Back in the New York Groove

[Synistergrrl]

“I'm back, back in the New York Groove”
By: Kiss

~New York was the kind of city that people didn’t just visit, they experienced. As the car drove in, crossing the bridge, the city rose up before them like a bright beacon in the sky. There were cars and people everywhere. No matter where one looked, they’d see something. There was nothing like it. Em was driving, Jules beside him with Miko and Declan sitting in the back seat. Miko’s hand was on Declan’s thigh as the wolf stared out the window, wide-eyed. A slight fog rose up from the water, giving the whole city a slightly mystical appearance. The only sound was the voice of the GPS giving directions to Miko’s apartment in the Village.~

~Jules was quietly staring out the window, chewing a little on his bottom lip. There was a nervous tension in the car. And Jules seemed to almost be vibrating with it. As the drove into the city, passed the skyscrapers and into Greenwich Village, Jules turned those gold eyes on Em. He was nervous. Em could see it, feel it. Not about this vampire, or Jean Luc asking about them, for the vampire next to Em was sure that was true. No, he was nervous about drawing attention to himself, about being caught, taken, or worse, killing because he could no longer control himself. Even when they had been younger, Jules had this uncanny ability to control himself. But now, there was a worry that he was too damaged. Noone really knew that or understood it save for Em.~

Right there… park along this street…

~Miko’s voice crept from the back seat. The cat was holding onto Declan, keeping an eye on the wolf to see just how well he fit into this world. When Em found a parking spot, they all climbed out and Miko motioned for them to follow. The city was an assault on the senses. There was noise, even this late at night, loud noise, and people, still out on the streets. The smells were overwhelming, food, beer, piss and garbage. It was so different from where Declan had grown up. But Miko pressed on and lead them up the steps to an older brownstone. He pulled out a set of keys and slipped them into the lock. He let them all into a hall with black and white time and a huge wooden staircase. A door opened near the front door and an old woman peered out. She instantly brightened though, pulling the door shut and then unlatching some chains before coming out.~

Mikolas!! My boy! It’s been a very long time…

~She hugged him and the cat returned the hug with a big smile.~

Jake didn’t tell you I was coming?

~The woman shook her head.~

That one… he isn’t as nice as you… he’s got some new girlfriend, hardly ever here… not that I care… but she’s a little too uptown for him… she’s using him to shock her parents, I’d bet my leg on it.

~Miko gave a little laugh.~

I bet you would… Mrs. Strausen… this is my friend Emile and Jules… and this… is Declan.

~She seemed to eye the first two but her eyes really leveled on Declan. It was the way Miko had presented him, last, but certainly not least, infact, it seemed more as if he were presenting Declan to his mother or something. The old woman shuffled in closer, her milky eyes gazing with the sharpness of a hawk.~

So… You will have dinner with me… tomorrow night… you and your friends… I think I need to get to know this Declan….

~Miko just nodded agreeing to bring his friends to dinner at her place. They then climbed the stairs, passing the second floor and the third to the fourth. Miko went down the hall and opened a door at the front of the building. As they entered, the whole place spoke of who Miko was. This cat was a model by trade. He traveled, A LOT. There were trinkets and knickknacks from all over the world. And best yet there were pictures that painted a wall. Most were of Miko, some snapshots, other professional, some of him on the runway, some campaign driven. The others were obviously of this roommate. The thing was, it showed just how popular Miko was, and that this boy was known, a slight celebrity in the fashion world.~

Welcome to my home…

~Miko suddenly felt very exposed. Jules smiled though, but still didn’t say anything. He walked to the big bay window that over looked the street and stared out. Miko shifted slightly and then looked at Declan.~

There is a spare room over there…

~He pointed to the shut door before reaching out and taking D’s hand.~

Come on… I want to show you something…

~He lead the wolf away from the two vampires and back to his room. The whole apartment was old, with white crown molding and wood floors. There was something warm about it and ofcourse Miko had a huge big old bed. His room was like a den, warm and relaxing, inviting even. Declan would realize this was a place few people saw, only those really close to the cat got to see this place. It was special, not just some job. This was his home, the place he considered safe.~

[LittleDeadGrrl]

Motherfucker ...

-Declan murmured beneath his breath staring up at the skyscrapers that passed them by all wide eyed. He'd never seen so many fucking people in one place. Sure he'd seen New York on tv, in movies, but being there was totally different. It was suffocating and warm and inviting and overwhelming. He barely seemed to notice anyone else. The wolf just leaned against his door, his window open, as he stared at everything passing them by. Em drove slowly used to the business. He'd grown up in large European cities. The vampire barely glanced at Jules as he reached out settling his hand over his own and squeezing ... -

I'm here ...

-He spoke softly, not even audible to a human, but he knew the vampire would hear it and understand. Em would be his willpower. They'd hunt together and not allow each other to fall too deeply. He knew right now he had to be one in control. Jules had given up pieces of himself for the pack, for him, for Finn, so it was his turn to be that shield. They parked along the streets and Declan got out backing up before he was swallowed into the crowd. The noise the smells trapped him for a moment and he looked so much the wolf, his eyes darting around nervously. The wolf inside of him was unsettled and it showed but when Miko lead them on Declan followed easily and smirked ... -

I don't see what the fuss is about ... just a city ...

-He teased the cat a bit but he almost couldn't wait to get out. A slight bittersweet smile touched his lips ... -

Next time we'll bring Colt ...

-He missed his cousin in that moment, experiencing this new place without him. He focus on the woman especially when he was introduced so highly. He glanced a bit sideways at Miko but in true rural fashion the wolf had respect for the elderly. He bowed his head easily in respect ... the big country wolf smiled ever so faintly ... -

Not much to get to know but I'd never turn down a good meal ...

-He followed Miko glancing back for a moment at the older woman as if trying to see past the facade of age. He shook his head and followed before whistling a bit ... -

You have been everywhere haven't you ...

-He poked at some of the trinkets. Em glanced around taking everything in but he stayed close to Jules before tugging him along to the spare bedroom they were given as a formality since they never slept. He tugged the vampire in and shut the door turning to look at Jules-

It's nice to be back in a city isn't it? You should call Ren tonight ... you know he'll freak if he doesn't hear from you every hour ...

-Declan followed easily smirking a bit at all the pictures. He wanted to tease the cat but he also knew he was being allowed someplace special and he didn't want to ruin that. He glanced around before moving in closer tugging Miko in claiming his lips roughly ... -

Did I just get introduced to your mom and are we now married in the cat world ...

-He teased but smiled nuzzling into the cat before he moved to the window staring out-

I never thought there'd be so many people in the world much less in one place ...

[Synistergrrl]

~Jules appreciated that Em was there. He wasn't sure he could do this alone. All the sounds and smells were driving him a little crazy. He shivered when the vampire took his hand and let out a soft little sigh. Once they were upstairs, he felt a little better. This apartment helped. He let Em take him to the spare bedroom. He turned and gave Em a smile.~

I will...

~He reached out and tugged Em to the small window that looked out over the front of the brownstone. He leaned back on the vampire as he stared out that window.~

It scares me to be in such a big city, Em. I thought... I thought it'd be okay, but... now, that I'm here... I'm just... nervous.

~Miko had been smiling at the wolf, how like a child or puppy he seemed. And when he said they'd bring Colt next time, Miko nodded.~

Yes, for sure... We'll bring him.

~And then they were upstairs and Declan was kissing him and Miko's arms wrapped around the wolf's neck as he melted against him. He flickered a grin.~

No... she's not my mother... you asshole... She is just the lady that owns this building. She's always been kind to me, so she is kind of like a surrogate grandmother.

~Declan moved to the window and Miko followed, looking out the window and smiling. He put his arms around the wolf and nuzzled into him.~

What did you think it was going to be like? They do always say this is the city that does not sleep... that's true you know? It's crazy... but you get used to it... I think Colt would like it... Next time, we bring him. And we'll stay longer. This time... we'll try and not do too much without him, okay?

[LittleDeadGrrl]

-Em stared out the window but he tugged Jules in closer wrapping his arms around him a bit as he stared out. So much had changed but in some strange way they'd survived. They had made it. They were alive and free and away from the Volturi. Who knew how long it might last but right now it was good. He thought of Ren but his mind drifted to the coyote ... he wondered what the creature was doing right now ... -

Don't be ... we'll take it as if you're a first year ... slow and remember I'm right here ... you try anything that's not good for you or the pack and I'll rip out you fangs ...

-He purred the words in his ear but smiled a bit softly as he leaned in kissing his forehead before he leaned back and tilted his head to the side offering his neck. If Jules hesitated he pushed him motioning for him to take some blood. It'd help in the city. Declan grinned when he was called an asshole-

Asshole ... now that's not nice ... I'm telling your mom ...

-He was staring out the window then staring out in awe ... -

That might be hard ... I don't even wanna sleep ... I didn't know what it was gonna be like. I guessed but I always been in those woods Miko. That's home ... this is definately nothing like home.

-He turned staring at Miko-

When do we have to meet this vampire? We got time to go out and walk around or no?

-He said we simply, he had no intention of letting the cat out of his sight or allowing the vampire to touch him too much ... -

[Synistergrrl]

You are always there... for me, even when I don't deserve it.

~Jules sighed and at the offer of blood, Jules felt the monster in him want to attack. He licked his lips but hesitated. He couldn't help but wonder if Jean Luc's blood hadn't tainted him some how. But Em pushed him and well, that was enough. He leaned in, his lips dusting Em's neck and then he kinda smiled pulling back a little bit.~

You smell like coyote....

~He purred those words before letting his fangs sink into Em's neck, his arm wrapping loosely around Em's shoulders. It was heaven really, that taste. But it wasn't old, not like Jean Luc's and even though Jules hated to admit it, Em's blood was a taunt compared to that old monster.~

We don't need to meet him until tomorrow night... or tonight... what time is it?

~He picked up his phone, looked at the time and then smiled.~

So... it's 2:30... we are going to meet him tomorrow night at his place at 8. So we have a while. We can go out if you like. I know some great places we can go eat and then we can go to Times Square... you should see that...

~Miko smiled, happy that Declan seemed to be so interested and enjoying this city. Miko pulled back and grabbed his jacket.~

It's cold, D... we gotta kinda make it look like we are aware of how cold it is.

~He tossed the wolf a hoodie before tugging on his own jacket and a scarf. Miko smiled and then opened the door.~

Come on... There's a diner not far from here that has the best omelets on the face of the planet... and they are huge, like you can get them made with a dozen eggs if you want...

[LittleDeadGrrl]

You never deserved it ...

-Em purred before snorting at the mention of the coyote. He sighed closing his eyes at the feeling the fangs. A bit of him enjoyed the sensual touch. He pulled back when Jules finished touching his neck as he sighed leaning back against the wall ... -

He's so infuriating ...

-It take Jules a moment but slowly the reality would sink in he was talking about the coyote. He sighed a bit before staring out the window. Declan nodded slowly before arcing a brow as he was tossed a hoodie. He grinned-

I thought you liked me taking my clothes off ... not putting more on ...

-He teased the cat before tugging in as he followed the cat out. He glanced at the door towards the vampires but he wanted time alone. He tugged the cat out as they slipped out in the cold air. He draped an arm across his shoulder protectively, or was it possessively. The place still amazed him. The crowds pushed by them in a way that was dizzying. The wolf came out a few times when a few got too close or looked at Miko for too long ... his eyes narrowed and the humans often backed of feeling a predator near by-