previously titled beserk
A young gay witch with deadly powers on the fringe is traveling the U.S. in search of a substitute for suppressing his magic and a way to control his powers. Ezra Pierce was born into a religiously strict family with no one...
"your veins are full of ice water but mine are boiling" w o r d c o u n t : 1,421
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Arms wrapped around Ezra's waist and Paul rested his head on the boy's shoulder, peering at the book in his hands. "Whatchu reading?" He asked, eyes scanning over the words.
"Just research," Ezra dismissed easily as Paul pressed a kiss to his temple and set his coffee on the desk.
Paul let out a soft hum. "You should take a break. You've been working constantly. How many hours did you get last night? Did you eat this morning, either?"
Ezra exhausted himself, pushing himself to the very edge and past to avoid the guilt and grief plaguing him ever since Nik died. He couldn't stand it anymore, every time he closed his eyes he saw her. He needed somewhere to funnel his rage so he wouldn't lose his mind.
He couldn't pass Nik's room without a complete and utter breakdown, he had to tear his eyes away from the stairs every morning when he reminded himself that Nik would never walk down them again, and he couldn't even bring himself to meet Rosalie's eyes anymore.
"I've been busy." Ezra dodged, taking a large gulp of the scalding coffee. The pack was now patrolling all of La Push's borders, meaning they all had a jump in hours.
Paul had moved back into his own house after the Cullens got back yet he spent most of his time with Ezra or on patrol.
"Good thing I brought you your favorite." He set the box down on a small empty space on the desk.
Papers were scattered across the desk cluttered with empty coffee cups and news articles pinned to the wall. It had gotten worse every day, growing like a tumor and as much as Paul expressed his worry, Ezra always pushed it aside.
He had read, reread, and reread the book that was given to him by the woman from the boutique he and Esme visited for Bella's birthday. Ezra even revisited the place in hopes of deciphering the woman's message but the place was empty, the woman had paid in cash so there was no record of her ever being there. She practically dropped off the map.
She left a name though, the name she rented the building under. Astraea Vos. The name was also renting an apartment in Everett that was about an hour and a half drive from Seattle. Ezra called the complex, claiming to be the woman's son. The landlord said she left so fast she hadn't seemed to take a single thing with her and if Ezra didn't pick it up within a week or two, it'd be auctioned it off to the rest of the people in the complex.
So Ezra arranged to meet with the landlord by the upcoming Thursday at 11:00 am on the dot or the things would be auctioned.
"Thank you, darling but I'm not hungry." Ezra said absently, tucking a pen in his mouth as he grappled for his notebook that wasn't long from bursting at the seams.
"Do you really want me to go and ask Emo down there if you've eaten today?" Paul challenged as he tore the lid free of the container and grabbed a small cup of salad dressing.
"Actually," Ezra corrected. "He's out with Bella. And Alice is on a hunt for another desk at random antique stores with Jasper because I asked them to grab me a bigger desk and apparently Ikea doesn't conform to her tastes. She actually called me uncultured and some weird old insult when I suggested it. I think it was 'bluenose'. Then she started saying all these old slang words until I left."
"Ezra, just eat the salad." He turned the chair around, the feet screeching against the wooden floor. "Eat."
"I can eat while I work." Ezra jabbed a fork viciously into the lettuce and shoved it pointedly in his mouth, chomping loudly as Paul smiled.
"Thanks, babe. Just take a little break while you eat." Paul prompted, leading Ezra so he could sit on the bed. "How many hours have you gotten?"
"I don't have time for a break, Paul. I was actually going to make a trip into Portland to meet up with a coven of Eastern witches. In return for some dried herbs and powdered plants from my garden they've agreed to keep an eye out for me and I have a few favors if I need it. I need to establish contacts if I ever plan on finding whoever that man was talking about." Ezra explained, shoving salad rapidly into his mouth.
"You need someone to go with you." Paul pointed out as Ezra returned to his work.
When Ezra told everyone about the coven that killed Nik, he kept a few things to himself. Most of the specifics he kept to himself, learning how to clear his mind the rare times Edward ever came around.
He didn't want them to go after Aloysius. That was on him.
But when Rosalie came asking, he couldn't help himself. After all, she loved Nik with a harsh intensity. She deserved to know. As soon as he told her, she didn't chastise him or tell him to be honest. Because technically he wasn't lying. He was emitting certain details. She just wanted to help.
"Rosalie is going with me." Ezra explained and instantly he could see the nerves consume Paul's features. "Don't worry, darling. I'll be alright, I promise. She's in a good place right now and she wants to help." He pressed a kiss to Paul's lips, unable to ease the guilt of lying to him. "The trip is about four and a half hours so we're leaving early in the morning, staying the night in a hotel and then we'll be home before you know it."
Paul wrapped his arms around Ezra's waist, his chest pressing into Ezra's back as he nestled his face into the crook of his boyfriend's neck. "I can ask Sam for two days off." He persuaded. "I'm sure he wouldn't say no."
"You should take those days off some other time and we could do something fun. This is going to be so boring. Nothing but work." Ezra soothed with a smile as he skimmed over one of the more recent articles he printed out about a sighting of an odd group, their description matching that of Aloysius' coven.
"Will you call me when you get there?" Paul asked worriedly.
"Of course. If you don't pick up I'll just call back before bed. Sound good?" Ezra smiled as Paul returned to the bed.
"Sounds amazing. Now c'mon. You need to get some rest." Paul beckoned, leaning against the mountain of pillows Ezra insisted on having.
Pads had been relocated to a plush bed set on the nightstand on the left side where Ezra slept. After a night terror gone bad, Ezra had accidentally kicked Pads out of the bed and hurt her paw. He felt so guilty he stayed up all night craddling the cat and the next morning set up a little bed for her.
Ezra had to admit he looked beautiful, much like always. He splayed out on the bed, arms resting comfortably under his head. The blanket rode low on his hips, displaying muscles built up from constant activity.
"Not yet. I just need to finish up here. I'll be to bed soon." At this, Paul groaned in irritation, throwing his head back.
"You've been working all day and we hardly get to spend any time together anymore." Paul whined, flipping himself onto his chest and wriggling toward the end of the bed. "Ez, c'mon."
Ezra paused for a moment before setting his research down on the desk and crawling over the bed toward Paul. "Alright. But just for a few hours."
He collapsed face first into the pillows, tossing an arm across Paul's chest. "G'night babe." Paul pecked Ezra's lips before tossing his head back into the pillows. Suddenly he cursed. "We forgot to turn off the lights."
Ezra let out a groan, not wanting to move from his position of comfort. "I got it." With a flick of his wrist, the filament snapped, rendering the lightbulb useless with a quiet pop.
From the room beside them, they could hear Emmett shout, "Quit breaking fucking lightbulbs!"
