It's been way too long since I've done one of these. I don't even remember what the last one was. But here, have some cute. Sad, but cute.
Spoilers up to 3x10.
Disclaimer: The show's not mine, BUT THE BEAR IS MINE. *possessive growl* They can't take him away from me.
Auldearn's boy was walking strangely when he came back to his shroud early that evening – Bertrand sleeping at night was rare enough to be worrying in itself but now he was moving as if every step pained him.
"He's back, Auldearn, he came home last night, and it was- it was so good to see him, I couldn't tear myself away. But there were slayers, and... the Count, he tricked me... Oh, Auldearn, I've messed everything up."
What happened to you? The bear would have asked, but his little stitched mouth was no good for communicating with boys and girls. Fortunately, it seemed Bertrand wasn't finished yet.
"I thought if I did as the Count said, if I pretended a slayer had staked Ingrid – he handed me the stake – Vlad would deal with them and we'd all be safer. I thought- and Ingrid's dangerous, we both know that. If she ever turns on Vlad, and I'm surprised she hasn't with the stunt he pulled last week, she could- but it doesn't matter. The Count told him what I was doing, and he caught me with the stake in my hands-"
Auldearn didn't like where this story was going.
Were you beaten? Whipped? Is that why your face is all tight?
"He just threw me at a wall, pinned me to the ceiling, I've never seen him so angry... it, his power... but now he hates me."
He doesn't hate you. I'm sure. Nobody could hate you, especially not someone as wise and perfect as you say your Chosen One was.
"Maybe I deserve to be hated."
I don't hate you, Auldearn tried to say. I love you. You're my boy.
There was no way Bertrand could have heard, but he pulled the bear into his lap anyway and patted his head awkwardly, the closest he ever really got to a proper hug.