Alec
Shit! Shit! Shit! All my clothes look the fucking same!
It's been a long time since I've been on a date and I don't remember how I used to dress. Deciding to just go with the outfit I have on, the last of over a dozen changes, I pick my way out of the chaos of clothes spread all over my bedroom.
For tonight's date, Christopher and I had decided on dinner followed by bowling but an emergency patient, a little shihtzu named Mop Top, has to stay downstairs for observation tonight.
I had texted Christopher to cancel at first. Can we reschedule? I have an overnight patient.
oh no is it going to be okay?
Yes but I have to administer meds every four hours and keep an eye on her.
okay I understand what about just dinner? You need to eat, too and I'll make sure we go somewhere quick
Is just dinner okay?
YEs! I am just excited to see you <3
I'm excited, too. I've been missing Christopher more than I ever thought I would. Especially when transitioning from the pack house to normal days aren't going like I'd expect.
The suspicions were troublesome.
I started seeing patients again right away. Every jolt or bounce of the animals had me expecting to see their shape starting to blur. My stomach hurts from holding my breath, waiting for one to shift into a human.
Whispering when I thought their owners couldn't hear me, I've already asked three cats, a rabbit, a golden retriever and a pair of ferrets to shift now or forever hold their muzzles. I never want another problem that ends up in me operating on a human being. Again.
Worse than that are the nightmares, if I fall asleep at all.
I decide on an outfit at just the right time as I hear a knock on the front door. Crossing to the door in the small apartment, I smooth a hand down my shirt and take a deep breath. When I open the door, Christopher is standing there, holding a shiny box and looking amazing.
He always looks good but I can tell he also put more time and thought into tonight. I get a brief flash of the first time I saw him, when he came running in in just some shorts. I realize at this moment that he must have come in like that after shifting from his wolf form.
"Alec?" Christopher asks as if he's repeating himself, waiting awkwardly in front of me. "You okay?"
"Oh! Yes, I'm fine. Do you want to step in for a moment? I just need to grab my stuff."
"Okay! And, here, this is for you." He hands me a box of chocolates. "I bought it in [college town] this week but maybe I should have bought you more than this. You look like you haven't eaten much."
I roll my eyes and turn away. "We're going to dinner right now. And I ate lunch earlier, too. Not everyone eats like a moose."
I place the chocolates on the kitchen counter and pick up my phone, wallet and keys. Dropping them into my pocket I turn to catch Christopher's gaze sweeping around the small space.
Self-consciously, I grab up the pillow and twisted mess of blankets I left on the couch this morning and toss it out of sight, kicking it underneath. There's no hiding the pile of folders, books, snack wrappers and empty water bottles left out in front of it.
"Shall we go?" I push Christopher outside and lock up."I need to check on my patient really quick, do you mind waiting for a minute."
"No problem, can I come with? Christopher follows me down the wooden steps and around to the front of the clinic. Even though the sun is setting, the heat of the day lingers.
We check on Mop Top, Christopher waiting patiently while I make sure she's comfortable. I always have a camera set up for overnight stays, linked to my phone. After checking that it is active and working, I turn off the rest of the lights and lock up.
In the parking lot, his truck is parked next to my car. "Can I drive?" I ask.
"Sure." Christopher steps up to the passenger side as I unlock it. I thought that he might try to convince me otherwise. He seems to be very well-behaved on a date.
I turn the AC before pulling out and heading for the highway to town. "It's almost fall, I wonder when it's going to start cooling down.
"You don't have to have the air on if you don't want to."
"No, I do." I can feel some sweat beading at my temple and I really don't want to start sweating tonight.
"I thought you didn't like it?"
"When did I say-oh." Now I remember what I told him when we went furniture shopping. Sheepishly, I have to admit, "Ha, I might have been trying to make you uncomfortable."
"Nooo," Christopher drags the word out, feigning shock. "I never would have guessed you'd do that, Alec."
"I'm sorry, okay." Embarrassment lights up my face but I look over and see Christopher smiling widely at me. The rest of the ride is more comfortable after that. Our conversation is dotted with directions from Christopher to the restaurant.
Like most things in town, the restaurant is located 'downtown', a small historically protected main street filled with mainly local businesses. The streets are busy now, for Shady Woods standards.
"It's there," Christopher points to one of the storefronts. "There's parking around the back."
I follow the narrow alley and manage to find a spot. "It feels pretty busy for a Wednesday."
"It's pretty popular but members of our pack are the owners so we'll be able to eat quickly and you can get back to the clinic."
Stepping into the restaurant, a cheerful woman at the hostess stand greets us right away. "Christopher! We're all ready for you. Dr. Alec, nice to see you again. Your table's this way."
We follow her through the maze of mostly occupied tables. I must have met her at the pack house but I can't quite remember her specifically.
While waiting for our waiter, several people come up and say hello to Christopher, or me. Unlike the dining hall, they don't linger, just giving their greetings as they pass by.
"I feel like I'm having dinner at the pack house again." I joke as another one goes by.
"I'm sorry, Alec. I thought eating in town would be a little more private than at home. I can warn everyone not to come over." Christopher's eyes turn blankly away for a second.
"Wait!"
"What?"
"If you, like, mindlink everyone to stay away, that seems sort of rude."
"But I'm the Alpha." Christopher states densely.
Oh my god. "It's just people coming to say hi, no need to 'Alpha' them."
"But if it bothers you-"
"Did I say it bothers me?"
"No? It doesn't?" Christopher doubts.
Not like it did at first when the pack seemed so large and frightening. Dee has still been bringing me lunch only now I know where the variety of delicious foods come from. I eat while working like normal but it feels a little emptier on my own.
I give a shrug. "I'm getting used to it. But, uh, anyways, how is school going? Did you miss a lot last week?"
Christopher tells me about his classes, we talk about my work and he tells me some stories about the pack and the other werewolves. I follow his recommendation on ordering and my meal has the largest portions I've ever been served at a restaurant.
After our plates are cleared, with Christopher haven eaten most of mine too, dessert is bright out. Apparently, Christopher ordered it ahead of time. I'm so full but still take a few bites. It's so delicious.
Sitting back, my stomach feels like it's going to burst. "I am always full when you're around."
Christopher's hand reaches on the table and grabs mine, interlocking our fingers. "I think that's the best compliment you've ever given me."
"Oh, well..." I can't bring myself to look him in the eyes, my cheeks starting to burn brightly. Christopher stands up to lean over and presses a quick kiss on my temple. Straightening up and standing fully before I can process the kiss.
"If you're done, we can get going."
"We didn't get the check yet."
Christopher smiles guiltily. "I paid it already, I thought you'd argue about it." I open my mouth to do exactly that but he rushes on. "I asked you out, so I'll pay tonight. If you want to treat me, you'll have to hurry up and ask me out for our next time."
I consider his deal. "Sounds fair."
He takes my hand and starts leading me back outside.
"You're really going to wait for me to ask you out next time?"
Christopher just shrugs, a playful twinkle in his eyes.
The drive home was more quiet, the windows down to let the cooler, night air in. Christopher followed me to check on my patient and lock up the clinic again. He follows me up the stairs to my front door.
As I unlock it, It reminds me of the last time he left me at the front door, how I had broken down, the fear overwhelming me. I straighten my back and put a cheerful smile on this time before turning to face him.
Christopher immediately pulls me into his embrace, wrapping his arms around me and pressing my face into his chest. I wrap my arms around his waist and lean into him.
"Alec, can I ask you something?" I can feel Christopher's low voice rumble through him.
My fingers tense on his shirt before flexing on the fabric. We're in front of my apartment, isn't it obvious what he's going to ask. Should I invite him in? Am I ready tonight?
Clearing my throat slightly, I answer him along with a small nod. "Mm-hmm."
"Alec," Christopher's arms hold me closer. "Have you been sleeping on your couch again?"
"What?" I pull back enough to look up at him, his face mostly hidden in the dark, highlighted only with starlight.
"I saw your blankets earlier." His hand comes up and slides gently down my cheek. "Are you having nightmares about what happened?"
"Oh, that." I run my tongue over suddenly dry lips. I don't want to tell him the truth but I also don't want to lie. "It's just the, uh, mattress," I answer, forcing a little laugh. "You were right, I should have gotten a better one."
"Alec, can I-" Christopher stops and looks at me carefully. Starting again, he asks, "Would you like me to stay here tonight?"