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Cooper sighed. A few weeks ago he’d jump at the opportunity to get some time off, but now? He’d like nothing more than the monotony and order the military supplied. He tried telling the higher ups about what happened in the Highlands, but no one believed him, shutting down the very notion of it. So, they sent him on leave. “For his own good,” they had said, figuring he needed a while to recover from the events. What he really needed was a gun in his hand and an enemy in his sights. But here he was, driving down the beaten up road on his way to the cabin he rented. If he was going to get out and ‘recover’ he’d at least do it somewhere he could still put his skills to use hunting.
As he drove he spotted someone, walking down the road, thumb sticking out. A hitchhiker. Strange, there’s never been any around these parts. Sympathetic as always, Cooper pulls over and rolls down the window.
“Where to?”
The stranger smiled tightly, “Whatever's next,” he laughed, “But really, wherever you’re going, wherever you’ll drop me off,” He said. Cooper noted he was American.
“Adventurer, are ye?”
“Aye, that I am.”
Cooper smiles at the man, feeling something blossom in his chest. How he missed this banter. “Hop in.”
The stranger clamored into the jeep, struggling with the height for a moment before leaping in. Cooper laughed a bit at this, earning a glare from the stranger. Cooper noted, with a bit of shock, the stranger had the most gorgeous, shimmering green eyes with little flecks of gold. He didn't know why, but he wanted to get lost in them.
Looking away, Cooper coughed nervously, a blush creeping over his face. The stranger smirked at him as he fastened his seat belt, winking at him.
"So," the stranger spoke, "where ya headin'?"
"My cabin, goin' there for a bit to hunt."
The stranger hummed, "You hunt?"
"Occasionally, only when I'm on leave. Keeps my skills sharp."
"I see. So you're a soldier, I presume?"
Cooper chuckled, "Aye, guess I said too much. And you? What do you do?" He asks, stealing a glance at the other man.
"Nothing. I'm an adventurer, as you said. I wander, I roam. Don't stay anywhere for long."
"How do you buy things then?"
"I trade. Find many interesting things on my travels. Some find them valuable enough to give me things for them."
"Store owners must find you a delight."
The other smiles, "Indeed they do. Say, I didn't catch your name," he turns towards Cooper, tilting his head in question.
"Private Cooper."
"I don't get your first name?"
"No. And you?"
That smile returns, "Howlett, you don't get the first name."
Cooper hums, "Fair enough."
A whine came from the back seat. Howlett turns around, searching for the source. He found a little border collie.
"Oh yeah, that's Sam. Found him on our last mission, saved him I guess."
Howlett smiled back at him, "That's awful sweet."
Cooper flushed, "Thanks."
The two continue their banter far into the day, until Cooper realizes they're nearly to his cabin. A well of guilt pools in his stomach, realizing he can't just kick him out now. Pulling into the driveway, he steals another glance at Howlett and clears his throat.
"So, this is my stop. Did you… want to stay the night? I'd feel terrible just leaving you to the wolves on a night like this."
"Thanks, I'll take you up on the offer."
The two head into the spacious cabin, Cooper bringing in the meager personal effects he bothered to bring with him. Clothes, some food, weapons, ammo, basic things he may need during his leave. While he was gathering these things from the jeep his guest made himself at home, splaying himself down across the couch in the living room, arms and legs wide in comfort. The private shot a quick glare at the other for the lack of help before leaving to his bedroom to set it up.
When Cooper returned he found Howlett in the kitchen, milling about and drinking from a mug.
Smiling over at Cooper with a glint in his eye, Howlett speaks, “Hope you don’t mind, it was a bit chilly, thought I could make us some tea,” he gestures to a second mug of tea he’d made, sitting on the kitchen island.
Cooper eyed him a bit suspiciously, but picked up the mug anyway. He drinks it.
And nothing happens.
Cooper’s paranoia was screaming at him that something bad was going to happen, that the tea was drugged. But no, nothing. The tea was good, and the two sat in a comfortable silence as they drank. Even after finishing the whole mug, Cooper still felt like he was falling for some trick. But he stayed conscious.
The two eventually moved over to the couch, Cooper throwing a few logs on the fire to keep it going. Looking back at Howlett, he smiled. He hadn’t been expecting to make an acquaintance out on his leave, but here he was. Staring at the other man, something softened in him. The other’s eyes lit up by the fire, golden flakes turning to swirls, captivating the Private.
Howlett smiles, “Like what you see?”
Cooper flushes and looks away, returning to his position on the couch, mindful of the space between him and Howlett.
Howlett laughs, “What? I don’t bite, you don’t have to sit so far away.”
Cooper looks between them, and realizes he is indeed sitting at the complete opposite end of the couch. Nervously, he scoots a bit closer to the other, earning a sharp smile that had him blushing. Usually he was able to control his feelings, but off duty? He was weak to them, folding like a chair.
Howlett laughs, “You look adorable all red!”
Cooper sputters a bit, taken aback by how forward he was being. “Thank you?” He chokes out.
The other laughs and hits him on the shoulder playfully, “I’m just telling the truth. Not that bad looking, in my humble opinion.”
“Oh, um. Thanks. You’re right bonnie yourself.”
Howlett laughs, “You think I’m pretty?”
“That’s, that’s not what I said, um.”
“Don’t lie now, I’ve been here long enough that I’ve picked up on some slang. You said I’m pretty.”
Cooper swallowed nervously, “Is that a problem?”
“No, it isn’t. I appreciate a man who’s comfortable enough to compliment his friends.”
Relief washed over Cooper, his weird crush had gone unnoticed. Cooper had no clue why he was attracted to this stranger, but he was at least thankful Howlett had just chalked it up to being friendly. “Yeah, yeah my friends used to think it was weird, glad you don’t,” he lied. He was never this way with any of his friends, only the few men he’d found attractive. He was always too forward with them, slipping in compliments and hints, trying to gauge if they were also gay. Most of the time, they weren’t, leaving Cooper down a friend. On the rare occasion they were, they weren’t interested.
"Hm, so you flirt with all your friends?"
"It's not flirting. I'm just… giving compliments."
Howlett smiled, showing strangely sharp canines that Cooper hadn't noticed until then. "Sure, Coop. Whatever you say." He says before turning back to the fire.
After a while of peaceful silence, Howlett moved closer to Cooper. Not before long the two were pressed together, basking in the glow of the fire and warmth spreading from where they connected. Nervously, Cooper wraps an arm around Howlett's shoulders, Howlett proceeds to cuddle further into Cooper, resting his head on the other's shoulder. Not a moment later, he falls asleep, softly snoring. The small sounds fill Cooper with a strange warmth, one he hadn't felt in quite some time. He was growing to like this stranger that wandered into his life by chance.
Gently, Cooper moves off the couch, maneuvering Howlett onto one of the pillows and throwing a blanket over him. He leaves to his room, going to sleep happier than he'd been in ages.
✰✰✰✰✰✰
The next morning, Cooper awoke to the smell of smoke. Hurriedly, he rushes out of his room and to the kitchen. There, near the stove, stands Howlett, holding a flaming pan.
"What are you doing??"
"I was trying to cook you some breakfast as thanks but I forgot I can't cook!"
Cooper goes through the cabinets and finds a lid that will fit the pan, throwing it on to kill the fire. "Listen," he says, Howlett turning to face him sheepishly, "I appreciate the effort, but you didn't have to. Really, the company is thanks enough"
“It’s just, you’re being so nice, letting me stay the night and all. I wanted to do something for you before I left.”
Cooper’s smile faded. Right. Howlett had to leave. Without thinking, he blurted out, “Why not spend the week with me? I - I mean, I’ve got at least a week’s leave and I could, ah, use the company.” Cooper was turning red as a tomato, blushing furiously, embarrassment taking hold of him.
Smiling up at the taller man, Howlett nodded, “I think that could be fun. A week alone in the woods with someone I just met? Sounds great.”
“Yeah, yeah no that was a stupid suggestion, sorry.”
“Cooper, I was being genuine. I’d love to get to know you better.”
“Oh.”
Howlett smirks at the other man, “You’re lucky you’re pretty,” he says walking out of the kitchen and into the living room, bumping shoulders with the other as he walks by.
Cooper stood in the kitchen, red as ever, brain short circuiting. Even as a joke, Howlett called him pretty. If only the others could see him now, brought to his knees by another man giving him a compliment. It was pathetic, but the overwhelming sense of joy flooding through him pushed that little nagging thought away.
✰✰✰✰✰✰
“You sure about this?” Howlett asked nervously.
“Yeah, just go for it. You’ve got it.”
A few days into their meeting, Cooper tries to teach Howlett knife throwing, to the uncertainty of Howlett. Scared to death, holding the knife, shaking slightly as he takes aim.
Cooper stands behind the other man, correcting his stance and maneuvering him around ever so slightly, readjusting him.
“You’ve gotta breathe. Be loose, elbow like this, hand gripping it just like that. There,” he instructed, “should be perfect now.”
Breathing steadily, Howlett takes aim, then flings the knife, and…
He hits the mark dead one, a perfect bullseye on the dart board.
“Yes!! I did it! Woo!!” He's quite literally jumping for joy, running about the place while Cooper laughs, smiling at the display. He finds it cute, he realizes. His face flushes. Coming back from his lap around the room, Howlett throws his arms around Cooper’s neck and brings him into a surprisingly tight hug. He happily reciprocates it, wrapping himself around the other man. He lets himself have this, this moment of joy, holding the man he’s growing to care for, maybe even love, in his arms.
✰✰✰✰✰✰
Around 4 days into leave, the dog started warming up to Howlett. Sam would cuddle up next to him on the couch, licking and wanting to play with the man. Cooper only fell harder at this, if Sam liked him, Howlett must be a good man. Dogs are always a good test of character.
Early in the morning, Cooper stumbled out of bed. He expected to see Sam sleeping next to him, but only found an empty bed. Leaving his room, he checked Howlett’s for Sam. Neither the man nor the dog were there. He was beginning to worry for the two, but, as he wandered into the living room, he saw them. The two were sitting out on the back porch together, watching the sunrise and the sway of the trees in the wind.
Smiling, Cooper felt his heart warm just a little more. Seeing the two cuddled up, basking in the morning sun had Cooper feeling happier than he’d felt in ages. While he didn’t want to interrupt the moment, he did want to spend more time with Howlett, and so, he walks out onto the back porch, sitting down next to Sam. The dog perked up at his presence, turning to nuzzle him.
“Morning,” Cooper said, grinning at the other man.
Howlett smiled back, “Morning to you as well.”
The two sat in silence for a moment, enjoying the morning breeze and the sounds of nature. Then, Cooper spoke up.
“So, what’re you doin’ up so early?”
“Couldn’t sleep. Nightmares.”
Cooper nodded, understanding, “Do you want to talk about it? May help.”
“Not… not really, but… maybe I should? I don’t know.”
“Take your time. I’m here whenever.”
A moment, a pause. Then Howlett makes up his mind, “My family. They died a while back. The memory, it… it still haunts me.”
“How did they die? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“They were… they were killed. Murdered, right in front of me. It’s a, um, complicated story but. We were home and Dad thought he heard something, went out to check. Came back bloody, told us to hide. Mom, she hid me. But the others, brothers, sisters, they were still out in the open when the attackers came in. Wanted to stand their ground and fight. They were slaughtered, it was never a fair fight. The hunters - the people who killed them - didn't find me, thankfully. I left, ran as soon as I thought the coast was clear. Someone found me, took me to a hospital, I had blood all over me - I was crying over their bodies, got their blood on me in the process - so they figured I was injured. The rest is… irrelevant, I suppose. Most of this was, I guess. Sorry.”
Cooper was shocked at this, horrified that Howlett had to go through that, “No, no don’t apologize, what you went through was horrific. I’m happy you’re comfortable enough to share this with me.”
Scratching behind Sam’s ear, Howlett smiled, “Thanks for listening. I’m glad you did.”
✰✰✰✰✰✰
A week on leave and Cooper was hopelessly in love. The mysterious man he met by chance captivated him, consuming his thoughts. He was seriously head over heels for a man he just met. If he was in his right mind he’d be a little concerned with that, but he wasn’t. He was only focused on how he could get to know the other man better. FInally, he realized something. The fastest way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, so what better way to get to know someone than over a home cooked meal.
Eagerly, he set his plan into motion. He made one of the only meals he could confidently make, pasta. Setting the table with their plates and cups, he called Howlett to dinner.
Sitting down across from him, the two began to talk. Everything from their dreams to what their silliest fear was. Whenever Cooper got Howlett to laugh, his face lit up like a Christmas tree. The other’s laugh quickly became his favorite sound.
“You know,” Howlett spoke, “I actually love pasta. One of my favorite dishes, honestly, and this… this is some of the best pasta I’ve ever had.”
Cooper flushed, “Ah, thank you. I don’t cook often so I appreciate that.”
Howlett smiles that sharp-toothed smile, “Of course. A man like yourself, I expect you to have many interesting talents.”
Somehow, Cooper turned even more red. His whole face flushed, he stammered, “Why, I, um, thank you?’
Howlett laughs slightly, “You know, you’re adorable all red like that.”
The other sputters again, fumbling with his thanks yet again. He realizes something, in that moment, “Are you flirting with me?”
Howlett smirks, “Wow, are you only just now realizing that? I’ve been complimenting you since the day we met, calling you pretty. Did you think I was just being nice?”
“Well, um, yes? I didn’t know!”
“You thought I was being straight when I called you pretty?”
“Yes! I thought you were just comfortable complimenting friends!”
“Well I am, but I… kinda wanted to be more than friends with you, or at least go on a date.”
Cooper’s blush covered from his face to his shoulders, “Do you… want this to be a first date?”
Howlett laughs, “Hell no, this is nice and all but it’d be a shit first date.”
“Right, right. I’ll find something else to impress you with as a proper first date.”
“Good luck, I’m a hard man to impress,” Howlett winks.
✰✰✰✰✰✰
Howlett was sitting next to Cooper when the other exclaimed, “Oh my God!”
“What, what is it?” Howlett asked, concerned.
“They’re extending my leave by another week! They don’t think I’m ‘mentally sound’ enough to return yet!”
“Why did they say that?”
“Long fuckin’ story, but they don’t belive me about what happened to my squad.”
“Well what happened? You know you can confide in me,” Howlett promised.
“You’ll think I’m crazy.”
“I won’t.”
Cooper sighs and prepares himself for rejections, “We were attacked by monsters. Werewolves.”
“Oh.”
Turning away, Cooper curls into himself, “See, told you, now you think I’m crazy.”
“No! No, I believe you. I’ve… Cooper, I’ve had encounters with them myself.”
“You have?”
“Yes… personal encounters I’ll never forget.”
“Thank you, for believing me.”
Smiling, Howlett pulls the other into a hug, “Of course,” he says, but while the other can’t see, he frowns. Worry eats at him. Worry for what Cooper would think.
✰✰✰✰✰✰
Howlett steeled himself. He had to address the elephant in the room before things went too far. For his own sake and Cooper’s as well.
Calling the other into the living room, he sits down, inviting the other to sit as well.
“Cooper, I have something to tell you.”
“Yes?”
“I’m… God this is so hard, I’m not… who you think I am.”
Slowly, the wires connect in Cooper’s brain.
“I’m…”
“You’re transgender? That’s entirely fine with me, I’ll love you the same.”
Howlett sputters for a moment, “What? No, I mean, yes, but that’s not what I wanted to talk about. Thanks for the sentiment though.”
“Oh, sorry for interrupting.”
“No, it’s fine just… I don’t want to put either of us at risk so I have to tell you this now.” Howlett takes a deep breath and gathers himself, “I’m a werewolf.”
Cooper’s heart stops for a moment. No, no werewolves were… they weren’t this, they weren’t alluring, they weren’t kind, they… Cooper would know one if he saw one Howlett couldn’t… “You’re lying.”
“Look at my eyes, Cooper. See the gold?”
Cooper felt a chill run through him. Those gold flakes that had caught his eye were the first thing that should’ve tipped him off. Everything made sense, his sharp canines, his quick bond with Sam, everything. “No, you can’t be.” He said, as if saying it out loud would make it true.
“When I said my family was killed by hunters, I meant werewolf hunters.”
Cooper stood suddenly, “No, no you can’t be. No, you’re a good person, I care about you, you can’t be one of them.”
Howlett stays seated. He expected this. “I get if you want me gone.”
Cooper shakes his head, “No, no I don’t want you gone. I should, but I don’t. I… I love you I just… They took everything from me… You can’t be one of them.”
“But I am."
"But the things that killed my team… you aren't like them. Those were terrible, horrific beasts and you're so… so kind."
"We're all the same once the moon is full, Cooper. I try to be better but I can't help it."
"But I love you."
"Is that going to change just because of something I can't control?"
"No… no, I still love you."
"Then nothing has to change. We'll figure out what to do, I promise. Please. We’ll figure something out, okay? I care too much about you to have kept this a secret, and I just hope you can look past this.”
“Howlett, I’m not going to just look past that. If my love for you means anything at all, I should love every bit of you. Even the parts I don’t like, I can come to love. Even if weres scare me, I understand now that not all of them are like the ones i’ve met in the past. I want to love you with every fiber of my being. Please, let me.”
“...Okay. Okay, we’ll figure something out. Build a cage for full moons, yeah?”
Cooper laughs slightly, “Yeah. Yeah we’ll do that. Anything to keep you safe, yeah?”
“Thank you.”
✰✰✰✰✰✰
Another week into Cooper’s leave and he was starting to think they’d never clear him for duty. On the bright side, he’d been learning a lot about werewolves. Howlett was opening up about what it’s like and about how his family had been. They had been wonderful people, according to Howlett. Of course, he didn’t expect Howlett to teach him everything, that wouldn’t be reasonable, but where else can you find reliable information on werewolves?
They come to an understanding during this time. They build trust, figuratively and literally, with strong bonds and stronger silver cages in the backyard for full moons. They trust in each other and the strength of the cage and their contingencies. And they love. They love so much. They learn about each other and how they express themselves, all within this week. It may take many more to truly understand each other, but for now, they’re trying. Trying their best with each other’s differences, and trying the whole relationship thing out.