Love Potions and Sharp Teeth ✨🔮🦇

The moment Cas stepped out into the chilly night, Cas wanted to immediately return to back to the dorms and curl up with Alex, warm and with someone he loved. He resisted the urge to turn around right then and there and eventually returned back to his own dorm. He barely registered waving to his roomate, dropping his bag by his bedroom door and flopping into bed. As tired as he was, he couldn't help but feel guilty for making the love potion, for giving into what Cas knew were the effects of the potion on Alex, for kissing Alex…oh gods he had kissed the most beautiful, most kindest, most amazing vampire in the world hadn't he? Cas groaned into his pillow and before dragging himself out of bed to change into something more comfortable, deciding to get some sleep for the rest of the night.

"Sooo, how'd it go last night?" Jeckle drawled, nudging Cas' arm as he settled beside the witch and pulled out a box. Cas' arched an eyebrow, eyeing the box suspiciously, "it went fine, shouldn't I be asking that about you and Rain?" Cas asked with a tilt of his head. He had slept well last night despite being up so late, had even gotten some work done for the apothecary and did some research on a reverse love potion that morning. Jeckle chuckled softly and shook his head. "Just what you normaly do as people who love each other. This is for you by the way, from both me and Rain as an apology for the potion thing. Hopefully you can use to help people at your shop."

(Uh just making sure, is it the weekend now or no?)

(no I just moved onto another school day)

“Alex? Is that you?”
The voice was enough to get his eyes to blink open. For a moment, his vision was blurry with sleep, but when it cleared he found Rain looking back at him without any makeup on her face, a rare sight indeed.
“Mm? What?” He raised his head, but something felt off.
They laughed. “Hah! It is. You know, you’re cuter like this.”
Alex looked around, wondering what was up. Immediately, he saw his paws in front of him and his tail on the end of the bed. He was covered in bracken fur. He studied himself, then just laid his head back down. He was now a wolf. “Oh, right.” He sighed. “Look. I can explain.”
“And I can listen.” Rain grinned, and reached over to scratch his ears. His tail started wagging with appreciation.
“Listen, that love potion is wild,” he grumbled, “I couldn’t stop thinking about him last night.”
“Oh? How did it go?”
“I’ll get there. I tried to distract myself however I could, doing homework, playing guitar, all that, but it never worked. I couldn’t even sleep because he was living rent-free in my brain. My mind went places, Rain. It was bad. But then, I tried shapeshifting. And it worked. I don’t know why, I guess it just messed with brain enough. I could finally sleep,” he moaned. “Also, sleeping in wolf form is actually really comfortable. I’m gonna do it from now on.”
Rain laughed hard, but also gave him an apologetic look. “Oh, wow, sorry about that. Unintended consequences of setting you guys up. How was your time with him?”
Alex immediately brightened, his tail wagging more fervently. “It was great! We kissed.”
She squealed. “Awww! I’m glad.”
He made a noise of agreement, then raised his head again. “Man… do you think I could skip class because I’m a wolf? I think the potion’s going to kick in once I turn back.”
“Ehhh… you could,” they shrugged. “But probably not. I mean, Professor Chance would know right away, but maybe you could ask her for extra credit points for sleeping in a transformed state.” She giggled at the thought. “Now excuse me, I’m going to get dressed.” They got up from the bedside, leaving Alex to mull over his options. To transform, or not to transform…

(Chill)

Cas tipped his head in intrigue. "It's not another request, is it?" He asked. Jeckle shook his head with a laugh "no, it's not, you'll like it I promise." Jeckle reassured, standing and scooping up his bag from where he had set it on the ground. "Open it before we get to class," he urged, taking cas' backpack as well. Cas huffed a sigh "alright," he tugged on the ribbon and gently tugged off the top, revealing a small glass vile on a chain filled with what seemed to be tiny blue scales." Cas' eyes widened as he carefully picked up the necklace. "You really found Morpheus scales around here?" He asked in disbelief. Jeckle nodded, "rain knew someone who had a stash that wasn't using them anymore so we decided it's be put to better use with you." Jeckle jerked his head "now come on, we're gonna be late." Cas stood and wrapped Jeckle in a hug, "thank you both. I promise it'll be put to good use." Jeckle hesitantly hugged back before smiling and pulling Cas towards their class. "I know it will."

(Ahh sorry, I’m not quite sure how to respond ^^;)

(it's all good! We can do a time skip, maybe they can meet at cas' apothecary?)

(That could work ^^)

(cool! I'll write a transition in the morning☺️)

(Thank you lots!)

(I said this morning and it's night, sorry about the wait😅)
Cas clasped the necklace of delicate Morpheus scales to his chest as he rushed from his class to the apothecary across campus. He paused by Alex’s campus building when he passed, debating on whether to share his gift. He hadn’t seen Alex during class, and as much as he tried distract himself, he couldn’t help but worry about the vampire. Had he regretted last night? Was it something Cas had said or done? Other than making the potion, which Cas had profusely apologized for, Cas had thought everything was fine, more than fine actually, it had been a dream come true. Maybe he had been wrong about it all. He took a deep breath, willing himself not to spiral into a negative headspace. He passed the building and headed towards the apothecary. After walking for a bit, he followed a small path off of the campus green and made it to his shop. He dug out his keys and unlocked the door to his shop, breathing the honey and lavender scent from the bundles hanging from the nearby window. Immediately he switched on the colorful lanterns above and got to work making potions with the Morpheus scales.

(No worries! Also poor Cas 🥺 issokay I promise!)

(😂)

Alex did transform, but almost immediately the potion took over. He could only think about Cas, that adorable, green-eyed witch, and nothing else. Sure, being in love was nice, but not so much when you had classes and assignments breathing down your neck. And also, maybe the fear from last night had carried over somewhat. He was… afraid of himself, almost. What if he could barely pay attention to lectures because he couldn’t stop thinking about him? What if he couldn’t complete anything they had been assigned? What if he did or said something stupid in class? And so he transformed back into a wolf and gave himself a day off. Rain didn’t have quite the same schedule as him, but it was close enough, so he asked her to cover for him and give him the work he would missed. And hey, maybe he could ask Professor Chance for extra credit. He had been a wolf for a whole night and school day! He could carry himself quite easily in his wolf form now. Honestly, he deserved it.
If a friend or two came up to the dorm to check on him, he would transform into a normal vampire and pretend to be sick. It worked… most of the time. Sometimes they just assumed he was skipping for whatever reason, but no one got too curious, at least. Other times, when no one was looking for him, he felt the urge to go out and find Cas, and watch him from afar. He was too nervous to actually approach him though, but for completely different reasons than before. And then Rain would end up finding him and pulling him away.
And now he found himself outside Cas’s apothecary. Colorful light glowed from the windows, and Alex strained his head to see if the witch was inside. “Just go in,” Rain had said, before abandoning him here, and now he felt strings pulling his feet to move him closer. He had known about Cas’s apothecary, and had sometimes lingered here to see him, but never went inside. There wasn’t a good reason to, he wasn’t a witch. But the love potion didn’t care about that.
He sort of just let himself in. The herbal smells washed over him, and he soon began looking for a mop of curly, dark hair.

(Poison Jam - 2 Mello. Just a song I think Alex would like)

Cas had been working most of the afternoon, stowed away in the back of his shop with a potion brewing, hyped up of caffeine and his newfound excitement for the possibilities he now had. He had spent all around two hours or so skimming through every spell book, grimoire, tome, and even cookbooks he had stashed away, looking for the perfect use for the Morpheus scales. After an hour or so of research, Cas had found the perfect potion. A reverse spell. Cas did the some more research before he actually started to take the potion seriously. Could this actually reverse seyhing as strong as the love potion? It couldn't hurt to try. Thankfully cas had mostly everything else in his shop. For next hours Cas spent his time concentrating hard on the potion, carefully measuring and remeasuring everything to make sure he got everything right. He glanced up when heard the bells above the door chime, then looked over at the clock on his wall. It was late, past when most students would get home. He chewed his lip hoping it wasn't an emergency. "Give me one moment please!" He called, trying his best to wipe of any shimmery residue from working with the Morpheus scales off his hands. He sighed softly, giving up and parting the curtains that lead to the his workspace. "Hi, how can i-" he tipped his head and blinked a few times, "Alex? Is everything alright? I didn't expect you to be here." He admitted with a shy laugh. "is there something I can help you with?" He asked, debating on whether to tell Alex about the potion yet. Would it be giving him false hope? Cas didn't want to do that until he was sure of the potion in the back.

The moment he heard Cas’s voice, Alex walked in its direction. When he saw him coming out from behind the curtains, he rushed up to him and wrapped Cas in his arms, perhaps a little tightly.
“I missed you, Cas,” he said, and it was true. Even while he was in wolf form, it was difficult not to think about the previous night and everything that had transpired. Their talk, the kiss, and then leaving… it all felt like a dream now. It was one of those dreams you wake up from, only to want to go back to sleep to continue it.
Then, strangely, tears started welling up in Alex’s eyes. He let go of Cas and looked him straight in the eye. “I’m sorry I wasn’t in class, I was really afraid of doing something stupid or weird. And I didn’t want to make you uncomfortable, or be clingy or obsessed or desperate. And I didn’t want to make you feel even more guilty for making the potion either, and I— shit…” a tear had slipped down his cheek, and he quickly wiped it away. “So I… I stayed away from you, but I worried that made you feel bad too. I’m sorry.” He raised a hand and cupped the witch’s cheek, just staring at him for a moment before a wide smile grew on his face. “But you know, I did find a temporary solution to… to this.”

Cas let out a soft gasp at suddenly being hugged but wrapped his arms around Alex just as quickly, not minding the tight squeeze at all. “I missed you too, Alex.” He replied, finding that he had truly meant it. All day he had been searching for Alex, even just a peek of his face just to know that he was around. It wasn’t until now that Cas was relieved to see him safe and seemingly alright. Cas pressed his face into Alex’s shoulder and breathed him in, smiling when he recognized the scent of something close to incense and the forest after a rain, like home. He gently pulled back, surprised to see Alex about to cry. He reached out and cupped Alex's cheek, brows creasing in concern the more he spoke. He didn't realize what a hinderance the potion would cause Alex when it came to his classes. Despite his wants, what Alex was saying sis male him feel guilty, he had never wanted Alex to feel as if he were trapped in this state of love sickness. " Perdoname, querido. I never meant for any of this to happen." He pressed his face into Alex's hand, huffing a small sigh. He tipped his head in intrigue, "what'd you find?" He asked his mind racing through countless reverse spells and potions that claimed to turn back time and what not, all of which Cas was sure Alex couldn't get his hands on in one night.

He leaned into Cas’s touch, letting it relax him. He had come to realize that the potion heightened his emotions a lot, threw them out of balance. But the more time he stood there, with Cas in front of him, the more he felt… normal. It was as if Cas was the only one who could make him a functional person. Which was weird. He didn’t like that. It reminded him too much of… when he was younger. He was a functional person as is. He didn’t need Cas like that, or at least, he shouldn’t.
“Well, maybe I was overreacting…” he muttered. “I have already forgiven you, cariño.”
Alex chuckled a little, and stepped back so he had room. “Just watch.” He took a breath and closed his eyes. His body shifted, transformed, and instead of Alex standing there, a bracken wolf took his place. The wolf opened his eyes, and his tail began to wag. “I’m not affected by the potion when I’m like this,” he said. “I’m not sure how though.”

“I honestly don’t know how.” Cas muttered softly, watching as Alex took a step back. He leaned against the counter, reaching behind him to fidget with the now empty bottle of Morpheus scales. He flinched slightly as Alex began to shift, the sound of bones moving into place to create another form reminding Cas of his visits to the witch academy he had gone on before his freshmen year of uni. There had been a wing where animal sacrifices were the focus of the classes and each night for the week he had been shadowing other students there, can could hear the piercing screams of animals ring throughout his dreams. It had been one of the main reasons he had wanted to come here, knowing he would never be able to keep his sanity while at the academy. He focused his attention back on Alex, surprised to find not a vampire in front of him but now a wolf. “And here I thought wolves and vampires were enemies, at least according to the books.” He teased, taking a few cautious steps forwards. “Though they never mentioned wolves could talk in this form.” Cas added with an amused smile, reaching out his hand towards Alex. His brows creased in confusion, “It doesn’t? Perhaps it has something to do with which form you took the potion as.” He mused, tapping a finger against his lips in thought.

Alex moved forward, pressing the top of his head to Cas’s outstretched hand. “Well, that’s partly true. Some vampire families are bitter rivals with wolves and lycanthropes. But some families can communicate with and even control wolves. And some…” he raised his head and playfully licked Cas’s hand. “Some can shapeshift.”
You’re not supposed to shapeshift willy nilly, that was what Professor Chance always said. Alternative shapes were only used for transportation, using heightened senses, or fighting (but only in certain circumstances). But who knew it could be used for combating the effects of certain spells?
“Maybe…” He stepped back again and shifted into a vampire, his vision once again becoming tinted with pink. “But… obviously I can’t be a wolf all the time, haha.” He paused, staring at Cas with that entranced look before trying to shake himself out of it.

"that seems all too familiar," Cas muttered with a soft sigh, gently scratching behind the ear. "It seems we're all at war with each other, as unfortunate as that is." He blinked and stared at Alex for a moment before rubbing Alex' muzzle. “And here I thought you couldn’t get any more amazing.” Cas stood from his crouched position and took a step back to give Alex enough space to shift back. He flinched internally at seeing Alex’s eyes turning pink, that guilty feeling returning again. He tore his gaze away and nodded slightly. “Yeah, you’re right. Must be hard to focus.” He mindlessly flipped through the pages of a nearby book. “I’m sorry, again, Alex. I-“ he paused, trying to choose his words carefully, just in case the potion brewing in the back didn’t work, he didn’t want to get Alex’s hopes up. “I’m working on something that might be able to help you. It’s nothing definitive but it m might lessen the potion’s effects just until it wears off. I think it’ll be done by tomorrow if you want to try. I can’t promise that it’ll work at all but its something.” A helpless little smile crossed his features, even as he felt like the worst with in all the world. How could he have done this to someone he cared for so much?

(Just wanted to say that I made a character playlist for Alex, I’ll respond soon ^^ if you wanna see the playlist just let me know)

(of course! And it's okay respind when you can!)

(https://music.amazon.com/user-playlists/c8b5126f04404d5683d3db6c2fe55120sune?ref=dm_sh_nmgVSqwrmUC4RrCKVhbAKaj6e)

Alex appreciated the ear scratching and muzzle rubbing. Although he was concerned about the subdued look on Cas’s face, he found himself smiling softly after he turned human again. The smile soon faded, however.
“Don’t apologize.” He moved closer. “We’re past it now.” He blinked and raised an eyebrow. Listening to Cas, he looked intrigued. He nodded, and the smile returned. He wrapped his arms around the witch, even lifting him off the ground a little. “You know, pequeño brujo, you’re amazing too. I appreciate you trying to help me, I’ll try it. It’s okay if it works or not.”
He set Cas down, but couldn’t make himself completely let go. “Oh, by the way, I should ask you something before I forget,” he said. “Is there any garlic in here?”

“I feel like I have to for putting you through all of this.” Cas argued softly, glancing up as Alex came closer, not being able to help the blush that rose to his cheeks every time Alex was within arms reach. He gasped a being suddenly scooped up and rested his hands on Alex’s shoulders. “Amazing is not a word I’d use to describe myself, querido. I’m just doing my job. You’re the one who’s amazing for putting up with all this. Thank you for being willing, dear.” He replied, sincerely meaning his gratitude, his guild ebbing away for a bit. He tipped his head slightly and bunched his lips in thought as he looked around the apothecary. “Not that I can recall. I think there might be some in the kitchen for when I make dinner here but not anywhere else. “I don’t usually use Garlic in my work for the safety of my vampire customers. Plus Jeckle is always sticking his nose where it doesn’t belong so I keep what little I have out of his reach.” He replied, looking up at Alex with concern, if not a bit distracted. Now in the warm light of the apothecary as opposed to the dimness of the vampire’s dorm common room, Cas could better make out Alex’ features up close, the way his eyes shifted under the lights, socks of green and gold in his over all crimson gaze, the way his smooth skin seemed to glow under the lights, the slight turn of his lips, lips he had kiss the night before, Cas quickly flicked his gaze to the side and took a steadying breath. “The silver is stashed away too in case that was a concern. Most of what can hurt vampires are in my spare room instead of out on the shot floor. Not that I would use them against vampires but some of my work does include those elements so I have to keep them handy.” He rambled, moving his hands from Alex’s shoulder to his forearms as he was set down.

“Pfft, you don’t give yourself enough credit,” Alex noted. “Granted, I’ve been told I don’t really give myself credit either, so I can’t really judge. Still, I’m gonna keep saying your amazing. Really, the potion will fade in a few weeks anyway, you didn’t have to go the extra mile to try to reverse or lessen it. I could’ve learned how to handle it on my own,” he shrugged. “So, you’re amazing. Don’t even try to deny it.”
He looked around as Cas spoke and nodded. “Okay! Good to know.” He grinned. “Oh, didn’t know Jeckle wanders over here.” He finally managed to let go of Cas. “Can I see what you’re working on? I’m curious.”

(Oh btw, did you like the playlist?)