Mimic | Jacob Black

44. Happy Belated Birthday

yall im tryna get back into the habit of writing more, i really want to finish this story and am excited to do so

but im also really lazy lowk

still im tryna lock in

---

"You're just trying to piss me off, aren't you?"

An audible crunch was Jacob's response. River looked away from the TV to see Paul lounge further across the other end couch while looking at Jacob with a mocking smile, slowly putting another Dorito in his mouth. River moved closer to the edge to try and preserve what little personal space he had left.

"I don't know what you mean."

Jacob stood by the couch, still in nothing but the shorts he wore last night, glaring at Paul. His tired eyes flickered to the bag in his lap. "You better've brought those with you."

"Slorry Sleeping Beauty, I didn't," Paul said while chewing. "Your sister said I could help myself to anything I wanted, remember?"

River had another spoonful of cereal from the bowl in his lap. He had a good idea of where this was going, but he knew they wouldn't listen to him.

"Is Rachel here now?" Jacob asked, trying to keep a level voice.

"Nah. Your boyfriend had to sit with me all morning for company. Judging by your attitude, I'd say you didn't get any action last night."

Jacob swung his fist forward. Paul was anticipating the attack and jerked to the side as the fist collided with the couch, skidding it back into the wall. River extended the bowl out in his hand, trying to maintain his balance. Paul's foot caught the bowl, sending it onto the floor in front of him in a big mess of milk and cereal. River looked at him with an annoyed expression, but Paul was entirely focused on Jacob, fists raised in defence.

"Come on, you think I need Rachel to protect me? You were always easy to beat."

Jacob scoffed. "Don't even. We both know you'd go crying to her first chance."

Paul laughed and relaxed into the sofa, dropping his hands. "Nah. If you got in a lucky hit, that would be between us. And vice versa, right?" Only then did Paul notice River's unimpressed stare, eyes fixing on the mess in front of the couch. "Whoops."

Jacob took that opportunity and lunged again.

Paul's nose made a very audible crunch when Jacob's fist connected with it. River winced at the sound. Paul cupped his nose.

"You broke my nose, idiot."

Jacob grinned smugly. "Just between us, right, Paul?" He snatched the chip bag back as Paul repositioned his nose before it could set crooked. The blood had already stopped; it looked like it had no source as it trickled down his lips and off his chin.

"Well there goes my peace," River said, stepping around the mess and going to the kitchen.

"My bad," Paul called after him.

"Clean it up," Jacob said, "and then leave. Why are you here?"

"Waiting for Rachel to get back." Paul said it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. He wiped the excess blood on the collar of his shirt but made no move to retaliate against Jacob, which River could tell was annoying him. This was one of the rare occasions where Jacob was trying to get Paul to fight him, but the usually hot-headed werewolf wasn't biting.

"Has he been here all morning?" Jacob asked River. It was nearly midday.

"Was here when I came out, no Rachel, though," River responded curtly. He grabbed a washcloth, but Jacob took it from him, pegging it at Paul. But he didn't complain, instead moving to take care of the mess.