hadriel | [text]

(Newt catches the cookies of course and looks down at them, surprised. He looks over the package curiously before glancing over at Peter. He spends enough time watching Peter that it doesn't take him even a second to realize that something...Isn't quite right.)

Pleasure's all mine, I'm sure.

(He replies lightly. He won't push Peter right then. Pretty sure it has to do with whatever Peter planned on telling him anyway. He takes one of the glasses from Peter before taking a mild sip. He opens up the package of cookies and nudges it towards Peter.)

You first.

It is, cause we're gonna eat 'em.

[he opens the package, takes out a cookie, and promptly dunks it into his milk, submerging about half the cookie.]

So a homemade cookie would be soft, but these are from the store, so they're not. That's why you dunk them in milk.

Ah. I see.

(Very interesting. He picks up a cookie for himself before looking down at the milk. It seemed a little bit odd to him to bother with but Peter usually knows what he's talking about.

So, Newt dunks his cookie and pulls it out after a couple of seconds. He takes a bit and instantly moves a hand up beneath his jaw to catch any crumbs, looking a bit surprised.

Then a couple of seconds pass and his chewing slows as a curious look rises up over his face. The cookie is way too hard but the flavor is distinct enough that his mind slides over a soft smile, the smell of warmth, the smell of cookies, homeliness, and he can't tell if it's his own home or something else but...)

Oh.

[peter leaves his cookie in to soak until after newt takes a bite, so his is more soggy and he has to hold a hand under it as well. when newt's expression changes, he smiles, and it's something oddly soft.]

Yeah, see? Cookies.

(Newt eats the rest of the cookie, thoughtful expression still fixated on his face. He dips another and this time leaves it in a good deal longer. When he bites into the soggier cookie, he lets out a faint sigh, his eyes shutting momentarily before he opens them back up and looks at Peter.

His own look is oddly soft, tender, and maybe even appreciative. He smiles and it's small but painfully earnest.)

Thank you.

(He looks away then, hand reaching out to grab another cookie. Right. He straightens himself up a bit and looks again at Peter, this time a bit more evenly.)

So, what did you want to tell me?

[it's oddly hard to look at that smile, and peter's eyes cut away after a moment. not embarrassed, just...it's a lot, somehow, giving someone back something like that.]

Thought you might like those.

[and then newt changes the subject and it's time for peter to look actually uncomfortable, almost. like, momentarily, his skin doesn't quite fit, which is a very odd look on peter. his eyes cut over to newt and there's that weird sensation that happens sometimes, that peter is something much more vast looking out from behind the eyes of a boy mask. then it's gone and it's just peter again, looking nervous and rumpling his hair more as he runs a hand through it.]

You remember a couple weeks ago when I fucked off one night? It's about that. Up...way, way the fuck up there-- [he gestures toward the ceiling with the remaining half of his cookie, though it's clear that's not the up he means] --it was the full moon.

(It's a rather interesting look on Peter. Peter who is typically so sure and confident with himself that Newt rarely ever thinks twice. It's enough that he actually sits back and gives Peter his complete attention, his own expression perfectly serious. It's not the first time Peter has looked that way at Newt but it is the first time that Newt truly registers the look as- something....

Something much more than Newt thinks he understands. Something much deeper. Something about Peter has stumped Newt for a while. There was something different about him that Newt couldn't quite put his finger on but hadn't really wanted to push. He'd been honest with Peter and he figured that in due time Peter would be honest with him- and it looked like it was finally that time.

He gives a short nod.)

Yeah.

(It had been a strange thing having Peter leave for a night out of the blue but again- Newt hadn't...thought about it. He'd been a little concerned but Peter was a big boy.

He looks up, as if expecting to see something on the ceiling. Then he looks back down and his expression becomes a little confused.)

...Oh- wait. How do you know?

[peter nods, approving. that had been the right question to ask.]

Because I'm a werewolf.

[he pauses for a moment, just to see if the word seems to mean anything to newt. when it doesn't, he presses on.]

When the moon is full, I shed my skin and become a wolf. Pretty literally. So I always know what phase of the moon it is, and it's about a week off from full now. Except that's weird, because it definitely hasn't been a full month. The cycles are fast, way too fast.

(Initially, Peter receives a blank look because no, 'werewolf' means absolutely nothing to him. Though the word 'wolf' does enough to drudge up an accurate picture- he doesn't really understand how that relates to Peter.

At least not until Peter goes into a bit more detail. His mouth opens partly and it's not actually disbelief that fills his face but rather- confusion, maybe? He closes his mouth a moment later, thinking.

Okay wait.)

Hold on.

(Because he needs a moment. Newt functioned pretty heavily on logic but thankfully for Peter, he also came from a world where anything seemed possible. So. He was pretty open-minded too. He leans forward onto the table and looks at Peter intently.)

So...I don't really follow, I guess. I'm sorry. I believe you I just don't really...

(He gestures vaguely to his head. He's missing too many pieces to fully comprehend the possibility of this.)

[there's a pause while peter considers this, scratching thoughtfully under his chin. most people are familiar with the concept from popular culture, so it's just a matter of correcting misconceptions, not all-out defining the thing.]

I don't think there's a way to explain it that's going to make you happy in your science-y brain. I'm human, but I'm also a wolf. Something a lot like a wolf. It's literally inside of me, waiting to be let out, and then the human is inside of it, waiting. But I'm always Peter. On the night of the full moon, the sun goes down, the moon calls me, and I change. The sun comes up, and I change back.

[he pauses again, aware that this answer is equally unsatisfying.]

You really just have to see it, because it's magic. It just...is. There's no science that can explain my kind.

And yes, before you ask, yes, it probably does have something to do with why I'm hairier than average.

Oh.

(It's still- a lot. Though Newt has a feeling this would be a lot to anyone hearing this. He does believe Peter but it's a bit like the belief a child grants its parents when the parent lets them know that Santa Clause is real. There's not enough grounds to get it.

But seeing is believing - especially for someone like Newt. The word 'magic' still holds little power over him.)

Does that mean I can see it?

(His eyes light up then with curiosity and a bit of wonder but then just as quickly he looks concerned, frowning.)

Wait...Does this hurt you? Something like that- I mean if you actually are - um. Becoming a wolf. That's...I mean, it aches just growing as a normal person sometimes, right? So it probably is tiring or painful to be a wolf?

(Right? Back him up here, Peter.)

Are you dangerous?

(Because he feels like that is a fair question. He doesn't ask in an accusatory way- just as curious as the rest of him, really.

Then Newt grins, his eyes squinting a bit impishly and okay so maybe not the time but Peter did bring it up in his defense.)

Everything makes sense now. Hey!

(He suddenly jerks upright, pointing his finger out at Peter.)

That's probably why you smell like puppies!

(He smiles stupidly then, cupping his hands around his own face before cooing at Peter.)

Awww, does that mean I can nickname you cute things like Wolf-Boy or Pooch or Puppy?

[peter gives a little amused sigh at newt's sudden perking up.]

As long as you promise not to throw up. And yeah, it hurts, but so? Being born does, they say. I wouldn't trade it.

[and then newt asks whether he's dangerous. there's something about the question peter doesn't like. possibly because he's a contradiction in things--a super-predator with no urge to kill. it's hard to argue with 200lbs of teeth and claws and brute strength and will, but usually peter would rather just avoid any of that.]

I could be very dangerous. But to you? No. I'm still Peter.

[but then the moment passes because newt is back to puppies and ridiculousness.]

There is no planned werewolf coming-out day, so no, you can't nickname me anything wolfy or dog-like. Also, Pooch, really? C'mon, that's the worst.

I won't throw up. I was just curious- not gonna say you should stop.

(He was already mentally considering what he ought to do on days when Peter comes back from being changed. He tips his head at Peter though, still earnestly curious about this.)

Okay.

(And just like that, he believes Peter would never hurt him as a wolf.)

You tell me when you're going to be a wolf, okay? I want to know.

(And not just because he wanted to see but because if it hurt Peter then he wanted to make sure he'd be okay.

He grins wider yet, putting his chin into a hand.)

Okay, Pup. If you say so.

(You're screwed Peter.)

You don't even know what happens. But stopping isn't an option, I don't get to choose on the full moon.

[he gives his head a little shake at how easily and completely newt trusts him. then again, newt hasn't ever seen a werewolf. he doesn't really understand that peter is a monster who just also happens to be peter. but he will. it only occurs to peter then to wonder what newt will think. roman had just accepted him for the majestic creature that he was, for all his mystery and magic. but roman knew, deep in his gut, that magic was real, and he always had. newt, not so much.]

The whole point of me telling you now is so that we can explore the caves on full moon nights. As a wolf I can track, I can scent, I can hunt. We won't get lost, and I can protect us.

[peter scowls and folds his arms, but he doesn't seem actually angry.]

I swear, if you ever call me that in public...

Still though.

(Was it a bad thing? Maybe, but Peter was his friend now and that meant that Newt trusted him. It was as simple as that. Newt didn't think he'd ever see Peter as a monster. It'd be interesting to say the least. But thing is? Newt had told Peter that he was infected, that he was going to become a destructive shell of himself and that he would be dangerous to Peter and others.

And Peter still stuck around. So honestly? Newt was pretty fucking loyal to Peter and he'd remain that way for a long, long time coming unless Peter did something so completely out of the blue traitorous. But Newt didn't think Peter had it in him.)

Oh. Okay. That does make sense. And will actually be pretty useful. Though you seem to think I need more protecting than I actually do. You realize I'm quite capable, right? Mister-Take-Arya-With-You-into-The-Tunnels.

(He gives Peter a bit of a hard look because he really, really wasn't that weak but the look fades quickly. Especially since he is in the prime midst of teasing Peter.)

What? Like you call me 'Blondie' in public?

Yeah, well. Better the two of you together than either of you alone, okay? God. And I don't fight without teeth and claws, so there's that.

[peter has the audacity to scoff.]

You being blond isn't a secret.

[but he quickly sobers.]

People can't find out about what I am. It's...most people have heard of werewolves, and what they've heard is wrong because pop culture is dumb, but that's not going to stop them from trying to fuck me up. Werewolves are monsters, and monsters are for killing.

Still.

(He gives Peter another look. Because honestly.)

No, it isn't.

(And so does Newt. He pays close attention to everything Peter tells him and then he reaches out and slides his hand across the table until the side of his finger is touching the side of Peter's. Then he lightly curves his hand over the back of Peter before giving a soft squeeze.)

Peter, I'd never do anything that would endanger your life.

(He promises him sincerely, seriously, and then slides his hand away from Peter's, withdrawing it across the table. He leans back into his chair and crosses his arms over his chest.)

I understand, you know? I am technically a monster- or will become one- and I wouldn't let anyone see you that way. I don't want you hurt.

[peter doesn't expect newt to reach out and touch him. he doesn't expect a promise, doesn't expect any of it. he doesn't know what to do with it, either, this weird kindness that comes after having to state something that has always been obvious.

sometimes, peter just doesn't know what to do with newt in general.]

You aren't a monster. You have a disease. Maybe it will make you act like a monster, but you, the person that is Newt, will never be a monster. That'll always be some sick shit fucking with your brain. I've seen monsters. There's a difference.

(Yeah well, similarly enough Newt rarely knows how to handle Peter so then it's a mutual perplexity.

He smiles a little bit at Peter, his eyes darkening for just a moment before he shakes his head. He grabs one of the cookies and dunks it into the milk, holding it there.)

It doesn't matter about me.... All I'm saying is you're definitely not a monster. And I'll keep you safe.

(Because talking about his disease wasn't the point, hadn't been the point, but Peter's words stick with him regardless. His eyes are a bit far-off but he's sincere as ever with Peter.)

I'm definitely calling you Pup in private though.

[he doesn't want to talk about it. not about his lycanthropy or newt's disease, their mutual monsterhood or their mutual confusion over how to deal with the other. it's too much thinking, too serious, too real in a way that they don't have to be real yet. so he dunks the other half of his cookie in his milk with a put-upon sigh, skipping over the first part in favor of the second.]

Fine, fine. But if you slip in public I'm going to call you kittentits forever. You will never hear your name pass my lips again.

(Newt doesn't mind but he doesn't want to talk about his disease and if Peter doesn't want to talk about being a werewolf then he supposes that's that. As for how to deal with the other- Newt mostly just steadily ignores that on a subconscious level.

He bites into his cookie and grins around his cookie.)

You can call me kitten if you want.

(He winks at Peter even, grin turning into a smirk and he doesn't really know where it comes from but it felt pretty rock solid to do.)

I already don't hear my name from your lips.

You really shouldn't tempt me like that, blondie. I've owned a lot of cats in my time and you definitely are one.

[and then newt goes and makes it dirty, but peter only gets the very beginnings of a blush in before he thankfully changes the subject, sorta.]

Wow, I just said it. Way to pay attention, kitten.

I've never met a cat before so I honestly wouldn't know.

(He folds his arms up over the table and drops his head down against his arm, reaching his hand over for another cookie.)

Yeah, see, that's not how you start. Say it with me. N-E-W-T. Newt.

Take my word for it. Total cat.

[peter squints and tilts his head toward newt.]

What was that? N-E-W-T-Kitten? Sounded like you said kitten to me. Yep, I've definitely got it now.

All right then, Pup. Dog and cat we are then.

(He snickers a bit and then sits himself back up. Despite what Peter just said, Newt is still grinning.)

Wrong animal, darling.

(The name pops out and he looks a bit surprised at himself but then is instantly smiling again something vicious.)

Darling. My darling, sweet roommate.

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