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The summer solstice was tomorrow, and David was already acting differently. Angel didn’t know much about the empowered world as a whole, but this also wasn’t their first rodeo in regards to the solstice. The first year knowing about it was rough. David was a mess all day, sick and tired, refusing to even move, let alone get out of bed for anything. He’d denied all their other requests of things they could do for him: making dinner, giving him a massage, running a bath. All he wanted was for them to lie in his arms.
This was to be their third year with David, and they felt nowhere near ready. Asher’s mate had agreed to help them out this year in preparation for whatever they needed, but in all honesty, Angel didn’t even know what they needed. If he didn’t want a bath, or dinner, or a massage, what else could they even offer to help?
Asher’s mate met them out for lunch, the plan to eat and then go to the store for things they needed. Stealth said they might show up if they could think of anything they wanted for tomorrow, but that they weren’t sure. As another moonbound empowered person, the sunbound solstice wasn’t their day either. Both Stealth and Milo would be out tomorrow, so Angel wouldn’t be upset if they decided to bail. They couldn’t blame them.
“Honestly, this moonbound, sunbound thing has me confused as fuck.” Babe said between bites of sandwich. “The solstice really has the ability to take out an entire half of the empowered population? Seems like bullshit to me. You’d think they’d have come up with some kind of potion or spell or something that would stop that by now.”
Angel smiled, taking a sip of their drink. “Sometimes I just wish they had a class for people like us who hop into the magical world without any prior knowledge. Like, “The Empowered World 101” or something, you know?”
Babe laughs. “Yeah, except some things aren’t stuff you could even learn. There is no possible way they’d think to cover how to care for a stinky werewolf who just came back from a run and wants to cover you in kisses, now would they?”
The two chuckle in sync, laughing at the imagery of Asher doing just that. Angel tried to imagine David doing something similar, but it just wasn’t something they could imagine. Honestly though, Angel was a bit relieved it wasn’t the same. There was nothing wrong with Asher and Babe’s relationship, it just wasn’t Angel’s cup of tea. Or David's.
“Are you ready to go?” Babe asked. Angel nodded and stood, but when Babe didn’t move, it occurred to Angel that they were expected to lead the way.
“Honestly, I’m not really sure what to do. I’ve tried different things to help Davey out, but he doesn’t want any of it.”
Babe nodded, taking Angel by the hand. “I know how you feel. Last year, Asher rolled around in bed all day and just wanted me to hold him. He was lucky I had the day off.”
They walked together up the street, towards a small store selling general commodities. They detoured their way inside, looking over the trinkets and toiletries.
“What about some bath salts? That might help with the muscle aches?”
Angel shook their head. “He doesn’t want a bath.”
Babe set the bag down. They started to walk away, but quickly turned back around, finger raised as if to make a point and eyes gleaming. “What about a weighted blanket? Maybe the pressure will help him sleep?”
Angel chuckled. “I like the enthusiasm, but knowing David he’d probably leave it in the box and just make me lay on him to achieve the same effect.”
Babe groaned, hand falling to their side. “Fuuuuck, David is hard to shop for.”
Angel was about to agree, but their phone rang at the same time. They picked it up, seeing Stealth’s name.
Hey! Where are you guys? I decided I needed a few things after all.
Angel laughed. “It’s okay. We’re at a little corner store off the Boulevard. I’ll send you our location.”
Babe turned, curiosity piqued. Is that Stealth? they mouthed. Angel nodded.
Okay, perfect. Can we stop by a grocery store after? That’s where I need my stuff from.
“Yeah, of course.” Angel looked at their watch. “How far are you?”
I’m just leaving the department. Should be five minutes tops.
“Awesome. We’ll see you in a second.”
Babe had already walked off into the store, out of sight of Angel. ‘Kay, bye.
Angel quickly sent the location of this shop to Stealth, then they slid their phone back in their pocket, looking through stands and displays for Babe. They called out their name, but no reply. Angel dared venture further past the initial displays, getting deeper in.
The store was empty, quiet except for the soft music playing from the speakers in the ceiling. Angel was about to call out for Babe again when they suddenly appeared from behind a shelf, scaring Angel. “I got it!”
Angel yelped, clutching at their heart at the recognition of Babe. “Don’t do that! You almost gave me a heart attack.”
Babe didn’t acknowledge their panic. Instead, they help up a toy medical kit in one hand, and a plastic syringe in the other. “Give him some anesthesia and make him sleep all day!”
Babe squeezed the toy syringe at them twice as if to make their point. Angel had to chuckle, not at the idea, but at Babe’s outrageous energy. “That might work.”
“Right!”
Babe set the toy box down. “I genuinely don’t think there is anything in here we can use.”
As they’re saying this, an out of breath Stealth comes through the door. “Sorry I’m—out of breath… I—ran here.”
The three meet up by the door, letting Stealth catch their breath. “Why did you run?”
They raise a hand as if to say Gimme a second.
When they eventually do stand fully, they hold up their watched arm. “It’s a challenge at work. Department versus department thing…” they take another breath, exhaling quickly. “That run put us in the lead.”
Babe made a whooping sound as if to celebrate. Angel just smiled at them both.
“We’re just leaving, so let’s head to your grocery store.” Angel said, gesturing toward the door.
“I can’t believe you’re doing this challenge right before the sun bound solstice,” Babe commented, stepping outside, “aren’t you exhausted?”
Stealth nodded, leading the group out of the store and down the street. “I’m exhausted, and so is my department. Luckily, I can put my watch on Aggro and let him rack up steps for me!”
Angel and Babe laughed. That was such a them thing to do. “Never change, Stealth.” Babe commented.
They enter the grocery store, Stealth visibly stiffening under the whoosh of cold air in the doorway. “You alright?” Babe asked.
Stealth nodded slowly. “Yeah. Just a little light headed.”
Angel made a mental note to stay by their side in case they fell or something. Stealth leads them through the store, grabbing the random things they had in a mental checklist. Eventually, Babe asks the million dollar question.
“So I know that you both are affected by this solstice, but what do you get Milo to help?”
Stealth looks at them quizzically. “I don’t really get him anything.”
Stealth had been with Milo for an extra year more than Angel and Babe, who met their mates around the same time. Stealth had a whole extra solstice of experience over them, surely they had some piece of advice for them.
But that was it? Surely there was something they could do?
“You don’t get him anything? Does he want a bath or a massage? Something to help with the pain?”
Stealth shook their head. “Nope? Milo just likes to lay in bed all day. Sometimes if I’m feeling alright I’ll read a book, but that rarely happens. We mostly just hold each other all day.”
Babe laughs. “That’s what Asher and I do too. He doesn’t let me go.”
Angel agreed. “Davey is the worst because when he falls asleep, you can not get out of his grasp for anything.”
Stealth and Babe laugh at that. “You know why that is, right?”
Babe and Angel give Stealth a puzzling look, stopping in the middle of the isle. “What?”
Stealth laughs, the kind of laugh you give when you know juicy gossip that others don’t. “Marie and I were talking the other day about this thing she calls “Mate’s Magic. It’s supposedly superstition among wolf shifters because there really isn’t any actual magic involved, but it’s essentially this belief that a mate is the only cure for solstice sickness.”
Stealth finally eyes what they’re looking for and grabs it, adding it to their basket. Babe and Angel still stare at Stealth, as if they hadn’t just basically revealed the secret to the whole universe. “They what now?”
Babe laughs. “Okay, but why does that make so much sense? Ash won’t let me go and it’s the only time he says he can stand being awake on the solstice.”
Stealth chuckles, fatigue evident on their features. “It’s just superstition though, because, again, there’s no actual magic involved. Marie seems to think it’s true though.”
Angel notices their tiredness. “You don’t believe it?”
They shrug. “I don’t know if I do. It seems like bullshit that this “magic remedy to the solstice sickness” is limited to only one type of magic user, and a specified type of shifter at that, but who am I to tell Marie that she’s wrong?”
Angel and Babe share a look. Stealth might be skeptical, but they absolutely believed in this “mate magic.”
Stealth goes to take a step, but stumbles. Angel is there to catch them though, luckily. “I think it’s time you get home and rest.”
Stealth opens their mouth to protest, but Babe cuts them off. “No buts! You’re tired. It’s almost the worst day of the year. We’re taking you home.” Stealth only nods at that.
oOo
After making sure Stealth and Babe made it home safe, Angel made their way back to their house. It was still breathtaking that they owned this house now, with David, it was theirs. Since the day they stepped inside to tour the house, Angel knew it was home. David seemed to know too.
David must have heard the garage door open, because when Angel got out of the car, he was standing in the doorway into the house, arms open just enough to signal that he wanted them to come into his arms. He was without a shirt, dark gray sweats hanging loosely off his hips, dangerously low. He obviously hadn’t looked at himself in a mirror before coming out.
“Give me a second to grab the bags and I’ll be right in.”
Angel leaned into the seats to grab at as many plastic handles as possible, but immediately felt David’s hands on their waist. “Is there any perishable food in the bags?”
Angel made a negative sound, and stole a small glance over their shoulder. His arms had found their way onto their hips and was beginning to pull them out of the door of the car. Before they could realize what he was doing, he’d lifted them up and hoisted them up over his shoulder.
“Davey, the bags!”
He kicked the door shut with his bare foot. “Later. Bedtime now.”
Angel huffed, but wasn’t actually upset. It wasn’t often David got like this, all clingy and lovey. They’d take what they could get, they supposed.
He makes his way through the house, careful not to knock Angel’s head into a wall on the way to their bedroom. Their bedroom. That thought always gave Angel butterflies.
David deposited Angel softly into their bed, taking his place next to them and pulling them to his chest before they even could have possibly tried to move. He was already comfortable by the time Angel spoke. “Was that necessary?”
David grumbled something into their back, voice too low to possibly understand what he’d said other than that it was necessary. Angel was about to protest this assault when the conversation with Stealth and Babe from earlier came back into their head. The mate’s magic helps the solstice sickness.
Instead, they let themselves relax into his arms. It wasn’t the solstice yet, though David was already acting like it was. But Angel didn’t have to worry. They knew they had the cure for tomorrow. They didn’t need fancy bath salts or a special massage wand or any other sparkly item to help David. He just needed them.
Maybe the mate’s magic wasn’t real, but the butterflies that formed in their stomach at the thought of being David’s antidote made them think that maybe it could be.
oOo
David kept a death grip on Angel all night. He wasn’t hurting them, but Angel thought they might pop if he squeezed them any tighter. But despite that, his touch was comforting. It was almost relaxing. They understood why David would be able to sleep if he held them like this. When he was in his deepest sleep, they wriggled their way out of his arms to grab the rest of the groceries, and then cleaned up a little around the house. Most weekends, pack members found their way to their house to come play cards, or swim in the pool like this was a frat house. Angel didn’t mind. In fact, certain members who showed up were a relief to see there. That way, both Angel and David knew where they were–that they weren’t out causing trouble or looking for fights. David liked to pretend he was irritated every time they all came over, but they knew he secretly liked it. It made the house feel even more like home, if that were even possible.
It also helped David to have something to do on the weekend of Father’s Day. Ash and Milo had coordinated it to make it seem like just another frat party weekend, but they all knew what it was really about. David mused about how much he appreciated it, though those two were still a pain in his ass.
After making dinner and cleaning up their dishes, they made sure all their work was done for the day. They knew that they’d have more projects due later this week, but today was about David. It was about being there for him when he needed them. As the normally protective one, David was prone to putting himself and his needs aside to make sure the job got done, or making sure that their needs were met first. For all his bitching about healthy meals, taking care of their mental health, and also keeping up with work and pack matters, he really tended to wear himself out worrying for them. Today, when he didn’t have a choice but to take care of himself, Angel liked that they got to be the caretaker for a time. It helped too that now they knew that they didn’t need to do some extravagant act or outrageous service to help him. All he needed was them.
They checked on him every twenty minutes or so, making sure that he wasn’t in pain, awake or needed anything. When he did look like he was waking up, Angel crawled back into his arms, letting him wrap around them again. They’d only had to do this twice so far today, as he’d slept most of the day. Nearing the evening though, he’d woken up with an apparent intent to be awake for at least a little while.
“What have you done today?” He asked sleepily. They lay in each other’s arms, hands intertwined. Angel was using their free hand to play with David’s fluffy hair, full of cowlicks from sleeping, and David was running small circles on Angel’s hip with his thumb.
“Just cleaned up from this weekend. Everyone made quite the mess here this time.”
“I noticed. I wanted to clean it up for you before you got home, but I didn’t. Sorry.”
Angel thumbed at a new batch of hair. “It’s okay my love. I had time today to get it done.”
He only nods. “Did you eat?” Always taking care of them first.
“Yes, I did. There are some leftovers if you want some later.”
He grunts. “Definitely later. Eating sounds like a terrible idea right now.”
Angel chuckles at that, reminded of everything they’d heard the past couple of days. “Sorry I couldn’t stay with you all day, I get really restless when I don’t get to move around.”
David nodded again, pulling them closer. “I understand Angel. I’m glad you were with me when I was awake. Just holding you helps me feel better.”
Angel hums in agreement. So this mate’s magic thing had some backing to it. David at least understood the magic behind the madness, even if they didn’t know if he believed in it or not.
“Hey Davey?” They questioned. He tilted his head the tiniest bit, not enough to see into their eyes but enough to let them know that he was listening. “Do you believe in mate's magic?”
This time he did look down at them. “Who told you about that?”
Angel blushed, but they didn’t know why. It wasn’t like they’d just asked him a super personal secret, it was just some superstition. “Stealth told me yesterday. They were talking with Marie and she told them and then they told us when we met up. Do you think it’s real?”
He thought for a moment. Angel wondered if he would just be saying something to make them feel better about believing in superstition. But David wasn’t like that. “I believe that I feel better when you’re here. Solstice or not, your touch is the thing that makes me feel better. Your presence is always appreciated.”
“So you don’t believe in it?” Angel saw through his fancy words. They appreciated his attempt though.
David just huffs, his version of a laugh. “You asked for my honest opinion, why do you always get so feisty when I give it to you?”
“Because it’s not what I want to hear.” They whine.
He pulls them back to him. “If you believe in that superstition, then I do too. Does that make you feel better?”
The fact that David wasn’t the type of person to give out free compliments like that meant one of two things: he was too tired to want to argue with them about the logistics of all that, or he genuinely meant what he was saying. Angel hoped it was the latter.
“I always want you in my life Angel. Mate’s magic or not, feisty or responsible. You are my mate, and if that gives you some pseudo magical ability on one day of the year, then I’m okay with it.”
Angel’s stomach fills with butterflies. “You’re really tired aren’t you?”
David makes a face. “You’re welcome for the compliment, I guess.”
Angel only laughs, burying their face into his chest. “I love you, Davey.”
“I love you too, you little snot.”