Mint and Honey (SLOW UPDATES)

Chapter 2: It's Not Like We're Having Sex to Have Sex

1995

It was coming up to Gerard's nineteenth birthday; he had been waiting an entire year to present, and he still hadn't despite his best efforts. In his mind, it made sense that he would present on that day, as he should have the year before just like everyone else, but it had been delayed by his medication. He had been off of his pills for exactly a year now and he was so sure it had been long enough. He was going to present, whether he'd drag it out of himself or not, and if his inner wolf needed more persuasion, he knew exactly who he could ask.

A week before his birthday, Gerard decided that he wanted a backup plan to push things along. He had heard over the last year of high school that a lot of people had presented when they were in the middle of fooling around with someone, and Josh had explained that the rush of hormones could jumpstart the transformation. Gerard felt keen to try, even if he was nervous about his first sexual experience, and with that, he decided to go to the one person he felt he could trust. His first proper crush.

Sam.

He knew Sam and Awsten were dating and happy together, but he also knew that she would understand what he was asking of her. He wasn't asking for a fuck-around or a fun lay - he was asking for help. In the old times, this is what wolves did. It made sense that some people just need a push.

Gerard and Sam had always been close and he decided that if he was going to be a beta- a decision he had come to terms with- then he should get used to being with a beta. He walked up to Sam one afternoon and slung an arm around her shoulder, giving her a cocky grin.

"Hey, Beanpole, you mind if I steal your woman for a second?" Gerard asked Awsten who was on the other side of Sam as they all stood and looked over the Springs and the flowing river.

"As long as you give her back, Greaseball," Awsten replied with a kind smile, leaning over to kiss Sam on the cheek before he walked over to Josh who was about a few feet away.

"What's up, Gee?" Sam turned, unleashing the full force of her green eyes on him. He smiled at her cheekily for a moment before pushing his thin glasses up on his nose.

"Look, I... Sammy, you know I love you, right?"

"Of course, Gee." She smiled and tucked a short blond lock behind her ear, "Why?"

"I- Whoa, is it hot in here? Jeez, turn down the heat-"

"Gerard..." Sam asked with a frown, "Tell me what's wrong."

"I want to ask you a favor." Gerard shoved his hands into the pockets of his shorts, "It's my birthday in a week and I figured that since I haven't presented yet, it's a good chance I might present on my birthday."

"Makes sense." Sam shrugged as she took the cigarette that was tucked behind her ear and put it between her lips.

Gerard took out his lighter and struck it, shielding the flame as he held it out for her, "And if it doesn't..."

"Yeah?" She asked as she took a deep exhale of the slim stick and rested her elbow on her other arm, eyeing him, "How should I help?"

"I heard from a couple-a kids that they presented when they were... Y'know? Bumping fuzzies."

"Shuddup, Gerard." She scolded him playfully and he recoiled and cleared his throat.

"So, I was wondering if you'd help me? I don't know who else to ask, who else I'd trust to be themselves and not judge me." Gerard began fidgeting with his hand before he began biting on his thumbnail.

"Well, Gee... That's a big thing to ask. But I understand why. I'll speak to Awsten first, okay? It's not like we're having sex to have sex. I wanna help you."