I yawned, barely able to keep my eyes open. My time was almost up. I had to wake Clockwork for her shift next.

    I got up and trotted around, scanning the darkness. Everything was still and silent, the only noises being the slight stirring of the branches and the whistle of the breeze in my ears. The air was cool and crisp. I could even see some frost here and there.

    After awhile of looking around I made my way back to camp, glancing at the glowing crescent moon resting in the dark sky.

   I gently nudged Clockwork, not wanting to scare her and cause a ruckus. She stirred, blinking her eyes open. She drowsily sat up, nodding to me.

    I released a sigh of exhaustion and curled up next to Jeff who laid in the roots beside me.

    I could hear Clockwork beginning to walk around, and soon I started to get pulled into sleep.

    That is, until Jeff sat bolt upright with a gasp. I jolted completely awake, instinctively shifting into a human from the small startle. Toby sat up as well, seeming quite aggravated to be disturbed.

    "W-what-" Toby began, only to be interrupted by a shout from Jeff. Toby jumped, alarmed.

    Jeff's eyes were wide with panic as he pressed his back against the tree, his chest moving up and down rapidly. His hands trembled violently.

   "Jeff?" I asked carefully. He whipped his head around to face me, recognition flashing in his eyes as he saw me.

    "(Y/N)!" Jeff said, running over to me. He put his hands on my shoulders, looking at my face and seeming extremely worried. My eyes widened at the sudden action.

    "J-Jeff?" Toby called, getting to his feet.

    "I heard yelling, what's going on?!" Clockwork panted, as if she had just been full out sprinting. Jeff released my shoulders, facing Toby and Clockwork. They began walking toward us, confusion written on both of their faces.

    "St-stop." Jeff warned, moving over in front of me and pulling his knife out. They both stopped in their tracks.

    "Jeff, what is wrong with you?" I said, putting my hand onto his shoulder.

    "Th-they're here! In-in the forest.." Jeff sputtered.

    "What do you even mean?" I asked, fear beginning to swirl in my gut.

    "We're not gonna hurt you." Clockwork stated, taking a small step toward. Jeff flinched, taking a step back and pushing me back with him.

    We stood like that for a minute, Clockwork and Toby trying to assure Jeff that they weren't enemies while I tried to piece everything together.

    All of the sudden, Jeff turned his back to Toby and Clockwork to face me. He dropped his knife and genuinely looked close to a breakdown.

    "(Y/N), don't leave.. promise me." Jeff said hoarsely, his eyes beginning to water as he stared me in the eye.

    "What?" I questioned, still trying to comprehend what was happening.

    "Promise me." he growled, but I could still tell he was holding in tears. He abruptly pushed me against the tree, causing me to gasp.

    "Jeff that's too much." Clockwork warned, stepping forward.

    Jeff ignored her, leveling his head with mine. My heart sped up dramatically, afraid of what he was going to do next.

    He opened his mouth to say something, but instead he just broke down and buried his head into the crook of my neck. My eyes widened, I had never seen him like this before. I could feel tears hitting my neck, causing shivers to run up my spine.

    Toby began to come forward to pull Jeff off, but I just gave him a look that said, "Let me handle this."

    "I promise.." I whispered, although I confused on what exactly I was promising. I didn't know what to do other than to just awkwardly pat his back in what I assumed was a soothing manner.

    He sat up straight, his breathing slowly beginning to calm. He was silent, still standing only inches away from me before collapsing to the ground with a thump.

    Dust flew up and settled once more, and I made sure Jeff was still breathing before shifting my gaze to Toby and Clockwork.

    "W-What j-j-just h-appened?" Toby asked, his eyes full of shock. Clockwork seemed quite speechless. Her eyebrows were scrunched together, obviously deep in thought.

    "I-I don't know.." I said, staring at his limp form. My hands trembled from the surprise and I had to calm my breathing a bit.

    "I-I'm s-so con-confused." Toby sighed, running his fingers through his hair.

    "I'm still caught up on when he said, 'They're here.'" Clockwork finally spoke, shaking her head slowly.

    "Yeah.. same here." I replied, sliding down and sitting onto the roots.

    "L-lets g-get s-some sleep a-and we'll as-ask J-Jeff in-in the m-morning." Toby said, "Wh-whoever wa-was pa-patrolling c-can con-continue."

    Clockwork glanced at Jeff a moment longer before walking off into the forest to finish patrolling.

    I shifted and curled up, pressing my ribcage against the bark of the tree. I stared at Jeff's form for awhile before my eyelids got heavy, and I finally drifted to sleep.

***

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