Waxing Gibbous [Keir/Idris]

[Deleted]

April 2026
CW: Alcohol abuse, chance of violence

The full moon loomed just around the corner. Idris was not new to how these went. He felt like crap. He slumped at the corner of the bar his knee restlessly vibrating as he nursed a drink. Nothing helped. With his irritable mood maxed out, there were a number or seats between him any any other patron. Vas wasn't there to stop any violent tendencies that he may have, so the staff working felt it best if they encouraged anyone else to not interact with him tonight.

His mind raced, Idris longed for a fight. At least then he wouldn't just be sitting around waiting for the agony of transformation. His heightened senses buzzed with the actions around him. His yes locked on the liquid and glass before him, but he knew everything that was going on. His knee bounced rhythmically as an exceptionally rowdy group of young wizards ignorantly spoke their thoughts about life. They were all wrong. He clenched his jaw, gripping the glass tightly. If this hasn't been Vas' pub, he would have already gone over there and taught them a lesson. Refraining seemed impossible by at this point.

@keir

[Deleted]

Keir had always made a point of not letting his worst day define him as a person. Other people tried very hard to hold it over him, to make being a werewolf a large part of his identity. Keir hated it every time it happened so he was keen to prove that being a werewolf didn't mean becoming a vicious beast all the time. He never so much as raised his voice and despite having had quite the temper before and in the early years before he'd been begrudgingly accepted back into the magical community. Years of slaving away in a coal mine to provide for his young family had hardened him and he still made sure to keep fit. Keir wasn't one to pick fights but there had been plenty of times he'd punched people that stepped out of line back in his time for the mine. He had even thrown a few people around from time to time for manners far beyond horrible. Keir was a monster, he couldn't deny that, but he was one that sought to protect and redeem himself.

He decided to go to the violent hound after work for a drink and a plate of food. He was tired, somewhat irritable with the approaching full moon and not yet ready to go home to his wife. Ever since he'd fallen ill she'd been a lot more worried, especially around the full moon. He had to stop taking the medications for one to take wolfsbane for his other condition. It was a difficult conundrum but his health had been relatively stable of late. While he hadn't really told his wife or daughter, it had stopped improving, which concerned him a little. As long as things didn't get worse again he figured it was okay to keep his concerns to himself for a little while. Brigh had far too much trouble on her mind as it was already and he feared any concerns over his health would send both their relationship and their behaviour into a further decline. That was something he was keen to avoid. He ran a hand through his hair as he looked for a spot at the bar. It was quite interesting to see that most seats were occupied, except for those around a young man. He looked irritable, even from here. Keir had a feeling that it was for exactly the same reasons he was itching to be out rather than cooped up somewhere for waiting for the inevitable. His bags were already packed for his usual trip.

Ignoring the nervous shifting from the rest of the staff, Keir simply took one of the vacant seats near the other man. He could easily take a punch, even if he would love to avoid that. Not because he wasn't partially itching for a fight but more because he couldn't afford to lost his temper. Now if he could find somebody actually willing to spar with him, it would have been different. Most people didn't like the force behind his punches though, so it ended up being lifeless bags at the gym taking most of his free energy, especially with the approach of the moon. He sat down, glanced to the side and inclined his head for a brief moment. "Evening." He said, and then he ordered his plate of food. Rare steak because he was having a very strong craving and his wife? Well she didn't make the steak as rare as he wanted them. Something about unhealthy or whatever. It just meant he got his meat elsewhere in the long run.

@idris

[Deleted]

It was almost funny. The reason Idris had to leave the fighting ring was the exact same reason that he wanted to beat someone's face in. No one understood how hard it was to resist. Even other werewolves couldn't fully understand what he was feeling. His need to beat down anyone who came close. It was beyond werewolf aggression. It more primal than that. It had always come naturally. He yearned to cause the same pain that he felt every night on someone else. And the rowdy group was quite tempting. His breathing drew heavy as he fought the urge to destroy each and every one of them. He could do it. He knew that. Vas wasn't here tonight, and what staff that were here couldn't stop him. Sure the place would be trashed, and he'd have to pay for that later. But at least these feelings would have been released.

The louder the group got, the surlier he felt. He raised his glass to his lips, hoping the alcohol would calm him. He finished it off thunking it onto the counter, glairing at no one in particular "Stogner" He growled. Holding back seemed harder than normal, and now was completely alone. This would be the best way to get through until the full moon. Where was that useless Greyback puppy when he needed him? True, now he was Vas' boyfriend, but what was a spar between werewolves?

Anyone who tried to approach him would be waved off by the staff, but it seemed like that was not enough. The man sat, and spoke. Did he really think that Idris was in the mood for a pleasant conversation? "F**k off." He said as his second drink arrived. The man ordered food and a drink, but did he really have to sit there?

@keir

[Deleted]

The response that the man gave was more than enough for Keir. He had no intentions to pick a fight so he respectfully backed off, or at least in the sense that he wasn't going to put any more effort into being polite. He wasn't the type to give space to a bully just because they wanted it though, so he simply seated himself and ordered food from the staff, all of whom seemed very on edge. Probably the friendly patron with the kind words that everybody avoided like the plague. If his mood came with a temper it made sense people were somewhat intimidated. Keir had no such issues, knowing he could handle himself fine in a fight. He didn't much like bullies and he certainly wouldn't step aside for them, but if his instincts served him right the other man was actually a werewolf.

Blame Keir for understanding far too well what it felt like before the moon. The constant anticipation and growing dread for the loss of control as well as the pain that often came with the transformation. The harm that became evident to the human mind after the moon had taken it's course and no longer was full. The dark side of the moon, as Keir considered it to be. He'd had years of practise to train himself to not react so violently to his transformations in the mental sense but he couldn't deny he still felt the itch for a fight and the desperate desire to escape his affliction despite the impossibility of it all. He briefly wondered if the man was (as he was almost certain) actually a werewolf and if he was, how long he'd been one. How many bad turns had his life taken because of his affliction and how many people had rejected him for the most basic things for no other reason than that of his illness? Keir remembered how much his life had changed after he'd been bitten all those years ago like it was yesterday. While he had managed to rebuild much of it, there was a shadow that never really seemed to fade. There was too much darkness making the curse spread across for more than just the few days of the moon. That knowledge? It was something that reminded Keir to always reserve judgement to the tempers of the wolves he met. There was a limit to what anybody could take and the limit was often tested beyond reason for werewolves. Not everybody did well under such pressure.

@idris

[Deleted]

As expected, the man left Idris alone after that. Exactly what he wanted. Well, sort of. He wanted feel someone's body against his fist. The man backed off and that seemed to be the end of it. Idris went back to his drink, his ears picking up every sound in the pub. It was all a loud mix of everything. that was, until he heard one word, and instantly his ears zeroed in on the voice.

Idris' life was one bad event after another. The most recent being his transformation into a werewolf. He had always found violence to be a good way to resolve issues. He also found it a good stress reliever. And best of all, he was good at it. He rarely lost, though he had taken many beatings in the past, he always rose triumphant. A loud group in the pub had moved their conversation from whatever politically incorrect subject, to werewolves. And much like the previous subject, it was strong stereo types, most of which were wrong. Idris clenched the drink in his fist, his body tensing as he downed the second drink. Slamming it down on the bar, he swiftly moved to do what he had longed to do. He'd make it up to Vas somehow.

@keir

[Deleted]

Keir was used to slander and hatred towards his kind. People were scared of them and what people feared, they prosecuted. It was a tale as old as time. Striking back was hardly ever clever, especially since it would only serve to reinforce the preconceived notion that people already had. Keir knew this and he'd just about made it his lifes work to ensure he himself at least never knowingly made things worse. So as he heard the conversation he felt the familiar sting of resentment about the false beliefs. He would have ignored it completely and simply have eaten his meal if the other man hadn't gotten up and head towards the group of senseless youth.

Keir was swift to his feet and even though he could see the staff almost fear to get involved he could see their motions to stay out of this fight. Well, he wouldn't, as it was as much his fight as that of the other man. In a few swift strides he blocked the path of the other man, his body tense enough but his tone of voice still surprisingly calm. "I would advice against it." He said calmly, although already prepared to block a punch if needed. "If you need to release some pent up anger I'm more than willing to be your sparring buddy but punching them isn't going to fix our problems." He gave the man a calm look and he almost felt equally as if speaking to a fiend as he did speaking to an adult son that was at risk of making a bad choice. "Don't reinforce the image they already have. It will only change the minds of others in the wrong direction." He reminded him in a calm but pressing tone, but soft enough to not be easily overheard. He gave the man a penetrating look. "Would you like to take this outside?" He offered ever so politely, as if he was inviting the man over for a drink. If he needed to fight, they could at least bash each others skulls in like civilised people.

@idris

[Deleted]

This hadn't been the first time that Idris had heard or come across those with negative out view of werewolves. He was simply at the end of his very short fuse. He had held back so well, but now was the time to hit someone.

He took action. He could almost feel the eyes of his best friends staff preparing to call her in as an emergency. But before he could reach the ignorant band, the man had blocked his path. He looked at the man. Not as a hot head itching for a fight he couldn't win, but as someone who was ready to kill just because he had had a bad day. The man speech was calm, which didn't help Idris' mood in the least. "No one asked you." Who did he think he was? Did he really think that they were in the same boat? By his order and the way he spoke, Idris could guess that he was a werewolf two. But this man had the audacity to assume that he understood everything?

Luckily the mans voice and words gave Idris pause for only a moment. But the action had drawn some attention, and he could already see Vas getting mad at him. He stepped back, taking a deep breath. He glanced back to the bartender, who had a phone in her hands. "put it on my tab." He told her and aggressively shoved past the old man. If he meant it, he'd follow him out. If not, Idris would have a smoke and drive somewhere he could bash someone's brains out and feel none of the consequences.

@keir

[Deleted]

The man clearly had a short fuse but at least he paused long enough to consider. Keir could see the small shift in his eyes. It wasn't much, but it appeared to be enough. For now, the ignorant men at the table would leave unharmed. He did make a mental note to check on his department to make sure that education (which these men had clearly neglected) was not part of the problem half as much as their attitudes were. As the man told the woman behind the bar to add to his tab Keir felt a sense of relief wash over him. Yet the moment was brief as the man pushed past him rather aggressively. The man couldn't see, but a small smile played on the lips of the older man. There was something comforting about knowingly going into a fight.

He smiled at the bartender for a moment. "Could you prepare an ice pack to do with the steak? I think we'll be back shortly." He simply said politely before following the man out. He noticed but ignored the utterly stunned expressions on their faces, but he knew better. Years of hard work at the coal mine had certainly left an impact that none could erase. He'd worked hard to keep his body in that same shape, or rather, better shape. He had one fist of iron and the other of steel and if the left one didn't get you? Then the right one certainly would. People were not eager to pick a fight with him and considering the prowl to his step as he exited the bar he could see why people might step aside. He cracked his knuckles and neck briefly to prepare before he turned to the other man with an almost peaceful smile. He was itching for a good fight just as much as the other man was, he was just less hot headed about it. "After you." He said politely as he took on a fighting stance, inviting the younger man to throw the first punch. He had to at least give the man an opportunity to get a hit in. His wife was going to kill him for this, but that was all fine. He never fought without reason, although this was probably the closest he'd come in years. All in good fun, right?

@idris

[Deleted]

Idris stormed outside, pulling out a cigarette and lighting it. After taking a long breath, he took off his leather jacket and leaned it up against his motorcycle. His tank top showing off his arm tattoos. The chemicals helped calm him as he mentally prepared to fight. It was a process. It had been years since he had semi-professionally fought. Though they were underground. But habits like that weren't easy to lose. From what he saw, he could see that the man was ready for a fight, and ready to stop his punch. That wasn't something he saw in many patrons.

Seconds felt like hours and a minute felt like an eternity. Idris passed back and forth. He had half a mind to just leave. But before his mind was made up, the man exited the pub. The man looked like a push over. Though his body condition said otherwise. Idris wouldn't underestimate him. He looked at the man, his eyes dead. Fighting was all that mattered at this moment. He invited Idris to take the first punch, and he didn't waste it either. His first strike said everything. He knew how to fight and exactly where to hit to cause maximum damage.

The fight drug on, each landing, catching and dodging hits. Idris' sadistic smile only growing as the fight went on. But in time, the fight just stopped. Idris hunched over, breathing heavy, feeling the damage, knowing his knuckles were bloody, some his, and his side shooting familiar pain with every breath. This fight had felt different from all the others. The man sure knew how to fight, that was something.

He looked at his opponent, unsure if he should go for another good punch. But it seemed as though he had gotten things out. He stood up, still breathing heavy, he used his bare arm to wipe blood from his split lip. He spat out some blood that had built and turned to put back on his jacket. "Your fighting's rusty." Was all he could say. The man wasn't bad, but it was clear that it had been a while, at least compared to Idris.

@keir

[Deleted]

Keir had forgotten how extremely relieving and rewarding a good fight could be. Despite the fact he was bound to be covered in cuts and bruises if he didn't heal himself he felt the surge of blood through his veins and despite the fight having him out of breath he felt healthier than he had in months. Everybody had seemed convinced that his health made him weak, which in return had only made him feel more weak. Despite the fact he still hadn't fully recovered he finally felt more up to his usual self again. Lately had been good, but this was better. Keir had avoided a proper fight too long out of fear of reputation loss but boy did it feel good. He breathed shallow breaths but he was grinning ear to ear.

He looked at the other man and couldn't help but laugh as he mentioned his fighting was getting rusty. "It's been a long time. I forgot how good that felt." He admitted as he stood upright again, his fingers gently testing his ribs where the man had landed one of his stronger hits. It didn't appear as though anything had been broken. He shook his head slightly at his own antics, knowing his wife would surely give him hell for it later. It was fine, as it had avoided bigger problems. He looked at the other man. "I'm Keir, by the way. Did you want to go back inside? I'm pretty sure my steak should be done soon and it'd be a waste to let it get cold." He said as he wiped some of the blood of his brow. Yet another good hit the other man had landed. "I'll buy you some beers if you'd like." He offered. After any proper fight two men could as easily become close friends over a beer and some bruises, both of which were certain to be plenty in supply. Not to mention that Keir really wasn't in the mood to go home yet. If he was hanging out with a new friend is wife was less likely to complain he got home late, although it usually did mean he'd just pack his bags and head out towards his werewolf retreat almost instantly. He didn't really have the best temper before the full moon after all. He just controlled his a bit better than the younger man in front of him.

@idris

[Deleted]

The fight was the perfect release for Idris. Sure, he still felt antsy, but the release was well worth it. He felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He missed having a good fight like this. It was such a shame he could no longer fight for money. It seemed as though the man had enjoyed the fight as well. He was out of breath, but his grin said it all.

Idris could tell that the man had been out of practice. Upon mentioning it The older man confirmed. He nodded with a smile when the man mentioned how good it felt. Fighting was a regular thing for Idris, so, he knew exactly how good it felt. "You should be grateful I pulled most my punches." He'd done much worse damage before. Though he did know that many of his punches still would leave marks and develop intense bruises.

Idris looked at his bike, not sure if he wanted to call it a night, or do something else. Then the man spoke, introducing himself. He also offered to pay for beers. Idris thought it would be rude not to take up an offer of free booze. "Sure. I'm Idris by the way." Then, he headed back into the bar, and returned to his spot with the man not far behind him. He looked at the concerned bartender. "No need to get Vas involved." He could tell that she still considering calling her boss, but he knew that it would be best not to worry Vas right now.

@keir

[Deleted]

The fight was a perfect kind of stress relief that Keir hadn't had in easily a decade. While it was mostly due to very hard work to safeguard his position in life and giving the best possible opportunities to his kids he felt like a part of him had been neglected all these years. The part that loved a good fight and longed to give in to his more aggressive side, something he hadn't really allowed himself to do in quite a long time. Still, as the other man said he'd pulled most of his punches Keir felt no need to notify him that he'd done the same. He knew how to throw a punch and despite his desk work he had managed to maintain nearly all of the upper body strength he'd been forced to get while working in the mines. The comment served no purpose and well, they were equally matched and would be even more so if this would happen more often. Both of them would have enough to show for the fight tomorrow if they didn't get themselves healed up before the night well and truly dawned on them.

The man briefly considered leaving before Keir extended his invitation. As he walked in his face lit up as he noticed the steak was being brought from the kitchens as they saw his face. They'd probably been keeping it warm for him while he was out exchanging punches with the other man. He'd introduced himself as Idris and Keir instantly memorised the name. He didn't know why but his instincts said that he would do well to remember the name. He did take note that the people behind the bar seemed to have somebody ready on speed dial to deal with whatever trouble was being made. Perhpas Idris was the kind of regular that got in trouble often? It seemed possible from the way they interacted with him and he in turn interacted with them. They seemed to have some doubts but Keir mostly ignored that and walked straight to his food, digging in as he motioned to his glass. "Another beer please? And one of whatever my friend wants." He said, which he hoped would make it quite clear that there was no bad blood between the two. All Keir was by now was simply hungry. A good fight did wonders for his appetite and despite the various injuries he felt better now than he had in months, even more so considering the part he'd been sick for quite a while. At least he was recovering. He did feel as though this did more for his health than all those months and potions had done for him.

@idris

[Deleted]

Idris did consider leaving after the fight. There didn't seem like much reason to stay, but the man did offer a drink, and for whatever reason, Idris took him up on it. The man introduced himself as Kier, the name didn't seem anything out of the ordinary, but Idris found himself committing it to memory nonetheless. For whatever reason, he felt as though this wasn't a single encounter, as he originally thought.

Idris told those that were working in the back to not worry Vas. He knew she was going through a rough time, and was glad he didn't have to involve her. Everyone on staff at the Violet Hound knew Idris. He was the best friend to their boss after all. The older man then confirmed the claim that all was well, and the staff seemed to relax some more. Unlike last time, Idris sat next to the man. "A beer will be fine." He mentioned as the man ordered the two drinks. "I'll take a steak and fries too." He wasn't planning to eat at the pub, but since his angst had been released, the hunk of meat the other man had in front of him seemed mighty tempting. Idris got comfortable in his seat as he waited. Though it didn't take long for the drinks, and his food to come out. The thick steak seemed nearly raw.

He took a drink of beer to wash some meat down as he eyed the man next to him. "Where'd you learn to fight?"

@keir

[Deleted]

The food was delivered rather swiftly and Keir reslished as he saw the steak was cooked to perfection, which pretty much meant that it was almost dripping in blood so raw. He liked his steaks far rarer than most, for which he blamed his werewolf affliction. His wife usually complained it wasn't healthy but he ignored that because he loved her to the moon and back. He was ever so fond of her that he merely found her concerns adorable and gladly indulged in her moments of food frenzies that she had when she discovered something new. Her love of food was something that he'd always found rather endearing, even when she'd temporarily made the entire household vegetarian after he'd been turned in hopes that it wouldn't bring out 'wolfish' aspects in his personality. Naturally it didn't really work that way and she'd given up after about half a year. For that he was still thankful.

His company asked him where he'd learned to fight and Keir shrugged as he chewed and swallowed a piece of his steak. "To the despair of my parents that started at school. Wasn't real fighting, mind you. Just exchanging some blows. After I'd been turned I ended up working in a coal mine... that is when and where I learned to actually fight rather than land a blow or two. You don't get much of a choice when your temper escalates around a bunch of people used to carrying their weight and more around. Plus they were all muggles so dualling wasn't much of an option, which was for the better. Curses can get a lot harder to heal than a couple of broken bones." Keir admitted with a chuckle. The real fights had died out relatively soon as he made some really good friends but at times they still got in trouble and bar fights ended up inevitable at some point. He gave the other man a bit of a sly smile. "So why did you learn to fight?" He didn't care about when or where, far more about the why. Keir probably wouldn't have learned to fight properly if he hadn't been turned and he knew a fair few werewolves that had similar backgrounds of being forced into more trouble because of their illness. Most he'd encountered also had somewhat bigger tempers, which had to account for some of it. Still, the why was more interesting to an educator like himself than the other details. Perhaps it could help figure out how to help people avoid certain paths in life that brought them mostly trouble.

@idris

[Deleted]

Idris never payed while at the Violet Hound. He and the owner had an understanding. He was about to get food and drinks, and in return, he did maintenance on Vas' bike, and helped with any unruly customers. As such, he was a regulars there. The pub knew how to cater to werewolves, it seemed as though his best friend had a knack for attracting them. As such, the stakes was perfectly nearly raw, when requested.

It seemed as though the man had learned to fight at school. Idris wasn't surprised. School was a great place to perfect your fighting expertise. It seemed as though the man had some stories to tell. It was interesting, though the younger man didn't register everything, he got the main parts down. Idris started to tear into his meet, taking a bite as the man spoke. In time, the older man didn't ask where, but why. He glanced to this side looking at him. Not even the teachers at school cared to learn the reasoning behind his antics. They all simply dished out punishments and hoped that he would learn not to do it again. He paused for a moment, not sure entirely what to say. Why did he fight? Why did he learn? Well, he never really learned in a formal setting or anything. He finally gave a shrug, drawing his eyes away from the man. "It just came naturally, and it felt good." He gave a side smile as he took another bite. Often times, especially at school, Idris would find him self in a fight simply to get a release of everything that he had bottled up. Hitting, and getting hit in return was a way that he got things out. In a way, it was a form of language. It didn't help that he was good, and the more fights he was in, the more he learned to predict the others movements.

@kier