Keep the candle burning (Derek will kill me in my sleep for this title)

[destabilised]

He'd parked a few miles outside the town, leaving his car in the woods, running the rest of the way, although he stopped out of sight of the party that was gathering around the bonfire. The party itself was technically only meant for students from the local high school, but one more wouldn't be noticed.

Of course considering how small the town was, he'd probably stand out like a sore thumb, especially considering he wasn't exactly unknown. The main point being to be avoid the town proper. He'd even managed to duck out on Peter which was a feat all of it's own.


And he'd answer for it. That was something to deal with later though because at the moment, he didn't much give a damn. The woods were outside Lockwood territory as far as he knew so it was safe enough for him.

And he hadn't actually committed to showing up so it'd be a surprise anyway. At least until he got into scent range. Derek's lips quirked slightly before he started towards the flames he could see through the trees.

It looked like the party was in full swing already.

Comments

[destabilised]

"They do that." Derek's gaze lingered on the other teenager before he moved, closing the distance between them.

"Comes with the territory, I know." The difference being that the hunters in Mason's territory were more focused on something else.

"So are we joining the party or is there something else around here you want to show me?"

[anathematized]

Mason grinned, shifting in closer to Derek. "And you look good without them. You look good by moonlight," he added, flirting in his own way, edging that line without wanting to cross the line. He just wanted to be near him, hence inviting him to the party.

"That's up to you," he admitted. "There's other places we can go, things we can see," he offered. "If you just want it to be the two of us, after all."

[destabilised]

"What sorts of things?" Derek eyed him for a moment, before glancing back towards the party.

"And would word get back to your family if I did make an actual appearance at the party? I know it's not technically your territory, but..."

The last thing he needed was to give them a reason to cause problems for his mother.

[anathematized]

"Why are you giving me that look? Do you think..." He paused, frowning heavily. "I'm not here to hurt you," he said. "I mean, you wouldn't have come if you thought that, right?"

He worried Derek thought he was setting him up.

"It might," he admitted, nodding. "Get back to them. I mean... If you're not comfortable here, we can go somewhere else or something," he said, shoving his hands in his pockets and trying not to sound as nervous as he felt.

He was never this nervous. Except around Derek.

[destabilised]

"Like you could hurt me." Derek snorted at him before shaking his head.

"I just don't want to run the risk of getting you in trouble."

[anathematized]

​He feared he could, if he lost control. He worried a lot that he would hurt him. Or worse, because of the things he did, and his family, that he would get him killed. It worried him a lot, late at night, when he couldn't stop the thoughts.

"Seeing you is worth getting in trouble."

[destabilised]

That gets him the flash of a smile.

"So what were you thinking about showing me, anyway?"

[anathematized]

​"I was thinking about something like this," he asid.

Then he took a chance. A mad chance. He moved in close, his hand cupping Derek's cheek as he leaned in to kiss him.

[destabilised]

He'd kind of known it was coming, even if he hadn't completely expected the kiss and there's a few seconds where he's just still before his hand slides into Mason's hair and he's kissing the other teenager back.

[anathematized]

​It was madness. The world. Their families. All of it. It was madness. Yet he wanted this madness in his life. He wrapped his arms around Derek, pulling him close. Maybe it wouldn't last. Maybe they could never make something from it. Whatever it was, he couldn't help but want this one moment.

[destabilised]

He finally had to draw back, drawing in a breath before he glanced at the other teenager.

"Took you long enough."

[anathematized]

​Mason laughed, keeping Derek close.

"I wasn't sure how you would react," he admitted in a low voice.