Grumpy slipped out of the bedroll the next morning once he was sure that Sneezy was warm enough and got dressed. He still couldn't believe the idiot hadn't thought to light a fire to stay warm and safe. From how exhausted he seemed, he must've been running all day. Grumpy understood feeling exhausted very well. What he didn't understand was why Sneezy was there and not any of the others. Where were they? Had Sneezy come all that way alone? Why?

A loud, jarring sneeze startled him, and he turned to see that Sneezy was awake. His nose was much redder than it usually was, and he appeared to be confused. His bewilderment only increased as he looked down at himself and realized he was in his underclothes.

"What happened?" he asked, sounding much stuffier than usual.

"Gots too cold last night. So's I warmed ya up. Now get yer clothes back on. Don't wanna do it again," Grumpy said, not the least bit embarrassed.

Sneezy, on the other hand, flushed scarlet and ducked his head as he scrambled for his clothes. When he stood up to try and get his pants on, his leg gave way, and he stumbled against Grumpy, who growled in irritation but stood up and offered some help. Sneezy, still pink, struggled into his clothes and muttered an almost inaudible thanks. After getting his shirt on, he suddenly sneezed hard enough to send him sprawling.

"Ow," he whimpered.

"Yer sick," Grumpy said blandly. "T'ain't surprisin'. What kinda fool are ya? Runnin' off with nothin'. Dern ijit."

"I had to catch ya," Sneezy said, huddling close to the fire.

"What fer?" Grumpy asked irritably, going over to pull a blanket out of the bedroll then draping it over Sneezy's shoulders. "I left like ya told me ta, and then ya turn up half froze and messin' with a mama wolf. I cain't tell how stupid ya really are."

Sneezy sniffled. "Stupider than that."

"Really?"

Another sneeze. "I was wrong ta tell ya ta go."

Grumpy shook his head, looking at the fire. "Naw. It's better if'n I go. Ya don't need more trouble. An' that's all I ever been."

"But that ain't true," Sneezy argued, wiping his streaming eyes after another sneeze.

"Ain't it?"

"Look, I don't knows what happened before we found ya, but ya ain't never been trouble ta us. Least after ya stopped tryin' ta run away."

Grumpy snorted, but his lips twitched. "Helps that ya wasn't chargin'."

Sneezy laughed then sneezed again. He wiped his eyes as the silence stretched on.

"I'm sorry," he finally said. "I didn't realize how much we cared. Or how much ya cared fer us."

"How d'ya figger that?" Grumpy asked, scowling.

"That's what I told ya ta do. I told ya that if ya cared, ya'd leave. I didn't expect ya ta actu'ly do it. But ya did." He sneezed again. "And ya proved me wrong. T'others care a lot fer ya, too. I guess I jest missed that."

Grumpy grunted. "And you?"

Sneezy sniffled as he thought. Then he smiled. "I don't want ta hurt 'em no more. So's I guess I'll jest hafta get used ta ya."

Grumpy studied him then nodded. "Get some rest."

"But we gotta head back…"

"If'n you can find me, so can Doc. 'Sides, yer in no shape ta walk."

Sneezy frowned down at his injured leg then sighed. "Guess I really mucked things up."

Grumpy considered this. "I'da been gone by now," he said quietly.

Sneezy stared at him then shivered. "Then I guess this cold is worth it."

Grumpy adjusted the blanket then gestured at the bedroll. "I'll watch fer 'em. Lay down."

Sneezy nodded and crawled into the bedroll. Within minutes, he was asleep. Grumpy watched him for a moment then closed his eyes and flexed his magic. A pulse went out and he could sense the others hurrying this way. He estimated they were about four hours away, he stood up and headed into the woods to catch some meat.

Around noon, Bashful burst into view, gasping for breath as he looked around. What he saw startled him. Sneezy was huddled in a bedroll next to a roaring fire, and Grumpy was roasting several rabbits over the flames. He glanced up and grunted.

"'Bout time. Where's Doc?"

Bashful turned and whistled then approached, trying to catch his breath. "We saw blood. Who's hurt?"

"That ijit. Messin' with a mama wolf," Grumpy said. "Meat's almost done. Come on over."

Bashful dropped down by the fire and sighed as he shrugged off his pack, looking over Grumpy with a critical eye.

"Ya left us," he said, accusation in his tone.

"Thought it was fer the best."

"Look, whatever Sneezy said—" he began.

Grumpy cut in. "Drop it. Ijit's already 'pologized."

Bashful relaxed as Doc and Happy came trotting into view.

"Oh, thank heavens," Doc exclaimed and hurried over. "Is everyone doll height, erm, alright?"

"He gots a bite. An' he's sick," Grumpy said. "Gots too cold last night. Was almost half froze when I found him. So's I warmed him up."

Doc nodded, and Bashful flushed and tittered, ducking his head. Doc gave him a look.

"If he hadn't done that, Sneezy would be dead," he said coldly.

Bashful darkened even further. "Sorry."

Grumpy snorted. "Don't bother me none what they think. I done it before fer others, and I'd do it again. Long as he don't freeze."

"Very sensible of you," Doc said. He knelt down beside Sneezy and shook him gently.

Sneezy awoke with another sneeze, and he looked up at Doc miserably.

"I'm sorry," he said.

"I know," Doc sighed. "Let me see that bite. What did you do, Grumpy?"

Sneezy crawled out of the bedroll and Doc began to unwind the strips of cloth. Grumpy pulled the meat off the fire as he replied.

"Warshed it with liquor then bandaged it. Ain't got nothin' else ta use. Did what I could."

Doc looked pleased. "You did well."

Grumpy grunted again. "Easier doin' it on somebody else," he replied.

They all frowned at the thought of Grumpy having to bind his own wounds because he didn't have anybody. Doc in particular thought of the hastily tied bandages when he'd been helping Grumpy after they found him. What he'd done for Sneezy was far neater. More time, perhaps? Or less pain?

"Meat's done," Grumpy said. "And I knows ya got some bread and cheese. Let's eat."

Happy looked surprised. "How d'ya know that?" he asked, reaching in to pull out the requested items.

"Cuz you woulda packed the food," Grumpy said simply.

Happy laughed. "Ya really got us figgered out, don'tcha?"

Grumpy grunted again as he pulled out a knife and began to section the meat. After Doc had looked at the wound, he rewrapped it in fresh bindings then he wrapped Sneezy in the blanket. The five Dwarfs then ate their fill of roasted meat, bread, and cheese. Grumpy didn't say much as the others talked about the best way to get home with Sneezy's injury. But after he was done eating, he pulled a small hatchet out of his pack then strode off into the woods.

"He's comin' back, right?" Happy asked uneasily after half an hour.

"He would have taken his bag if he were leaving," Doc said, but he sounded unsure.

"Dern right," Grumpy said, coming back into view with two sturdy branches whittled down to match. "T'ain't like that ijit." He gestured at Sneezy, who had the grace to blush.

"What're those fer?" Bashful asked as Grumpy slid the branches into some leather loops that were stitched onto his bedroll.

"It's a stretcher," Doc said softly, looking over the top of his glasses. "It is, isn't it?"

Grumpy grunted. "Ain't the first time I done this. He shouldn't walk on that bite. An' he's sick, too. It'll be easier this way. An' we can switch ev'ry once in a while."

"That's… impressive," Doc admitted.

"Not really," Grumpy replied, tightening the leather on the branches.

"Yes, it is," Doc said firmly.

Grumpy shrugged. "Let me know when we're leavin'."

An hour later, Sneezy was settled in the bedroll and the camp was cleared up. Grumpy and Happy took up the poles and Doc and Bashful began to lead the way back to the cottage. They walked for hours, switching out every thirty minutes as Sneezy constantly apologized for being a bother. At last, Grumpy shook the pole hard enough to jar Sneezy.

"Say it one more time an' I'll wire yer trap shut!" Grumpy snapped.

"But—" Sneezy stammered.

"We all knows yer an ijit," Grumpy said. "But whinin' ain't gonna change that yer gonna be dragged home. So shuddup or talk about sommit int'restin'."

Sneezy huffed then sneezed. "Okay," he said weakly.

There was silence for a while as the four Dwarfs plodded on. Then Sneezy sighed.

"Wish Sleepy was here. He could tell a story."

"You could try," Doc said from the front of the procession.

"Ah, ya knows I'm no good with words."

"Bashful?" Doc asked.

He went scarlet and shook his head. "Don't wanna sound dumb. Gots no mind fer the stories and even fewer words."

"Nope," Happy said before he could ask. "Ain't gonna hafta tell Sleepy how bad I did."

"Oh, don't make me," Doc begged. "I won't be able to squeak, erm, teak, oh! speak! Agh!"

Doc flushed, and they went quiet. Then Grumpy spoke. "Ever hear a Hansel and Gretel?"

"Who?" they all chorused.

Grumpy grunted then began to tell the tale of the two children left in the woods by their poor father who could no longer feed them and their misadventures with the witch. The brothers listened with rapt attention to the story, and when the children went home with the treasure, Bashful was thrilled.

"That one's good. Ya should tell it ta Sleepy."

A violent sneeze came from the stretcher. "Yeah. Let him add it ta his collection."

Grumpy grunted then peered up at the sky. "Better stop if ya want meat fer supper."

Doc sighed. "Guess it was a bit much to think we'd make it home before dark."

"Yep," Grumpy said, but he patted Doc's back gently. "Set him down here. Bashful, you an' Happy should get some wood."

The two went off immediately. Doc set about making Sneezy comfortable, and Grumpy immediately went off to find some meat. When he came back with several fat squirrels as dusk was settling, they were glad. Soon there were squirrels roasting over the fire. The smell of cooking meat was exquisite and their mouths began to water at the thought of supper. They were all incredibly hungry after the long march, so when the squirrels were ready, they dug in, supplementing it with cheese and homemade bread. It was a quiet supper, and soon after they were done, the thought of sleeping came up. One by one they slipped into their bedrolls until it was just Grumpy sitting by the fire, staring at it.

Bashful noticed he wasn't sleeping and spoke quietly. "Ain't ya gonna lay down?"

"Ain't got a bedroll," Grumpy said. "Sneezy gots mine."

Bashful thought about this then flushed. "Ya could share mine."

Grumpy looked over. "Wouldn't mind. I've had tighter quarters before. Do ya mind?"

"No. 'Sides, ya won't get any sleep otherwise."

Grumpy sat for another few seconds then heaved himself up and walked over. He tugged his boots off and Bashful moved enough so that he could slip in. It was snug, and Bashful blushed again as Grumpy got settled.

"Golly, how'd'ya do this before?"

"Hey, at least we gots clothes on. That daft brother a yers dern near froze last night. Had ta strip him down ta his skivvies."

Bashful laughed. "If ya don't mind, I'd like ta hold that over his head. Gosh, what did he look like this mornin'?"

"You," Grumpy replied.

Bashful laughed again then they settled down to sleep. As he drifted off, Grumpy was grateful that they still seemed to care for him, even after all this. He just couldn't seem to get rid of them. But he really didn't mind too much.

The next morning the brothers awoke to find breakfast being pulled off the fire. They were bewildered by how good Grumpy was at trapping, though judging from how light the forest was, he'd had a couple hours at least. But they didn't complain as they ate their fill then got ready to head out. They did the same as the day before, switching the pair dragging Sneezy every half an hour.

Grumpy told more stories as they marched through the woods, stories the brothers had never heard before. Around midday, they ate the rest of the meat they'd saved from breakfast and some more bread and cheese then started off immediately, eager to get back to the cottage.

Sleepy had stayed behind to mind Dopey and the winter preparations, allowing Doc, Happy, and Bashful to move quickly to try and catch Sneezy and Grumpy. The call of hearth and home was growing as they continued on through the woods, and the brothers soon saw familiar signs. It was with great relief that they broke through the tree line and saw the warm lights glowing through the dusk. As they made their way through the yard, the door burst open and Sleepy hurried out, scanning all their faces. He relaxed when he saw Grumpy was with them then frowned as they laid Sneezy down.

"Wolf bite," Grumpy said before Sleepy could ask. Sneezy gave a huge sneeze. "An' he's sick."

Sleepy nodded and fussed with the others as they led Sneezy inside. Grumpy sighed and moved to disassemble the stretcher and pack up his bedroll. A small hand touched him, and he turned to see Dopey frowning at him. He shook his finger at him, his movements agitated as his blue eyes flashed. Grumpy looked down after the lecture.

"I'm sorry. I shouldn'ta gone. At least I came back."

Dopey stared at him intently then his eyes filled with tears and he hugged Grumpy around the middle. Grumpy hugged him back, squeezing tightly. Tears burned in his eyes, and he hid his face as he struggled to pull himself together. He eventually sighed and went back to work.

"Better get inside. It's gettin' cold," he said gruffly.

Dopey didn't go inside, standing still and watching as Grumpy rolled up his bedroll and tied it to his bag then stood up, heading for the door. The door suddenly flew open, and Bashful stood there, looking panicked. Then he relaxed when he saw Grumpy and Dopey and stepped aside. Grumpy knew they thought he'd run again, but with Sneezy's change of heart, he no longer had a reason to leave. He was pretty sure they'd hunt him down no matter where he ended up. And that was oddly comforting.

Dopey purposefully grabbed his hand and guided him into the cottage, and Bashful carefully shut the door behind him then took Grumpy's pack and carried it upstairs. Happy was already frying some fish, and Doc was tending to Sneezy, calling for tea to be made, which Sleepy obeyed at once. Grumpy looked around the quaint, crowded cottage and felt at home for the first time in his life.

"Gosh, y-y-yer trouble," Sleepy yawned as he pressed a hot mug of tea into Grumpy's hands ten minutes later.

"All I'll ever be," Grumpy muttered.

Sleepy blinked and squinted at him. "I was jokin'."

"I weren't."

Sleepy frowned at him. "Well, if ya really think that way, then ya better know yer worth it."

"Hey, Grumpy!" Sneezy called.

"Eh?"

"Tell Sleepy some a them stories!"

Sleepy's eyes lit up and all tiredness vanished. "Stories? Do I know 'em?"

Grumpy sat down in his chair and stared at the fire. "Ever hear a Hansel and Gretel?"

A wide, eager grin spread over Sleepy's face and he sat down on the floor like a child. "Naw. Tell me."

So Grumpy did, talking into the sudden hush as the brothers listened to the tale. Happy was cooking a wonderful dinner, Sneezy was sipping tea, Doc was fussing over Sneezy's injury, Bashful was holding Dopey, and they all listened with rapt attention to the gruff voice of their friend. Sitting in front of the warm fire, Grumpy thought that this was a good way to spend a chilly autumn evening. They still had a lot of preparation to do, but they had time. For that night, they would just rest, all of them happy to be home.