Becoming the Luna

Hayden isn't surprised when Virgil texts to say he's not going to make it to dinner, he had been half expecting that.

He worries even more at how distracted Virgil had sounded and he made up his mind to have a good long talk with him when he got back.

But the main task at hand was to actually try and stay up till Virgil got back, he had no idea exactly when Virgil would be back and that just made the wait seem unbearable.

He takes his time though, lounging in bed after his luxurious bath, settling in with a book after actually putting on the socks.

He had talked himself out of wearing it a couple times before finally throwing caution to the wind and just going for it.

Pulling on one of Virgil's sweaters big enough to cover his bare thigh and shorts that are more or less invisible.

When he gets the call from Virgil, he changes his mind about dinner and just slices up a bowl of fruit to which he eats while reading, this time in the living room.

He pads to the kitchen when he's done and rinses out the glass bowl, retiring back to the room.

He had spent some time calling up Dream who reassured him that he was okay, he even got to say hi to Dream's mom.

Although Mrs. Micall made him nervous by treating him with respect and was relieved when Dream came on the phone again.

They exchanged their goodbyes with promises to see on Monday as usual.

Then it's just him in the empty house, Apple asleep with her babies, not even up to keep him company.

He sighs inaudibly and gets comfortable on the bed, readying himself to read.

•~•

Virgil rubs his eyes with a frown, cursing when his clarity dulls a bit and every moving thing catches his attention.

His skin felt taut and easily irritated, his favorite pair of sweatpants felt confining and he wanted to rip off the sweatshirt he had on, it was rubbing him the wrong way.

He had lost track of time a while ago, hunched over the piles of files on his desk, he wanted to spend some time with Hayden and maybe finally have a talk about marking him.

It had been on his mind constantly, worsened by Dale calling him out and Hayden also asking about it.

Keeping back his craving to mark his loving husband was also taking a toll on him, his wolf eager to claim the one that has always held his heart in the palm of their hands.

He rubs his eyes again, realizing that he's been staring at a glimmering glass trinket on a high shelf for the past ten minutes.

He glances down at files on the table only to realize he was already done, the reviewed pile of files neatly stacked, just waiting for Jaxon to disburse them.

How long had he been sitting here?

He gets up slowly, the world feeling like it was shifting which each step he made, brain sluggish.

His body on the other hand was alert, easily locking up his office as he starts down the hallway to his apartment and to Hayden who was most likely already fast asleep, it was already past midnight.

They were alone at the eastern part of the fourth floor, the rest of the occupants of the storey, staying at the other end.

Which was expected as the apartment that Dream had stayed in was the only other one in this part of the floor, to give the Alpha privacy.

The patterns on the carpet seem to blend into one another in front of his eyes, the end of the hallway a fading blur.

He probably just needed sleep, he thinks to himself, rubbing his eyes again, then he would wake up tomorrow perfectly fine and also be able to spend the rest of the day with his beautiful Hayden.

He gets to the apartment and tries the door, a soft, irritated growl leaving his throat when he finds it open.

Hayden had been unprotected, anyone could have just walked right in as they pleased.

It takes a lot of concentration to peel his hand off the door knob before he broke it off and he makes sure to lock up tight when he got it.

Hayden was his, all his...

"Whoa!" He mutters to himself, vision leaving briefly.

Wondering why the fuck he was so aggressive and antsy, maybe he needed a good hard run, that was it! Or he could spar to burn the edge off.

The closer he got to the bedroom, the more annoying his sweatshirt became and he's not even down the hallway yet before he's ripping it right off his body.

His skin grows uncomfortably warm as he prowls towards their shared bedroom, the heat spreads lower, settling at the juncture of his thighs an he can't help but feel like something is terribly wrong.

But his body is already on autopilot, throwing open the door swiftly.

The building panic in his chest dies down a little when he sees Hayden peacefully sleeping on the bed, looking small compared to the wide bed.

He just stands in the dim room, fangs throbbing as he watches his husband sleep, breathing in deep the sweet smell of vanilla to try and calm himself down - it was barely working.

He's not sure why he's not charging across the room like his body is howling for him to when he craves for Hayden to be in his arms like a man starved for water.

His mind and body warring, logic fighting instinct.

Something wasn't right but he couldn't make himself leave, feet rooted to the ground as his body burns even hotter, lips falling open as he tries to get in enough air in pants to cool himself down.

He takes a stumbling step forward but stops himself and grabs his head, crippling terror slicing through his chest, it made his mind swim.

But his body only burned hotter, mouth dry as he glances up at Hayden again.