Work Text:
Julie had been spending nearly all of her time at the boys’ house when she wasn’t working.
The boys had been helping her hone her power and trying to figure out what other powers she had besides telekinesis.
Her dad, Ray, was okay with it as long as she still made it home for dinner when she could and wasn’t working.
He was just glad she made more friends besides Flynn, who was Julie’s friend since elementary school and also worked at the same place Julie did.
Julie hadn’t told her dad or Flynn yet about the supernatural or that she was a witch.
Julie had stayed overnight at the boys’ house for the first time, sleeping in the spare bedroom. She hadn’t intended to, but after working a shift and not having had the time that day to eat much and then practicing her telekinesis a bit longer than usual, it took a lot out of her. So she had called her dad and told them she was too tired to walk even the short distance to her house and that she was going to crash in the spare bedroom.
The next morning she walked down the stairs into the kitchen where Luke, Reggie, and Alex were seated at the table. Luke was drinking blood and Reggie was eating a piece of whole grain bread with margarine on it and drinking an earl grey tea.
“Hey guys, how’s it going?” Julie asked, grabbing a green tea bag from the cabinet and putting it in a cup. She then put hot water from the kettle, honey, and almond milk in.
“Good. Great. We’re great. How’re you?” Luke slightly stuttered.
Julie took a seat at the table across from Alex.
“I’m good, thanks.” Julie said, smiling and taking a sip of her green tea.
There was a knock at the front door and they all paused and looked at each other.
“We don’t really know anyone.” Reggie whispered.
“Maybe it’s one of Luke’s old friends slash current friends that’s not us?” Alex suggested.
“You had friends before us?” Reggie gasped.
Luke did a double take. “What? Yes. I had friends before you guys. And you guys are my current friends.” Luke said.
“Yeah. You had vampire friends. But were they really your friends friends?” Reggie asked, staring at Luke.
“Yes. Reggie. They were.” Luke said, exasperated.
There was another knock at the door
“I’ll… get it.” Luke said, slowly. He stood up and walked to the front door and opened it.
Luke’s eyes widened slightly.
“Caleb.” Luke breathed out.
“Lucas. How have you been?” Caleb asked, a tone of arrogance.
Luke was frozen before he gathered himself and said “Leave.” Before shutting the door in Caleb’s face.
Luke walked back to the kitchen table and sat down, grabbing his cup and taking a sip out of it.
Julie, Alex, and Reggie looked at each other as Luke stared at the table, bringing the cup down from his face a bit and holding it in midair, not really looking at anything.
Julie, Alex, and Reggie silently communicated through their eyes that one of them should ask Luke who that was.
So Reggie broke the silence.
“Who was that?” Reggie asked.
Luke abruptly looked up at Reggie, who was seated across from him, his eyes black.
“Whoa. Luke.” Julie said, cautiously.
And just like that Luke’s eyes were back to normal.
“I’m sorry.” Luke said, voice sounding slightly broken, before standing up and running upstairs.
Julie, Reggie, and Alex looked at the front door to see if the figure was still standing there.
They weren’t.
-
Julie and Reggie went to work, which left Alex and Luke alone in the house.
"Make sure he's okay." Julie said and Reggie nodded as Julie opened the front door for them to leave.
"Okay." Alex said as Julie and Reggie showed grateful looks and walked out, shutting the front door behind them.
Alex stood there for a few minutes. Luke had probably heard that. If he was paying attention.
Alex looked up the stairs and sighed before taking the scenic route and walking up the stairs. He didn't want to scare Luke by poofing in right beside him or outside his room.
"Hey, Luke?" Alex asked knocking on Luke's door, which was the second door upstairs. Not all of the room's where the same size. Reggie's was the first. And Alex's the last. Even though Alex didn't need to sleep, it was still nice to have a room for himself. The spare bedroom was across the hall.
A muffled "Yeah?" could be heard.
"Are you okay? Do you want to talk? Or not talk. Whatever's cool." Alex said, empathetically.
"You can come in." Luke said.
Alex slowly opened the door. Luke was lying on his bed on his stomach, one arm under his head like a pillow and the other arm lazily hanging off of the side of the bed.
Alex looked at him sympathetically and walked over to the bed to stand in front of Luke.
"Are you okay?" Alex asked.
Luke closed his eyes then opened them. "Yeah." He said dejectedly.
"Did you hear that Julie - ?" Alex started.
"Asked you to make sure I was okay. Yeah. She didn't exactly whisper it. Can't turn off my vamp hearing. No matter how zoned out I was. At least at this range. The front door isn't that far away." Luke said.
"Right." Alex said, awkwardly.
Luke sighed and pushed himself up into a sitting position. One leg tucked under the other, while the other leg dangled off of the bed.
"The guy -" Luke started. "At the door. He was a - I knew him. Before. He um -" Luke cleared his throat. "He made me."
Alex's eyes widened. "What?"
Luke looked up at Alex. "His name is Caleb. Caleb Covington. He's the one that turned me into a vampire."
"Oh. Wow." Alex said. "I'm sorry."
"For what?" Luke asked.
"That he was here. That you seem to clearly not like the guy since you told him to leave. That he turned you into a vampire." Alex exclaimed.
Luke looked at Alex with multiple emotions as if no one had ever told Luke they were sorry he was a vampire.
Luke suddenly sprung up off of the bed, crashing into Alex and hugging him. Alex wasn't expecting this and it took a second for Alex to hug Luke back.
"Thanks, Alex." Luke said quietly, slightly smiling into Alex's shoulder.
Alex smiled back.
-
Later that night Reggie came home from work while Julie stopped by before going back home.
Alex and Luke were in the living room watching the news on the tv.
Alex and Luke looked over from where they were seated on the couch when Julie and Reggie walked through the door, and Reggie closed it behind them.
"I'm okay, Julie." Luke said.
"Oh. Okay. Good. I was worried all day. Reggie and I were worried all day." Julie said, looking from Luke to Reggie to back to Luke.
"Yeah." Reggie said, nodding and looking from Julie to Luke to back to Julie.
"You're sure you're okay?" Julie asked, genuinely.
Luke grinned. "Yeah, I am. Thanks. That guy - That guy was the vampire who made me."
"The vampire that made you?" Julie exclaimed and Reggie's eyes widened. "Really?" Reggie exclaimed.
Luke and Alex nodded.
"Okay. Not one of the scenarios Reggie and I came up on the bus ride to work." Julie said.
Reggie shook his head. "We should've thought of that one though. Why didn't we think of that."
"I'm sure we would've thought of it if we had more time on the bus." Julie said and Reggie nodded.
"You're sure you're okay?" Julie asked.
"I'm okay. Really. Thanks, Julie. Reggie." Luke said, smiling at them.
"Okay. Good. I have to get home. I'll see you guys tomorrow after work." Julie said.
"See you, Julie." Reggie said, waving.
"Bye, Julie." Luke said.
"Later, Julie." Alex said.
"Bye." Julie said, opening the front door, walking out, and closing it behind her.
Reggie walked over and on sat the right side of the couch beside Luke.
"So, that guy was your maker?" Reggie asked.
Luke rolled his eyes. "Please don't say it like that. He's not my maker. I mean he is. But it sounds creepy."
Reggie and Alex grinned.
“Do you think he’s going to come back?” Reggie asked.
“Probably.” Luke said, slightly dejected.
“Well, we’ll be here when he does.” Alex said.
Luke smiled.
-
It was a few days later and Julie walked in after her shift. Reggie had already been home for a couple of hours. Him, Luke, and Alex were were making dinner. Well Reggie was making dinner. As he was the only one that technically needed to eat.
Reggie was making a spinach and kale salad with red onion, cut up tomato, avocado, apple, radish, and cucumber and a little bit of feta cheese and drizzled in some olive oil. He sat down at the table to Alex's right and across from Luke. Luke reached over a grabbed a bit of everything and put it in his mouth.
"Dude, did you wash your hands?" Reggie slightly exclaimed.
"Yes?" Luke said, his mouth full of food, before swallowing.
Reggie and Alex rolled their eyes in amusement.
"That looks good." Alex said, looking at the salad. "Wish I could eat it."
Reggie and Luke looked at each other, their eyes filled with sympathy. "We wish you could eat it too." Luke said. Reggie nodded. "Thanks, guys. Enjoy, Reg." Alex said. "Thanks, Alex." Reggie said as he started eating his salad.
Just as Reggie finished doing the dishes, Julie walked in.
"Hey guys!" Julie said as she closed the front door behind her and walked into the kitchen.
"Hey!" Reggie, Alex, and Luke said.
"Okay. So." Julie said, taking a seat at the table to Reggie's right and next to Luke.
"My dad wants to meet you guys." Julie said, awkwardly.
Luke, Reggie's, and Alex's eyes widened.
"What?" Luke asked.
"Yeah." Reggie said.
"Meet us?" Alex said, meekly.
"Yeah." Julie said, biting her lip.
"Does he know?" Luke asked. "About us? About you?"
"Uhh." Julie looked at the ceiling then back at the boys. "Well, no. But he likes that we're hanging out and that I have friends besides Flynn. But I thought maybe since you'll be there we could tell him together." Julie said, smiling awkwardly.
Alex, Reggie, and Luke looked at each other, their eyes wide.
"I mean, I guess we're going to have to tell him sometime." Alex said.
"Guess so." Reggie said.
"Hmm." Luke said.
"So, you'll do it? My brother, Carlos, will be there too. I mean, obviously, we live in the same house." Julie exclaimed.
"Uhhh." Alex said.
"Sure. Yeah. We'll be there, Julie." Luke said, suddenly. Reggie and Alex looked at each other.
"Um. I can't eat food." Alex said, putting his hand up.
"And that'll be a great lead in to the inevitable conversation we have to have." Julie said, smiling too cheerfully it was awkward.
Alex put his hand down.
Julie stood up. "Okay. I'll see you guys - Reggie when do you work next?" Julie asked.
Reggie blinked and looked at Julie. "Oh, uh not til the day after next at 9am."
"Great! Flynn and I are off tomorrow too. That worked out great. I'll see you guys tomorrow at 6pm. Luke can I borrow some blood?" Julie said. Luke nodded and got some blood out of the fridge and handed it to Julie who took it. "I'll hide it in the back so he doesn't see. It's gonna be fine, guys. We're in this together. We can handle this conversation together. It won't be awkward at all. Probably. Hopefully. We'll see. Anyways, I've got to go. I'll see you guys tomorrow!" Julie said before walking to the front door, opening it, walking out, and closing it.
Once Julie was gone, Luke groaned and put his head down on the table, Reggie leaned back in his chair and stared at the ceiling dreading tomorrow, and Alex just closed his eyes and shook his head at his roommates.
-
After dinner the boys lounged on the couch, channeling surfing.
Until they chose a nature documentary on Discovery.
Alex was on the left side of the couch, Luke in the middle, and Reggie on the right.
Alex suddenly sat up abruptly. "What am I going to wear?" He exclaimed, looking over to Luke and Reggie.
Luke and Reggie looked at each other and then at Alex.
"Clothes?" Luke asked, meekly. Reggie laughed. Alex didn't look impressed.
"Ghost clothes?" Reggie asked. Luke laughed.
"Ghost clothes?" Alex deadpanned.
Luke and Reggie laughed.
"Okay." Luke said, laughing. "For real, I've got you covered. I can text my friend Willie."
"Willie?" Alex and Reggie asked at the same time.
"Who's Willie?" Reggie asked, affronted.
"He's one of my best friends. Besides you guys." Luke said, smiling, excited at seeing Willie again.
"Your friends? How come you haven't mentioned him until now?" Reggie exclaimed, his arms out dramatically.
"It never came up." Luke said, shrugging.
"We literally had a conversation a few days ago about friends you had before us." Alex said, making a are you serious face.
"How long have you been friends with Willie?" Reggie asked.
"Oh. Like. A hundred years. Bit more. He's a fae. He comes here from the fae realm to earth to hang out with me." Luke said.
"The fae realm?" Alex and Reggie asked again.
The nature documentary had been forgotten.
The TV becoming background noise.
"Yeah. Oh, right." Luke said, frowning. "You guys don't know about that."
"We're a ghost and a werewolf!" Alex exclaimed, motioning between himself and Reggie as Reggie nodded multiple times. "I've been in this house for twenty five years and I couldn't exactly Google - That's what it's called, right?" Luke and Reggie nodded, proud that Alex knew some of the modern things they had told him about " - The supernatural. And Reggie only learned about the supernatural like, a few months ago!"
"Right." Luke said, lips forming a line as he looked back and forth between both of them.
"Well, the fae realm's real!" Luke exclaimed, making a ta da with his hands.
Alex and Reggie leaned out and looked at each other.
"I mean, that is pretty cool." Reggie said.
"It is." Alex said, eyeing Luke who just boyishly smiled at Alex.
"He's single." Luke blurted out.
"What?" Alex asked, blinking and voice high pitched.
"What?" Reggie asked, voice also high pitched.
Luke put his hands out. "Just saying."
"Well I'm - I'm a ghost. I can't date." Alex said, voice still high pitched.
"Why not?" Luke asked, sounding confused.
"I'm a ghost, Luke!" Alex said, voice loud.
"That doesn't mean you can't date." Luke said.
"It doesn't?" Alex asked.
"It doesn't?" Reggie asked.
Luke turned to Reggie and then back to Alex. "No. You're a ghost, but you're still part of this world."
Alex had tears in his eyes. "I never - " He looked down at the couch. "I never thought about it like that."
"Aw." Reggie said, sniffing and also crying. Luke turned to Reggie then back to Alex, empathy in his eyes.
"Yeah. You're still here. You're not gone." Luke said, his voice small. Alex looked up at Luke and said "Thanks, Luke." Alex wiped a hand over his eyes.
Luke nodded and hugged Alex who hugged back. Reggie joined in, wrapping himself around Luke and his hands just touching Alex.
They all pulled a part.
"I'm..." Alex sucked a breath in and let it out. "I'm gay."
"Cool!" Reggie said, putting a hand up. "I'm bi." He put his hand down.
"I'm pan." Luke said, smiling.
"Oh. Wow. Okay. Cool." Alex said, processing what they had just said.
"We know you're from a time where it was harder. But things have gotten better, not everywhere and for everyone, but still better than it was." Reggie said.
"Right." Alex said. "Thanks, guys. I gotta ask though, what's Pan? Bi is when you're attracted to both genders right? I did know about David Bowie and Billie Joe Armstrong."
"Bi is also being attracted to someone regardless of their gender. Pan is when you're attracted to someone’s personality, regardless of their gender. Bi and pan can overlap." Luke said.
Reggie nodded in agreement.
"Oh. Okay. Cool." Alex said.
"Thanks for telling us, Alex." Reggie said, sympathetically.
"Yeah, man." Luke said.
"Thanks for being cool with it. And thanks for telling me." Alex said.
Reggie and Luke smiled.
"So yeah, I guess, sure. I'll give dating a try." Alex said.
"Yes!" Luke cheered, his hands up.
"I'm assuming this is with Willie?" Alex asked.
"Well, last time Willie and I went out for tea he mentioned he was single and wanted to get back into dating. So I thought I'd just ask you about dating in general and ask if you had any preferences and go from there. But yeah, would you want to go on a date with Willie?" Luke said, grinning.
"I mean, he's okay? You trust him?" Alex asked.
"I do. He's a cool guy." Luke said.
"Then, I'll go on one date with him and see how it goes." Alex said.
Luke and Reggie smiled.
"Wait, so fae's have cell phones?" Reggie asked, thinking.
Luke and Alex turned to Reggie.
"Oh. Yeah. He's in this realm often enough that he has a cell phone and an apartment." Luke said.
"Well, so far tonight I've told my best friends I'm gay. The fae realm, and I knew fae were real but I didn't think about their realm, is a thing. And apparently one of them has a cell phone." Alex muttered to himself.
"Huh." Reggie said to himself.
-
6pm came too soon.
Luke and Reggie dressed in their most decent clothes. Luke had a forest green suit, a forest green tie, and a white button up shirt underneath. Reggie had black pants, a a white button up shirt, and a black jacket from part of a suit that Luke had given to Reggie to wear.
They were all downstairs by the front door. Alex had just poofed in next to them.
There was a knock at the door. Luke opened it. It was WIllie with a suit in hand.
"Hey!" Willie said, stepping through the front door and closing it behind him.
"Hi!" Luke said, grinning. Willie and Luke hugged.
Reggie sized Willie up but smiled and waved.
Alex was struck with Gay Panic.
Luke and Willie let go. Willie looked at Alex. "You must be Alex?" Willie asked.
Alex was still starring at Willie. Reggie elbowed Alex.
"Uhh. Yeah. Me. Hi. I'm ga - Alex. I'm Alex. Hi." Alex sad, awkwardly, waving a hand at Willie.
Willie smiled.
Alex smiled.
"So, you're a ghost?" Willie asked.
"Uh. Yeah. I am. A ghost." Alex said awkwardly.
Willie nodded and said "So, here's your suit." He handing the suit to Alex.
"Thanks." Alex said, taking the suit and still starring at Willie. "So I can just... Wear this?" Alex asked. "Yeah. It's infused with fae magic so you can wear it." Willie said and smiled at Alex again. Alex blinked and said "Cool. Thanks. Right. I'm gonna go - Okay." Before walking up the stairs to put the suit on.
Willie turned to Luke. "So, how've you been? You're living with a werewolf and a ghost? That's so cool!"
Luke smiled. "Thanks, man." Luke looked over to Reggie. "Right. Sorry. That's Reggie." Willie turned to face Reggie. "It's nice to meet you. You're a werewolf?" Willie asked, putting his hand out.
Reggie looked down at Willie's hand and paused before taking it and shaking back. "Yeah! Werewolf and Luke and Alex's roommate." Willie and Reggie's hands separated.
"How's that going?" Willie asked.
"Good. It's good. It's only been a couple months, but it's good. We're best friends." Reggie said, genuinely.
"Yeah, we are!" Luke cheered. "And Willie, you and I are also best friends."
Willie turned to Luke. "We are." He turned to Reggie. "And that's awesome, Reggie. I'm glad. I hope you, Alex, and I can be friends, too." Willie said.
Reggie nodded, smiling. "Alex and I would like that."
Willie and Luke both smiled.
Alex poofed downstairs in the suit. It was navy blue with a black tie and a white button up shirt.
"Nice." Willie said, taking Alex in. "You look good."
Alex blinked at Willie. "Thanks." Alex said. "And thanks for the suit."
"Don't mention it." Willie said.
"So - " Luke started. "You mentioned you wanted to try dating the last time we went out for tea."
Willie eyed Luke. "I did say that."
"And" Luke started, looking from Alex to Willie. "And uh - Alex is single."
"Super single." Reggie chimed in, putting a finger up and then down.
Willie turned to Reggie then back to Luke.
"Are you up for dating right now?" Willie asked Alex.
Alex's eyes widened.
"You can say no!" Willie said quickly. "It's cool."
"Yeah. Yes. Definitely. Up for dating. With you." Alex said in a rush.
"Wicked." Willie said, smiling.
Alex smiled back.
"Good luck with Julie's dad and brother." Willie said to Luke, Alex, and Reggie.
"Thanks." Alex said, trying to hide his nervousness about the dinner.
"We'll need it." Reggie said.
"Yeah." Luke agreed.
Luke opened the front door. Willie walked out first, down the steps, and waved goodbye as he walked down the sidewalk. Luke, Alex, and Reggie waved back as they stood on the front veranda as Luke closed the front door.
"Ready boys?" Luke asked.
Alex and Reggie looked at Luke, who also looked nervous, nervously but nodded.
-
They knocked on the front door and five seconds later Julie answered.
"Hey!" She greeted everyone. She was wearing a purple dress. "So I told Carlos, who told dad, who confronted me and I kind of told him everything. And he's cool with it. So he knows. You ready?” She asked, seriously.
Luke, Alex, and Reggie's eyes widened and they nervously looked at each other and then at Julie.
"Yep!" Reggie said, voice slightly high pitched.
"Great!" Julie said, awkwardly yet with some relief, and motioned for them to come in.
They took their shoes off at the door and followed Julie toward the dinner table. Ray and Carlos were just finishing setting the plates with food on them. Kale and spinach salads with salmon and lentils.
Luke saw where he'd be sitting. Because there was a wine glass filled with blood at the middle seat on the side closest to them.
Reggie leaned in to Luke and said "Guess that's where you'll be sitting."
Luke continued to look at the wine glass filled with blood and said "Guess so." Reggie leaned back.
Alex saw that there was a place without a plate. "And I guess that's where I'll be sitting." Alex muttered and Luke and Reggie looked at the right of where Luke was going to be sitting and saw the empty spot.
Luke and Reggie each put a hand on Alex to comfort him.
"It's fine. I'm used to it." Alex said. Reggie and Luke took their hands off of Alex's shoulder.
"Hi!" Ray greeted, setting the last plate down. Reggie, Luke, and Alex waved awkwardly. "So. Julie told me all about you guys. Alex, you're a ghost?" Alex nodded. "And Reggie, you're a werewolf?" Reggie also nodded. "And Luke, you're a vampire?" Luke nodded as well.
"And I'm a witch!" Julie said, awkwardly.
"That you are." Ray said.
"So cool!" Carlos said.
There was a moment of pause before Ray spoke.
"Please, sit!" Ray said, smiling and motioning at the table for them to sit.
Everyone took a seat at the table.
Reggie was on Luke's left and Alex was on Reggie's right. Julie was across from Luke and Carlos was across from Reggie. Ray was seated at the head beside Carlos and Reggie.
"This is great!" Reggie exclaimed, eating some lentils.
"It is!" Luke agreed, drinking some blood.
"I always figured next door was haunted." Ray commented. No one said anything and continued to eat their food. Ray spoke up again. "Julie told me that you can eat food, Luke."
Luke set his cup of blood down awkwardly and looked at Ray. "Uh. Yeah. I can. We can. We don't need to, but we can."
Ray nodded.
"And I'm sorry you're not able to eat, Alex." Ray said, looking at Alex. Alex abruptly looked up from where he had been looking down at his plate, his eyes wide, and said "Oh! Yeah. It's fine. I'm used to it. But thanks." Alex said, genuinely yet awkwardly.
There was a pause.
"Wait, you can see me?" Alex asked, eyes wide.
"Yeah. We weren't sure if Carlos or I would be able to or not. But apparently we can." Ray said.
"Yeah!" Carlo said.
"Maybe we are making your tangibility stronger by being together." Luke said, looking at Alex.
Reggie nodded.
"Yeah, it's definitely something." Alex said, still in awe that two humans who weren't supernatural could see him.
Everyone continued eating.
"So, how old are you?" Carlos suddenly asked, looking at Luke.
"Carlos. You can't just ask someone how old they are." Ray said.
"Oh." Luke said, looking between Ray and Carlos. "It's fine. I'm over a hundred."
"Is he always this vague?" Carlos asked Julie who nodded.
"And I'm technically your age." Alex said to Ray.
Everyone abruptly stopped eating. Alex's eyes widened.
"Uh. I mean. If I were still alive. I would be - I mean - Not that you're -" Alex tried, looking at Ray, eyes still wide.
Ray put a hand up. "It's fine, Alex. I get what you mean." He said, genuinely.
Alex let a breath out. "Oh. Okay. Right. Still. Sorry."
"No apology necessary." Ray assured him. Alex smiled. "I'm sorry your life was cut short." Ray told Alex, empathetically. "Thanks." Alex said, and smiled.
More eating.
"So, you knew my daughter was a witch because of our last name?" Ray asked Luke.
Julie's eyes widened and she groaned inwardly. Luke's' eyes widened and he looked at Julie. Luke then looked at Ray and said "Uh. Yeah. Molina. It's - Yeah. I heard about a family of witches that had the same last name, so I just made the conclusion." Luke said, awkwardly, before eating some salad and drinking more blood.
Ray nodded and ate some salad.
"What is like being a werewolf?" Carlos asked.
"Carlos!" Julie said.
"Oh, no. It's fine." Reggie waved them off. "It's a - Well. It's a lot. And uh. Yeah. It's a part time thing. So that's good. And I don't remember what happens when I transform, but yeah, it's an adjustment that I'm still getting used to. But I've got some awesome friends to help me." Reggie said, smiling, and looking between Luke and Alex who smiled back.
"Cool!" Carlos responded.
Julie smiled at her brother.
"On that note. I'd like to say thank you, for helping Julie figure out her powers -" Ray started.
"Still only one power, at the moment." Julie muttered.
"I'm glad she has you guys around to help." Ray said, genuinely.
"Oh! It's no problem, sir. We're happy to help." Luke said, looking at Ray.
Reggie and Alex looked at each other, knowingly and smugly.
"Still. Thank you." Ray said.
"Yeah. Thanks guys." Julie said, sincerely.
"Happy to help." Alex said.
"We're here for you, Julie." Reggie said.
"I mean, we're all helping each other, really." Luke said.
Luke, Reggie, Alex, and Julie looked at each other gratefully.
The rest of the dinner went smoothly.
-
They had just finished dinner when there was a knock at the door.
Alex was leaning against the counter next to Reggie who was just finishing the dishes.
“Should we get a doorbell?” Alex asked, more so to himself.
Luke got up out of his seat where he had been sitting and walked to the front door and opened it.
It was Julie.
And Flynn.
“Hey!” Julie greeted, walking in. Flynn walking behind her and staring at Luke.
Luke just blinked and closed the front door once they were inside. Julie and Flynn had stopped behind Luke after taking their shoes off. Once Luke had turned around Flynn spoke.
“You’re a vampire?” She asked, her tone accusatory.
Julie sheepishly shrugged.
“Uhh.” Luke turned to the right, to face the kitchen, and mouthed ‘Help’ to Alex and Reggie, who both turned to each other with wide eyes.
Flynn turned to Reggie and Alex and said “And you’re a ghost and a werewolf?”
Luke turned to Julie.
“I kind of told her at work today. Sorry.” Julie said, smiling knowing Luke couldn’t stay mad at her.
Luke smiled back.
“Is she just telling everyone?” Alex asked, are so to himself, his tone dramatic.
“I just told the people closest to me.” Julie said.
“And I guess everyone can see me now.” Alex muttered. “You can see me, right?”
“Yes, I can see you. You’re the ghost.” Flynn said.
“That’s me.” Alex said, tone slightly strained.
Julie, Flynn, and Luke walked over to the kitchen. They sat down in the chairs, while Reggie and Alex continued to lean against the counter.
“So, you better make sure Julie comes into all of her powers.” Flynn said.
“Oh, we’re working on that.” Reggie said, smiling.
“Good.” Flynn said.
“Yep. We are. Working on that.” Julie said.
“So, how can I see you?” Flynn asked Alex.
“We think it’s because of all our supernaturalyness that we’re stronger so non supernatural humans can see me.” Alex said.
Flynn didn’t look impressed.
“Or something.” Alex said, awkwardly. “We don’t know.”
"Yeah, we're not really sure why." Luke said, shrugging.
Flynn looked from Luke to Julie. "Girl! You're a witch!" Flynn cheered, walking closer to Julie and hugging her. Julie hugged her back.
"Yeah!" Julie cheered.
They let go.
"Show me your power!" Flynn said.
"Well, so far it's just one. Telekinesis. But the guys are helping me discover if I have any more." Julie said.
"Which she does. She definitely does." Luke spoke up.
Flynn looked from Luke to Julie.
"Show me your telekinesis?" Flynn asked Julie who nodded.
Reggie got a spoon out of the drawer and tossed it to Julie who put her hand out and caught it, levitating it in the air.
Flynn's eyes widened and she looked from the spoon to Julie. "That's so cool!"
"Thanks!" Julie said, moving the spoon over to Reggie who caught it when she let it go and he put it back into the drawer and closed it.
"Never thought I'd meet a witch, vampire, ghost, and werewolf." Flynn said.
"Never thought I'd be a witch." Julie said.
"Never thought I'd be living with a werewolf and a ghost." Luke said.
"Never thought I'd be a werewolf and having it be the best thing that happened to me cause I met you guys!" Reggie said.
Everyone smiled at that.
"Same. I never thought anyone would be able to see me after twenty five years. I'm really glad I met you guys." Alex said, smiling.
Everyone smiled again.
-
A few days later, Reggie, Julie, and Flynn were at work and Alex and Luke were home.
Flynn had started coming over with Julie after work to help her discover more of her powers.
And Luke was eventually going to get a job.
Luke had gone out to get the paper at the end of the walkway, because Reggie and Julie hadn't got it when they left, when it happened.
As he picked up the paper he felt two presences on either side of him.
They smelled like vampires.
Luke inwardly sighed, mentally preparing himself for a fight.
He stood up, leaving the newspaper on the walkway, and moved at lightning speed, pushing one to the ground when the other one caught Luke under his arms. The other vampire ran at Luke who kicked back, sending him to the ground again. He headbutted the vampire that had his arms locked, when the other vampire got up off the ground and punched Luke in the face. Before Luke could recover the other vampire punched Luke again. They continued to punch him until he fell to the ground. If Luke had drank more than just enough blood to survive he wouldn't been stronger and could've defended himself with ease.
With a final punch Luke saw black.
-
Alex thought he heard something outside. He looked out the window to see Luke being thrown into a black van (because when isn't it a sketchy van), Alex panicked and poofed out to the sidewalk, barely managing to get the first two lisense plate numbers before the van drove off.
Alex was trying very hard not to hyperventilate.
He poofed to Reggie's work. Well, out back. Just in case people could definitely see him.
He ran out front to the window and saw Reggie. He waved. Reggie didn't look up. He waved again. Still nothing. He went to the front door and opened it. Reggie looked up, having heard the door open. His eyes widened. "I'm gonna go on break! I'll be back in fifteen." Reggie said, following Alex out the front door and around to the back.
"Are you okay? What's wrong?" Reggie asked.
Alex started pacing. "Luke got kidnapped."
"What?!" Reggie shouted.
"Some guys were punching him and and they threw him into a black van. I got the first two lisense plate numbers." Alex said. He stopped pacing and stood in front of Reggie.
"Okay. We'll find him. It'll be fine." Reggie assured Alex, who nodded though didn't look convinced.
Reggie wasn't able to get time off of work as no one could come in and cover his shift. So Alex poofed around the city to try and find Luke. He poofed back just as Reggie's shift was ending seven hours later.
They stopped by Julie and Flynn's work just as they were getting off too and explained the situation. Their hours were usually the same if only because their places of work had the same daily hours.
"Luke's been kidnapped?" Julie asked, a touch of anguish in her voice. Flynn's eyes were wide.
"Yeah." Reggie said, solemnly.
Alex looked sad.
"Hey, there's nothing you could've done. You did all you could." Reggie said, patting Alex on the shoulder. Julie and Flynn nodded.
"Thanks." Alex mumbled. "I looked all over the city I couldn't find him."
Reggie, Julie, and Flynn looked grateful.
They decided to walk, the few hours it would take, back home which would give them time to think about what to do to find Luke.
"Could you do a locator spell?" Reggie asked Julie.
Julie looked at him. "Do you know any locator spells?"
Reggie thought for a second. "Uhh. No."
"Find his phone?" Flynn asked.
"It's turned off." Reggie said.
They all sighed.
They spent the next few days trying to find Luke, walking to and from work. Leaving earlier than usual to look around the city before going to work. And walking home together after their shifts and looking around then.
Alex had poofed into the police station late at night and put the lisense plate numbers that he had gotten into the database, but nothing had come up.
Julie had told her dad and Carlos. They had suggested going to the police. But they were worried about the police finding out about Luke’s vampire nature. They would be a last resort.
They had assumed Luke had been kidnapped by his sire but they weren’t sure. Luke could’ve made enemies.
Three days later they were walking home and turned onto the street their homes were on.
All of a sudden another black van pulled up beside the sidewalk they were walking on.
Two men in black suits jumped out, one from the driver's side door and one from the back of the van.
"Oh my God, it's the Men in Black!" Reggie exclaimed.
The two men showed their fangs and black eyes.
"Oh, it's just vampires." Reggie said, more so to himself.
Julie, Flynn, and Alex were staring at Reggie with Seriously? faces.
One of the vampire's punched Reggie, who fell to the ground.
"Reggie!" Julie exclaimed. She used her telekinesis and threw one of the vampire's against the van.
The other vampire grabbed Julie and threw her onto the sidewalk.
"Julie!" Flynn said, going to her side making sure she was okay. Julie groaned and sat up. "Are you okay?" Flynn asked. "Yeah." Julie said.
Alex made a fist and swung at the vampire but missed as the vampire pushed Alex and knocked him to the ground.
Alex groaned and was in the process of getting up when the two vampires hauled Reggie up, put a bag over his head, threw him into the van, and started to drive off.
"Reggie!" Julie and Flynn exclaimed.
"Reg!" Alex yelled.
"Alex! Get my dad's car!" Julie said, as she and Flynn stood up.
Alex nodded, poofing to Julie's house. Ray was at the dining room table working on his laptop when Alex poofed in.
Ray looked up. "Alex, hi. What are you -"
"Keys! Car! Emergency! Luke! Reggie!" Alex exclaimed.
Ray pointed to the keys in a dish by the door. "Thanks." Alex said, grabbing the keys poofing outside by the car, getting in the car, turning it on, and driving up the street to Julie and Flynn.
"They turned left up the street. Drive!" Julie said as she got in the passenger's seat and Flynn got in the backseat.
They caught up with the van.
"There it is." Flynn said.
"What's the Men in Black?" Alex asked as he drove, following the van.
Julie and Flynn looked at him.
"What?" Alex asked, glancing at Julie and Flynn.
"Oh, right. You died in 1995." Flynn said.
"Right." Julie said.
"It's a movie." Flynn said. "From 1997. It's based on a comic book and the movie has three sequels. It's about aliens that are on earth and the Men in Black are humans who deal with bad aliens who harm humans. But the Men in Black are cool with the alien's who are minding their own business. The movie's chef's kiss."
Julie nodded.
Alex nodded too. "Okay."
The kept driving and saw the van pull into a building.
They drove by slowly and saw them take Reggie out. They opened a side door and walked through, door closing behind them.
The parked a ways away down the street and walked back, going to the same side door.
Alex pulled on it. "It's locked."
Flynn produced bobby pins. "I know how to pick a lock."
"You're amazing." Julie said.
Flynn smiled with a I know face.
Forty seconds later the door was open.
"Cool." Alex said, impressed.
The walked through the door.
-
Luke awoke to a room that looked like a cell with a window.
He pulled as hard as he could but the door wouldn't open.
From the position and light of the sun it seemed like he had only been out for a few hours.
He started to pace around the room.
Did Caleb do this?
After a few minutes the door opened.
And in walked Caleb.
Luke took a step toward him and glared.
“Lucas.” Caleb said, smirking, as the door closed behind him.
“What do you want? Why did you kidnap me?” Luke asked, seething with rage.
“Why do you think?” Caleb asked, smirking.
“I’m not joining you again, I told you I was done.” Luke said in anger.
“Oh, I heard you.” Caleb hummed. “You have blood at breakfast. I smelled it the day I came to your house. I’m assuming you have it at dinner as well, to curve the craving.”
Luke’s eyes went wide and he couldn’t use the shock that appeared on his face.
Caleb smirked. “It’s almost the middle of the day. I’m assuming you’ll start to get cravings tonight.”
Luke stayed silent.
“It’s not something you can kick so easily. It’s part of who you are. You’re a monster. Just like me.” Caleb said.
Luke looked to the floor so that Caleb wouldn’t see the inner turmoil on his face.
“What do you want?” Luke asked, his voice pained.
Caleb smirked. “You’ll see.”
He turned and left Luke alone with his thoughts and hunger.
For three days.
-
On the third day Caleb came for him.
His eyes were black. His teeth sharp.
Huddled in a corner.
Caleb smirked.
-
Reggie awoke to what sounded like cheering.
What? Reggie thought, as he opened his eyes. He realized he was in a cage in a building surrounded by bleachers. With people on those bleachers. Or rather, vampires. If some of the black eyes he saw were an indication.
He heard a sound and looked over to his right to see Luke sitting on the ground, his knees curled up, leaning against the back of the cage. His arms folded on top of his knees and his head buried in his arms.
Reggie sighed with relief and ran over to Luke.
"Luke! Thank Star Wars you're here!" Reggie exclaimed. He leaned down by Luke hadn't moved. "Luke?" Reggie asked, confusion on his face.
Luke slowly lifted his head. His eyes were black and his fangs were out. Luke looked at Reggie, not completely seeing him. "Luke?" Reggie asked, dread pooling in his stomach. Reggie shifted back a bit.
Suddenly Luke hissed and lunged at Reggie.
"Luke!" Reggie exclaimed, as Luke knocked him to the ground, holding his arms down.
"Luke?" Reggie said, meekly.
Luke hissed again. Dark soulless eyes boring into Reggie's. "Luke." Reggie said again, meekly.
Luke paused and drew away slightly. But then started to lean toward Reggie again.
Reggie suddenly felt a jolt of pain tear through him. "Ugggh!" Reggie exclaimed, shuddering.
Luke drew away slightly.
Reggie had forgot.
Tonight was a full moon.
Another jolt of pain went through Reggie and Luke jumped back off of Reggie.
Luke looked slightly conflicted, yet was still on edge, looking like he was ready to leap at Reggie at a moment's notice.
"Luke. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." Reggie said as the pain became more frequent.
The crowd cheered.
Reggie took some but not all of his clothes off.
Within a few minutes a wolf was standing before Luke.
The wolf lunged.
-
Julie, Alex, and Flynn were wandering the empty hallways.
“I know this is a terrible situation. But we got lucky that Reggie got kidnapped.” Flynn said.
Julie and Alex looked at each other and reluctantly nodded.
“Yeah.” Julie said.
It was then that they heard the cheering.
“Should we follow that?” Alex asked, deadpan.
“I mean… Yeah.” Julie said.
“Come on.” Flynn said, marching forward.
“Okay.” Alex said, sighing as he and Julie followed Flynn.
-
Flynn, Julie, and Alex emerged through a door into an arena.
“Are those - ?” Alex asked, looking down the bleachers.
“Vampires.” Julie said.
The trio looked to the source of the cheering and saw a wolf fighting a human.
Or rather a werewolf fighting a vampire.
Reggie fighting Luke.
“Oh no.” Alex said, worried.
“What’re we going to do?” Julie asked, worry also in her voice.
Flynn turned to the two. “You’re a witch.” She pointed to Julie. “And you’re a ghost.” She pointed to Alex.
She put her hands up. “Do something!” She put her hands down.
Julie and Alex looked at each other.
“Poof us into the cage?” Julie asked.
Alex nodded. “I’ve never poofed with a human and a witch, but I’ll try.”
“I can handle Luke and Reggie.” Julie said, determinedly.
Alex put a hand on Julie’s shoulder and a hand on Flynn’s shoulder and a second later all they disappeared.
They reappeared inside the cage on the far side.
They crowd was briefly shocked but then started cheering again.
Luke had Reggie by the throat with one hand, holding the werewolf up on its two hind legs. Both of them baring their teeth at one another.
“Luke! Reggie!” Julie cried out, her voice pained.
Luke turned at the sound of her voice. Black eyes staring at her.
“He must be starving.” Alex muttered.
Julie used her telekinesis and pushed the Reggie and Luke apart, sending them to either sides of the cage.
“We’re gonna have to knock Reggie and Luke out.” Julie said.
“Okay. And then how do we get out of here with like, fifty vampires surrounding us?” Alex exclaimed, panicking.
Julie smiled and turned to Alex. “You poof us out.”
“What?” Alex exclaimed, eyes wide.
“You poofed us into the cage, no problem.” Julie said.
“That was a, probably, one time thing.” Alex said, his voice high pitched. “What if I poof us into another dimension or something!”
“Alex.” Flynn said, looking at him. “You can do this.”
Alex looked nervous.
Luke and Reggie were now standing, facing the trio.
They both lunged and Julie waited until they were almost at them when she flung the two back against the cage wall.
They got up again and lunged toward Julie, Alex, and Flynn.
Julie waited again until they were almost at them and put her hands out.
But instead of them flying back, they froze.
“Um. Julie.” Alex said, eyes wide.
“You froze them.” Flynn said.
“I didn’t mean to!” Julie exclaimed.
Alex and Flynn turned to Julie in excited.
“You have a new power!” Flynn exclaimed.
“Freezing power!” Alex said.
“I think it’s called molecular immobilization.” Julie said.
“That! You have that!” Alex exclaimed.
The crowd cheered.
Julie threw her hands out and Luke and Reggie unfroze. They lunged once again and Julie flung them against the cage wall.
After a few seconds they still weren’t moving.
The crowd booed.
“Let’s go.” Julie said as she and Flynn ran over to Luke and Reggie.
Alex was still panicking but followed them and put his hands on Luke and Reggie while Julie and Flynn put their hands on Alex.
In a flash they disappeared.
-
Luke awoke abruptly.
He sat up, sitting in the edge of the couch, and put his feet on the floor.
In his red haze he saw the four cups filled with blood in the coffee table. He down all of them in five seconds.
The red haze lifted.
His eyes returned to normal and his fangs receded.
For the first time in three days he wasn’t starving.
“Hey.” A voice said, timidly.
Luke turned to see Alex, walking into the living room.
“Are you okay?” Alex asked.
Luke looked at Alex, his eyes filled with guilt.
Alex walked closer and leaned down, putting a comforting hand on Luke’s knee.
Luke averted his gaze and looked down at the floor.
“You didn’t do anything wrong. You didn't hurt anyone. Reggie’s okay. And Julie and Flynn are okay. I'm okay.” Alex said.
Luke looked up to face Alex. His eyes filled with tears.
“He - “ Luke cried. “He wanted me back. And I didn’t - I already told him no. I had left. And he wanted -“ Luke sniffed. “I told him I was out. He said I’m a monster -“
“Hey. That’s not you. What you did in the cage, that’s not who you are. Just because some vampire overlord - Who by the way, seems like a jerk -" Luke laughed "- Says you’re just some monster who feeds on blood - Doesn’t make it true. You told him no. You left him. You started a better life for yourself. You’re trying to be better. You’re not a monster, Luke.” Alex assured him.
Luke wiped a hand over his eyes and squeezed Alex’s hand back.
“Yeah. We’re not monsters.” A voice asked.
Alex and Luke turned to see Reggie walking into the living room, wearing the clothes Alex, Julie, and Flynn had left for him.
“Right? I didn’t hurt you, right Luke? Or anyone else?” Reggie asked, worried.
“No. I’m okay.” Luke said.
“You didn’t hurt anyone, Reg.” Alex assured him.
“Good.” Reggie said, sighing with relief, and walking over to stand by Alex and Luke. Alex and Reggie then sat on the couch next to Luke.
“I mean, you guys were hurt. Technically. Julie flung you guys against the cage wall and knocked you unconscious. And she accidentally froze you.” Alex said.
Reggie and Luke looked at each other, eyes wide.
“She froze us?” Reggie exclaimed.
“Julie has a new power?” Luke asked in excitement in his voice.
“Yeah, I do!” A voice said. The trio turned to see Julie and Flynn walking through the front door.
“Molecular immobilization.” Julie said.
“That’s so rad!” Luke exclaimed.
“Nice!” Reggie said.
Julie and Flynn closed the front door and walked over to the boys.
“We just went over to my house to fill my dad in on what happened.” Julie explained.
“After we saved the day.” Flynn said, smugly. Julie smiled at her friend. “Julie handled you guys like nothing.”
Luke looked at Julie like she hung the sun. Yes it’s “Hung the Moon” but Julie’s the Sun according to Luke.
“How did we all get out?” Reggie asked.
A relevant question.
“Alex poofed us out.” Julie said.
Luke and Reggie looked at Alex.
“Yeah. I can poof with alive people. Multiple people.” Alex said, sheepishly.
“That’s awesome!” Luke exclaimed.
“So cool!” Reggie said.
Alex smiled.
There was a pause of silence before Luke spoke.
“I’m uh - I’m so sorry you guys had to go through that -“ Luke started.
“Nope. No. That was not your fault. He did that on his own. Well, not on his own. He had help. But he made you guys fight each other. He’s a monster.” Flynn said.
Luke looked confused as to how Flynn knew about Caleb before Flynn spoke again. “Julie and Alex filled me in.”
Luke had a look of Should’ve figured that out on his face.
“Thanks guys.” Luke said, sincerely.
“Why did he kidnap us?” Reggie asked.
“I think he just wanted to see us fight. See who would survive. He knew we wouldn’t - He knew I wouldn’t hurt you if I wasn’t… Starving.” Luke said, his voice low.
“We’re not monsters, Luke.” Reggie said, empathetically.
“I know.” Luke said, quietly.
“None of us are monsters.” Julie said, seriously.
“Do you think he’s going to come after us again?” Reggie asked, worried.
“Probably.” Luke said, quietly.
“Great.” Alex muttered, deadpan.
“Well, we’ll be ready.” Julie said, determinedly.
“Yeah.” Flynn said.
Luke smiled at his family as the conversation turned into about Alex’s date with Willie, Flynn and Julie asking who Willie is, and then freaking out over Fae being real and that Luke’s been friends with one for years.