Beasts of Pennsylvania - | The Nature of the Beast |
32

“She’s had a rough evening. We all have. It’s best we leave this be until morning.” Charlie spoke to the members of the organization, Davina’s family, that stood in front of him. When Charlie first heard Davina’s painful sobs from a distance, blaring loudly in both of his ears, he looked over to his two best friends. He knew Dean and Jackson wanted to go after her. They exchanged an unsure look, however. Charlie didn’t have to read their minds to know where their thinking was. His discussion with them earlier had gotten to them. He knew if one of them went, the other would be upset they weren’t the one to comfort her. So, Charlie sped off without a word. He quickly embraced her, allowing the young woman to sob into his arms for what felt like eternity for the both of them. He unintentionally fed off of her emotions and bodily pains, making his heart and body ache. He wasn’t sure what part of her was physically hurting considering she was essentially his kind now, but pain radiated all throughout his body. He hoped to whatever God that it didn’t feel the same for her, though he knew it must’ve. While he gave her much needed solace, Dean and Jackson removed of Vincent’s body by giving it to Niklaus as a ‘thank you’ gift for what all the ghouls had done for them. Charlie then decided it was time they head on back to the mansion. He hoisted her up, bridal style, and carried her into the backseat of one of Dean’s vintage car’s, a 1971 Chevrolet Chevelle ss. For the entirety of the ride back to the compound, he held her. Eventually, she’d fallen asleep with her head resting on Charlie’s chest as she clutched onto his burgundy, shearling jacket. Jackson suggested setting her down in the seat next to him, but couldn’t find it in himself to let her go. When they arrived at the mansion, Charlie carried her up to her bedroom for the evening, making sure her door was guarded at all times. With Vincent no longer alive to resume control, whatever beasts were left were free from him. Charlie believed that if some of Vincent’s crew willingly followed him, she wasn’t entirely safe from any of them yet. When Charlie left her bedroom, he was then met by Victor, Aaron, Elliot, and a retuning Colton. “I’m sure you guys could use the rest, too.” Charlie continued. Victor’s worried eyes remained on Charlie as he closed the bedroom door. Victor let out a heavy sigh before nodding his head. His second eldest nephew was quick to voice his distaste.

“I can’t wait until morning, Victor!” Colton exclaimed.

“Well, you’re gonna have to. All of us are.” Victor said sternly. “We’ll be back here at eight sharp.” Victor spoke to Charlie. The beast nodded his head in agreement before the members of the organization took off down the hall. He then made his way to the first level of the mansion and to Dean’s office. As he walked throughout the halls of Dean’s home, he passed by the main room where majority of the bloodshed took place. He noticed some of the beasts scrubbing down the ceiling high walls, trying to remove all traces of the deep, crimson blood of their fallen soldiers. When he reached the office, he noticed Lucian speeding past him with an upset expression. Lucian shot Charlie a nasty glare as he passed by. Charlie wasn’t surprised nor was he bothered by it. He wasn’t aware that Catrice never mentioned their past to her ex-fiancé. It wasn’t his relationship, so he didn’t care any. When he entered Dean’s office, he found both his King and his co-leader present. He cleared his throat, gaining the attention of both. In that moment, Charlie could notice a slight tension in the air. He wondered if he’d entered in on something. He figured with the door open, he was free to walk in. Heseriouslyhoped he wouldn’t be scolded for his actions.

“Davina’s currently resting in her room. Victor and the other’s have taken their leave. They’ll be back in the morning to check on her, however.” Charlie explained.

“Thank you, Charlie.” Dean spoke, his blue eyes fixated on his friend and co-leader. Charlie shivered, feeling disturbed by the genuine tone of his King. It wasn’t rare that Dean would express his gratitude to his co-leaders, but Charlie had always been much too unserious to accept it. He then curtsied gracefully with a dorkish, half smile.

“Anything for you, My Lord.” Charlie spoke in his best English accent, earning a small laugh from Dean. He was a little shocked to see Jackson from the corner of his eyes, letting a small smile spread across his usually blank expression. Charlie only let it excite him for a moment before he composed himself, deciding he’d leave them to whatever it was he walked in on. “I’ll see you both in the morning.” Charlie then said as he tried to exit Dean’s office, but was stopped by the beast’s deep voice.

“Wait, you have duties to tend to.” Dean called out, making Charlie whine, and stomp his foot childishly.

“Oh, come on! I worked hard today! What could youpossiblyhave for me to do?!” Charlie exclaimed. Dean was quiet for a moment before letting out a chuckle, Jackson joining him. Charlie then realized his friend was only messing with him. He scoffed as he began exiting the room once more.

“Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up.” Charlie grumbled before exiting the office, making sure to close the double doors behind him. Jackson turned to Dean, the small smile remaining on his face as he glanced over at his King.

“It’ll never not be amusing to me when somebody messes with Charlie.” Jackson said, making Dean chuckle. The room went silent then. Both knew what had to be discussed. It was a difficult conversation, one that Dean never thought he’d have again. He hoped this time it’d go smoothly.

“So, Davina’s essentially a beast now.” Dean spoke up, making Jackson’s eyes travel elsewhere. Dean and Jackson felt the same about the other not being direct with communicating to one another. It annoyed them both. Dean didn’t want to fight with his friend, though. He thought it’d be best to slowly broach the subject.

“Indeed, she is.” Jackson replied, not wanting to be the direct one in this conversation either. Dean sighed as he leaned over his desk, shaking his head.

“We need to do something about this, Jackson. It needs to at least be spoken to one another.” Dean spoke firmly. Jackson took a deep breath as he made his way to the front of Dean’s desk.

“If I recall, I’m the only one who’s made any sort of confession here,Dean.” Jackson reminded him. Dean blinked at Jackson a few times before realizing he hadn’t. He almost didn’t want to. He didn’t want to admit it to himself that, yet again, he got close to a woman he could never truly have.

“I feel something for her. I don’t know what exactly it is, but it’s there.” Dean spoke possibly the most vulnerably Jackson had ever heard him. Jackson avoided Dean’s intense, blue eyes that held nothing but a sliver of the truth. Or, at least, what Dean believed was the truth. Jackson knew the full truth. Dean was had either not reached the truth yet or was too stubborn to admit it.

“Well, then. That’s that.” Jackson spoke plainly, shoving his hand into his front pocket. Dean frowned.

“The hell do you mean? We both feel something for the same person. How do we go about that?” Dean asked in a slightly irritated tone. He felt completely lost on what to do about this. Dean hadn’t ever fallen in love with the same woman as one of his co-leaders, and vice versa. They always seemed to have different tastes so none of them ever had to worry about the other. Dean knew one thing for certain, however. He knew neither of them wanted to distance themselves from her.

“You made it right, Dean.” Jackson started. “She was taken and you made it right by properly feeding. Something you’vealwayshad trouble with doing. You did it in order to save her.” The beast continued.

“I-I suppose I did. But, what’s that got to do with this?” Dean asked. Jackson inhaled deeply as he straightened himself. Dean knew whatever Jackson had to say next, was sincere. He knew judging by the look in Jackson’s light brown eyes when he finally stopped avoiding Dean’s gaze.

“I had lost all respect from you the moment I learned she’d been taken. That you let it happen. But, you made it right, Dean. You gained back the respect I should’veneverlost for you.” Jackson said, his voice slowly turning into a whisper, as if he didn’t want his King to hear what he said.

“Jackson-” Dean started, but was cut off immediately.

“I am disgusted with my actions. You are my King, but more importantly, you are my friend.My brother. I treated you too unfairly when it wasn’t just your fault. It was mine as well. For that, I could not be more apologetic.” Jackson revealed. Dean could see tears welling in the eyes of his co-leader, which was a sight he’d never seen before. Dean doesn’t believe he ever saw Jackson cry over his beloved bride. Yet, here he was. Allowing Dean to see his glossed over, amber eyes. “I love Davina, but I’d never pursue anything with her. Not only because I know of your affections, but because I know of hers too. Even if she hasn’t come to terms with it herself, I know that she loves you just the same as you love her.” Jackson continued. Jackson gave Dean a moment to process his words as he let out a heavy sigh, “I will be returning to New Orleans for some business matters and to give you both the space to grow, together. You should be happy for once, Dean. I refuse to be the reason you don’t get to experience that.” Jackson finished, shocking Dean a little. He then turned and walked to the door. His hand rested on the door knob but he didn’t twist it. He turned back to Dean, raising a perfectly sculpted brow at him.

“I must ask you, however. In this life, it’s clear. She’s chosen you. But, in another life, who do you think she’d choose?” Jackson asked in a bit of a playful tone. Dean tried to hide his discontent, because he knew, in another life, Jackson believed it’d be him and her. Jackson quickly noticed the scowl Dean tried to hide, making him chuckle. He then exited the room, prepared to head back to New Orleans for the foreseeable future. Dean let out a sigh as he watched Jackson leave. Dean sat in his office chair, running his fingers through his tapered, black hair. He leaned back as he stared up at the ceiling, thinking of Davina and nothing else. He couldn’t believe the words that came from his mouth, nor Jackson’s. Dean still felt as if it wasn’t possible that he could love anybody, let alone Davina. Yet, Jackson’s said it before. He can see what Dean can’t. It made him wonder how foolish he must look when he’s staring at her from a distance. If anybody can tell by the way he gazes in her direction, that he’s entranced by her every move. Not once did Astrid capture his attention the way Davina did. Dean was entranced by the way she walks with determination in each step. He was enraptured by the way she’d tease him by saying something he doesn’t agree with, wanting to get a reaction out of him. He was bewitched by the way her eyes would darken when he stands close enough that their chests are pressed against each other. Dean craves her presence like he craves to give in to his animalistic thoughts of ripping open the throat of another. He yearns to have his hands all over her, exploring her as if he’s never done it before, and finding out what makes her writhe. He aches to have her at his side at all times, even when she’s acting bratty towards him. Deep inside of him, buried beneath all of the craving, yeaning, and aching, he knows that he can’t. He can’t have her the way he wants to. He can’t because she knows he isn’t what she wants nor is he what she needs. He can’t because his dearest friend wishes to have her as well. He can’t because he doesn’t want to let people in. Dean’s learned in this life not to get too close to people. Not to display how much hetrulycares because he knows how easily he can lose them. Whether it’s at the fault of another, wanting to get back at Dean for any of his wrong doings, and he’s had plenty, or if the fault’s entirely his own. He isn’t the kindest man. He isn’t a gentleman at all. He certainly isn’t moral either. He’s truly wicked. He’s a vast improvement for the last King, but he’s still done some vile, unspeakable things. Things that he can’t even bring himself to admit to anybody but himself. He won’t let her see that. He won’t let her truly see him for who he is. His heart aches at the thought of her discovering and seeing what’s truly underneath the facade he puts up for her because he knows she’d be mortified. The pain would just be too much to withstand. It’d be just as much pain to do what he felt he had to do now. He couldn’t let Davina in. For his sake, for her own, and for Jackson. He knew it hurt Jackson to walk out that door, deciding he wouldn’t act on his feelings because his best friend felt something he was only now coming to terms with. He sighed once more, feeling apprehensive about the decision he’s made in regards to Davina. In the end, I only have myself, Dean thought. He knew that in the end, his need to push others away would lead him to an eternity of solitude. He continued to stare up at the ceiling, feeling anguished for what he knew he’d never have. Only when he heard the rough, sleepy voice of the woman he could finally admit he felt something for, he tore his attention away. She grumbled something he didn’t catch as she curiously and cautiously made her way through the room. Books were all scattered along the room. Items Dean collected throughout the years were out of place. His office was a complete mess and Davina took notice to that as she made her way around Dean’s desk, careful to not step on something and risk breaking it. Dean glanced through the window, finding the sun was just beginning to rise. He knew Davina hadn’t gotten much sleep due to them arriving back not long after four, so naturally, he wondered what she was doing awake. He twisted around in his chair, finding her back to him as she examined some books along the tall shelves that reached the ceiling. She pulled one out at random and ran her fingers down the spine of the book.

“Why so many?” Davina whispered, her eyes remaining on the book.

“I don’t know. Some I could part with, others I’d prefer to keep. Just haven’t bothered going through them.” Dean spoke, his eyes trailing down her body. He noticed she’d changed. She wore an oversized, faded band tee and seemingly nothing underneath. He gathered that she’d stolen it from somebody, most likely Charlie. “Why are you up?” Dean then asked.

“Couldn’t sleep anymore. Think that part is starting to kick in too.” Davina said with a shrug of her shoulders. Dean recalled the first night he was turned, how he could no longer sleep though he’d try. He wished he could still for the purposes of escaping reality, but had since come to terms that he no longer could. Dean was lost in thought and didn’t realize Davina was now standing close to him. His jean clad knees brushed up against her bare thighs. He glanced up, finding her mysterious, dark eyes placed elsewhere.

“I saw Jackson leave. Where’s he off to?” Davina asked in a soft voice. Dean mindlessly took her hand in his own and pulled her down to sit across his thigh. He hoped she wouldn’t have anything to say about it, such as scolding him for crossing a boundary, not that he thought they had anymore. He hadliterallybeen inside of her before, more than once. So surely, she wouldn’t care. Still, he found himself worrying that it’d be too intimate for her. Fortunately, she didn’t seem to care. She wrapped a loose arm around his shoulders as he swerved the two of them around in his chair.

“He’s made the decision to return home for some time. I’m not sure how long.” Dean answered, making her hum. She had more questions she wanted to ask. Strangely, she felt herself just wanting to be in his presence. She wasn’t sure if it was because she’d been away from him for so long or if it was because she watched him almost get killed by Vincent. Dean wanted the same, unbeknownst to her. Though Jackson was no longer upset with him for letting Davina get taken, he was. If he had done better at keeping her safe, Vincent wouldn’t have injected her with the enhancer. He’d been beating himself up about it since the moment she arrived home. He felt he had to recognize how lucky they’d gotten that something worse didn’t happen to her. How luckyhe’dgotten.

“Hey, cut it out. I’m alive and well, alright?” Davina scolded lightly, making Dean scoff. He shifted in his seat, unintentionally resting the palm of his hand on her thigh.

“Not for long, right?” Dean asked, reminding her of the decision she made. She was still just as adamant about it no matter how many times people voiced their opinions or gave her looks when she’d say she doesn’t want to go through with the ritual.

“Yeah, but I’ve got a while before that happens.” Davina said, bringing a frown to Dean’s face. He wondered what she meant but she brushed him off. “I’ll tell you about it another time.” Davina continued, resting her cheek into Dean’s hair. He stared off at the wall, knowing how likely it was that time would never come. He managed to devise a plan before she arrived, interrupting his thoughts momentarily. He’d send her elsewhere, using the time she spent away to continue with his research on finding a cure. When he’d succeed, and he felt he would because his determination was fueling him in unimagine-able ways, he’d cure her, and then set her free. He’d let her be free of himself and all of the things that came with involving herself in the lives of murderous beasts. Without much thought, Dean greedily kissed Davina. His hand cupped one side of her cheek as his free arm wrapped around her waist. She didn’t kiss back due to initial shock, but Dean didn’t care. It was more for him than it was for her. He knew it was selfish, but again, he didn’t care. After a moment, Davina shifted in her place, and straddled Dean’s hips. She kissed him back feverishly, throwing her arms around his neck. When the two pulled away, they stared at each other with lustful eyes. Davina panted heavily, waiting to see if he’d make the next move or if she needed to. Dean was too wrapped up in his own thoughts to act on any of the things he wanted to do to her. He wondered if he had the strength to give her up. He wondered if he had the strength to send her away from him. If he could go forever without touching her as he is now. Without feeling her warm, perfectly shaped lips on his. Dean wondered ifshecould. For a moment, he opened his mind to the possibility that she felt the same. She was undeniably attracted to him. He could see that. He’sverycertain he makes her feel more than satisfactory behind closed doors judging by the sounds she makes. Dean wondered if that was the only reason she’d kissed him back. If it was purely for the pleasure. Davina didn’t gather much from reading his mind. There were a few bits and pieces that came clear to her. She wondered why he was thinking of this. Why he wondered the reason she was doing any of this with him. She knew it wasn’t just for the sex. For the fourth time, the word ‘love’ crossed her mind. The word terrified her. She didn’t quite know what it meant to love somebody, nor how it’s supposed to feel. She couldn’t recall what her life was like before her mother died. She couldn’t recall feeling any love for her, but figured she must’ve. Her mind traced back to what happened days prior, but felt like much longer. Davina remembered Dean explaining to her why he wouldn’t waste his time on a woman like herself. She recalled how angry she felt about Dean dissecting her and examining her closely to try to understand who she was and why she did the things she did. In her mind, she decided that was the explanation for Dean’s random pondering. That he was once again trying to discover the parts of her that she managed to keep hidden from everybody. The same anger she felt that feeling now surged through her, though she couldn’t understand why. What she did know was that being cordial with him had been tossed out the window.

“This isn’t love, and it never will be. So don’t mistake it for that. Because, Iloatheyou.” Davina said lowly. Dean immediately felt confused. He wasn’t sure when she started reading his head and what all she gathered. He assumed she knew now. That he was conflicted about his intense feelings for her. He knew she didn’t feel the same about him, but hearing her say that- it irked him. So much so that he didn’t care anymore about how he’d feel with her gone.

“As do I.” Dean grunted before passionately kissing Davina once more.

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