This Is Make-Believe, Dear!

Title: Peace Under the Moon, Part Twenty-six
Author: moodwriter
Genre: angst, romance, werewolf-AU (follows canon mostly)
Pairing: Adam/Tommy
Word Count: 5040 words
Rating: NC-17 (the whole story)
Warnings: language, violence, sexual scenes
Summary: Tommy is the omega of his pack, cursed and lonely. He wants something else for himself.
Disclaimer: Yes, I make things up about real people. They fascinate me. This is far from real.
Prompt: Recently I have been caring for a large number of animals. I've been surprised by the fact when an animal that is doing poorly is given a quiet place by itself many times recovers on its own.
Since I've been crushing on A/T this observation lead to a plot bunny. What if A and T were werewolves where T for whatever reason was at the bottom of his pack's pecking order and not doing too well. Either A "annex's" T for A's pack or T cleverly manipulates a situation where T is "given" to A's pack. Not being constantly picked on allows T to come into his own. And that's all I have. :-) This is justclaire1357's prompt. Sorry it took me forever to get here. I hope you like it. :)
Banner: By the lovely poutytrout




Peace Under the Moon, Part Twenty-six


A few days before the wedding Adam goes to Canada. It's nothing new - Adam is gone all the time - but it's still somehow different. It hurts somewhere below his heart, like there's a hole inside him, and only Adam can fill it.

They talk on the phone that night, lying in their respective beds, and Tommy tries to explain how he feels.

Adam listens to him for a while, then says, "Balir's missing me."

Tommy blinks. "I've never felt the wolf's feelings before, not like my own."

There's a short pause before Adam says, "I've been waiting for this to happen." Adam sighs, and it sounds like he's relaxing more, resting against the pillows, maybe even switching the lights off. "Close your eyes," he says softly.

For some reason, his heart speeds up, but he does what Adam asks.

"Find your center, the part where you two have always been connected, the part the curse violated. Trust me. This won't hurt you."

He feels stupid, but he lets himself sink deeper inside to find the place Adam is talking about. In his mind, he goes through his body from head to toe, and he realizes his never felt this whole before, like he owns himself completely from toenails to the tips of his hair. He's real, all of him. It makes him want to laugh, but he ignores the feeling and continues further. Everything is a bit weird because his mind doesn't seem to be in his head but everywhere around him and in him. He's not that limited. He's more.

"Can you find it?" Adam asks, that same soft tone making him feel happy and relaxed.

He thinks about it, then says. "It's kind of everywhere." He's not sure if he should feel disappointed that he can't pinpoint his center.

"Oh my God, baby..." Adam chokes up, but forces himself to say, "You're whole. You did it. Somehow, you did it. Oh my God..."

Tommy laughs, uncertain at first and then a little more confident. "I did? The wolf is me now? You sure?" He laughs again, testing how it feels on his tongue. "I thought... I thought it would change me into someone different. I'm me... just more."

"I know." Adam still sounds choked up, like he's desperately trying to hold back the emotions. "Balir is you."

Now there are tears in his eyes, too, but he can't stop laughing. "How?"

"You care about people, about things, about life, about experiences, and you turned that same curiosity and love towards yourself. It's that simple."

He's a mess. He doesn't even know how to be still, and he has to sit up. His hands are shaking. "There were so many times when you could've made me feel bad about the wolf. You never did."

Adam breathes in, then whispers, "I've been crazy about you the whole time. The wolf, the whole package... I've tried to be patient with you, but I've seen you all along. I see you. God, I love you."

Tommy bites his lip. "I'd go through everything again just to get here."

"I don't know what to say." Adam makes a small, adorable sound, like he's trying to swallow and then forgets halfway what he's doing. "I always know what to say."

"Have you any idea how awesome that is?" He kisses the phone, and doesn't give a damn how stupid that makes him. "I made you speechless."

Adam laughs quietly.

"Hurry home. I miss you."

"I'm glad I'm not there right now. Nothing would stop me."

Tommy lets himself fall against the pillows. "And now you say that. Unfair."

"You'll thank me later."

"I'll bite you later." He wipes his nose with the back of his hand. "Can I?"

Adam laughs again. "You should borrow that book from your mother."

"You're not gonna tell me anything?" It still annoys him that Adam knows so much more about what it means to be a werewolf. Of course it's only natural, but still, he wishes he wasn't so clueless about everything.

"I'm gonna show you."

He curls on his side, wishing Adam was there. "I can't wait."

Adam's birthday party is insane. Tommy tries to have fun, but he's mostly exhausted and lost. There are so many people he doesn't know, and he ends up drinking too much. He tries not to bother Adam, talks with people he knows, mingles like he's supposed to do as the Beta of his pack, but the role feels too big for him.

When the cake is brought out he stays at the back of the wide room and watches Adam as his picture gets taken with everyone, as he smiles and laughs and talks and makes everything seem so natural.

Tommy feels like he should be more, like he should be able to do what Adam does, make it happen no matter how difficult it is for him. He has the curse on his side. He should be able to charm people. He should be able to make people feel at ease with him, but he can't. For some reason he can't get over the fact that there are so many people he doesn't know and he has no idea what to say to them.

"You look like you could need a break," Roxy says to him. He didn't even notice that she had found her way to his side. "Wanna go outside for a while? I could smoke."

He nods, and then sighs in relief when the music gets muffled by the elevator doors.

"Can you handle his life?" Roxy asks, worry clear in her voice.

He hates questions like that because they make him doubt his choices. "I'll be fine. I'm just so tired after everything that's happened, and tomorrow's the big day."

They go to the back alley, and Roxy lights a cigarette.

It's a cool night but a nice one. The moon is high on the sky, almost full. The wolf is stronger, more eager, and Tommy smiles at it, letting it feel his frustration and tiredness, too. It shares the emotions, and that makes everything easier to deal.

"Do you ever wish he wasn't a star?" Roxy asks. "We could have more of his time if he wasn't."

Tommy looks at her for a while, then says, "I don't care. He can be whatever he wants to be. If he chooses to be a florist next that's fine by me. I'll play, though, and I want to play in his band as long as he wants me to be there, but if he wants to do something else... I'm not gonna stop him. And I'll tolerate all the bullshit, too. I just want him to be happy."

"What about your happiness?" Roxy puts a hand over her mouth, an apology in her eyes. "Sorry. Can I ask these things from you? Do you mind? I'm always asking too many questions."

Tommy laughs. "It's fine. You answered all my stupid questions in the beginning. You can ask anything. And besides, I value your opinion."

Roxy leans against the brick wall, the cigarette between her fingers, the skimpy blue dress revealing her well-shaped thighs. "Then tell me, are you happy?"

The answer is so simple he almost doesn't want to say it. He steps closer to her, sharing warmth with her, and she breathes in quietly but says nothing. "I always thought happiness was something I could gain. It's not. I'm happy because I'm happy. It's not because everything is perfect, or because we're perfect, or because I don't feel pain any more. I'm happy through all the things that have happened. I'm happy in my own way. But yeah, I'm happy." It wasn't so simple after all. He could've said yes. That would've been true, too.

"I'm happy for you," she says, swallowing tears, her cigarette burning out.

Tommy pulls her into a hug, and she lets him. "You're one of my closest friends," he whispers in her hair.

"I know."

A part of him wishes he could be more to her, that he could have many possible paths in his life. He can't. He's chosen his, and it's the right one.

Roxy pats his shoulder. "Let me go before I embarrass myself completely." When Tommy releases her she doesn't look at him, but she smiles. "I hope he knows how lucky he is. Not many people find what he has found."

"He knows," Tommy says quietly. "I know, too."

"Yeah... You lucky bastards." She pokes his side, and he jumps, then attacks her with fierce tickling fingers.

When they get back to the party they are both laughing, and it doesn't take long for a group of people to surround them. They become the center of interesting conversations, people taking part in their joy.

Tommy finds Adam over the crowd, and they lock eyes, smiling to each other. They can do this together.

Once the party is over Monte drives them home, leaving them to the sidewalk to hold each other up. It's a bad thing that they're in this condition before the wedding, but nothing can be done about it now.

Tommy takes the first steps towards the front door, and almost falls on his knees because Adam doesn't follow him, just holds onto his hand. He turns to look at Adam, a little annoyed, but then theirs eyes meet.

It's the wolf.

"Do you have any doubts?" Adam is drunk, but he doesn't sound like it right now. "Do you want to be mine?"

Tommy moves closer, steps against Adam's body, and breathes. The wolf is his too. He nuzzles Adam's neck, tries to get as close as he can. "Please."

"Tomorrow." There are teeth against his throat, and he lets Adam pull at his hair, lets Adam position him just right. He wants, his eyes closing. He goes limp in Adam's arms. No sound comes out of his mouth. "Tomorrow," Adam whispers against his skin.

He wants tomorrow to be now.

Instead of biting him, Adam kisses his mouth, and that shouldn't feel so new but it does. He tries to answer the kiss the best he can, tries but fails. Adam's wolf always affects him more than anyone else in the world. It has him begging even if he doesn't know what he's begging for. He just yields.

"Be more perfect, I dare you," the wolf growls, and it makes Tommy smile. He's in good hands, and no matter where those hands lead him he will always follow.

Somehow they get inside. It's all a bit confusing to him because he's drunk but he's also under the wolf's spell. He's a willing slave, his wrists in one of Adam's hands, and he's being pulled up the stairs and into the bedroom. He's laughing, but his heart is beating fast, excitement and fear mixing in his blood. He loves this person, but it's also scary to give everything of himself to him. Forever is a very long time.

Adam stops right before the bed, turns around, and says, "Please sleep in the guestroom. I can't... Please?"

His wrists are still in Adam's hold so he only tilts his head, smiling. "Am I finally getting to you?"

"You've been getting to me the whole time, but it's almost full moon and the wolf wants you too and... just..." Adam closes his eyes, his hand cupping Tommy's chin, a thumb caressing his lower lip. "You're so beautiful."

He takes a step back, and Adam releases him, but doesn't open his eyes. "Okay." Tommy steals one of Adam's used T-shirts, and walks out of the room before anything happens.

His stomach is full of butterflies so he doesn't sleep much, but it doesn't matter. When he opens his eyes in the morning he's wide awake immediately, and not tired at all.

He's getting married. It's the weirdest feeling ever, and he never thought he'd marry a guy. He's just happy his mom is completely on their side.

When he goes downstairs after a shower Adam is already sitting at the kitchen table. Their eyes meet, and it's love and familiarity. Tommy goes to Adam, and kisses him because this is his life now. He can. "I'm glad this is happening." He still fears it's a dream, and that he'll wake up one day to realize that he never got away from his old pack.

Adam holds him close for a while, not kissing him, just keeping him there, like he's the most precious person ever.

The morning goes by in a fog. They have packed their bags a few days before because Leila told them that they'll forget something important if they don't. And she reminded them about the rings. Everyone forgets the rings.

Someone honks a horn, and Tommy looks outside. The buses are there already, waiting for them. They gather their stuff and go. The wind pulls at his hair and the air is crisp and cold, but the only thing that matters is Adam's warm hand in his.

It's an early morning so everyone is quiet. Tommy just sits behind Jeff and Roxy, and Adam sits next to him.

Tommy let Adam have his way with the wedding. The first day is for the pack because full moon means full wolves. The second day is for their family and friends, too, and they'll be arriving long after they've changed back to their human forms. Tommy isn't sure why Adam wanted to have the wedding during full moon, but he's pretty certain it has something to do with mating. He should've borrowed the god damn book from his mom.

When they arrive to the place at the canyons all Tommy can do is stare. There are three huge bedouin tents next to each other in a half circle and in the middle there's a bonfire already lit. It's easy to spot Sisi because of her blue hair, and Leila is there, too, her brown hair on a ponytail and her hands on her waist as she looks around. At least ten workers are there to do whatever she needs from them.

"That's my mom always organizing," Adam whispers in his ear.

Tommy has seen her twice before, and the first time they met she hugged him like Adam hugs people with her full body and soul, acceptance and love in her touch. He had been overwhelmed by her, but quietly pleased that he didn't have to try to win her over. She trusts her son's judgment, and she said to Tommy the last time they saw each other: "He's known what he's doing since he was five."

They get off the bus, and when Sisi notices them she comes running, jumping to Tommy's neck when she's close enough. "Oh my god, you're here. It's been terrible. She's a meanie."

Tommy laughs. "She wants everything to be perfect." He lowers his voice so only Sisi and Adam can hear him. "I don't really care. I don't even know if we have a cake. Do we?"

Adam pulls at his hair, kisses the side of his head, and leaves without a word because Leila beckons him over.

"You do have a cake. It's tall, too," Sisi says, and then lets go of his neck, but doesn't step back. She looks into his eyes, serious all of a sudden. "You have black circles under your eyes. Sutan won't be happy." She takes his hand and starts leading him to one of the tents. "You need to get dressed."

The tent is full of mattresses and colorful fabrics and pillows - he's never seen anything like it - and Sutan is there waiting for him with his tools ready. "You're late," Sutan mutters and sits him down. There's a mirror right in front of him, and he has to admit he looks terrible. Puffy and exhausted, not a good look on anyone. "This is what you get when you stay up late and drink too much," Sutan continues to complain, but Tommy sees the smile, too. He lets Sutan work, closes his eyes whenever Sutan asks him to and relaxes in his hands. He trusts Sutan. He's seen what he can do.

Sisi brings in the clothes he's supposed to wear. Tommy can't stop giggling when he sees them. "That?" he asks and gets a growl from Sutan because now there's eyeliner on his cheek and he's moving about way too much. "Sorry."

"He's theatrical," Sisi says, and Tommy nods. He's going to wear whatever Adam wants him to wear. He really doesn't care about the wedding. He cares about the part after it. But it all means a lot to Adam.

It takes Sutan an hour to finish his makeup, and his fingers truly are magical because there's nothing left of his puffy-self after. He looks stunning, like a beautiful creature from a fairy-tale. "Wow." That's all he can say, and Sutan beams.

They help him out of his clothes, and he puts on the long black skirt and the belt with leather and metal straps on it. Sisi puts the two bracelets on his wrists and then fastens the Egyptian necklace.

"I can't go out like this," he says to his mirror image. "Do I at least get to wear shoes?" And it's cold outside. He's already shivering.

"Bare feet was his request."

He turns around, and looks at his back. The skirt looks pretty good, but otherwise his not that sure about the outfit (or the lack of it). The makeup fits to it, though, and so does his hair. He's just uncomfortable with the idea that the scar on his back is visible to everyone. "What about tomorrow? Am I wearing this tomorrow, too."

"He said that if you don't feel comfortable in it then tomorrow you can both wear suits. He hopes you'll wear this, though." Sisi's eyes are round when she stares at Tommy. "And to be honest, you look awesome in it."

Sutan nods. "We don't have formal wear, no rules for it, so when you go to werewolf weddings you'll see all kinds of things. This looks good. Don't worry about it."

"Where do I wait for Adam to get ready?" He feels jittery already, and there's still lots of time until everything starts. He can smell the food being prepared, and his stomach growls. "Can I get something to eat?" He realizes all of a sudden that he probably should have taken more part in the wedding planning. Maybe Adam feels like he's not interested in it at all, or that he's giving control over to others far too easily. The truth is, he's fine by anything because this is not for him. This is for others. This is for the pack and their families and friends. Everything that happens after is for them. But yeah, Adam might think that he doesn't care at all, and that's not true. "Can I see him?"

Sisi laughs. "You're talking about everything like you don't have any will of your own. Of course you can see him, but he doesn't want to see you in your full glory before the ceremony starts. I'll go get him. You can talk through the tent wall."

Tommy looks at himself again in the mirror because he looks like someone else, but also like someone he is underneath all the things he's learned. He has to wear this outfit with confidence or he'll look ridiculous in it. How does Adam pull of all those crazy costumes?

"He's here," Sisi says from the tent door, and Tommy goes to her and stands beside the tent wall. Adam is behind it; Tommy can smell him.

"Nervous?" Adam asks quietly.

"Yeah, but that's not it. I just want you to know that this day and tomorrow mean the world to me. I want to do this. I want to share this day with our friends and family. I even want to wear this stupid thing - tomorrow too."

Adam's laugh is bright and happy. "You're the best, you know that? The best."

He smiles. "Only for you."

After that Sisi takes him to the other tent to eat something. He sits there alone because Adam doesn't want anyone to see them beforehand. The tent has seven long tables and one more at the front with at least ten seats. The tables are low and the seats are more like pillows than chairs but they have back rests, too. He wonders if Adam thought of One Thousand and One Nights when he came up with this.

He finds another mirror and can't help but look in it. Sutan drew a few tribals on his back and chest, too, and he has no idea if they mean something to Adam's pack - to their pack.

He's so nervous now that he can't stay still for more than a few seconds. He manages to knock over a few candles, but fortunately nothing breaks. He giggles in the quiet tent. It's time for something to happen or he'll lose his mind.

Sisi comes back after what feels like an hour, and she's dressed up, too. Her hair has feathers in it, and she's wearing a yellow long dress that looks like it's made of one piece of fabric. Her blue hair clashes with the dress, but somehow she still manages to look gorgeous.

"Everyone is ready. I'll take you to Adam."

Tommy follows her, the rugs under his feet warm and soft. They go out from the back and walk to the first tent.

Adam is waiting for him there, standing beside the opening of the tent. When he senses Tommy he turns around, a smile on his face. "Come here, gorgeous."

He feels the pull, like there is a bond between them already, something deeper than just feelings. Adam's eyes follow his every step until they are face to face.

"I wanna hug you, but I don't want to mess up the tribals." Adam kisses his forehead instead, the touch lingering. "It's happening. We're here." It's a whisper, and Tommy shares Adam's need to be quiet.

He puts his hands on Adam's waist, just above the belt. He wants to stay there, close, forever. "Hi," he says quietly.

Adam looks perfect in those clothes, in the costume they share, and Tommy wonders if he'll ever be good enough, strong enough to match Adam's confidence. They are like night and day, Adam and him.

"They've all gathered around the fire," Adam says, quickly explaining what's going to happen. "Silvia's sister Magda will marry us under the werewolf law. We have our own tent a bit further away, and we'll go there after the feast."

He finds it funny that he knows nothing about his own wedding. The plans have changed so many times over the past month. He laughs against Adam's neck. "Tell me you love me. Tell me I'm good enough." Right now, he needs this so he can face all the people out there, the people who will count on him, who will need him, who will ask for his help.

Adam takes hold of his shoulders, and just keeps him there, their bodies almost touching. "I couldn't ask for a better Beta. You don't want to rule. The best rulers are the ones who will do everything in their power to make the right decisions, but who don't want to have any power over others. You'll do better than fine. You'll be good to them. You'll love them." Adam's lips find his ear, kiss it, breath hot against his skin. "I love you, and I will continue to love you as long as I live."

He breathes out, long and deep. "Let's go."

Adam takes his hand and they step outside, the sunshine greeting them. Everyone turns to look at them.

Tommy tries to smile, but his heart is in his throat, and all he can do is hope to stay on his feet, and maybe walk a little, too.

The pack is sitting in a half circle around the fire, yellow and orange pillows under them. Magda in her black dress and black braid is waiting for them beside the fire, her feet bare.

The ground is harsh under Tommy's feet, but he doesn't feel any pain. He's concentrating on not falling on his face while walking down the narrow path people have left for them. Adam is a pillar of strength next to him.

They stop in front of Magda, still holding hands, and Magda starts the ceremony. "We've gathered here today to send these two on a journey that will last for a life time. They've chosen to put their faith in each other, and today, they'll form a bond through marriage."

Tommy stares at the flames behind her back. Everything feels like a dream, and when everyone starts to chant it's like the whole world becomes enchanted. Adam squeezes his hand, probably smelling how disoriented he feels.

Magda picks up two pieces of orange string from the small table where their rings are. She motions them to let go of each other and hold their hands out. She ties the strings around their wrists, then takes the rings and holds them on her palm. "These rings are tokens of your love. They will remind you every day who you belong to and why. Please take them and please be kind to each other always."

Adam takes his ring, and he takes Adam's. His heart is hammering in his chest because this is it. He's marrying someone he loves.

Magda touches their foreheads with the side of her hand, and then takes a small step back. Adam turns towards him, holding the ring between his fingers. "With this ring I take you, Tommy, to be my husband, my Beta, my lover forever. I will love, cherish, and honor you for the rest of my days. You're the joy of my life." Adam takes his left hand and puts the ring on his finger. It's smooth and made of titanium, and it fits perfectly. He just wants to stare at it, but it's his turn.

He looks at Adam, and for a second he can't remember anything he was supposed to say. Then the words just come to him. "Adam, I give you this ring, wear it with love and joy. I choose you to be my husband, my Alpha, my lover forever. I promise to love and cherish you until the day I die. I submit myself to you." His hands are shaking when he takes Adam's hand, but he manages to put the ring on Adam's finger.

Magda smiles. "Give me your hands."

They hold out the hands that have the strings on them, and she takes the ends of the strings and ties them together. "With the permission of the High Council I now pronounce you husbands. You're married." She leans closer to them and whispers, "You can kiss now."

Adam touches the side of Tommy's face, then lets his fingers slide lower, under his chin. He pulls Tommy closer and seals their marriage with a kiss. It's soft at first, but the magic between them burns strong and it becomes heated before they can stop it. The flames of the fire warm his skin, but it's Adam's tongue that brings out the fever in him. He has to pull away, and they just stare at each other, panting.

Everyone starts to cheer, but it's distant noise to Tommy because all he can hear is Adam's heartbeats. His lips are tingling. He wants to move closer, he wants to touch, but if he does there's no end to it.

Adam takes his hand, the string still tying them together, and he forgets how to move, his legs pure jelly. "I can't," he whispers, but Adam only smiles. It's full of promises and dreams. He cannot wait. He wants it all. Everything. And then they are walking towards the tent that has the tables in it, everyone following them.

The table at the back is theirs, and Adam takes him there. He sits down, watching their people finding their places, smiling, chatting happily. They are here to celebrate with them. Tommy realizes that their joy gives joy to others too. After all the terrible things that have happened this is a day of happiness for everyone. It makes him smile.

"What?" Adam whispers in his ear, and he loses his concentration completely, leaning against Adam. It's pure instinct.

He tries to find words, but all he can do is breathe.

"Am I that intoxicating to you?" Adam bites his ear, and his hands start to shake.

"More," he whispers.

Adam sniffs his skin. "I..."

He's not going to get through the meal. "You're the center of my universe right now. I can't... I want." He leans even closer to Adam, looking for something that would give him enough of a mind that he could eat like normal people.

"Wanna go already?" Adam's nose touches the shell of his ear. "I miss your warmth."

The pack deserves to be a part of this. They should stay. He just nods because he's weak.

Adam calls Monte over, and tells him that they won't be staying, that they'll go to their tent now. He also tells Monte that they won't be joining the pack when the moon rises.

Tommy lets Adam lead him out of the tent without saying goodbye to anyone. "Tomorrow," Adam says, "Tomorrow we'll be what they need. Tonight, you're mine."

He bites his lip, following Adam. "Thank you."

Adam turns to look at him, a bemused expression on his face. "Why?"

"For thinking I'm more important today."

Adam stops, pulling him into a hug, neither of them caring about the tribal drawings any more. "To us, the pack will always be the most important thing. To me, you're everything. Don't ever doubt that."

He doesn't. Not any more.


TBC...


A/N: I tried to finish it with one chapter. No can do. It's a lot longer. I hope it will need one more chapter, but it might need two. Sorry about this. I hope you don't mind. <3

The wedding vows are parts of different vows and some additions of my own. :)