Criminal Case One-Shots

Micrurus fulvius

C/W: Mentions death and some alarming maladies.

The library was silent, as was rather normal. Unless, of course, you wanted to face the wrath of Constance Bell, the librarian. Nathan, knowing his friend David's rocky history with the woman, tried not to make a single peep.

And then he found the book that he'd been searching for... for three weeks.

A Compendium of American Snakes.

Nathan had loved snakes since he was a child. His grumpy old grandfather had bought him a green snake for his 11th birthday. He contemplated calling it William Snakespeare until he found out the reptile was a female. She was called Billy instead.

Sadly, Billy died a few years ago, but his job as a coroner and dates with his boyfriend gave him some time to care for another snake. But Wyatt was afraid of them. So he decided he would learn about American snakes, hoping to find some harmless ones that they could love.

If Wyatt could love the snake tattoo on Nathan's... Ahem. Anyway, he was sure he could be convinced. He was so sure, in fact, that he laughed in glee at finding the book. A poor decision

that he would regret in 3... 2... 1...

"Nathan Pandit!" she came in with a screech. "Such loudness! You were always such a well-mannered child, but it seems that your friendship with David Jones has ruined you. If you want that book, borrow it and leave!"

"Uh, yes, Miss Bell. Sorry..." He left the library as soon as possible, not wanting his relationship with the stern librarian to go as sourly as David's was.

– – – – –

"Ok, Nate. Gopher snakes seem alright. But are you alright, babe? You're staring at that page a lot," Wyatt asked, pushing up his round blue glasses.

"The eastern coral snake... They rarely bite anyone, but the effects of their venom sound horrible!" Nathan gasped in morbid glee.

"Nathan. Please spend more time with the living, or I'm going to think you enjoy dead things too much!"

The shorter man tugged his earrings in annoyance. Nathan stopped him. A silent glare reminded Wyatt of when he accidentally cut his ear and had to get stitches from pulling a piercing out.

"Sorry for the dark thoughts. It's just a fascinating snake. I'd never get one, but to hold one would be a dream come true!"

"Or your worst nightmare! They can kill!"

"'Rarely', I said. You'd just have to be a professional handler."

Wyatt still shuddered at the thought of his beloved going near one of those snakes. The taller of the two rolled his grey eyes, shut the book and flicked the remote control.

"What are we watching?"

"On a Plane with Snakes!" Nathan beamed while Wyatt let out a long-suffering sigh.

"You're supposed to stop my fear of snakes, remember?"

"It's a movie. If these snakes were treated well, they'd never hurt someone!"

"I'm still not sure about getting a snake..."

"You've got my ass-p, so you can handle a real snake," Nathan joked, referring to his tattoo.

"Oh God, Nate. A snake pun? You've been spending too much time with Nicky!" She would be proud, then bring out her phone and press the 'ba-dum-tsss' button.

As the film began, Nathan hushed his boyfriend with a peck to the temple, and wrapped his arm around the other's shoulders.

– – – – –