Continuation of the AU for will_wolf

[inwhichwar]

Air travel hasn't changed much in the long years since Kati last boarded a plane; airports are still crowded and full of potential threats, planes still lack the requisite number of quick exits to make her feel at ease, and sitting still for long periods is still hell on her bad leg

Comments

[will_wolf]

Seriously. [Will is pretty sure he could get into the cockpit if he really wanted to.]

...I'm actually a little surprised they actually let me in the cabin and don't make me ride in the cargo bay with the pets. Laws about service animals-- [He snorts.] --notwithstanding.

[inwhichwar]

[Kati scoffs and tosses a fond look in his direction.]

I almost wish someone would try it. A good fight would make me feel better about the damned inconvenience in security.

[She's joking, of course. And God, but it's been a long time since she had anyone she could joke with.]

[will_wolf]

Me too, honestly. [He makes a wry face.] Probably better not to start a fight, because we don't want to miss our flight.

But if they start one, we can definitely finish it. [Yeah, he's gotten a little free and easy. It'll bite him with his next Master, he's sure, but for now it's good to have some agency back.]

[inwhichwar]

But of course. We are a couple of badasses, isn't it obvious to look at us?

[Her eyes crinkle at the edges. Yeah, she looks real fucking scary with her limp and her sensible shoes, all right.]

So. I think before we get on an airplane, we should get something to eat. It sounds good to you, Will?

[will_wolf]

Never let 'em see you coming, ma'am. I think there's a few bank robbers and one very, very sorry wolf hunter who knows better than to underestimate us anymore. [Will's grin is, yes, wolfish, as he tests the air. The delicious aroma of steak leads him to Bobby Van's Steakhouse.

It's spendy, but airport food is always spendy, and the Boss likes spoiling her werewolf. He doesn't usually take shameless advantage, but.] Anything we get from here will be good.

[inwhichwar]

[Kati wouldn't mind even if he did; he deserves it by now.]

Well. I know after all this time that I can always trust a werewolf's nose in the matter of food, so.

[She stumps up to the hostess and offers her the sweetest, most harmless smile in her repertoire.]

A table for two people, please and thank you.

[will_wolf]

[Will also puts on his harmless-slave-nothing-to-see-here demeanor. The hostess's eyes widen, and she stumbles over her words a little. "Right this way."

She leads them to a table in the back away from any other patrons. Will's mouth twists as he pulls a chair out for Kati.]

Well, at least she didn't spout some bullshit about health regulations and oh-my-God-werewolves. [It wouldn't be the first time.]

[inwhichwar]

[Kati sniffs and snaps her napkin with a sharp little motion before she puts it in her lap.]

Well. Then that means I did not have to ruin her evening for her, so she should count herself lucky.

And besides, this gives us the advantage of fewer nosy parkers when we are trying to enjoy our food, is it not so?

[will_wolf]

That's certainly true. [Will picks up the bar menu.] Best thing about this time of year? Pumpkin ale. [He doesn't quite give her the Shameless Puppy Eyes.

The waiter comes by and hides his choke actually fairly well when he sees his customers. "What can I get you to drink?"]

[inwhichwar]

Two pumpkin ales, please and thank you.

[She's still deploying that sweet little smile, the one with just a bare edge of "I will absolutely fuck up your evening if you give me grief about my wolf" in it.]

Will, would you like an appetizer as well? I think the onion rings for myself, please.

[will_wolf]

Oh, yes, ma'am, the cottage fries, zucchini, and onion ring combo platter, please and thank you.

[Butter won't melt in his mouth, but there's an impish cast to his eyes for anyone with the wit to look for it. And his Mistress, he knows, has such wit.]

[inwhichwar]

[She really does, and she shoots him an approving glance with echoes of that impishness in it.

The waiter is really not sure how to take this, but he figures it's not exactly his job to judge, so he just scribbles down the order and disappears with a nonplussed expression.]

[will_wolf]

[Will's gaze follows him as he disappears into the back.] You'd think it was a new thing, a Master feeding a wolf well.

Oh, wait.

[It's been a long time since Will has eaten this well. Since Wynter, really.] Thanks, Boss. It means a lot.

[inwhichwar]

[Kati makes a gesture with her hand, not exactly dismissive of his comment but of the stupidity of the society that they live in.]

You're more than welcome, Will. It's nothing but what you deserve.

[will_wolf]

[Will's not so sure about that. On his good days, he mostly believes it, but there's a part of him that knows he failed his Pack and thinks he "deserves" whatever kicks come his way.

But it makes Kati sad whenever he expresses anything like that, and Lord knows she's had enough sadness in her life. So he nods instead and clinks his pilsner glass against hers when their beer arrives.]

Absent friends.

[inwhichwar]

Kati nods solemnly.]

Lost loved ones.

[Well, loved one singular in her case, but she knows Will has lost much, much more than she has.]

And to maybe a little bit of brightness in the future, yes?