Guy's Loss
Grug knew immediately once he saw him.
His shoulders slumped, his head drooped, and his words wavered. Guy was quiet, and didn't make any jokes.
"I'm fine." He muttered to Eep. "Just a little tired."
A little while later, dinner came around, and Guy wasn't there. Eep immediately asked "Where's Guy?"
The rest of the Croods just shrugged.
Grug got up, after finishing his food, and left.
He walked to the trees, where he could see a little light glowing in the boughs.
Clambering up to the top, he saw Guy hunched over a small flickering flame.
He sat down next to him.
"How long?"
A long pause, in which Guy debated whether to answer.
"... 9 years."
"What were their names?"
Another long pause.
"I can't- I can't remember. I was so young, and it was such a long time ago... All I can remember is our last name."
Grug waited for Guy to tell him.
"Fire. I named it after them, in honor of them..."
Grug realized, with a pang, what it must be like, every fire he made reminding him of his family.
Guy smiled sadly.
"This is- this is my first year with a family... Since them."
Grug swallowed. Shifting uncomfortably, he sighed and finally started to say something he hadn't told anyone besides Ugga.
"I... Lost my family, too. My dad and older brother were hunting, and my mom and I were tagging along. They- we were chased by a saber tooth... I was the only one that survived. Then I met Ugga, and I was so determined to keep everyone safe... that I didn't let them live."
Guy nodded.
"It's a dad thing."
They sat in silence, reliving old memories.
"Eep is worried for you, you know. She really cares."
"I know."
"Have you told her?"
"...No."
"It'll help."
"Maybe."
Another awkward silence ensued.
"Y'know, there's probably still a piece of meat for you."
Guy grinned.
"I don't know, I think Thunk is going through another growth spurt."
"Maybe if we hurry..."
"You know that's not likely."
"Well, you're the one starving."
"Sure."
Guy rolled his eyes, scampering off.
Grug gazed up at the sky.
"I'll take care of him." He promised the stars.
Shaking his head, he swung down to rejoin the family in the clearing.
Guy was there, sitting with Eep a little off to the side. He was telling her something, head down and voice soft. She threw her arms around him at the end, sniffling. Guy wiped his eyes, and then said something. Eep laughed.
Soon they were laughing and joking with the rest of the family. But he noticed Eep rested her head on his shoulder, holding his hand.
Grug was okay with that.
He sat down next to Ugga, joining the family. Because Guy was also a part of the family. Whether he liked it or not. But for that night, just for that night, he pretended not to see Guy and Eep staring into each other's eyes.
Just for one night, he'd let it slide.
Just saw the Croods, couldn't resist! R&R!
