Night had fallen not an hour before and the mist had settled in, hanging just above the ground, creating an eerie atmosphere on the forest floor. Trees towered high above me, set so close that I felt slightly claustrophobic. The moonlight barely filtered through the thick branches, the only light source being the small campfire crackling softly, the flames licking hungrily at the stones piled up to prevent it from spreading. I sighed, my breath producing a white cloud in the cold air. For what seemed like the hundredth time that night, I shifted in my seat, unable to remain still for long. He stared across at me, the firelight dancing in his maddened eyes. His gaze made me uneasy, for I was unsure of what was going on in his mind; could he possibly be running over the various ways he would slit my throat? Or were his thoughts dwelling on sweetrolls and carrots, as he had often expressed?

A small whimper escaped his lips, bringing me back to the present. My gaze fell on his injured hand, gently cradled in his arm, and I remembered telling him earlier I'd take a look at it.
Anything to break the empty silence that had fallen over us like a heavy curtain.
"Come here," I said.
His head perked up and he bounced over the fire, sitting himself before me, his eyes alight. I furrowed my brow, but took his offered hand in mine, feeling for any broken bones. I probed with my fingers; gentle but hard enough to see if he reacted to the touch. He winced slightly, but otherwise grinned at me expectantly, like a puppy waiting for a treat from its master. I took a bandage from my bag and began to wrap it firmly around his hand while he watched, ever hopeful; for what, I did not know. Just as I was about to tie it off, he surged forward, planting a tender kiss on my lips. I was taken aback by his unexpected move, my eyes widening in shock; my body tense. He moved closer, his mouth soft against mine.

The unpredictable fool.