OTA

[hollow_moon]

He liked spring. There was still a chill to the air most days at the moment, but you could see nature slowly waking from its slumber, even here in the heart of the city.  It brought the wolf inside him nothing but joy, and left him with an itch to be outside in the sunlight, roaming and exploring. He'd have to plan a trip to the country soon, somewhere he could really roam wild...

For now, however, a jog through the park would have to do.

Dressed in running shorts and a t-shirt, Valentine alternated between jogging and sprinting. Moving slower where there were crowds, then taking off at top speed along empty stretches of the path, the man didn't stop until his heart was pounding hard and he knew he needed a break. Slowing to a stop, he stretched out and caught his breath, before drinking from the water bottle that he had strapped to his hip.

"Sorry, didn't mean to stop in the centre of the path," he said, stepping out the way when he realised someone was attempting to get past him.

Comments

[hollow_moon]

The cafe was small and intimate, and nearly no one was there.

"Hey, can we get two of the specials?" he called out to the man at the counter, who simply nodded and gestured for them to sit. Val paused to grab two bottles of juice and water, then handed one of each to Hex before picking a table and sitting down.

[just_hex]

Hex joined him and gave a good stretch before cracking a cap to take a drink.

"I'm glad to have met you today, Val," he said, smiling and leaning closer.

[hollow_moon]

"Yeah? You sure of that? We just met, I might be nothing but trouble," he grinned, leaning forward slightly as well.

[just_hex]

"I have a feeling," he replied with a chuckle. "You look like a good enough bloke. I see enough nutters and violent people at the hospital...you're not that."

[hollow_moon]

"Don't have to be a nutter or violent to be trouble," Val countered, opening he water and taking a swig. "Trouble comes in all sorts of forms."

[just_hex]

Hex thought instantly of Ace and he smiled more broadly.

"I can handle a bit of trouble. More than a bit, actually."

[hollow_moon]

"Yeah? You think you can handle me?" Val asked, tilting his chin up and offering a little smirk. "I've been told I can be a real handful."

He cocked his head then, taking another sip of his drink before nodding at Hex. "So you're a nurse, former military... What else? Tell me something about yourself that you wouldn't usually tell someone you just met."

[just_hex]

"Something I wouldn't tell just anyone?" he paused and thought for a moment, then decided to take a real chance.

"I'm an alcoholic."

[hollow_moon]

"I was hoping for cannibalism, or a dungeon in the basement, something exciting. Brave though, telling me that. You look well for one though, you must be in recovery," he guessed, nothing judgemental in his tone as he spoke.

[just_hex]

"I am. For almost two years now," he replied, blushing at the mention of a dungeon in his basement. It wasn't in his basement at all.

Hex cleared his throat.

"I think I'm lucky not being a cannibal," he said softly...specifically avoiding the idea of BDSM

[hollow_moon]

"Mmm, perhaps. Though that could have been an exciting confession to hear- And who hasn't wondered what people taste like?" Val quipped happily.

He smiled brightly then, leaning back in his seat. "Good on you for getting straight and sober though."

[just_hex]

"Thanks," he said awkwardly. He didn't like thinking of things like cannibalism- Colony 34 had killed that curiosity.

"SO what about you? Tell me something you don't just tell everyone."

[hollow_moon]

Val considered Hex for a long moment, then wet his lips before leaning in close.

"I'm a wolf," he whispered. "Whenever the moon is full, I turn."

He leaned back then, watching the other man with a smile, wondering if the man would think he was a joker, or simply mad."

[just_hex]

"Are you Scottish, then?" Hex blurted out without thinking. The one he had known had stalked the moors. It didn't seem to shock him at all.

[hollow_moon]

Val raised a brow at that, then shrugged.

"Should I be?" he asked. "I don't think I am... Though I suppose I could be. Not to be rude, but you don't seem shocked to hear me say any of this. Most normal folk are quite unsettled by it- And you are normal, genetically speaking. I'd smell it if you weren't."

[just_hex]

"I, erm, I've traveled a lot. And seen a fair bit," he said, hedging a bit in the explanation. "It's not rude. I don't think it's rude. Would you rather I be shocked?"

[hollow_moon]

"No. I like people who don't fear the unconventional," Val said honestly. "I don't want to be feared or shunned. I might be strange, but strange can be good. It's fun and exciting- I like strange. I like the unconventional."

[just_hex]

The waitress brought their burgers to them then and Hex examined it. A million calories, he thought, but it looked like it would taste good enough to be worth the extra miles of running.

"I think your answer beats mine," he said. "Alcoholic is a dead bore compared to a wolf."

[hollow_moon]

Val waited until they were alone again, then shrugged as he tucked into his meal.

"Oh, don't sell yourself short. Everyone's got something exciting going on. Dark secrets or strange obsessions."

[just_hex]

"Too right," he said, then dove into his burger. He had three bites gone before he said, "I've got two other secrets. Do you want to guess at them?"

[hollow_moon]

"Like a game?" Val asked with a grin, pausing to take another bite, then nodding. "Alright... Let's see. What could your secrets be? ...You're not a clown on the weekends, are you? That would be dreadful."

[just_hex]

Hex choked as he was taking a drink of water, then he laughed.

"No. God, no. Not a clown."

[hollow_moon]

"Peeping tom?" Val guessed. "Oh! A porn star. I could see that. Full time nurse, part time porn star. I'm into it."

[just_hex]

"You've got a wild imagination, mate," he laughed. "I'm no porn star...but I'll tell you that that line of thinking might lead you to secret number one."

[hollow_moon]

"Porn addict?" Val guessed. "God, I don't know. I'm dreadful at this sort of thing. Go on, give us another hint."