Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

He woke up facedown in the dirt. 

It was always the same after the moon came. Always. He’d wake up in some field, or the middle of the woods, or somewhere else that was cold and damp with dew. He’d wake up disoriented, with his ears ringing, his mouth dry and eyes blurry as everything readjusted. 

And more often than not. Ray Garraty would wake up with blood covering him. 

Dried blood caked his hands, getting under his fingernails. The metallic taste was in the back of his throat and in between his teeth, soaking into his gums enough that toothpaste was never enough. 

Ray dug his fingers into the dirt. Groaning as he forced himself up despite how the aches shot through him. He wondered if the pain would ever get easier, if he would ever get used to the bones readjusting in his body again and again. 

He wondered if he’d get used to the taste of blood. 

Ray stood on his feet. Shaking himself off of the leaves that clung to his sweaty skin. The dirt would have to wait to be washed away. He took inventory of himself. 

He cast his gaze back to the forest floor when his eyes landed on the silvery bite that was on his shoulder…Ray wondered if it would ever fade, or if it would stand against his skin forever, like some kind of reminder of that night. 

Shaking his head, Ray started to head towards home. 

Home came in the form of a rundown cabin that Ray thought someone had used for hunting at some point. He’d been so scared at first of someone coming to it, but after the months passed, that fear slowly started to ebb away. 

Once again, Ray found himself wondering if the pains would ever get easier. 

He pushed open the door. The floor creaked under his feet. He headed to the stove and put on the kettle before heading to the bedroom to find some clothing, settling on cargo pants, plain grey shirt and a flannel. 

After the first three months, Ray started to undress before the moon came. And he made sure to go outside before the change. Fixing the door had been Hell. 

Ray drank his tea on the rundown plaid couch that had been in the cabin when he’d found it. A lot of the furniture was very old, there wasn’t even a phone in the entire building, but to Ray, it was his new home. It had to be, he really had nowhere else to go. He couldn’t go home to his mother, even though the thought made his stomach churn. But he couldn’t, he’d just hurt her. 

He just wished he got to say a proper goodbye to his father though. 

He snaps from his thoughts, heading outside with a heavy sigh to start on chores for the day. Heading to the wood pile when the sharp stench of blood hits him, knocking him back a bit as his head whips in the direction. 

As if his feet have a mind of their own, he heads off in the direction of blood. Against his own wishes, his mouth waters. 

Ray spits to the side, blinking back to reality when he hears a weak whimper of pain. It’s a man, short dark hair, with bright red blood coming from a concerning number of cuts that contrast his dark skin. Bruises accompany the cuts, making Ray wince. 

Fuck…

Ray kneels, hands shaking as he tries to remember what he learned during first aid. The man doesn’t seem to have broken his back or neck…Ray carefully gathers him into his arms, grunting at how heavy he is. 

The man gives a weak groan, Ray shushes him softly, 

“Hey-its alright, I’m…I’m helping” 

Ray hoped, anyway.

Chapter Text

The man doesn’t open his eyes for a while. 

Ray had laid him on the bed, patched him up best he could, thankfully none of the cuts needed stitches, but they borderline did. Ray just hoped they wouldn’t become infected. 

He started to pace, he felt restless. He’d tried to leave the man alone, let him rest, but he found himself poking his head inside of the bedroom every five seconds to see if the man had woken up yet. To see if he was still breathing which thank fuck he was. 

The rise and fall of his chest was steady, thankfully not laboured. If it wasn’t for the bandages that Ray had wrapped around his limbs and the tattered clothes, Ray would have thought the man looked quite peaceful. 

The man didn’t awaken until late at night. Ray poked his head into the bedroom just in time to see the man's eyes flutter open slowly. Showing Ray the deepest, most beautiful brown eyes he’d ever seen. 

Ray didn’t know what to do, or say. Would the man even hear him? 

“...Hey man” Ray finally settled on, stepping into the room. He wanted to ask how the man was feeling, how he was doing. But he didn’t want to overwhelm the guy, so he sat beside the bed on the kitchen chair he’d dragged in just for this, waiting for an answer. 

The man grunted a bit as he shifted, squinting over at Ray before he chuckled, 

“Feel like I fell down a mountain” 

Oh, good. The man had a sense of humour. 

“You look like it too” Ray said, trying to joke back, the man thankfully laughed, before wincing again. 

“Hey don’t-don’t strain yourself” Ray gently tried to scold the man who just grunted an agreement…or maybe it was a grunt of telling Ray to get off his ass, he couldn’t quite tell. 

“Well, when I got a nurse as cute as you” The man said, dark midnight sky eyes turning to Ray, “what’s your name anyway?” 

“Ray” 

“Well, Ray” He says, offering him a smile, “I’m Peter McVries…you in the business of saving people or something?” 

“No I just…” Ray tries frantically to think of something, anything, “I was…hunting” 

Pete seems to thankfully accept this. 

“Guess I’m not the only lucky one, some deer gets to live another day cause my ass had to go and fall off a mountain” He chuckles, shaking his head. Ray gives a laugh too though it’s a little strained. If only he knew. 

“You okay if I go make dinner?” Ray asks, going to stand up. Pete hums, nods, 

“I ain’t going anywhere” 

Ray heads to the kitchen. 

He thinks the entire time he’s cooking. He wonders when Pete gets better and starts moving around if he’ll catch anything off about Ray, like the fact that the cabin is so…patchwork, or the lack of personal touches…or how Ray only eats wild game and stolen vegetables from a local market. 

His blood runs cold as he realizes Pete will likely be around for the next full moon. 

He forces those thoughts from his head. He has an entire month to plan an excuse. Maybe Pete has weirdly good healing, maybe he won’t be around, maybe he’ll leave and Ray will be alone again and- 

Ray hears a crack, he looks down. He’s gripped the counter so hard, the shitty material has cracked under his strength. He takes a deep breath to steady himself, and keeps cooking. 

Carefully, he brings the plate into the bedroom. It’s not much, just rabbit stew, but Ray doesn’t know how much solid food Pete would be able to keep down, so if nothing else, he has the broth. 

“Where’s your bowl?” Pete asks as he accepts his from Ray. Ray blinks a few times, 

“Uh-the dining room”

“You leaving me here by my lonesome?” Pete says it in a way that makes the tips of Ray’s ears go red and he stammers. 

“C’mon, come in here and sit with me” Pete says and flashes an extremely dazzling smile for someone who just almost died, “I don’t bite” 

But I do, Ray thinks. He wants to say it, wants to warn Pete, but all he does is go and get his bowl before going back to the bedroom, sitting down. 

Pete’s stew looks untouched and something in Ray lurches when he realizes that Pete waited for him. 

“This is really good,” Pete says, starting to eat. Ray smiles into his bowl, 

“Thanks, I mean…it’s just stew-” 

“Don’t do that shit-you’d be surprised how easy it is to fuck up stew” Pete says, wiping his mouth a bit with the back of his hand, “meats tough, veggies undercooked, broth underseasoned-” 

“You a chef or something?” 

“Guy can’t just love to eat?” 

Ray wants to make a quip about how Pete looks like he loves to work out, but the sight of his muscular arms makes Ray’s mouth go dry. So he settles for shrugging and eating a bite of his stew. 

Ray cleans up after, before going to tell Pete goodnight. 

“Where are you sleeping?” Pete asks, and Ray gestures behind him, 

“Couch” 

Pete frowns, “You know-” 

“I am not giving you the couch” Ray says, seriously, “you fell down a cliff” 

Pete’s frown deepens, as if he’d love nothing more than to argue. But all he says is, “Goodnight, Ray” 

“Goodnight, Pete.”

Chapter Text

Ray didn’t sleep much. 

He laid on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. A raggedy throw blanket covered him, though Ray kept kicking it off, pulling it back on, only to kick it back off and the cycle repeated. 

He was thinking of Pete. 

Pete seemed kind, he seemed genuine. He seemed to have utterly no idea that he was currently in the den of a monster. The thought made Ray’s heart pick up, and for the second time, he thought about the fact that Pete might be around for the full moon. 

How could he excuse it? Maybe he could keep Pete in the bedroom, sneak out after the other man was asleep…yea, that would work. It would have to. 

Ray rolled onto his side and closed his eyes, trying to fall into sleep. 

Before he knew it, sunlight was streaming through the windows, and he forced his body up to the kitchen to make breakfast. 

“How’re you feeling?” Ray asked as he walked into the bedroom. Pete was awake, chuckling at what Ray asked, 

“Didn’t sleep well, would roll over and get pains all through my body” 

Ray winced, he was well aware of the unique ways the human body could ache. He handed Pete a plate of scrambled eggs and toast, “Sorry” 

“Now, what’re you sorry for? Saving my ass?” Pete asked as he started to eat, Ray picked at his eggs. 

“Just…the pain, I guess?” 

Pete smiled, shaking his head, “Man, you’re too nice for your own good” 

“Says you” Ray blurts before he can stop himself. His ears turn red as he stares directly at the plate, not wanting to make eye contact with Pete. Who thankfully just chuckles, 

“You think I’m nice?” 

“Well…yea” 

“Ray, you saved my literal life, I’d still be laying in a pile at the foot of a cliff if it weren’t for you” 

Ray shrugs, picks at his eggs some more. He finally meets Pete’s eye, “How did you even get in that spot? You fall?” 

“Was chased, I think” Pete says, frowning, “By some big ass…thing” 

Ray’s heart seizes in his chest. Did he…? No, he woke up far away from where Pete had been, but maybe…

“Do…” Ray clears his throat, “Do you remember what it looked like?” 

Pete looks like he’s thinking, before shaking his head with a chuckle, “You’ll think I’m crazy” 

“Try me” 

“...It looked…like some kind of monster” Pete said, taking a bite of toast, “like a fucked up wolf or something, it had greying fur, like it was older, had yellow eyes, big ass teeth…fast as fuck too, though I think it had a limp or something…it ran weird” 

Part of Ray is relieved. He wasn’t the one who chased Pete. 

The other part is furious. He knows who chased Pete, who almost killed him. 

A growl escapes Ray before he can catch himself. Something deep, low and threatening before he forces it to cut off and Ray’s head snaps up to look at Pete, who’s staring right at him with something unreadable in his dark eyes. Ray feels like his heart is beating faster than a rabbit's. 

“...Ray?” Pete asks. Ray can’t tell if he’s confused, or scared, or wondering if Ray is some kind of freak which in all honesty, isn’t too far from the truth. 

Ray stands, “I-I need to get stuff for dinner” he says quickly, “I’ll be back” 

As Ray leaves the bedroom, he swears he hears Pete say behind him, “I’ll be here.”

Chapter Text

Ray had never considered himself a thief. 

His momma and dad would have killed him, had they ever found out he shoplifted. But desperate times called for desperate measures, and Ray tried not to think about his dad too often anyways. 

He truly did feel like shit, stealing from a farmers market of all places. But it was closer to the edge of the woods, he wouldn’t need to go into town.

Ray pretended to be looking at the vegetables on the table, along with other people. He tried not to focus on the multiple scents and sounds too much. He grabbed some peppers, shoving them into his jacket pockets.

“Are you paying for those?” 

Fuck. 

Ray turned, staring into the blue eyes of some tall, blond haired man, who was staring him down. 

“Yea” Ray said, surprising himself with how calm his voice was, “just grabbing some more” 

The man’s blue eyes narrowed. Ray’s nose twitches…the man doesn’t smell human. The man seems to realize something is off about Ray too as he tilts his head at him. 

“Stebbins!” 

A darker haired man, with his long hair tied back into a braid comes over. He’s taller than both Ray and the blond, who’s apparently called Stebbins. 

“Gary’s in the truck” 

Stebbins looks Ray up and down once more, before nodding, “I’ll be there” 

The man seems to notice something off between Ray and Stebbins, raising an eyebrow as he looks between them, “Everything okay?” 

“Fine” Ray says, even though the beast inside of him roars, “just fine” 

Both men don’t seem to accept this fully. But neither argues, the darker haired man tapping Stebbins arm before walking off, Stebbins growls softly before following. 

Ray finally feels himself relax. 

Ray watches them go, before he grabs an onion and he sprints off. 

~!~!~!~

“What took you two so fucking long?” Gary asks as Stebbins and Parker both get into the truck. 

Before Parker can even say anything, Stebbins speaks, 

“Met another werewolf” 

Parker’s head snaps towards Stebbins, Gary’s eyes widen, “No shit?” 

“No shit” Stebbins says, staring out the window instead of at either of his boyfriends, “He didn’t seem…I think he just wanted food” 

Parker starts the truck, driving off from the farmers market, “Homeless?” 

“Certainly seemed it, happens to a lot of wolves” 

Gary crosses his arms, leaning back in his seat, “You gonna try and find him?” 

Stebbins presses his lips together, thinking it over. 

“I think I will” He finally settles on, turning his head to look at his one boyfriend, “I think I will…”

Chapter Text

Ray ran until he was home. 

Finally, he ran up and tore the door open, slamming it behind him and leaning against it as he panted. 

He tried to sort out his thoughts. Had the blond figured him out? The blond certainly hadn’t smelled human, would he come after Ray? Was there such a thing as territory? And if so, was this area the blonds? 

Would he hurt Pete? 

Ray leaned his head back, closing his eyes as he tried to stop his claws from digging into the wood of the door. Something he’d discovered was that he still had his strength and senses when he was human, but other than being able to sharpen his teeth and grow out his claws, he couldn’t shift unless it was a full moon. 

Ray was thrilled for that. 

“Ray?” 

Ray looked over from where the voice came from. Pete was there, leaning against the wall. He looked worried, there was a thin shine of sweat on his forehead, 

“You okay?” 

“Yea, yea fine” Ray lies easily, going over to Pete, “what’re you doing out of bed?” 

“I called for you when I heard you come in, you didn’t answer…was worried about you compadre” Pete chuckles, but there’s genuine worry behind his eyes and Ray does all he can to not laugh.

Pete was worried about him. Pete had fought against pain just to stand and see if he was okay. Ray’s teeth fucking itched. 

He was a coward, he was a monster, he was everything rotten and Pete was the opposite. He was such a shining light…kind, calm and good. It made Ray think of fairy tales. Where the monster would kidnap the Prince.

“Sorry” Ray says softly, looking Pete up and down, “how’re you feeling?” 

Pete shrugs, “Less like I had rocks beating my shit up” He chuckles, “Fine though, promise…besides, heard it’s good for me to be up if I can be, prevents blood clots or something” 

“Isn’t that for surgery?” 

“Dunno, could be for both, and I don’t wanna take my chances” Pete smiles, “so, I’m keeping you company” 

Ray can’t help but smile a bit. Nodding, company, Pete willingly wants to keep him company…God, he’d been alone for far too long. 

And Pete kept him company, like he’d said, while Ray cooked. Pete sat at the table, watching Ray and the two chatted. 

It felt good. 

“So, Ray…y’know I gotta ask man” Pete said, “why do you live out here?” 

Ray paused, not facing Pete…his mind scrambles and he shrugs, “Prefer it” 

“Do you?” Pete asks, sounding genuinely shocked. Ray turns, placing a plate of rabbit meat and grilled bell peppers in front of Pete, he catches Ray’s eye as he speaks the next part, “I can’t imagine, doing it all alone” 

Ray swallows thickly. Pete has such beautiful eyes, soulful and such a rich colour. Ray stammers something about being used to it. 

Pete shrugs, mercifully breaking the eye contact to start eating, “Well, in any case, you got a nice place” 

“Thanks” Ray says, sitting down across from Pete, starting to pick at his dinner. All thoughts of eating are replaced by Pete. 

The two settle into silence. It’s comfortable, it feels like…like home. Ray thinks about his family for the first time in a while. 

His father…William Garraty. He hadn’t been a terrible father, as far as fathers went, had even tried to save his son's life when his own had been taken by that beast. And Ray’s poor mother, Ginnie, mourning them both. Ray’s heart clenched. 

What would his mother think of the monster he’d become? 

What would she think, if Ray told her the story? 

“Ray!” 

Ray snapped out of it, looking at Pete, who looked worried again, “Ray?” he asks, his voice soft, “you okay?” 

Ray gives a chuckle, he hopes it’s convincing, “Yea, just fine…thinking about how your bandages probably need to be changed after dinner” 

The corner of Pete’s mouth moves up, “Well aren’t I lucky to have such a caring nurse?” 

Ray smiles, his eyes finding Pete’s again, staring into that warmth that he hopes never goes away.

Chapter Text

After dinner, Pete had insisted on helping clean up, citing blood clots again, which Ray had rolled his eyes dramatically at, but let Pete help with dishes. 

He washed, Pete dried. The man singing as he worked and holy fuck, did he have a voice. Beautiful and deep, one that Ray found himself greedily wanting to listen to for the rest of time. 

“Makes the time pass faster” Pete told Ray, as Ray handed him the final dish, “see? We’re already all done” 

“And now, we’re changing your bandages” Ray said, ushering Pete back to the bedroom. Ray kept a careful eye on how Pete walked, which, while he seemed to favour the one leg ever so slightly, his walk seemed fine. 

Pete sat on the bed, trying to take off his shirt. Ray saw how he winced whenever he lifted up his arms, and he stopped him, 

“Hey-let me help” 

Pete looked up at Ray, chuckling softly, “Like I said, great nurse” he teased, lowering his hands. 

Ray gave a chuckle of his own, his hands trembling a bit as he pulled Pete’s shirt off, his throat suddenly drying as he saw the muscular expanse of Pete’s chest and stomach. 

He tried to keep his touches gentle, unwrapping the bandages and keeping his eyes averted from Pete’s. Ray didn’t want to look up, he didn’t want to be faced with what he already knew. 

“There” Ray said, bunching the other bandages up in his hands, “you’re good” 

“Thank you” 

Ray finally looks up, and wishes he hadn’t. 

Pete is giving him a look, a soft look. And Ray wonders what the fuck the man is thinking about, what could he want with Ray. 

Ray needs to warn him, but the words catch in his throat. 

“Whoever is your lucky one, she’s lucky” Pete says, giving that easy smile at Ray who feels ready to scream. Instead he laughs a bit, shaking his head, 

“No, no lucky one…not anymore” He stands up, tucks the bandages and tape away, throws the used ones away, “you got a girl, Pete?” 

“No, no I do not” 

The way he says it, the infliction behind it, Ray’s heart starts to hammer in his chest. Against his ribs like it’s trying to escape. 

“Pete…” Ray says, his throat feels like it’s closing, “there’s…I gotta-” 

There’s a hammering on the door. 

Ray leaves the room quickly. 

He goes to the door, pausing when he smells the blond, Stebbins, behind the wood. Ray growls a bit as he grabs the handle, opening the door. 

“What’re you here for?” He immediately asks, when the door was open and he was face to face with Stebbins. 

Stebbins raises an eyebrow, “Are you always this warm and welcoming?” 

“You’re at my house” Ray says, “I didn’t tell you where I lived” 

“You didn’t exactly mask your scent” 

Ray curls his lip a bit, Stebbins holds his hands up. 

“I’m not here for any trouble” the blond says, 

“Somehow I doubt that” 

“Everything going okay out here?” 

Ray looks behind him and of course, Pete is leaning on the doorframe. Stebbins raises an eyebrow at him, Ray speaks, 

“Yea, just fine” 

Pete nods, looking at Stebbins, nodding, “Hey” 

Stebbins nods back, “Evening…I was just leaving” 

He looks at Ray, “You can find me, if you need me…” and he walks off. Leaving Ray’s blood boiling and trying not to tense too much so that his claws grow. 

“Ray?”  

A hand is placed on Ray’s shoulder, turning him so that he and Pete are eye to eye. 

“Ray, you gotta tell me…are you okay?” 

All the fight leaves Ray. He slumps, inhaling deeply, before shaking his head, “I gotta tell you something” 

“You can talk to me man” 

“I’m a werewolf.”