Vance had gone for a run on his own, his very first one and it had actually gone very well. He was surprised with himself but in a good way. He only had his jeans on as he came out from the line of trees, his feet bare and shoes in his hands along with his shirt. When he saw Pirate his stomach did a flip but he tries not to get too excited because he could tell that Pirate wasn't happy with him.

"Hey," he called out.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

Pirate frowned even harder. Of course Vance would look like that and smell like that. The forest that clung to his body mingled with the fading wolf went straight to Pirate's primal nature. He blew out a frustrated exhale as he met Vance halfway. "I hear you spent an afternoon with Sterling. What was that all about?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Vance shook his hair out of his eyes as Pirate got closer, and he tipped his head up to meet the older wolf's eyes. He offered a mild shrug of his slender shoulders as he tipped his head to the side. "Why do you care who I hangout with?" he asked honestly, though his tone was slightly challenging.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

He folded his arms across his chest. "Because I think you need a little looking after. Obviously, since Sterling took you out scamming people and you went right along like a little lamb." He hated that Sterling couldn't find a real job and continued to play New Orleans voodoo charlatan king. "I don't think he's the right sort for you to be spending time with."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"What is the right sort for me to be hanging around with, then?" Vance asked as he shook some dirt off of his shirt. "I don't need any looking after. I've practically been on my own since my Mom died, so that's kind of insulting for you to say." He draped his shirt over his shoulder and set Pirate with a look. "Just because I'm younger than you doesn't mean I need looking after."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

He wasn't altogether surprised by that look, but it caught him a little off guard. He stood there for a second. "Someone who doesn't drag you along on what I'm pretty sure was an illegal excursion." He snapped. Someone like me, his thoughts blurted but he stifled. "I'm not trying to insult you, Vance. I just don't want you getting into trouble with that slick tongue of Sterling's." He didn't want Sterling's tongue anywhere near Vance.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"People are well aware of the fact that gambling ususally results in them losing money, and that the house always wins. Anyone willing to bet money on the streets should realize it's not the best idea, they participated willingly. It's not something I would do again, I was just tired of waiting around for you because for whatever reason you don't like being around me," Vance snapped back. "Maybe I like being aroud someone who isn't afraid to be honest with how they feel."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"Well it didn't take Sterling long to rub off on you." He looked flabberghasted and concerned and wounded. He threw up his hands. "Fine, do what you want. I hardly compare to him anyway and I'm sure there are plenty of far more interesting and open people on the property."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Vance dropped his shoes to the ground and let out a sigh of exasperation. "Oh my God, are you serious? You're the one I want to spend time with, and it's very obvious. I am attracted to you, Pirate. I like you, and I want to kiss you and be around you and I am not at all shy about it or how I feel. You're the one who freaks out and treats me like I'm five after we wake up naked together."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"I didn't treat you like you were 5. I treated you like you were 15 and barely fledged as a wolf. Don't tell me when I freak out. You will know when I freak out." He huffed angrily and was practically snarling. His cheeks were pink at the idea that Vance wanted to kiss him and the memory of being pressed naked against him. "I'm not even a part of this pack. This is all just temporary!"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"So because of my age, I'm not good enough, is that it?" Vance replied, letting his anger get the best of him. "I'm not asking you to be a part of this pack! I don't even know if I'm part of this pack yet, all I'm asking is for you to let yourself experience something with me that we both want instead of ignoring it. Why is that so hard for you to do?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"You have a lot of time to find someone else." Glancing around he felt very uncomfortable standing outside talking like this. "Someone that isn't--whatever you called me--closed off. Just--" He was stammering, not sure how to get himself out of this mess.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"I don't want to find someone else," Vance replied, hoping that he didn't sound whiney, but just sure of himself. "Do you want me to find someone else?" he challenged as he met Pirate's eyes. "What are you so afraid of?"

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"I'm not afraid of anything," he said firmly. Vance was certainly taking a stand and it was appealing to Pirate on so many levels. But this just wasn't him; it hadn't been what he'd expected to find at Wolf Haven and the surprise of it was some of what had him digging in his heels. "I just don't do this sort of thing. I'm not looking for--anything. I'm fine alone."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Everything about Pirate was frustrating to Vance at the moment. He couldn't understand why the wolf wanted to be on his own, and he didn't see the appeal of it at all. Vance had felt alone his whole life, and now that he got a taste of what not being alone felt like, he didn't think he could ever go back. "You are so stubborn! And afraid of change and afraid to be happy, that's what you're afraid of," he said as he lifted up a hand to poke Pirate in the chest.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

"Why does everyone think that my wanting to be alone is so fucking dysfunctional?" He looked down at where Vance had poked him and stood his ground, refusing to give up any of his space. "So what? You got a crush on an old curmudgeon. Little kid wanting what he can't have and then as soon as he gets it, he finds something newer. I'm happy with my life as it is."

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

It was obvious that those words hurt, and Vance went quiet and tried his best not to let the tears stinging his fall. He hated crying in front of people, and it was something he never did if he could help it. He gave Pirate a hard shove before he turned around and left his shoes behind, not caring or wanting to take them with him. He was too upset.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Pirate hated to see Vance leave like that and there was nothing more he wanted to do than chase after him. The place where Vance had shoved still ached with the boy's angry touch, though it didn't physically hurt. As he watched Vance leave, Pirate finally turned and stormed off in the other direction.

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

Feel free to delete this later, haha! But Trace and I thought it would be fun for Joshua to show up at the haven while Miah is missing. Hunter will probably be preoccupied with trying to find the others, so maybe he'll make Joshua a charge of Sigmund's for now so he can focus on finding Wendell & Co.

Also, maybe Vaughn will be the one to tell Pirate that Vance is missing, because Vance has probably spoke of him a few times so Vaughn will know that they were at least friends. Or something, lmfao.

And Joseph will have some fun with Wen and Kenneth can have fun with Vance, if he wants, haha! :]

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)

I think Kenneth very much likes to beat people up. :[ He will certainly have fun with Vance.

Joshua coming while Miah is gone is good. That'll be some great Joshua and Julian play opportunity as well, not to mention the reunion. Julian is just about ripping my heart out at the moment with Mabel.

Good idea on the Vaughn telling Pi about Vance. :D

(Reply to this) (Parent) (Thread)