Howl (BW version)

So you're one of them?

Chapter 5:

When Win opened the door, Green spoke before the other had a chance to usher him inside.

"Let's go for a drive."

Win didn't question the other. Locking the door behind him, he followed Green to the elevator and down to the parking lot in silence. Green fiddled with his keys nervously. It was his and Win's custom to go for a drive when they needed to talk about awkward topics. Green had begun the tradition, back when he'd been worried about the young Win's wild behavior. Since then, the pair periodically called the other out for a drive to vent, talk, or just sit in silence. Driving around the city seemed to give the feeling of being able to get away from their problems.

Green recalled the last time he'd called Win out: it had been after his fourth or fifth time being away for an extended period. At the time, Green hadn't known about Win's work. He'd only known that his young friend would disappear without a word for months at a time, only to return for a few days and repeat the process all over again. Scared with worry, he'd hunted Win down, stuffed him in the car and drove for hours before suddenly yelling at his nong for coming back without telling him. Win, having known him for years, had immediately understood what Green had meant and explained everything.

Passing the keys to Win, Green slipped into the passenger seat, praying that Win would prove to be as understanding this time.

Silence pervaded the cabin of the car as Win pulled into traffic. Trying not to fidget, Green stole glances at Win, wondering when the questions would begin. It wasn't until they were out of the city, however, before Win finally spoke.

"You could have warned me, you know," he said, keeping his eyes on the road.

Green picked at the fabric of the seat. "I did warn you."

"When was this? Because I definitely do not recall you ever saying that I was allowing a werewolf inside my house."

Green continued to pick at the seat, foot tapping out a rhythm. He refused to look at the other. Somehow, even though Win was younger, he had an uncanny ability to make people feel uncomfortable when he stared at them too long. Green grimaced, remembering the first time Win had used the look on him: he'd ended up spilling secrets that he'd sworn he'd never tell another. It didn't help that Green himself was incapable of lying to someone while looking them in the eye.

Green shook his head. "I did warn you. Remember? I said "whothefuckisthat" and then I told you to move the freak out of the city."

Win threw a look at Green, who tried to ignore it. "What kind of lame warning is you telling me to move out of the city and then coming back to tell me that "it's none of your business"?"

"Hey, it's your fault for not believing me. If someone told me to move out of the city because shit was going down, I sure as hell was catching the next plane to some remote island—"

"Yeah, well, considering the fact that you tell me to move out of the city at least once every three months because of some "gangster frick" that you pissed off, I didn't think I should take your words seriously this time either."

"If a man told you he wanted to rape you, but never did it, wouldn't you still be freaked out after he said it the fifth time?" Green shot back.

Win said nothing. Silence fell between the two. Win glanced at Green.

"You could have warned me you know."

Green looked Win in the eye before responding. "No, I couldn't have."

"Why not?"

Green sighed. "Because whoever that Sarawat person is, he's an alpha." He glanced up, expecting to see a flicker of recognition on Win's face. Instead, he was met with a blank look. "Didn't he tell you anything?"