What if...?

(*sizzling noise*) (*happy humming*)

There was a spicy aroma filling the room, crawling gently in Wyatt nostrils and waking him from his slumber. He sat as he rubbed his eyes open. Lauren was still knocked out on the couch. Matthew was not in the bed and thinking about that made Wyatt remember what happened and part of him was trying to process it.

Perhaps it was a dream, after all it was really dark and he was tired. He heard some noise in the kitchen and got up. He walked towards the room yawning a bit. He almost stopped entirely when he saw Matthew's back. Even through the shirt's fabric, it was wide and built. The fact that he was this tall made him even more imposing. The gator's tail was swaying slowly behind him while he was cooking something. Without turning back he spoke.

Matthew: "Oh morning Wyatt"

The shepherd was startled, he was confused at the gator's guess.

Wyatt: "h-hi...what are you doing?"

The gator turned with a goofy smile and a pan in hand.

Matthew: "Breakfast"

Wyatt: "oh...you didn't have to"

Matthew: "here"

Matthew grabbed something in a plate with his fingers and brought it to Wyatt's mouth which opened and gobbled it with the tips of Matthew's finger who looked expectantly at the shepherd who was flustered as he started chewing on the mysterious thing. It was a bit hot but not too much. The out layer was crispy yet enjoyable and the inside was melting on the tongue. The rich flavor combined with spices made Wyatt's eyes widened and his tail wag.

Wyatt: "Dang...what's this?"

Matthew: "sounds like you liked it?"

Wyatt: "you bet I did"

Matthew chuckled and turned off the stove before bringing the plate to the island. He sat and called Wyatt over. The latter sat across and looked at the surface, covered with plates of the same thing he tasted, some with other stuff he didn't know any better. There was orange juice but it seemed like it wasn't just that. Wyatt looked at Matthew, puzzled.

Matthew: "so I cooked a little something"

Wyatt: "a little?! That's a feast!"

Matthew: "well (*scratching the back of his neck*) sorry I probably should have asked but I will pay back for everything I used"

Wyatt: "No no I don't mind. I meant you said you cooked little but this is like for giants"

Matthew: "well I thought you guys might be hungry after such a hungover"

Wyatt: "well, true, I'm starving. What about Lauren?"

Lauren: "what about me?"

Lauren emerged from behind while yawning with a sleepy face.

Lauren: "oooh food"

She smiled tiredly when she saw the breakfast but Matthew had none of it and said.

Matthew: "you could get a shower first, a bath even. Then you can think of tasting my handcrafts"

Lauren: "Bitch you cooked? That's so sexy"

Matthew: "Well, thanks. Now go take a shower you smell like things I don't want to spell before Wyatt"

Wyatt: "She smells like what ? "

Wyatt turned to her and sniffed the air for a second. He didn't realize it at first when he was sleeping because he was thinking about a lot of things but now, it was evident.

Wyatt: "Bitch, you didn't do what I think you did"

Lauren: "I don't know what you're talking about"

Wyatt: "You smell like a dragon we know"

Lauren: "Well, gurl let me tell you"

Wyatt: "hm...ok I must admit I'm curious like how? Wait first of all why?"

Matthew: "She'll be delighted to talk about that after taking a shower, she is spoiling the food with that stench."

Lauren: "Damn that's violent"

Matthew: "handle it"

Lauren: "nothing i can't"

Wyatt: "I bet"

Lauren: "Bitch you didn't"

Wyatt: "I did"

Lauren just faked to be hurt and blasted a middle finger to him. He chuckled as she walked away. Wyatt turned to Matthew.

Wyatt: "It seemed personal"

Matthew: "What was?"

Wyatt: "Your words"

Matthew: "What makes you think that?"

Wyatt: "Well, I could be wrong but I feel some sort of tension between you two"

Matthew: "Don't sweat it, I was just a bit annoyed that she was having her way with Akira apparently and you were about to...I mean, she was with you...she should have stayed with you"

Wyatt: "it's not her fault...There was this whole part where I was being talked by the famous frat"

Matthew: "They just came and took you?"

Wyatt: "well it was selection i guess, Jørgen said he wanted to talk to me, he said something about potential seen with naked eye"

Matthew: "more like naked butt"

Wyatt: "..."

Matthew: "He is a jerk. And I suggest you tell him to the Headmaster"

Wyatt: "I..."

Matthew: "you?"

Wyatt looked down for a moment.

Matthew: "is there something I don't know?"

Wyatt looked at him with a scared expression.

Matthew: "Has he threatened you?!"

Matthew demeanor changed to a more angry posture. His grip tightened on the knife he was holding. Wyatt was not used to the alligator being this way...although he did remember when the gator fought the shark. Wyatt didn't reply and couldn't even look at Matthew, his ears dropped. Matthew sighed and his expression softened as his grip did as well.

Matthew: "Wyatt, look at me please"

Wyatt looked at him, his expression still that of fear.

Matthew: "I just to make sure you're okay...Has he threatened you?"

Wyatt: "N-no"

Matthew: "Then what's going on? Why do I feel like you don't want to talk about that incident with the Headmaster. You were the one asking me to tell about my problem with that group of punk, and now you don't want to tell about yours?"

Wyatt: "it's not that..."

Matthew: "Then...what is it?"

Wyatt: "I don't...I don't want ...if I tell he might do something to me...if he's expelled he won't be restricted by the school if he were to pick on me..."

Matthew: "Wyatt...we both know you aren't telling me the whole truth"

Wyatt flinched and continued.

Wyatt: "I don't want you to be hurt...I know you will try protecting me again but what if you get hurt...I would be responsible"

Matthew: "it's not your responsibility to worry about me. I will defend you but you shouldn't be keeping such a thing because of me. What are you going to do? Avoid him in school? You know it ain't a solution"

Wyatt: "And sending him where I can't see him coming is even worse...you already punched some sense into him...I think he won't come again so I don't see the point of telling..."

Matthew sighed and said.

Matthew: "Fine...it's up to you"

Wyatt: "Thanks"

They stood there not saying a word after that. Matthew got up and took his phone on the counter and went through it. Wyatt just stared in the blank, thinking of what happened. He knew the gator meant well, and he knew such an incident was to be told...but too many thoughts of the consequences were not allowing him to rest. He glanced over at the gator, the later had a slight frown on his face. Wyatt felt bad, deep down he knew the gator was right but he feared something else. If the story was to be told...then he will not have peace at uni, people will judge him silently. Victim or not he was still involved in something society was still having issues to accept, not the sexual assault, homosexuality.

Wyatt never really thought of that before and to be true to himself he knew it was more of a spectrum than just one side or another, he hadn't figured out where he was on that spectrum but no matter what it was still a society deviance that he couldn't bear to show. What would his father think? He read so many stories about parents kicking their kids out for that. Of course, he couldn't be sure, but would he take the risk? His father was his only family...if he were to lose him he would be on the streets...he would have no one...yet...he thought, What if...? There were thoughts galore in his mind. Countless possibilities, fears and feelings he felt all at once...lost in his chaotic inner screams, he seemed to gazed at his plate blankly, a hint of the immeasurable feeling of doubt clearly visible.

A warm sensation wrapping around his hand made him free of his torturing overthinking. He looked at his hand and noticed there was bigger one on top of it. It was the hand of Matthew, he dare not look at the gator, a mix of feelings going through him. The deep but reassuring tone of Matthew made him feel at ease while listening to the words of a friend for whom he felt something he dared not tell.

Matthew: "Wyy....What you've been through is a lot for one person? I'm not just talking about the whole deal with your father but also about the incident with Jørgen. I don't want you to feel like you can't open up about what you feel inside...trust me, it won't do you any good. It's your right to take all the time you need to talk about something that troubles your mind but know that I will be there whenever you are ready, okay? Whatever happened with Jørgen is in the past and shouldn't ruin your smile. I'm here for you buddy, now and always"

Wyatt looked at the gator and his lips trembled a bit, he opened his mouth to say something but was quickly interrupted by Lauren loud and exaggerated sigh.

Lauren: "So guys, let me tell you now the whole tea"

Matthew: "knowing how it went you didn't have a light hand on the cream"

Lauren: "a lot of it"

Wyatt rolled his eyes at Lauren while Matthew straightened in his chair breaking their kind of intimate contact. He placed his hand on his chin to hold his head with the elbow on the table leaning on his hand while looking at Lauren with a poker face.

Wyatt: "Can we eat now?"

Lauren: "yeah oh were you waiting for me? Awww that's so sweet you didn't hav-"

Wyatt: "yeah shut the fuck up and sit bitch"

Lauren: "Honestly, you ass"

Matthew was chewing while looking at them bickering, almost as if watching a movie with a kind look.

Lauren: "The leather bag is eating without us"

Matthew: "yap all you wish little dragon nest then sit your ass on that seat and stuff yourself in the good way this time"

Lauren's jaw dropped and Wyatt couldn't help but laugh hard at that. The coyote just sat and said with "Bitch you better not try me"

Lauren: "Okay bitch you want war, game on"

Matthew: "I do not do war with weaklings"

Wyatt: "Dayummmmm"

Lauren: "Wyatt shut your trap on this one, it's between the scale heels and me"

Wyatt: "Girl, you got roasted like more than once. Just admit defeat"

Lauren: "I will never yield to Matthew, I will always fight"

Matthew: "And lose as much"

He snorted and she looked at him.

Lauren: "So funny, wait, my time will come and you will see"

Matthew: "I will wait, I have all time, didn't know you needed months to gather your thoughts for a single bar"

Lauren: "you good, gator, you good"

Matthew: "got a buddy like you back in high-school, a very interesting otter. He had bars to spit and of course I was his favorite test subject for those. So with time I had to work on my defense then I learned to attack"

Wyatt: "where is he now? Do you know?"

They were eating while Matthew started to tell them.

Matthew: "oh He went back in Spain, his family had business here so he did his whole high-school here in the same class as me."

Lauren: "you said he was interesting, how interesting are we talking about?"

Wyatt grinned and Lauren had a bored look.

Lauren: "not in that way oh my gaaaad, such a dirty minded person you are. Like honestly (*rolling her eyes*) so, Matthew?"

The gator gulped down a some eggs and looked at her.

Matthew: "Well he was very good with people, a guy quite easy to talk to. He wasn't a famous guy or anything but people liked him somehow for his personality. He didn't invent gun powder but he was skilled in some subjects like science and philosophy. He was a sucker at P.E. and always made hilarious excuses to skip that class (*laughing heartedly*) I remember once he said something about an illness he had that prevented him to touch ropes. That guy was crazy man, I was sad when he told me he was going back to Spain, but we kept in touch, we do text once in a while, you know, time zones being quite quirky"

Lauren: "sounds like a good buddy of yours"

Wyatt: "but I totally feel him on the P.E. class. It's not that I hated it or anything but my teacher was that old black bear. And he was literally a jerk with us. Making us run as many laps around the field as he saw fit, the more laps you manage to do the higher your grade"

Lauren: "Bitch ain't no me doing that shit. I only participated in that class for gymnastics and sometimes dodge ball but skipped everything else"

Wyatt: "I couldn't try that, if my father were to just hear that I skipped i will get my ass whooped for sure"

Matthew: "I on the other hand liked that class, it was fun having to play with people"

Lauren: "That's why you are like a golem"

Matthew: "yeah...genetics I would say, I don't necessarily work out that much since I already do swim a lot, i may be doing more stretching exercises"

Lauren: "ooooo what about we do some yoga after breakfast"

Wyatt: "yoga? Sounds cool I'm flexible"

Lauren: "That's going to be so cool, my brothers can't keep up so I expect you guys to do your best"

Matthew chuckled and closed his eyes as he leaned back.

Lauren: "wait you guys even made me forget, the tea"

Wyatt: "spill, how? Like Akira? Was it really him? Well you did smell like him but neh."

Lauren adjusted her pose to face Wyatt beside her and Matthew that was sitting across just listened and chuckled from time to time at the reactions of Wyatt hearing what she did with the dragon...in deep, very deep details from the drink to the banging. Wyatt was really uncomfortable during that part and Matthew would be silent all the while aside from a glance or two at Lauren while she spoke.

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The sunrays pierced through the curtains and landed warmly on Liam's snout, slowly waking him up. He blinked few times before yawning and scratching his left ear. He didn't got up, he stayed lying on his side looking at the curtains. They were nothing of the extraordinary, a simple plain white yet the light from the sun reflecting on the glass behind them projected some dancing patterns. He would look at them for a little while before turning on his back and looking at the ceiling. He was getting bored of just staying here...it allowed him to rest, more than he did for the past couple days but what good was that rest if his thoughts and dreams were occupied by the project W and more Importantly the one behind all the wicked game he was in right now.

He grabbed his phone from the desk next to bed and went through it. He wanted to text his son and know if he was okay but he remembered the last conversation they had was quite explosive. He saw a text from Cassius saying he would not be attending him today and that another person would be available if he needed anything. It wouldn't be long anyway since he was to be free by the afternoon and ready to work again on that capture. Project W was a project he held close, sure it was prototypical but with more studies and experiments perhaps his real objective would become possible.

Project W was initially requested by a side party under one of the shareholders but it was then given to Liam because of his more suitable knowledge and expertise.

Liam was against creating weapons but he quickly understood that anything in the hands of some people could become a weapon. Project W was an example, whatever purpose the one behind all of this, has, the necessity of Project W is unknown. Knowing what the being was capable of doing was a thing, discovering a way to use them to harm was another. If in fact, project W was to be used as a weapon, they would have not much chance to stop it. Liam sighed and dropped his phone on the mattress. He closed his eyes and allowed himself to sleep a bit more.

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Emma tried opening the door as silently as possible. She got in and closed just as silently. A sudden voice coming from behind made her jolt.

?: "Emma?! Where were you? Oh my God, I was worried sick, what happened to you?"

Emma turned to see her mother. She looked down in shame as the older lady went to her and touched her to see if she was hurt but the young one simply stepped back and looked at her.

Emma: "I'm fine mom...I was just at a party"

Her mother wasn't convinced but the fierce look of Emma made her sigh.

?: "Please honey, I just want to help. Tell me

Is it about your boyfriend, that sweet little Eddy?"

Emma flinched. She remembered the last time she had so many words exchanged with the older woman it was when she was still in love with Eddy. They were fleshly a thing, and Eddy would of course spend some times at her house and meet her family. Her mother was always happy to have him over but her father was another challenge. The old male would literally go as far threatening the shepherd not to come. Emma and Eddy found a way to bypass that and Eddy would sneak by night. Emma's mother was aware of that and would help cover for it. Right now, Emma wanted to say the truth...say that here life was being hell...she wanted to say she hated the one she almost called her step son, she wanted to say that she would sacrifice anything to watch him burn in hell...she wanted a lot but halas... What if...? She looked at her mom and faked a smile "it's okay mom" Emma knew there was a heavy burden on her mother's shoulders to provide a lot for her and she didn't feel like sharing that she was going through such horrible things and made her worry even more. It was disgusting situation, unable to tell your own mother that you suffer is already a pain...but knowing your mother knows you are in a pain but can't do anything is sometimes so much worse...Emma just got to her room quickly and locked the door behind her. She fell to the ground in tears and soft sobs. Weekend was the only moment of solace she could have free of pain, free of hurt, free of Eddy, free of time...she looked at her ceiling and could see the tiny stars painted on it...Eddy painted them, she remembered his laugh...she cursed under her breath and warm tears kept flowing. It was hard that someone you loved so much became the reason you feel at the pit of hell. She brought her knees to her face and buried her face in them as she let go of her emotions.