Muffled cat-like sobs rattled against his chest as the young pastel princess keeps her hold firmly around Frederick's torso

" You're here. You're really here... I'm so happy."

He stares at her; Body stiff, arms frozen in mid shove, and brain stuck in clutch.

Is this a dream? It has to be. This... This can't...

But the prickles running through his skin from her touch and the dull soreness in his throat caused by Whitney's ex-fiancé told him otherwise.

The realization brings a wave of relaxation to him and he lowers his arms to return the hug making sure to move cautiously so as not to accidentally dissipate the illusion that was still possibly before him.

She looks up with bleary red eyes and a snot-soaked smile. A snort breaks from his mouth and he feels a flash of shame before Gwen also snickers. This breaks the dam to his heart as he lets out a joyous cry and twirls around his dearest friend around.

"Gwen! Gwen! Gwen! I've missed you so much! I thought I'd never see you again!" he said while squeezing her tightly.

While the two teens had their reunion, the rest of the CPC checked on Calpernia while also casting suspicious eyes toward the strangers. Curtis, med kit already in hand, tended to the wound on her arm as he scolded her.

"What were you thinking!? Coming out here alone to fight this man alone?! Do you have any idea how dangerous that was?!"

"I'm fine, Curtis! Everything was under control until that hell cat showed up! I was trying to handle this problem discreetly so-"

"Oh no! Prez has been bit!" Saffron shouted, pointing at the bite on her forearm.

"Yeesh, never pegged Frederick for a biter," Syrah chimed. "Nor did I expect him to kick Prez's ass."

Calpernia hissed as Curtis dabbed antiseptic on the bite. "Arrrgh! He didn't win! I had the upper hand it was only a matter of time befo- Wait, Frederick? You mean-"

"Um, Hello, people! Prez just got bit by a vampire! This means she's gonna turn if we don't do something!" Saffron shouted.

The girls gasp.

"Oh no!"

"So, it is true!"

"Poor Prez. She just got over her curse, how's she supposed to handle another one?"

"Will she be like a giant vampire spider?"

Calpernia looked around at the concerned and frighten members, completely bewildered.

"Vampire spider!? What the hell are you guys talking about? This was from-

Then Saffron turned to Frederick with a glare.

"Hey, Count Dorkula! What's the big idea biting the person I brought to help you!"

And just like that, Frederick was yanked out of his moment of nostalgic normalcy. He turned to face the group, mouth twisting into a grimace when he spied Calpernia. The woman returned the scowl with one of her own.

"If your idea of help is sending a psycho killer ex then we'll pass." he deadpanned.

"Who are you calling psycho!' Abbi screamed. "You two are the ones attacking people for no reason!"

"Your president wanted to slit my friends throat!

"Now who's the psycho! Prez would never-"

"WILL YOU ALL SHUT UP A MOMENT! FIRST OFF, I WAS TRYING TO SAVE YOU-

A sharp whistle pierced the air causing everyone to cover their ears. They turned to Curtis, who walked briskly to the area between the two parties.

"We're not solving anything by screaming insults at each other. I know that this is a very unorthodox situation, but we must keep a steady head and proceed with clear discernment," Curtis peered overt to Whitney with sharp eyes.

"I believe that we should first hear from you, your highness. Because, and forgive me if I'm mistake, I was under the impression that my mistress had done away with you that night. And I would also like to know why you are here, Prince Whitney."

A heavy silence hangs over the clearing broken only by the quick claps of thunder that threatened to dampen the mood further. The stripped face man sighed and began to retell his story. While this went on, everyone took a seat on the grass; While Gwen still sat next to Frederick, the other members sat close to Prez, yet some kept close to the green pastel princess. They all kept glancing nervously to the grey sky, with the exception of Frederick and Calpernia, who were staring at each other with great intensity making sure that the other wasn't going to try anything sneaky.

"When I came here, I found Frederick passed out and hurt. I helped him out and we've been together ever since."

Calpernia spoke up. "Ok. Now, can someone please explain why it's oh-so-terrible that this little hellion bit. I mean, I am concerned where his filthy mouth has been but it's nothing a quick wash can't fix."

Frederick growled but a look from Whitney got him to take a deep breath before speaking.

"It probably has to do with the fact that I am a type of vampire. A boo hag, actually. But I'm pretty sure you don't have to worry about the bite. I don't think I can do that."

Prez's eyes widen, brain flashing to the terrifying memory of the castle of vampire princesses.

"How do you know that," Abbi chimed. "Didn't you say that you couldn't find a lot on boo hags? How can you be so sure?"

Frederick picked at the skin flap on his chest. "Well... I didn't find anything about boo hags spreading through biting and my mom said that boo hags take enough blood so as to not kill someone. In fact, some vampiric creatures I've read about don't give vampirism to their victims."

Abbi crossed her arms. "And we should trust what you say because why? How do we know you're not lying to get our guard down?"

Frederick looked up and saw that these princesses were glaring at him with an almost palpable hatred. He had to fight the urge to shrink back.

"I have one more question."

The cryptid turned to the yellowed eyed woman

"Did you know about Whitney's past, Frederick? Did he tell you?"

He nodded.

"And you still stayed with him. May I ask why?"

He was quiet for a moment and starts to pick at the grass by his boot.

"... I... I... When he told me about it, I was feeling... like I was free falling through a void. I was scared and... I didn't know when it was going to stop. My life just felt so out of my control... I just wanted to fold myself into a box and hide away just to get away from everything. Then he when he told me... I can't quite explain it but... I felt this... No... I knew that I had to stay with him... He showed me a part of himself that he hated, and we didn't even know each other that long... That was all I needed to know to be sure that he genuinely wanted to help me."

A rumble of thunder enhanced the long silence that fell over the group. There are a mix of suspicious and sympathetic gleams lighting the eyes of the cursed princess's and prince. Whitney stares over to him, steely eyes flaring with surprise.

Calpernia yellow eyes are flashing, seemingly taken aback by his answer. Then she shakes her head and steels them again.

"I'm sorry that you've had to go through that. All this happening must have been very confusing and traumatic for you. I can see why Saffron thought it'd be a good idea to bring you in but I'm afraid we can't admit you currently.'

Calpernia stood up from the grass. Gwen, who was shocked by her cold rejection, stood up too.

"What?! What do you mean he can't join!? You always said that you swoop in to rescue cursed princes and princesses in trouble. Well, Frederick is in trouble!"

The woman turned to Gwen, yellow eyes unyielding and acrid; It was enough to make the young girl's heart curdle. "Gwen, have you forgotten everything that he told us; what's currently going on right now with the CC. What they'll do to us if they find him with us? How do we know that he won't go crazy and massacre the entire club? Or you? And if not Frederick, how do we know that his "friend", She hissed out the word like it burned her tongued. "Won't hurt us either? Do you remember the prophecy Nell said? There's too much at risk."

Gwen met her glare with a determined one of her own. "Well, I think we should let everyone decide. In a vote. When we get back, we'll bring the whole matter to a vote and discuss all the rules and boundaries. Our motto is that we help cursed individuals in need and teach them to love themselves. That is what this club is about, right?"

Calpernia pursed her lips when she hears her own club's values brought up; Everyone stares at the two, enthralled with the sweet princess's fiery stand.

The president takes in a big breath before responding. "Fine. We'll do it,' she turns to Frederick with disdain. "You, would do well to choose your friends more carefully. If you don't want to be seen as a monster, I would recommend not hanging around the one next to you. Less you also want to be added to someone's trophy room."

Gwen's mouth dropped as Calpernia walked back into the thicket followed by the other members, who also looked shocked by her caustic response; Curtis gave her a disapproving glance, but she continued past him, either not noticing or caring. Frederick clenched his fist, body locked in place as it struggled to decide between yelling back or ripping the hair off the woman's head. When he caught a glimpse of Gwen's face, the rage gave way to shock.

Gwen looked positively livid. Her dark grey eyes brewed and swirled like the center of a hurricane. Her soft kind face was bent into an angry snarl revealing her small canines. All this wrath was directed at the fading form of the blue haired woman. Through his intimidation, he also found a glimmer of fascination at this rare sight. After a few seconds, she looked back to him, eyes softer but face still frowning.

"Don't worry. No matter what happens, I'll come back."

And she sped away leaving Frederick to ogle her as goosebumps dotted his skin.

Note to self: Never piss Gwen off.

Suddenly, a clap of thunder makes the two guys jump. Swollen dark clouds pelted the ground with fat droplets of rain soaking them in seconds.

"Perfect."

The two ran through the pale gray air that had wound around the forest. Frederick struggled to keep upright as the thick sheets of water blurred his surroundings and his feet sank into the softening ground. He felt a strong hand on his own.

"There's a cave not too far away from here." Whitney shouted; voice muffled by the rainfall.

Frederick nods as he follows him. It didn't take long before they spied several enormous boulders leaning together in a pile. The teen cocked his head at the oddly intentional way they were set up. It reminded him of the little rock homes he used to make as a child. A flash of lighting shoved his suspicions aside as he followed Whitney into an opening. When inside, his nose caught the scent of damp sediment and moss. Though despite the heavy blanket of moisture, the ground was dry.

"Seems like this might go on a while. Might even half to stay the night." Whitney said as he sat down on the pebble studded ground. Frederick nodded as he took a seat a some feet away from Whitney. His long hair clung to his neck making chilled water drip down his spine. He took it and began to wring it out but still felt cold from his soaked shirt. A small sneeze from him caused the tiger man to glance over.

"Come over."

Frederick looked back, arms crossed over his body to muster up even a little heat from his body.

"Um, are you sure? Because I can-"

"Yes."

Frederick went over to the man and sat next to him. He glanced towards his face, and he was looking back with a hesitant look.

"I know that touch is a very difficult thing for you especially hugging but I don't want you getting sick. Ok? I'm going to do this slowly if you're uncomfortable in anyway, tell me."

"Yeah. Ok"

Whitney raised his arm and placed a hand on his shoulder. Frederick felt his shivering lessen as heat radiated his shoulder.

"How are you doing?"

"It feels nice so far."

"Good. I'm gonna get a little closer."

He moved in close enough for him to be aware of his heartbeat and the heat increased. It prickled along the fibers of his skin like the surface was being brushed by needle heads. He grunted as he felt the sensation spread across his neck and shoulders.

"Is this too much? Do you want me to stop?"

"I... I... I,' The sensation began to shift as the seconds past. The prickly sensation softening as the warmth cradled his sore shoulders and the gentle pressure started to ease his body. He gasps when he feels Whitney start to pull away. So he grabs his hand and pulls himself into his chest. The heavy thud of the giant's heart signaled the exile of tension from his body and soul. A euphoric sigh escaped him as the sound vibrated through his body and his nose filled up with his familiar spicy sweet scent, a silent assurance to his well-being. Every cell in his body, his brain felt like it was filling up with the warmth and being renewed by it.

"You ok, Fredrick?"

He felt a small wrinkle occur along his heart at the sound of his name but he brushed it aside as he murmured yes back. Whitney then folds his arms over the teen, that looked so tiny in them. Frederick gave another sigh of contentment as his body was cradled like a baby. Then another sensation occurred. Of something returning; like something was being put in place; followed by another; and another. Something in him was coming back together slowly and it was beginning to rise and rise, filling him with a lot of feelings he couldn't even begin to describe. Then it broke through.

"I'm scared."

Whitney looked down.

"I've always been scared. Of my father. Of people. Everything. I was hurt so much that I thought it was better to just... shut off. Now... Everything is different. Ever since I've met you... I've done things that I thought were impossible. Said things... That I've never told anyone before. I'm... Happy. For the first time in my life, I'm really happy... I wasn't afraid as much anymore. But when the CC came around... I felt trapped again and I felt that fear start to come back. I was scared and this time... I was going to lose everything...," The teen's voice starts to crack. " I didn't want to lose you. I can't stand the thought of anyone hurting you. Especially when you hurt yourself."

He looks up to Whitney tears fully pouring down and voice trembling.

"I was wrong. I thought that you had everything figured out and... I was so jealous that I couldn't see that you were hurting still and... I don't want you to die, Whitney! This whole thing journey to atone for your mistakes... Were you hoping that... one of the people you hurt... Would kill you?"

Though the question was spoken in almost a whisper, it held heavier than the dampness of the cave. Whitney looked into that tear-stained face, his own heart feeling shaky; A great effort was made to keep his voice calm.

"I knew that it was possible and if the only way for someone to heal is through my pain, then I will put my life at their mercy."

Whitney saw the green fire inflame Frederick's eyes as the teen grabbed his collar and pulled himself up to Whitney's face; Calm demeanor fled at the sight of those orbs that burned like star fire.

"NO! FUCK THAT! FUCK ALL OF THEM! I WON'T LET YOU DO THAT! I WON'T LET ANYONE TAKE YOU FROM ME! YOU'RE THE BEST FRIEND I EVER HAD! I'LL DO ANYTHING! I'LL FORGET MY SHITTY FAMILY! THE CC! I'LL START MEDITATING MORE! I WON'T SWEAR! WE CAN GO WITH WHAT YOU HAD PLANNED AND FIND A QUIET PLACE TO LIVE AWAY FROM HERE! I'll BE NORMAL! I'll DO ANYTHING YOU WANT, JUST... please, don't leave me... If you're gone... I... I can't... I can't..."

Frederick sank back into his chest and sobbed like he did in the dungeon. For once, Whitney is speechless. His grey eyes are softened by tears that teeter on the edge of their lids and his heart is twisting into painful knots. He just wraps his arms around the weeping teen, the latter trembling as years of sadness comes out all at once. After a while, Rain and exhaustion takes its toll on the two friends and they fall into a deep sleep.