I'm not a puppy! (age regression)

24. Part of the Family

I put the thought aside as we entered and Jamie snapped their gaze to us. Their eyes were so pitiful looking... I hated seeing them like this, and I knew they were infuriated by the extra emotion themself. I was confident though, once this was over it'd be a load offtheir back.

"Hey Jamie"
Tom greeted with a sympathetic smile and a wave. Jamie nodded at him
"Hi"

I pushed Tom over to the table and he sat down. I didn't sit just yet, instead lingering protectively behind Jamie. I placed one hand on the back of the chair.
"So here's what we're gonna go, we're gonna get everything out in the open, you can ask your questions. And you can spread the word however you see fit"
Tom nodded, it was a system we were both very familiar with. The weight of coming out way back when was insane for both of us. So we'd founded the easier system of saying it properly to the important people then letting them take care of the rest.

Before I sat down I also added
"Then afterwards, were gonna get some ice-cream in the park, cause I think we all could do with some"
Tom nodded again
"Fair"

I sat down, there was no use explaining any further, we all knew why we were there, so I just got right into it.

First though, I subtly offered my hand over to Jamie and they took it immediately, I gave them two short squeezes to let them know I was right there.

Then I began
"2 years ago, Jamie was attacked-"
Toms eyes went wide as I lied through my teeth
"By a vampire"

I snuck a glance at Jamie hiding their face down in their arms and June. They desperately wanted me to just get through it. I started rubbing their hand gently with my thumb.

I continued the cover story Jamie and I came up with the previous day. Saying Jamie was taken off the street in an "unconsented adoption". We'd kept in as much truth as we could, to make it easier on ourselves, while keeping out anything alluding to werewolf involvement.

I lied that Jamie was part way through turning to a fledgling when they escaped and ran away from their captor. Sprinkling in the truth that Jamie had staved off the regression due to insane willpower and stubbornness(added in a joking tone that got me kicked from under the table)

I told Tom our visit to the Dr eggleston was because of a terrible migraine Jamie had that night, which was a common symptom of a malnourished fledgling.
Conveniently, a textbook halfturned fledgling lined up almost perfectly with what Jamie would be going through. Meaning we could easily excuse strange symptoms of jams were-regression with fangs struggling to come through or just general fledgling regression.

It wouldn't last forever, eventually we'd have to come clean to people we see frequently. But it was the safest thing to do.

Dr eggleston had warned us in the informational pamphlets to be extremely cautious who we reveal Jamie's secret too. It was downright dangerous with Jamie in no place to protect themselves should the wrong people overhear.

Thankfully tom seemed fooled, his face twisting in disgust as I detailed the repercussions on Jamie's health.

Eventually he just kept a hand over his mouth in shock, and I drew the explanation to a close.As I finished all he could muster was
"Holy..."
He moved his hand up from his face to comb his hair back. He was seething.
"The vampires out there doing this kinda shit makes my blood boil- sorry"

He composed himself then addressed Jamie, them barely looking up at him.
"Jamie... Buddy I can't even say how sorry I am. It's sick and twisted what you've been through. No two ways about it, and I respect you so godamn much for making it this far"
Jamie didn't seem to expect the last sentiment from Tom as they popped their head up, stunned. They didn't say anything, but tom didn't mind, instead bringing me back into the talk. While not at all excluding Jamie, which I appreciated.