The world began to cool down as autumn settled over the world. Their time was split between the mines and stockpiling for winter. Grumpy learned quite a bit about canning and preserving, and he got to spend a lot of time in the garden and the forest. Out of all the others, he excelled at catching small game like rabbit and squirrel, though bigger game was usually caught by Sneezy and Doc. The cozy days grew shorter and they spent their evenings by the fire, talking and telling stories.

Things were not very well, though, between Grumpy and Sneezy. They were still snapping at each other like dogs with a bone, and as Grumpy got more comfortable in the family, Sneezy became even more fiercely protective of his brothers. It seemed to Grumpy that anything and everything he did was wrong in Sneezy's eyes, and he was starting to get tired of the fighting. He could fight long and hard if he wanted to, and that had gotten him far. But he didn't really want to fight with Sneezy. He wanted acceptance from all the brothers, and Sneezy was the last one holding out. He already hated himself without Sneezy's help, and his snide comments were digging deeper and causing more damage the longer he stayed. It was beginning to take its toll on Grumpy, and he found his thoughts constantly wandering toward leaving just to get rid of the hassle.

One chilly evening, he was outside checking on the meat they were smoking for the winter when Sneezy came over. Grumpy glanced at him and saw a glint that meant pain was coming. He didn't want it. He had to get through to him.

"Whachoo think 'bout these?" he asked before Sneezy could talk.

Sneezy blinked then approached, studying the meat. "Couple more days."

"Mm." Grumpy took a deep breath, the sweet smell of hickory chips wafting from the smoker. "What've I done wrong?"

Sneezy turned to appraise him, crossing his arms. "Whaddya mean?"

"I musta done sommit wrong."

Sneezy shrugged. "Guilty conscience?" he sneered.

"Then why don'tcha want me here?" Grumpy asked.

Sneezy glared at him. "Our family's been through hell. First we lost a brother then our parents were killed. We been through enough without you bringing yer trouble inta it. Cuz yer trouble, ain't ya?"

Grumpy flinched and looked down, hunching over and grabbing his arm as he bit his lip. Sneezy nodded.

"I knew it. And let me tell ya, we don't need more. If ya gots any sense, if ya care fer any of us, you'll leave."

Grumpy stayed very still as Sneezy turned and went into the cottage. He stood by the warm smoker and thought about all he'd been through before he'd come there. Thieving, running for his life, fighting and so much more ran through his mind. And he knew what Sneezy said was true. They didn't need his trouble. They were honest and hardworking and deserved far better than him. He was only a thief, and that was all he'd ever be. So he'd better get back to the only job he deserved.

In a daze, he walked inside and ignored Happy's shout that dinner was almost ready. In the bedroom, he gathered a few belongings and packed them, hiding the pack under the pile of clean clothes. Then he got ready for bed. He wasn't hungry, and he slipped into the straw tick, staring at the wall as Doc came to the door.

"Everything okay?"

Grumpy muttered something about not feeling well. Doc came over and touched his forehead.

"Perhaps you're catching a bold, um, cold. Sneezy gets those at least twice a year. Do you bead, erm, need anything?"

Grumpy shook his head and lay in a numb stupor, his past crimes and all his indiscretions clear and painful as he relived them in vivid detail. Time passed and the brothers came in and got ready for bed. Grumpy pretended to be asleep. Eventually there were the soft snores and murmurs that indicated they were sleeping. Grumpy waited until he was sure they were out then got up and got dressed in the dark and grabbed his pack. Using magic, he silently left the room and went downstairs. He packed food and filled his canteen then looked up at the bedroom. It was for the best, he knew that. They didn't need him. They never would. And Sneezy was the only one to see it.

Grumpy pulled the door open and walked into the chilly night, closing it gently behind him. Then he picked up a lantern, struck a match to light it, and headed for the western forest. He took one last look at the cottage, so homey and friendly even at night, then he turned and walked into the woods.

The next morning, Doc awoke to see Grumpy was not in bed, but at first he thought he was downstairs. So he went downstairs to find the house cold and the fire not lit. The first twinge of nerves came then. The first up always stoked up the fire and started to boil water for coffee. He stoked up the fire, his eyes going to the door every few seconds to see if Grumpy was coming in from checking the meat. After ten minutes, he pulled his boots on and hurried outside. He wasn't near the smoker. He hurried back to the garden. No Grumpy. Panic began to set in and he turned to run into the house. The others were up, and they turned to blink at him as he came in.

"Doc?" Bashful asked, alarmed at the frantic look in his brother's eyes. "What's wrong?"

"I can't bind, ah, find Grumpy," he said, trying to keep calm. "Did he say anything about checking his naps, um, traps?"

Sneezy was shocked at the news, and he sat back as everybody else began to frown and look worried.

"Mebbe he went out ta check 'em…" Happy said, setting aside the pan he'd pulled out of the sink to wash.

"Why wouldn't he tell us?" Sleepy asked, looking wide awake.

Doc shook his head. "I don't know."

"Garden?" Bashful asked hopefully.

Doc shook his head and looked nervous then his eyes fell on the cupboard.

"We made bread yesterday," he said faintly.

They all looked and there were two loaves missing.

"No," Doc croaked. Then he bolted upstairs. There was a horrible cry after a minute. "His pack's gone!"

"He left?!" Happy asked, horrified.

"Why would he do that?" Sleepy demanded.

As the others chattered and fretted, Bashful was staring at Sneezy, and he saw the guilty expression flash across his face.

"What did you say ta him?" he asked evenly. His icy voice carried throughout the room, and the others went quiet.

Everybody turned to see Sneezy's flushed face full of guilt and shame. He shook his head and didn't answer.

"How could ya do this?" Bashful demanded, stomping over to glare at him. "How could ya hate him that much?"

"Our family don't need more heartache," Sneezy said weakly. "An' he admitted he was trouble…"

"So what did ya tell him?" Bashful asked, leaning forward.

Sneezy muttered softly, and Bashful's face twisted at the reply. He stood up, glaring at his brother. "Mebbe you shoulda gone instead," he said coldly. "Cuz yer more trouble than yer worth."

Sneezy flinched as the brothers began to talk about what they should do, ignoring him as they fretted. Sneezy looked at each face and realized that he'd done what he'd accused Grumpy of. He was tearing their hearts out. They loved Grumpy, and he had made him feel terrible enough to leave. And his words from the night before came to him.

"If ya care fer any of us, you'll leave."

And then Grumpy had left. Because he cared. Panic erupted inside Sneezy, and he hurried upstairs to get dressed. He had to find him. If he didn't, nothing would ever be right again. His brothers were still arguing in a panic as he pulled his boots on and grabbed his cap, tying it tightly under his chin then burst into the yard. He scanned the ground, looking for any sign of footprints. After five minutes, he caught one. Without another word, he bolted into the woods, his tracking skills suddenly the most important thing he had.

Time slipped through his fingers and the morning quickly turned into afternoon as he tracked Grumpy in a straight line for miles. How had he traveled so far in less than a day? Sneezy was impressed by how hardy Grumpy was, but that apparent fact also dismayed him. How was he supposed to find him, to catch up to him when he was so quick?

The sun was setting when Sneezy realized how stupid he was. He had nothing to keep him warm, nothing to make a fire, nothing to make tools. Still, he decided to follow the tracks. Maybe if he could find Grumpy, he would be okay. As dusk began to settle around him, he realized that it was going to get very cold indeed that night. And he began to be afraid.

Sneezy finally stopped when there was no light, shivering and terrified. He was alone in the woods. With no tools, no fire, and no help. And in the distance he could hear wolves. He sat down against a tree and huddled there in his jacket, which wasn't nearly enough protection against the crisp wind. Time ticked on, and he stood up and jogged around to stay warm, his focus now on surviving until morning.

Whether minutes or hours later, Sneezy couldn't tell, but he began to hear noises around him in the dark underbrush, like animals prowling around. He swallowed and pressed against the tree, afraid. The noises got closer, and he heard a soft growl. He swatted at it and there was a yelp. Then there was a much louder growl. He gave a wild yell and bolted, no longer caring about anything but getting away. He ran for his life and could hear something behind him. Sharp teeth dug into his leg and he howled and went down, skidding into a tree with enough force to make him see stars. He could see glinting eyes, and he knew he wouldn't survive.

Suddenly, light blinded him, and he flinched. In front of him stood a mother wolf with pups, and she cringed away from the light, guiding the pups away until they disappeared into the darkness. Sneezy found himself staring up at a flabbergasted Grumpy, who was holding a lantern.

"What in tarnation is you doin' here?" he asked.

Sneezy gave a mighty sneeze and shivered. Grumpy scanned him up and down then grunted and held out his hand. Sneezy took it, and it was startling how warm it was. Grumpy frowned and tugged him up then supported him.

"Can ya walk if'n I help ya?"

Sneezy nodded, his teeth chattering as Grumpy led him, step by limping step, into the forest. Not too far was a small camp with a fire in the middle, and Sneezy fell beside it gratefully, holding his trembling fingers in front of the flames.

Grumpy was digging around in his pack and pulled out a flask and a few strips of cloth. Then he walked over and knelt in front of Sneezy. Without a word, he pulled off his boot to find a lot of blood oozing from a set of teeth marks in his lower calf. He rolled up Sneezy's pant leg and went to work.

Whatever was in the flask burned like fire on the wounds, and Sneezy gave a shaky cry, trying to pull away. But Grumpy held on.

"Stay still, ijit," Grumpy barked.

Sneezy tried, but he was still so cold. With deft fingers, Grumpy wrapped up his ankle and tucked the bandages in.

"There. Now take a drink," he ordered, shoving the flask into his hands.

Sneezy obeyed, and he coughed as the liquor burned a path down his throat and settled in his stomach. Instantly a flush of warmth filled him, and he swallowed, getting as close to the fire as he could. Why was he so cold? Why wasn't he shivering…? Grumpy was moving around, but Sneezy didn't care until a canteen was placed in his hands after the flask was taken away.

"Drink."

Again he obeyed. Then the canteen was replaced with bread.

"Eat it."

Sneezy managed to get it down despite his fingers not working properly as Grumpy unrolled a bedroll near the fire.

"C'mere."

Sneezy obeyed and was startled and confused when Grumpy began to undress him.

"What're ya doin'?" Sneezy asked, feeling sluggish.

"Shuddup."

When he wore nothing but his underwear, Grumpy shoved him into the bedroll then stripped himself down to his own undergarments and got in beside him.

"What—?"

"Shuddup and go ta sleep," Grumpy grumbled.

Sneezy was confused and so tired that he couldn't think straight, but Grumpy was so very warm. And sleep dragged him under before he could even try to resist.