I wasn't particularly thrilled to see Father this morning. That is to say, I would have sooner slept the day through would it mean avoiding him. I knew no way to avoid his presence, at least for a short time, and so I awoke and faced the horrid morn with a measured step and a meal plan.

An omelette for each of us and orange juice with pulp, I could only hope they fell within Father's expectations.

I winced despite myself when I heard his descent.

"Good morning, Eddward. Of what do we partake?" His words were proper beyond reason and it sickened me. I kept my thoughts to myself.

"Good morning. Omelettes and juice; orange, that is, Father."

He sat down quietly, eyes scanning over his breakfast for whatever faults he may assume exist, before he carefully cut and lifted a bite to his lips. He chewed, and made no cruel comment afterwards. I let out a held breath, and began to eat as well.

"Eddward," I turned my head to look him straight in the eyes, as anything less was assumed disrespectful by him, "how was your day, yesterday?"

I had to strain to hold his gaze, "It was pleasant. And she had nothing but kind words to say about you. I told her you were well."

"Someone has to be," I swallowed my food, reaching for another bite whilst mentally preparing myself for whatever remark he had. He sighed in a dignified manner, "She will relapse again soon enough, and I am glad you were able to spend some time with her before then. Despite her tendencies, I did once love the woman."

I bit my tongue by accident and had to use all of my self-control not to react, despite the stinging pain.

"Do not let her dalliances strain your mind. School is more important right now than her, you must remember that."

I nodded, because no matter how strongly a part of me disagreed with him, the part he'd nurtured within me that was wise to her ways couldn't help but agree. It shattered parts of me to hear him talk so plainly, but those parts were deeply hidden knots in little-used muscles that might be of use one day...but not today.

This wretched man never disowned me, nor did he ever betray me. He has always been true to his word, despite how harsh they tended to be.

And...as Mother had said...it wasn't his fault he was like this. But then, it is not my fault either, and I pay the price. As did she.

We ate in polite silence for a time, and I took a little time before moving to clean my plate. I watched the clock, calculating, and decided the perfect moment to speak.

"Marie and I have made plans today, Father; may I depart?"

He nodded curtly, "You may."

I let my breath out silently, and headed for the door.

I was thankful he had no further comment as I left...and abruptly turned the corner, sitting in a blind spot just outside the house. I wrapped an arm around my knees, looking emptily at the visible grass between my legs, before slowly closing my eyes.

It wasn't all that late in the afternoon when Nazz and I got back from the candy store. Mostly we just wanted to take a walk, that's just where our walk led us was all. We'd finished our treats within 10 minutes of leaving the store.

And at that point, Nazz started with her teasing jests.

I won't go into detail, but it involved a lot of me cringing and groaning, and her just giggling. I guess she was finally starting to accept whatever the 'thing' was that I had with Eddward as a fact, and decided to make my life a living nightmare by being a girl.

Girls, though. Seriously.

So since he was already on my mind when we got back, I turned my head reflexively towards his house. I mean, I did that a lot recently as it was, but normally there was nothing to see.

I stopped dead in my tracks when I noticed a huddled figure wearing a watch and wristband sitting against a wall. I also noticed the car, knowing exactly what it entailed. I bit my lip.

"What's up?" Nazz inquired, walking up next to me.

"Just...something. Hey, I'll see you later, alright?"

My abrupt parting confused her, but then she smirked, "Ohhh, I see...well, have fun with your Wolf, Kevy." She winked, and I groaned, a blush reaching my cheeks.

I sighed, taking a few careful steps towards his yard. I noted the window was wide open, and saw a figure inside. I didn't know much of him, but I knew better than to get his attention. I took a moment to consider what to do, what to say. I mean, I didn't have to say anything, but this wasn't normal. Normal for Eddward, that is.

I kind-of worried, okay?

My voice wavered as I yelled out, looking behind the house next door to his, "Loup?"

The reaction was delayed, then instant, like he took a moment to process the name before he snapped to attention. He stood, looking my way, and gesturing with his arm. I wasn't looking at him still, worried I might give his location away to his dad, but I noticed him slink off. He deftly avoided the windows as he moved through the back yard...and around a fence, into the neighbor's own. My eyes locked with his, and I smiled. He stopped before he walked into view.

He beckoned me forward, and I approached.

"I did not expect you, Little Red." His voice was weak; I didn't like it.

"I didn't expect you, Edd."

His eyes darted down, off to the side, before flickering back up. He reached his hand forward towards mine, and I lifted mine in response. Rather than grab it, which I assumed he'd planned, his fingerprints gently touched mine as he tugged me behind him. I followed obediently. I figured I'd rather not be seen with him in public like this, anyways.

He led me into the woods behind the cul-de-sac, broken twigs snapping underfoot as we get far enough to be out of view of practically every window.

Then, he dropped my hand, turned, and wrapped his arms around me tightly.

At first, I didn't react. I mean, how could I? We always played this strange game of cat and mouse, and this wasn't in the rulebook. I only moved when I noticed how cold he was.

I let one hand wrap around his waist, the other his upper back. I breathed him in, clean linen and the slightest hint of some sort of body wash. I didn't mind it.

We stayed like that for a while, his breathing steady as he refused to let me go. I tried to end the hug once, just because I didn't want to make it awkward, but he didn't budge. At one point, I felt his cheek limply meet my neck. It was so cold...

"You're really cold..." I was patting my back for my brilliant observation.

I felt a slight nod, then a soft teasing breath over my neck, "À la Chandeleur, l'hiver se passe ou prend vigueur."

For the first time, I was able to pull away from his hug as I looked him incredulously in the eyes.

"...the fuck does that mean?" I asked, shaking my head.

He smiled tenderly, slight as it might have been, "'Twas a subtle January, and February's nip is quite worse for it, no?"

I was confused, "Yeah, so...?"

"So when one has been outside for some time, Little Red, one becomes cold. Inductive reasoning, mon cher."

I cracked a half smile for a moment at his jab, then it fell.

"Wait, how long have you been out there?"

To that, he simply shrugged.

I sighed, "Eddward...no, Edd, yeah, you can't just keep not saying stuff. I mean, I get it, you're mysterious and all that, but I think I deserve to know-"

"To know what, little pup?" His tone was icy, "My dark past, my uninspiring future? Why must the world be a play and everyone must watch, cannot an actor play to the unseen, unheard audience, and be satisfied?"

I was silent at that. After some time, there was a sigh.

"My apologies, Red...you are..." He thinned his eyes, looking at the ground listlessly as he walked towards a cleaner patch of leaves on the ground, sitting down calmly, "You are not Father."

"Yeah, no, I'm not, why the hell would you think I'm that douchebag?"

I saw a slight smile perk his mouth, "I do adore your colorful mind and loose tongue. You truly are a milksnake, all flash and nothing for it."

I didn't get it. I just stared down at him, trying to figure him out.

He looked up at me, then, wordlessly, reached forward a hand. I was a little more hesitant to take it this time, but when I did, I found myself pulled gently to the ground, and I took a seat beside him. My leg brushed against his, and I held myself up with a single hand against the soil-trodden leaves.

A soft voice came forth from Eddward's throat, "It's...unfair."

I wanted to reply, but he closed up, arms around his knees, head hidden. I felt my shoulders drop in dismay at his mood, timidly placing a hand upon his shoulder.

He leaned his cheek against it. It was warmer now.

I found my voice, "Hey...I'm here, you know? Even if you, like...can't stand me...or, whatever...still here for ya."

He nodded, smooth skin rubbing against my hand, causing me to smile. My arm slid down his back, pulling him a little closer against me to fight off the end-of-winter chill. My other hand fell upon his leg, and he flinched.

I thought it was kinda cute.

Finally, he spoke, "And shall too leave my one treasure, learnèd of my cruelty, gifted to the stars. Soon, my happiness shall go, through poison, through spite, through contempt..."

"Hey..." I wasn't certain what he meant, but I could tell he was speaking down on himself, and reached my hand up to his chin. He was taken by surprise, staring at me in slight shock as I frowned at him. "I just want you to be happy. I...I mean, I know you've been...you know...but...you're not that guy any more...right?"

A scoff was his response.

I smiled a little, "Well, either way, I'd like to think I know the real you somewhat. I don't think the 'Big Tough Wolf' is a real guy..."

Eyes flickered wide, a cold stare trained upon me, a voice laced with venom coming from his lips, "A wolf is a wolf, and you will regret every moment you tru-"

While he was speaking, all I could see were his eyes. His lips were turned into a scowl, his shoulders tense, but his eyes, they were screaming. I hated it. So I silenced it.

Despite the cold chill of February surrounding us, his lips were warm and dry. I'd closed my eyes, partly out of courtesy but mostly out of fear of his reaction. I held to his lip like an errant droplet of water, unmoving, fingers dropping from his chin.

Nothing happened...until I started to pull away.

A hand pressed the center of my chest back, but his lips never left mine. My hat fell to the ground as a makeshift pillow, and I found myself lying on my back, pressed down in a deep, calm kiss.

I heard a sniffle. I opened my eyes.

I wasn't sure how long it had been there, but I could see the glimmer at the bottom of his eyes. My hands down rested around his back, and I felt him swallow back the tears, blinking them away as he pressed me down even deeper, lips sliding within mine in a gentle dance. I followed his lead. I cannot tell you how long we stayed like this, for time lost all meaning for a bit...until he pulled away, breathless.

I stared up in awe at the red-faced stranger over me. Gone was the wolf dressed in his father's choice garments, with a threatening glare and snarling lip. In his place was a frightened young man, biting his bottom lip, with looks of guilt and fear fighting for dominance in his eyes.

So I did the only thing I could: I smiled at him.

He sat up, and I found myself unpinned. He still looked unsure, but the mask was coming back, which made me frown.

"Hey...don't go yet."

He blinked, looking at me with a slightly cocked head, "I'm...not."

"Yeah, you are," I said with sadness tainting my voice, "you're gonna hide again."

We looked into each other's eyes for some time, before, finally, he decided to stand up. He brushed off his dress pants, looking down and away for a moment, before reaching down to pull me up. That made me grin, as I took his hand one final time. He seemed surprised when I wouldn't let go.

He looked up at the sky for a moment, like he was reading it, then looked back at me.

"I should go now...Marie will be expecting me."

"Oh," I felt my heart drop, "okay..."

A sad smile graced his lips, "J'ai tellement de chance de t'avoir..."

"...huh?"

A truer smile this time, "I will see you tomorrow, mon cher, mon Petit Rouge."

I rolled my eyes, sighing a little, "I...alright. I'll see you in class then, I guess."

"Hopefully before," he said quietly, but I still heard him.

"Wait, wh-"

"Au revoir, Kevin."

He gave my hand a squeeze, then walked off, leaving me there a little more confused than I had been previously. The way he walked was...lighter. I decided I could wait until tomorrow. Why rush?

We had our whole lives ahead of us. Tomorrow was just a day away.