Of scales and wings and things that go Bump (in the night)
Title: Of scales and wings and things that go Bump (in the night)
Chapter 4. A / (?)
Fandom: Losers
Genre: AU
Rating: PG (13?)
Word Count: roughly 3129/ 5289
Disclaimer: I do not own the movie or Comics The Losers or characters within. I do not make money from writing or posting this fic.
emocezi , love her i do, cause she pretty much helped set up some of the conversations for me. I WUV HER!!!
Note. Chapter 4, part 1. original post too large
“Resorts and reservations, Alicia, front desk, how may I help you?” Jensen grinned at the long familiar voice on the other end of the phone. “Hey old lady. My mom working this weekend?” He chuckled as his aunt ranted for a second over the phone before abruptly calming- no doubt some guest had just come into the room. “She will be available this weekend, can I take a message or reservation?”
“Just tell her I need to come in for some TLC and a few questions. She’ll understand. I’ll take cabin 18 if it’s available.” It was the most remote cabin on the lot, and it was nearly never rented out. Only the most daring humans risked the trek out to the little lodge, but the fireplace made up for it. It was big enough to roast things in- or sprawl in layers of blankets and stay warm. It was secluded far enough it made the ones suffering from any “family problems” escape with ease and stay out of sight from the general populace.
“The message will be passed on and reservation made. Please note we are expecting a storm to hit this weekend. We may get snowed in.”
Jensen nodded even though she couldn’t see him. “I’ve put in for a four-day pass. I’ll work anything else past that as needed. Thanks Ali.” He clicked off as her voice raised high on the other end. He always teased her about her name, but the family just took it in stride. He shoved his phone in his pocket, catching Pooch looking at him from across the room. “Don’t give me that look. I can’t be expected to stay on base every damn break between missions. You have a family, so do I. I just have to drag my ass further.”
“You’re going out camping at some cabin? What does your family do?” Jensen smirked at the curious tone, licking a lip as he wandered over to collapse in a chair. “My mom became manager of this nice resort up in the northwest, borderlines this national forest up in New Hampshire. I’ll get back to you about which forest, but it doesn’t matter. Family is always welcome to pop in and relax, especially if we’re having... issues.” He sighed at the pointed look Pooch gave him. “Look, I’m fine. But this will give me a few days to clear my head of all the new stuff. I haven’t seen an actual dragons before, regardless of my family line. Now I’m working with one. I need to know if I should expect random side effects, like what happened the other night.”
“I wouldn’t call that a random side effect.” Jensen shot a glare at Roque as he leaned in the doorframe. “I look at it like this- you two are like two dominant stud-dogs. You don’t know who’ll come out on top if there was ever a proper, non-human fight between you two.”
Jensen glowered at Roque. “Thanks for that very disturbing image.” He stalked off, leaving Roque and Pooch staring at each other and him, plainly confused. “It’s not like I actually said they’d be humping each other or anything…”
“Roque. Shut up.”
Jensen was packing his duffle when Cougar appeared at his door. Jensen tossed a pair of folded socks behind his head, aimed unnervingly at Cougar’s head even though he’d never turned or given any other acknowledgement of the other’s presence. Cougar caught them from the air before there was ever a chance of them hitting him. “You are leaving?”
“Just a vacation.” He shoved another shirt into his duffle, accepting the socks back with the other hand. “You gonna miss me?” he teased.
“Let me come with you.”
Jensen froze, hand halfway into his duffle, head cocked to the side. Cougar watched his eyes flick up to look at him, not even moving his head, and those second eyelids blinked. After a moment, Jensen finished squeezing his socks against the side of the canvas and turned to fully look at him. ”Why?”
“Because the last time I was around anything like me was well over fifty years ago.” Cougar spoke slowly, calmly, looking to relax the suspicious look in Jensen’s eyes. “You may be different, scent, smell, but you are like.. familia. Like un primo lejano. It would be nice to be around such as me again, even if you cannot change.”
“And I have the distinct feeling that was a bit of bullcrap, ‘cause you’re never treated me like family. We make good for the team, but don’t fool yourself into more than that. If you want to come, fine; but you’re paying your own way.” Jensen tugged the top of his duffle closed, hooking the flaps on top and shoved it off the bed. “Oh, and bring layers, it’s supposed to get cold and snowy.” He watched from under his eyelids as Cougar murmured his assent and left. Slowly the hair-raising sensation along his nape faded, and Jake realized Roque was right. He wasn’t sure what an all out challenge fight between them would entail, but he was starting to feel territorial, more so than usual, whenever Cougar was around. He had to get to the bottom of why, and fast. He scratched the nape of his neck, letting the fine little hairs settle back properly, and got back to making sure he was ready.
“Jacob Jensen! Get down here and give me a hug!” The blonde, busty woman at the bottom of the stairs of the mock grand entrance stood there, arms waiting open. He fairly flew down the stairs, squeezing and turning her in a tight circle. “You are a sight, boy! The Army feeding you proper?” She started poking at him, pestering the way his shirt hung off his shoulders, wider than the last time she’d seen him. He squirmed and chuckled, getting a sheepish, good-ol’-boy smile on his face. “Mom, I love you too,” he mumbled. He nodded back toward the big double doors. “Mom, meet one of my teammates, Carlos. He decided to vacation with me.”
“Any friend of my son is welcome here.” She swept over and held out her hand, getting a gentle but solid handshake in return. She was a couple inches shorter than her son, and managed to peer up with a smile at the tanned man hiding under the hat. Cougar offered a gracious smile back to her exuberant one. Nice to know where Jensen’s wide smile and enjoyment of life came from. “Jake! Your cabin is ready for you, along with the ATV to get you out there.” She stepped away, motioning both men to follow her. “I stationed your sister on call to your cabin this weekend. If you need anything, at all, it will be in good hands.” She checked them off on a list, then produced that gracious host smile every manager learned to acquire. “Is Carlos rooming with you, or do you two have separate reservations?”
Jensen gave Cougar a sideways glance. He’d thought the man would at least have called or tried to set something up. “Paying your own way” usually covered that too. The man gave him a slight shrug. “Put him in my cabin, there’s plenty of room. We’ll split the bill.” His mom lifted an eyebrow at his tone but dutifully said nothing. Well, at least she knew now this wasn’t a sweetheart fling. She knew that voice all too well. She produced two sets of keys from behind a counter and pointed toward the back door. “Cabin keys and of course, the vehicle. Supper in the hall at seven, if you want to come in for it. The cabin is stocked with base essentials and a few favorites.”
“You’re awesome.” Jensen gave her another big hug before grabbing his bag. “I’ll drop in after supper closes down.”
The drive to the cabin was chilly, even more on an open ride ATV. Jensen pulled up to the cabin after a last set of treacherous paths overlooking a few low cliffs. But the view was worth it- overlooking the small lake, half iced over, and the cabin was a large single story with a large portion of the side done in chimney stones. Jensen led Cougar in without much preamble, splitting the keys so they would both have one each to the door and the ATV. Jensen left Cougar staring at the grand fireplace while he ransacked the kitchen, finding a stash of good coffee, his favorite cereal, and drawer of chocolate bars. The latter made him grin. It had to be a surprise from his sister- his mom never quite seemed to understand that two bars of chocolate was never enough.
“Your mom is nice.” Cougar stood in the doorway, coat tucked tight around him. He didn’t particularly like cold weather. “She smells human…”
“She grew up in the neighborhood, knew what the family was before she was even a teenager. She didn’t care. She’s been really… supportive.” There was an itchy spot on his shoulder, random little places tingling and itching as they warmed back up. “Let’s get that fire started. Want this place hot before nightfall.” He sidled past Cougar and went to set up the tinder in the fireplace, tingles arcing up his spine. Not the itches, but the realization he’d just given his back to another predator he wasn’t that familiar with. With no backup. He shifted over enough to watch Cougar from the corner of his eye, silently snorting at himself. He’s trusted Cougar at his back long before, knowing the sniper would take out any threat without even nicking him. But now, in private… that sense of other surged under his skin. This was a place he considered as his own, a safe retreat, and there was another, untested predator here. He gritted his teeth against the surge of instinct and felt it simmer away, not gone but no longer eating at him.
“There’s basics, shelf stuffs in the kitchen, milk and juice in the fridge. I think I saw some cheese. You can make yourself something or head down for dinner. I’ll be heading out shortly and won’t be back until probably dark or later.”
“I’ll stay.”
Jensen nodded and walked away. The fire was going strong, wood crackling softly, and there was a substantial pile by the grate. He’d bring in more to last the night. Cougar was still wrapped in his jacket, studying him back as Jensen tugged on a thick coat. He wasn’t certain when the storm would finish ramping up and decide to puke white flakes onto the world. He probably didn’t have to say it, but… “Don’t wander off too far, stay warm, and keep the fire going. You don’t want to get caught out there in what’s coming.”
“So, tell me about Carlos.” Jensen’s mother, Susan, settled into the chair across from him, a steaming cup of tea in her hands and she watched her son practically inhale a plate of her homemade fried chicken and mac ’n’ cheese. A few people, seeing him eat like this, had commented he simply seemed to unhinge his jaw and swallow the plate. If they only knew…
“…” Jake looked up at the smug little smile on his mom’s face before swallowing hard. “It’s not like that. He’s a teammate.” She made a little humphing sound as color trickled across his cheeks. “It’s not like that, momma.”
“Mmmhmm…”
Jake slid his plate aside, leaning forward a little. “It’s not like that. He’s a dragon.” The last words came out fast, barely above a whisper. Her private kitchen and he still kept his voice down.
“That good, is he?”
“Mo~om.” His eyes were flashing in the light, so she leaned forward a little. Her son was serious. “Is he like you?”
“No. He’s real. Bigger, better, whatever.” He shifted in his seat, eyes blinking in double time as he seemed to lose control of which set to use. “I’ve seen his wings, mom. He’s a true dragon.”
“And you aren’t? I’ve seen you scale out.” She got another wicked grin. “And you’ve seen his wings? Really??”
“Enough! I need you to just listen to me. You and dad are the only ones I can talk to about this…” He was staring at her with his own hundred mile stare, the thin nictating membrane slicking across his eyes in rapid flashes. It spoke volumes about his mindset. She settled further into her chair. That look was enough to trigger her from happy-go-lucky that Jake inherited from her, and fledge straight into momma-bear mode. She might only be human but that didn’t make one cent of difference when it came to her kids.
“Did he hurt you? Challenge you? What happened?” She wrapped her hands further around her cup. “Don’t tell you flirted with another dragon’s mate, Jacob Jensen. I can’t help you there.”
“No! He hasn’t hurt me and I haven’t done anything that bad. At least not that he’s told me. Cougar just has this problem with nightmares…”
“Cougar?”
“Carlos. Nickname. Stop interrupting.” She nodded, and he sighed. “Cougar gets these nightmares, but what I understand… they’re not nightmares. They’re past memories, and they’re bad. He’ll flip out, get all violent on any white guys he’s around. The team has kept me away from him until very recently, but… his last episode, I was in the room. He knocked me over, kept me pinned to the floor. Pooch came in before anything serious could happen, but… it was the first time I realized what he was. Since then it’s like I can’t keep from reacting to him. I trusted him before, and now I can’t present my back to him without my dragon self screaming he’s a threat. Like I need to kill him before he kills me, because the instant I let my guard down, I’m meat.”
Susan lifted her mug and swallowed, watching her son through the steam. “Is it like the way your father reacts when another male flirts with me? Or more like when Gran’pa Jones sees his cousin?”
“Either… both? It’s not possessive, and I know that’s how dad is about you. But I’m not sure it’s technically rivalry either. That’s why I’m here. I need answers on how to deal with all this. We’re teammates. I can’t afford to let this ruin us all.”
“Is he a viable threat? Do you see him as an enemy that must be utterly destroyed?”
No! Not destroyed. Just… like I have to prove I am dominant. He’s knocked me on my ass and… I think I need to return the favor? Beat him in a fight or something, because last time just wasn’t fair.”
“Then fight him. Get it out of your system, out from between you two.”
Jake gaped at his mom. “Are you telling me to kill him?? That’s not good advice!”
“You are stubborn and thick-headed like your father. I did not say kill.”
He grumbled as he pulled his plate back to him, shoving away several green vegetables to get the last scraps of pasta and chicken crumb. “Jacob Jensen, eat your Brussels sprouts. They’re good for you and you need them. And don’t you dare argue with me. You came to me for advice, I am giving it.”
‘They’re green balls of bland vitamins, I know,” he intoned, glaring at the mentioned food. Of course, they wouldn’t spontaneously combust for him. He glared harder.
Susan sighed gamely. They’d been having this fight since he was a little blonde boy whose mere presence invoked the neighborhood dogs into a frenzy. The dogs could smell the otherness on his skin, and most would work themselves into a foaming mouth state trying to get at him. “Have you talked to Carlos about this?”
“….. No.” An delicate eyebrow arched at the snorted answer. “Why not?”
“He barely says two words at a time normally, any given day. Five if we’re lucky. I doubt he wants to have a detailed conversation about why I need to pummel him into the ground and sink my claws and teeth in him. I’d be worried I was going feral if I was actually losing control.”
Her cup clattered, empty, to the table as she suddenly broke out into a coughing fit. She waved him away and got a glare in return when her breathing melted into quiet giggles. “You may want to get him moved to a separate cabin before the storm traps you both inside.”
“What?” he frowned deeper. “Why??” She shook her head. She wasn’t going to broach embarrassing topics for them both; instead she tugged down her collar and turned. There, set into the muscle just short of her neck, was a solid bite scar. The top edge of teeth was almost over the shoulder, the base frightfully close to her spine. Jake merely shrugged. He’d grown up seeing that scar. “What are you saying, mom?”
She let the shirt slide back into place, coming around the table to make him look at her. “I’d rather your dad be explaining this… he is the dragon in this family, dammit, and another guy. But listen to me: I think you imprinted on him. On Carlos.”
“Like baby ducklings when they first hatch? Whatever they seen is their momma, type imprinting?”
“More like a mating imprint.”
“Like those crack-head wolves from Twilight?”
“Jacob! You know that series is classed as a swearword in this house!” Ahh, his mother upset. She found the books to be so… disturbing. And rightfully so. “But sadly, yes. Only, without some of the other disturbingly weird side effects. It is not common for two males to imprint, as dragons or humans there is no passing on of the genes without a female. But I would imagine it to be much like any two dragons, mating. The male is not always the dominant one, and you two should be doubly so. There must be an established pecking order between you two before anything else can happen.”
Jake momentarily looked like a fish, processing his mother’s words. They made sense, but… seriously? “If you don’t want to be trapped with him in that cabin, you must head back now. Once the storm hits you two will be stuck there and whatever happens I will not be responsible for. But you cannot leave him alone out there- the power to that cabin doesn’t fare well with what we’re expecting to get.” She patted a still silent Jake on the shoulder. “Just go. I’ll send you with a box with more essentials, and you send him back here. I’ll put him up in one of the suites.”
“Mom-”
‘Go on. Details later, reality now.”
Chapter 4. A / (?)
Fandom: Losers
Genre: AU
Rating: PG (13?)
Word Count: roughly 3129/ 5289
Disclaimer: I do not own the movie or Comics The Losers or characters within. I do not make money from writing or posting this fic.
emocezi , love her i do, cause she pretty much helped set up some of the conversations for me. I WUV HER!!!
Note. Chapter 4, part 1. original post too large
“Resorts and reservations, Alicia, front desk, how may I help you?” Jensen grinned at the long familiar voice on the other end of the phone. “Hey old lady. My mom working this weekend?” He chuckled as his aunt ranted for a second over the phone before abruptly calming- no doubt some guest had just come into the room. “She will be available this weekend, can I take a message or reservation?”
“Just tell her I need to come in for some TLC and a few questions. She’ll understand. I’ll take cabin 18 if it’s available.” It was the most remote cabin on the lot, and it was nearly never rented out. Only the most daring humans risked the trek out to the little lodge, but the fireplace made up for it. It was big enough to roast things in- or sprawl in layers of blankets and stay warm. It was secluded far enough it made the ones suffering from any “family problems” escape with ease and stay out of sight from the general populace.
“The message will be passed on and reservation made. Please note we are expecting a storm to hit this weekend. We may get snowed in.”
Jensen nodded even though she couldn’t see him. “I’ve put in for a four-day pass. I’ll work anything else past that as needed. Thanks Ali.” He clicked off as her voice raised high on the other end. He always teased her about her name, but the family just took it in stride. He shoved his phone in his pocket, catching Pooch looking at him from across the room. “Don’t give me that look. I can’t be expected to stay on base every damn break between missions. You have a family, so do I. I just have to drag my ass further.”
“You’re going out camping at some cabin? What does your family do?” Jensen smirked at the curious tone, licking a lip as he wandered over to collapse in a chair. “My mom became manager of this nice resort up in the northwest, borderlines this national forest up in New Hampshire. I’ll get back to you about which forest, but it doesn’t matter. Family is always welcome to pop in and relax, especially if we’re having... issues.” He sighed at the pointed look Pooch gave him. “Look, I’m fine. But this will give me a few days to clear my head of all the new stuff. I haven’t seen an actual dragons before, regardless of my family line. Now I’m working with one. I need to know if I should expect random side effects, like what happened the other night.”
“I wouldn’t call that a random side effect.” Jensen shot a glare at Roque as he leaned in the doorframe. “I look at it like this- you two are like two dominant stud-dogs. You don’t know who’ll come out on top if there was ever a proper, non-human fight between you two.”
Jensen glowered at Roque. “Thanks for that very disturbing image.” He stalked off, leaving Roque and Pooch staring at each other and him, plainly confused. “It’s not like I actually said they’d be humping each other or anything…”
“Roque. Shut up.”
Jensen was packing his duffle when Cougar appeared at his door. Jensen tossed a pair of folded socks behind his head, aimed unnervingly at Cougar’s head even though he’d never turned or given any other acknowledgement of the other’s presence. Cougar caught them from the air before there was ever a chance of them hitting him. “You are leaving?”
“Just a vacation.” He shoved another shirt into his duffle, accepting the socks back with the other hand. “You gonna miss me?” he teased.
“Let me come with you.”
Jensen froze, hand halfway into his duffle, head cocked to the side. Cougar watched his eyes flick up to look at him, not even moving his head, and those second eyelids blinked. After a moment, Jensen finished squeezing his socks against the side of the canvas and turned to fully look at him. ”Why?”
“Because the last time I was around anything like me was well over fifty years ago.” Cougar spoke slowly, calmly, looking to relax the suspicious look in Jensen’s eyes. “You may be different, scent, smell, but you are like.. familia. Like un primo lejano. It would be nice to be around such as me again, even if you cannot change.”
“And I have the distinct feeling that was a bit of bullcrap, ‘cause you’re never treated me like family. We make good for the team, but don’t fool yourself into more than that. If you want to come, fine; but you’re paying your own way.” Jensen tugged the top of his duffle closed, hooking the flaps on top and shoved it off the bed. “Oh, and bring layers, it’s supposed to get cold and snowy.” He watched from under his eyelids as Cougar murmured his assent and left. Slowly the hair-raising sensation along his nape faded, and Jake realized Roque was right. He wasn’t sure what an all out challenge fight between them would entail, but he was starting to feel territorial, more so than usual, whenever Cougar was around. He had to get to the bottom of why, and fast. He scratched the nape of his neck, letting the fine little hairs settle back properly, and got back to making sure he was ready.
“Jacob Jensen! Get down here and give me a hug!” The blonde, busty woman at the bottom of the stairs of the mock grand entrance stood there, arms waiting open. He fairly flew down the stairs, squeezing and turning her in a tight circle. “You are a sight, boy! The Army feeding you proper?” She started poking at him, pestering the way his shirt hung off his shoulders, wider than the last time she’d seen him. He squirmed and chuckled, getting a sheepish, good-ol’-boy smile on his face. “Mom, I love you too,” he mumbled. He nodded back toward the big double doors. “Mom, meet one of my teammates, Carlos. He decided to vacation with me.”
“Any friend of my son is welcome here.” She swept over and held out her hand, getting a gentle but solid handshake in return. She was a couple inches shorter than her son, and managed to peer up with a smile at the tanned man hiding under the hat. Cougar offered a gracious smile back to her exuberant one. Nice to know where Jensen’s wide smile and enjoyment of life came from. “Jake! Your cabin is ready for you, along with the ATV to get you out there.” She stepped away, motioning both men to follow her. “I stationed your sister on call to your cabin this weekend. If you need anything, at all, it will be in good hands.” She checked them off on a list, then produced that gracious host smile every manager learned to acquire. “Is Carlos rooming with you, or do you two have separate reservations?”
Jensen gave Cougar a sideways glance. He’d thought the man would at least have called or tried to set something up. “Paying your own way” usually covered that too. The man gave him a slight shrug. “Put him in my cabin, there’s plenty of room. We’ll split the bill.” His mom lifted an eyebrow at his tone but dutifully said nothing. Well, at least she knew now this wasn’t a sweetheart fling. She knew that voice all too well. She produced two sets of keys from behind a counter and pointed toward the back door. “Cabin keys and of course, the vehicle. Supper in the hall at seven, if you want to come in for it. The cabin is stocked with base essentials and a few favorites.”
“You’re awesome.” Jensen gave her another big hug before grabbing his bag. “I’ll drop in after supper closes down.”
The drive to the cabin was chilly, even more on an open ride ATV. Jensen pulled up to the cabin after a last set of treacherous paths overlooking a few low cliffs. But the view was worth it- overlooking the small lake, half iced over, and the cabin was a large single story with a large portion of the side done in chimney stones. Jensen led Cougar in without much preamble, splitting the keys so they would both have one each to the door and the ATV. Jensen left Cougar staring at the grand fireplace while he ransacked the kitchen, finding a stash of good coffee, his favorite cereal, and drawer of chocolate bars. The latter made him grin. It had to be a surprise from his sister- his mom never quite seemed to understand that two bars of chocolate was never enough.
“Your mom is nice.” Cougar stood in the doorway, coat tucked tight around him. He didn’t particularly like cold weather. “She smells human…”
“She grew up in the neighborhood, knew what the family was before she was even a teenager. She didn’t care. She’s been really… supportive.” There was an itchy spot on his shoulder, random little places tingling and itching as they warmed back up. “Let’s get that fire started. Want this place hot before nightfall.” He sidled past Cougar and went to set up the tinder in the fireplace, tingles arcing up his spine. Not the itches, but the realization he’d just given his back to another predator he wasn’t that familiar with. With no backup. He shifted over enough to watch Cougar from the corner of his eye, silently snorting at himself. He’s trusted Cougar at his back long before, knowing the sniper would take out any threat without even nicking him. But now, in private… that sense of other surged under his skin. This was a place he considered as his own, a safe retreat, and there was another, untested predator here. He gritted his teeth against the surge of instinct and felt it simmer away, not gone but no longer eating at him.
“There’s basics, shelf stuffs in the kitchen, milk and juice in the fridge. I think I saw some cheese. You can make yourself something or head down for dinner. I’ll be heading out shortly and won’t be back until probably dark or later.”
“I’ll stay.”
Jensen nodded and walked away. The fire was going strong, wood crackling softly, and there was a substantial pile by the grate. He’d bring in more to last the night. Cougar was still wrapped in his jacket, studying him back as Jensen tugged on a thick coat. He wasn’t certain when the storm would finish ramping up and decide to puke white flakes onto the world. He probably didn’t have to say it, but… “Don’t wander off too far, stay warm, and keep the fire going. You don’t want to get caught out there in what’s coming.”
“So, tell me about Carlos.” Jensen’s mother, Susan, settled into the chair across from him, a steaming cup of tea in her hands and she watched her son practically inhale a plate of her homemade fried chicken and mac ’n’ cheese. A few people, seeing him eat like this, had commented he simply seemed to unhinge his jaw and swallow the plate. If they only knew…
“…” Jake looked up at the smug little smile on his mom’s face before swallowing hard. “It’s not like that. He’s a teammate.” She made a little humphing sound as color trickled across his cheeks. “It’s not like that, momma.”
“Mmmhmm…”
Jake slid his plate aside, leaning forward a little. “It’s not like that. He’s a dragon.” The last words came out fast, barely above a whisper. Her private kitchen and he still kept his voice down.
“That good, is he?”
“Mo~om.” His eyes were flashing in the light, so she leaned forward a little. Her son was serious. “Is he like you?”
“No. He’s real. Bigger, better, whatever.” He shifted in his seat, eyes blinking in double time as he seemed to lose control of which set to use. “I’ve seen his wings, mom. He’s a true dragon.”
“And you aren’t? I’ve seen you scale out.” She got another wicked grin. “And you’ve seen his wings? Really??”
“Enough! I need you to just listen to me. You and dad are the only ones I can talk to about this…” He was staring at her with his own hundred mile stare, the thin nictating membrane slicking across his eyes in rapid flashes. It spoke volumes about his mindset. She settled further into her chair. That look was enough to trigger her from happy-go-lucky that Jake inherited from her, and fledge straight into momma-bear mode. She might only be human but that didn’t make one cent of difference when it came to her kids.
“Did he hurt you? Challenge you? What happened?” She wrapped her hands further around her cup. “Don’t tell you flirted with another dragon’s mate, Jacob Jensen. I can’t help you there.”
“No! He hasn’t hurt me and I haven’t done anything that bad. At least not that he’s told me. Cougar just has this problem with nightmares…”
“Cougar?”
“Carlos. Nickname. Stop interrupting.” She nodded, and he sighed. “Cougar gets these nightmares, but what I understand… they’re not nightmares. They’re past memories, and they’re bad. He’ll flip out, get all violent on any white guys he’s around. The team has kept me away from him until very recently, but… his last episode, I was in the room. He knocked me over, kept me pinned to the floor. Pooch came in before anything serious could happen, but… it was the first time I realized what he was. Since then it’s like I can’t keep from reacting to him. I trusted him before, and now I can’t present my back to him without my dragon self screaming he’s a threat. Like I need to kill him before he kills me, because the instant I let my guard down, I’m meat.”
Susan lifted her mug and swallowed, watching her son through the steam. “Is it like the way your father reacts when another male flirts with me? Or more like when Gran’pa Jones sees his cousin?”
“Either… both? It’s not possessive, and I know that’s how dad is about you. But I’m not sure it’s technically rivalry either. That’s why I’m here. I need answers on how to deal with all this. We’re teammates. I can’t afford to let this ruin us all.”
“Is he a viable threat? Do you see him as an enemy that must be utterly destroyed?”
No! Not destroyed. Just… like I have to prove I am dominant. He’s knocked me on my ass and… I think I need to return the favor? Beat him in a fight or something, because last time just wasn’t fair.”
“Then fight him. Get it out of your system, out from between you two.”
Jake gaped at his mom. “Are you telling me to kill him?? That’s not good advice!”
“You are stubborn and thick-headed like your father. I did not say kill.”
He grumbled as he pulled his plate back to him, shoving away several green vegetables to get the last scraps of pasta and chicken crumb. “Jacob Jensen, eat your Brussels sprouts. They’re good for you and you need them. And don’t you dare argue with me. You came to me for advice, I am giving it.”
‘They’re green balls of bland vitamins, I know,” he intoned, glaring at the mentioned food. Of course, they wouldn’t spontaneously combust for him. He glared harder.
Susan sighed gamely. They’d been having this fight since he was a little blonde boy whose mere presence invoked the neighborhood dogs into a frenzy. The dogs could smell the otherness on his skin, and most would work themselves into a foaming mouth state trying to get at him. “Have you talked to Carlos about this?”
“….. No.” An delicate eyebrow arched at the snorted answer. “Why not?”
“He barely says two words at a time normally, any given day. Five if we’re lucky. I doubt he wants to have a detailed conversation about why I need to pummel him into the ground and sink my claws and teeth in him. I’d be worried I was going feral if I was actually losing control.”
Her cup clattered, empty, to the table as she suddenly broke out into a coughing fit. She waved him away and got a glare in return when her breathing melted into quiet giggles. “You may want to get him moved to a separate cabin before the storm traps you both inside.”
“What?” he frowned deeper. “Why??” She shook her head. She wasn’t going to broach embarrassing topics for them both; instead she tugged down her collar and turned. There, set into the muscle just short of her neck, was a solid bite scar. The top edge of teeth was almost over the shoulder, the base frightfully close to her spine. Jake merely shrugged. He’d grown up seeing that scar. “What are you saying, mom?”
She let the shirt slide back into place, coming around the table to make him look at her. “I’d rather your dad be explaining this… he is the dragon in this family, dammit, and another guy. But listen to me: I think you imprinted on him. On Carlos.”
“Like baby ducklings when they first hatch? Whatever they seen is their momma, type imprinting?”
“More like a mating imprint.”
“Like those crack-head wolves from Twilight?”
“Jacob! You know that series is classed as a swearword in this house!” Ahh, his mother upset. She found the books to be so… disturbing. And rightfully so. “But sadly, yes. Only, without some of the other disturbingly weird side effects. It is not common for two males to imprint, as dragons or humans there is no passing on of the genes without a female. But I would imagine it to be much like any two dragons, mating. The male is not always the dominant one, and you two should be doubly so. There must be an established pecking order between you two before anything else can happen.”
Jake momentarily looked like a fish, processing his mother’s words. They made sense, but… seriously? “If you don’t want to be trapped with him in that cabin, you must head back now. Once the storm hits you two will be stuck there and whatever happens I will not be responsible for. But you cannot leave him alone out there- the power to that cabin doesn’t fare well with what we’re expecting to get.” She patted a still silent Jake on the shoulder. “Just go. I’ll send you with a box with more essentials, and you send him back here. I’ll put him up in one of the suites.”
“Mom-”
‘Go on. Details later, reality now.”