YoOoo thank you so much for ur patience...

What do y'all want next, To Run, or Fallen Honor??? Imma try and stick myself into a writing schedule, I heckin need it (but maybe not this week lul I'm gonna be visited by a certain potato-goddess :DD)

ANYWAY, EnJoy

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RECAP

          The warm feeling spread over him yet again, and his show of joy widened, revealing his teeth a little, before he wrapped himself in energy, vanishing to another place where he could admire these beautiful gifts alone.

          Perhaps...they wished him to stay longer...

          Hugging the bundle of food to his chest, the being squeezed his eyes shut, feeling as though he would burst with happiness.

          Yes...yes...he would stay longer...

END RECAP

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Saved From The Mountain

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          The being was now staying...very close.

        Jake would see him outside almost every morning now, just peeking into the window, never near the door. He seemed to be mostly checking up on Steve, but Jake would catch him staring at both him and the End creature on occasion. He was almost always wearing the warm cloak, fondling it as he watched them, and now he took and ate almost every bowl of food he was given, even waiting in plain sight as Jake delivered it outside on a little cloth.

          He was slowly, but surely, working his way into both Jake's and Steve's hearts, and slowly, but surely, beginning to trust them more.

          It was plain as day, this new trust. No longer would he startle at a sudden movement. No longer would he bolt if Jake stepped outside for firewood. Rather, he would watch them curiously, head tilting at their odd, joking behavior. Several times, Jake even found stacks of firewood outside, ready to be pulled in and used to heat the little cabin.

          Life...was rather good despite everything that had happened.

         Jake was healing rapidly, now hardly limping from the old arrow wound. Steve, however, wasn't mending as quickly, much to his disappointment. He was now rather grumpy, not surprising, considering he was being forced to remain in bed much of the time, leg elevated, wounded arm bound to his chest with gauze. At least he found amusement in petting the End creature and staring right back at the being whenever he showed up.

          Nearly a week after the storm, when the melting season was just beginning to show that it would come around, Jake found himself fixing a crutch for his friend, who was now practically demanding he be allowed to get up and give his numb back a break. Even now, Steve was going on and on about walking again.

          "...could have been helping cook by now too, but nooooo... Y'just threaten to strap me down if I suggest it. I mean of all things, strapping down a helpless, wounded man? Such cruelty—"

           "Steve, good Notch above, do you not see what I'm making?? Or did the fall blind you as well? And besides, the reason you were kept in bed was that yes, exactly, you were helpless."

         Steve huffed a little, glancing over as Jake wound thin twine around the crutch handle, "I still doubt you're going to let me up."

         "Trust me so little?"

         Steve huffed, "You're too overprotective..."

         "And for good reason. If you'd listened to me, you wouldn't be like..." Jake gestured to his prone form, "...this."

          "Mmh...fine." Steve grumbled, leaning back to look out the window again, jumping a little when the being appeared, "Huh, the little guy's back again."

          Jake glanced up, seeing Steve wave with his good hand, the being tilting his head, copying the motion with his own skinny arm a little. Steve flashed him a small smile, and their visitor seemed to relax a little more, gaze traveling over Steve's body, gaze lingering on his bandage, splinted leg, his bound arm. A little sadness passed over his face, eyebrows drawing together, mouth thinning a little.

        Almost...seeming like he wished Steve would heal quickly as well.

         However, when his blank eyes fastened on Jake, now standing and trying out the crutch, his face seemed to light up a little.

          "Smart little guy...looks like he knows what this is." Jake commented, making his way to Steve's bedside slowly, so as not to frighten the skittish being.

         "As atrocious as it looks, I'd be surprised if anyone did." Steve stuck out his arm for the crutch, smirking.

          His smile fell when Jake began to take it back, stick it in a chest, "Hey! I was kidding, it looks absolutely beautiful, now give it—"

          The hunter laughed, shutting the chest, and bringing the crutch over to Steve, taking the explorer's hand in his own. Steve gave a slight grunt as he was helped up, the End-creature chirping, skittering away as Steve swung his legs down. All the while, the being watched silently, with a tilted head.

          Jake tucked the crutch under Steve's arm, stepping away as the taller man took a deep breath, testing the tool a little, before he finally forced himself up, putting weight solely on his good leg.

          "How does it feel?" Jake murmured, making sure the crutch didn't show signs of bowing or strain.

          The miner gave him a soft chuckle, "Works great..." as he began taking little, inching steps across the floor, leaning heavily, limping. He wouldn't be fit for travel anytime soon but...the more he could be up and about, the less stiff and grumpy he'd be, hopefully.

          "Thanks, Jake...I don't say it enough."

         "Oh, save it, as soon as I take that thing away, you'll curse me all over again."

        "Don't you take my freedom away!!"

          "I made it—"

         The whole time they bickered, the little being watched silently, a little smile tilting up his thin lips. This feeling he got whenever these humans exhibited normal and...happy behavior...he didn't ever want to lose it. It was selfish, he knew, selfish to stay so near to them when he was so dangerous...but this feeling made him believe he would never be able to hurt them, even if his body took over. No...these humans...were something else. They didn't chase him, didn't spit and yell, didn't cower away into corners and scream. They treated him...like...

         ...like one of their own.

          And with his whole heart...he wanted to truly be one of their own.

~~~~~Three weeks later~~~~~

          "Steve, watch your step."

          "Yes, mother."

          "Don't you sass me."

          "Of course, mother."

          "Steve!!"

          "Yes, mo—"

         "I'm JAKE Steve! Quit with the whole 'mother' nonsense!"

         Steve's laughter echoed about the mountainside with infectious glee, soon enticing Jake to join in. The two friends were carefully making their way across a mountainside, Steve intent on at least walking to the pine tree Jake had found him under and back. The miner had been up at about as often as he could, and outside even more. The snow was just starting to melt, and the slush made it a bit harder for him to move and balance, but he was stubborn, insisting he had to be back to his full strength as soon as possible, lest he was driven mad. Jake tried to stick near him as much as possible without, as Steve called it, hovering too much.

          "Notch, my feet are freezing."

          "Are your boots soaked again, Steve."

        "...no."

           "Steve—"

         "It's not too far now!"

         The mountainside wasn't overly steep and was covered in glittering, slushy mounds of white. The trees, which had stopped their invasion on the mountain about three chunks downhill, had already begun to shed dripping white piles, which gave a soft poof sound as they slid and plopped off of branches, revealing deep green needles. Icicles dripped and shone like gleaming teeth in the sun, the drops making little freckled holes in the white below. Stretching out behind Steve and Jake were tracks that had a little brown earth showing through the bottom, as they weaved between trees and around giant, black rocks on the mountainside, down to the cabin.

         "C'cmon Jake, almost there!"

           "Steve slow down, you'll only strain yourself!"

         Not far behind the two was their little follower, silently shadowing them from the trees, watching with a pinched expression. These two were being awful loud in this place...and something told the being that it was not wise to do so...

         But how would he tell them to stop? They seemed so relaxed, unworried—

          Far above, the mountain rumbled, loose snow shifting at the top of the great, steep ridge, and it made the being's chest constrict a little, the breath leaving him. The two humans became quiet, also glancing at the mountaintop.

          And then a massive sheet of snow shifted, disturbing piles below it. Before the being could catch his breath again, the entire mountainside was sliding, moving, thundering down, down, down—

          ...right at the two humans cutting across it.

          The being saw them stiffen, saw the younger rush over to the taller, trying to drag him behind a small boulder...it would do nothing, they would be buried alive! Without another thought, the being had already shot forward, thick cloak flying out behind him as he gathered energy, appearing right beside them, grasping onto their arms.

          He could hear them shouting, as though through a wall, felt the taller grasp at his arm with a large hand, but nothing affected him. A roar as loud as this avalanche was going through his head, his only thought was to save them from this terrible fate. He didn't even stop to think if these humans would be affected by so far a jump—

          But he had to try.

          Just before a rushing wall of white drove into them, the being jerked both of the humans into his own energy, vanishing and reappearing near ten chunks away, right under an overhanging rock.

          They both gasped, their limbs giving out on them as they fell to the ground, the younger grasping at his head. The being himself felt a little winded from the suddenness, but...strangely, he was not as drained as he thought he'd be.

          So, he timidly backed away a step, bending down a little, to try and see the humans better. The younger was panting, hands on his head, while the elder was curled on his side, grasping at his leg.

         The being frowned, twisting at his cloak. Were they hurt? Did...his jump hurt them?

          Gingerly, he stretched a hand forward and touched the taller one's shoulder.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

          Jake's head was ringing, heartbeat thudding in his ears as leftover adrenaline raced through his blood. A throbbing ache pulsed through his forehead, he couldn't do much more than grasp at it, and a little warmth spread over his upper lip, down his chin.

          What...what had just happened??

          They had just been...walking, talking...then there was a rumble, and then the entire side of the mountain was crumbling, heading towards them...then a hand had grabbed his arm and when he'd turned to look...

          ...it had been that little, blank-eyed being.

          Jake coughed, groaning, bracing a hand on the ground. Steve was gasping beside him, he could hear it, and he was saying something...

          His head hurt...

          Steve, on the other hand, was suffering a cold ache in his broken leg and arm, head throbbing. In a shaky voice, he struggled to explain it to the being, now hovering over him, a hand stretched out, brushing Steve's shoulder, "N-no bud, it's f-fi-fine...j-jus' hurts buddy... N-Notch, did y'u get us o-outta there?"

          The being only blinked, Jake coughed beside him.

          "R-right...can't t-talk tha's fine. J-Jake...?"

          A little groan, "M-my head..."

          Jake turned a little, eyes a bit dazed, and Steve startled when he saw bright red streaming from the hunter's nose, "Jake, man, are you...?"

          "Head...hurts...b-but 'm fine. W-why's y'ur nose bleedin'?"

          Steve only frowned, reaching up a gloved hand to brush his upper lip, drawing it away and seeing a little smear of red.

          "Nether..."

          A little gasp caught both mens' attention, and then glanced over to see the being backing away a step, a heart-shatteringly guilty expression over his face.

          "Oh...h-hey bud w-we're fine, th-thank you for...saving us—"

          "Y-yeah we're all good, Notch above we'd have been dead ten times over if not f'r you, lil guy, i-it's alright."

          As though encouraged by their worried expressions, outstretched arms, the being halted, twisting his cloak, unsure. Steve relaxed a little, bracing his good arm on the ground as he breathed a sigh of relief.

          "Notch...w-we could have died so many times over..."

          Jake nodded his agreement, shifting to grasp at a little snow, press it to his forehead. A low, faraway rumble outside caught his attention, though it was fading. The avalanche seemed to be dying down for the time being... He shuddered, "Y-yeah... Seems like we owe him...a-a lot now."

          "Indeed..."

          "He needs a name..."

            Steve glanced up, a little frown crossing his face, "Aye...that he does...but m' head hurts too much t' think of one..."

          "Agreed..."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

          It wasn't long before the two managed to stagger to their feet, guided, even helped to balance by the timid being. He seemed to have to force himself to be able to allow their hands anywhere near him, fighting the fears still holding him back. However, thanks to him, the trio made it safely home, though both Jake and Steve nearly collapsed upon entering the little cabin.

          Seeing their obvious pain and weakness, the being quelled his fear, daring to close the door of their dwelling behind him, and make his way over to the fire, now burning low. Sticking his cold hand into the flames, he strengthened them with surprising ease. Taking wood and poking it into the fireplace, he thought absently how strange it was that he wasn't tired at all...

          Perhaps all that food was doing some good?

          A vlurping End-creature was soon beside him, examining his cloak. The being patted its head a little, glancing over as Jake groaned softly, trying to crawl his way to his bed, as Steve had already collapsed on his.

          Jake jumped a little when smaller, strong hands suddenly circled his bicep, helping him over to his bed of furs, laying him down. A small whisper of thanks left his lips before sleep overtook him, leaving him wholly vulnerable in this being's presence. In awe, the being stepped back, distractedly helping the taller one all the way into bed. He could hardly believe these two trusted him enough to fall asleep in his presence...it was truly incredible to witness.

          As soon as two blankets were haphazardly thrown over the two sleeping men, the being found himself...reluctant to leave. They would be unable to rise until the sun came up at least...

          ...he should probably at least stay and make sure they would make it through the night, right? And to make sure they could still rise the next day...else they might require more aid.

          Yes...it certainly made sense. He ought to stay at least until they proved they could rise in the morning, then he could leave.

          Settling down against one of the walls, rather near to the door, the being allowed the End-creature to toddle over, inspect him, and eventually demand a spot in his lap to lie down. He petted it with a quickly-warming hand, smiling a little at how...at peace he felt, in the presence of these humans. Before long, the end-creature was making a tiny, comforting, rumbly noise in the back of its throat the longer the being petted its velvet-scaled head.

          It was so warm here...but he couldn't fall asleep, that would be far too helpless a position, no matter how safe he felt...

          The moon soon rose on the little cabin, every occupant warm and asleep inside. The fire within crackled and danced, throwing warm light on the snow outside, while the moon bathed the rest of the cold scene with blue light, accompanied by its stars.

          All of the mountain's occupants were finally, blissfully, asleep.

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They are my babies, and they always shall be ok shush

They must always be happy

sO anyway, Fallen Honor or To Run?? 

Vote if you enjoyeddddd!!