I’m kind of dumb…” Amon began.

“I think you’re a fucking idiot.” She interrupted.

Amon sighed in response and ran a hand over his face tiredly. There would be no talking her out of that one, at any rate, “Do I really have to move out if he’s got his place?” He knew it was a stupid question, but he had to ask. Almost six months ago, Amon had been in an elementary school playground, tripping on acid and screaming while trying to eat the slide.

That was when he met Veronica. The 500 year old babe that lured him home and turned him into a vampire. Amon wasn’t really sure why she’d picked and changed him; he didn’t remember that night entirely. Some portions he remembered with startling clarity, and other parts not at all. Being turned into a vampire fell under that category.

After she’d taken and changed him, Amon hadn’t had a choice. He’d adapted into his new life, and it had been tough from time to time but he wasn’t unhappy with his undead life, not really. He was a little bit surprised that Paige hadn’t brought up the fact that he’d gone and done exactly what had been done to him, pretty much. Hunter didn’t have much of a choice now, either.

It wasn’t all bad though, and Amon would show him that. If only they could stay with Paige, though. Ever since Amon’s sire had died after falling asleep smoking, she’d taken him in, what with them being of the same Strain, and everything. The Ghoul Bite Strain. Amon’s sire Veronica was from the Modern Strain.

Of course it wasn’t always called the Modern Strain, but that’s what the younger Vampiric generations had started calling it and the name sort of just stuck.

Amon had wondered, at first, why Paige had taken him in in the first place, but after living with her for the past two months, it was all incredibly clear to him. Paige was just bored. Before Amon had moved in, she’d spent all the Sunlight hours playing X-Box and doing online surveys.

She still did both of those things, but at least now she had the added bonus of watching Amon do stupid things like… Well… This whole thing with Hunter.

Amon smiled again, thinking of Hunter.

“… You’re not even listening to me, are you?” At some point Paige had walked right in front of him. She glared down at him, and cuffed him after a moment’s consideration. Amon took it like a man; he hadn’t even noticed she was talking.

“Sorry.” He grinned shamelessly. How could she expect him to focus with someone as enticing as Hunter across his lap, anyways? He shifted his Thrall to stimulate his erection a little.

Paige sighed, “Amon, it’s not like I’m abandoning you. We’re still going to see one another. Be realistic. You’ve already forced him into being your Thrall. You can’t just take his entire life away. He’s probably got a job, a home, bills, commitments, things to do, friends.” She rubbed her hands down the fronts of her jeans, seemingly absentmindedly, “And, I have to add, Jacques and I would really enjoy some time alone together. Not that it’s not immensely helpful that you work three nights a week where you’re gone for a few hours, but.” She smiled wryly, “You know. And I’m sure you’re going to want a tiny bit more privacy with your fella than you’re going to get here with us.”

“There is that,” Amon grinned and stared back down at his pale Thrall, “Yeah, okay. I’ll move in with him.”

“Soon?” Paige prompted.

“Definitely.”