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10. Opening Night
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Fluid 11. A Line
Quill's eyes kept darting between the exit and Hawk. "Look, it's late. We've seen a lot already, and I think maybe we should...""We've been here fifteen minutes," Hawk interrupted. "And I had no idea you did this kind of art. Now I need to see it."Quill's jaw tensed as he shifted. "Trust me, you don't need to see it."Hawk frowned. "Why not? It's just your work, right?" He eyed Quill with growing suspicion. "Unless there's something you don't want me to see."Quill's shoulders sagged. "You're gonna hate it," he muttered. "Hell, you'll probably be pissed.""Pissed over a few sketches?" Hawk questioned as he stood up with Lilly. Before Quill could answer, Lilly grabbed them both by the hands. "You two need to see what I set up," she said with a mischievous look directed at Quill. "You're going to love it. Both of you."She led them deeper into the blacklight room, weaving through groups of guests until they reached a display near the back. Hawk nearly gasped as he took in the small d
Fluid 12. Don't Stop
Hawk pulled his mask down quickly as he scanned the crowd. His heartbeat was pounding in his ears against its edges. If any of his father's pack were here, catching him in this place, with the art, atmosphere, and Quill, there'd be hell to pay. And he doubted his father's reaction would be the worst of it.But Quill must have noticed his anxiety. He grabbed Hawk by the arm and tugged him toward the owner's box alcove behind the stage. "No one's going to see us here," Quill said as he guided Hawk to sit back down in the booth beside him. "They won't smell us, not like that. We live right above this place, and our businesses are practically woven around hers. They would expect to smell us some."Hawk's shoulders slowly relaxed. "It's not just being seen. Someone from the pack had to get in here somehow, so they got their hands on an invite. You realize what that means, right?" Hawk whispered. "It means they either came into contact with Lilly or someone who works for her." He looked ba
Fluid 13. Stay Here
Hawk growled under his breath. He didn't want to stop. He didn't want to pull away, couldn't even imagine letting this go. Why had they fought this for so long? As he moved his hand slowly, keeping Quill right at the edge, he felt a strange thrill, something almost like defiance. They'd always been told this was dangerous, but here, tonight, it didn't feel like a threat. It felt like freedom. And somehow, that made him want it even more.Quill growled in his ear, and Hawk almost lost control, his own restraint slipping. As he felt both of them moving toward climaxing, footsteps snapping them back to the present. Hawk froze, his heart racing, instinctively tightening his grip on Quill, ready to react to whoever was closing in on their hidden alcove."It's one of my pack," Hawk whispered, dread creeping into his mind. "They're going to find us here."Quill stilled, then leaned close enough to murmur, "Get dressed. Now."Hawk moved quickly, securing his pants. Quill adjusted himself wi
Fluid 14. Us
Hawk sat on the edge of Quill's couch, jaw tight as he stared at the floor. Everything they hadn't allowed themselves to feel, let alone voice, was suddenly loaded with implications they never expected. This tension that had been building for years was now just waiting for a crack to break free. And knowing who was downstairs only sharpened it."They're here together. Acting like a couple?" Hawk sounded bitter even to his own ears. He glanced up at Quill, who was pacing the room."Yeah," Quill muttered. "Hard to believe, isn't it?" He stopped and shook his head. "The same people who'd beat us down if we so much as looked the wrong way at each other. And now…" He trailed off.The silence that followed only exacerbated the frustration Hawk felt. It wasn't just that their fathers were here together, breaking every rule they'd forced on their sons. It was the hypocrisy of it, the impossibility that their fathers could have the freedom they were denied. Neither of them knew how to face th
Fluid 15. Still Hiding
Quill blinked awake slowly. He was lying on his back, and Hawk was sprawled beside him, still fast asleep with his body pressed against him. They hadn’t done this in years. Not since they were kids, not since Hawk’s father had found them curled up together in the treehouse one morning and had made sure neither of them forgot why boys didn’t “share beds” like that.Quill shifted and propped himself up to look at Hawk. His friend was splayed out, one arm over his eyes, his breathing steady. A soft snore escaped occasionally. His lips were barely parted, and his usual guarded expression was nowhere to be found. He looked peaceful. Comfortable. Seeing him like this, wearing Quill’s clothes no less, made him want to stay still and memorize the moment. To etch it in his mind much like he would later on canvas.Hawk stirred and mumbled softly before settling back down. Quill couldn’t help but smile. After watching him for a long time, he quietly slipped out of bed and went to the bathroom
Fluid 16. Didn't Do This
Hawk and Quill followed Lilly through the main floor to her office. She stepped inside, motioning for them to enter. The desk was scattered with a spread of photos from the previous night. At first glance, they appeared harmless enough until Hawk realized what they were. "Wait," he muttered as he bit back a growl. "You were taking photos? What the hell, Lilly. We didn't agree to that."Lilly glanced at him. "Calm down. No photos of either of you were taken. I'm careful with these things. Some guests paid extra to be photographed for custom art pieces or to take the images home. Commissioned works, you know? You're not in any of them. Promise."Quill frowned, eyeing the photos before looking back at her. "Then why bring us here? If we weren't in any of them, what's the point? I don't want to see others... moments.""Well…" she began, glancing between them. "I sign NDAs with all my clients, so I can't show most of these images openly. But Quill, as an artist interested in commission w
Fluid 1. Act Tough
Quill still felt the dull ache in his ribs. It was a lingering reminder of his father's anger. The sad thing? He couldn't even tell you what his Dad was mad about. He couldn't quite tell what hurt more. The bruises, the gashes from his father's claws after he shifted, or the humiliation of being thrown out of the house yet again. He stumbled around until he crossed into neighboring territory. Minutes later, a patrol noticed him and notified the Alpha's son. Like they always did when this happened. Hawk had instructed them to. He also told them to keep it from his father and mother whenever possible. He told them it was to stop unnecessary fighting between the neighboring Alphas. Hawk's Dad already hated Quills. There was no reason to make it worse. Hawk insisted on dragging Quill to his family's house after the latest blow-up. Like he always did. "Let me see the cut," he urged as they walked into the guest bedroom. They should probably just call it Quill's bedroom at this p
Fluid 2. Control
Hawk leaned against the brick wall outside his gym with his eyes fixed on the U-Haul down the street. Lilly was back. He and Quill had met with her weeks before, allowing her to sign a three-year lease for the unoccupied space between their businesses. They allowed her to sign it without revealing what the business would be. She also signed the lease for the apartment above the business. The empty one between Hawk and Quill's apartments. He watched as she started unloading boxes. He had no idea what she was planning for the storefront, which annoyed him more than he wanted to admit. For someone who prided himself on control, not knowing left a sour taste in his mouth. She intrigued him, though, and that was rare.The heavy thud of weights inside the gym reminded him he'd left his own workout still half-finished. He didn't care. His fixation was on her, studying how she moved and carried herself almost effortlessly. There was a strange confidence in how she went about everything
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