As the end of the hottest days came near and the leaves started to go dry, I noticed more than ever before a sense of quiet dread creeping over the community.

There weren't many of the trees around, and none, of course, on our ground, but there were trees on which there were leaves that gained a peculiarly dark color when they dried and eventually fell off. Usually they were shades of brown, but some years there were specks on them as if there were freshly spilled drops of blood.

It was always strange and morbidly fascinating for us to see as kids and the bolder ones even snatched up a maple leaf and sometimes carried it with them for a while before swiftly burrying it into the softer earth, because our mothers would be mad as a raging bull if they knew we ran around with the forbidden vcolor in our pockets. The other leaves were fine; they were safe, even if only so-so.

This year, when I saw the first changes (early, as the weather was hot...), I very acutely realized how often could the color croww there and how many of them were around - all around. We were, for a while at least, completely surrounded by them and anytime one could fall onto your head and you wouldn't know of it.

I was no longer terrified, only permanently on-guard. In a way, this was the closest I ever came to the exact feelings of the others, I think - you would not see fear on the faces of the villagers, at least not the older ones. You'd see a grim determination, and a sort of alert but peaceful sate. There was only so much to do, but one did so wholeheartedly.

In autumn, the women swept their porch in circles. You came, you turned clockwise with the broom a ew times, then went on as usual.

It was a sight I never stopped to consider before, and so this time I asked.

"Mom, why do we sweep the porch in a circle?"

"To keep Them out of the cellar," she replied, simply nodding towards the trees.

No more explanation was necessary for who to keep out (of course), but I was suddenly fascinated anyway, and at once for a moment felt like I knew nothing, same as the time before when I had an empty space under my bed.

"How does that - why does that work?"

Dhe seemed to strugle with a search for words for a second - but in the end it was dad, who was returning from outside with wood with a basket, who replied.

"It's because that is our symbol, that and They never go underground. It's a haven They never dared to go in. If it's because they're afraid or out of respect... I'm not sure. It works, though."

"Would it work on the roof? So they don't go in at all?" I found myself saying. Ater, in that moment, did not occur to me. THEY did. The monsters of my childhood, a certain, looming, frightening threat.

"It doesn't."

My shoulders slumped. I looked at the broom absent-mindedly, moving beside my feet. Small clouds of dust flied up from under it.

Only after that small while, the dust and a glance towards our familiar, close line of trees did I become sware of how far was I from the curious kid I have been. It was not necessarily a bad feeling, really; but it was strange to feel the distance in time so suddenly.

Subconsciously, I looked towards the forest again, then turned to dad. He returned it with a wary, knowing glance. I noted there were twigs in the back of his hair and his pants had moss on them.

...

I didn't have as much experience as my dad, definitely wasn't as strong and probably wasn't as brave. Seeing the leaves turn dark this time seemed to catch my eye just as ofte, though.

When the first autumn rain came, late at night, I tossed and turnd even after I heard that everyone was asleep. Finally, at dawn, I climbed out of bed and too full of energy pulled out my old dress, winter boots, and snuck out to the back porch.

I stood there, looking out into the forest and breathed in deeply the smell of wood and sap and wet grass.

It was a spur of the moment decision.; I suddenly found myself running through the mud, in etween the trees, and by memory alone on the rabbit pathways to a meadow I knew well. I felt equal parts disappointed at myself and very relieved, which added to the shame.

I also had a sense of freedom, one that mildly scared me.

It didn't take me so long, though I was in the dark, and soon I indeed could make out familiar shapes - and I found an empty space. I stumbled out and looked to the ground; there was the still dry grass and the remains of red flowers, only viible as spots in the dim morning light.

I was there alone, and I could practically hear the blood rushing in my eins, and I could feel a pressure in my stomach and suddenly found myself laughing lowly. I couldn't help myself; it was just so absurd! Crazy, yet it felt somehow right. The two notions made me light headed and I stepped heavily to sit down on a wet, fallen tree, the one I always sat on while Ater trained. Some of its remains were still around - the rocks with his scratches on them. Some were small and shallow, some deep gashes that were still apparent after years.

Out of the corner of my eye I saw the color dripping off my hair and on a low level started to wish they would be visible enough for him - that he'd come. It wasn't th reason I ran out, not really, but now I wanted him to be there with me. It has been too long. I missed his heat and his snarky comments. But how on earth was I to contact him? I could only hope and wait - at home, or in here. Did he even go here anymore? Did any of Them?

With a morbid curiosity and no common sense, I lingered on the thought of what would happen if it was a different one and not him that found me here.

Would they eat me, as my mom once told me? ...But no. I was somewhat, distantly, related to them (what an odd thought...) - but maybe they still wouldn't want me there...

Instead of being afraid, like I expected, I was curious and even maybe a but excited. Then I noted brown spots on my shoulders and the front of my dress and jumped up.

I couldn't let my mother see it in such a state!

Nobody was around, and the night (and morning) was quite warm, and there was water nearby...

And in the blink of an eye, when I was waiting the front of my dress, sleeves, and stood there only in my shoes and underwear, I heard a polite cough from a few meters away.

I turned around before remembering my state and then swiftly covered myself, immediately letting out a squeal.

Cold went down my spine before I turned to quickly scan the cape and the claws and stings, to see who it is... I was relieved to recognize them. Afterall, I could see them clearly even when I closed eyes, I remembered them.

"I'm so glad you came-! Err... excuse me. I need to wash my dress."

"I'll turn then.." he drawled uncertainly. I saw his back, then profile as he looked back on me sideways. "How come you're here alone? I saw your hair..."

"I ran out."

I finished with scrubbing and then stood there, unsure of what to do. Raindrops kept falling on my head and bare skin and I got a little cold, but surprisingly not uncomfortable. I didn't want to put on the damp dress just yet, and so carefully went to sit onto the fallen tree. When I first did, tentatively and wide-eyed, my legs dangled off it without touching the ground. Now, when I stretched my toes to the utmost, I touched the graww.

"Weren't you afraid?" he asked, his stings pointed at me.

"I was at first, but..." I didn't quite find words for what I felt running through the forest. I didn't think there were any. "Ater! You have to be careful around our house if you come again."

Looking confused he turned to me and then frowned. He didn't take note of my state, which I was glad of and so relaxed. "Why?"

I bit my lip, then beckoned him to come nearer. He took a few steps, looking mildly suspicious. I leaned in.

"My father knows about you."

He let out a shriek and recoiled, for a moment looking like Scarlet. "WHAT?! That's impossible!" "It isn't... I had to tell him. Ater - he knows I want to the forest. He knows because he visits it himself! I should've seen it on him, but I only do now."

Aterulmen fell completely silent, he only stared. He then shook head. "Wow. That was unexpected." With a note of fear he added: "How did he take it?"

"Really wwell, actually," I admitted, rocking legs. "But he says that if he ever sees you around, he's laying traps around the house."

He let out a smug snort and grinned. "Nobody has seen me yet unless I wanted to."

"Will you, then? I missed you."

It came out much more easily than before. I really meant it the same way, though. Before I even patted the spot next to me, he was up and sitting at my side.

"So you came," he said matter of factly.

"That was one of the reasons," I nodded, reaching out to wrap an arm around his. His claws moved - it was like hearing bare bones click softly.

"I wanted to, but I was unsure of whether or not you wanted me there."

"Of courseI want to be with you!" I cried out, hugging him tighter. "Why would you think not?"

"Well I - I thought you might not want to be around any of us." He put an emphasis on the last word, looking at me sideways. "I know YOU would not hurt me. Hey, we're friends, right?"

He looked at me gravely and covered my hand with the other claw. "Of course. At least htat. And hey, you told your father about me!"

It was warm despite the rain and I leaned into him, burrying my face in the fabric of his cape. It gave me a bit of a thrill. "Oh, you REALLY missed me, didn't you?" "Oh, shut up! I'm just cold!"

"Riiiight."

I smacked him with a laugh. Really, he was right. I wouldn't admit it to a living soul, but it was so. It almost felt like home.

"It's raining!" "Not my fault you went out to get wet!"

I looked at him to reply and I saw the barely contained smirk. With a gasp I smacked his arm and shoulder several times.

"That was so inappropriate! You can't pull that out on a lady!"

"I didn't." "You're an ass!"

He was laughing too hard to talk, but I couldn't hold back a grin myself (though, of course, I was also outraged).

"I'm going home!" "Wait, no!" he grabbed me around the waist when I made a move to jump off the tree, still very much amused, and pulled me in close. "I'll be good, I promise."

I poute despite him not seeing it. "Will you be really nice to me?"

"Mhm," he purred behind my ear. It sent a sudden shiver down my spine, and I had to shift in seat a little. As per always, he was observant.

"...how nice are we talking here?"

I slapped him again.

"I'm just asking. You looked a little... too comfortable."

"ATER!" This time he caught my hand in-between his thumb and finger (Which, with the lenghts of their fingers and claws, was quite a lot to cover) before I managed, and looked at me with narrowed eyes.

"You can just tell me to stop, you know."

He didn't look angry or even annoyed, though the look was intense and tone reproachful. Instead I saw an almost... pleased glint. He drew out the words, lower than usually, which all together made my stomach jump. I wasn't sure what happened and for a moment sat confused about the sudden butterflies.

"I'm sorry," I heard myself saying before my hand went to the side of his head of its own accord, welcoming his face coming near. I heard him murmur against my mouth while his claws carefully stroked my back.

"Gwen - could we forget about that... one time? I know you invited me, but it was all wrong and I..."

I pulled away, looking at him very confused, and he quickly added: "I mean to say that I just want to make it good, you know? No pain for you or me. To start over. Of course, if you'd rather not, I understand that too."

I stared at him for a second - he had a flushed, hopeful, but carefully detached expression. So to drive the point home - I would not tell him out loud! I briefly stuck out my tongue, then pulled him back to a kiss not to have to look him in the eye. It was for other reasons, too. "We can start over."

"Oh, good," he let out a breath. "Wait, not now! It's lateI'll have to join our hunt soon... and you need to go home..."

I groaned, remembering it was morning. The rain drops were slowly beginning to thin out, too. He growled surprisingly loud at that, and I jumped in seat.

"It will be a long day," I sighed, pulling away. He seemed breathless for a moment, but quickly regained his composure. "Don't even mention it... My packmates will have the time of their life making fun of me. Thankfully Ymori is a silent one..."

"Who's Ymori?" The name sounded alien in my voice, and I frowned. What kind of names did They have?

"One of the hunters my age - 'Sleeping death'." That answered one question. Dark thunder, sleeping death... Dear god.

He pat his chin thoughtfully with one claw, his look suddenly turning sly. "You know, now I recall I do have one thing that could send you on your way fine, even if I'll have it a but rough."

I shuffled in seat to face him, curious. "You do? What is it?"

"That, I, err... Maybe I could just show you? If you let me, of course..."

"But what... Well, alright."

He slowly let his eyes fall down to my lap, which made heat go up to my cheeks. I had nothing to cover with, too, but I supposed I didn't need to.

"After I get under some layers, that is."

"My God, can you stop talking about it?!"

He opened mouth again, but then let it fall shut and nodded. He slowly slid off the wood an stood in front of me, then drew back. I felt my skin tingle at his gaze. "I sort of... can't really... could you undres yourself? " he apologetically tapped one hand with the other. "I don't want you to have to sew it back together again, and..."

I laughed then, startling him again, because I was so terribly embarrassed - but just like when I stood on our porch earlier, in a flash of insane courage I decided to take the leap and turned my back to him to get out of the few I had left. I was momentarily ashamed I didn't even put on everything, but I didn't actually expect to meet him so who would care? And, perhaps, in such a situation it was for the best... I shushed my mind when it started jumping to conclusions and put underwear in a careful heap. I could explain wet hair, but muddy undergarments? Not so much.

I felt, then saw his claws at my waist, oh so carefully brushing, then a wet thing very low. I squeaked at the sensation.

"Do you trust me?" Ater murmured against my spine, trailing kisses down it to a point it made my insides twitch and go warm. "I, well... I do."

He nodded, flipped me over onto my back, then lowered his head down, breathing in. Then he let out satisfied sigh.

I don't think I was breathing. And again I let out a sound when I felt him on a place I only vaguely knew of and didn't really dare touch. The jolt was so unexpected and so intense it was almost painful and I closed legs.

"Slow down slow down. P-please be careful!"

"Did it hurt?" Ater looked at me, lifting head slightly. The sight was bizzare and even mildly dirty, so I quickly threw my head back to rest it on the wet wood.

"No... But I'm not used to it..."

"Ah, sure. I'll keep it in mind."

We did say the one before did not count, and we did say we were starting over, and it was as though he tried to make up for everything he has done before at this moment. On one hand, of course, I was there twisting, always partway in the air and my hand tangled in his hair, and trying to keep my voice down because of the sensations, thanking all Heavens for letting something like that exist. On the other, I was (through tears) always aware of the claws I saw slice through stone resting on my lower back and keeping it dry, not even one digging too deep in; and how much care did he put into making me feel the best possible. He seemed hesitant, didn't quite know what to do at first either (rest assured he figured it out quickly!), but all the while didn't forget to stay gentle this time up until a jolt went up my spine and I quickly covered my mouth to keep in the loud sound.

I think I would've swore I felt pleasure even in my throat in a moment.

Ater stuck his head out and drew an audible breath, then stood up fully and leaned over me to look me in the face quizzically. I didn't want to move, but then managed to drape arms over his neck. "Thank you."

He smiled brightly. "That's a better look than before. Alright, now we can take you home!"

"I'm naked," I laughed.

"I'll take your clothes too."

I very, very much didn't want to protest, so I let him scoop me up and cover me with the long sleeves. It was strange to see myself almost dressed in red, so I snuggled closer.

"How fast will I be back?" I asked, suddenly drowsy. "I need to still dry them and get some sleep..."

"In the blink of an eye, love," he replied quietly, and surely enough in a while I felt the air flying by so fast it was a touchable force.

Despite circumstances - or maybe because of them - I felt pampered.