Feels Like Home

[Steele]

"Aye I used ti rarely turn, usually just on full moons." Steele says.
"But now I think this is what i truely am."

[Walter Grace]

"You're lucky, though. For a few reasons." Walter said. "One, this may be one of your formes, but in other forms you are still you. That form is not a disguise." Walter was actually not 100% sure about that, but close enough that he would state it.

"Another reason is that your personality doesnt really change based on your form." Walter finished. "There isnt anything wrong for accepting who you are. In fact, embrace it. I just think you have more than one side of you, and you're only accepting one part."

"I'm sorry, this is not my place to judge!" Walter laughed, and noted the irony of what he just said.

[Steele]

you have more than one side of you, and you're only accepting one part The words rang in Steele's mind.

"Aye nd' which side di ye see now?" Was this finally someone he could relate to?

[Walter Grace]

"The side that pushes people away...the one that doesn't care, and wants to be alone." Walter nodded. "It's the side that is hiding any pain you feel. That is silently making you go crazy."

"I have a question to ask you, though...Is this the side of you that you want others to see? Or do you want others to know all of you?" Walter asked, still smiling.

[Steele]

Steele stopped walking and stared. The words had hit him like daggers. No amount of insults had ever hitten him like this.
"How dare ye!" Steele yells out in rage. Any normal person would just see Steele's anger but a highly perceptive one would see dew forming in the corner of his eyes.
"It was never meant ti be! EVERYONE has hated me since thee day i was born! That's why my parent's abandoned me in thee godforesakin' pack!"
Steele growled in confused anger, he couldn't believe he just yelled that out loud.

[Walter Grace]

Walter sighed. "Let me tell you something, and listen good when I say it. My father beat and broke me as a young boy. He sold me to a very bad person when I was five. Ever since then, I've worked for said bad guy,"

"I guarantee you that if you show both sides of you, not everyone would hate you...heck, even like this, I wouldnt mind getting to know you." Walter smiled. This man seemed fairly interesting. Similar to himself, even.

[Steele]

Steele shut his eyes keeping back tears. Steele never ever cried, crying just made you look weak and reminded you things would never be okay.
They were exactly the same, the Alpha would beat him mercilessly when he was a child to teach him to be strong. Training sessions constantly ended with him beaten both physically and mentally.
"How can ye be so sure?" Steele says. "Weakness only gets ye hurt."

[Walter Grace]

"It's not weakness," Walter laughed. "It's letting others get to know you. The real you."

"I would rather show everyone this fake version of me," Walter added, "but that won't help me. It wont let me make any real friends. Any friends I make will just like this version of me. Just like most would only hate this side of you. They may like the other. How will you know if you don't try?"

He ignored Steele's tears, making sure the man did not know Walter knew they were there. He's lucky... he thought bitterly to himself. I wish I could express my real self.

[Steele]

Steele just stood there. Confusion,anger, greif all swept through him. They were getting a few looks from people around town. "I've...been a fool." Steele says. He had been acting just like Balius before meeting Walter and it took him a total stranger to realize it. Boy how Steele wished he hadn't been so mean to Dante before he died.
"Th-.." Steele uttered. He definitely was not used to saying this. "Uh..Thanks.."

[Walter Grace]

Walter laughed. "No problem," he smiled, "Any time!"

Walter wondered if the man would take his advice, but discarded the thought. I just met him. If he takes my advice, he is either a smart man or a fool.

[Steele]

Steele looked around and saw everyone staring at the two. He growled in anger and yelled, "Thee fuck yall lookin' at!?" Everyone quickly, some frightfully, went back to what they were doing.
This was so embarrassing, how could he just lose his composure for a complete stranger? If any of his pack brothers saw him he'd be the laughing stock of the pack, again. Even taking his advice, things wouldn't be different. Dante was still dead, and everyone would still hold him in contempt.
Steele looked at Walter. Even after all he's been through, how was he so happy? Something wasn't right, something was missing, something was being hidden. Steele thought more about what Walter said. Demon city, working for a bad man, broken. There was no way Walter would have a kind disposition, it was all fake, a rouse, a disguise.
Steele was right, he had been a fool, for not realizing this sooner. Whatever Walter was planning he wanted to be five steps ahead but he definitely wasn't going to let Walter know what he was thinking. He would just play along and take when the opportunity presented itself.
"So thanks fir yer advice." Steele gave a brash smile.

[Walter Grace]

Walter raised an eyebrow, but nodded. "It was nothing..." Something's not right here...

"I should get going...I have a job to do," Walter narrowed his eyes, which glowed a dark red for a split second. His whole aura just...changed...

"It was nice meeting you!" he finally smiled, holding out his hand to shake.

[Steele]

"Nice meeting ye too hinny." Steele said shaking Walters hand being careful not to accidentally claw him. With that Steele runs back into an Alleyway before turning around and saying, "I'll see ye around." and going back into the darkness of the Alleys.