When he woke up, Andrew didn't move immediately. Instead, he continued to watch Julien's sleeping face as he fell into thought.
There were two possible explanations for his behavior last night.
The first was that Julien was simply testing something as he'd said. Possibly as a means of alleviating his own discomfort, and likely because he felt cornered.
He eyed the bandage on the other's hand.
The second… Andrew watched as his chest rose and fell.
Might've been due to their 'bond.'
He was currently leaning towards the latter explanation.
Willing himself away from the soothing cedarwood scent, Andrew washed the blood off his face and neck before entering the kitchen to prepare Cello's meal.
"Perrita."
He waited for the young pup to enter the kitchen, and only when she mustered the courage to stand directly in front of him did he put the bowl down.
He watched her carefully.
If before the pup would run away at the sight of him from the moment he awoke with lycanthropy till the day they went to Oasis, now she was back to seeking him out and listening to his calls.
He reached out to her and she glared at his approaching hand while tearing apart a piece of beef liver. He pulled his hand back.
Though she still growls at me.
And based on Julien and Nevaeah's conversation about his 'aura', coupled with the reactions of a few unfortunate pedestrians, he drew a conclusion.
They're adapting.
Then what sort of adaptations was the person he 'imprinted' on undergoing right now?
Andrew looked back to the room.
Likely, the development of protective instincts—much like his own drive for proximity.
Moving away from the cautious pup, he grabbed a box from the only remaining storage room and began making rounds around the apartment—searching for and depositing sharp objects within. For now, he was going to hide them elsewhere.
If that's true then…
Given Julien's… history and the action he chose to undergo last night, this was the worst possible outcome. An overwhelmed Julien, a protective Julien, was a hazard.
And though he'd long lost his suitability as a bodyguard…
Andrew glanced at the notification on his watch—a message from Mrs. Michaels' secretary with an attachment labelled [ Additional Information: Instructions Enclosed ].
…He didn't want to lose sight of his original role.
He rested a hand over the mini-booklet in his breast pocket and lowered his head.
So for now, the best he could do was limit how often Julien could resort to extreme measures while covering for his own shortcomings so he wouldn't flip his switch.
If it wasn't already too late for that.
Esto no es lo que pretendía. (This isn't what I intended.)
He sighed.
After removing the last pair of scissors and replacing them with safety scissors, Andrew taped off the box and placed it by the door. Grabbing his care bag, he called for the pup.
"Perrita."
Cello carefully approached, letting out intermittent growls while posturing as though ready to attack at any moment. Andrew took her vest and leash off the hook by the door and crouched down, equipping her with the walking gear.
Despite her complaints, she didn't fight him.
He tilted his head.
When Julien had temporarily taken over this task, she fought him though.
Hm.
Andrew stood up, grabbed the box, and headed outside.
–--
Andrew searched the park, and after finding a spot outside of the automaton statues' range, he buried the objects in the dead of night. At some point, he began to smell a familiar minty scent, mixed with a hint of gentle sweetness.
His nose twitched, but he kept digging.
Two days…
After depositing the box and covering it up, he patted his hands clean and turned towards one of the exit gates.
Gently redirecting Cello's attention from the base of the tree he'd just dug up to the nearby path, he began following the scent like a child led away by the pied piper.
Andrew stopped just outside the gates, looking around for the source of that familiar scent.
"Arf! Arf Arf!"
Cello began barking as the scent grew closer.
His nose twitched as someone gently wrapped their arms around his midsection and leaned into his back.
"Heya hotstuff, come here often?"
Andrew grabbed the wandering hands of this visitor and clearly identified the other person.
"Remus."
The other person's arms stiffened and he—no, she—circled around to his front and raised a thoughtful hand to her lips.
"How couldja tell love?"
He could practically hear the smugness in her voice, and he tilted his head at her… unusual appearance.
Currently, Andrew was staring at a conventionally beautiful woman with a catty smile, shapely proportions, and layered dark-grey curls hanging over muscular brown shoulders.
By all accounts, this was not the 'man' named Remus Lyrewood.
But he wasn't identifying her by sight. Andrew tapped his nose.
'Remus' looked surprised.
"Even though it's mixed with somethin' else?"
Sniffing again, Andrew realized she was right.
Like a mocktail topped with mint.
"Yes."
She hummed, eyeing him with interest.
Andrew eyed her as well.
That earring's new.
Other than her sudden change in physique, there was a dark blue earring enshrouded in petals attached to one of her gold gauges, catching the streetlights as she moved closer to him.
He glanced at the puppy tugging at her leash from behind a nearby trash can with excess passion and stepped closer to her.
I should put her back soon.
Looking back up, he noticed 'Remus' staring down the street with an annoyed expression. He scanned the streets as well. A few people were walking nearby, chatting about their life's passions when suddenly they stopped.
Andrew's nose twitched as Remus's scent 'hitched' and he watched the group nudge each other before crossing the street in a hurry. Once they were far enough away that he could no longer hear their conversation, Andrew turned his head to the werewolf across from him.
She'd done something similar to him the other night, would he be able to do the same eventually?
He furrowed a brow, falling into thought.
But it doesn't just affect the target.
Even at this very moment, as the scent she gave off failed to fade, he felt a sort of heaviness that made him want to bow his head.
But something was off.
He glanced at the cowering pup—that reaction was expected—then he raised his head to look at the top of the apartment he'd come out of, hidden by a dense fog and the darkness of night.
…
He turned away and blinked at the sight of the woman staring at him from just below his chin. Her scent emanated off of her in soft waves, pooling in the air as an imperceptible mist that covered his other senses.
"?"
He tilted his head.
She tilted her head in return.
"Thinkin' so hard ya forget me goliath?"
She sighed softly, resting a hand on her face as she carefully watched his expression.
"Took the time outta my day to take y'all on a date and this is what I get? Where's the love?"
Her scent spiked again and Andrew felt his throat tighten. Furrowing his brow, he controlled his breathing—heavier now that her phenos was directed at him.
Licking his canines, he eyed her intensely, his eyes flickering a soft shade of amber.
"Stop."
Her scent was uncomfortable to start with, and right now, it was similar in feeling to an incredibly rough massage—painful, but relieving.
She hummed before drawing the scent back in.
Disoriented, he didn't react as 'Remus' tapped the mole on his chin, a pleasant smile on her face.
"Should I leave?"
She muttered to herself with a pouty expression.
'But then I'd've gotten myself all dolled up for nuthin'.'
Andrew wasn't swayed by the pitiful tremble of her lips or the lowering of her lashes. Calming his breathing, he asked her a question.
"Explain."
What did you need?
She clicked her tongue.
"Love the consistency babe."
She smiled at him.
"Humor me. Then I'll tell ya."
Andrew nodded, spreading a grin across her face. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she pulled him down and whispered in his ear.
"Don'tcha already like me?"
He turned his head, meeting her gaze.
The question felt out of place, but he answered her as promised.
"…I don't dislike you."
He didn't hold any particular feelings towards her. Though if he had to name one, it'd be—
"I'm curious about you."
She pulled back, holding him at arm's length as she blinked her 'brown' eyes at him.
Then she laughed.
"That's it?"
Clutching her stomach, she doubled over in the middle of the path, releasing him from her grasp.
"Hahaha! That's all it takes to charm ya? Has anyone told ya you're more innocent than ya look?"
She lifted her head and wiped a tear from her eye, catching her breath.
"Then how d'ya feel about yer lil pet?"
Andrew tilted his head. Glancing at the pup—who continued to posture against this stranger unnoticed—he went with the more logical answer.
"Julien."
"Who else?"
Andrew rubbed the spot Julien pressed his bloody palm into earlier and seriously considered the question.
Being more familiar with the younger man, he had a few… conflicted feelings.
"Obligated. Curious. Concerned. Comfortable…"
He trailed off.
Guilty.
"…Regretful."
He stared at her. How was this relevant?
Smirking mischievously, she crossed her arms.
"Aha~"
Circling him like a shark while sizing him up, 'Remus' wrapped herself around his arm and pulled him forward.
"Keep bein' curious then. Makes it easier."
She only managed to pull them as far as the streetlight before a sound interrupted them.
"Arf Arf!"
Andrew halted his following footsteps and looked back, but before he could turn to take the pup back inside, 'Remus' grabbed his face and turned it back towards herself.
Andrew stared at her, his brow perked in silent question.
She smiled dispassionately before letting go, her eyes turning into crescents with a glisten of their original golden sheen coming through.
"It's rude to ignore your date Teddy."
She lowered her voice.
"Or didja prefer me as a man?"
He scanned her face, searching, before shaking his head.
"It doesn't matter."
After a few seconds, he asked his own question.
"Do feelings influence bond formation?"
She rolled her eyes before stopping herself, turning her annoyance into a coquettish smirk.
"And what gave you that idea?"
It was a guess.
"…Your actions."
She hummed, before shrugging.
"Why don't you tell me? Gotta start with somethin' right?"
A hint of exasperation slipped into her smile.
"So you two've gotta charm the pants off me too love. Arch your back into it."
Ignoring the hand she began sneakily trailing down his back, he continued his thoughts uninterrupted.
So the feeling has to be mutual.
He briefly wondered which of his feelings were being matched by Julien to create this situation, but maybe it didn't have to match.
As long as there's something to influence…
Raising a contemplative hand to his face, he redirected his attention to the lady on his arm. There was also the phrasing implying both he and Julien had to be a part of this process.
And considering his mortality remained the same if either of them were missing…
He lowered his hand, staring at 'Remus' who was focusing on something else.
She has to bond to him too.
Taking hold of one of her hands, Andrew pressed her wrist against his neck causing the other to widen her eyes in surprise. This time, he focused on the familiarity he'd felt since the day she began following them.
The sensation was odd, almost discordant with the scent he was familiar with, but… it just felt like something was getting in the way. Like a gate that only opened when someone was standing watch.
Julien was the watchman.
He lowered her hand. She raised a brow.
But it wasn't perfect. That gate had a hole in it—and 'Remus' was the thief sneaking in through the night.
Raising his hand to her face, he stroked her cheek with his thumb before sliding his hand to rest over the crook of her neck.
If that was the case, he'd widen the hole for her.
Andrew lowered his voice.
"You're very beautiful."
A surprised noise escaped her lips before she turned it into a light chuckle. The impish smile returned to her face as she covered his hand with her own.
"You like this appearance?"
Andrew slowly nodded.
"Your original form's as well."
This person always reminded him of a sculpture he once saw in an abandoned church, quietly basking in sunlight. It was the same even now.
'Remus' was a very good looking man. Just like the woman in front of him was a beautiful woman. Aside from a difference in build, the changes were minimal.
She seemed pleased with his answer and lowered his hand.
"You work fast. Y'ain't too bad yerself, pet."
Interlocking their fingers instead, she pulled him forward while raising his stuff into the air. Their destination was unknown.
"But bein' too pretty's a crime, right pumpkin?"
He looked down. His pockets were empty.
When?
She laughed while shaking his things.
"Mind if I hang onto these?"
Andrew considered it for a moment.
"How long?"
"However long I want. Of course, if ya want somethin' in return… I might consider it~"
Ignoring the suggestive lilt to her tone, he slowly nodded before glancing at the dog reluctantly following from far away. He stopped and pointed to his wallet.
"Keycard."
She quirked a brow before rummaging through his wallet. Observing the card between her fingers, she hummed.
"You want this? Why?"
Andrew pointed at his dog.
She stared between them for a moment before letting out a sound of acknowledgement.
"Ahh."
She put the card back in the wallet and hid it behind her back.
"No. But I'll give ya a chance to have Repunzel let down his hair." She handed back his phone. "You two live together right?"
Andrew nodded.
"Text him."
Andrew took his phone and sent a message.
[Andrew]
| I'm downstairs. Come n
He meant to add 'come now,' but before he could finish the message, 'Remus' stole his phone, glanced at the half-finished text, and hit send.
"He has 10 minutes."
"After 10?"
She carefully approached the beagle—who backed off as far as her leash would allow—and crouched in front of her. Andrew blocked her as she reached out, lifting the pup into his arms.
He narrowed his eyes.
She smiled, standing up to meet his piercing gaze.
"Just take 'er with ya. Look."
Reaching out again, she allowed Cello to bite her palm and waited. After about a minute of her staring the puppy down with a smile, Cello let go and lowered her ears with her tail tucked between her legs.
'Remus' stroked her head with the hand Cello was biting seconds prior and raised her head, cocking it to the side.
"See? S'fine."
Andrew frowned.
Cháchara (nonsense).
'Remus' retracted her hand and moved to wait on a nearby bench, Andrew followed her with his eyes as she spoke.
"Oh, and while I'm in this form you can call me…"
Pressing a hand against her chest, she crossed her legs and grinned.
"Raya."