"don't Apologize, I Don't Consider This An Intrusion." He Answered With A Soft Smile. "i'm Surprised

"don't apologize, i don't consider this an intrusion." he answered with a soft smile. "i'm surprised i made it this long, honestly, without seeing someone else. i don't mind the company." he had picked up their scent as they approached but it had been muddled on the wind and in the scorching heat of the day so rowan wasn't entirely sure of what the other was; but now, given how close they were, there was no mistaking the scent of an omega. breathing deep, his eyes seemed to darken a bit as the other's scent pulled at his more base instincts. swallowing his breath, the alpha did his best to calm himself as the younger omega spoke.

as the omega moved forward, leaning towards him, rowan's free hand moved to hold against the other's waist in an attempt to help him steady him. "easy there," he hummed under his breath, his words a bit graveled, as he held onto the omega. "you feel very warm, flush." of course now his mind was wandering to just how warm the other would feel, how tight, but he swallowed his breath and shook those thoughts away for now.

"the heat around here can get pretty rough. how long have you been walking around?" he questioned, mostly using the small talk to gauge if the other was suffering from heat stroke, or if he was just hot and bothered. "is there anything i can do to help you feel better?"

It was so warm out. Generally, Lux didn't mind the heat. He liked summer, and spring, and feeling sunlight on his skin. The colder months were fine, too, but he'd always preferred the summer. Today, though, the heat didn't feel comforting. It didn't just warm his skin, it felt like it was eating through him. It was uncomfortable, itchy, and he didn't like it. Still, he didn't want to be cooped up indoors, and so he had forced himself to take a walk through the woods. Lux figured a bit of tree cover would help.

Unfortunately, it seemed he'd been wrong. As he walked, all he could really focus on was the growing discomfort. He did his best to push it away, keep walking, but his inattention was becoming more and more evident. Eventually he realized he didn't know where he was going, his body automatically walking towards the scent of another, a decision he didn't remember making.

Immediately upon exiting through the last few trees before the creek, Lux caught sight of Rowan. He watched him for a moment, his gaze scanning, interested. And he offered a small, weak smile. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to intrude," he finally said aloud, shaking his head. The water behind Rowan looked cool, though, and refreshing. Maybe that was just what he needed. He would've stepped around Rowan and walked straight into the water, but a hand on his shoulder stopped him.

Fuck, why did that feel so good? Lux looked at the hand, and then at Rowan's face, his expression almost hungry. "I-" He started, trying to stop himself from drooling. "I don't feel well," he admitted, leaning towards the other, making sure that hand didn't leave his shoulder.

claws and fangs out, hands gripping at his collar as he was pinned back against the wall, the vampire couldn't really complain about the other's reaction. he was in a place he didn't belong and everyone was already tense. "that is hardly a fair question, you could argue i'm two of the three-- or at least i have been at some points in my life," he teased with a loose smile and a soft, but forced chuckle. because making a joke was definitely the way to smooth things over.

"right now i'd wager that i'm just an unlucky idiot," he offered up as he purposefully pulled his lips back to reveal his fangs in an awkward, open mouthed smile. "i had a few things to attend too while the damned sun was still out and, somehow, i wound up being public enemy number one to a rather persistent flock of birds. they ruined my protection, so, to stop myself from burning to a crisp on the streets i made my way here. lovely place, by the way. very welcoming." he explained, his tone dripping in a playful sarcasm as he reached up to lightly pat the other man on his right shoulder.

"that explains why i'm here? what about you? what were the choices again? thief, cannibal, or pervert? i know which one i'm hoping for," he teased, making a joke. again.

Cyrus wasn't usually the person assigned to deal with the corpses waiting to be buried, he just picked them up when they were ready and transported them from the funeral home to the wake, from the wake to the cemetery. but this time they sent him to the cold morgue to inspect the bodies, not that he understood that, but it didn't seem to be that difficult to just mark an x in the boxes on his clipboard. except he found a living person in a place that should only be for the dead, instinctively he dropped the clipboard and put his claws and fangs out "what the hell are you doing here" he lunged towards the other male and pinned him against the stops cold, holding him by the collar "what are you, thief, cannibal or pervert?" depending on the answer he was ready to live up to the establishment's slogan 'funeral house serene alloy: your death is our joy'

"i've been in new haven for about five months now, but i've been in this world for closer to seven; or maybe it's eight." he answered with a soft smile. "you're doing incredible for someone that's only been here for a few weeks so, please, don't apologize." the alpha considered himself adaptable. he had help, mind you, but it didn't take him long to learn how to speak english, though he picked up a bit of a drawl from the witch that taught him, and he adjusted fairly quickly to how things worked in this world and this timeline which is why he liked to help the newer arrivals when he could. even though it was a bit easier for him, he understood how confusing everything could be; how terrifying it could be; how lonely it could be.

"you owe me nothing." rowan corrected with a kind smile and a dismissive shake of his head. "--but if you really feel like you need to make it up to me, you could start by giving me your name unless you want me to just call you beautiful. mine's rowan."

once they moved through the line and made their way to the counter to order, rowan smiled and greeted the person working and made small talk with them about some project they were working on; making it clear he came here often and was familiar with the people that worked here. they were kind and patient with rowan, and his guest, and gave them everything they ordered with a smile before sending them off and on their way.

placing his free hand on the small of the other's back, rowan looked down at him with a smile; lingering there for a moment, clearly a bit distracted, before guiding him through the crowd of people to find a table for the two of them to sit. "i know it can be overwhelming, being in a new place like this-- and even a new time. you said you've only been here a few weeks? how are you holding up?"

Things were unlike anything Parker expected they would be, coming from the past. People talked different then he did and he had to learn how to live in this new place. The younger male had looked to Dunkan when he had arrived at New Haven as he was the Merfolk Counselor of the town. He had already learned so much and was even going to set up his own jewelry still soon. However there was one thing that Parker Bermuda had becomed obsessed with more than water, and that was coffee. He was still trying to make ends meet and find himself as the world he new was behind him. His brown eyes met with a crystal blue pair across the way, and wow.. was this man handsome. He cleared his throat trying to prepare himself for social interaction. Lord knows it was going to be a rough trip.

The other was charming and alluring and Parker sat up as he approached looking around to make sure he was the one being addressed. "I could say the same about you. Have you been here long? Its only been a couple weeks with me, so sorry i am if im bad at speaking.. im learning." He blushed as he got up and went into line, a little scared of what the others might think. "This is a big help, thank you sir. I truly owe you one. Please say you'll sit down with me after order?" he asked with a bit of a puppy dog look.

closed for @modelingmerman

he wasn't nocturnal, not really, but he'd always found himself having most of his energy late at night and in the early hours of the day. which is why, even after a full day of working and running himself ragged, the alpha was sitting at the bar-top in pantheon with an almost boundless sense of energy; bouncing his leg, humming along to the music, as he traced his finger over the rim of the drink he was nursing. he could have easily found someone else in the bar to distract himself with, he'd been around long enough to have a few friends and social groups he could easily slide into, but everyone seemed contained and content with their pairings already.

everyone but him. looking up, a smirk already forming on his lips, the werecougar noticed another person on their own and without a second thought he grabbed his drink and made his way over to them.

"you know, it's a shame someone as beautiful as you is on--" before he could even think about what he was saying, some throw away line was already leaping from his lips as he slid into place and leaned against the bar beside the other person. instead of finishing the flirt, though, he paused as he knit his brows together in a moment of confusion; and recognition. consider that a silver lining since he didn't finish his horrible attempt at flirting. "hold on a minute, i recognize you." he smirked, his tongue clicking against his teeth as he nodded in agreement with himself.

"when i go running at night, through the woods, i see you on occasion out in the water. i've considered stopping by and introducing myself a few times but you've always looked so peaceful out there, almost made me feel like i'm intruding." and now it sounded like he was some kind of voyeur. "i'm putting my foot in my mouth, aren't i? i'm making it sound like i'm some kind of stalker, which i'm not, i just have routines that i like to follow and-- i've noticed you a few times during."

take a deep breath. "how 'bout this. let me get you a drink as an apology for coming on too strong, and sounding like a bit of a creep. then, if you're interested, i could take another stab at introducing myself. properly this time."

"correct me if i'm wrong, but this isn't the first time you've offered me a shave." the vampire teased as he pursed his lips and looked quizzically at his friend. "is this your way of telling me you don't like my facial hair? last i heard scruff was in... are you saying i don't look good like this?"

"Ok  but  like  I  swear  I  am  so  good  with  a  razor.  Let  me  give  you  a  straight  razor  shave  and  you'll  never  do  it  yourself  again."

GLEN POWELL in TWISTERS (2024)