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Josh has been bitten. Tyler knows he has. Tyler doesn't know if Josh knows what that truly means for him.
They had been on a walk, a small wolf had bit Josh's arm. It healed the next day. Tyler isn't stupid, he knows what this means.
It's only a matter of time until he shifts. Tyler knows that he should tell Josh what is going to happen but if he's going to do that he needs to eat first.
It's been almost a decade since Tyler was bit, although by a different creature. Tyler is a vampire. Josh has been with him since he was turned, Tyler knows he will stay with Josh when he turns.
He's drinking shitty bagged blood out of an old mug when he hears a thump.
"You alright?" He shouts up the stairs.
Silence, then whimpers. He jogs up the stairs, taking them two at a time. The closer he gets to Josh's room, the louder the whimpers get until they become choked sobs.
He pushes open Josh's bedroom door and his heart breaks.
Josh is curled up on the floor, sobbing and shaking.
Tyler is by his side in seconds, running on instinct and fear, "Josh?" he places a hand on his boyfriend's back.
Josh simply screams in response.
"Hey, Josh," Tyler tries to rub his back soothingly but Josh just continues screaming. He shushes him softly, "It's Ty, baby, it's just Tyler. You're safe."
Josh whines, Tyler gives him a better look over. He looks wrong. He's covered in a dark fluff, his canines are elongated - pressing down on his lips in a way that looks painful - worst of all, his arms are bleeding. Upon closer inspection, Josh's fingernails have grown and sharpened. He's shredded his arms up.
Tyler attempts to take Josh's hands but Josh screams and flinches back. He's still writhing in pain.
"Oh, darling," Tyler sighs as he realises what's happening. He takes Josh's left arm, using his strength to keep it out. He looks over it as it twitches, muscles spasming and expanding. He takes a look at the scar. An inhuman bite mark that has healed too quickly. It's still a strange shade of purple, the canines are a duller red.
He thought he had more time.
"Alright," Tyler shifts Josh around whilst he kicks and screams and cries, "arms up baby, you like this t-shirt." The t-shirt in question is the black death cap for cutie shirt that Tyler brought for Josh when they went to see them. It truly is one of Josh's favourites and Tyler would hate for it to be ruined as Josh transforms.
He doesn't give Josh a chance to oblige, forcing his arms up with one hand and shimmying the t-shirt up and over his head. It exposes more black fur, quickly growing thicker and longer.
Josh cries out and looks up at Tyler through bleary eyes, "Ty?" He coughs, voice hoarse and wavering, "H-urts-" he cuts himself off with another scream that tapers off into a sob as new ears force themselves through his bright yellow hair.
"I know, you're gonna be okay babe," Tyler soothes.
A particularly loud snap echoes through the room and Josh forces himself round onto his stomach, he screams, limbs contorting into odd positions. He claws at the floor, shredding the carpet. Another scream forces him into an awful coughing fit that ends in Josh vomiting onto the floor.
"Almost through it, Josh," Tyler says as more of Josh's bones snap and shift. His body expands quickly, muscles stretching and skin struggling to keep up. The sounds Josh is making grow to be inhuman as he whines and howls.
The fur eventually grows to cover all his skin, hiding the grotesque bulging underneath. Tyler can't bring himself to watch as Josh's face changes so he simply sits and waits, occasionally stroking Josh's new fur. He can hear the snapping, the stretching and ripping sounds that he knows are from Josh's skin. Tyler clasps a hand over his mouth, willing himself not to add to the pile of sick next to them.
Part of Tyler's brain recognises the danger. Werewolves are violent, they don't remember who they are. Especially if it's the wolf's first transformation. The wolf will be completely in control. Tyler knows that this is Josh though. He can't leave his boyfriend to suffer through this by himself. He just needs to keep Josh as calm as possible.
The howls stop and then it's over. Josh simply lays still, Tyler can tell he's still getting used to this new body.
"You're okay," he repeats, "It's okay." Tyler gives Josh one more stroke before he moves away from him, knowing that he needs space.
Josh whimpers, slowly getting up on shaking paws. He tilts his head, struggling to comprehend his new form.
"Hey," Tyler says softly, causing Josh's head to snap towards him. "Hey, baby," Tyler puts his hand out, attempting to comfort him. Josh stares at him with piercing yellow eyes before baring his teeth and growling.
He's obviously scared. Not just scared- horrified, terrified. His ears are pinned back and tail tucked between his back legs.
"Joshua..." Tyler tries and Josh growls again. "It's okay, you're okay."
Josh lets out a small bark and snaps at the air in warning. Back off.
Tyler listens, taking a step back and keeps his hands visible. Josh mirrors him, stepping back and back until- crash!
The poor thing jumps and whimpers before turning around and blindly snapping and growling at where he's knocked the lamp from his bedside table.
He stares at Josh, snapping at nothing and tries to take in the wolf's appearance. He's massive, about the size of a small horse. He's covered in this shaggy black fur that's endearing in a way. Still, he's scared, trapped in an alien body, unsure of what he is with ears pinned back and his tail tucked between his legs. It finally hits Tyler. He's failed.
"God, baby," Tyler struggles to hold back his tears, "I tried so hard to protect you from this... I wanted to keep you safe so badly and I couldn't," he chokes, "I couldn't. I'm so sorry." Tyler covers his face, suddenly not being able to stand to see what Josh has become.
Josh whines and Tyler peeks through his fingers. His head is tilted, tail swaying in long swoops. Tyler can practically see the gears turning in Josh's head.
He carefully takes a step towards Tyler, then another and another. Tyler holds his breath, a stray tear slips down his cheek. Josh sniffs a few times before nudging Tyler's cheek with his nose.
Tyler slowly brings a hand up and places it on Josh's head. His fur is so soft it forces more tears from Tyler's eyes.
"Oh, sweetheart," he sighs, "You're still you, you're okay..." He lightly scratches behind Josh's ear, smiling as Josh presses into his hand. He brings his other hand up to scratch at Josh's muzzle. Josh lowers his head and licks Tyler's wrist once, twice.
"My sweet boy," Tyler hums. Josh pauses then suddenly jumps on Tyler, knocking him over, "Woah! Careful!" He yelps. Josh stands over him. He stares down at Tyler. 'Don't hurt me,' presses against Tyler's tongue, he can't show Josh that he's afraid of him. He knows all too well what that's like.
Josh sniffs his face, fat drops of drool fall onto it. Tyler gags, gently pushing at Josh's snout. He licks a long stripe up Tyler's cheek in retaliation. It's wet, sloppy but still Josh. It's gentle, soft in the way that Josh is but this wolf isn't, unnatural but perfect. This is the wolf's- Josh's -attempt at comforting him, showing him that it's okay even when it so obviously isn't.
Josh flops onto his chest, the action knocks the wind out of Tyler. "Josh-" he wheezes, "heavy!"
Josh simply whines in response, curling up tighter. He rubs his head on Tyler a few times in what Tyler assumes is an attempt to comfort himself.
Tyler strokes behind Josh's ear, "I know, you're okay." Josh's tail beats against the floor next to Tyler's leg, blowing gusts of cold air into the room.
Josh whimpers softly and curls up tighter, still trying to make himself smaller.
"It's all so confusing, isn't it, love," Tyler supplies, "When i got turned it was terrifying, we arent totally the same but... i understand," he trails off into a whisper.
Seeing Josh so vulnerable like this just makes Tyler think of himself. He woke up alone, cold with sharp teeth and a new hunger that he can barely satisfy. An awful lust for blood that he can barely understand even almost a decade later.
Him and Josh are in different boats of course but Tyler can understand what's happening. Feeling your body change is horrifying and confusing. Tyler remembers sobbing for hours upon realising how much he had really changed. His old teeth fell out and he vomited up so much blood and now-uneeded viscera. He was so sure he would die.
His friend Debby is a werewolf so he is aware of just how awful a transformation could be. Especially the first. Now that he's witnessed it first hand he can sympathise even more.
Josh licks at his neck and forces him out of his thoughts.
"Hey buddy," he chuckles, trying to shake off the disgusting memories.
Josh barks much louder than it seems he intended to as his ears flatten against his head. He howls pathetically and looks at Tyler with a heartbreaking expression.
"I've got you," Tyler strokes up his snout, "I'm here, Ty's here," his voice breaks slightly. Tyler coughs a few times before beginning to hum a soft tune, a new melody that he hadn't quite put lyrics to yet. It's slow, soothing. If he closes his eyes it feels just like the van days again. He can pretend that neither of them have been ruined by this supernatural world; he's simply comforting Josh after an anxiety attack.
He hums until he gets interrupted by the fact that Josh's soft snuffling has turned wheezy, too fast. Is he having a panic attack? Can wolves even have panic attacks..? Tyler mentally slaps himself for the stupid thought. Obviously Josh is having a panic attack! He just went through the worst transformation of his life when he barely knew anything about the supernatural world beforehand!
Josh whimpers loudly, obviously struggling to catch his breath. It makes sense, he's clearly in less pain now and it has caused Josh's brain to go into overdrive.
Tyler strokes Josh's side, it's soft under his fingers. "You're alright, darling," he tries, "Its okay, it's all gonna be okay. You've dealt with the worst now and you won't be in this form forever," At that Josh cries softly, "Oh, Josh. I'm sorry, I'm so, so sorry. This won't be forever, you'll be back to being my lovely boyfriend in no time. All of this will only happen on a full moon," Tyler hums again, continuing to stroke down Josh's side. "I know, I'm here..." he whispers.
Josh licks Tyler's cheek and huffs, obviously frustrated with his limited communication. He's still laying on top of Tyler as if to say, "never leave."
Tyler shushes him again, "If you calm down we can transform you back," he recalls. He'd read it in a book once when he was first turned and desperately trying to learn everything about this new world.
Josh whines and nods his head a few times, ears twitching.
"Okay..." Tyler pauses as he attempts to recall whatever those books had actually said. Had Debby talked about this before? Why couldn't she be here now? "Think of yourself..?" It comes out as more of a question, he thinks he remembers Debby saying that works at some point.
Josh huffs but closes his eyes anyway, his face screws up in what looks like concentration.
It's quiet for a moment, maybe this actually won't work-? A horrible crack echoes through the room. Josh whines.
"You're okay," Tyler tries as the cracking and snapping picks up. There's no stretching this time, instead there's a strange sort of wet folding sound.
Josh's whines and howls turn to choked cries as his snout pushes back into his face and his vocal cords reform themselves.
The rest of the transformation is surprisingly quick, fur dissipating, claws and teeth shrinking, until Josh is clinging onto Tyler. The sound of his wails are awful. Tyler wishes he could turn back time and stop all this from happening. Josh doesn't deserve this.
Tyler tries to shush him, rubbing his shoulders then hugging him properly.
"S-so scary," Josh whimpers, " 'M confused," he whines, frowning.
He looks disorientated, maybe he feels similar to Tyler right after a feed stretched too far. Tyler assumes that's the case, the moon is still up and Josh is human again. Ugh, why couldn't Tyler be a werewolf, that would be so much easier.
Josh cuddles closer to Tyler, breathing in his scent. It seems to calm him as his cries quiet.
Tyler scratches Josh's head softly before tilting his chin. Josh squints up at him with yellow eyes. Ah.
"You still wolfy?" Tyler asks softly. Josh simply nibbles on his thumb in response.
Tyler chuckles, pulling his hand away from Josh's mouth. It seems to break him out of whatever strange headspace he's in as he groans.
"When's 't stop?" He mumbles, obviously frustrated.
"Eh," Tyler checks his phone, flashbanging himself. It's only one am. "Six hours, I think."
Josh huffs, "Wan' this to stop now."
"I know."
" 'Ts stupid. Why me?" He growls. "So uncomfortable."
"How do you feel?" Tyler asks because uncomfortable could be wrong.
"Too big!" Josh shouts, agitated, "I want this to stop!"
"What do you mean?"
Josh suddenly pushes Tyler away from him, "Stop fucking questioning me!" Then begins mumbling about how 'stupid' Tyler is.
He takes a breath. This is the wolf, not Josh. Maybe helping Josh shift back too soon was a bad idea.
"Okay," Tyler sighs, "You were bit, remeber?" Josh glares at him but Tyler continues, "You were bit by a werewolf. I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner I- I just thought I had more time. I'm so sorry, Josh."
Josh growls then frowns, "Werewolf?" his voice breaks.
"Yes, like Debby, remeber?" Tyler nervously twirls his own hair, "Maybe you should shift back, it'll be more comfortable."
Josh looks at him then bursts into tears again, "I'm so confused... Ty, why's this happening?"
"Just shift back, then you can sleep," Tyler puts his arms around him.
Josh whines, clinging onto Tyler tighter, "Okay. Don't leave."
"Never. I will never leave you Joshua," Tyler kisses his cheek, "You didn't leave me when you found out I'm a vampire, I will not leave you because of this."
"I love you," Josh whispers.
"Love you more."
This shift is quicker than the last one, Josh screams less. Tyler chooses not to look, instead focusing on the sound of Josh's breathing.
Josh lays there next to him, even like this he's perfect.
Tyler gives him a second to settle before asking, "better?"
Josh nods and licks Tyler's cheek.
"Good. You sleep now, you need it," He strokes down Josh's back until the wolf's breathing evens out.
"I've got you," Tyler whispers, "I love you so much, Joshua." Tyler knows that they'll be okay even when they're both no longer human. They'll always have each other.
He needs to talk to Debby.