Chapter 8

Red stared at the human Wolf. He slept close to the campfire, content with sleeping on the ground outside, on the dirt with no sleeping bag or pillow. "I'd feel more. . .like me," he had trailed off, unable to explain.

The teenager stared at him silently, blinking in quiet thought. Granny watched Red from across the fire, Jack keeping his eyes on Wolf, still suspicious. Twitchy stared aimlessly into the dancing tongues of flame.

"What now?" Red asked. "He can barely stand, let alone fight. What should we do Granny?"

"We should probably leave him here," Jack said instantly. "He can make it back to the HEA, right? Twitchy can go with him or something. He'd be fine."

"No!" Red snapped. She granted him a fierce glare. "Wolf is my partner, I'm not leaving him, no matter what form he's in." Red glanced back at Wolf, swearing she saw his pointed ear flick at her.

Yes, though Wolf was officially human, some of his wolf-like qualities remained. Several of his teeth were still sharp. His human-like ears curved upward to a point almost like elf ears. He still stood at the same height, though much more gangly now without the fur. The nails on his hands and toes were sharp too, a darker toned color than normal human nails.

Of course, his tail couldn't stay with him, the reason for his unbalance, and a good excuse Jack could use to let him stay behind.

Red sat close to Wolf, looking at him gently. Without thinking she reached forward, brushing her finger gingerly against his forehead, drawing some bangs out of his face. His eyes fluttered for a moment, showing a sliver of his golden eyes.

His eyes remained the same, not changed in any way, shape, or form.

Red felt content she could at least have that.

Granny watched Red's moment with Wolf. She sighed, "I don't know pumpkin. I could call headquarters, but I don't know if we could contact them, being so out of range."

Red nodded quietly, sighing.

Granny stood to her feet. "We can talk about this more in the morning. Red, go on and get some sleep."

"No, it's okay Granny. I'll take sentry duty tonight."

She nodded, not arguing. Jack reached for her, "Are you sure Red? I can stay up with you if you want." He touched her shoulder.

Red brushed his hand off softly, moving it away from his touch. "I'll be fine Jack. Don't worry. Get some rest. You too Twitchy."

The squirrel darted in to the boys' tent, with Jack following more uncertainly behind. Only when snores could be heard from both tents did Red let the tears fall from her eyes. She held back sobs, placing her hands over her face. Her breaths came in deeply, exiting her body shakily. Red stifled her cries, only letting the tears reveal her emotions.

The fire felt warm against her legs; she moved back slightly. Brushing her hands down her face, Red continued to cry softly, looking at Wolf, pity swimming in her eyes. Bringing her knees up close to her chest, Red placed her head on her arms.

Years seemed to pass as Red cried, lingering on the edge of silence. She didn't even hear the brush of clothes against ground as Wolf sat up, staring at her with blank eyes. He moved close to her, placing a large hand on her shoulder. "Red," he said softly, dark hair falling over his eyes; he blew them out of his face. "Why are you crying?"

Instantly embarrassed, Red wiped her eyes. "I'm not crying," she denied, voice catching. She looked distantly at her hands which held her knees.

Wolf furrowed his dark eyebrows down his head. He moves his hand up to touch her neck, rubbing it gently, moving the fabric of her hood against her skin. "Yes, you are. What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said stubbornly, her voice gaining in strength. "Nothing's wrong." She continued to stare at her knees, face blotchy from crying.

Wolf blinked hard, face forming into a frown. "Then why won't you look at me?"

"Because, it's dark out," she searched for an excuse. "No point in looking if I can't see you."

"Red."

"Shut up Wolf."

"Red, look at me."

The teenager pressed her lips together, staring in the flickering flames of orange, yellow and red. Closing her eyes, a few stray tears leaked out, trailing salty veins down her skin. She slowly shook her head.

Wolf moved closer to her. Reaching a hand to her face, he rubbed his thumb where the trail of tears were. "Red," he softened his voice. "Please, just look at me."

Her eyes opened. Surrendering herself, Red looked to his face. Innocently curious, familiar yellow eyes wide with concern reached towards her.

In all his years working with the HEA, Wolf never saw Red once cry, tear up, sob, or even give so much as a sniffle. Now she sat here in front of him sobbing. Yeah she cried over her parents the other night but that was a totally different ball game. This time she was crying over him.

The instant their eyes met, Red's blotchy orbs teared up again. Her face became a rich pink as it scrunched up, doing everything she could to keep back the tears. However they broke through, coming down in waterfalls. She looked away.

Wolf looked away from her as well back in to the flames. He looked over his smooth human skin, soft, not so much as a scar. He touched his soft human face, the gentle curve of his ears.

The once wolf leaned against Red, resting his head on her shoulder, eyes closed, listening to the sound of her heartbeat. "Tell me what's wrong," he crooned.

The sobs returned, shaking her body quietly. Curling underneath his arm, Red let his arms wrap over her, bringing her close. His face brushed against hers, her soft hair twining with his own. Her arms curled close to his chest, going up to his neck, pulling him closer.

"I'm so sorry," she whispered to him. "I'm so sorry."

Wolf closed his eyes, only pulling her closer.

Mary Poppins was (sniff) beautiful! x'3 watching plays make me go like FANFICTION INSPIRATION but because im so dedicated to this one, i'll work on it first xD

fluff is the dominant part of my mind; I can't help it. ^