InsaneJournal

Current mood:	cheerful
Entry tags:	character: matthew riley, character: teddy riley, character: tj reed, location: marcie's, npc: callum riley, npc: jess riley, npc: shawn riley

Log: Family
WHO: Matt, Teddy, TJ & The Riley Family
WHEN: 21 April [Backdated]
WHERE: Camden Town

The Riley family could at times be quite intimidating. Not because they were standoffish, but more for the fact that both parents were attractive, confident and successful. The same traits which were then passed down to their children, some more than others, least that’s how Matt saw it. But he was excited nonetheless, especially as he was introducing TJ to his family. Sure he had other friends such as Valentin and Anna that he could introduce to his family (and he probably would) but TJ was different, Matt couldn’t put his finger on it, it was just different with his fellow wolf.

Matt, Teddy and TJ were all sat in the coffee shop they’d agreed to meet the family in and were just waiting them, exchanging idle chit chat about nothing that really mattered, but it was definitely helping to pass the time.

And then Matt spied Callum who was approaching Teddy from behind with hushed movements and it was clear from the positioning of his finger against his mouth that he didn’t want his little brother to hear his approach or to know that he was behind him. You could tell from looking at Callum that he was related to both Teddy and Matt, almost as tall as Matt, but wry rather than built like a brickhouse and his face had definite sharper angles which drew attention to the strong jaw that seemed prevalent amongst the Rileys. And then there were his eyes, his eyes were almost identical to Matt’s.

Matt nudged TJ and smirked a little, which thankfully escaped Teddy’s notice, which allowed Callum to swoop in and gather Teddy up into his arms, fingers seeking out familiar ticklish spots with a familiarity that could only be born from being family.

TJ wasn't sure what he was doing here, this was meant to be a family thing and he was pretty sure that Matt had other friends that should have been meeting his family first (though, he couldn't lie, his wolf felt a little thrill at getting to meet his Alpha's his friend's family before anyone else did, it made both the wolf, and TJ, feel important which didn't happen very often), and he was nervous. Really nervous. So nervous in fact that his leg had been twitching, he'd ripped up three napkins into little shreds and was currently chewing on the edge of his thumb, worrying at the skin like that would make him disappear.

When he was nudged by Matt, he was about to open his mouth, a low growl emitting from his throat as some stranger dared to touch Teddy and attack him but realised a moment later that it must be the other brother considering how alike they looked and how Matt wasn't reacting other than to look really amused.

Teddy had been happily jabbering away to the older students about how excited he was to see the rest of his family again and how he couldn't wait to tell them about all the cool things he'd been doing and to give them the stuff he'd made. He was halfway through telling them about the spell he and Craig had been doing during the most recent full moon when suddenly he was bodily picked up and tickled.

He shrieked, loud enough to startle a few of the other patrons of the coffee shop, but when they realised that no one was being murdered, they just went back to their business. Teddy wriggled and shoved against Callum's questing fingers as they dug into his sides and under his arms, laughing hard enough to cause his cheeks to go red and his eyes to light up with that kind of childish joy that came from someone you loved paying attention to you.

"Callum!" he whined as soon as his older brother relinquished his hold and he just threw his arms around the middle Riley's neck, up on his toes because his brothers were both way taller than he was, waiting for Callum's arms to go around him before he hid his face in his brother's chest.

Callum’s lips tugged into a grin and it wasn’t long until he’d completely encircled Teddy in his arms, head ducking down to press a kiss to Teddy’s hair, clearly affectionate with his younger sibling. “Hey, little bro, long time no see.” He leaned back a little and arched an eyebrow. “Have you grown?” A look was passed over Teddy to Matt as if asking for confirmation.

“Yeah, he’s grown,” Matt offered with a smirk before he rose to his feet, giving Callum a hug, which was easily returned until he swept his hand towards TJ. “Callum, this is TJ. TJ this is Callum.”

Callum’s blue eyes came to rest on TJ and he gave a warm smile before his hand was offered. “Nice to meet you, TJ. And anything you heard about me unless it’s good is a total lie.”

Matt rolled his eyes and lightly swatted Callum upside the head which caused the other teen to object, giving Matt a shove. “Dick.”

“Yeah, yeah,” Matt said with a snort before looking over Callum’s shoulder. “Where’s mom and dad?”

“Parking the car.”

Teddy tucked himself up underneath Callum's arm after there had been affirmation that he had grown, clearly very pleased with that assessment because, whilst he knew he'd never be as tall as his brothers, he didn't want to be a shrimpy little midget forever either like his uncle Lee. He looked so stupidly proud that he'd grown even though it didn't feel like it when surrounded by so many tall people. He looked up at Callum with such an adoring, idolising expression - it was the same one he wore when he was around Matt - but it was interesting for TJ to see it seemed to be applicable to both of Teddy's brothers.

TJ felt a pang of jealousy at the way they were interacting and the quietest whine escaped his throat when Callum's attention turned to him. He reached out with an awkward grin and shook Callum's hand firmly, "Yeah- me too. On both counts," he offered other hand scratching behind his ear nervously, retreating to his seat and biting at his lip instead of his hands.

He didn't do so well with people.

Teddy turned his head when the bell over the door went off and he was detangling himself from Callum's arm to run towards the two - in TJ's opinion stunningly beautiful - people that had entered. Both blonde, the woman was tall and elegant with a figure that would turn even a blind man's head. She took of her sunglasses and rested them on top of her head, turning to look at the other man who, as far as TJ was concerned, had been carved out of fucking stone by Michelangelo. Or something. How were they even possible?

"Mom! Dad!" Teddy flung his arms around both of their waists, squishing himself between them, voice shaking just a fraction because he had missed them.

Jess looked down as her youngest launched himself at herself and her husband and she just laughed softly, wrapping her arm around her youngest and pushing her fingers through his hair. "Nice to see you too, Teddy," she offered glancing at Shawn before her eyes went to Matt and her expression softened even further at the corners.

“Hey kiddo,” Shawn murmured with a smile as Teddy launched himself at them both and he dropped an affectionate kiss to his temple. “We missed you too.” Communication in the Riley family was very much done without so many words, it was sort of an understanding more than anything else.

Matt turned his head in time to catch his mother’s gaze and he offered her a smile, lifting a hand in greeting.

Callum arched an eyebrow at TJ’s odd reaction but figured maybe the guy was a little overwhelmed and he couldn’t blame him, his family was a lot to take in. “Heard nothing but good things so you can relax.”

"Even those are probably a lie," TJ said wryly, scratching behind his ear again. He wasn't really built for other people's social consumption. It made him very uncomfortable but he was willing to try for Matt, and that was saying something, so here he was. He tilted his head to look at Matt, "You been talking about me?" he asked, "Cheeky bastard."

His interaction with Matt was a lot more relaxed than it was with anyone else.

Teddy curled his fingers in Shawn's arm as Jess gently detangled herself, crossing effortlessly along the coffee shop floor in her formidable high heels standing beside the table.

"You must be TJ," she said warmly - TJ whined a little in the back of his throat, if he were in his wolf form he would probably have his ears pinned back against his head, tail between his legs, "It's a pleasure."

She stretched her hand out for TJ to shake, and he did - markedly more gently. "Easy to see where Matt and Teddy get their good looks from," he offered, grimacing a second later because really?!. He shot Matt a look that was pretty much pleading for him to put him out of his misery, but thankfully the compliment bounced off her and she just turned those bright eyes to her son.

"Still too cool for hugs?" she asked with a tilt of her head.

Matt watched the way in which TJ seemed to retreat into himself and he was pretty sure he could hear the other wolf whining. He shot TJ a look as if to say not to worry and he didn’t need to feel so intimidated, especially as his family was one of the warmest you could hope to meet. He soon rolled his eyes and rubbed at his hair. “Oh, totally, mom.” But that was a lie and he just met her pointed look and closed the distance, wrapping his arms around her. “It’s good to see you.”

Shawn along with Teddy moved over to where Callum and the others were, a smile not too dissimilar from the one Matt gave people a lot caught his lips. “So this is TJ, huh?” He like Jess offered the teen his hand. “I hear we have you to thank for helping Matt out.” It was a strange position for a father to be in, one where he couldn’t help his son despite the desire to do.

Callum could almost see TJ getting increasingly more and more uncomfortable and distracted his father for a moment by suggesting they head over and get people some drinks.

Jess’ arms wrapped around her son’s shoulders as he came to hug her, strong and confident and loving as she pressed a kiss to his temple. Tall as he was, in the heels she was wearing she pretty much matched him, one hand cupping the back of his head and clearly just taking a moment to enjoy seeing her eldest son. He’d been reticent to hug them after his change, Jess was sure that he had been too afraid of breaking them without realising his own strength.

“You look good,” she offered, leaning back to look at him, “It’s good to see you too, Matty.”

TJ’s ears metaphorically pricked up at the petname, tilting his head at Matt and his mother before his attention returned to Shawn and the hand that was being offered. He stood up so quickly - a part of him instantly respecting the far more dominant male - that his thigh caught on the edge of the table. He bit back on a curse, not necessarily at the pain but more at the fact that he was clearly making a dick out of himself. He reached out and shook Shawn’s hand, flushing a little and clearly not used to the adult attention. “It’s- it’s not a big deal,” he offered with a shrug of his shoulders, “I’m happy to help.” Matt was a good guy, after all. “And it’s good to meet you.”

He shot Callum a really grateful look at the mention of going for drinks, he was feeling a touch overwhelmed. It was cool that Callum could see that. Teddy, for the most part, had no intention of detangling himself from his dad’s side for the time being and just sort of tagged along as Shawn and Callum retreated to the counter to get some drinks.

Matt gave a self conscious smile as he ducked his head and rubbed at his hair. “Yeah, it’s good to see you too, mom.” And it was, he’d retreated from her and the rest of the family when he’d undergone his change. Mostly because he hadn’t understood what was happening and he hadn’t wanted to hurt them, it had been bad enough he’d ruined the house during his first change and been found butt naked by a couple of guys his dad knew.

He then moved to grab her chair, pulling it out and letting her settle before he came back around to TJ, a reassuring hand being placed on his shoulder.

“Where’d the others go?”

Jess sat down with a soft ‘thank you’ as the chair was pulled out for her, clearly proud of the way that her son was acting and how he looked. She was beaming with parental pride. TJ watched her for a moment before he leaned into the reassuring touch to his shoulder.

“They- uh- they went to get drinks,” he muttered, tipping his head in the direction of the counter where Callum, Shawn and Teddy were standing there, waiting patiently for their turn to speak to the barrista and order drinks. His shoulders hunched a little and he visibly forced himself to relax, scratching behind his ear in a way that made Jess arch an eyebrow.

“Are you alright, TJ?” she asked.

“Oh- uh- yeah- I- I’m not used to meeting people,” he confessed, “Other people- that I don’t already know, I mean-” He wet his lower lip, “I-” he gave an awkward smile. “Sorry.” That was directed more at Matt than anything. “I told you this was a bad idea.”

“Nonsense,” Jess said, jumping in, “I’m really pleased that we get to meet you. We’ve heard a lot. No pressure, Matt’s just told us that you’ve been helping him out with everything. It means a lot to us, you know, to know that he’s got someone looking out for him.” She looked at her eldest, “It’s hard when we can’t protect him from something. But it really does make us feel better to know he isn’t alone.”

TJ shrugged, “I’d not let that happen, Mrs Riley,” he promised confidently, “He’s stuck with me now.”

Matt grinned, hand squeezing TJ’s shoulder. “He says that like it’s a bad thing.” He rolled his eyes a moment later. “And relax, TJ. You’re doing fine, just remember to breathe on occasion and you’re doing great.”

It didn’t take long for the rest of the Riley family to come back with drinks in hand, a coffee for Jess being placed down by Shawn who dropped a kiss on her temple before he himself grabbed a seat, a sip of his own coffee being taken a moment later, Callum was nursing a cappuccino and Teddy had a hot chocolate piled high with marshmallows.

“I was thinking we could maybe get some dinner tonight,” Shawn suggested. “Our treat.”

Callum grinned. “I love it when you say that.”

“And that does include you, TJ,” Shawn pointed out with a smile.

TJ bit the inside of his cheek when he was offered to go out to dinner with this family of beautiful people. He just nodded his head, finding that he didn’t dare look the man in the eye or disagree with him. He was reminded of his own father, but not necessarily in a good way. It was easier to meet the eyes of the other Riley family, but the Patriarch was a little different. He might not have been a wolf, but he was definitely an Alpha male and TJ was, by nature, submissive to those stronger personalities.

Teddy was quiet for a few moments before he broke the silence in the wake of Shawn’s offer, rummaging in his pockets for a few items that he’d been carrying since he’d made them a few days earlier.

“I made you guys stuff,” he announced, like he wanted to take attention away from TJ. He put a paper bag down on the table that thumped a little as it hit the surface. Teddy winced a little bit.

Upending the bag, two leather bracelets fell out, a delicate silver bracelet followed and then a shiny black stone with runes carved into the top that was strangely warm to the touch. He glanced at TJ apologetically who just lifted a hand and grinned; he was good, he wasn’t technically part of the family.

“Mom, this is for you,” he said, getting up off from where he was sitting to present the delicate silver chain to his mother, waiting for her to lift her wrist before he carefully clasped it around her wrist. “I mean- I didn’t make this one, I had to buy it but- you’ll understand in a minute.” His eyes fell to the necklace that his mother wore and he seemed distracted by it for a moment, feeling a pull towards the pendant before he pulled himself back and hurried back to his seat.

Jess curled her fingers around her wrist, brushing her thumb over the chain, “Thank you Teddy, it’s lo-”

“Just wait a second, mom,” Teddy chastised in a way that made TJ’s lip curl up a little in amusement, “Cally, this is for you,” he added once he was seated, passing one of the two leather bracelets over to his brother after holding them both for a moment, it had threads of blue and green woven into the fabric and secured with a buckle, “And Matty, this is yours.” Matt’s had threads of red and yellow through it and had the same fastening.

Hesitating a moment, Teddy pushed the final item over to his dad, the polished black stone with the runes inscribed on the top. “And that’s for you, dad.”

Matt much like TJ watched Teddy with a fair bit of amusement as he revealed presents and even went so far as to admonish their mother for talking too soon and he just sat back, a smile on his face and hand in his hair.

Shawn shot Jess a smirk before he chuckled, taking the bracelet that was offered and turning it over to take a proper look at it. The handiwork was very intricate and he knew his son hadn’t lost the talent he’d cultivated over the years, some things never changed, that much was reassuring.

“For me?” Callum asked, leaning forward to take a hold of the bracelet. “This is pretty cool,” he shared with a genuine smile as he went about fastening and securing it to his left wrist.

Matt leaned forward when he was presented with his own bracelet, hand reaching up to give Teddy’s hair a playful ruffle as he eased the bracelet onto his right wrist, the complete opposite to Callum.

Teddy glanced up as everyone fussed with their gifts, save his dad who had looked at Callum’s gift before it had been taken off him. He pushed the stone in Shawn’s direction again. “I know it’s not the same- but I didn’t- I didn’t think you’d want a bracelet.” It wobbled a little on the table.

Pushing his fingers through his hair, he barely glanced up as TJ excused himself (ostensibly to go to the bathroom but really he was sneaking away to text Felix). “So- um- they’re all spelled,” he said after a moment or so. He wet his lower lip looking a little hesitant. “Matty- yours is spelled for focus and concentration and stuff, and Callum, yours is to help with your headaches.” He rubbed the back of his neck, “But- since you guys-” he muttered, looking embarrassedly at his parents, “Didn’t need any help with anything, I spelled both of those for luck. Dad- I figured you could put it in the inside pocket of your work clothes, you know? So- so that you’re always safe when you’re on a job.”

He wet his lower lip, squirming a little, feeling kinda stupid for the gifts now. Even if he’d gone through a lot of effort to make them.

Jess smiled, brushing her fingers over the chain, “Thank you, sweetheart, I’ll keep it on all the time.”

Shawn’s lips tugged into a soft clearly affectionate smile as he collected the stone, turning it over in his hand and taking a long hard look at the marking. “Sounds perfect,” he remarked warmly as he opened up his jacket and tucked the stone away into an inner pocket. “I’ll carry it with me, I’m sure it’ll do a good job of giving me all the luck I need.”

“This is awesome,” Callum chipped in with an enthusiastic grin as he took a look at the bracelet. “Seriously, Teddy, this is really cool.”

Matt turned his head as TJ excused himself and he frowned a little, wondering if perhaps his friend was a little overwhelmed. “Excuse me one sec,” he muttered as he rose to his feet and headed in the direction that TJ had went.

"I just hope it works okay," Teddy muttered with an embarrassed smile, though he looked really pleased that his gifts were being so well received. He glanced up, as did Jess, when Matt excused himself but didn't think much of it, even if a slight frown crossed their mother's face and her hand reached out, seeking her husband's hand.

Shawn noticed the look on Jess’ face and simply squeezed her hand, turning his attention to Teddy. “I’m sure it’ll work just fine, Teddy. I have absolute faith.” And he did, his kids could do anything they put their minds to.

Callum watched as Matt vanished off after his friend but paid it no mind, even if it would be nice to catch up with him properly. It had been a while. “So, Teddy, what’s the school like?”

Teddy glanced up, "The school? It's cool- yeah- I mean, it's hard work and all. The classes are a bit weird some of them but the curriculum's good. There's a lot to learn. I've met some other witches like me," he said with a smile, excited to tell his parents and brother about his experiences, hands starting to move as he talked.

TJ was a little way away, near the toilets, but when he sensed Matt coming, he quickly shoved his phone into his pocket and just pushed his fingers through his messy hair. He glanced up, spotting the other teenager and offering him a lopsided grin. "You okay?"

Matt nodded his head. “Yeah, I’m good. Just wanted to check on you that’s all.” He glanced over his shoulder and rubbed at his hair. “I know my family can be a little intimidating, but they mean well.” And they did, the Rileys were a really warm giving family.

TJ chuckled and nodded, hand resting at the back of his neck, "Seeing your family all together like that- makes me wonder why you're friends with me, mate. Beautiful people like you lot are meant to collaborate with other beautiful people to cause the eventual complete and utter collapse of civilisation through pure jealousy, you know, not mingling with the riff-raff."

Matt rolled his eyes at TJ’s comments and merely slung an arm around his shoulder, tugging him closer. “First of all that is absolute bullshit and secondly you’re not riff-raff, TJ. You’re pa-” And he caught himself because he had been about to use the word ‘pack’ and then he just gave a chuckle. “You know what I mean.”

He had intentions of introducing other people to his family, but wanted to introduce TJ first because well, TJ was pack and it just felt right.

“I’m what?” TJ asked, eyebrow lifting as Matt cut himself off. Curiosity tugged at him as he tilted his head, brown eyes focused on the guy that he knew already he’d following into hell and back without being asked. “And I totally am, comparatively to you guys and your- reincarnated American Gods shit, I mean, are you guys from Olympus or something? Distantly related to bloody deities? You oughta get your bloodlines checked, mate.”

“Pack,” Matt offered a moment later with a shrug of his shoulders, clearly a little self conscious about the whole thing, especially as he was still feeling his way around this whole… werewolf thing. He rolled his eyes again at the comments rolling off TJ’s tongue. “No Gods last I checked, just plain old regular human.”

Not that this was the first time he’d heard something similar about his family, his parents in particular, given that back in his old school he’d had many a friend with a crush on his mother. Which was just weird and… awkward as fuck.

TJ looked completely like whatever thought he had was utterly derailed when Matt called him pack. There was an obvious look of surprise on his face, not in that Matt was saying 'pack' but more that Matt was calling him Pack. That Matt considered him to be Pack.

His cheeks caught with colour a second later and he let out a half laugh, rubbing the back of his neck, the soles of his converse squeaking on the floor.

"You know, your wolf doesn't know it yet, but- but that's not a great choice." His smile was a little self-deprecating. "But that's cool. I- Yeah. That's cool."

He leaned over, nudging Matt's shoulder with his own to show that his awkwardness wasn't over the other teen using that particular word.

"Are you sure about the whole... human thing?"

Matt snorted and lifted his hand to give TJ’s hair a ruffle. “Oh, I’m sure. One hundred percent certain I’ll have you know.” He tightened his grip and tugged TJ in the direction of the table. “C’mon, they don’t bite, promise. Just gotta relax and give it some time.”

TJ was family now far as Matt was concerned and as such he’d get the Riley treatment.

It was that simple.