Noah's eyes fluttered in response to the soft glow filtering through his closed lids. The gentle presence of warmth wrapped around him, comforting and familiar, coaxing him to linger a while longer in the realm between dreams and reality. A steady, comforting pulse echoed in his ear, reminiscent of the gentle rock of the bayou at night.

"Mornin' Sunshine," a groggy voice broke through the serene silence.

"Hurry up, Sunshine. How do you get anywhere with those twig legs?" the voice sprung from the depths of Noah's memories. The voice of the wolf boy he had met that summer in Louisiana.

Noah jolted awake; his eyes darted around the room. The fog was heavy in his mind as he struggled to remember how he ended up in the makeshift medical center attached to the full moon enclosure. Shattered glass sparkled in the morning sun, and the woodstove crackled defiantly against the winter chill. A familiar touch on his head made him tense. "What... What happened?" he stammered.

The strong hand on the back of his head was almost enough to soothe Noah's spiking nerves. "I was hoping you could tell me."

"Callum?" Noah whipped his head around, meeting Callum's lazy smile.

"Are you disappointed?"

Noah's heart raced as fragments of the previous mind flashed through the fog in his mind. His ears twitched nervously, and wildfire blazed across his face. Noah's eyes dropped from Callum's gaze, first to his lips, a frown turned his lips as he noticed burn marks along Callum's chin, down his throat and disappeared under his tattered hoodie. One arm rested over Noah's lap, the other absentmindedly played with Noah's hair.

"Did I?" He reached up and delicately brushed his fingers over the burns. "Did I do this?"

"Looks worse than it feels, darlin'." Callum's tone was convincing, even his smile was genuine. However, Noah saw the way the corners of his mouth quivered, and his throat tightened with every why you lost control of your magic."

Against his better judgment Noah leaned his head against Callum's chest, Callum's breaths froze, but only for a moment before they settled back into a steady rhythm. Callum's arms tightened around Noah. "It's not usually so sudden," Noah's voice was muffled as he buried his face in Callum's chest. "It's more like a brewing storm. Slow, filling me with static, looming closer and closer. Then it erupts. It's painful, but it gives me time to get somewhere safe, somewhere I can expel the build up of chaotic energy."

"I'm so-sorr" his voice cracked as tears filled his eyes. "I'm so sorry. I keep hurting you. I destroy everything."

Callum rubbed long, soothing strokes over Noah's back. He didn't have any words of comfort; comforting was never within his skill set. Seeing Noah like this hurt him more than the burns did, more than the seizing of his heart, and shocks that still sparked against his organs. "What triggers your magic outbursts?"

"It's not any one trigger," Noah admitted, defeatedly. "My magic has always been volatile. It's unpredictable when I use it but if I don't it builds up until I can't contain it. It feeds off my emotions. If I get too jumbled, I can't concentrate on keeping it at bay."

"You liked kissing me that much, huh," Noah could hear the cocky grin on Callum's face. He pushed himself up and glared pointily at Callum. "Careful, darlin'," he leaned in and kissed the side of Noah's mouth, "you might be falling for me."

Noah's ears twitched, the blush deepening as he tried to neutralize his expression. "You're nice to look at," he cleared his throat and hoped his voice wasn't as shaky as it felt. "But then you open your mouth and ruin the whole experience." The warmth in his cheeks spread down his neck.

Laughter bubbled within Callum, the sound deep and hoarse, as his chest heaved gently moving Noah to the beat of his joy. Butterflies spurred back to life deep in Noah's stomach. The laughter mixed with a fit of painful coughs, burning Callum's lungs as he struggled to catch his breath.

"We should really figure out a way to get these outbursts under control." Callum coiled his fingers through Noah's hair. "You made a promise to me, and I have a whole list of things I want to do to you." The hair on the back of Noah's neck raised his tongue slicked over his bottom lip. Callum leaned in, brushing their lips together, "first I'll have to get you used to my touch." He kissed Noah's chin, "until you feel safe in my embrace. Can't have you getting overwhelmed and setting everything on fire every time I want to touch you." Callum pressed an affectionate kiss against Noah's lips, the quickness churning a need for more within Noah.

"The world would burn," Callum growled, the weight of his hand pressed down on Noah's head as his arm tightened around his waist. Their lips met in an all-consuming blaze, Callum slid his tongue over Noah's lips, feeling the tiny scars left from vampire kisses. The urge to heal and protect this warlock flared within Callum, his ability to fight the instincts of his wolf wavering. Noah was his.

Noah met Callum kiss for kiss, his arms wrapped around his shoulders pulling him closer. His world exploded into molten shards of light as his lips melded into Callum's. His stomach swooped as blood pooled south; red-hot desire began to overwhelm his senses. Reluctantly, Noah pulled away from Callum. "Why?" He panted, his lips red from their kisses. "Why do you do this to me?"

"What do you mean?"

"Confuse me. I know you don't like me. Not in any meaningful way. Is it just a point of pride for you?" Callum frowned at the accusation. "There are other warlocks—better, prettier, more interesting..."

"Oh, shut up," Callum's mouth closed over Noah's. His sharp canines gently closed on Noah's bottom lip. Noah winced at the sensation, "do you not realize how irritatingly impossible it is for me to stay away from you?"

"Didn't seem that way when you were making out with Vera."

Callum's hand slid under Noah's small, round butt. His large hand gripping it tightly enough, jerking his hips upwards. Noah shuddered a moan as their hard dicks rubbed together.

"Callum," Noah whined against Callum's lips.

Callum moved his kisses down Noah's jaw, "how do you feel?"

"Tired," Noah admitted. Callum kissed under his chin; Noah tilted his head backwards. "A little grimy," he rasped. Callum pressed another kiss against Noah's Adam's apple. "I need to shower," Noah groaned, his hips moving of their own accord. "Callum," another kiss dipped into the crevice of his collarbone, the hand cupping his butt teasingly stroking the seam of his jeans. "You're injured."

"Yeah" Callum agreed, his voice dark but his gaze brighter than even Helios could ever withstand. "Kiss me and make it better."

Noah frowned. "That's not—"

Callum smothered the words as he pressed their lips together. A warm sigh ran through Noah, like a light breeze on a blossoming spring day. Noah couldn't contain a giggle that bubbled up within him, "your beard," he murmured against Callum's lips.

"You don't like it?" Callum brushed his lips against Noah's cheek.

"No, no. I love it," Noah protested. His head rolled backwards as Callum planted kisses across his jawline. "It just tickles, is all."

Noah's breath caught in his throat as their bodies moved together. Callum effortlessly guided Noah onto his back, a tender strength in his touch. In the quiet stillness that followed, Noah was dazed by the ardor of Callum's gaze, as if the werewolf had been staring at a masterpiece come to life. Noah quickly cleared his mind of the thought; he knew he was no masterpiece. Callum's hand slowly traced the contours of Noah's body through the fabric of his sweater, each touch igniting a fire within Noah's core. When Callum's hand settled on Noah's lower belly, a wave of anticipation and desire washed over him, leaving him breathless.

"How do you feel?" Callum echoed his previous question. His fingers kneaded at the fabric barrier that kept him from touching Noah's skin.

"You already asked that," Noah nibbled his bottom lip, unsure of how to answer. He couldn't tell Callum that the way the man looked at him made him feel like the rarest, and most extravagant precious stone in all the realm. That the mere thought alone filled him with such a serene sadness, because he knew in his heart these moments were fleeting. He couldn't tell Callum that he would stop time if he could, for nothing more than pure selfishness, because if the world screeched to a stop, then he could remain Callum's soul focus for eternity.

Callum leaned down, the weight pressing his hand hard against Noah's core, sending shockwaves of need straight to his cock. Noah whimpered; his eyes veiled by thick white lashes. Callum pulled Noah's bottom lip free from the brutality of his teeth with his own. Delicately, Callum nibbled Noah's lip, working his tongue over the fresh teeth marks and old scars. "Are you feeling overwhelmed?" Callum corrected his question.

Noah's fingers scratched at the floorboards underneath them.

Callum released his lip, placed a tender kiss against his mouth then sat up, propping himself between Noah's legs. The hand pressed against him, dipped under the bunched fabric of his sweater. "Talk to me, darlin'. I don't want another outburst."

Noah shook his head, his eyes unable to open to meet Callum's gaze.

"Use your voice," Callum demanded gently. The calluses of his hand scraped over Noah's skin, raising his temperature almost unbearably. The hand flattened at the center of his torso. "Look at me." Noah forced his eyes to open, his eyes were glossy, threatening to spill over at any moment. Callum flashed that damned smile that made Noah's heart stammer uncontrollably. "I don't know which I like more. Submissive or dominant Noah," his hand tilted and glided around Noah's side. Noah winced; his eyes forced shut again as his fingers touched the seam scar that stitched from his armpit down over his hip. The scar he had accidentally marred Callum with, before taking it onto his own body.

"Darlin," at Callum's stern voice, Noah opened his eyes. Tears rolled down the sides of his face. "Let's stop for now."

"No!" Noah's voice broke. "I'm okay. I can... I can keep going. I'll be good," the tears thickened as he protested. His mind raced alongside his heart. Every scenario of what happens after the stop flashed in a disorderly fashion across Noah's eyes. Callum being angry with him. The tender caresses that simmered Noah's every nerve would sour. The affectionate expressions, a blessing that Noah knew he didn't deserve to begin with, would turn to resentment. Best case, Callum would burry Noah in his disappoints. Worst case, Callum would move on, giving the warmth of his affection to someone else. Someone beautiful and powerful. Someone more befitting, and nothing like Noah. Plummeting Noah back into the icy depths that he'd once been at peace within but would now gnaw through his flesh and freeze his bones.

Callum brushed his fingers through Noah's hair and pressed a kiss to his forehead. "You're exhausted. We don't need to rush, let's get some rest." Callum rolled off Noah, the loss of weight made Noah feel as if he'd float away to oblivion. Noah wanted to protest but his voice failed him, it vibrated off his vocal cords unable to be released. Callum pulled Noah in against him, first rolling him onto his side so he could get his arm underneath Noah's head then laying him back down on his back. His other hand found itself relaxed on Noah's core. His fingers dipped just below the fabric of Noah's jeans, feeling the trimmed pubic hairs but not searching for more.

"Are... Are you angry?" Noah croaked.

"The opposite," Callum assured, his voice low and sleepy as he nuzzled his head against Noah's head. His breaths loud as he breathed in Noah's scent. "I haven't been this relaxed in a long time." Noah fidgeted. "Talk to me, darlin'. Tell me what's going on in that head of yours?"

"I... I was thinking about the good luck charm I owe you..."

"Is that so?"

"Yes," Noah tried to sound as convincing as he could. "I thought your dreams would be a good place to start."

"My dreams?" Callum groused; his eyes closed as his fingers gently massaged the sensitive area. Butterflies exploded within Noah, the tears dried, and he struggled to hold onto his train of thought.

"Our subconscious protects us. It holds our hopes, our shame, suppresses and stores away painful memories. When we sleep it will trickle in the suppressed emotions for us to work through, slowly relieving us of some of the weight of our burdens."

"I see..."

Noah tilted his head, Callum looked like he was seconds away from passing out.

"What do you dream about?"

"Los'a things," Callum mumbled. "The last one, I was in a field. I was with..." his voice trailed off sleepily.

"With who?" Noah persisted.

"A man." Thorns pierced through Noah at the answer. "Hmmm. No, that's not right," his brows crinkled. "A demon. This grotesque demon... with..." his eyes fluttered open. "Wait. Is that offensive? You know I don't think you're grotesque." Callum nuzzled closer against Noah as the remaining spurs of adrenaline died. "You're beautiful."

Heat crept over Noah's cheeks, he cleared his throat before speaking, "Demons come in many different forms. Can you tell me about the demon?"

"He had red skin, that gave off this creepy glow. He was huge, with hooves for feet and thick gnarly horns... he was naked, and a masssssiiivee co—"

"Okay!" Noah interjected. "I get the picture. Sounds like it was an incubus." Callum yawned, the hand on his pelvis slid slightly downward, Noah's stomach swooped, his penis jerked in anticipation. "Di-did, the incubus... shapeshift?" Noah knew in his heart what answer he wanted to hear, but he wouldn't allow his mind to wander.

Callum groaned; his eyes closed unable to open even if he wanted them to. A weighted fog filled his mind. Flashes of Noah came to him, all the dreams that had plagued him since the first time he saw Noah. Making love to him, killing him, the loop repeating, always in that field. Always near those woods that felt like home, yet a strange forbidden place. The creature revealing himself, the distortion of Noah transforming into a full-fledged demon before his very eyes. He swallowed, his mouth working quicker than his brain.

"Thayer..."

Noah's throat tightened, forcing him to swallow against the lump forming there. He turned his head away, berating his own heart for its foolishness. "Get some sleep," he managed to say, his voice steady despite the storm of pain inside of him. Callum made a satisfied sound before slipping into a deep, dreamless slumber.

~~**~~**~~

Half the day slipped away. Noah had no idea when sleep had seized him, but he resisted the urge to awaken. Enveloped by warmth, he felt a protective shield encase him. Gentle exhales of breath caressed the back of his neck and a comforting heartbeat harmonized with his own rhythm. Their bodies had moved in unison during their slumber. Noah found himself with his back against Callum's chest, knees drawn up to his chest, cradled securely in Callum's embrace.

This much was enough, Noah thought to himself as he closed his eyes. He could be selfish, if only for a little while longer.

"NOAH!" The voice bellowed from the stairs outside, thundering footsteps ascended. Riley burst through the skewed door, finishing the job of unhinging it from the frame. "Noah!" Riley's panic-riddled voice seized the last bits of sleep from Noah.

Against the weight of Callum's arm Noah sat up. "Riley? What's wrong?" Callum grumbled and tried to pull Noah back down.

"Are you kidding me?" Riley growled; his hand raked through his hair as he eyed the two. "Is this where you've been hiding all day? Do you even know what's going on out there? Aylin had to use her power!"

"Wait?" Noah shook Callum's arm off and stood up. Pins and needles pinched his nerves, causing his knees to give out. Riley flew forward and caught Noah before he toppled over. "What's going on? Why did Aylin use her power?"

Riley glared at Callum who was just starting to rouse. "Noah, what happened last night? When I woke up this morning the campus was in an uproar. They said a vampire attacked a student in the labs, then there were signs of a crazy electrical storm in the residential area. Aylin used her compulsion to convince everyone that it was a micro-storm." Riley pulled Noah down on a cot and hastily brushed his fingers over Noah's neck, turning his face right and left, and then staring into his eyes. "It was you. On both accounts." It wasn't a question, Noah knew this, Riley was his best friend and knew almost better than anyone the mark his magic.

With a sigh, the tension in Riley's shoulders lessened. He pulled Noah into a tight hug, "I was so worried. You weren't answering your phone, and no one knew where you were. I couldn't find you. I couldn't sniff out your trail. Dammit Noah, I thought. I thought—" Riley's voice cracked as he buried his face into Noah's shoulder. "I thought you were..."

"I'm okay," Noah returned the hug, he'd been so wrapped up in his own emotional state and desire to keep Callum to himself that he forgot all about the consequences of last night. He forgot that he needed to check on Corbin and speak on his behalf, forgot to check the damage caused by his magic. And more importantly, forgot that there was someone that genuinely worried about him. "I'm sorry, Riley. I'm so sorry."

Callum got to his feet, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. "I took care of him," he assured.

"Why were you even with him?" Riley barked; his lips tight as his nostrils flared.

"Easy pup," Callum growled a low warning.

Noah glanced anxiously between the two werewolves. Riley's hands trembled, the veins bulging as he clenched Noah's hand, his shoulders squared and tense as he assessed his foe. Callum exuded a quiet intensity, his grin devoid of any hint of mirth. The scene that unfolded before Noah evoked a memory from his childhood. There'd been a brief time they lived in an RV park; the man that parked beside them had a dog. At the time this was the biggest dog Noah had ever seen, with sleek black fur and a droopy snout. The dog, like Riley, seemed all bluster, erupting into mean barks whenever someone ventured to close to his home. Layla had explained that the dog was just protective of his territory and master, his bark a noisy warning because in his heart he didn't want to bite anyone. It was the silent predator, the one who observed and calculated, that posed the real threat.

At the time, Noah had been unconvinced, still flinching every time the dog would start his boisterous barking. Then one afternoon, Layla lead Noah over to the RV where the man grilled his dinner, the dog at his feet his tail wagging excitedly with the dopiest smile. Layla introduced herself and her young son, the man did the same in return, Noah found it odd that he would refer to the scary dog as his child. When Noah was forced to face the dog, he cried as that big droopy snout dribbling with slobber neared his face. But, instead of being devoured whole, the dog gave him endless licks. He'd realized that this dog, that he had painted to be as fearsome as a hell hound, was nothing more than a gentle giant. A gentle giant that only wanted to keep his home and owner safe.

Riley reminded Noah of a gentle giant. He knew Riley was just a big, protective sweetheart with a bark more vicious than his bite. However, it was Callum that made him nervous. Silent as he observed Riley's movements, unphased by his barking.

"Noah, I don't think you should be alone with this guy. He's dangerous," Riley insisted, worry returned to his tight expression. "We don't know anything about him. He could be one of Grimm's hounds for all we know."

"The fuck did you just say?" Callum's fists balled, itching to break something. "I'm not anyone's fucking tool, especially the fucking Grimm."

Riley rose to his feet, their height almost matched, Callum only stood an inch or two taller. "You show up out of nowhere, you attach yourself to Noah. A warlock. A dangerous and rare species but you see weakness in Noah." Noah flinched; his free hand rubbed his arm seeking comfort. Callum let his eyes drop towards Noah, annoyance ground against his jaw as Riley planted himself between them. "Warlocks catch quite a price in fae trafficking, their uses are endless. But they aren't easy to catch. But Noah, he's a jackpot. Beautiful, unstable, naïve... Noah."

"Riley," Noah winced.

"You think," Riley continued, "that you can worm your way through his defenses. Build up some trust, maybe play with your prey a little bit before you turn him over to your master. Get a pat on the head and a nice little treat thrown your way."

The vein in Callum's neck bulged, his lips curled revealing his sharp canines. "You think you have me all figured out," Callum gritted, his voice dark void of any of his usual lightness. His arms opened at his sides. Riley's nose scrunched; his top lip pulled into a snarl. "Think I'm a chained wolf? Here, seeking my master's next big trophy." The two were nearly flush as they glared, unblinking, at each other. "Tell me, pup," he popped the 'p' sound, "what do you think you could do to stop me?"

Noah watched, wide-eyed, as Riley's hands fisted. The chain of events that followed seemed to filter through Noah's eyes in slow-motion. Riley's arm wounded, Callum's entire face distorted into red-hot rage, Noah flung himself forward wrapping himself around Riley's arm. Using it as leverage to swing himself in between the two, looming figures. His back bumped against Callum as his hands pressed against Riley's chest.

Energy flooded through Noah, at first it threatened to rip through him as it had done so many times before. Noah inhaled deeply, fortifying the path in which he desired the energy to flow. Exhale. The energy shot through his veins, warming his skin as it pooled to the palms of his hands. Sparks surged forth. Riley was forced backwards, his calves snagged on the cot, toppling him backwards.

Silence.

The silence felt eternal, Noah's senses had both numbed and heightened. He feared he'd never hear a thing again. Slowly the world sped up, Noah's breaths were loud yet calm. Riley regained himself, a look of bewilderment as he gaped at Noah. Sparks zapped from Noah's trembling hands, panic set in. Callum's fingers twined tightly with Noah's; he could feel the vibrations of his words, yet they were lost in the brewing storm within him.

Callum turned Noah towards him and pulled him tightly against his chest. His embrace had felt like a promise, a promise to be Noah's shield against the darkness. It was soothing. A hand cradled the back of his head, "it's okay, sweetheart," the gentleness of Callum's voice penetrated the silence. "You're okay. It's not going to get you. You're stronger than your magic," Callum whispered to him.

Time continued to flow. The energy within him sizzled, until it left a tingling sensation in its wake. "Good," Callum praised Noah, "very good, darlin'. You're so strong. You control the magic."

Tears streamed down Noah's cheeks; Callum separated their bodies just enough to wipe his thumbs underneath Noah's eyes. "You're a bit of a crybaby," he teased.

"Shut up," Noah choked as he laughed.

"Noah..." Riley stood up, his hand rubbed over his chest as he observed the werewolf and the warlock.

Noah's eyes widened; the tears pooled at the edge of his eyes again. Callum bent down and kissed the corner of his eye, before saying, "he's not mad. He loves you."

With the help of Callum's confidence Noah turned around, his head dropped low, and shoulders rolled forward. His heart felt as fragile as glass as he prepared himself for Riley's next words, words that would end their friendship.

"Do you trust him?"

Noah's head shot up.

Riley pinned him with a sincere expression.

Noah nodded.

"Fine," Riley rubbed his hand over his mouth.

"Are... Are... we still... are we still friends?"

Riley sighed and opened his arms. Noah's entire face brightened as he leapt into Riley's arms. "You're my family, Noah." He glanced up at Callum, his gaze a warning that Callum accepted and nodded in return.

"Alright," Riley said as the hug ended, "now tell me what happened last night."

"I'll make some coffee," Callum declared.