is it over | amy

[tobias charles watkins]

Mid March

The start of the New Year was difficult for Toby. From losing his girlfriend to being buried in studies and work, he was wearing thin. Amy went radio silent in the beginning of January when she randomly fucked off to London, probably to be closer to her sister. When she returned from the trip she requested more space which Toby didn't quite understand. Didn’t they have enough space the past two months? Their one year anniversary passed around Valentines Day, but it didn't really count, since they weren’t technically together. That was a punch in the gut for Toby. He surely thought he meant more to Amy, that their love was strong and real. Better yet, he thought she had more decency than to keep him laying in bed at night staring at the ceiling wondering if it was all a dream.

Maybe she never loved him….What if she found someone else…What if.. What if…

Naturally, he was an over thinker so the list of scenarios in his head was never ending. It was exhausting. Bloody hell, he hated his brain for being so creative. After too many attempts to talk, Toby decided to respect Amy's decision and didn't bother her by contacting her anymore after that. If she wanted to, she would. It hurt. He wasn't sure how long he could distract himself from the truth.

When Toby finally received a text from Amy requesting to get coffee and talk, he hated that he was excited for that text. Then, the anxiety set in. Was she going to finally break up with him, officially? All morning he dreaded the meeting with Amy, expecting the worst possible outcome. It was painful to think that not too long go Amy made Toby’s heart so full it could burst. These days he was shattered and confused, unsure what their future could be like together after she left him hanging out to dry for so long. Toby couldn’t imagine ever doing that to her. It pained him deeply. There was a void in his life that made him feel a bit angry. This was exactly why he had to protect his heart. Amy confessed her fear of being abandoned but she went behind his back and did exactly as she feared. Maybe he should have taken that as a warning sign.

Toby took a seat at the empty back patio of a small coffee shop in Hogsmeade. Typically they'd go to Madam Puddifoots or something cooler, but Toby had a feeling this wasn't going to be a good talk. He didn't want coffee, or tea, he just wanted Amy. Sitting back in his chair he listened to the birds and enjoyed the sun on his skin peaking through the trees. Sighing, his stomach turned with a mixture of anxiety and anger, twiddling his fingers as a wave of scenarios hit him.


AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy's first few transformations had been difficult, despite the fact that she'd dosed up appropriately on aware wolf. She'd never been the sort of person to deal well with pain, and the stretching of her bones, the tearing of her flesh, the rearranging of her organs... well, none of it was pleasant. She'd spent the first month back in London with Alora, who had guarded her and protected her from herself. Her sister had monitored her condition like the brilliant witch she was, noting what made Amy feel better or worse. For that, Amy was eternally grateful. It was the complete opposite reaction to Andrew, and by extension her parents.

Since that very awkward phone conversation at the start of January as to what had happened, Amy had refused to contact her parents again. Which was just as well, as they seemed to have no interest in contacting her either. At least Amy had Alora. Because as much as it had hurt, she'd pushed away Toby as well.

Logically, Amy knew that none of this was Toby's fault. In fact, it was entirely her own fault. She'd not heeded his warning, and she paid the ultimate price. But still, the thought of being around him made Amy feel funny, and not in the usual way. No, her stomach clenched uncomfortably and her mouth filled with saliva. So when she'd returned to Hogwarts in February, she'd asked if they could take some space from one another. Over text, no less. She really was a coward.

Despite her deep seated terror, Amy missed Toby terribly. It was like her heart and body were at war with one another. After much consideration, Amy sent Toby a text in mid-March. It was far less impulsive than how she ordinarily acted - but Amy didn't have the capacity to be impulsive right now. She asked Toby if he would meet her at a coffee shop - none of that swill from Puddifoot, but an actual proper one. Amy cringed as she remembered their first date, how Toby had apparated them to Edinburgh for a proper coffee. She swallowed thickly before gathering up all of her courage and entering the coffee shop.

The first thing that struck her was his scent. It was heady and intoxicating, and Amy knew exactly where to look for Toby before even registering anyone else in the shop. Her attention snapped to him, and she drank in his appearance. He looked drained, though she wondered if the past full moon had just taken an extra hard toll on him. She was sure she looked equally exhausted. Moving as if like a ghost, Amy drifted over to Toby and took the seat across from him. "Hi, Toby," said Amy, eternally grateful that her voice didn't crack. "Thanks for meeting me."

There was a long pause as Amy silently observed Toby, taking in all the new things she found out about him. She could smell the magic on him, something earthy and warming like a summer's afternoon. She could hear the steady thrum of his heart - she wondered if he could hear the way her own was racing. Amy opened her mouth to speak, but they were interrupted by a waitress. "I'll have an oat latte, and he'll have a tea." Amy glanced over at Toby. "If that's still right?"

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

It wasn't long until Amy showed up, slowly sitting down at the table. ”Hi Amy.” he greeted with a weak smile. Something made the hair stand at the back of his neck. Amy's scent wafted into his nostrils and he couldn't help but noticed that she smelled different. She also looked different. A bit tired, honestly. But she was still radiantly beautiful. His heart beat like a drum in his chest, reminding himself to breathe. Amy thanked him for meeting her and he nodded coldly, more wanting to shrug her off at this point. Seeing her like this felt so weird, he hated how far they drifted apart so quickly. 

A waitress popped over to request their order. Amy ordered him a tea and after glanced at him, asking if it were still correct. Toby nodded, ”Sure.” he agreed, only to be polite. Truthfully, he didn’t really fancy a cuppa tea at that moment. He wasn’t even sure if he wanted to see Amy, either. His eyes roved her delicate features as a silent gap fell upon them, the urge to pull her into his arms hit him like a tidal wave, but he pushed that thought aside for later. Something told him she didn’t want that. His mouth went dry. Toby had nothing to say to her other than 'why?'.

His warm brown eyes softened as he carefully tried to read her face. There was no love, or happiness in her eyes to see him. If his eyes were working properly...she almost looked a little scared. Toby bit his bottom lip, at loss of what to say to Amy. This awkwardness was painful.

Ruffling his hand through his hair awkwardly, he glanced over at Amy from across the table, wishing he could read her mind. ”What did you bring me here to talk about?” he finally asked, not wishing to beat around the bush for formalities. His tone wasn't friendly nor was it cold. All he wanted to was hear what Amy had to say after months of ghosting him. If she wasn't in love with him any more he wanted to know now so he could start moving on if he had to, not that he wanted to..the thought of losing Amy as a friend and girlfriend gutted him because he truly loved the girl sitting across the table from him.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy flinched at the lack of emotion in Toby's voice. It was almost like the last year that they'd spent together had been a dream. Too good to last. Though, Amy reasoned, it was actually her fault. Discomfort rumbled in her chest as she considered how her stupid decision making had led to this very moment. How so many what-ifs had fallen into place to break apart something that had been so close to perfect. And now, she sat across from the only person she had genuinely loved in her life as if he was a stranger.

Someone came to take their order, then pottered away to make their drinks. Amy held Toby's gaze, but she could feel the flush creeping up her chest. She was terrified, in reality. Of how to break to him what had happened to her, even after Toby had warned her of the danger. An uncomfortable silence stretched between them as Amy drew circles in the grain of the wooden table, dropping her gaze from Toby like she had been burned. Finally, Toby spoke up and Amy's attention snapped to him. His tone was brusque, as if speaking with her was a business transaction. Nothing like the warm and attentive man she'd met and fallen in love with. Amy knew she had done this to him.

Amy mulled over her words for a long moment, long enough for their drinks to be delivered. Amy was glad to have something to do with her hands, because there was only so much she could do tracing the lines of the table. She took a sip of her latte, cringed at how hot it was, then set the mug back on the saucer. She fidgeted with her hair, tucking it behind her ear, looking anywhere but at Toby. Her heart was thundering in her chest. Finally, she looked up at Toby again. She owed him the truth, that much was obvious.

"Toby, I'm so sorry for the past few months," she started, holding his gaze. "I've... well, I've changed. But not in the way you think. I just needed time to... adjust..." said Amy carefully. She scratched the side of her nose, then chewed on her bottom lip. "Do you remember New Years Eve at all?"

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Toby could hear his heart beat pounding in his ears. Or was that Amy’s. Something was different about her, her scent still causing his hairs to stand up at full attention on his arms. He watched carefully as Amy fidgeted in her chair, sipping at her piping hot oat latte. It was obvious something was bothering her. She was hiding something from him. 

Amy first apologized to Toby, he wasn't sure how to react because it wasn't okay so he wasn't going to tell her it was. Shelipped his lip upside down the passed three months, wondering if their love was worth fighting for. She followed by asking Toby if he remembered New Years Eve and it made his heart drop to his ass. What he could remember was being sick, and not taking his potions correctly so he told Amy not to come over, which seemed to upset her at the time. His eyebrows furrowed before softening a bit, watching the anxiety crease her face. Tobys mouth opened before shutting, ”Uh-a little bit..I told you not to come over because I wasn’t well.” he answered her honestly, confusion glazing behind his eyes. Maybe she met someone when she went out that night. Tobys stomach dropped at all of the worst case scenarios.

Taking a breath in, he sighed, scratching the back of his neck. ”What happened on New Years Eve, Amy?” Toby asked her, his tone expecting answers but also somewhat afraid of what the truth may be. For months he waited for this moment with Amy, why was he suddenly filled with dread?

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Was it getting hotter in here? Or was it just hard to breathe? Maybe she was about to have a panic attack. Amy stilled herself, forcing five slow breaths. Toby was still watching her curiously, with a hint of accusation in his eyes. She could hardly stand it. Finally, he asked outright what she was getting at. "Yeah..." said Amy hesitantly, looking down at her latte. Steam still rose from it, the scent of the beans urging her onwards. She could do this.

"Well, you've never before given me reason to fear you. I thought you were being dramatic," she said at last, still refusing to meet his gaze. God, she felt like she was going to be sick. Her stomach was churning and Amy was certain that Toby could smell the fear on her. It was overpowering. "I thought that no matter what, you'd never be able to hurt me." Her voice was small and unsure.

"I came over anyways. I wanted to see you. You weren't supposed to be able to hurt me... but you got blood on my favourite cashmere sweater," said Amy in a rush, still avoiding Toby's gaze like she was a petulant child. "Now I'm the same as you. I..." she trailed off, not wanting to say it, not wanting to bring the thing into reality. "You bit me. But I got help afterwards." Amy touched her side gingerly, remembering the fear that had washed over her as Toby had lunged at her. Because after replaying the moment in her mind so many times, Amy knew it had been him. She'd been in denial at first. But with two transformations under her belt, she understood the draw of the wolf. Even if taking aware wolf had helped her keep her mind.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Amy revealed that Toby bit her that night adding the fact that he ruined her cashmere. Forget the cashmere. Becoming a werewolf was much more upsetting.

His eyes widened out of utter shock, the blood draining from his face, ”I bit you?” he asked in disbelief, mouth dry. He was sure his heart stopped in his chest. Well, now it made sense why she didn’t want to talk to him. As sad as this made him for Amy’s sake, he was also angry. Now he had to live with the guilt that he attacked the love of his life when he tried to protect her from himself. She decided to enter the flat on her own accord that night. The reality made his head spin.

Pieces were finally falling together as the gear in his head turned his memory… The blood leading to the front door made a lot more sense now. Her ghosting him and being so cold. He remembered how hard it was to get back into the real world after being bitten.

His eyebrows creased, ”You weren’t supposed to come over, Amy..” he reminded her, unable to held that it felt like he was scolding her. His mouth open but he couldn’t get anything out, feeling like his world was closing in.

A wave of shame rushed over him, his eyes prickled with tears. ”I-I tried to protect you. I wouldn’t ever do anything to harm you.” he plead with a strained expression. Toby wanted to say that he was sorry but the reality of the situation was starting to upset him and the coffee shop was suddenly feeling too small for this conversation.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy wished she could wipe the look of shock and disbelief off Toby's face. Her gut churned with guilt, knowing she'd brought herself into this situation. A situation that had shattered something so wonderful, the first and most wonderful thing in her life. The first thing that was really hers. Toby's love had been something Amy cherished, though she doubted she would ever feel it again. "Yes," said Amy flatly.

Toby then became accusatory. Did he think that Amy didn't already know all these things? That over the past few months she'd done something different so she didn't have to go through a painful transformation every month? Her anger, so close to the surface these days, bubbled to the surface. "You know how bad I am at listening. Did you really think that I would just accept some half assed excuse like that?" spat Amy. Her chest ached as she spoke, but once she started, it was hard for her to stop.

"You wouldn't want to harm me? Well, look at us now." She lifted the hem of her sweater to show the gruesome bite mark there. "Didn't work out so well. And now, I've got to turn into a different species at least once a month," hissed Amy, though she was beginning to lose steam. Her eyes stung with tears she refused to let fall. "I trusted you. I thought we needed each other." Agitated, Amy ran her fingers through her hair. The sensation calmed her somewhat, so she did it again. Then, she remembered her coffee and took a big gulp - it had cooled enough to drink like normal. "I just wanted some time and space to sort through everything. It's a big life change - I'm sure you're aware," continued Amy cooly, but more calmly as well.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Amy's anger bubbled at the surface which only fed Toby’s anger. She was speaking to him like he had done it on purpose and invited her over for a feast. Tobys eyes roved over the pain in Amy’s face. He could tell that she was still scared. His warm brown eyes bored into her, “If you never believed my warnings regarding the severity of werewolves and a full moon, you were bound to become one at some point then.” he told her harshly, shaking his head at the nonsense that was spewing from her mouth. He sighed deeply, unsure what to do now. A part of him couldn’t look at Amy, especially with how she was acting. There were definitely a lot of emotions she still needed to work through, as well as him after learning the news.

Toby was silent as Amy spoke, hanging onto each word. Most of it he didn’t agree with but he’d allow Amy to get what she wanted to say off her chest. As she rolled up her sweater to reveal the bite mark Toby could barely look at the bite, ashamed knowing it was his own work. His eyes glanced at the wound under her abdomen as she told him she trusted him, stating that she thought they needed each other. His voice almost got caught in his throat, he so badly wanted to take her into his arms.

Toby swallowed hard, attempting to hold back tears as he shoved his hands into his pockets. ”That’s not fair. For either of us, Amy. Do you truly feel you can put all of the blame on me for this?” he challenged her, blinking at her expectantly for an answer. He took a breath in, knowing he actually wanted to cry by how hot his face was. Fuck. His expression softened, ”I-I’m sorry this happened to you.” he told her, trying to keep an even tone and failing as he continued. ”I understand that you were scared..I’ve gone through this alone for many months when I got bitten and it was terrible. You didn't have to run away. I would have helped you through this if you didn’t ghost me and leave me guessing what happened for months..” he told her as he quickly wiped his eyes. ”My love for you was a promise, Amy. I still love you and I still need you.” Toby confirmed to her honestly, since it didn't seem like she believed it anymore. His response felt completely desperate, but they made a promise to each other when they said I love you so he'd at least fight for it. 

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Toby's anger bled into Amy's, and they fueled one another. It was like she felt everything so much more keenly now - or perhaps it was the fact that she was in close proximity with another werewolf for an extended period of time. It brought out something almost animalistic in her. "That's not fair. Werewolves are supposed to be safe now! How could you forget your potions?" Amy retorted, narrowing her eyes at him. "Look at me," she demanded, her bright eyes blazing with a furious fire. "Look at what you've done to me," she said, holding his gaze.

After a heady rush of emotion, Amy felt herself calm slightly. She was able to address Toby without wanting to flip the table that was between them. She knew she was different from the flippant girl she used to be. Anything could set her off at any moment. She forced another few breaths, but the anger in her was stoked once more at Toby's next words. "It's easier that way," she ground out, desperately trying to keep a lid on her fury. "Fuck, why am I so angry?" she muttered, more to herself than anything. But Toby was trying to be calm, and so Amy had to try a bit harder to be as well. If she dug deep, pushing past her resentment and fear and anger, she could find her heart. It was just buried deep.

"I'm sorry it happened too. At first I was like... surely it won't be so bad, since Toby never complains," said Amy. "But then I had my first transformation and fuck, it was awful. And when I woke up in the hospital Alora was there and I just... I couldn't face you," she admitted, dropping her gaze to her half empty mug. "And then some ugly thing began to grow inside me and every time I thought about you, it reared its head." Shame was evident in her tone, if not in her body language. Finally, she looked up. "I don't know what to do. I feel so much. I hate it. And it hurts," she finished, her voice cracking on the last word. "You never said how much it hurt."

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

It was taking everything inside of Toby to stay calm. He so desperately wanted to get into a screaming match with Amy in the coffee shop but he was trying to be sympathetic toward her situation. Toby wasn’t one to raise his voice out of anger, anyways, instead he stayed silent. There was so much he wish he could say but he was overwhelmed with emotions. And her smell…she smelled weird, but good. Just different.

Amy explained that blaming him was easier and he resisted the urge to roll his eyes. He could feel her emotions, they were overflowing and unhinged. Toby shrugged, sighing deeply. “Just because it’s easier doesn’t mean it’s right..” he grumbled, staring at his full cold cup of tea. The desperation on her face as she expressed her intense emotions and body pains made his heart drop. The girl he loved and adored was terrified of him. As angry as he was with her he wanted to held. 

Toby sat forward in his chair before slowly getting up and taking the chair next to Amy at the other side of the table. He was slow and cautious, not wishing to scare or bombard her. Toby was silent as he watched her carefully with a pain in his eyes. Swallowing hard,  ”Amy, please..” he urged her, reaching for her hand to hold it gently in his first attempt to comfort her, wishing to pull her in his arms and cry hard. He tried to keep an even tone as tears prickled his eyes.  ”You don’t have to go through this alone. Please allow me to help you.” he plead, biting down on the inside of his lip because he expected her to say ‘no’.

Toby attempted to catch her gaze, “Calming draught will help with the mood swings and pain.” He told her softly. “I can brew it for you..” He offered her slowly, making a silent promise to himself that he would do whatever he could to help Amy. If she even allowed him to that is, Amy had that Gryffindor pride and hard head.


AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

Amy deflated at once. "Right as always," she said with a frown. As much as Amy wished she'd heeded Toby's advice to stay away from him that fateful evening, she wouldn't be the person she was without that impulsive decision making. She wasn't thoughtful and introspective like Alora. She wasn't commanding and candid like Andrew. She was spontaneous and mercurial, easy to distract and unendingly trusting. These traits made her who she was, and Amy would be the first to agree that she wasn't incredibly intelligent. Forethought, naturally, had never been her forte.

Something sparked between them when Toby took Amy's hand - half of her wanted to pull her hands away and cross her arms over her chest. But the other half of her revelled in the warmth of Toby's fingers as they wrapped around hers. So sure and comforting. Her heart stuttered as she considered his proposition. After all of this, he still wanted to help her? "Why do you want to help me?" asked Amy quietly. She had an inkling of an idea, but she needed Toby to confirm it.

Amy watched Toby for a long moment, thinking. She was utterly terrified of what had happened between them, but something held her back from accepting wholeheartedly. Was he not angry at her for going against his advice? Why was she so afraid of showing weakness to the one person she'd let into her heart? Amy withdrew her hands at last, cupping the now cold latte before her. She took a sip, and made a face. "Not quite as good as that coffee in Haymarket," said Amy at last, not looking at Toby. "I've taken aware wolf. Isn't that supposed to help too?" asked Amy. "I've never had to take potions for my mood before," she admitted after another moment.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

His eyes carefully scanned Amy’s face, finding the sudden proximity a little overwhelming due to a static force between them. He felt like he was about to be electrocuted from touching her. Amy pulled her hand away and he settled with his hands at his sides, trying to let that hurt his feelings. Toby had to remind himself how lost and emotional he was during that time. Finding support in other ‘elder’ werewolves helped a lot, he didn’t have a pack like some people, but he had people he could talk to who understood what he was going through. Like Rhys, Rob, Sienna, Alfie..to name a few. They made the lycanthrope life seem more bearable. Life didn’t have to end as a werewolf, nor did you have to be a lone wolf.

Toby sat back in the chair, staring at the ground as all of his thoughts swirled though his head. Amy asked ‘why’ he wanted to help her and his expression tensed slightly before softening. He was silent for a moment. There was so much he wanted to say to Amy but he couldn’t get his wits together. Toby swallowed dryly, ”I want to help you because I still love and care about you." he started, genuinely meaning those words. "These past months have been incredibly difficult and confusing wondering what's happened between us. One day everything was perfect and the next you disappeared. I’ve been worried sick about you.” he admitted, his stomach flipping upside down as anger started to prickle at his stomach. He took a breath, biting the inside of his cheek to stop himself from going into a personal tangent. Amy was doing her own suffering during this time.

She mentioned the coffee being better at the Haymarket and he the corners of his lips curled upwards. Toby didn't want to be reminded of those fluffy memories right now, it hurt too much. He couldn't get over her smell or the staticky feeling on his skin. It was very distracting.

Ruffling a hand through his hair, he stopped himself from going into an emotional tangent. ”-I understand if you don’t want to be with me anymore but please let me help you. It doesn’t have to be scary and the pain can be managed..” Toby told her softly, searching her gaze. He knew he needed more time to process this. Things between them would be forever changed. "Aware Wolf is great for keeping the beast tamed when taken properly. Sometimes in the beginning, we just need more help with the pain and mood swings because everything is so new and overwhelming.." he told her, guilt rushing over him because Amy was in this position because of him. Toby watched her expression carefully, hoping she'd agree but expecting her to say no. Amy had always been a hard nut to crack, that nutter.


AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW

[AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW]

There. There it was. An unexpected weight lifted from Amy's shoulder's at Toby's admission. Even despite her behaviour the past few months, he loved her still. Maybe differently. Maybe not as much. But he still loved her, even though she'd been a fool and had put their trust on the line. Amy exhaled slowly, tapping her fingers on the table. She was still full of nervous energy, despite them coming to better terms. "I'm sorry," said Amy again, not quite sure which bit she was apologising for. All of it, really. The ghosting, the lies, the distance. She was sorry about it all.

Amy looked up sharply at Toby, her brows drawn together. "What? No, that's crazy. I just have been struggling to adjust," said Amy quickly. "I love you. Of course I do. I haven't acted like it lately because I don't really feel like me anymore," she admitted. "And you know me. I hate to admit vulnerability," she added with a wry smirk. The anger had well and truly left her, and she was reeling from the swings. She wondered how Toby managed it. If it got easier in time, or if he just had much better emotional faculties than she did.

Toby was speaking to her in that quiet tone, the one he used when there was a terrified animal that he was faced with rescuing. It made Amy's face feel hot with shame. She hadn't exactly acted very human, had she? With another heaving sigh, Amy combed her fingers through her hair, brushing it away from her face. She looked Toby square in the eye, pausing before speaking. "I'd like your help. If that's alright," she said at last, rather haltingly. It was difficult, no matter how much she still loved Toby. Amy knew she would have to balance the primal with the logical. "Does everyone smell so... strong to you? Or is it just that we're near one another?" asked Amy, lowering her voice. She wondered if there was a special connection as Toby had turned her. Wouldn't that just be the cherry on top.

tobias charles watkins

[tobias charles watkins]

Relief washed over Toby when Amy looked at him with a sharp stare, as if breaking up with him wasn’t ever on the table for her. She explained she was only learning how to navigate her new life and that she still loved him. That news made his heart flutter, his anger dissipating, nearly non existent. He didn’t want to fight anymore, they could save it for another time. All he wanted was Amy. His eyes softened as his smile grew slowly, ”I thought you were breaking up with me.” he admitted to her with a relieved laugh, exhaling a deep sigh as the tension eased from his body. His heart finally started to slow itself as he eased into a conversation with Amy.

Toby leaned in closer to her, caressing a hand slowly behind her head gently. ”You’re not admitting to vulnerability,” he told her softly, brushing her hair behind her ear as he searched her gaze, trying to find the old Amy somewhere. ”I will teach you how to brew it so you can do it yourself...but you probably won’t want to.” he stated honestly with a light laugh, he knew Amy well enough, he'd be brewing it. The thought of Amy handling bits of gator heart and other ingredients twitched his lips into a smile.

Amy asked if everyone smelled so strong and he bobbed his head into a more knowing nod. He remembered that part. Some smells made him sick. Amy inquired about how it felt to be around other wolves. Toby was happy to answer any questions for her. ”Usually I feel a static at the back of my neck while around other wolves. When you walked in it threw me off.” he shared, finding it much easier to speak to Amy now. ”It will take a while for your nose to get used to having such keen senses. Everyone won’t smell so weird after a couple of months..” He assured her lightly as a smile started to play at the corners of his lips. ”You’ll also start to notice some people are the good kind of smelly, while others smell generally offensive. You smell completely different than you used to, but still good. Really good, actually.” he explained with a laugh, shrugging his shoulders in acceptance at how silly that must have sounded. Hopefully their baristas weren’t listening to them. Toby tilted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes at her more playfully, ”Do I smell strong to you?” he asked curiously with a chuckle.

AMY ESMA ASTOR-SHAW