volatile times | rob

[rhys alexander greyback]

every book is read

and i'm paralyzed

September 12, 2027 
EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK

Rhys felt…wobbly, which was still an improvement from his previous state. Three days until the full moon, Rhys began to feel antsy and restless. Just as he always did. But his mind had settled on various other things. Maria had Charlotte this week due to the full moon, though he missed her dearly. Those big blue eyes always looked at him with wonder and happiness. She was walking everywhere she went and babbling away. It made Rhys feel all warm and fuzzy inside. But for the rest of his life, he struggled. Vasilia was ever the workaholic and busy the next few days. She typically left him alone after the moon for a day or two but the days before were where he needed her the most.

And this is where his mind had mainly settled. Wondering what had changed, what he had done. It was always his fault, wasn’t it? Rhys started the fights. Rhys was the asshole who spoke without thinking. All at once, he threw back a full glass of whiskey. It was cheap, and it burned, but it did the job. For now, he wasn’t at the Violet Hound since he didn’t need Vasilia seeing him in such a sorry state. Not that it was new. For all the good from fatherhood, certain things never changed, and his drinking had increased, if anything.

Looking at his friend Rhys knew Rob wasn’t in a great state either. And at least now they could complain and lean on one another as they’d always done. A fellow werewolf, Rob understood more things than others, even if Rhys hadn’t shared the details that even Sienna knew. Speaking of Sienna was off traveling. Rhys had just received a postcard requesting more pictures of Charlotte, naturally. But now that he had Rob alone, he asked a question he’d yet to receive an answer for over the past months. ”So are you going to tell me?” Rhys asked insistently while waiting for his glass to refill magically. ”Si’s not here—just tell me.”

Rhys had first noted it over a year ago when they’d gotten plastered celebrating the Order of Merlin. While he was in a committed relationship, it didn’t mean he forgot everything. The looks, the intensity. It just radiated the more they drank and let their guards down. Something was there, but Rhys didn’t think much of it until he started noting it more and more. So, one day he asked Rob while Si had stepped away, but there was just deflection after deflection. So now, their schedules finally lined up where Rhys wasn’t working or with his daughter, and Sienna wasn’t around. It wasn’t so much that Rhys cared if something had happened here, but maybe he was desperate not to think about his own life.

Plus, he was ignoring the buzz in his pocket. Another text message from a name that never failed to make Rhys’ heart race and flip simultaneously. How long had it been since he’d heard from Juniper? And in his current state, he was torn between seeking her out and knowing better. But he’d been unable to choose an option, so he opted to drink instead. ”And don’t tell me its nothing.” Rhys knocked back another full glass. ”You see the blonde at the other end of the bar? She’s been giving me the same eyes since I got here.” Rhys was in a committed relationship, but he wasn’t blind.

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[EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK]

Days like these, Rob felt like he had an ice pick in his head. Even with Aware Wolf, even with all the advances in werewolf research and potioneering, Rob still felt like shit every time the full moon approached. He supposed it was only natural, considering he was shifting into a serious predator once a month. Having Lyra typically helped, but ever since that disastrous introduction to the rooftop bar, they'd been spending less time together. Rob had become insurmountably busy with the shop, what with Sienna off on her holidays and such, and Lyra had been drafted into a league that had her travelling much of the week.

Things had been tense for a short while, but not enough to stir the pot. Si sent postcards to him at least once a fortnight, and Rob had taken to sending frowning photos back with various British backdrops. The last one he'd sent had been while he'd been in the Scottish Highlands - he'd found a cow and posed next to it, making certain to get the furry head in the shot. The juxtaposition between his depressed face and the mindless cow had made him chuckle, and he was sure that it would make Si laugh as well. But for now, Rob could do nothing but close up the shop, wish Lyra and Sienna were around, and drag his sorry ass off for a drink with the next best thing.

It still made Rob physically ill to think of Rhys as a parent. The pair had gotten on like gnomes in a garden, and fatherhood still scared Rob. There had been a brief moment of insanity in which Rob had thought Lyra was pregnant and he'd been sort of disappointed to find out she wasn't. But reason had quickly returned, and Rob was reminded why he was not ready for that particular hurdle. He was glad that Rhys was happy, but his attitude seemed to have shifted as of late. He looked tired and grey, something bothering him other than the moon.

Rhys knocked back a tall glass of cheap whisky, his third (or maybe fourth, Rob wasn't capable of counting) of the night, and Rob dutifully followed suit. The alcohol rushed through his veins, warming him and reviving him. "Eh?" asked Rob, not having followed Rhys' train of thought. "No, Si is in... Vanuatu? I think?" he mumbled, perplexed. He looked down at his now empty whisky glass. He sighed, dragging his wand from his pocket and performing a shaky refilling charm on both of their drinks. It was lucky Rob knew this spell so well, otherwise he most certainly would have botched it.

"What's nothing?" asked Rob, genuinely flabbergasted. "Wait, back up. What are we talking about?" Rob's focus swivelled to the blonde Rhys had mentioned, who was eye-fucking him from across the bar. "Oh wow. Vas would not approve," said Rob, taking another sip of his whisky. "What does Si have to do with that set of tits on legs?" asked Rob, glancing back at her. She was quite pretty, but Rob knew that Rhys preferred his girls to have more substance than silicone.

rhys alexander greyback

[rhys alexander greyback]

every book is read

and i'm paralyzed

September 12, 2027 
EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK

Rhys tried to follow Rob’s responses, but he now felt the need to clarify his question. ”No…No. I know she’s in Vanuatu. I got the postcard.” She was happily sending them to her friends. Rhys always responded to her request for more pictures via his mobile phone. She could still message them from there, but a postcard was a nice personal gesture. Rob refilled their drinks, and Rhys muttered his thanks before drinking that one in its entirety as well. ”Rob—you and Si.” Rhys looked pointedly at his good friend before waving down a waitress. He felt like tequila.

But Rob focused on the girl that Rhys had mentioned, instantly reminding Rhys that he was not the single bachelor he used to be. Not that Rhys needed reminding. He gave the girl a last glance before looking forward again. ”You’re missing the point.” Rhys thanked the waitress for the shots, passing one to Rob. He had learned in younger years that cheap tequila numbed just about anything. After taking the shot, cringing at the burn, and chasing it down with whiskey, Rhys realized he needed to be more forward.

”You and Si are always making eyes at each other.” Rhys explained simply as if merely stating a fact. ”It's worse when you drink.” In some ways, Rhys was one of the most observant people you would meet. It was essential to his career and surviving it, but in other ways, he could be completely oblivious, just like when Si had to almost physically knock sense into him with a cauldron because he couldn’t realize how he’d felt about Vasilia. But could you blame him? His last venture into something serious had ended rather terribly, and Rhys had resolved to never look for it again. And yet here was drinking the fledgling beginnings of a pain he never wanted to feel again.

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[EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK]

Rob was, to put it lightly, steaming. He and Rhys had a nasty habit of getting too drunk when they were left to their own devices. So it was no wonder that he was confused by where Rhys' train of thought led. Why was he asking about Si if he knew exactly where she was? And why was he pointing out that woman across the bar - she was too vapid to be his usual type. But when Rhys clarified his line of thinking, Rob's stomach curdled.

Sienna and Rob had never explicitly spoken about their past with Rhys. It would interfere with their professional relationship, despite being friends as well. Rob said nothing, the colour draining from his cheeks. Rhys signalled a waitress and requested a shot of tequila, buying Rob time to guzzle his whisky and ask for the same. Fuck. If he was going to have to face this, he ought to do so in a manner he wouldn't remember in the morning. "I -- no we're not," replied Rob automatically, wincing because he knew it was a blatant lie.

Being mated with Lyra hadn't automatically turned off Rob's feelings for Sienna. He's managed to put a dampener on it, at least for the sake of their working friendship. They'd slipped up a number of times in the past, the most recent being when Rob and Lyra had split up. Rob's cheeks flushed scarlet at the memory of Sienna on top of him, her hair curtaining them as she leaned forward to kiss him, her smooth and familiar flesh pressing against him... Rob cleared his throat. "I... you..." he stuttered, grateful when the waitress returned with the tequila so that Rob had yet another excuse to put off this inevitable conversation. Why hadn't he seen it coming?

Rob knew exactly what Rhys was talking about. He had a primal bond with Lyra, but a deep affection and attraction for Sienna. They'd known each other for over a decade, and had shared so many experiences. Whenever Rob had pictured his future, he'd thought of it with Sienna. Despite the fact that she'd been dating Gus. It made him a shitty friend, and an even shittier brother considering Halo was her best mate, but Rob couldn't help how he felt. And then Lyra dropped into his life like an overpowered blasting curse, shattering his known life to pieces. He was still adjusting to the change. "Si is a beautiful girl, Rhys," said Rob weakly, taking the shot of tequila and squirming. "I don't... it's complicated."

rhys alexander greyback

[rhys alexander greyback]

every book is read

and i'm paralyzed

September 12, 2027 
EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK

Rhys was grateful to whatever higher power had put Rob in his path. A good friend, fellow werewolf, and partner in crime when drinking far too much. Even Rhys would admit it was excessive at this rate, but he’d quickly justify it somehow. And with too much tequila in his system, Rhys happily proved he wasn’t blind as his eyes wandered the room. Not that he’d ever left his seat, and Rob would have knocked him out if he had. The man was far more honorable than Rhys had ever felt. But Rhys was happy. His daughter was growing up loved—too many aunts and uncles to count. His relationship was moving along. He was happy, right?

Rob was lucky the waitress appeared and distracted Rhys. And then an immediate deflection from his friend. Rhys chuckled, shaking his head. The tequila burned, giving Rhys a few seconds of relief from his thoughts. Not even Aware Wolf could do anything about how drastically his mood fluctuated before the full moon. Had he always been like this? Well, he supposed one person might know—or maybe she was the cause. His jaw clenched a few times as he recalled the last time she’d been in his flat, commenting on how he’d hardly changed a thing and the side tables in the living room were the ones she had chosen.

Rhys refocused on his friend, blinking to refocus his vision. ”Complicated?” Rhys scoffed slightly, flagging the waitress down to order another shot of tequila and a glass of whiskey. A terrible combination, but Rhys was determined to keep this ball rolling. ”She’s beautiful and intelligent and…” Rhys had to pause as the tequila hit his brain. ”…and doesn’t put up with nonsense.” Always so quick to shut Rhys up and call him out for something. ”Complicated…” Rhys mumbled to himself as his phone buzzed again in his pocket. With a huff, he pulled it out of his pocket, nearly dropping it on the floor as his coordination had left him some time ago. Another message. ”Now this is complicated…” Rhys muttered to himself, forgetting about Rob entirely for two seconds. Merlin, where was that whiskey?

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[EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK]

Rhys seemed to be in his head and that suited Rob just fine. He was having trouble stringing together separate thoughts apart from a mindless, low hum. The pair of them ordered tequila shots, which Rob was certain he would come to regret. But drunk Rob had no such gift of foresight, downing the liquid in seconds. He didn’t think much beyond the next second, appraising the glass with curiosity. But Rhys roused him from his reverie with mention of a relationship between himself and Sienna.

Rob’s initial reaction was to deny. He took a further sip of his whisky. Then he clarified that it was complicated. Cringing at hearing Rhys’ words echo his own, ”No, she doesn’t” said Rob, staring down into his whisky. ”She doesn’t doubt herself either,” he added with a frown. Rob glanced over at Rhys who was pulling out his phone. Rob leaned over and his mouth popped open. ”Why is Juniper messaging you?” asked Rob, both grateful for the distraction from his own affairs and curious as to why a long ‘forgotten’ ex was messaging Rhys. Rhys, who had a daughter and a steady girlfriend, neither of which was Juniper.

Rob didn’t know the whole situation, but he was marginally versed in Juniper-lore. He plucked the phone from Rhys’ fingers, his eyes breezing over the conversation. ”Mate,” said Rob, his brow crumpling. ”What’s going on with this? And Vasilia?” he asked, though Rob seriously had no room to talk about complicated situations. Thankfully, he turned the focus to Rhys.

rhys alexander greyback

[rhys alexander greyback]

every book is read

and i'm paralyzed

September 12, 2027 
EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK

When sober, Rhys had a little bit more tact. Not much more, but at least some. So, his persistence in wanting to know what was going on with two of his close friends was fueled by the endless amount of alcohol he seemed to be consuming. It was his singular focus, well, at least until he’d pulled his phone out. ”What?” Rhys had focused on his phone and had stopped listening to Rob entirely as his brain refocused from the original task at hand. But as his eyes moved up and refocused, Rob had already leaned over and grabbed the phone from his hand. Rhys tried to reach for it back at the risk of falling over.

”Hey—that’s mine.” With furrowed brows, he demanded his phone back. ”Rob—mate—it’s not—“ A slight panic began to swirl in his chest. Finally, he gave up with a huff. Rhys was already notorious for his temper and surly nature when drinking. Merlin knew how often it had gotten him into fights with Vasilia or even Juniper in the past. ”Nothing.” Rhys said sharply. And that was the truth. ”It’s nothing—she just said hello, and I haven’t opened the other messages. I don’t know what she wants.” Well, Rhys had an idea. And he hadn’t meant to sound so so defensive. Much like when she would reenter his life now and then. It was impossible to avoid considering they both lived in the same general area.

”I’m—I’m not going to respond.” Rhys responded, jaw clenching. It was that simple, and then again, it wasn’t. ”I love—I’m happy with Vasilia.” Rhys insisted, trying not to fall out of his seat as he leaned forward to grab his phone back. And that was the truth, as much as some of his heart would always be with Juniper. People didn’t understand, nor could Rhys ever explain it to them. A first love was something an entirely different beast and one that rarely let go. ”Just forget it—forget you saw it.” Part of that small panic was that Rhys had not really told Vasilia about Juniper. He’d mentioned an ex he had dated for quite some time, but it wasn’t something he willingly wanted to get into, nor had she asked, actually. ”Mate—give me my phone back or—or I’m asking Sienna what’s the deal with you both.”

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[EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK]

Relief washed over Rob at the distraction from his own sordid affairs, but tension crept up his spine as he glanced over the texts Rhys had been exchanging with Juniper. He didn't know Juniper well - or really at all, for that matter. She was just meant to be an ex girlfriend of Rhys' who was well out of the picture. Or so Rob had thought. He glanced from the phone to his friend, and though the alcohol threatened to muddle his thoughts, his eyes were clear. What was going on?

"Nothing," Rob echoed, arching a brow. "Texting your ex while you've got a daughter and a girlfriend isn't nothing," he accused, though he realised he was being a bit unfair. But Rhys just sounded so defensive. Almost like the way Rob was trying to flounder out of the Sienna shaped hole in his heart. Rob pursed his lips thoughtfully, handing back the phone to Rhys. "Are you?" he asked after a moment, dropping his voice to a low whisper. "Do you love her?" It was a question that haunted their every move - Rob and Rhys.

Rob groaned, running a hand over his face. "We're two fucked up cubs, aren't we," said Rob with a dark chuckle. He took a long drink before facing Rhys, his gaze hazy once more. "Si and I have slept together. But there was always the issue of Gus. And I never really got over the fact that she was always supposed to be my little sister's best mate who was dating a friend of mine. We just... I dunno. We worked well. But never well enough for her to pick me over Gus." Rob shrugged, feeling silly as he said it. He'd just wanted to be Sienna's first choice for once - and when it became clear he never would be, Rob had tried to move on. Had even gotten himself a mate. But at the back of his mind, there was always that niggling question. What if he could still be?

rhys alexander greyback

[rhys alexander greyback]

every book is read

and i'm paralyzed

September 12, 2027 
EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK

Rhys’ face grew hot, and pressure built behind his eyes. Rob was testing his patience today. As far as Rob knew, Juniper was an ex-girlfriend Rhys had dated for some time and who’d broken his heart. And Rhys hadn’t really explained much more than that. As his eyes bore into Rob, he tried again to reach for the phone. At this rate, they’d be on the floor soon enough, as balance was only a mere theory now. ”I told you—stop making a big deal.” Rhys hadn’t mentioned Juniper had picked out his furniture. And the framed picture of Rhys, Elias and their siblings had replaced a picture of him and Juniper. Was he happy? ”Yes.” He was supposed to be.

His knuckles turned white as he clenched his hand, eyes still boring into his friend. A dark and piercing blue. ”What kind of a question is that?” Rhys asked incredulously, brow furrowing. ”Of course I do.” Eighteen months, Vasilia was still willing to put up with him. Rhys knew he wasn’t easy to deal with. He snatched his phone back, stuffing it back in his pocket. At least for now. There wasn’t a way to put his thoughts into words, to explain what this person was to him. And considering Rob’s predicament, he supposed it was a werewolf’s nature to always feel conflicted.

Pouring the remaining contents of his glass down his throat, Rhys winced. That wasn’t whiskey, but probably too much tequila to drink at once. But he shook his head. That wobbly feeling hadn’t left. Rhys sighed heavily. ”Who can blame us? We’re werewolves.” He responded flatly. But Rhys wasn’t in the same situation as Rob. Even the entire debacle of Maria entering his life had been clearer. And Rob’s younger sister was a friend of Rhys’ as well, though naturally, she was closer to Si. Rhys occupied his hands with refilling their glasses, only looking at the bottle after—whiskey. But he wanted to check his phone. Pushing the glass toward him, Rhys raised an eyebrow. ”Little sister’s best mate? Try best mate’s little sister?” Well, he and Ilija weren’t as close these days as they used to be. You never planned for these things, but they happened. Rhys hadn't intentionally chased after a close friend's younger sister, and yet here they were.

”But she’s not with Gus anymore.” Rhys reminded him. Chewing slightly on the inside of his cheek, Rhys stared off at the wall for a moment until he remembered where he was. ”Do you think it's possible…to love two people?” His eyes didn’t meet Rob’s, and he focused on the whiskey in his glass instead. Plus, the idea of “first choice” meant nothing to Rhys. People changed. What was once true at seventeen could be false at twenty-seven. Rhys wasn’t the same, but he didn't know if he was better. He shrugged lightly, looking at Rob, whose eyes made him look a little weary. ”I dunno…” This was hardly an area of expertise for him, plus his head was just swirling now.

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[EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK]

Rob said nothing, only giving Rhys a sceptical glance before busying himself with his pint. Rob passed over Rhys’ phone before they started wrestling, though he thought maybe that would be funny. He didn’t have the strength though - months without Lyra had drained him of much of his usual energy. Rob’s line of questioning did not go over well with Rhys, his friends knuckles turning white with the way he was balling his fists. The yes was ground out but fraught with tension. Had Rob pushed his friend too far? That would just be his luck, losing his mate then losing his closest friend.

”Okay,” Rob replied simply, wondering if Rhys could relate to his current predicament more than he was letting on. Vas was, of course, a kind and wonderful girl. But did Rhys need someone to push him and pull him, to challenge and contradict him? Rob wasn’t privy to much of their relationship, but without the lows, what were the highs? Perhaps he ought to be asking himself the same question.

Rob touched his chest and feigned hurt. ”You’re dating Heleen now?” asked Rob, pretending to be wounded. ”We really have a habit of entangling ourselves too deeply in things far too complicated to be solved by such feeble minds,” said Rob dryly, amazed that he was able to string that sort of phrase together after the amount they’d had to drink. At least that much was reliable - he could always count on Rhys to support his desire to solve his problems with booze.

”No. She’s not with Gus anymore,” said Rob quietly, sobering at once. And that was the crux of the problem, wasn’t it? Sienna was single when Rob wasn’t. Rob was single when Sienna wasn’t. Whenever the other was dealt heartbreak, the first person they’d turn to was the other. It had happened multiple times in the past. And Rob found his craving for Si’s company bone deep. Throughout all their years of friendship, he had never once doubted her loyalty to him. To them. They were partners, even if it wasn’t the sort of partnership he wanted.

Rhys’ question drew Rob up short. How did Rhys know the exact question had been plaguing him for months? ”I think so,” he replied quietly. He knew he loved Lyra. But he also knew he had been hopelessly in love with Sienna for nearly a decade. His eyes were tired as he drew his gaze up to Rhys. ”I think you can love as many people as your heart can hold,” he continued, a frown tugging at the corners of his lips.

rhys alexander greyback

[rhys alexander greyback]

every book is read

and i'm paralyzed

September 12, 2027 
EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK

Rhys quickly grabbed his phone, his eyes still boring holes into his friend. He didn’t even look at it as he stuffed it into his pocket. One might call him defensive, but Rhys was merely defensive of his privacy. Merlin knew he’d grown up in a world that had known more about his life than he did for a time. Where was that entitlement to a few secrets? Not that Juniper was a secret. No. Nothing like that. Not that anyone asked him the whole story lately, not even Vasilia. Maria knew a bit more but not the entire thing either. As he drunkenly thought about it, only Nell really knew he supposed.

A rage always lay right below the surface for Rhys. The older he got, the better he kept control of it, but enough whiskey in his system turned him into that volatile teenager he once was. And what Rob spoke of—the apparent conflict and pain in his eyes left Rhys with a weird flipping feeling in his stomach. But why? Nothing in his life even remotely resembled Rob’s situation. Rhys loved Vasilia. There was no reason a simple and harmless message from an ex-girlfriend should make him feel funny. It must have been the tequila. In any case, Rob seemed to let it go for now, and Rhys hoped he was lucky enough that Rob would forget by tomorrow.

He rolled his eyes. ”Well former best mate.” All kinds of relationships changed over the years and especially since graduation. It wasn’t a bad thing, nor was it anyone’s fault. Rhys had attended Hogwarts with Vasilia’s holder brother, who incidentally had been a housemate to his ex-girlfriend. On that note, Rhys hoped that Ilija’s claim of neutrality meant he hadn’t told Vasilia everything about their years at Hogwarts. Drinking the rest of his glass, Rhys shook his head a little. ”One might call it a…” Rhys closed his eyes a moment as his brain searched for a word. Any word. ”Skill.” Tact had never been a strength as much as provoking some kind of emotion was. Rhys picked fights with Vasilia, Nell was usually ready to hit him with a chair leg, Si ready with some lecture, and even Juniper had put up with him. It really was a gift, wasn’t it?

But Rhys’ mind was already elsewhere, forgetting about Rob and Sienna. It all made sense in Rhys’ mind. Maybe Rob would understand, but Rhys would need way more whiskey to walk down that path and that story again. After a moment, Rhys looked up at his friend after he answered. It was a shame his glass was empty. Rhys certainly needed it to shove his thoughts aside. One’s heart could hold many, or perhaps what lingered from the past simply refused to leave. But then again, how much foundation would crumble if he managed to rid himself of that permanent parasite? ”Right…” Rhys suddenly felt tired, and he didn’t need the scene of falling asleep in his chair. ”I think that’s enough for me…” Rhys pulled out a handful of coins, hoping it was enough as he haphazardly put them on the table. Carefully, Rhys stood up. ”You need to figure out this…” Again, he paused to find words randomly gesturing with his free hand. ”Bond thing.” Rhys was grateful he didn’t have that kind of ball and chain in his life.

[ end rhys ]

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[EPKE ROBERTUS OPPEDYK]

The night spiralled onwards, with little to no direction. Rhys and Rob were at an impasse. At last, Rhys called the evening to an end, and Rob was silently grateful. He was exhausted, and ready for a good alcohol induced cry. He grunted at Rhys' closing remarks before following him out the door and into the night.

[end]