Dystopian Future

Ezra wasn't sure if he was glad to hear that Zemin was alright or not. Or well he was happy to hear it of course, but he wasn't sure of if he believed it or not, so he decided not to comment on it. If the man wished to talk about something he could do that, that Ezra himself was useless in comforting others, well that was another thing.
"Well with your hearing, I am not sure it will make any difference where you sleep" he teased and he soon felt Zemin's teeth around his hands. It was such a strange thing, thinking that he had his hand inside what most would call a wild beast, with out hesitating, and the wolf was also careful. From outside it must have looked ridicules, luckily no one else could see them, not that Ezra would have cared.
"You know that even if it was messy, which I doubt knowing you a bit at least, I wouldn't be able to see it. You could have messed up the room all you want and I would never have known" he smiled before Zemin pushed him lightly and he sat down, pulling up his feet against his chest, soon resting his head against the knees. He felt the heat from the fire, actually warming him more than the bath, and the sound made him relax. He had always loved the sound a fire made, glad his office had a firepit, seeing his home hadn't. But living in a apartment building it would be difficult to have one.

Ezra felt how Zemin placed himself on the sofa next to him, and he was surprised that he actually stayed with him. He didn't need to, Ezra would manage on his own, and even the spirits wondered of when they could. Both Rivik and Jax had their own places in his apartment, so when they were home they often left him. Yet Zemin stayed next to him, and he didn't know why. Maybe to be polite, not that Ezra would hold it against him if he left. But he had said that Alec snored, but did things like that mattered when you liked someone? Maybe it did, Ezra didn't know, or maybe Zemin had just said that, not to hurt Ezra's feelings if he left. Ezra didn't hope that was the case, hoping that Zemin knew he could leave without upsetting him. However Ezra didn't ask, not wishing for someone to ask about his own thoughts and motives. He wasn't someone that tried to pry up on others. However when Zemin spoke again he turned his head into his direction, wondering what the man thought asking that?
"As I would fear you biting me" he stated almost laughing, finding it funny that Zemin had to state that, as the thought of that was what would scare Ezra. He had his hand inside Zemin's mouth without fearing that. However he hesitated when the man asked, maybe because he asked instead of acting. Ezra was pleased that he did, actually smiling over that fact, and he had the wolf close in the past, so he wasn't as frighten by it, not as he had been if he was in his human form. Even if Zemin had stroken his hair in human form, Ezra knew he would have said no if he asked as a human, but now, well he still hesitated, but not as much.
"Just be careful not to over do it" he told the wolf, being serious, knowing that Zemin easily did that. "So what do you want me to do? Pat you as you sit in my lap, or well you are to big for that, so don't try that"
He had no idea what the man or rather wolf actually wanted him to do, pat him sure he could do that, but besides that, well he didn't know seeing that the wolf wasn't as small as Rivik, so he couldn't have him in his arms.

Before he was able to hinder himself, Zemin let out a loud snort. Well, the man was blind so that statement had to be more than genuine. However that didn’t mean he’d ever keep the space in question messy. He liked when everything was in order and and well organised. When things were messy, so was he. It was like some kind of odd infection that traced itself through his entire mind until it was completely corrupt. Of course he knew when it was happening, but he still never managed to stop it. That was basically the fundamental reason to why he always kept very tidy and cleaned like a maniac - clean surroundings, clear mind.
You know most people Are afraid of a werewolf bite, Zemin pointed out and shrugged. If a human is bitten they’ll become one of us, which is something most people don’t want. Women never survive the first transformation and most men also follow in that patter. It’s just too painful and their bodies can’t take it..plus, their fur is less dense, their tails more scrawny and their noses shorter. Even though most people can’t tell them from pure werewolves or actual wolves, someone like me definitely can. That’s why the vampire wants me in the pits, because I’m pure and therefore a lot stronger, bigger and used to my wolf from. Or rather my true form, the human skin is a mere privilege”, the wolf explained and let out a large, wide yawn. Everything that had to do with the werewolves was so all over the place. It had so many different sections to it, rules and tons of other aspects. Zemin was thankful he’d been born into the whole thing and not bitten. The bitten ones rarely obtained full control over themselves and often ended up going feral. Being born a wolf was in many ways easier, both when it came to control and appearance. He totally preferred his thick, soft fur over the bitten ones, and let’s not forget the length of the nose and larger size. Sometimes those things actually came in very handy, believe it or not. Like now for example, it probably helped that he was more of a big, snuggly teddy bear.

[i]As if I’ll overdo it, Zemin muttered and poured, before he carefully climbed into the other mans lap. Not entirely of course, but he laid his entire front body across Ezras thighs and rested his head between the large paws.
You know I like when you pet me..but it would be even better if you just wrapped your arms around me and gave in to your snuggle senses, he eventually continued and sat back up. Instead of resting the fluffy head in between the dark paws, he stuffed his face against one of the shamans shoulders and leaned the rest of the skin body against the older mans respective. What a large, cuddly puppy he was. Considering the sharp teeth that hid between the jaws and the claws that easily could tear flesh apart, it was all very ironic. And yes, he could turn from a cuddle monster to an actual monster in seconds, but that only happened when he felt threatened.
Don’t even ask, Zemin quietly warned Ezra and closed his eyelids with yet another wide yawn. Just think of me as a snuggle monster and leave it at that.. The sound of the dancing flames made the wolf more and more tired for every second that passed by. Even the breathing became slower and the heartbeat got steadier. Yup, he was definitely about to fall asleep, no question about that.

"Sometimes I think you actually want me to be afraid of you or something. Like I should tip to around you, fearing that you my bite me. Shouldn't you rather be pleased I am not afraid of that?" he asked the man, sometimes wondering over his statements, just like when they met. He had told Zemin he didn't wish to sell him and he told him he was worth so much, who the fuck did that. Like they wished to be sold, or wished for someone to be afraid of them. Or well the last part he got, but staying that they could be friends, and then sounding like they try to scare them was so strange. "And I am aware what may happen, but you also know that I am not human right? Not that it may change anything, having no idea how my kind react to be bitten, and I am not interested in finding out either. And well lets prevent that you end up in the pits, and don't take this the wrong way Zemin, but I don't think you would stand a chance. True everyone does drastic things when they are pushed, but I have a hard time seeing you enjoy killing and even if you would do it to survive, I fear you would die when you met some lunatic who enjoys being in the pits, killing other things"
He didn't wish to see Zemin die, thats why he had thought of the man's plan as idiotic when he mentioned it. Era almost thought of it as laughable, seeing he couldn't care less if anyone else ended up in the pits, with the exception Xue. Even if he had been captured and through hell, he never thought of the pits, or even stopping them. But maybe it was different since his kind rarely, if ever ended up there, seeing people knew they would die fast and not give them an interesting fight.

Ezra only raised and eyebrow at first before he shook his head.
"No, you never over do it" his voice full of sarcasm as the wolf climbed into his lap. Sometimes he wondered how small Zemin thought he was, or if he just messed with people. But he soon felt how the wolf sat up leaning against him. At first he had gotten a bit stiff, but it wasn't as scary and uncomfortable as he first had thought. True it was strange, mostly because he had a gigantic wolf leaning against him, but besides that it wasn't much difference from the spirits. He felt the fur against his neck and part of the lower face, and he carefully started patting Zemin, before he let his head rest against the wolfs.
"What would I even ask? Besides that if you know how large you are?" Ezra told him, seeing there was no meaning in asking for Zemin's behavior, if he wished to tell him he could, otherwise it did very little difference to him. Ezra slowly let his other arm wrap around the wolf, snuggling against him and he smiled, it was nice, reminding him of how he always slept with Rivik in the beginning, to feel safe, and despite that the situation was strange and Zemin wasn't a spirit he managed to relax, and feel somewhat safe around the man.

No, Zemin didn’t want Ezra to feel frightened around him and yes, he was sort of pleased that the other man in fact wasn’t. Instead he’d just tried to explain and clear up all the stigma surrounding werewolves, even though he probably didn’t have to. The shaman seemed to be more than okay with the whole wolf thing, basically to the point where he enjoyed the wolf’s company more when he actually was a wolf.
So what you’re basically saying is that my psyche wouldn’t stand a chance? Because even if it doesn’t look like it, I’m pretty sure I’d win if I only had the guts to actually fight. Believe it or not but I have killed before and I’ll do it again, just like you, Zemin reasoned and snuggled up raven further against Ezra, trying to push away the drowsy feeling that had totally overcome him. Would he though? Stand a chance in the pits? His physical body and strength definitely would, but all the psychological aspects would probably end up messing literally everything up. It had happened many times before, when he stood in front of some innocent, poor soul whose life he’d been about to take. He’d usually end up hesitating and leaving the deed for someone else to do. That’s why he’d been called the big bad chicken in the beginning of his career, because he’d so often chicken out and refuse to kill his target.
All impure werewolves are actual lunatics, you know that right? They can only turn on a full moon and tend to loose all control..since they transform so seldom it becomes difficult for them to reach absolute self awareness,the wolf mumbled and shrugged. Just thinking about it gave him massive chills.

For a short moment he thought about the mans question. Yes, he did know how big he actually was, but just chose to ignore it. He just wanted to act like a puppy and puppies were small, cuddly and huggable..so that was what he was reaching for. Unfortunately he couldn’t shrink himself, however he could totally pretend that was the case.
I'm not that big, Zemin protested and shook his head with a frown across his face. And I know that’s not the truth, but I just can’t help it! For some reason you’re like the best person besides Alec to snuggle with and it makes me calm as hell..plus I know that you’re also pretty satisfied right now, aren’t you? The wolf wondered and tried to calm the butterflies in his stomach. Just the fact that Ezra had wrapped an arm around the slender body and was resting his head against the younger one's..it just made everything feel so goddam surreal and incredible at the same time. Stupid shaman and his stupid charms, stupid mating and yuck. Zemin wanted to hide from it all, yet without leaving the older mans arms. It didn’t even turn into any sort of inner conflict just because of the simple fact that he was really comfortable for the time being.

"That's what I am saying, because having killed before and being a killer isn't the same thing. You don't find joy out of it, do it for sports. There is a differens. So I am sure you would stand a chance to some degree, but if you met someone who killed for fun, and liked the fighting, you would lose sooner or later. Not because you are a bad fighter or anything, no rather because you aren't mad enough" Ezra explained to the wolf. Ezra had killed himself, but compared to example the guards who had done it for fun, seeing how long the y could keep people alive and things, he himself could never do that. He had no problem killing, but he didn't saw any pleasure in it, and that was a huge difference. Ezra felt the wolf leaning more against him and he slowly petted him, letting his fingers ran through the fur, as he listened to the wolf.
"So I have read. To be honest I have never met impure werewolf, rarely taking walks during a full moon, or any other moon for the matters. But from what you have told me, I can see why they are lunatics. Good thing you aren't one of them, because I would either have ended you if I could, sent you to the spirit world which would have killed you sooner or later. And I would never had let you live here if you were crazy" Ezra informed the other man. Sure he acted crazy sometimes, but it didn't meant that he was crazy.

"Well I guess it depends on what you are comparing yourself to, if it's an elephant, yes then you are small, if it's compared to a normal wolf or a lapdog, then you are big" he taunted the other one, even if he understood that he was joking. The other mans words made him a bit surprised. He understood Alec, seeing that Zemin liked the other man, but himself. He wondered if it was only because he was mated to him? Ezra actually wondered what Zemin would have thought of him if they wasn't mated.
"Glad it can make you calm..." he started closing his eyes, wondering if he should ask or not, but he wished to know. "But do you feel like that because you are mated to me? I can understand Alec seeing that you like the man without whatever this is. Because I do not wish you to feel forced to be here"
Ezra hoped he wouldn't make Zemin upset again, but he was actually curious about it, and if Zemin wouldn't be here without it, well it wasn't like Ezra would be sad, or maybe he would feel bad for forcing Zemin to be there. But like he had said to the other man, he wished for him to be happy with Alec, and if he felt forced to be next to Ezra, he felt very bad for the wolf.
"But to be honest I am. More than I thought you would. It reminds me of the calm and safe feeling I got from Rivik when I was younger, after I escaped" he told the wolf honestly.

That was very a very accurate analysis of Zemin actually. He didn’t find any joy in killing other living beings, no matter if they were animals, demons or humans. As soon as he was the reason to why someone stopped breathing, everything became strained and the lungs never seemed to work to their full extent. How many panic attacks hadn’t he gone through because of all those taken lives? So if it came to him being faced by an insane enemy whom found pleasure in killing others, he might very well find himself off guard. Not because he couldn’t take down a person like that, but rather because he couldn’t understand them. And for the wolf in question, understanding his enemy was one of the most important things. He even understood the vampire to some extent, as he killed for a reason. The man only sought to gain power, money and land and that was basically it. That didn’t mean he wasn’t a crazy bastard, however it still made some sense even if Zemin. himself would never had done anything like it. Eliminating threats wasn’t an odd strategy, especially when they were taken care of before they even opposed any danger.
Do you promise to never take any walks during a full moon? The younger man asked quietly and felt another chill climb up his spine. Because I have met impure ones and when they loose control..it’s everything but pretty, he thereafter explained and directed the amber eyes towards the dancing fire. It really looked like the flames were waltzing around in there, ever so often hitting the walls by accident and changing direction. Even the sound was comforting and strongly reminded him of home.

You know I can’t exactly make myself shrink, Zemin muttered and rolled his eyes. And I don’t feel calm only because I’m mated to you, you little dumbass, he continued and began pouting like never before, resting his forehead against the slim shoulder yet again, as if he was trying to hide from the rest of the world. In some sense he was trying to do just that, even though he wasn’t fully conscious when it came to that exact aspect.
I liked you before my subconscious decided to mate with you..the first day we met I even tried to climb up your lap and damn, you reminded me so much of my old home and the feeling of being safe, the werewolf whispered, just as the drowsiness was about to close its arms around his slender body. And I still do, i still feel safe and comfortable..you’re like a portable home, if that makes any sense? Just promise you won’t leave..don’t leave, he finished and let out a big yawn. Then all the muscles finally relaxed and the large puppy with the soft, dark fur fell asleep without any further words. He hadn’t even fished Ezra goodnight, which were super bad manners. He could apologise the morning after, right? Yes, yes he totally could if he was able to remember it.

Ezra didn't answer at first, he couldn't remember if he had ever promised someone something, sure he promised the spirit things, but that wasn't the same. He promised himself some things as well, but that was definitely not the same thing. Promise someone else something felt strange, and he wasn't sure if it felt wrong or not. Maybe because it hindered him in someway, like it forbid him from doing something. Not that it was something he wished to do anyway, but promising it made it be off the list. And of course you could break a promise, but you shouldn't feel like it didn't matter, and you could easily break it, because then it was no meaning in promising something. But then again, it wasn't something that really would bother him, so he stroke the wolf.
"I promise not to do that, at least as long as I can see" he told the wolf, knowing that if he for some reason would be alone, he could never tell if it was full moon or not. He couldn't even tell if it was night or day. Or well he could, things changed between the time, but if he would only go on the light, he wouldn't be able.

"I am aware you can't do that, but you can still trying to avoid squash people to death by sitting in their laps" he joked before he turned towards the wolf, trying to give him an angry look, not that the wolf could see it, seeing his eyes was messed up. "And how would I know. It's not like this happens to me all the time, meaning I know how this works"
Before he shook his head, going back to playing with the wolfs fur.
"You did, a strange thing to do to a stranger. Also another strange, almsot creepy thing to do is tell them they smell like their mother" he smiled, it was a strange thing, but he wasn't upset by it. "A portable home? You really do say the strangest things, how on earth did you manage to get Alec to fall for you"
He smiled towards the wolf before he turned towards the fire.
"I can't promise that. I have no intention to leave at the moment, but you can never know what's going to happen" he didn't wish to promise something so serious, not even to make the wolf feel better, but as he soon felt how the wolf fell asleep he relaxed some more. Even if he helt relaxed next to Zemin at the moment, even finding it all nice, he felt better when the wolf was asleep, and he didn't need to think about what he may try or say. He listened to the slow breath, the sound from the fire and the wind as it occasionally made the windows move a bit. It was all relaxing, but not enough for him to fall sleep, not wishing to do so, unsure of what may happen. Even if he trusted Zemin to some extent, he didn't trust him enough to fall asleep next to him.

When Zemin woke up the next morning, he found that Alec had crept up right next to him. It was clear he still tried to keep his distance from Ezra, but anyways. Wasn’t he a tad too close? The brightly red irises observed the wolf during silence and when they finally made eye contact, the younger mans lips broke up into a smile.
“Did you sleep well?” He asked and rested his head against the soft pillows.
Yeah..I-I mean I guess, the wolf mumbled and looked towards one of the windows. It actually looked as they’d gone past morning and continued onto lunchtime, just by looking at the position of the sun. Or we’ll, he wasn’t able to see the sun, but he was able to locate it somewhere distant behind the evaporated drops of water.
“You don’t have to pretend like you don’t like it, I can almost sense how fucking comfortable you are right now”, Alec pointed out and laughed quietly. Damn, this was going towards a really strange direction. Especially since the tone of the ghouls voice wasn’t angry, nor irritated. He truly did seem to be okay with it, which allowed the werewolf the breathe again.
Hm, but I’m equally as comfortable around you, Zemin stated and soon found himself wrapped in a pair of strong, fair arms. When it came to the younger man, he didn’t seem to care at all about the tiny little fact that the wolf was huge. Not huge as a horse or a bear, but still larger than any normal wolf could ever be.
“I know”, he answered quietly and looked over at Ezra, raising his eyebrows. “Didn’t you sleep at all? You look more than tired..and good morning by the way”, Alec continued and smiled palely towards the shaman.

What? Hadn’t Ezra slept during the entire night? Just the fact that Zemin had probably drooled all over him and maybe even nibbled at him, made everything feel extremely cold and uncomfortable.
I didn’t drool on you, did I? He wondered and immediately started feeling ashamed of himself. He should’ve just woken Alec and Xue up, dragged them into the living room so that the older man could’ve at least gotten a shot at getting some sleep. What had he even been thinking? Was he really that stupid?
“You’re cute when you drool, so don’t feel embarrassed”, the ghoul quickly pointed out and pinched the fluffy cheeks, squishing them as if they were plushies. They weren’t, but he liked to pretend otherwise. It wasn’t his fault that Zemins cheeks always were as soft as a pair of pillows. Or rather a bunch of marshmallows.
I do feel embarrassed, Zemin muttered and jumped down onto the floor, wriggling himself loose from Alec’s bear hug. Anyways..we should start planning how we’re going to kill my boss, right? But I want breakfast first..

Ezra had heard the ghoul walking towards them, or well he guessed it was the ghoul, seeing it wasn't Xue, and to his knowledge there was no one else in the house. He really hoped it wasn't, not feeling like dealing with that, not at all. For a second he felt like leaving, mostly because he didn't liked having a stranger so close. He didn't know the other man, and what he may do. He couldn't even see him. Zemin may trust him, but that didn't meant Ezra did, but he didn't had time to think about it before Zemin woke up. He actually felt a bit relieved, making it possible for him to leave. He hoped that the spirit had woken up, so he could return home. He was almost surprised that they hadn't already, and searched for him. But maybe Jax had informed Rivik, and forbid him from going to him. If that's was the case and Rivik listened, well it was a fucking miracle.
"Good morning" Ezra answered Alec, seeing it was the polite thing to do. "And I did not"
He had no desire to tell the man any reason, once again seeing he didn't knew him. He was surprised that the ghoul even commented, but he guessed he looked awful, maybe he should have sneaked away during the night, and gotten some sleep. But he couldn't, not only because Zemin was huge, but also because it would feel wrong to do so. And he did enjoy having the wolf close.

"You did not. If you had, I would have kicked you off the sofa, or well used magic to do so" he informed Zemin. He may have started liking having his fingers run through the wolfs fur, and to have him close, but if he had started drooling on him, he wouldn't had stayed and accepted it. He wonder how Alec could think that, but well he was totally different from Ezra so maybe it wasn't as strange, even if he felt like it wasn't something normal to like. He felt how Zemin left the sofa and he slowly stood up, stretching as he did, hearing how his bone cracked. It had been a long time since he sat that still. "I need tea" he only said as he waited for Zemin to help him find the door before he fell down.

You need tea and I need a large breakfast, Zemin agreed and soon thereafter found himself next to the older man. Before he began walking towards the stairs however, he made sure Ezra was able to locate him and due to that also able to follow him. When all of those boxes were checked, he slowly started moving his legs.
“I also want breakfast, but I can’t exactly eat any of you, so that’s a real bummer”, Alec shouted after the two, just as they disappeared down the steps leading downstairs. The younger man let out a quiet sigh and leaned back against the couch, pulling both hands through the thick, red hair.
“Are you sure you’re okay with them? And I don’t mean that they’re in love or anything, but they are mated..you know that’s a fact, right?” Xue asked, as he stepped out from the bedroom. His hair was messy and the upper body completely shirtless. Was he actually trying to show off his abs or did he just forget to put on a sweater?
“Don’t start making up your own stupid little theories, I’m totally fine”, the ghoul promised and raised an eyebrow towards his best friend. “Did you forget to wear a shirt or are you trying to impress somebody?” He wondered and grinned.
“Am I not allowed to admire my own body? Want me to punch you or something?” The wolf asked and opened his eyes even further, making them appear staring and creepy.
“Nah, I don’t want to accidentally hurt you”, Alec explained, which resulted in Xue wrestling him down on the soft surface of the sofa.
“You sure you’re not the one who’s gonna fare more ill?”

Zemin cast quick glanced towards Ezra as he led the man downstairs, towards the office.
So I didn’t drool on you? He asked with a small laugh before the slender legs started leading them through a narrow corridor. It was barely lit up, only by one single lightbulb that hung in the ceiling. Creepy as fuck, least to say. They really had to decorate all the corridors, put up new lamps, lay carpets on the floor and paint the walls. Because right now it looked like a scene from one of those old horror movies he and Xue used to watch on their old tv.
[i]And I’m sorry you didn’t get any sleep..I suppose I’m mostly to blame for that, aren’t I?” Zemin continued and once again felt deeply ashamed of himself. Poor Ezra who hadn’t gotten a single ounce of rest during the night because of the stupid, clingy werewolf that had snuggled up in his arms. He really never did learn, not by his mistakes or anything. How much was it supposed to take before something actually got stuck in his head? Apparently a whole fucking load. Jesus.