Chapter XXXI: Comfort

When I trotted into the clearing I was called aside.
"Mira!" Frito called.
I dropped the hare I had caught and headed over to him, sitting down. "Yes?"
"I've been watching them," he said, nodding towards Rose and Fudge. "What do you think?"
"About their relationship?" I asked, twisting to look at the pair, who were talking over a meal at present. "I think they've got more in common than you assume they do."
"Really?" Frito asked. "What do you mean?"
"I don't think it's my place to tell you," I said, turning back to him. "I think if you really want to know you should ask them. But I don't know that Rose would be comfortable with that, considering her personality."
"Oh?"
"Around other wolves, males especially, she just tends to be... skittish," I explained. "Even with her own group she is sometimes. She only seems truly comfortable with Fudge, and sometimes Ember and I. But mostly just Fudge."
"Hm." Frito frowned, already deep in thought. "Thank you, Mira. You can go now."
With a nod I walked away and sat down next to Ember, who had arrived in camp only minutes ago.
"What was that about?" He asked, following my gaze to Rose and Fudge.
"I'm not sure," I muttered, frowning.

Rose

I laughed. "That's hilarious, Fudge."
He smiled, his eyes twinkling. "And then Frito ran out screaming his head off. He fell on his face."
"Oh my stars," I said quietly, trying to stifle my laughter but ultimately failing.
"Fudge, Rose?" A voice asked.
I turned to find Frito standing a few feet away, and I backed up immediately.
"Yes?" Fudge asked as Frito took a seat.
"I want to know why you're always together," he said. "It's not bad, I'm just purely curious."
Fudge glanced at me before looking at Frito again. "We have a lot in common, that's all."
"Like what?" He asked.
"Why should I tell you anything?" I retorted bravely. "It's not like you care."
Frito sighed, rolling his eyes. "Whatever. But mess with his heart and I'll hurt you."
I backed up a little, eyes wide as Frito turned and walked away.
"What was that for?" I murmured, turning back to Fudge.
He looked at me and shrugged. "You know what happened. Ever since Callie and Claire died, he's been awful protective of me."
I smiled. "My brother was like that too, when Baz was... killed."
"The pups look tired," he diverted, nodding to where they had sat down to rest and were nearly asleep.
"Yeah," I agreed quietly, getting to my feet and nudging Cora and Lily towards the den. They stumbled forward and I sighed, picking up Cora by the scruff. Fudge scooped up Lily, and followed me back to the den.
"You heading to sleep now?" Mira asked as we walked by.
I nodded.
"Good night!" She called.
I nodded again, ducking through the layer of vines. As Fudge pushed through behind me, I trotted over to my sleeping spot and plopped down, setting Cora next to me. Fudge gently placed Lily beside her sister before touching noses with me and walking back out of the den to sit guard with Ember.
Ever since Mira's mother and her followers attacked our camp, we've known our days are numbered until Ross launches an attack.
Mira has mentioned that back when she was the only wolf on this den, Ember would sit at the entrance every night and watch. And now he returned to guard duty, Fudge by his side.
They conversed in soft whispers as I drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

A/N:
Hello, there!
So today there'll probably be only this update, but I might get another one up, I don't know. It'll be a lot later this evening if I do, so.
As always, have a nice day, life, whatever you wanna call it.
Sincerely,
BlackpeltIsABoss