Aftermath (Jake and Gavin)

There wasn't a whole lot of things that made Gavin angry, he was normally a very level headed individual. Though on days like today, mornings after his monthly ordeal--he was much more irritable than normal. Waking up in the middle of the woods naked and covered in blood with the sickening taste of raw meat in your mouth would be a concern for most people, however for Gavin it was standard procedure at this point. He couldn't understand why the sun always seemed to shine brighter and the birds chirp louder on the mornings after his change, or why he seemed to have the intent of single handedly lowering the deer population in his other form.

The trek through the woods to where he'd stashed his clothes for the night did nothing to improve his mood, as he received new scratches from the branches hitting his uncovered body. All that kept him moving forward was the though of making it home and cuddling up under his blankets as his body recovered from its torturous change. Though he knew it'd e awhile before he actually got to sleep. He still had the monthly check-in from his est friend. For the last six years almost like clockwork the morning after his change Jake would show up to make sure that Gavin was okay. One of the many ways the older male had been there for Gavin over the years.

Upon arriving at his flat, not bothering to lock the door knowing Jake would be close behind, the first thing Gavin noticed was a pungent stench that seemed to fill the apartment. He immediately assumed that his upstairs neighbors were attempting to cook again, before he realized that the smell was wafting off of him. In the open air it hadn't been noticeable, but in the confined space of his abode it was very much palpable. So before anything else Gavin decided to shower and clean up a little, besides though Jake hadn't ever mentioned it; Gavin was sure he'd appreciate it if he wasn't covered in blood and filth when he showed up.

Gavin remained under the spray of warm water until it ran clear before he started to actually soap himself up and remove the smell that seemed to be clinging to his skin. It took a bit of work, but the nineteen year old finally felt presentable and stumbled out the shower tugging on a pair of boxers and a t-shirt before flopping stomach first onto his bed.

'I hope Jake comes bearing gifts of food,' Gavin thought idily as his stomach growled for actual sustenance as opposed to the raw meat it was currently digesting.

The scent of the food Jake brought with him hit Gavin before anything else, and the low rumbling of his stomach alerted the teen to just how hungry he was. With a slight groan he rolled onto his back so he could sit up and greet his best friend. He couldn't help but roll his eyes at the comment about his half dressed state, though he knew the older male was just teasing him. "I'd like to see you get fully dressed when you're sore in places that you didn't even know could be sore." He cracked his neck and let out a groan of relief as some of the tension in his body dissipated.

Reaching over to his nightstand he grinned up at the older male and spoke almost chipperly. "You Jake Newbury are a God among men." He said with a faint smile as he took the breakfast and started voraciously digging in. When asked about his choice of beverage Gavin just raised an eyebrow and laughs almost chocking on the muffin. "You've been in England too long brother. I'll take a coffee with milk and two sugars." And then resumed his enthusiastic eating.

Now that his hunger was being sated, Gavin's senses were clearing up and he could focus on other things. For instance the lingering smell Jake left as he wandered through his house. It was strong and masculine, a smell that Gavin had always associated with comfort. In a lot of ways Jake filled that strong male role model in Gavin's life--a guy for him to look up to. Something he never got from his volatile older brother or absentee father.

"So how're things in Jakeland?" Gavin asked with a yawn speaking loud enough for the other boy to hear. "I take it Marilyn and Victoria are both doing well?" The one good thing about Gavin's little issue is that it gave him at least one day to have Jake to himself, to relax with his best bro and catch up in a safe environment. He wasn't as outgoing as his other friends and would much rather hang out with them one on one in private than as a group in public.

In response to Jake's teasing Gavin reacted in the most mature manner he could imagine, he stuck his tongue out at the older boy. "Hey I didn't go pro because I was recruited by the ministry to do a study on their centaur problem." With a soft smile he started digging into the breakfast that Jake had brought him. He wasn't yet accustomed to the traditional English breakfast, but it was infinitely better than having to cook for himself. Though what the red head wouldn't give for a greasy breakfast sandwich from a fast food joint. He casually sipped on the coffee listening to Jake catch him up on what's going on in his life.

"Oh wow, Head Girl," he grinned and sat up a little more, "that's amazing I'll have to get her a little celebratory gift or something. Another stuffed animal, continue my tradition." He ran his fingers through his hair brushing the copper locks from his eyes. "Things are going well man. Work is exciting. I've been working in Galway deep sea exploring searching for new and unchronicled creatures. In fact the next edition of 'Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them' is going to have me listed as a contributor. And I've found a little bit of a lead on fixing my little problem. Marilyn's great Uncle Ian and his husband were searching for a cure too. If I can get my hand on those research notes. I can pick up where they left off."

He smiled brightly up at Jake setting down the empty coffee mug, "Think about man...I can be normal again." Unfortunately his mind didn't dwell on the good for too long and a frown made its way onto his face. 'Well almost normal...' He thought contemplating on how he'd never be truly normal.

Even knowing about Jake's predilection to not reading, his praise of Gavin's accomplishment still filled the boy with a warm sense of joy. He'd probably never admit it aloud for fear of making Jake uncomfortable, but Gavin looked up to the older man. Even if their life paths were different it mattered a lot to him what Jake thought. His grin only got wider as Jake inquired about his desire to find a cure. "Well if there is I'm the man to find it. Your best mate's a genius don't ya know."

His smile faltered and a panic stricken look crossed his face at Jake's crack about him never being normal. 'He doesn't know does he? There's no way...he wouldn't be here if he knew.' Just as soon as it happened Gavin managed to swallow his panic rationalizing that it had been a simple joke on Jake's part. Something to lighten the mood, not him commenting on Gavin's big secret. The thing he was more afraid of people finding out about than his condition.

After calm inf down the thunderous beating of his heart Gavin faked a chortle at the joke and reached up to playfully hit Jake. "Oh you can go fuck yourself bro, I am plenty normal. Some people find red hair quite attractive." Back in the swing of things he stuck his tongue out at Jake and laughed. "Though where those people re hiding I have no idea."

"Oh dude," Gavin made an exaggerated face of disgust as he pushed Jake playfully, "I did not need that imagery in my head. Bro rule number one, don't talk about your sex life when your spearing someone I know." In all truthfulness Gavin didn't mind thinking about Jake having sex, he'd have to be a blind man not to see how attractive his best friend was, but picturing him with Marilyn who had been at one point another of his goof friends kind of made him gag. But he smiled through it and glanced over at Jake as he shifted to a serious face.

As it became clearer what exactly Jake was trying to ask him about Gavin quirked an eyebrow. "Okay so you're asking the virgin who's never been on a date for relationship advice...sure makes sense." Not used to seeing Jake get so serious unless something was seriously wrong Gavin tried joking to lighten up the atmosphere a little bit. "And secondly by next step are you talking about marriage man?" He asked trying to bite back the incredulous tone he wanted to ask that in.

"I mean I suppose you too have been together for awhile," he spoke as he stroked his chin in contemplation, "I mean personally I think you're both a little young for wedding bells. And if the time was right you'd just know it man, wouldn't have to ask your perpetually single mate for advice." He reached up with a wince and laid a hanf on Jake's shoulder. "But regardless man know that I'll support you no matter what, and that I damn sure better be the best man."