Fic: Let's Be More Than This (13/19) [The Covenant, OT4, FRAO/NC-17]
Title: Let's Be More Than This - Chapter 13
Author: mickey_sixx
Fandom: The Covenant
Pairing: Caleb Danvers/Pogue Parry/Reid Garwin/Tyler Simms (eventual), Reid Garwin/Tyler Simms (established)
Rating: FRAO/NC-17/M
Word Count: ~67K (yeah, it's an epic)
Disclaimer: Characters are not mine. I do not own them!
Beta: Sam | hawk_dancing (Thank you so much! *smishes*) & barefoot_starz ♥
WARNING! This fic contains scenes of a graphic sexual nature between two (three... eventually four) men. If this offends you, please do not read.
Summary: The last of the old Covenant has died, leaving the new Generation to carry on the legacy, but Caleb soon discovers there is more to the Power than he'd previously thought. Friendships will be tested and secrets revealed as the Sons of Ipswich find out what it really means to be one of the Covenant.
Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12
Chapter 13
It took Pogue until Friday to realize what was going on. Fourth period English, to be exact; the only class apart from Swim practice they had together. When Pogue came to his conclusion he very nearly choked on his own spit from the shock.
Later he'd tell himself that he'd always known. It was the looks that made him suspicious. Caleb had returned to classes looking better that he'd seen him in weeks. The eldest still looked tired, but the dark bruises under his eyes were less pronounced now. Pogue felt relieved that they were finally getting the old Caleb back. But that's where it got complicated. Because it wasn't the old Caleb. This Caleb, when he wasn't concentrating on his text book, was trading looks with Reid and Tyler. And not his usual "I disapprove" look or "Back off and we'll talk about this later" look that was usually reserved for Reid when he was acting out. This was... intimate. Searching, maybe? A deep and penetrating stare that seemed to say everything and nothing at all.
Then there were the smiles. Pogue caught them a few times - a slight quirk of the lips; barely there, lightning quick - and he'd look away, only to glance up again a few seconds later and realize he was alone; all three of his brothers disappearing without a trace.
They were at it again in English Lit. So far he'd counted four times where Caleb had glanced up from his book, in search of the youngest two. It was the fifth time, when Pogue rolled his eyes and looked up just in time to watch Reid run his tongue over his lips seductively, when he finally got a clue.
"Shit!"
Every single head in the class turned at the hissed curse, leaving Pogue to stare, dumbstruck, at Caleb. The eldest frowned at his outburst, returning Pogue's look with one of his own.
"Mr Parry?"
He started, glancing towards the front of the lecture hall where the Professor stared at him disapprovingly over the rims of his glasses. Swallowing, he started to make an apology, but the shrill ring of the bell cut in before he could speak, signalling the end of class. As one the class moved, stuffing papers and books into bags and hurriedly filing out of the lecture hall, ignoring their Professor as he shouted out that night's homework. His outburst forgotten, Pogue gathered his stuff and followed suit, doing his very best to ignore Caleb's calls, verbal and telepathic, for him to wait up.
Battling his way through the crowded hallway, Pogue managed to finally get out onto the grounds behind the school, breathing a sigh that was thinly disguised relief. He didn't stop until the noise of the school became a low level hum, dropping his bag to the grass to run both hands through his hair in frustration. Dammit, he'd been through this already.
No, you haven't, the voice in the back of his head told him meanly, you've ignored it. It's called denial - you didn't think about it because you didn't want to.
Pogue shook his head and eventually fell down on the grass beside his bag, but even though he tried to deny the taunt, he found that he couldn't. He didn't want to think about how Caleb was able to sit in class like nothing was going on, he was just happy that he was there at all. The looks, the smiles, the disappearing acts - it really only came to one conclusion and he should have seen it before today.
But if he was being really honest with himself, that wasn't even the main problem. Truth hurts, Parry. Just admit it and start dealing already. Pogue closed his eyes and let his head drop forward, as though admitting the truth really did hurt him. Realizing that Reid and Tyler were helping Caleb like that was a shock.
What freaked him out more was the burning jealousy that flashed through him when he caught on. In the space of a few seconds, Pogue had gone from blissfully ignorant to completely aware of everything, and he wasn't sure if he liked it. Knowing it was going on was one thing, realizing you want to be a part of it is another.
But isn't that what this is all about? The four of you are being drawn together, you're going to want them eventually.
"Not until Ascending," he muttered in answer to himself, "Fuck."
"You know that's the first sign of madness."
Pogue jumped, head whipping around in the direction of the voice. Reid stood off to his left, a subdued version of his usual smirk pulling at his lips. Pogue's stomach twisted at the sight of him, "What?"
"Talking to yourself," he repeated, moving forward until he was standing right next to him, "'s first sign of madness."
The older teen turned away, staring out in front of him, "Don't you have a class now?"
Reid shrugged and turned, lowering himself to the ground next to Pogue and stretching his legs out in front of him, "Whatever." Pogue snorted. "What's up?"
"What d'ya mean?" He said rather than asked, already knowing what Reid was talking about.
The blond sighed and looked at him askance, "Ok, if you want to play it that way - you've figured out that me and Tyler are fooling around with Caleb." Pogue couldn't hide his flinch at the bold statement and Reid rolled his eyes, "I thought you were ok with this."
"I am-"
"So why are you running again?"
"Fuck you, Reid," Pogue growled, "I'm not running."
"So what's this? Why bolt from class when you figured it out?" Pogue stayed silent. "You gonna answer me Pogue or are you just gonna be a moody bitch all freakin' day?"
The long haired teen sighed in irritation and finally spoke, "I'm not like you and Tyler, ok? I can't just... accept this. I'm fucked up enough as it is; this is just screwing with me in ways that I can't even begin to go into. I'm trying to deal but it's fucking hard."
Reid watched him silently. Deep frown lines creased his forehead, eyebrows drawn together over troubled hazel eyes, body tense and hunched over like he was trying to protect himself. Skilled fingers played with random blades of grass beside him, nervous energy finding a suitable outlet, while the slight breeze blew at his hair and his shirt. The blond frowned and regarded him closely.
"There's something else," He said slowly, his suspicious confirmed when Pogue's fingers snapped the fragile blade of grass they were playing with, "C'mon, Parry, quit holding out on me. I'm trying to help, moron. How often does that happen?"
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly at Reid's attempt at humour, but the smile disappeared just as quickly as it came and Pogue made no move to tell him the whole truth. Reid waited. And waited. And waited, until finally Pogue's lips parted to mumble his answer to the ground. He rolled his eyes and made a show of cupping a hand behind his ear, "Speak up, Princess."
The look Pogue cut him told him he was less than amused, but Reid didn't give up and the other teen found himself repeating his confession properly.
"I was... I was jealous, ok?"
Reid blinked, "You were jealous," he said again, slower this time. He paused, "Of what?"
Large hands buried themselves in long brown hair again and Pogue sighed, "Fuck do I have to spell it out? I was jealous because I'm left out. Because I-" he stopped and swallowed before carrying on, "Because for a split second I wanted you in a way that I've never wanted you before."
Both teens were silent for a while. "That's why I'm... that's why," he continued, "Jesus, Reid, I'm straight, I have a girlfriend - I think I'm allowed to freak out when I start wanting to kiss another guy!"
Reid's eyebrows lifted. Slowly, he hedged, "You... wanted to kiss me?"
His cheeks burned and Pogue just shrugged in response, wishing he could take the words back. He tensed when Reid shifted next to him, moving closer, close enough so that Pogue could feel his body heat along his exposed skin.
"Wanna practice?"
A shiver raced down his spine at the low seductive voice and Pogue shot up before he did something stupid, like punch him in the fucking face. Or actually go through with it and kiss him.
"Fuck you!" He barked, backing up a few paces and glaring at Reid as the blond snickered and fell back to the grass, blue eyes shifting between amused and something he couldn't identify.
"Shit, calm down, man. I'm only messing with you." Reid sighed and hauled himself up, brushing the grass from his pants as he stepped towards Pogue. The older boy let him approach, eyeing him warily, and Reid just snorted and clapped him on the shoulder, levelling him with a serious gaze, "Seriously man. I know how you feel."
Pogue snorted, unconvinced, "Yeah?"
"Dude, Tyler's the first and only guy I'd ever been with, until Caleb," He confessed, dropping his hand and slipping them into his pockets like an embarrassed school boy, "It's not like it was easy for me figuring out that I liked him a whole lot more than a friend or a brother. So yeah, I know what it's like."
Something inside Pogue eased at those words. Knowing that he wasn't the only one to go through this was a relief, but it was still hard. Where did he stand now? Would he be ok with being with them like that? Hell, Caleb already made him come in his pants. But he didn't touch you. That was purely the Power. So how would he react if Caleb - or Reid or Tyler - touched him, got him off with their hands and mouths, lips and teeth and tongue. Pogue shivered again at the thought.
They were already walking back towards school when Reid smirked and moved marginally closer to him, "You know, if you need any help figuring things out..." Pogue caught the dramatic leer that accompanied the words and reached out to push him, sending the blond stumbling sideways. Reid laughed and steadied himself, sobering up a little before continuing, "I know it’s weird and fucked up, but you don't need to keep running from it; from us. We're in this together, you know?"
His heart thumped sweetly in his chest and Pogue ducked his head and hid his smile behind his hair, "I know. Thanks, man."
"And step one of 'How to ruin Pogue Parry's reputation' is complete," Reid quipped.
"Fuck you, Garwin."
"Eh," The blond smirked and winked at him before walking ahead, "Maybe later."
~*~*~*~
Nicky's was crammed full of the usual Friday night revellers. The bar was barely visible through the crowd gathered around it, all wanting drinks and food to keep them going, and the jukebox in the corner was playing some classic rock, a few people milling around on the small dance floor, swaying to the music. Pogue perched on a spare bar stool that stood by the pool tables, the noise of the people and the music becoming little more than background buzz as he picked through his own thoughts.
"Earth to Parry, come in Parry."
He blinked, the scratched and stained wood edge of the table coming sharply back into focus, and he glanced up to see a pair of amused jade eyes staring at him from across the green felt. Pogue heaved a tired sigh and pushed off the stool to stand by the table, eyeing the balls as he tried to gauge the game. He was losing. Miserably.
"Sorry, man," he apologized weakly, "Just got a lot on my mind at the moment."
"Ah." Pogue frowned at the tone in Danny's voice, watching him line up his shot.
"Ah? What d’you mean 'Ah'?"
Danny snorted, "Well that tone can only mean one thing." He took the shot, cue connecting firmly with the ball and sending it on its way. Unfortunately for Danny, it bounced off the side. Pogue arched his eyebrow, watching his friend as he straightened up and ran a hand over his shaven head, waiting for the rest.
"What?" He prompted.
"Women," Danny said as though the answer held the secret to the Universe.
It was Pogue's turn to snort; shaking his head a little as he glanced over the table for the perfect shot. Danny Henderson was a good guy; they worked together in Auto Mechanics and he was pretty decent outside of class, someone that Pogue definitely counted as a friend. But he could never tell him, or anyone else, what was really going on inside his head.
"Nah, man," he said as he moved around the table to take his shot, "Me and Kate are cool." At the moment, he thought to himself, wincing as he thought of the close calls they'd had through the time they'd been dating.
There was a pause before Danny answered back with an unconvinced, "Really?"
Turning his attention to the ball for a few seconds, Pogue carefully aimed his own pool cue, zeroed in on the right spot, and struck the ball firmly, watching as it rolled happily into the left corner pocket. "Yeah, Really." He glanced up quickly, noting the strange look on his friend's face before turning back to the game.
"Then why is she cuddling up to Abbott?"
Pogue paused, frowned, and scanned the bar. Sure enough, there was Kate; stood at the foosball table on the other side of the bar, leaning against it with one hip while she talked to none other than Aaron Abbott himself. She was standing entirely too close for someone who thought he was a prick, the smile too friendly and her stance too... obvious.
"Aw, Jesus..." he muttered in disgust, eyes lingering on them for a few more seconds before turning back to take his second shot.
"Sorry dude."
Pogue shrugged at the sympathy in his tone, struck the ball once more, and made a face when it missed its intended pocket by inches. When he stood he found Danny staring hard at him, head tilted slightly to the side as if there was something he couldn't figure out. It unnerved him. "What?"
"I'm surprised it’s not working," he said slowly, "The trying to make you jealous thing."
Now he thought about it, he was too. It wasn't as if Kate had never done anything like that before; she'd done it a few times, actually. Flirted with other people to get his attention in the hopes that he'd get all possessive and drag her back to his dorm to fuck her brains out. In all honesty, it usually worked. Pogue was the possessive kind of guy. But right now? Dark eyes flicked over in his direction so briefly that he barely caught it, and Pogue suddenly realized that he didn't care as much as he should. Right now all he could feel was annoyance simmering under his skin, and that wasn't because he was jealous - it was because he realized just how childish she was being.
Caleb would never do that to you.
That's what it all came back to, wasn't it? Caleb. His brothers. This whole weird situation. But the devil on his shoulder was right - Caleb wouldn't do that to him. The eldest would rather carve out his own heart than play mind games to keep him interested or piss him off. That was Reid's arena. And Tyler wouldn't even think of it as an option.
You'd be able to live with being with them. Maybe... just maybe... you might like it.
"Me too," he answered, a little worried over how he wasn't hurting over it.
"You know what that means, right?"
"Danny-"
"I'm just sayin', right? Maybe it's time to trade her up for a newer model." Pogue gave him a look and he held his hands up in defence, but before he could comment any further, his cell started ringing. He grinned, "Saved by the bell, huh?"
Pogue snorted and pulled the vibrating device from his pocket. Instinctively his eyes searched out Kate again. He met dark eyes head on and Pogue had no doubt about what she was trying to do. Deliberately, she moved herself closer to Aaron, all but wrapping herself around him and humping his leg, making her intentions clear. Pogue just arched an eyebrow and answered the call.
"Hello?" The noise in the bar drowned out the voice on the other end and he quickly glanced down at the caller ID to check who it was before returning the phone to his ear, "Caleb? Hang on, I can't hear you."
He threw a parting wave to Danny and weaved through the crowd to get to the exit, cutting one last quick glance to his left. Without missing a beat, Kate smirked and wrapped herself around Abbot, sliding her mouth dramatically across his. Pogue stared, face twisting in disgust as the dark skinned girl made a show of closing her eyes and teasing him with her tongue, fingers winding in brunet curls with purpose.
"Pogue?"
Caleb's voice cut through his dislike and he answered with a quick "hang on" while he turned away from the deliberate attempt to enrage him and left the bar. Freezing cold air hit him with the force of a speeding train, pulling a sharp gasp from him in reaction. Chills raced across his skin, goosebumps rising on bare arms, and Pogue remembered with regret that he'd left his jacket in the bar.
"Hey," he said, shoving his other hand in the pocket of his jeans, "Sorry, Nicky's is loud tonight. What's up?"
"Nothing, I just wondered where you were." Pogue frowned a little at his reply, "You weren't answering at home so..."
His lips twitched into a smile as he joked, "You keeping tabs on me now, Cay?"
"Maybe?" The grin in his voice was undeniable, and Pogue had to wonder if the eldest was unconsciously flirting with him. "I just wanted to see if you wanted to come over. Watch a movie, you know? Like old times."
He was just about to answer when a cry of "what the hell, Pogue?" broke into the cold evening. The long-haired teen turned just as Kate stomped up to him, her familiar pissed-off look firmly in place. With an irritated sigh he suffered her glare and told Caleb he'd call him back.
"What the hell?" She repeated, "What's up with you?"
Incredulous, Pogue laughed, both eyebrows lifting, "What's up with me? I'm not the one tongue-fucking Abbott here."
Kate huffed and crossed her arms over her chest, "You know I don't mean it."
He stared her down and calmly told her, "That's not the point here, Kate."
"I know that, asshole, but at least he pays attention to me!" The dark skinned girl shot back.
Pogue sighed and pushed his hands through his hair, "Don't start this again."
"You've barely spent any time with me since I got out of hospital," she said accusingly.
"I spent time with you last weekend."
"And then you ran because Tyler called. What was up with him anyway?" When Pogue didn't answer she made a frustrated sound, "See? You don't tell me anything."
He shook his head. There were always some things he couldn't explain to Kate, mostly anything to do with his family and their shady past, and she accepted that to start with, but lately Pogue had got the feeling that she was getting pissed that he was holding back from her. Even before Chase appeared and things went to Hell in a hand-basket. Blowing out an explosive breath, Pogue backed up a step.
"I'm not going to do this right now."
As he turned to leave, Kate reached out and curled one hand around a strong bicep, pulling him back sharply and swinging him around, her eyes flashing in fury, "Don't walk away from me, Pogue, we're not finished."
"Yeah, we are!" He growled back, wrenching his arm free and sending her stumbling back. It was only when she'd regained her balance and stared at him that he realized what had been said. But instead of feeling shock and regret at the words, he actually felt something within him settle. He could see that Kate was waiting for him to take it back, but he found he didn't want to. Calming down a little, he looked her dead in the eye and said in a clear growl, "We're finished."
She blinked, "What?" Shock started to settle in, making her laugh nervously, "Wait... you can't be serious."
Pogue didn't respond as he turned away again, giving a subtle nod towards Danny, who was waiting by the main entrance to the bar, a respectful distance away. He felt the daggers she was staring into his back with every single step, his skin burning with her fury, but he couldn't find it within him to turn back. Although it wasn't what he'd expected to happen tonight, hindsight told him that it had been a long time coming. They were never really a good fit.
"Fine, I'm sure Aaron wouldn't mind taking me home tonight. He was pretty pissed that I turned him down before to come after you."
The harsh tone in her words carried in the wind, making the early winter chill even colder for a few seconds, but he didn't give her the satisfaction of stopping. It wasn't until he got to Danny's truck that he turned, unable to help the weary snort as Kate's mouth twisted in disgust at her own words, "Hope you two have fun, then." And before she could reply, Pogue hopped in the truck and didn't once look back as Danny peeled out of the parking lot.
But all his bravado left as soon as Nicky's was in the rear view, and Pogue slouched down in his seat with one arm propped up on the door, eyes glazing as he retreated into his head. Danny seemed to sense that he needed some time to think, so he kept his mouth shut, and Pogue was grateful for that. Especially since he needed to figure out what the fuck just happened. He was pretty sure that he and Kate were now over for good; just like he was pretty sure that he didn't actually mind. Their relationship was a strange one; he liked her a lot, and she was definitely fun and hot and sexy.
But she also had a side that he didn't like. The side that pushed his buttons in all the wrong ways, the side that played devious games to keep him interested and force his hand. He wasn't going to lie, it did hurt. But not as much as it probably should have done. It was a niggling, sad kind of pain; mourning the fun times they shared as friends before they got together.
Pogue couldn't help thinking, though, as the lights and road and the scenery blurred into one, that now he and Kate were done, what would happen to this... thing... with Caleb, Reid and Tyler. Would he want it now? Would he find the courage to try?
"She lied."
Blinking slowly as the voice interrupted his thoughts, Pogue lifted his head and turned to boy next to him. "What?"
"She lied," he repeated, green eyes flicking to meet his for a brief second before fixing on the road again, "She didn't turn Abbott down. He turned her down." Pogue's eyebrow lifted and Danny snorted out a laugh, shaking his head a little as he turned into the next street, "I know right? Sounds unbelievable, but its true man. Dude was more than happy to shove his tongue down her throat, but as soon as she made it clear that she wanted more, he told her to get off and, I quote, 'I'm not gonna fuck you just to piss him off, find someone else to whore out to'."
The second Son laughed softly, "So Abbott has morals after all."
"Still a dick, though."
"True enough."
The truck slowed as they arrived at the dorms and Pogue let himself out, "Thanks for the ride."
"Anytime, man," Danny replied, a genuine smile curving his mouth, "Swing by the shop soon, k? Your Bike's almost ready. Dad's just gotta touch up the body work and it's all done."
Pogue's grin matched his friends. Danny’s family owned a garage in the town which was Pogue’s favourite place after Nicky’s, "Sweet. I'll stop by next week."
"Cool. See ya, man!"
He watched Danny pull out and head home before he finally trudged up to his dorm room. He only had one more night here and then he too would be going home for the holidays. Thanksgiving week was upon them, which meant that school would be closed and he'd be stuck with his Mother for a week, having to suffer through her bitter rants. Not to mention seeing more of his brothers.
With a sigh, Pogue fired off a quick text message to Caleb (Shit's gone down, maybe see you tomorrow?) and crawled into bed, all but hiding under the blankets like a child scared of the monster in his closet. If he made it to the end of the week without killing himself or anyone else, then he deserved a medal.
On to Chapter 14