Posted originally on the Archive_of_Our_Own at https://archiveofourown.org/
works/506961.
  Rating:
      Explicit
  Archive Warning:
      Underage
  Category:
      M/M
  Fandom:
      Supernatural_RPF
  Relationship:
      Jensen_Ackles/Jared_Padalecki
  Character:
      Jensen_Ackles, Jared_Padalecki, Misha_Collins, Jeffrey_Dean_Morgan, Alona
      Tal
  Additional Tags:
      Sex_with_Sentient_Animals, Knotting, Dire_wolves, Attempted_Rape,
      Violence, Child_Abuse, Voyeurism, Circus, Bestiality, Magic, Mythical
      Beings_&_Creatures, Performance_Art, Jared_is_a_Wolf, Training,
      Protectiveness, Possessive_Behavior
  Stats:
      Published: 2012-09-08 Words: 21123
****** Safe and Sound. ******
by Miss_Lv
Summary
     When Jensen ran away from his abusive uncle and joined the circus, he
     never expected that it would end this way.
     In which Jared is a lone dire wolf and Jensen is a broken boy who
     bonds with him.
Notes
     Jared is a huge dire wolf and Jensen is a tiny teenage boy. So yeah.
     Also LOOK AT THE PRETTY ART SOME KIND SOUL MADE FOR ME. http://
     ailea.livejournal.com/159535.html
Jensen never expected his life to end up this way. When he left his uncle’s
farm he only had the forethought of escaping on his mind, of no more beatings
when he didn’t work hard enough and of avoiding the dark future that was fast
coming. The way his uncle looked at him changing, the way he said Jensen was
getting ‘pretty’. So there was not a great deal of planning in his escape but
he knew he had to chance that because the window of opportunity was fleeting.
The circus was in town.
Only for the evening and then leaving in the dawn, a brief rest stop before
they continued on their way. Jensen hadn’t even known there still such things
but he overheard it when his uncle had visitors. He’d seen the tents across the
fields and now he knew what was there.
A circus was nomadic to Jensen’s understanding, they moved from place to place,
crossed the country. Jensen was only eleven and he knew no bus would let him
on, even if he could find the money needed to buy a ticket. Everyone in town
would dutifully return him to his uncle, the kind man who took his whore
sister’s bastard son. Jensen was only a child but he had grown up far passed
his age, he knew how things worked, no one wanted to deal with it so they
turned a blind eye. He’d also heard the stories of kids running away to join
the circus, there were only a few distant memories of it but he was certain
he’d heard it from somewhere.
Jensen didn’t have time to sit and think it over; if he was going to ever get
away from his uncle this might very well be his only chance. After dark fell
Jensen found some luck, his uncle drank himself so much he fell into his deep
sleep, the kind where nothing would wake him. So Jensen didn’t have to be quiet
as he took an old sack and stuffed some clothing in it. He knew it was a baby’s
toy but he took his stuffed dog too, it was from his mother and although Jensen
understood she was a dirty whore and he’d never even met her, he liked to think
she had loved him just a little bit.
Jensen took some apples to eat and long before the sun was up he was crossing
the fields towards the tents, looking back over and over in case his uncle
somehow woke and found him gone. He’d always said of Jensen ever ran away he’d
shoot him before he crossed the field.
But Jensen made it.
The circus was already packing, people putting everything away as they talked
about leaving as soon as the sun rose up. Jensen was good at being small and
unnoticed, he hid in the shadows and watched as they filled trailers and then
bolted them shut. In the bustle of the packing it was easy for him to slip into
one of the large trailers and hide among the rough canvas of the tents. The
trailer was pitch dark so Jensen slept the time away, exhausted from the
exhilaration of escaping his uncle. Hours in the tiny basement storage closet
for being useless had long taken any fear Jensen had of the dark so he slept
well.
He was found right away when they stopped for the night.
Jensen had hoped he could have waited for the right time and slipped away but
the burly man unpacking saw him and caught his ankle before he could scramble
away.
“What’s this? A stowaway brat!” He roared and his fellow workers looked to see,
all of them peering at Jensen.
“You’d think that stereotype would die already,” someone grumbled and hands
fell on Jensen firm but not painful, taking him right away to the man named
Jeff.
It was Jeffery Dean Morgan’s Traveling Circus of Exotic Wonders so it made
sense he’d go see the man himself.
“Another one, the fates have a weird sense of humor,” the older man had sighed
when Jensen was brought before him, his face looked kind but Jensen knew men
could hide things easily. “Listen little boy I know you think you can join the
circus and escape your mean parents or something but you shouldn’t scorn the
gift of family and try to work for a circus of all things.”
It hadn’t occurred to Jensen to try and do such a thing, he’d thought he’d hide
long enough that he was far away from his uncle; there hadn’t been much of a
plan after that.
“We’ll have the local police come, they’ll take you home,” he added and Jensen
whimpered, shaking his head and looking up at the man. Jensen was always shy
he’d never been good at talking but he had to try now.
“I can- I- can do stuff, cleaning stuff, p…please,” Jensen managed to get out,
wishing desperately that he could talk better, that he could easily make the
man understand why he needed to escape.
“I’m sure you can, but your family’s probably worried about you and I’m no
kidnapper,” Jeff explained his patience wearing thin a tad, a tone Jensen knew
all too well. The boy searched his mind frantically for a way to explain, to
convince this stranger. They stood alone in a big tent, no one else watching
and Jensen could only think of one thing. The one thing his uncle had forbid
him from ever doing, the one thing Jensen had been promised he would suffer
worse than any punishment he’d ever had before.
Jensen took off his clothing.
“Hey, whoa there kid I’m not some pedo looking-” the man’s voice faded and he
let Jensen strip wordlessly until all he had on was his underwear.
Jensen’s uncle never hit him in the face. It had always confused him as a boy
but he was beginning to understand why as he got older, his uncle liked his
face and he wanted to keep it pretty.   
The rest of his body was not so lucky. The bruises would fade from the ugly
yellows into dark purples with time so Jensen had an array of marks from what
he received days ago to last week when he forgot to lock the barn door properly
and even further back. He knew his back was the worst; his uncle always took
the horsewhip to it. Scars marred him all over, his one leg had a funny bump
from when it was bent too far during a beating and never went back in place.
Jensen’s body always ached but he’d learned to live with that. He could handle
the pain but the thought of his uncle using him in that other way, shook
something inside Jensen. He'd long thought he'd lost everything in him that
wanted to fight his uncle but that one thing sparked and Jensen gathered it
close and embraced it. He wanted the will to try, to change his life from the
bleakness that it was so when the thought of his uncle raping him made him want
to run Jensen obeyed, giving one last try and knowing it the last he had to
give. If it failed everything in Jensen would wither away.
“I…I can clean, I’m f-from a farm…I can clean,” Jensen tried to say again,
desperately hoping it would be enough.
“Gods, why does fate always drop these things on my lap? Put your clothing on
kid, you’ve made your point.”
 
Jensen spent the next hours alone in a trailer home, jumping every single time
a vehicle’s tires crunched on the gravel nearby. He expected every slam of a
car door to end with police officers coming to collect him. But no one came for
him, the day went on, the sun rose and set, people came and went outside but no
one ever came into the camper. The more he thought about it, the more he
realized how silly he was to sit there and wait. Jensen had no idea where they
were but they had drove all day, they had to be a distance away, maybe far
enough Jensen could find somewhere safe from his uncle. People were walking by
the entrance side of the trailer but the back was against another camper, a
tiny space between them that a small boy like Jensen could manage. The windows
were big and gave him plenty of room to get through; there wasn’t even a screen
on it. Jensen carefully slipped out, mindful of his sore body as he ducked
behind the trailer and tried to figure out where they were, where the town
was. 
People were everywhere, putting up tents and setting up their temporary homes.
Jensen ducked out of sight careful but was unable to find a way to leave
without notice. In the end, he spotted a circle of caravans left off to the
side, no one near them. They would be good cover until it was darker maybe,
then he could slip off. Jensen ducked under them, crawled between the wheels to
wait. It didn’t take him long to hear the scraping of something strange above
him, the rasps and motions of an animal. Jensen blinked up, and noticed the
caravans in the circle appeared to be animal cages with tarps over the viewing
sides.
No wonder they were left alone, the last thing anyone wanted was to stress
animals and growing up on a farm Jensen knew that well. Even in his deepest
rages, Jensen’s uncle never beat Jensen near the barns lest he spook the
horses. Now Jensen sat huddled behind the wheel of the large cage wondering. A
circus was exotic; the animals would be different here right? Jensen had been
raised around horses and sheep, guard dogs and egg laying chickens, on occasion
goats and even a lama for a short while. He knew farm animals but that’s not
was going to be in these cages and Jensen curiosity peeked. For a long while he
berated himself, thinking it would be foolish to look, it would only anger
people, he was to be a good child. But as time trickled on he thought to
himself that he was free now, his uncle no longer owned him, Jensen should not
be afraid. These ideas swirled around until the sun dipped low and the shadow
began to hide things like little boys.
Only a peek, Jensen had decided, before he took off into the night he would
take a peek just to prove he was free. The sides had wood covers locked tightly
shut for travel under the tarps but Jensen carefully undid each latch, hearing
the animal inside pace, knowing Jensen was there. Curious even more he finally
lifted the wood from the cage, a row of bars on the other side to keep the
animal inside still. Jensen peered in the crack and found a great beast looking
right back. It was a wolf, a great huge wolf that seemed impossibly too big and
when Jensen looked right at it, the animal raised its head and peered back,
it’s unnerving eyes scaring him as Jensen stumbled back, the latch slamming
shut.
“I see you found Jared?” Someone called and Jensen twisted in the dirt to watch
a dark haired man approach him. “I take it you’re the boy Jeff’s dumped on me,
said you knew how to clean and you were from a farm, you can shovel shit I
suppose,” the man said, his voice not unkind and Jensen dumbly nodded, his mind
trying to catch up.
“Alright then, first rule, don’t do stupid things, bugging Jared especially,
got it?”
Jensen just nodded.
“Good. My names Misha, what do I call you?”
“I- uh, J-Jensen sir.”
“Alright Jensen, let get you started on your new job,” the man offered Jensen
just nodded, not sure what to expect.
 
Life in the circus was amazing.
Sure the food was never really good and Jensen slept underneath the cages
unless it was raining -then he slept on the floor in a truck- but Jensen was
free from his uncle. The police never came but Jensen would later learn that
the police could look forever without ever finding them, even if they were
right in front of him.
A few months in Jensen felt like his life had started anew, his bruises all
faded and his skin wasn’t marred with them anymore. Nothing in him ached
anymore, which was a brand-new feeling. There was healer named Richard and he
tended to Jensen easily, leaving him a few things to drink and lotions to rub
on his scars. Jensen obeyed the orders and by the end of the month all his
marks were gone. Misha would rub his back with the same lotion, talking about
how his granny used to wash his back for him when he was a child and his voice
mimicked her. Jensen always laughed at the silly sounds and he supposed that
was Misha’s intent, the man had worn such a sad look the first time he saw the
scars. The weird bump in his bad leg should have stayed forever but Richard put
some smelly grass on it and bandaged it for a night. When Jensen woke up it was
gone and the pain in his leg as well. For the first time he stood straight and
could run without any ache at all.
As the sun rose up Jensen heard the tap of Jared’s nails above him and he made
himself get up. Although Misha snorted at him, he never protested Jensen
sleeping under Jared’s cage whenever he could. Misha teased him that it was
because of his stuffed dog looking a little like Jared and Jensen let him think
so, the truth might just make him sad again and Jensen didn’t want to make
people sad. Jared was his favorite because he reminded Jensen of himself,
they’d both been abused.
Not that the other animals weren’t incredible.
The stunning unicorn, the regal gryphon, and the great long snake that was
bigger than four men, or the swarm of tiny lizards with beautiful butterfly
wings. They were even familiar horses and dogs like those Jensen had cared for
most of his life at his uncle’s farm but with amazing tricks that they did so
easily. They were all fascinating to the boy but Jared was just so captivating,
a great huge wolf, much bigger than a man, a dire wolf with sad eyes.
“He’s got nothing in him,” Misha had said once, sitting with Jensen and eating
lunch while they watched people come through and look at the animals, Jeff
there and doing his ‘customer speak’ as he told each story of each creature and
the crowd stared at the animals in fascination.
“All the others want to be here, we don’t truly cage them because they could
leave if they wanted really, no bars can hold them. They choose each night to
return to the cages to sleep,” he explained and Jensen listened, knowing full
well that the unicorn could open her cage door as she pleased; she liked to go
for walks in the evening. These creatures were free to do as they wanted.  Save
for Jared.
“But Jared came to us by chance and while he’s never tried to leave I don’t
think he cares where he is. Dire wolves form close bonds and are always in
packs, the fact he isn’t seeking out his family means their gone. For a while
he was kept by some rich jackass, he abused Jared something awful and the dire
wolf just let him. He’d be a rug if Jeff hadn’t decided to take him.”
Jensen took a bite of his sandwich and watched Jared sleep away the day in his
cage, uninterested in the crowd watching him.
“We keep him locked because he has moments of violence, they don’t make sense,
like he’s lost in bad memories, and if Jared really wanted he could probably
break free, usually he just rages for a bit then settles. The unicorn would
free him if she thought he was trapped, it’s in their nature to help others but
she’s never done so, it says a lot.”
The unicorn was currently curled up under a tree, it was blooming flowers even
though it was autumn, and young kids were petting her. The unicorn seemed fine
with the attention but Jensen knew it was only young children allowed; the
unicorn didn’t much care for adults. 
“Why don’t you name them?”
“It’s rude to. They have names already and if they don’t want to share them
it’s not our place to ask or to give them a new one.”
Jared the dire wolf, Sannik the gryphon, T’sa the anaconda, only the unicorn
and winged lizards had no names. Maybe in time.
Even without customers, the other animals left their cages for most of the day,
the roamed the circus grounds, made trouble and played silly tricks that Misha
and Jensen had to clean up. But Jared seldom left his cage and when he did it
was with Misha and the strong men all forcing him. When they did that Jared’s
quiet disappeared and he turned vicious, snapping and eyes crazed as he fought
like he was about to die, lost in some dark past.
Jensen watched the huge wolf now, uncaring for the people looking at him as he
stood up and turned, his back to the people as he slumped down again. It was
hard to tell which was a better state, despair or rage.  
“Jared came to us barely alive and his body healed but something in him didn’t.
We’ve tried to let him go back into the wild but he has no interest, he doesn’t
care either way.” Misha said with a soft sad note that Jensen agreed with. They
had been both been abused, him and Jared, but Jensen hadn’t lost his will to
live and it made him ache that Jared had.  
It bothered Jensen seeing Jared like that so he spent all his free time with
the wolf. He’d talk to him through the bars and offer up snacks of freshly cut
meat but his efforts were mostly ignored. But Jensen was fine with that, he
understood, he suffered with his own skittish instincts around people, hands on
his shoulder sometimes scaring him because his uncle used to do that to him.
Plus his uncle had lots of abused dogs on the farm, when he drank enough he
would hurt them as much as he did Jensen. So the boy knew to be patient and not
demand anything from Jared. Misha was pressured by Jeff to work with Jared and
the wolf hated that so Jensen did the opposite, he was always around but never
expecting anything. His uncle had abused the farm dogs badly, they had been far
more aggressive than Jared but Jensen had found companions in them by being
patient and ever loving. He tried different foods, anything he had himself he
checked to see if Jared wanted a bite. It paid off a few months later when he
discovered Jared had a sweet tooth; while Jensen figured it probably wasn’t
good for him he still fed him a candy now and then.
“Our little secret,” Jensen whispered as he watched Jared crunch on some
skittles. Before he pushed another handful in between the bars where Jared
could reach. The wolf paid no attention to his hand, he never snapped at Jensen
but Jensen never tried to touch him. Jared was so interested in the candy
though that for the first time he touched Jensen, nudging the boy’s palm with
his nose as he tried to get the candies. Accomplishment and pleasure flooded
Jensen; Jared had initiated the first touch, which was a sign that with time
he’d open up to Jensen maybe.
Jensen smiled quietly, his heart beating fast and hopeful as he kept feeding
the wolf slowly, coaxing Jared to nudge his hand again. It had taken Jared just
over three months for this moment but it was the biggest one. Afterwards the
rest would come easier, it still ended up taking months and months but Jared
accepted Jensen’s presence and started to acknowledge the boy but he ignored
everyone else. He wasn’t happy to see him but he did look at him and it was
something. Jensen didn’t offer him anything but treats and praise in return,
the boy wasn’t out to make the wolf a performer he just wanted Jared to stop
being so depressed, to survive his past. If Jensen could he was certain a big
strong dire wolf could too. 
 
At night the circus put on a different type of show, one Jensen had ‘no
business knowing’ Misha had said. Jensen had still snuck a peek and watched
with huge eyes as Julie, one of the girls who rode the trained stallion Fennis,
laid back and let him ride her. Another show was the tightrope girls twisting
their bodies around like they usually did but this time without clothing. The
belly dancers wore nothing but their jewelry as moved as fluid as snakes while
T’sa himself slithered around the ring at their feet.  
Adult shows.
Jensen watched one night but left it alone after that, someone needed to watch
the animals and Misha was involved in making sure the ‘performing’ animals were
looked after in the main ring. So Jensen usually sat among the animal cages and
made sure everyone was fine, he liked his life here and anything asked of him
he took seriously. The trick dogs, horses, and snake, all had ‘acts’ so Jensen
was left with the unicorn, Sannik, and Jared normally. Tonight the unicorn had
gone for a walk alone and Jensen was taught to let the animal do what it
wanted.
While he barely said a word to any other person, his uncle had taught him to
never speak, Jensen would quietly chatter at the animals, Jared most of all.
He’d explain his day, things he’s learned, or matters involving the animals, he
used to do it with the horses and dogs on the farm and he’d always thought
secretly that they liked it.
The unicorn and Sannik would look at him when he talked, like they could
understand and maybe they did. Jared was ruder about it, he’d look away but his
ears were usually perked towards Jensen. The boy knew the dire wolf was
listening too even if he didn’t want to show it. It was more then he gave
Misha, all the animals were warm with the man but Jared never acknowledged much
less listened to him. 
Jared didn’t like Misha at all.
“I had to treat him medically when he first arrived, had to keep him pinned
down so his bones could set properly and stuff, he’s never forgotten it,” Misha
had explained and so let Jensen be in charge of feeding Jared after a few
months. All he did was throw in raw meat into the cage but Jared would usually
eat it where as if Misha threw it the meat would be left untouched until it
spoiled. There was a little slot along the one side, big enough to fit a
platter though but not enough for Jared to squeeze passed, not even his head.
“I imagine it’ll snow soon,” Jensen mused, on one of his nightly watch duties.
They were going to move south soon to avoid the winter but Jensen thought the
clouds looked ready to dump snow tonight before they could outrun it. They were
huge and fluffy, like they were stuffed full of snow and ready to let it float
down to the earth. He was kinda looking forward to it because he’d never seen
snow living in Texas.
Jared lifted his head and Jensen took note, looking over his shoulder to where
Jared was looking and expecting Misha to be returning.
But it was Sarge instead.
Jensen didn’t like Sarge, he was the only person in the whole circus Jensen
didn’t like. Some people ignored him, some were friendly and Jensen was fine
with each and every one save for Sarge. The man was covered in tattoos and
piercings, his tongue was split in two and his ear lobes hung down low all
stretched out. Jensen had first thought he was neat looking but the man looked
at him in a way that scared Jensen, it reminded him too much of his uncle, of
being pretty.
“Misha is coming right n-now,” Jensen announced weakly, but the big man shook
his head and smirked.
“Nah, he’s caught up with some hot town bitch.” Sarge replied and Jensen had
the sense to back away, to try and keep distance between them.
“You know even Jeff knows how pretty you are, he’d like to have you do an
evening show, it’s why he let you come along in the first place.” The man
walked beside the gryphon cage and grinned meanly, telling Jensen knowing the
gryphon proved it was the truth because you couldn’t lie near her.
Sannik screeched though and Sarge jumped away with a nasty swear word. He
didn’t like the animals since they frightened him - Misha said so - the man
rarely ever came around them. But that meant he’d come here for a reason.
The man tried to pace closer to Jensen and the boy backed up, trying to think
of an escape as the animals stirred nervously.
“But Jeff figures he needs to wait, let you grow up a little more but I think
you’re fine right now.”
When Sarge lunged Jensen was ready, scrambling away. But a hand caught him;
reminding him of his uncle so much Jensen didn’t know who was grabbing him for
a second. He was forcefully turned to face Sarge and then a hard blow hit his
face and Jensen’s shirt ripped at the collar when he was yanked off his feet.
“You too fucking pretty, too gorgeous for your own good,” The man spat as he
trapped Jensen in his too strong arms, held against the big man’s chest
painfully tight. Desperately Jensen wished he could scream, that he could make
the sound but nothing came when he tried, he’d long learned not to make noise
during bad things and as he panic the sound didn’t come.  
“I’m gonna fuck you good, prettyboy.”
Sarge pushed Jensen down to the ground and slammed his face into the dirt, the
man’s fingers hurting Jensen’s head as he pinned him there and pulled at
Jensen’s jeans. It was what his uncle had wanted, it was what Jensen had
escaped but it had followed him. Jensen fought but he was so small in
comparison and Sarge just shoved his face down harder, tiny sharp stones
cutting into his face like glass. 
Jared’s sudden snarl startled them both, the wolf throwing himself at the bars
with more force then usual. They were close enough that it scared the man on
top of Jensen and he scrambled away from the cage on instinct. Jensen didn’t
think about it, he just jumped to the cage. The main doors were locked and
needed keys but the food slot, Jensen could fit in the food slot maybe. He
flung it open and scrambled inside quickly, more willing to have Jared kill him
then for the weight of Sarge on top of him again. The man grabbed his foot,
tried to pull him out but Jensen kicked as hard as he could and Jared snarled,
throwing himself at the bars again and Sarge let go. Jensen got in all the way
and crawled quickly away from the bars, pressing the back wall and curling in
the corner.
“Come out here,” Sarge tried to demand and Jensen nearly laughed hysterically
at such a ridiculous order. Jared was pacing the cage, all his focus on the man
outside it as Jensen rocked in the corner, feeling the tears streaking his face
for the first time.
“Listen you little-” Sannik’s powerful screech cut him off, the gryphon out of
her cage now as she stared down at the man, Jensen could see the unicorn was
back now to, pacing jerkily as she tossed her head aggressively.
“Fine you stupid fucker, that wolf’s gonna eat you and in the morning when they
take your bones out I’ll piss all over them,” he snapped in parting before he
stumbled away, clearly spooked by the animals. But as he turned to leave the
unicorn charged him, her long horn pointed like a weapon at him. Sarge tried to
run, he left the sight of the cage but Jensen heard him cry out not far off.
Jensen curled up and didn’t move.
He didn’t try to crawl to the opened food slot, even if Jared let him he was
too scared to go back out where Sarge might reappear, maybe the unicorn hadn’t
hurt him, maybe he was waiting right around the cage corner. Sannik and the
unicorn both stayed near the cage bars, settling there for the night as Jared
lay on the other side of the cage, ignoring Jensen in with him. Jensen stayed
in the corner and silently cried himself asleep.
Morning came with a shiver. Jensen felt it run through him as he wiggled more
into the warmth to chase it away. It took him a long while to realize what the
heat was, the feel the rough fur on his sore cheek. Blinking awake, Jensen
stared at the greys of Jared’s coat. They were pressed up tightly; Jensen’s
body had turned to the heat of the animal sometime while he slept. The wolf was
resting against him snuggly, Jensen between the wall and Jared’s bulk. The
great big animal’s eyes were opened but he didn’t look particularly mean as he
peered as Jensen.
“T-thank you,” he breathed out in a whisper fingers curled into Jared’s fur.
“Thank you,” Jensen repeated, his eyes misting up as he shuddered and realized
he avoided his rape and that Jared and the other animals had saved him. The
wolf’s ears perked and he shifted, lifting his head to sniff Jensen’s face
lightly. The rasp of the wolf’s tongue stung on his skin, Jensen’s face was
tender and it ached from the blow and scratches from being held down in the
dirt. But the pains were far more acceptable then being raped and the pain
worth it for Jared’s show of affection.
Jared looked up again and huffed out a breath and Jensen blinked watching the
white air puff around the wolf. Sitting up slowly he looked over the huge
animal and stared at the blanket of sparkling white settled all over everything
outside.
“Snow,” Jensen muttered, eyes wide as he looked around and watched the way the
sunlight gleamed on the snow. Carefully, in case Jared didn’t like it, Jensen
curled an arm around his thick neck and hugged him loosely, watching the snow
sparkle. Jared let him, turning to sniff Jensen and give him another lick
before putting his head down to sleep again.
A weird crunching sound drew Jensen attention and he looked over to see Misha
walking towards the cages, that certain smirk in place meaning he’d had a good
night. Jensen watched as it faded when the older man caught sight of the boy
inside the dangerous wolf’s cage, curled up with him. Misha stared at them, at
the unicorn and gryphon nearby and then his face turned pale as he got close
enough to see Jensen’s face.  
 
No one could find Sarge.
The unicorn had a streak of dark red on her horn but there was no body, no
blood on the ground, nothing. All of Sarge’s things were still in his trailer
and there was no sign that he’d been there hurt but it had to be his blood on
the unicorn’s horn.
The circus took it all in quietly, no one outright said anything but Jeff
assured Jensen any fate Sarge found was well deserved.
“It’s part of why I put you with the animals,” he explained as Richard hummed
and dabbed a soothing cream on Jensen’s face. It smelled like flowers and the
pain melted away as soon it touched.
“The unicorn protects purity, children more so. I knew with her nothing bad
would come for you. Though I didn’t expect Sannik or Jared to help out, you’ve
taken good care of them to earn their respect,” Jeff praised and Jensen glanced
at Jared, the wolf laying down but idly watching as Richard fixed him up. The
man made silly jokes and Jensen laughed as Richard explained that he needed to
wear the bandage for only a day but he couldn’t take it off at all. At the end
he gave the boy a handful of candy and Jensen knew right away he’d share it
with Jared.
“He’ll be ok?” Misha asked worriedly, a strange guilt about him has he looked
at Jensen. “You don’t need anywhere…else looked at?”
“The kids fine, he’s only got a few scrapes on his face a bruise on his back,”
Richard replied truthfully even though he’d only looked at Jensen’s face and
hadn’t asked him if anywhere else was hurt. “All he needs is a day or two to
recover then he’ll be golden. The boy’s got a tough soul, nothing’s gonna break
him.”
Jensen liked to believe that.
They outdrove the snow but didn’t go too far south since it would be too hot
for a dire wolf and the husky dogs. They found a temperature in between and
settled in to put on shows for a few weeks. While they traveled Jensen mostly
slept in the cab with Misha driving. As the days passed lots of people stopped
by to see him, no one mentioned what happened but they were all nicer than
before. Jensen accepted it tried to be nice back, he’d like to make friends
that were humans along with his animal companions. 
Once they stopped and set up Jensen went about opening the cages and lifting
the viewing flaps with Misha. He assured the man he could help and insisted he
feed Jared like usual. Jensen rarely went against what anyone wanted but he was
afraid Jared wouldn’t eat if it was Misha. 
“I was ready to write him off,” Jeff said conversationally as Jensen looked
over his shoulder to watch the man approach him and Jared’s cage. Misha was
just across the way feeding the trick dogs and Jeff had never scared Jensen,
the unicorn was relaxed too. Still he stayed close to the cage, to Jared.
“It was a gamble to take him in, a dire wolf so damaged, but the fates put him
in my path and it would have been rude to refuse, just like how I took you in.”
Jensen nodded uncertainly, but thought he liked the idea that he and Jared had
something more in common. Jeff was good with words, he could make people hear
what they wanted and get what he himself wanted as well Misha had said. Still
Jensen was fairly sure he didn’t mean Jensen any harm.
“I’d been thinking of trying to sell him, people would buy him if for the pelt
alone,” he explained and Jensen drew in a sharp breath of fear.
“But Misha’s said you and he get along well, that you’ve been in his cage and
walked out unharmed.”
“Just, t-that night.”
“Ah, that night.  He saved you then, they all did?”
Jensen just nodded; looking at the wolf lying down in the corner watching them
silently.
“Do you think you could return the favor?” Jeff asked and Jensen blinked up at
him. “I’d like you to try and train with Jared, have him do a few tricks for
you that we could show to people, that way he could earn his keep.”
Jensen wasn’t sure if he could and he glanced over to Misha, watching the other
man approached them.
“It’s possible, Jensen’s got Jared’s attention, if anyone here can train him
it’ll be Jensen but it’ll be plenty of months beforehand, they still need a lot
of time to work on trust way before training,” Misha announced but Jeff seemed
fine with it, nodding along.
“It takes time I know, but Jensen’s a small boy and if he can tame this huge
beast they’d make a good show,” he explained and Misha seemed hesitant but with
Sannik right there he couldn’t help but agree, proving it really could be a way
to make money for the circus.  
Jensen glanced at Jared and was ready for it when the wolf threw himself at the
bars, making both of the men jump away startled. Jensen was beginning to see
that the wolf was doing it mainly startle them, most animals desperate to
escape clawed obsessively at the ground and Jensen had never seen Jared do
that.
“If Jared takes to training it’ll be because he wants too,” Jensen advised
quietly watching the big wolf slump down to sleep again as if he’d done nothing
wrong.
“I’d have to agree,” Jeff mused but his voice was light not mad at Jared.
 
After that day Jensen was made the primary caretaker of Jared under Misha’s
guidance. It was frustrating at first but when Jensen gave up on letting Misha
try to make him dominate Jared and used bribing the wolf because he responded
better it went easier. Misha didn’t much like it but Jensen was only trying to
win Jared’s loyalty rather then actually train him so he got away with it.
Jensen started sleeping in Jared’s cage more often, another thing Misha wasn’t
keen on with Jared’s unpredictable behavior but the wolf never hurt Jensen
intentionally. Sometimes he roughhoused a bit too hard but it was nothing
really, Jensen had known pain a million times worse than the occasional scratch
or bruise. Richard left him a little jar of oil to rub on the aches, there was
a frog floating in the middle of the vial but Jensen knew it was Richard silly
humor; he had a trailer full of such things and a crazy story behind everyone
that was always different each time someone asked.  
Bonding with Jared and then training them to work together took almost three
years, Jensen was fourteen when they did their first show. But to be fair to
Jared, Jensen took a far longer time to get used to being in the spotlight then
his wolf partner. Even after years of training for it, he couldn’t work up the
nerve to talk to the crowd, Jeff would have to announce their shows. The man
was fine with how long it took for Jensen and Jared to be ready, he never
pushed them and so Jensen really wanted to do well for him. The show itself was
a big production, all the shows were really and it made Jensen nervous to see
all the time put into building the set, making music, and creating costumes for
him. 
“Jeff’s doing a lot but it’ll pay off either way, Jared’s a huge freaking dire
wolf, they’re rare in the wild much less among people and you’re a beautiful
innocent looking kid, it’s the beast and the pure maiden storyline and that one
has been popular for centuries.” Misha explained and Jensen frowned, picking
the red jellybeans from his candy box and throwing them in the air and watching
to see if Jared would catch the tiny sweet. The wolf was allowed out of his
cage now but kept leashed securely. Still Jensen could see how much Jared liked
to roll in the dirt these days and he was glad Jared could enjoy the simple
pleasures, that he wanted too.
There were sitting in the grass under the warm sun among the circle of animal
cages, most of the other animals were wandering the circus grounds as they
pleased save for the giant anaconda T’sa who went nowhere without good reason,
lazy snake.
“I’m not a maiden you know,” Jensen pointed out but Misha just snorted and the
boy’s face burned red. He knew he was eye-catching in a weird way, fae, was
what the fortuneteller Samantha said and Jensen liked that term better
thanpretty.Jeff did too because he set the design around a forest setting, a
wild place where Jared would roam as a dire wolf lord. Jensen would play the
lost child who tamed the great beast. Both of them had rehearsed a million
times and they both knew each move and cue perfectly, they’d done it front of
test audiences and everything. All the tricks Jensen had learned he was trained
for hours on end until he could do them with comfort and safety. Blowing fire
was the big finale he learned but it was nothing like the actual fireman
himself could, but just enough to add drama. Jared surprisingly wasn’t remotely
afraid of the flames like the trick dogs were. Back when they first started
Jensen had thought they would do something more like those dogs did, a silly
show with jumps and flips, not anything as elaborate as what they were actually
doing, an entire serious production with dramatics.
The story was basically Jared and Jensen’s first meeting then becoming friends
and bonding before the ‘monsters’ came to steal Jensen and Jared protecting him
with Jensen fighting them off in the end to save his wolf. It seemed almost
silly for him but everyone had assured him it was good, that he suited the role
and he looked otherworldly astride Jensen’s back. Jeff would never have gone
through with a show he didn’t like so Jensen knew it had to be at least ok.
“What if we mess up?”
“Play along, act like it was intentional, if you fall off Jared tumble down
like it was supposed to happen, Jared will come over to check on you worriedly
and you’ll climb back on. If Jared gets out of hand sooth him like you do with
the petting, it’ll fit into the show. If he freezes up then move along without
him, he always follows you in the end. Jeff’s written the show so that it’s
pretty much impossible to mess up.”
“Except for the fire breathing, if I mess that up…”  
“You will once in awhile, even Eric has trouble some days, there will be
someone up in the rafters to drop sparkles down and music to be qued for
‘magical fire’.”
“Gods,” Jensen sighed, embarrassed with the over the top show but knowing he
had to do it and try his best for Jeff, that man had given him too much for
Jensen to let him down. Jared huffed and Jensen watched him flop down beside
Jensen and put his great head on his shoulder, looking at Jensen with wide gold
eyes and then to the box of jellybeans meaningfully.
“You’ll get fat,” He sighed, but leaned his head on Jared’s and poured a
handful for the beggar.
“…You’ll be fine, you and Jared are fascinating to watch, even when you’re
sitting around, all you have to do is give the audience something to watch,
something different from their mundane lives.” Misha mused and Jensen glanced
over at him, wondering what could be interesting about a wolf with a sweet
tooth. But he knew for a fact people did like to watch them, he’d looked up
plenty of times to see people gazing their way. Jensen figured it had more to
do with Jared than him but people insisted it was both of them; such a small
boy with a great hulking beast like Jared seemed like a contradiction, it was
intriguing. Jensen wasn’t sure if that would translate into a good show but
what Jeff wanted of him he’d give, he owned the man all he had after all.
 
It pretty much really was the maiden and the beast story retold; Jensen was in
a loose flowing white shirt and old style pants, made to look out of a
fairytale with leaves woven into his tousled hair. The makeup lady smothered
his face and forearms with streaks of ash; artfully dirty she had called it.
She also put a ton of makeup on him but Jensen knew everyone had to wear it
because it was part of being in a stage show.
Everything was timed to music so he knew to take all his cues from it. Misha
gave his shoulder a squeeze as Jensen sucked in a trembling breath. Eric the
fire breather was there too, all three in the shadows as Jeff introduce the
storyline. Jared was already walking around the platforms, moving from each one
by his nose since treats were hidden for him to guide the wolf.
“Remember the mediation,” Eric reminded Jensen when his fingers shook and the
boy nodded, trying to find his center and calm his breathing.
“You’ll do fine, just go out there and look as terrified as you feel,” Misha
teased him gently and Jensen felt him push lightly on his shoulder to get him
moving, his cue coming up now. With one last look at the two men who’d helped
him train for three years now Jensen took his first step onto center stage.
He’d performed in other shows as a minor character and gotten used to being
watched but he’d never been in the spotlight before. The lights were down low
with one spot on him and Jensen couldn’t see the crowd at all in the shadows
and it helped. He tried to pretend they weren’t there as he stumbled in the
fake woods, falling down in time with the music and curling up scared and
alone. It wasn’t hard to imagine really and his tears came easily. Jared didn’t
miss his cue, he came right to Jensen and licked his face, whined as Jensen
faked fear of him and then reached out trembling fingers as if for the first
time, the scared boy daring to pet the great beast. Somewhere along the line
Jensen just slipped into his role and focused only on that rather than the eyes
on them.
They did mess up a few times, Jensen missed a move or Jared didn’t do his
trick. There were platforms all over the stage with gaps and high jumps that
Jensen and Jared had to leap around on, Jared did the more impressive jumps and
one with Jensen on his back that made the crowd whisper. They skipped more then
a few of the tricks they should have done but they got through the act, Jeff
narrating it all through the speakers, his voice and the music directing the
emotions.
When the music’s tempo turned dark and Jensen watched pieces of the stage shook
and came to life, people in black suits and creepy masks coming from under the
forest for him. The masks really were evil looking, twisted creepy faces that
stared at him with led lights glowing in their eye sockets. But they didn’t
look human; Jensen had no fear of them because his nightmares were plagued with
human faces. The design lady had made sure that while they were scary, Jensen
himself wasn’t afraid of them. She was a nice to him, but always looked at
Jensen like he was a kicked puppy. Still in the dark now with the music booming
the masks were off putting and he fled from them with a touch of real fear,
Jared jumping to his defense. The masks were all wood material and the people
under them had suits to protect them as Jared lunged. They’d spent months and
months making this into a game for Jared; the wolf would jump on one, bite a
bit and then rush to the next, just like he was trained. When they circled him,
surrounding the wolf the crowd couldn’t see the men under the suits rolling
treats to Jared, rewarding him and distracting him.
With rising apprehension Jensen took the pouch placed by his knee and he took a
few calming breaths like Eric taught him. The man was off stage watching, he’d
worked with Jensen for six months to get this right and Jensen didn’t want to
fail him anymore then Jeff. Sucking in a deep breath and filling his lung as
much as he could, Jensen quickly got a mouthful of fuel and picked up the torch
as he approached the ‘monsters’. When they turned to face him he blew has hard
as he could and people in the crowd screamed outright as the fire came. He
exhaled completely and was careful not to swallow as the monsters fled his
fire. He reunited with Jared and the wolf took him on his back, walking off the
stage as Jeff ended the story.
Once they were passed the stage curtains Misha was right there with the water
and Jensen rinsed his mouth out furiously.
“I messed up, we missed half the jumps,” he said as soon as he could and Misha
shook his head.
“They’re cheering, if they’re cheering it went fine,” the older man assured him
and Jensen felt Jared press into him panting as the crowd did give a good loud
applause.
“Wishing you could throw a knife worth a damn now?” Eric joked as he walked up
to them and Jensen shrugged rising his mouth again. He really hated the taste
of the gas but knife throwing had been horrid, he had no aim, and Jensen could
have ended up hurting someone if his aim was off. If he messed up a fire
breathing, it would be him to pay for it before anyone else.
“Go get some air, it’ll help the light headed feeling,” the professional fire
breather counseled and Jensen nodded, stumbling out into the fresh air through
the back entrance of the main tent. He and Jared shared some water; the wolf
was pretty good at drinking it out of the bottle if Jensen titled it slowly for
him.
Before he’d caught his breath Jeff came out looking for him, exhilarated as the
crowds clapping followed him.
“Perfect! It was perfect, the way they stared at you two, they couldn’t look
away! When you cried people in the audience did too, it went perfect!” He
laughed, his bright grin making Jensen return with a shy one.
“They want you to go out and bow,” Jeff said but Jensen’s smiled died and he
pushed into Jared’s fur.
“I-I…no please, I don’t- I just pretended they weren’t there,” he fumbled to
explain to the man, to tell Jeff it was the only reason he’d been able to get
through it.
“You should keep him tucked away, Jensen likes hiding to begin with and it’ll
feed the crowds, if they want to see him again they’ll have to come to another
show,” Misha suggested from where he lingered at the tent entrance and Jeff
took to the idea immediately hurrying back into the ring to work the crowd. 
“Thanks,” Jensen said after and Misha shrugged easily.
“Just be careful, Jeff means well but he gets caught up in the shows, don’t let
him push you for more than one a night.”
So once per day Jensen and Jared did their show, after the first handful it
came easier, they found a rhythm and settled into it. Jeff was happy with it
and they used the set for a sexy sultry dance show with beautiful gypsy girls
and the anaconda T’sa. The main ring did the more lighthearted shows, the
trapezes, the tightropes, the hoopers, acrobats, contortionists, and fire
breathing, all the things a circus should have while the second tent held the
more dramatic shows, stories unfolding with Jeff’s deep voice.
There was a certain undertone to all the invitations to the night shows they
did, a sexual edge suggesting what they were without outright saying it. Like a
dirty version of circus de soleil, the same unique style just more skin on
display. In the nights all the skin was on display, the belly dancers became
strippers, erotica became the theme of every show and lots of the performers
would spend the night with the customer for the right price.
“A brothel on the go,” Misha had laughed but Jensen knew that even he would
slip off with women and men from the town, taking them into the private tents
in the far back that were set up for sex. After years it didn’t faze Jensen,
he’d learned it was just part of the business and something he didn’t have to
join, Jeff had always stressed it was completely optional.  
 
After years of bonding with Jensen, Jared had become the boy’s constant shadow.
Misha never liked it completely but he knew it gave Jensen confidence and Jared
never had actually attacked anyone so the dire wolf was allowed to roam as he
pleased. For the most part he trailed Jensen at all times and when he did slink
off a quick call from the boy had the wolf returning. Jared usually only
slipped off briefly to hunt when they were in a rural area, mainly rabbits. But
regardless the wolf was Jensen’s self-appointed guardian and he kept a keen eye
on strangers who got too close. Nothing detoured people quite like a giant wolf
staring them down. So Jensen learned to be a little showy, to play into his
role by letting his shirt hang off his shoulder, or looking up from under his
eyelashes. Alona tutored him on it, how to look innocent and vulnerable for the
crowds.    So eyes would watch him, look at him and think
So eyes would watch him, look at him and think pretty but Jensen had learned
not be afraid, because he had a great big wolf beside him and pocket knife that
the knife thrower had given him. Because Jensen understood there was something
about him that made people want in a dirty way. It was why the show had worked
out, why people liked to come and see him tremble in fear over and over, the
circus played on it to make money. But just because he looked it didn’t mean he
had to be weak, Misha had taught him. The man used to keep a close eye on him
at night, guilt in his gaze after Jensen’s attack. But as the months tinkered
by Misha and other circus performs showed Jensen how to defend himself. Someone
always checked up on him, they did whole rounds of the grounds every night now
and as time passed Misha stopped being so worried. Jensen never understood why
the man felt at fault for someone else’s actions but when he’d tried to ask
Misha had just insisted he should have stayed that night. That they should have
dealt with Sarge long before he crossed the line. Nothing Jensen said ever
changed Misha’s mind but as the years slipped by the shadows in his eyes faded
and Jensen was happy to see them go. He could defend himself now, he was armed
and he had Jared, a big mean dire wolf to look out for him.
They’d been doing the show for little over half a year now and he was used to
the attention that it brought him, Jensen knew to have Jared close when he
wandered alone in case someone was watching him too keenly. He’d just turned
fifteen yesterday and was in good spirits still, there had been a birthday
party for him and everything. Jensen never liked the spotlight of the show but
when he was under the attention of the people he considered friends he found it
warmed him. He wasn’t even upset when Jared ate his birthday cake, face first
into the icing with one huge bite. Jensen smiled at the memory as he hugged his
cheek to Jared’s muzzle and caught the faint scent of icing still.
“You glutton,” he teased as they strolled along by moonlight and faint lamps
around the camp.
It was well into the midnight hours when Jensen headed back to the animal cages
but he had no fear about walking the shadows. Jared was right by him, rubbing
up close as they made their way in the darkness towards their bed. The tents
were lit from within and cast obscene images, couples writhing as they muffled
their moans pointlessly, their silhouettes showing what they where up to
clearly. Jensen had sat and watched them a few times back when he’d first
developed sexually. The urges confused him as he watched people fucking,
peeking in the tents sometimes to see skin. Now they just seemed sort of dull,
he’d seen it for years and it was old news by now.
Yawning he stretched his arms and went by the main evening show tent. Pulling
the flap a touch he saw the current act. There was only one light on, shining
directly down on the ring and dark heavy shadows swallowed the people in the
stands, hid their faces as they watched something obscene. The dog trainer was
a pretty redhead, her features twisted in pleasure as she pushed back at the
dog on her back, a wet sound accompanying her moaning as the dog pounded at
her. Jensen could see the shine of the dog tag bouncing around on the collar
she wore. He knew she had a ‘tail’ pushed up into her backside and that the
dogs were trained to lead her by the leash.
“People come for what they can’t get anywhere else,” Jeff had said once and
Jensen supposed it was true. There was a man with many piercings and tattoos
who dominated people, whipped them and poured hot wax all over them, all sorts
of things. There was an older teenage girl who was as small as Jensen who would
dress in clothing befitting a little girl, she played her role as men she
called ‘daddy’ put their hands on her. There was also an older man looking for
his daughter or son to play with, all sorts of people who played to various
fetishes. They offered these people something dirty and obscene so they paid
ridiculous amounts of money for it. The police never came and Jensen supposed
it had something to do with how they never paid fees for where they camped,
that people never complained about them setting up outside their towns. The
circus was just accepted, for all it’s shows and Jensen didn’t see a point in
questioning it. He knew they were different, Richards’s medicines were strange
things but they always worked and Jensen was beginning to see that it wasn’t
normal in the outside world.  
The boy watched Julie moan under the German shepherd for a moment longer before
he dropped the tent flap and continued on to the animal cages. Although he
couldn’t see the people in the stands watching her, he could hear them, the low
panting and the wet sounds of them masturbating, Jensen never knew what to
think of that. Julie liked it though; she said she loved doing something so
dirty with all those eyes on her, watching, as she acted so ‘nasty’. Jensen
hadn’t understood the appeal really but he was a little odd when it came to
sex.
Fifteen could be considered young but Jensen had spent four years among a
circus that used sex as a trade. So when he got curious he’d had no trouble
finding people to help him sate it. His night with Alona had been horridly
awkward as she teased him gently and then concluded that women where not his
‘flavor’. They’d spent the rest of the night looking at gay porn and Jensen had
to admit she was right. Now he spent his days looking for the right boy, he
wanted someone close to his age rather then anyone older, the idea of a grown
man touching him left him cold, his uncle and Sarge always flashing in his
mind. Still Jensen wouldn’t deny his tastes were towards the masculine gender,
as he started looking at guys, really looking, he could feel a pull of desire,
admire the curve of broad shoulders or like the way a beard could look if done
right. He’d gotten a hold of some sexual toys and been experimenting, figuring
things out at his own pace. He liked the stretch inside him, he knew that much
already.
 
The summer heat had Jared panting and Jensen agreed silently, feeling sweat
trickle down his shoulder blades. They were in the south where the nights were
just has scorching as the days. Jensen reached the animal cages and took off
his sweat damp shirt and discarded his jeans and shoes. When he put a hand on
Jared’s back the wolf held still as the boy slipped onto his back in just his
boxers. Jared was a dire wolf and could handle Jensen’s slight weight easily
and as long as he didn’t grow up to be a line backer Jared would probably
always be able to carry him. When they first tried this it had been ridiculous,
Jared didn’t like Jensen on his back and Jensen had no balance and always fell
off him. But Jeff had insisted it was a crucial element of the show and now
Jensen was thankful that the man had pushed them to master it since it was
something Jensen loved these days. It showed how far they had come has partners
that Jared bore him so calmly and it always let him ride.
Checking on the animals Jensen made sure they were fine before he and Jared
went for a midnight run. They left the circus grounds and crossed the quiet
highway to the public campsite by the light of the moon. There was a quiet in
the air that Jensen loved, the stillness of the whole world it seemed like. The
campsite was covered in trees and foliage that covered them as they slinked by
campers and tents with the river set as their destination. They’d gone every
night for a swim and the water was perfectly cool.
When they reached the shore Jared plowed right in, Jensen still on his back as
they where pulled by the current. Jensen left the wolf’s back as he swam and
sighed happily in the relief of the water’s chill. While he paddled around
Jared just drank half the damn river and pretty much puked it right back up
immediately.
“Why do you always do that,” Jensen said with disgust as he swam up current to
avoid the vomit floating down stream. They swam about lazily, Jensen leaving
his boxers on a rocky ledge so they could dry out for when he left the water.
For a little while it was just the quiet and Jensen, letting the current pull
him a bit before he swam back upstream all under the gaze of the moon and
stars. Jared started to swim with him eventually, going upstream and then down,
chasing each other loosely and splashing water, it was a childish thing really
but one Jensen had never known it in his past and so treasured it now and he
huffed a laugh and splashed Jared in the face. These were the few things he
could share with his wolf, Jared never judging Jensen, never looking sad and
pitying him in that way Jensen was coming to resent.
 
“You’re that boy from the show,” a voice called, soft with something like awe
as Jensen whirled in the water and found a teenager on the shore staring at
him. Jensen bit his lip as he felt mortified to be caught skinny-dipping with
his dire wolf.
It was a boy, older then Jensen by some, maybe seventeen or so. The way he
looked lacked anger and Jensen knew in the back of his head he was doing
nothing wrong. Still he flushed shamefully as he swam to shore and looked up at
the stranger.
“Please don’t tell,” he asked quietly, knowing Jeff would be pissed to learn
he’d taken Jared out of the grounds and right passed a camp full of people.
Jared had never hurt anyone but he’d never completely tamed either.
“I won’t,” the teenager fumbled to reply right away as he grinned and ducked
down to peer at Jensen, looking over his bare chest with a blush of his own.
Jensen blinked in surprise but then reappraised the boy in a new light. He
could see that the teenager was attracted to him and he wondered if this was
the perfect opportunity.  
“Your name’s Jensen right?”            
After he nodded the boy introduced himself as Adam. He sat by the shore
watching Jensen and Jared frolic, Jensen maybe letting his hips go above water
level a few times. It was exciting he decided, a chance for him to experiment a
little and not have any expectations after, they’d be leaving in a few days.
“It must be amazing, to live among the circus, travel all over and have no
worries,” Adam mused and Jensen knew the dreamy tone well enough. Lots of
people, kids mostly, thought the circus was some sort of escape from life, an
easy existence where there was no hardship.
“I train for hours to do shows, wear caked on makeup and then deal with
perverted old men after. When I’m not doing that I’m shoveling animal shit or
packing up camp,” Jensen explained, watching Jared try and bite at the
reflection of the moon in the water.
“I’m still learning to read because I never went to school and I won’t ever. I
don’t have a family, no mom or dad… people always tell me I’m lucky but I think
it’s the other way around really.”
Adam had enough sense to look contrite, glancing back at the campsite where his
family probably was. “When push comes to shove I’d never give up my family,” he
agreed and Jensen liked him a little more for it, some teenagers insisted the
hated theirs. Why would they claim such a thing of people who loved them? Who
never hurt them intentionally; they didn’t understand what it truly meant to
have an abusive family Jensen would think.
“But you have to admit it, it’s amazing to live among creatures like you do,
something out of a fantasy novel,” Adam pointed out and Jensen blinked,
glancing at Jared.
“They’re not common in the normal world,” he agreed, knowing it was true from
the way customers talked.
“They don’t exist at all,” corrected Adam and Jensen blinked over at him in
confusion prompting the teenager on. “Most people think it’s all a ruse, that
you guys use mechanical creatures and stuff, unicorns and gryphons aren’t real.
Magic isn’t real. Like the healer guy at your circus, my grandma is swearing up
and down her ankles don’t hurt anymore after he gave her some goop with
crickets in it to put on them but it can’t be real. Medicine doesn’t work that
way, not that instant with such mundane ingredients.”
“It only works if you believe it,” Jensen echoed Richards motto faintly, he’d
never thought not to believe before and it seemed impossible to image a world
that didn’t.   
“I never knew it was so different away from the circus,” he admitted and Adam
gave a nod, watching Jensen float along the water as Jared paddled around
deeper.
“I’m lucky to have my family but you are too, to have that kind of stuff in
your life.”
Not knowing what to say Jensen swam out further and mucked around with Jared
for awhile, trying to put his mind off the curious things Adam had given him to
think on. It did explain a lot, why people held such wonder when the saw the
circus.
“Have you ever seen Princess Mononoke?” Adam asked from shore and Jensen shook
his head. Sometimes he and Alona went into towns to watch movies but Jensen had
never heard of that one.
“It’s about a girl raised by wolves, you remind me of her kinda, the way you
ride your wolf.”
Jensen figured it was compliment so he smiled, he used the water to easily
settle on Jared’s back and guide him from the water, the other boy watching
wide-eyed. Jensen felt shy but he’d learned to hide that and he wasn’t really
nervous, he couldn’t have picked a better situation with Jared right there in
case he needed him. Adam was nice, he looked cute and Jensen liked how he
talked, not full of teenage arrogance or whining.
“Do you wanna see it?”
It took Jensen a moment to figure out what was being offered.
“T-the movie?” He guessed, not very good at picking up subtlety and wondering
if he missed something.
“Yeah.”
 
So Jensen watched the movie with Adam. The teenager went back to his camp and
brought a big fluffy towel, some beef jerky, and a psp that had the movie on
it. Jensen had never been allowed such things as a child, he’d barely ever seen
tv at all much less any other electronic so they were a little off putting for
him. He did have an iphone but he never really used it unless he took the rare
trip into town with someone. Alona had a tv and dvd player in her trailer and
she let him watch movies whenever he wanted but in all honesty Jensen liked to
pass his time doing something productive or nothing at all. An after effect of
working as soon as he could walk he supposed, he never felt truly at ease
unless he was busy. Still he wrapped himself in the towel, helped Adam feed
Jared some beef jerky and keep his fingers and then they huddled in close and
watched the cartoon unfold. It was interesting enough, Jensen would have to ask
Alona to find it for him though because his focus was more on the teenager
pressed against him than the movie.
Jared was off to the side sleeping as Jensen and Adam laid out on their
stomachs side by side on a flat rock along the river, hidden by the trees from
the campers. Adam dropped his face to Jensen’s shoulder and he glanced at the
older boy but let him, feeling Adam scoot a little closer and put an arm around
Jensen’s thin shoulders. Jensen looked over at Jared, the wolf was watching
them, not alert but looking and it was enough to ease any apprehension in
Jensen. He smiled at Adam and ducked his head, feeling the boy press kisses to
Jensen’s shoulder and moving in, to the back of his neck as he moved over
Jensen.
The boy glanced over at his wolf each time he felt anything fearful pass
through him. This wasn’t Sarge or his uncle he reminded himself, looking over
his shoulder and feeling Adam kiss his cheek.
For a moment he just sort of settled there, waiting almost and Jensen not
knowing what was expected uncertainly looked back at the movie. It was strange
and awkward for them both, clearly first times on both ends but Adam had
condoms and lube in the little bag he’d pulled his psp from. He took them out
and Jensen listened as he opened the bottle and slicked his fingers. The movie
cast a glow on them as Jensen dropped his head to his forearms and gasped at
the first wet touch along the cleft of his ass.
Jensen felt the stretch of fingers sinking into him, he liked that, liked
someone else doing it as he forgot the movie and pressed his face into his
forearm tighter, moaning a breath as Adam fumbled but managed to touch him just
right. Too soon his fingers were gone and Jensen heard the soft crinkle of a
condom. He glanced over to Jared, who was still watching, a little weirdly
focused, but it comforted Jensen. He took a relaxing breath, the same calming
maneuvers just before he blew the fire.
“I’m gonna…” Adam said and Jensen nodded, making his body relax because it
would make it go easier.
It hurt, the burn wasn’t over the top, mainly focused along the rim of his
hole, it didn’t like stretching so wide. But on the inside he felt full and the
friction was nice. He adjusted to the bite of it and Adam panted in his ear.
The teenager shoved too much too fast and Jensen winced, but kept quiet and let
it happen. His virginity was being given up, on his own terms without anyone
making him and that made it perfect for Jensen. Even if the sex was awkward,
neither of them looking at one another as Adam shoved without a rhythm,
stumbled to find one and giving a sudden punched out groan as he came abruptly.
He pulled away, slid free before Jensen could even get use to it but he didn’t
mind. He smiled at the other boy and Adam grinned, pressing another cute kiss
to Jensen’s bony shoulder before he reached took Jensen’s hip and coaxed him to
roll on his side so Adam could wrap a hand around Jensen’s cock.
A gentleman then.
It felt good, better than his own hand and Jensen came just a rushed as Adam,
spilling on the towel with Adam pressed to his back and Jared in front of him,
watching as Jensen whimpered through his climax.
Jensen felt giddy afterwards, smiling stupidly with Adam as they cuddled up
close in the night heat. They talked more about pointless things, Jensen asked
about normal life for Adam and in turn he told the other teen about his own
life. Pressed in close they eventually dozed off under the open sky.
  
It was near morning when Jensen woke up. Adam was beside him and Jared on his
other side, a strange man looking at them. Jensen blinked completely awake as
the man just stared openly, looking over every inch of Jensen’s nude body
exposed in the pink hue of the sky. Red faced Jensen scrambled onto Jared’s
back and felt bad for not having real chance to say goodbye to Adam as the
other boy woke and blinked sleepily at Jensen as he made his escape. The
exclamation of ‘dad!’ by Adam made Jensen feel worse as he slunk off to the
circus grounds. At least it wasn’t some pervert he told himself; he’d left Adam
with someone safe, embarrassing but safe.
It was the sleeping hours at the circus, the night shows done and the customers
all gone so it was near five in the morning he figured. This was when everyone
settled in for some shuteye and Jensen, naked on Jared’s back blushed as he
made his way to the animal cages.
Chris, one of the strong men, did a double take and then grinned as Jensen and
Jared hurried past. A few people stayed up to keep an eye on things and Chris
was at the entrance, on guard duty. Despite his leer the other man had no real
sexual heat to him as he looked at Jensen so it wasn’t really uncomfortable for
Jensen, just embarrassing because he knew the whole grounds would know about
him coming back at dawn, riding Jarednaked. When they got to the cages Jensen
grateful slipped from Jared’s back, his backside a tad sore as he reached and
undid the latch to Jared’s cage and followed the wolf in, bolting the door
behind him.
Jensen had sort of moved in with his dire wolf.
He only had a single case for all his belongings; it was just casual clothing
and his old stuffed dog. All his performance stuff was kept in the costume
trailer and all his electronics, his phone and a few dvds were in Alona’s
trailer where there was power to make them work. He had a few trinkets here and
there but nothing worth anything. He liked the rainbows of crystals so he hung
a few up between the bars that Richard had given him. There was a single book
with him, he bored them from Samantha, she had a big library and didn’t mind
keeping what books Jensen bought even though they were meant for younger kids,
Misha was helping him learn to master reading.
Jensen knew it was a little strange that he didn’t have his own trailer or
share one with somebody. But he felt weird having too much clutter around him
and he didn’t like the idea of being in close quarters with another person. He
liked the plain wood panels of the cage, they reminded him of where he grew up
in a comforting way and the cage itself was large, it fit them both easily with
ample room to move around. There were rugs put down, blankets and pillows that
Jared and he shared easily. The wolf had learned not to be messy in their
shared ‘room’. There was a curtain along the inside of the bars and Jensen
closed it tightly, it was heavy and it would help keep the sun’s heat out. Once
that was done Jensen flopped into the bedding, ready to sleep the morning away.
They had a show at four he’d have to be awake a two to get ready, Misha would
wake them though, Jared always ate the alarms since they annoyed him.
Jensen tried to sleep but his mind felt more inclined to turn the night over in
his head. He liked Adam, what they did had felt ok and Jensen didn’t regret it
but…he was left feeling off somehow, empty in a weird non-physical way. There
wasn’t a way to explain it really, maybe he’d rushed to fast to have sex or it
had something to do with his dark past, with being pretty. Jensen clutched a
pillow and felt a stray tear trickled down his cheek, his chest aching with
emptiness as he thought of Adam and his family, of all the things the boy had
that Jensen never would.
Jared snuffled his face, surprising him as the wet nose poked his cheek and
licked his tear away. The wolf made a worried whine and nosed at Jensen
sniffing him over for some hurt as Jensen tried to calm down so he could soothe
his wolf.
He jerked again when he felt the sudden wet rasp of the wolf’s tongue along his
backside. Jensen jerked away, eyes huge as he turned to Jared. The wolf wagged
his tail and followed Jensen, pressing his cold nose along the curve of the
boy’s ass while they tumbled about. The wolf thought it a game and Jensen
struggled to push his massive head away from his bare backside.
“Jared! No,” Jensen hissed, trying to be quiet as his wolf flashed him a canine
grin and shoved his face in Jensen’s crotch again. His warm tongue glided along
Jensen’s sore hole, the touch startling and unexpectedly exhilarating. Jensen
bit his lip and stopped trying to push the wolf away; it wasn’t like he was new
to bestiality with half the evening shows about it. But Jared had never taken
interest in this before, neither of them had really. Jared had sniffed and
watched when Jensen masturbated but he’d nothing beyond his usual interest. But
now his tongue glided over Jensen’s body and the pleasure of it caught the boy
off guard, he hadn’t expected it to feel so good.
The easy rhythm of his tongue made Jensen shiver a bit; he laid back slowly and
then carefully spread his legs a little, letting Jared do as wanted as pleasure
trickled through him.
Adam had felt good but this, this was amazing.
Rimming.
Jensen though distantly, he’d heard gay men loved it and now he knew why, his
legs spreading wider as he swallowed a pant and closed his eyes, feeling each
wet rasp over his hole up over his sack a few times as well, along the curve of
his thigh. Jensen wasn’t sure why but the slither of Jared’s long flat tongue
on his thigh was just as amazing as when he dove back in and lapped at his hole
again. The spit felt warm and his skin tingled under it. Jensen lifted himself
from the floor a little so Jared could really get at him.
Each touch made Jensen start and he fumbled to take hold of himself, jerking
off furiously as Jared’s tongue brought him off better then Adam’s hands had.
It had felt nice to have the boy jerk him off but it was amazing to have a wolf
lick him out.
Jensen whimpered when he came, Jared dragging his tongue and stopping midway,
the wet pressure still there before he finished the lap and then moved to clean
Jensen’s cock. The boy lay slack under the huge dire wolf, watching as Jared’s
tongue washed over his stomach to get at the white splatter there.
Jensen had never taken much interest in the dog show; he’d seen Julie plenty of
times and never felt much more than a passing interest. Maybe it was because
she was a girl? Jensen wasn’t sure why, maybe it was because it was Jared, and
Jared was special. But that had felt amazing, by far his best sexual experience
so far.
Jared’s tail waved a touch before he nuzzled Jensen’s hip, poking and pawing at
it. Jensen moved without thinking as he rolled over with Jared nudging him
further until he was on his stomach. The wolf’s muzzle shoved between his legs
again, licking eagerly at Jensen’s hole as the pleasure hummed there again.
This time though Jared’s tongue didn’t stay and the wolf stood over Jensen. 
After a moment, Jared pawed at Jensen’s side again and hooked under his hip,
pulling him up into the air. Going up on his knees the boy spread his legs
thinking Jared wanted better access to his body. So he startled when he felt
the tickle of fur on his ass and he looked over his shoulder, seeing Jared
thrusting himself wildly. 
Jensen stared at the pink tip poking from Jared’s sheath and realized what the
dire wolf was trying to do.
Jared wanted to fuck him.
He’d never taken any interest in anything like that before, not with any of the
female dogs or any human. Julie had tried to coax him a few years ago but Jared
hadn’t cared for it at all for it. But now he whined and licked Jensen’s ear
before his paw hooked on Jensen’s hip and pulled him up again, trying to find a
position to mount.
Immediately Jensen was glad Jared wasn’t trying to it like the dogs did with
all his upper weight on Jensen’s back, he’d squish him. Jared was closer to the
size of the horses then the dogs. Jensen looked up at the wolf’s sheath, seeing
the tip sliding down a touch more and he remembered how Julie did it with one
of the stallions. The boy considered his options for a moment before he moved
from under Jared and opened the cage door a touch, no one was around so Jensen
reached down and grabbed the stool left beside the stairs to the cage.
Jared gave his backside a few licks making Jensen start and then glare as he
pulled the door closed and bolted it again. The stool was fairly high and when
Jensen put a cushion on it, it put him at a good height for Jared. The dire
wolf sniffed at Jensen again before he moved over the boy, his chest brushing
over Jensen’s back now.
Nervously, Jensen clenched at one of the stool’s legs and wondered if this was
a good idea or not. He was still slicked and opened from Adam though and it
would be much different he figured.
Jared’s cock pushed against the back of Jensen’s thigh and Jared gave a little
thrust, the power behind it making it hurt a little. Bent over the stool,
Jensen spread his legs more and tried to help the wolf line himself up.
Jensen felt over eager, more than with Adam as he fumbled to get Jared into
him, curious if it would feel much different. When the wolf lunged hard Jensen
winced, certain he’d have a bruise on his thigh tomorrow as Jared shoved again
and this time got closer. With Jensen’s finger’s guiding him Jared’s tip found
it’s way to his little hole.
Although Jensen had seen Julie with the dogs before he was still caught off
guard when Jared just slammed into him. Pain burned suddenly and Jensen
struggled to escape but Jared’s weight kept him pinned to the stool as the
animal pushed himself deep into Jensen, forcing him too full as Jensen
whimpered. Tears burned in his eyes as the huge, huge cock in him forced his
insides to open up. He doubled over the stool, hands clenching at the legs as
Jared’s hips started pivoting.
He was an animal, Jensen reminded himself as he clenched his teeth in pain.
Julie often said her dogs only knew instinct, the mount, ride, and tie.
Jared had to be the same because the dire wolf’s hips rocked furiously, pounded
into Jensen and punched out gasps from him. The ache of being filled burned but
the longer it happened the more his body adjusted. It still hurt but it wasn’t
anything agonizing. Jensen closed his eyes and focused on the good parts, the
full feeling that made him feel like he might burst if Jared fucked any harder.
It was intense but he liked that, liked how it made him feel. As the dire wolf
fucked him his long cock was swelling up, Jensen had seen dog’s do it when
Julie sucked on them and now he imagined it happening in him. The red length
pumping into his body growing thicker by the second until finally it would be
too big to come out and Jensen would be tied to Jared.
Claimed.
It wasn’t anything like being forced but rather claimed, it was a subtle
difference but it meant the world to the boy, Jensen had offered and Jared had
accepted. The stool’s legs lifted and rocked as Jared rode Jensen’s body, the
wolf starting to pant as he kept up the frantic rhythm, never faltering as he
fucked Jensen with powerful lunges.  
Jensen whimpered but stopped trying to pull away, letting himself go limp and
doing his breathing exercises and Jared rode him furiously. The dire wolf had a
lot of strength in his hind legs and the stool tipped precariously has Jensen
struggled to keep it upright, reaching out to stable himself on the back of
Jared’s front leg. The wolf’s shoving went even faster, a blur of friction now
but Jared pulled out less, his cock swelling up inside Jensen as the boy gasped
out. He dearly hoped no one was near the cage because there was too much
incriminating noise not to know what was going on.
Jensen’s arched his back, got his feet flat and found his balance just as Jared
gave a rough lunge, his cock pushing all the way in now as the knot was
swallowed by Jensen’s hole. It ached from being so full but it was a feeling
Jensen knew he liked instantly, the wolf’s motion’s tapered off as Jensen felt
the throbbing inside him. Knotted, they had to be knotted now and Jensen
reached back and felt it. Jared’s cock was buried and Jensen winced as his
fingers touched his raw hole gently, feeling the bulge on the inside. Jared was
panting heavily and each motion of breath Jensen could feel inside himself, the
cock twitching and jerking around inside him as it pumped him full of wolf
seed, the cock in him still swelling up even more.
Blushing, Jensen kept his ass poised up high, his legs nearly straight as he
put his own weight on the stool with one arm so he could reach between his legs
and touch himself. Jensen was surprised to find his skin soaked, warm clear
liquid coated his thighs and trailed all down his legs, the blankets soiled
under them as it even dripped off the end of his own cock. No wonder it sounded
so wet when Julie and her dogs performed. Jensen closed his fingers around
himself and jerked off as he felt Jared filling him up, used the excess wolf
seed to slick his member up. As he stroked himself furiously Jensen could
almost swear his stomach was bulging a little due to Jared’s sheer size. The
thought of it was what made the boy come as Jared shifted above him and the
slight movement inside Jensen’s hole made the climax amazing.
They stayed stuck for a really, really long time. Jensen wasn’t sure exactly
how long but it was enough for him to calm down and get used to the full
feeling. To get excited from it as he rubbed his stomach and could definitely
feel a little bump there. They were tied long enough for Jensen to jerk off all
over again as he muffled his gasping and came a fourth time that night.
When Jared pulled away Jensen wasn’t ready and he hissed in pain as Jared
yanked free, the enormous length coming out with a wet sound, the clear dire
wolf’s seed running all down Jensen’s thighs as he dropped to the floor and
felt his legs cramp. Wet slurping came as Jared cleaned himself and after a bit
he moved to lick at Jensen’s ass. His hole was tender and he jumped at the
touching but Jared insisted, using a paw to pin the boy as he cleaned him up.
Jensen was on his stomach and he whimpered, as his hips rolled against his
will. His body so tired but the feeling of Jared’s insisting tongue pushing
into him, going deep into his hole because it was so stretched, felt like
tortuous pleasure. Jensen came a fifth time, humping the blankets with Jared’s
long tongue over his hole. Not long after he drifted off to an exhausted sleep
and he missed his show, claiming illness when Misha came looking for him as he
curled under a blanket to hide his used body with Jared curled in close.
For the pain of it and the ache that he felt for days afterward, Jensen let
Jared mount him again a week later when the wolf showed interest. Sex with Adam
had been good but it was intense with Jared, not just physically but
emotionally too. Jensen loved Jared and the boy was certain that was why it
felt so amazing to let Jared have him, because they weren’t just fucking, they
were lovers. There was no empty feeling afterward like with Adam.
 
For the first time Jensen felt normal. Nothing about the situation was remotely
akin to it, but he himself felt normal. Teenage boys were supposed to be horny,
always wanting sex and previously Jensen had never felt that. But now he was
stupidly hungry for Jared, every night, in the mornings, just after the show,
anytime they could grab Jensen and Jared would spend it tied together.
Richard had been amused and teasing but he provided Jensen with a lotion that
would sooth the ache of his hole after sex. As he was told Jensen used it every
day even when they didn’t mate. When the little jar was all gone, Jensen no
longer hurt as bad during or after sex. There was still a sting but it was much
more bearable now and when Richard asked Jensen reported so with a blush as the
man laughed and asked Jensen who his mystery lover was. Despite all his teasing
though, Richard didn’t tell anyone, otherwise everyone would be asking him and
they weren’t. The boy was grateful for it; he didn’t want people interrupting
his time with Jared.  
Julie’s shows changed for Jensen, he watched them more often, took peeks and
noted her position as she let the dogs or the stallion take her. Jensen wanted
to try all the different ways and Jared was always accommodating as long as he
got his knot buried deep. They best position was on the bench Jensen kept in
their cage. It was the perfect height and Jensen could lay over it on his
stomach or back and let Jared claim him. He loved laying on his back with his
legs pushed towards his chest, his backside exposed and offered while Jensen
could pet along Jared’s sides and thrust himself against the wolf’s furry
belly. Yes, Jensen loved that position.
 
“Something’s changed between you two,” Misha pointed out a few months after
Jensen and Jared became lovers. The two were sitting in the grass together,
snuggled up and sharing cotton candy. Misha sat against a loading bin and
peered at the two of them musingly.
“We’re best buddies now,” Jensen agreed lightly, licking his lips as he pulled
off another piece of fluffy candy and let Jared take it. The wolf had once been
growly over his food but he shared with Jensen freely now, even brought him
back a rabbit now and then. It was little things like that Misha and others
were noticing, not a huge change but a subtle one they said. The wolf had
always accepted Jensen, bonded with him but it was different now,
overprotective in a new way that no one could place but all sensed. Misha
watched Jensen for a moment and that prompted Jared to turn his golden gaze on
the man in a silent warning. Jared was certainly more possessive, wearier of
people around Jensen now. Jealous, was what Misha announced and Jensen just
shrugged.
When he rubbed Jared’s ears lightly the dire wolf turned into a puppy for him,
completely relaxed and playful. Jensen crawled right on top of Jared and the
wolf didn’t turn weary, his tail wagged as the two rolled around in the grass.
While Jensen could touch Jared previously it had been within a certain
boundary, a respectable contact was only allowed. Now it was full on contact
whenever either one pleased, the boy could tug Jared’s ear without getting a
growl. The entire circus noticed the shift and plenty of people speculated,
most thinking Jared had finally come to trust the boy completely but Misha said
he thought there was more to it. Later on when the truth came out, Misha would
admit to feeling stupid for not catching on right away because when you looked
for it, it was obvious.  
 
Jensen was sixteen the first time he and Jared put on a night show. Julie had
taken ill and missed three shows in a row. Bad luck had put them in a city
where her shows were the most called for and people’s patience had run thin.
Jeff had tried to find someone else willing to commit bestiality but no one
would, Alona would have suited with her slip of a build, but her lip curled in
disgust as the suggestion.   
“That’s Julie’s perv not mine.”
Jensen had always felt he owed Jeff a debt he couldn’t repay and he knew the
man was fond of it, that Jensen would do anything asked of him. It annoyed
Misha and Alona sometimes but the fact of the matter was Jeff didn’t really
abuse it.
Still, while Jared and Jensen finished up their scheduled show - Jensen was
currently playing the wild child now with his loyal wolf companion - Jeff
watched them with speculation.
The question was there on the tip of his tongue, Jensen could see it as he and
Jared tumbled about the stages. It had been fourteen months since Jensen had
first let Jared claim him and there were rumors about them now. Jensen never
took to anyone else sexually, committed to his wolf he supposed. So people
talked, customers and other circus members, they watched Jensen and Jared
interact with gossip on their tongues but Jensen was used to it. People talking
about had never upset Jensen, his actions were more important to him then their
words. Jeff was usually on his side with that matter, but this evening was the
first time Jensen had seen the man watching him with that look, wondering if
those rumor were true or not.
The show finished with his fire breathing, he was starting to get decent at it,
and then both he and Jared gave a bow to the applause and left the stage.
Jensen had gotten used to being in the spotlight but he’d never clamor for it
like some of the others did, he worked to please Jeff and earn his keep not for
people to stare at him.  
 
“…-not a good idea, he’s way too young,” Misha was saying, frowning at Jeff as
Jensen approached the two. They were standing off to the side of the platforms
that made up the forest stage just behind the curtains and Jensen stood higher
then them both on the high platform, squatting down to talk with them.
“Too young for what?” He questioned even though he knew, there were men in
expensive clothing in the crowd today, all watching him with eyes that screamed
pretty. They way they watched Jensen and Jared, it was clear they were looking
to see something obscene.
“Nothing,” Misha dismissed but Jeff frowned up at him watching Jared come to
slobber on his shoulder, dripping water from his muzzle.
“Jerk,” Jensen huffed, watching the droplets run down his bare chest and smear
his war paint costuming. Still he curled an arm around Jared’s neck and nuzzled
him affectionately.
“Julie’s show is sorely missed, we’ve got some high rollers in the crowd and
it’s been three cancellations, the evening shows make up a large chunk of our
income,” Jeff explained and Jensen nodded. People paid a hefty price for the
day shows and the night ones were triple, illegal acts and creatures known only
in myth. They cost a small fortune.
“I’d like you to do a show, you’re very sought after for your looks, plenty of
customers have asked about you. You could do something minor, let Julies dog’s
lick you or something-”
“I can’t.” Jensen cut in and Misha gave a nod quickly, Jeff stopping and his
shoulders dropping a little. Jensen felt it was bad that he liked teasing the
man; he blamed Misha for such behaviors he was developing.
“I mean, Jared won’t take lightly to me being unfaithful,” he added after a
beat and felt his face flush as he admitted for the first time what was between
them. Misha and Jeff both looked taken aback for a split second and Jensen took
a strange pleasure in it. Everyone thought he was a meek broken boy and Jensen
liked breaking that picture.
“Do you think you two could do an evening show?” Jeff finally asked, excitement
beginning to show on his face as he realized how popular Jared and Jensen would
be in a night show.
Jensen nodded, knowing for a few months they would eventually. This was their
life and what they did together was something people would pay a great deal to
see, it would earn their keep as much as their day shows. Jared’s fur tickled
his face and Jensen pressed into it for comfort from his nerves.
 
“Are you sure?” Misha had asked later when they were alone and Jensen nodded.
“Me and Jared have been like that for a long time now, we might as well put on
a show with it. I don’t mind. I wouldn’t have offered if I did.”
 It was still nerve-wracking the first time, like any new show it was fear and
exhilaration mixed together. There was no time to make a show so Jensen would
just go out there and let Jared claim him in front of everyone.
The teenager stripped down bare behind the curtain and wrapped a long veil
around his body, it was sheer and covered his face without obscuring his view.
Jensen let the long ends hang down his chest and back, just barely covering
him. Jeff politely didn’t leer at him as he watched Jensen slip on to Jared’s
back and wait for his signal to enter the stage, his body already open and
slicked for their union.
The lights dropped down low and the music played a soft melody as Jared and
Jensen took to the ring. They made a lazy circle and Jensen slid his legs along
Jared’s fur, his fingers combing through the texture. It was similar to what he
did in the day show but this time he ducked his head and didn’t try to look
innocent about it.
Jensen glanced over at Jeff and the man nodded, letting Jensen know it looked
sensual instead of silly. Still he felt jittery with nerves as he let the veil
fall away from his face. He could feel people watching him, staring at his
exposed skin as Jensen slipped from Jared’s back and let the veil fall away.
The stage was raised slightly and in the center was a low bench that Jensen
climbed onto, crawling on his hands and knees. He dropped his gaze from the
view of the customers and glanced to where Jeff was hidden the man made a
motion and Jensen puzzled for a second before he figured it out and lowered his
chest, pressed his cheek down to the wood of the bench and waved his ass high
in the air.
He could hear people groaning, heavy breathing and the slick slap of stroking.
Jensen tried to ignore that, to block them out as he waved his rear again and
called Jared softly. The wolf approached and sniffed at him, the scent of lube
on Jensen a go-ahead sign normally but Jared hesitated. Jensen had furiously
taught him not to ever mount the boy in public and not the dire wolf was
confused which Jensen understood. He lifted his torso from the bench and pushed
against Jared, rubbing along him and dropping his head to nuzzle the wolf’s
stealth. It was a clear gesture and it reassured Jared and the wolf gave Jensen
a few tentative licks, his long flat tongue running along the curve of Jensen’s
ass and zeroing in on his hole. Jensen pressed his face back down and sighed as
the wolf licked at him. Jared was thorough and Jensen felt his tongue press
hard, trying to push into Jensen as the boy rocked his hips.
When the dire wolf’s tongue lapped over his balls and down along his cock
Jensen shivered and pressed into the blissful pleasure. Someone in the shadows
groaned out and Jensen started a bit, but he made himself relax and Jared kept
licking at him. The wet drag of the tongue over his hole, and down his balls
and along his erection felt amazing. Jensen’s fingers grabbed at the bench and
he chewed his lip as Jared just kept working him, licking and lapping until the
boy couldn’t help but come. Jensen whimpered but rolled his hips pointlessly as
his come splattered on the bench and the wolf quickly cleaned it up. Jared
groomed his cock, grabbing the stray drops of come before he moved over Jensen.
The feel of the fur along the small of his back made anticipation in Jensen
jump. He spread his legs and braced himself, trying to find the right angle.
The bench was a little too high but Jensen tucked his legs forward so he lined
up with Jared.
When the wet tip rubbed along his ass Jared thrust once and Jensen winced at
the hard poke. He reached back and guided the wolf into place, jerking Jared
off a little to coax more of his cock out until Jensen could rub the warm tip
right over his rim. He pressed back and felt the head pierce him. Dropping his
hand he braced himself again and pushed back once, Jared meet the motion,
lunging forward hard and Jensen gasped as the wolf slammed all at once. It
burned a little as Jensen jerked reflectively before he made himself relax and
just take it. Jared was running on instinct now, pumping away into Jensen as
the boy held his ass up for it. He could feel the warmth of the cock inside
him, rubbing along his hole and brushing places that made Jensen see stars. He
could feel the watery come running down his legs, a steady drip as his wolf
lover claimed him.
Jared always fucked hard and fast, he rode without a pause, shoving himself in
as deep as he could go and Jensen pressed back, nudging his ass into every
thrust as he sobbed out. Jared shifted over Jensen and the boy was stretched
out enough that the wolf could bend down and lick at his face, his tongue
dragging over the side of Jensen’s cheek as the animal furiously pumped into
him, his cock swelling up by the second. The power behind the shoving was
forcing Jensen further up on the bench and he had to grip at it to keep from
being thrown too far forward. Jared’s pace was going frantic now, endless
jerking as he pushed in deep and deeper and Jensen felt the knot swelling to
tie. He whimpered out and wished he could jerk off but when he loosened his
grip on the bench he slid forward so he had to hold on. Jared’s thrusting was
tight and hard, a frantic race to tie and Jensen felt the cock in him engorging
faster and faster with each throb.
Finally, Jared pulled back and Jensen was yanked with him, crying out as the
knot locked them firmly. Jared panted and his motions stopped as he stood over
Jensen, securely knotted with the boy. Jensen reached between his legs at once
and jerked off, he focused on the feel of the knot in him, twitching away as it
filled his stomach up. Jared dropped his head to sniff Jensen’s face and the
boy felt the wolf lick his cheek and he opened his mouth to let Jared lick him
there. The wolf did so, tongue slipping in Jensen’s compliant little mouth as
the boy came all over his hands with a choked moan. Without thinking he let
gave Jared his hand to clean and laid there, ass up and pressed tightly to
Jared.
Jensen became conscious of their audience, of people panting and groaning as
they got off, masturbated to the sight of Jensen under his dire wolf. He felt
embarrassed but it wasn’t like he could go anywhere, he was stuck and Jensen
turned his face away from the crowd, laying obediently under Jared as the wolf
pumped a load into him. Jensen could feel his stomach fill out, a little bulge
present as the animal came inside him.
When Jared shifted to pull off after awhile, Jensen weakly lifted his chest
from the bench a little, showing off the swell of his stomach before Jared
twisted and yanked free. Jensen’s legs shook but he didn’t slump over, he kept
his ass poised high as come trickled down his thighs. After a pause Jared’s
tongue came, soothing over his hole and sliding deep now that Jensen was
stretched so open. The boy sobbed as Jared rimmed him to another climax.
In the end, he weakly slipped on Jared’s back and left the ring to applause,
Jeff meeting him in the back with a strange look.   
“Jensen I’ll give you the moon if you’ll do night shows regularly,” he said
fervently and Jensen just nodded, exhausted but already knowing he would.
“We’re going to bed now,” the boy muttered and Jeff nodded, watching them
leave.
 
The night shows became regular; they did them every second day to sold out
crowds. Most of the other performers watched a few times but Misha never did.
“I feel like you’re my kid brother, I don’t want to see you getting pounded,”
the man explained and Jensen understood, he knew everyone had sex but he wasn’t
much interested in seeing it, more so the people he considered his friends. But
every few nights he stripped down and let them watch; let everyone watch as
Jared claimed him and Jensen sobbed for every thrust. He never came to like
being seen like Julie did but similar to their day show he learned not to worry
about the crowd. Instead he gave Jared all his attention as the wolf chased him
down and gave Jensen a thorough fucking. It was just another part of the circus
life that they sometimes did with an audience.
 
Every now and then Jared would want to go for a run, he’d whine and pace
looking over the fields or at the forest nearby. He never went without Jensen
though and the teenager would have to make sure someone knew where they’d gone
off too. Jeff knew they were leaving now and as long as they told someone he’d
allow it. It made sense to Jensen, it was safer if people knew in case
something happened, smarter then just sneaking off. So on a summer night when
Jared woke Jensen and did his pacing whine the boy shook off sleep and slipped
into a pair of jeans.
They were up north, in British Columbia with its lush ancient forests and
Jensen wasn’t surprised Jared wanted to run.
“Misha,” Jensen whispered lowly, shaking the sleeping man’s shoulder gently
until bleary blue eyes peered at him. “Me and Jared are going for a run,” the
boy explained and Misha yawned and nodded, snuggling back into his hammock he
had set up between two trees with the animal cages in his view.
Jensen had put a little height on in his teen years but he was still small and
Jared bore his weight easily. The crossed the field of long grass and entered
the woods. The full moon was amazing tonight, lighting the way with a blue hue
as Jared navigated through the old trees and Jensen held on tight. The dire
wolf was moving with an unusual direction; Jared liked to run in open areas
more than twine around thick forests.
“Where are we going?” Jensen asked lightly, watching the trees slip by as Jared
kept on his track, putting more speed in his pace as he got used to weaving
around the forests. Curious but far from worried Jensen just held on and let
his wolf lover take them where he wanted.
Jared’s ears were pitched forward, listening intently and Jensen strained but
didn’t pick up anything. Still his dire wolf would pause and listen for a
breath before rushing off. It was odd behavior but Jensen didn’t have a lot of
time to muse over it. As they moved he caught a shadow following. Jared paid it
no heed but as they moved Jensen kept catching flashes of movement, more than
one all around them as they navigated the forest.
“Jared, what’s happening,” the boy whispered with a hint of trepidation
creeping into his voice now as the shadows kept stalking them. Jensen stared at
the slivers of movement and he caught what looked like a wolf, a big one.
Something akin to fear jolted in his chest, what if Jared was returning to his
own kind? It would be a good thing, best for the wolf but where would it leave
Jensen. Swallowing nervously, Jensen whimpered when the entered a clearing
filled with wolves. They dotted the cliff side and forest edge, all grouped
together and a distance from each pack. Jensen had never seen so many dire
wolves in his life, not in movies or illustrations, nothing. Jared’s pace
slowed and he eventually picked a spot, close to the open field and apart from
the other wolves. He stopped and shifted his weight bowing to the side in a
signal he wanted Jensen to dismount. Jensen wanted badly to cling but he obeyed
what Jared wanted and slid from his back, Jared sitting down and Jensen
standing beside him, one hand still fisted tightly in the dire wolf’s fur. None
of the other wolves paid him heed but as Jensen glanced around he couldn’t find
any other people among the beasts.
Jensen wasn’t sure where it started but he noticed when the wolves started
throwing their heads back. Silently they howled and the rest joined in as they
sang a song no one else could hear. Jared even did it and it was the first time
Jensen had seen him do such a thing. As per the myths, dire wolves howling
couldn’t be heard by people. Jensen just watched, knowing there was sound
coming but unable to hear it. Jared seemed to be giving it his all, drawing in
deep breaths and letting out a long invisible cry.
That was when the other wolves started looking at Jensen. Nervously the boy
fidgeted, his fingers clinging to Jared’s coat as one by one more wolves turned
to examine the only human among them. Jensen stared at the ground, tried to
seem smaller as he didn’t dare to meet any gaze, just kept still at Jared’s
side hoping to be unseen.
A wolf charged him.
Jensen looked up just in time as the black beast came rushing at him, teeth
bared. Jared caught him before he reached Jensen and the boy jumped away as the
wolves fought viciously. His heart was in his throat and Jensen wished
desperately that he’d brought his pocket knife with him. Jared and the other
wolf slammed into each other and this time Jared pinned the other wolf, held
him in place until the other went limp, the fight over in seconds. Almost
immediately another attacked Jensen and Jared defended him again. Over and over
a wolf would attack and Jared would fight them off.    
“Stop it,” Jensen hissed, eyes wide with terror as he pressed his hand against
a bad tear in Jared’s shoulder. Each time he fought he gained another injury
and at the frantic pace he’d surely die. The dire wolf gave Jensen a sniff and
a lick before he intercepted another wolf. Too many charged, over and over and
Jensen was sure he would be sick from the fear he felt for Jared. But the
wolves eventually slowed, stopped coming as quickly and finally tapered off
around the eight or ninth one. Jensen sagged into the grass in relief, hugging
Jared when he limped over to him.
“What was that?” He asked the dire wolf with tears in his eyes as he looked
over his lovers torn shoulder and various injuries. The other wolves watched
them for a long moment and then Jared lifted his head and howled again. They
all started singing but Jensen focused on the blood dripping off Jared more
than something he couldn’t hear.
A pressure was building in his ears though; his heart beat at first and then a
ringing, the force inside his eardrums hurting a little as Jensen winced. When
they finally popped the howling was deafening, Jensen clutched at ears with
Jared's blood on his hands as he tried to block the overpowering sound. It did
nothing at all though the cries were like thunder right beside him, roaring as
Jensen whimpered and sobbed as his head throbbed in agony.
They sang for so long until Jensen was dizzy with the pain of it, curled up in
the grass beside Jared. When the song died off Jensen cried with relief. Jared
nosed at his face worriedly and Jensen smiled weakly as Jared settled into the
grass beside Jensen. He busied himself with licking Jensen’s ears, as if he
knew they hurt so badly. The other wolves had taken to ignoring them again,
most of them departing while some lingered. They fought and embraced, groups
met others and intermingled, some wolves whined, other snarled. It was some
sort of gathering, a conference or something Jensen thought weakly, curled up
against Jared and watching silently.
Midway through it all a lone wolf approached them, they didn’t charge but
lumbered over calmly. Jared sat up, ears perked high and his lip curling
warningly but without any intent to charge the stranger. Jensen watched the
other wolf close in on them and realized it was carrying something. At first he
thought it a rabbit but on closer inspection he realized it was a pup, a tiny
wolf pup. Jared watched wearily as the female –the mother maybe- plopped the
pup down and nosed it toward them like an offering. Jared growled and the other
wolf whined in reply. Jensen watched the exchange with wide eyes, the wolf
backing away and not taking the puppy with her. Another wolf called and she
trotted away, leaving the pup that started calling out with whimpers.
“Jared?” Jensen asked worriedly, staring at the tiny fluff ball and watching
the wolf join the others and disappear into the forest without looking back,
abandoning the pup. The other wolves were leaving now, the commune ending as
they slipped off into the shadows of the woods. Jared rested for a longer while
but he ignored the pup as it whined. Jensen sat beside him dumbly, not knowing
what to do at all.
Eventually Jared stood up gingerly; he tested his weight and moved with a limp
but was able to walk. He started up the hill and Jensen stared at his back. The
dire wolf paused and looked over to Jensen expectantly. There was no way to
explain what happened in that movement, but Jensen suddenly knew it was his
choice. Jared wanted to head back and if the pup came it was up to Jensen.
Something strange filled his lungs, the scent of the forest smelt stronger than
a second before, the lines in the darkness seemed clearer.
Jensen turned back to the pathetic pup and for a split second he was disgusted.
It was weak and there was no sympathy for that. But in a breath the feeling
gave way to shame and pity filled Jensen as he approached the pup. Unfocused
eyes gazed at nothing as the infant cried out in question hearing Jensen coming
but not seeing him.
The pup was blind.
It made sense in a way that Jensen didn’t understand fully but it just did. A
blind pup was weak and would suffer among the pack; they’d turn on the pup
eventually to spare it a death by starvation or injuring itself. A blind wolf
would die in the wild, it wasn’t cruelty but merely fact.
But Jensen and Jared weren’t from the wild, the mother had left the pup with
them in hopes they would take it in, that her child could live some sort of
life at least. The unexpected rush of knowledge left Jensen with vertigo and he
slumped into the grass on his knees, his mind working frantically. He’d always
thought Jared was smarter than a common animal, he’d thought it of all the
mythical creatures but this, this was the first time he’d seen such solid
proof. These wolves had met for a reason, they communed and Jared had laid
claim to Jensen in some way. He’d fought those who refused to have Jensen among
them and won the right for Jensen. A strange calm filled the boy as the
understanding passed through him. He closed his eyes and took a deep breath,
the forest smelling strong and the hum of the wolves in the back of his head, a
distant echo but there. Jensen sat there; listening with awe for a long time
and he would have stayed there even longer but a tiny touch against his knee
made him open his eyes.
The blind pup had made its way over to him.
Jensen watched in sniff at him, a questioning whine and he understood why the
choice was his. Jared was the provider and so Jensen would have to be the
nurturer, they’d do it together but it would still be primarily Jensen. Milky
eyes looked at nothing as the pup whined again and sniffed at Jensen’s hand,
it’s stubby tail wagging weakly.
If they left the pup some predator would come for it quickly.
Jensen knew he’d never be able to live with that so he gathered up the ball of
fur and hefted himself up, they had a long way to walk and Jared couldn’t bare
them injured like that.
 
Jensen was different, in some instinctual way he was something else now and he
still felt like he was himself in the important ways, but he had changed that
night.
He understood it intimately and everyone who looked at him sensed it too. Wolf-
kin Samantha had called him and Jensen liked the term, it suited the way he
felt. No matter what he was doing he could stop and hear the dire wolves in the
back of his thoughts, hunting, playing, sleeping, they were always there. From
time to time he’d hear them call and watch Jared answer them and teach their
daughter how to as well. Jared wasn’t a lone wolf anymore, he was pack again
and Jensen could feel how important that was. Although Jared didn’t have speech
he might have well because Jensen understood him with the same clarity, every
motion and gesture Jared made translated into words and Jensen was privileged
to the language now.
 
“You scare me sometimes,” Misha said one day, watching Jensen hold down his
daughter and brush her coat out. Jared had taken her out into the field and now
she was covered in burrs. The other dire wolf was curled around them, picking
them out of his own fur. Jensen felt it just as Jared struggled since Jared was
a horrid father, always taking their pup out and bringing her back a mess or
letting her gorge herself until she was sick and then leaving Jensen to deal
with the aftermath.
“Hmm?” Jensen replied distracted with pinning the wiggly puppy that thought it
all a fun game.
“You don’t look vulnerable anymore, ever since you came back with that pup. You
look… dangerous almost,” Misha explained, his tone teasing but Jensen could
hear a strain in it, he knew the ‘almost’ was a lie.
“I feel dangerous, sometimes I forget I’m a person, not a wolf, humans are
predators but not on any sort of level as a wolf,” Jensen agreed easily,
shrugging as he pulled the comb through his pup’s fur and pulled out the burrs.
“Does that bother you?”
“…I suppose it should,” the boy mused quietly, glancing up and looking around
the circus grounds. Their shows were still popular, people clamored to watch
Jared and Jensen, either their little plays or their furious matings, both were
well watched. But Jensen understood what Misha was saying; the pretty looks
were gone now. People watched him in fascination, the same way they watched
Jared, intrigued but with a weary edge.   
Jensen liked it.
“People's instincts are strong, I’m a human but I'm also pack , it’s hard to
explain, I don’t really understand it myself,” he offered up honestly.
“What happened the night you found the pup?”
Jensen had known deeply and utterly that the commune was not to be shared with
outsiders.
He and Jared arrived back by midmorning and everyone knew they were missing.
The entire circus watched them return, both blood splattered and with a pup in
Jensen’s arms. He’d never explained what happened and he knew he never would.
“I found family,” Jensen replied finally, snuggling his daughter’s head and
knowing he’d have to pick a name for her soon. Richard had a medicine that
might restore some of her sight but it would take time to administer and she
was a fussy pup. For now they just wanted to get her settled into her new life
before they started trying to give her sight.
Misha let the conversation drop and instead moved to sit closer to them, the
puppy yipping at him and the man clapped his hands so she knew where to go.
Jensen let her, watching them play with silent approval. A lot of the circus
performers had started to avoid Jensen, Alona reeked of fear around him and he
knew it wasn’t her fault. Jensen was different now, he knew that and he felt no
anger towards her or anyone else for being apprehensive near him. But he did
feel a well of gratitude for those who refused to leave his side, Misha, Jeff,
Richard, Samantha, Julie. It was amusing but Julie usually gave off excitement
near him now and Jensen wasn’t sure what to think of that. Still the young
woman had come to be a better friend to him of late and he was appreciative. 
“We’re passing through Texas soon,” Misha mentioned, eyes on the puppy as she
waddled around, listening for him to snap his fingers before she chased them.
They were teaching her to listen and scent since she needed to develop those
senses. The little female turned from the game and sniffed around until she
found her puppy, Jensen's old stuffed dog, and she mock growled as she wrestled
it playfully.
“It’ll be fine. Jeff understands I think, that I’m not afraid anymore.”
“Why not? Fear makes sense, you suffered terrible things.”
“But it’s over, I’m strong now, I won’t let him hurt me now, if he came I’d
kill him,” Jensen explained and he knew it was the truth. He would without the
slightest hesitation or regret, maybe that was what people could see in him,
that the fear was no long haunting him. When Jensen ran away from his uncle
that night he hadn't expected much, he'd run for the sake of escaping rather
than running towards anything. Yet here he was now, with a home and family that
he would never give up.
“I imagine Jared would first,” Misha mused and Jensen smiled, leaning back and
snuggling with his mate. Jared huffed and gave Jensen’s shoulder an
affectionate lick. The boy pressed his face into Jared’s coat and smiled softly
at the dire wolf.   
“We’re mates, Jared will keep his family safe.”
 
Please drop_by_the_archive_and_comment to let the author know if you enjoyed
their work!