Tamer's eyes burst from troubled intervals of sleep numerous times during the night, nonetheless relieved to find Winter's sleeping face dimly lit by a panel of moonlight. While it was still dark, he could stay in this little bubble with her forever and continue to drown away all his anxiety in her lips.

Huddling Winter to his chest, her warmth lulled him to sleep again. He slipped in and out of dreams about their past together like his whole life was flashing before his eyes before the final battle.

His sleeves were shabby and oversized, but at the very least they provided an extra layer of warmth as he folded them like mittens over his fingers. Pressing his reddened fingers against the ice-cold glass, Tamer did as he did every day about this time: Watch the little girl with the bouncing black curls and the glowing white dress play by herself amongst the crowd.

Recently, he'd found himself even anticipating her arrival for some reason. He shot a tepid glance over his shoulder to make sure his Father was still knocked out cold before pressing his nose against the glass - he really shouldn't have been out where people might see him, but whenever he watched her play with that little white wolf toy, he'd find himself strangely at ease. Always, his eyes would linger with such intense interest at how she huddled it so fondly against her chest. She loved and cared for that thing like it was a real pup. It burned a warm sensation within him in the bitter cold, like kindling a flame that gave him the strength to push on. His Father always hated wolves and so did the rest of the villagers -- they had even killed his mother for being one. He wondered why she seemed to like them so much. It made him wonder if there were other humans who liked wolves. Maybe humans that liked him.

Tamer's overgrown hair flopped over his eyes. He swept the unkempt strands away; he couldn't say what was so engaging about watching her pretend to brush a toy, but he found himself mesmerised by the gentle care with which she treated the wolf. Almost soothed, like the slow movements of her tiny hands back and forth was a visual lullaby.

A strangely bitter scowl soured his face as she pretended to feed it. That optimistic warmth was sucked inward to the black hole in his stomach. He couldn't watch anymore, wrapping his hands around his stomach.

There was a smash. Face paling, Tamer lurched with fright. He ducked down with his head clutched in his hands, but nothing reached his direction. His father's snores turned into a groan. Heart racing, Tamer looked up; the bottle of alcohol in his Father's hand had smashed to the floor, but somehow, the picture of his mother remained loosely grasped in his the other.

His footsteps were tentative, but he couldn't stand much more.

"Father," Tamer whispered, seizing the opportunity while he was awake. He gently edged closer, nudging him. "I'm hungry."

His father grumbled. "Go away, Tamer," he rasped.

"But..."

"You're an animal, aren't you!" he snapped. Eyes growing heavy and voice turning into a slur, he started drifting back to sleep."Make yourself useful and go learn to hunt or something."

Tamer's eyes flickered towards the door.

But if they find out I'm a wolf, they'll...

He stared at the door for a long time until his stomach growled. That girl was still out there. If he pretended to hunt perhaps he would be allowed to feel the fresh air on his skin for once.

Eventually, his hunger propelled him forward over the dreadful anxiety that held him back. He reckoned he was still small and skinny enough that he could pass as a stray dog. He edged towards the door, hiding behind the frame before shifting in a burst of light.

It had been a while since he felt the pure, energising rush of sunlight against his skin. The crisp scent of fresh air billowing through his fur. Tamer lowered his ears, tail swishing lowly back and forth as he made his way to the girl.

Her eyes lit up mid-bite of her sandwich.

"Puppy?!" she squealed as Tamer very politely sat before her. Tamer absent-mindedly started wagging his tail at the excitement in her voice - it was unusual for him to be greeted with such enthusiasm.

She glanced at her plushie."Ah, you look just like...!"

Ears perking up, Tamer stared at that sandwich with the intensity of a thousand suns. The little girl noticed his stare. Eyes shifting around for what he presumed was her mother's gaze, she handed him a piece. He took it very gently, but couldn't really help but swallow it in one gulp anyway.

She didn't have anything else. It didn't do much to fill the hole in his stomach, but he appreciated it anyway.

He could see the little girl wanted more of his attention. She spread her palms, and Tamer gave them a little sniff. In her eagerness, she moved her hand towards him rather quickly; instinctively, Tamer cowered; what little contact he had with others - well, he couldn't say it was a pleasant sensation. She backed away, just sitting with her arm extended. Eventually, Tamer was lured back in by the scent of food on her fingers, giving them a little lick.

Making sure to go slower this time, she smoothed the flat of her hand over the top of his head. Tamer froze. He'd never been touched so kindly before. He felt as though he was melting for a moment as she smoothed his ear between two fingertips.

Tilting his head, Tamer groaned as he rested his head on her knees. His eyes dropped as she started to brush him. He hadn't had someone take care of him like this since his mother had died. Strangely, when she touched him, not a single thought of his father gnawed at his mind. The gentle strokes of her hand were almost hypnotic, and he focused on them so intently until he eventually found himself curling up into a ball.

His eyelids grew heavy. Finding this one girl who liked him as a wolf gave him hope he could find someone who loved him as a human too.

As the wolf drifted into darkness, Tamer awoke in his human form, staring up at the ceiling. All he could think was how obscenely sad it was that as an animal, he'd found more love and care than he'd ever had as a person.

It was only a matter of time before he'd started following her home. Until he felt like he had a second home - no, an actual home where he felt safe and secure.

But of course...

He'd jolted awake one day at the sound of a crash and a shriek. Immediately, his head jolted up from Winter's lap, finding the living room was in disarray, the table flipped upside down with its contents spilled over the place. Her mother was screaming. Tail stuck between his legs, his body shivered.

"Mother?" Winter whispered.

"Winter, go away!" her mother wailed. Her voice wavered as Winter stood up, staring. "Don't look at me!"

Winter stood still. "What's..?."

"I said leave!" she bellowed. A random book she flung came rather close to Winter's direction. It missed her by a fair bit, but Tamer responded instinctively. Without thinking, a growl formed in his throat. He instantly regretted what he'd done as her mother narrowed her eyes at him.

"That's it!" she howled. "I'm sick of that stupid fucking dog always eating our food! Come on, out!"

She clicked her fingers and Tamer hesitated, glancing at Winter.

"I said out!" her mother snapped, picking Tamer up by the scruff of his neck.

"Mother!" Winter cried, chasing after her.

The woman nearly ripped the door from its hinges. Before he knew it, he'd been thrown out onto the cold hard doorstep, turning just quick enough to catch Winter's horrified face as her mother slammed the door shut without even a second glance.

***

The rain lashed down upon his fur, making him look like some sort of drowned rat. Despite his shivers, he kept on stalking, the scent of rain and wet foliage clouding his nostrils like steam.

Through the frozen blades of grass, the bird pecked at the ground, oblivious. Several weeks had passed; he'd spent most of his time practising hunting while Winter left him scraps on the doorstep. His father hadn't really been conscious but hadn't bothered him most days as long as he was trying to be useful and earn his keep.

Useful, useful, useful. He drummed it into his head, knowing he couldn't afford to miss this kill. He was afraid to even blink. He knew if he ran too soon, all would be lost. It had happened so many times before, but now as the nights grew colder, finally he was starting to get closer and closer, to the point he could almost taste the meat in his mouth.

The bird's head twisted. Immediately, he broke into a run as it flapped its wings. It lifted off the ground, but somehow, Tamer had timed his jump before it did; his back legs sprung off the ground and he caught it midair, teeth puncturing the animal's neck like a snare.

Blood wet his mouth like a flowing river as he came crashing to the ground. He froze with the realisation that he'd actually just killed something. Then, he started wagging his tail uncontrollably as he realised that he'd finally done it; all those weeks out in the rain had finally paid off. Finally, he could be useful.

After prancing around in a circle, he raced faster through the forest than when he'd been chasing the thing - screw his Father, he was going to confidently leave this dead bird on her doorstep.

He skidded to a halt when an interesting smell caught his nose. He stopped, feeling he had earned the right to investigate. Whirling around, shoved his nose into the ground without even a second thought. The scent of a mammal prickled his nose.

He froze instantly. Recent. Very, very recent; only moments before.

There was a trail of bear tracks littered through the dirt.

Wait, isn't that a bit close too...?

Tamer's heart dropped like a boulder into his stomach.

The food Winter had been leaving out on the doorstep.

He bolted, not even questioning why a bear would be awake at this time; the forest immediately distorted into a whir of colour around him. The sound of his legs pounding through the earth seemed to be drumming in sync with his heartbeat, moving so fast the bottom of his feet started to feel like they were bleeding.

No, no, no, he pleaded, scrunching his eyes shut as if dreading the sight before him, Please don't let this be my fault, please don't let this be my fault.

His Father was right - he should have never left that house. He was just a problem wherever he went. Even if he hadn't killed her directly, he'd already left a trail of death behind him.

As he leaped over a fallen tree, his body seemed to momentarily soar. A sense of numbness smothered him like his soul had left his body - he wouldn't be surprised if he'd moved faster than it could follow and it was still stuck in the bushes somewhere behind.

The sunlight flared before his eyes as he sprinted to the clearing. Vaguely, he could see claw marks around the door that had been torn of its hinges. He doubted he could stop running now even if he wanted too; as a scream pierced the air around him, adrenalin ignited all his aching muscles into overdrive.

He sprinted through the door and into the hallway, finding the beast edging towards the kitchen. He caught sight of Winter and her mother cowered in the corner, but his body had moved faster than he could really process it. Bounding the final distance as Winter uttered a horrified scream, he clamped his jaws down on the beast's shoulders with all his might.

The animal howled, instantly rearing on its hind legs. Sinking his claws into its hide, Tamer bit down harder and shook his head. The glass shelves instantly shattered as the beast slammed him into them. Even he'd never felt pain like this before; the impact blacked his vision as blades pierced his skin, but, somehow, he managed to maintain his grip, smothering his howl of agony into the animal's flesh.

Or he held the first few times anyway -- his skull was literally getting hammered against the wall. The earth was rumbling as the darkness gnawing at his vision bled in ever deeper. He had to lead it away. He couldn't keep this up.

Dropping to the ground, the beast had some difficulty turning in the narrow hallway. He used the opportunity to snap at the it's ankles. Summoning strength he never knew he had, he ripped the ground out from underneath it and attempted to drag it out the house.

That force was difficult to maintain. While he was a Lupine, he was still a child. The wolf wasn't great at using strength other than its jaw -- he scrunched his eyes at the sheer toll of the weight of this animal armoured up in Winter fat, feeling his knees buckle after not too long.

In the moment his legs gave way, it managed to raise itself off the ground, kicking frantically. Tamer was forced to let go -- he was insanely worried it might trip and fall on top of him as he danced through its legs to safety.

He hadn't even realised its foot had caught him until blood painted his vision. He retreated, frantically seeking inspiration from his surroundings as it towered over him with a mighty bellow.

It was then he saw the dead bird in the corner of his eye. He didn't even recall dropping it, but he was really glad he'd taken it with him now. Snapping it up in his jaw, he danced about with it while the creature lunged at him, hoping to lead it away from the house.

He raced forward before turning and shaking it's feathers every now and again to make sure it was still following. Angered and presumably hungry, the bear bolted after. Tamer managed to lead it out into the woods despite only narrowly dodging numerous slashes.

While he didn't feel it now, he knew his hunger would lead him to fall soon. He had to get it away sooner rather than later.

Shifting into his human form, he threw the carcass into the distance as far as he could. Then, reverting back to a wolf, he used his more lithe and nimble body to clear the myriad of fallen trees after the recent storm like an obstacle course. The bear fumbled behind him.

It gave up as he sprinted ahead of it, chasing the carcass instead.

He didn't stop running though. Strangely, he didn't feel tired one bit. A sense of thrill ignited his worn body as he realised the two of them should have had time to escape.

He collapsed. Chest heaving, he rolled onto his back, staring up at the golden sky above him.

Blood was oozing out of countless wounds, but for now, he felt nothing. No pain, nor even his usual state of anxiety -- all there was pure elation and an electric sense of thrill fuelled by a voraciously beating heart.

"I... did it," he gasped, knowing too well it was his fault but allowing himself this little victory anyway. "I saved her, I saved her...!"

He uttered a nervous laugh that exploded into a full-grown grin. As fluttery kind of giggles escaped him, before he knew it, ecstatic tears were rolling down his cheeks. He curled up into a ball, half rolling about the place giddily with such immense relief. He couldn't recall ever feeling so elated in his life. Sitting up, a vain of golden light ran through his eyes as he stared up fondly at the sky above him. A rainbow had formed.

Finally, he'd been of use. The boy who'd sat hidden in that house all his life. The boy who wasn't allowed to exist -- finally, he had proof that he did exist. And he'd succeeded in doing the very opposite of what he was told he'd do all his life: he'd saved someone instead of killing them, finding a noble use for his strength.

It was thrilling. He could get used to this sensation. Having never known love himself, finally he'd found a form of love that was easy for him to express.

Finally, he'd earned his right to existence.

****

He had been preparing himself for daylight with erratic bursts open of his eyelids for several hours now, but that didn't stop his stomach from plummeting as he finally saw the sunlight creeping in. It bathed her skin with a deep orange, leaving last night like a pleasure hazed dream exposed in the clarity of daylight. The reason his heart was beating so fast was unclear -- whether it was love, or instead anxiety making it batter. Winter's long black curls were in disarray over her face. He soothed it off her face and gently kissed her forehead, a moment of calm dispersing at the soft touch of her skin against his lips. Lips tightening, he clutched her body as close as he could without waking her. Her body felt so warm, comforting to hold, the bedsheets so soft like some secure sanctuary.

He wondered how he was ever supposed to leave this bed with her.

Dread was rising quickly like black water up his waist. He had to move. There was no choice -- she couldn't see him like this. Very carefully, he slipped out of her arms, drawing his attention to the sight of the sun rising over the horizon.

Out of all the things they'd encountered, after all the fights still to come, the signal of the day turning was what he'd been dreading the most. The startling light burned his eyes. Such a sense of anxiety eclipsed him that he didn't even remember to blink. A hiccup of noise escaped him before he smothered it with a tight zipping of his lips. He tried to bury it deep back inside with a gulp, but it just lingered deeper inside as a psychically painful knotting of his chest.

He just couldn't imagine a life without Winter. She was the very one who'd given him a family and a home when there was none. The very one who'd hold him in her arms and wipe his tears and kept him feeling safe, even while the bruises aching on his skin confirmed anything but.

The sunlight distorted and bled in liked fire burning his eyes. It ticked away like sand through an hourglass. A choking noise escaped him as his vision doubled, fingers rigid as they dug into his chest. It felt as though his ribcage was constricting his lungs like a snake. Suddenly, he couldn't breathe.

He didn't even know if he'd still be alive if she hadn't fed him. What was he going to do if he lost her?

Much to his horror, a pained whimper of noise escaped Winter.

You're hurting her.

Instantly, he smashed his knuckles into his mouth and chewed on them to try and smother away his cries, but all he did was further starve himself of oxygen.

You're hurting her.

Eyes bulging, he began to turn. He wasn't strong enough to face her, but just like everything else, he forced himself anyway -- for her sake.

His heart seized all movement as he realised that she was awake. Bent double. One eye shut as she clutched her own heart.

No sound came out bar a few garbled croaks as he shook his head. A sense of shame burned within him as her teary eyes met his own. They frothed and blurred his vision like acid; he couldn't bare to let her see him like this -- the further he tried to hide it, the harder it got.

The moment the first tear escaped him, it was already too late.

Tamer wailed. He hadn't realised just how much he'd been bottling up until it all came flooding out of him.

He cried her name aloud, coming crashing forward as if begging for forgiveness and burying his shameful tears in his arms.

Winter lunged forward. She grabbed him like she had suddenly caught him diving from a high place. It was a while since she'd held himself like this. As Tamer got bigger and he was eating better situations between him and his father started happening less frequently, as well as the fact that he had more places to retreat to and more cruxes to rely on.

The last time he'd wanted to retreat to her arms like this he was bound in chains and being told to kill his one release on the night of their wedding.

Tamer wretched for air. "I-I..." He gulped, voice cracking, "I'm so s-sor..."

"It's okay," Winter assured quickly, absolutely no hesitation in her actions even though she was hurting as bad as he. She rested his head against her chest, accustomed in knowing not to further starve him of oxygen, but he could feel the her nails digging into his skin as if resisting the urge to squeeze him with every ounce of strength in her body. "I'm here, I've got you. Look. Listen. Just like this. In." She took a deep breath, holding for a second before slowly breathing out. "And out."

Tamer tried his best to mimic, spluttering instead."I'm sorry, Winter."

"What are you apologising for?" she asked, body shaking but voice gentle. "You don't need to talk. Just breathe. Like this. You hear that?" She referred to the sound of her breaths, huddling him tighter to the warmth of her breast as she began slowly combing her fingers through his hair. "Focus on my sounds. My sensations. I'm here for you. Don't forget it."

Tamer indulged himself, focusing on the soft sensation of her warm skin and the rhythmic lullaby of her heartbeat.

Hot tears slipped from his eyes as he realised he rested against her chest with his hair being brushed like she once held that wolf toy, the one he used to dream was him. It never immersed him any less when he was watching it be cared for or being cared for himself.

His teeth gnashed."I just wanted to look strong so you could feel safe in depending on me," he croaked. "But how can I make you feel confident in my ability if I'm clearly doubting myself?" He gave a quiet sob, brushing his cheek against her chest. "I just want you to feel as safe and secure as you've always made me feel, Winter!"

Winter grabbed his face, forcing him to look at her. His face burned with shame at her seeing him cry, yet she kindly ran her thumbs across his tears. The warmth shining through those tears in her eyes was like sunlight over clear, warm water.

"It's okay to cry, Tamer," she said smiling as tears ran down her own cheeks. "Look. I'm scared of losing you and I'm scared of hurting you too. But I can't stand the idea of you bearing my burden alone. That's part of the reason why I slept with you."

Tamer shook his head. "Making the world a safe and secure place for you isn't a burden to me," he whispered. "It's just what I'm supposed to do." His chest was warm but there was a grimace on his face. "I wanted you to be safe, but now I'm the one causing you pain."

"Tamer... I was afraid that if we didn't sleep together, you'd be so focused on me that you wouldn't take care of yourself. I'm... sorry if that put more pressure on you. I was caught up in the moment and didn't really think that through." She spluttered."I'd be hurting if you were hurting anyway. I just want you to love yourself as much as I love you, you know? I don't care what happens. I won't regret my decision to make sure you're never alone hurting again."

Tamer nodded, tears trickling down his face.

They sat in silence for quite some time, not needing any more than the touch of the other, and Tamer found the storm steadily began to subside.

"Hey," Winter whispered brightly as if distracting a child with a treat. "Shall I go get Lorelei?"

Tamer looked up. Without hesitation, he nodded eagerly.

Lorelei. Lorelei.

Come to think of it, he never had a single bad nor stressful memory with Lorelei. Unfortunately, there was a lot with Winter, but that wasn't really her fault.

Tamer gave a breath of relief just from hearing the name. His eyelids grew heavy, suddenly completely at ease. He could rest so long as he was there.

"Tamer?" Winter asked as a warm kind of content flowed through him. There was a deep frown on her face, but he was already drifting away before a sense of panic could kick in.

Winter kissed his forehead and he found himself drifting off into a much-needed rest. "You're... Full of surprises aren't you?" she whispered, a worried expression on her face.

****

There was a knock at the door, fast, repeated - almost a bombardment of sound.

"Tamer!" Lorelei battered at the door as if having some sixth sense for Tamer's sadness. "I'm here, Tamer. By so god, let me in!"

"Ah, Lorelei, Lorelei," Winter whispered, urgently hushing him with a shake of her head."You can come in, but..." Lorelei burst through the door, looking like he was about to leap into bed with them before hesitating with a panic-stricken jog before the threshold."... It's fine you can -- "

"Oh thank you very much, Winter," Lorelei said immediately getting into bed with them.

"Tamer... had a breakdown then fell asleep on my chest," Winter said.

"Yes, that does sound like something Tamer would do," Lorelei sighed. He scowled. "Damn, I don't have anything that comfortable for him to rest his face on." His blond hair flew over his shoulder as he turned to Winter. "Shall I release them, Winter? Is that what Tamer needs right now? I'm not as comfortable, but it's for Tamer perhaps I can use some sort of spell -"

"Wh-whatever you're about to release if it requires moving Tamer then perhaps -"

"You're right, you're right," Lorelei cursed, touching his temples."Sorry, I am just so stressed, I am not thinking straight."

Lorelei inched closer to peer at Tamer's sleeping form, the fresh lines of tears still glistening in the sunlight. They sat silent for a moment.

"Truthfully, I'm almost... relieved this eventually happened," he murmured. "He's been bottling things up for a while now. It's not healthy, you know?"

Winter's chest deflated as she stared up at the ceiling. "Tamer doesn't really... express his feelings well. I'm guessing because of the way he was raised."

She could hear his tut of disdain while, delicately, she wiped Tamer's cheeks with the sleeve of her dress, recalling that feeling inside Tamer when she'd called Lorelei's name.

"He was really excited to see you, you know," she said, not realising she'd been smiling to herself at how nice that had felt for Tamer. "Tamer... really cares about you a lot. In ways that I know would make you really happy if you knew just how much."

Lorelei's eyes flickered away back and forth. "I-Is that so?"

Winter stared forward, forgetting to blink with a blank expression on her face. "He seemed to calm down a lot when he heard you were coming."

Lorelei twisted a lock of blond hair around his finger. "I'm happy... I think."

"You think?"

Wrinkles formed on his forehead. "I mean, you look a little troubled."

Winter's eyes flickered downward and Tamer's sleeping form. "I don't know what to make of it," she admitted quietly. "It was a vague and formless kind of warmth, like Tamer himself didn't know what to make of it. But it made me happy because it made him happy. I want Tamer to have more connections with people because well... I just can't be around forever. But you can be."

His eyelids grew heavier so his lashes framed his irises like the streams of sunlight filtering through the curtains. "Aww," he said with a laugh. Lorelei played with his hair. "It is true that with this body I can always promise you both that." There was a pause. "I think I know what you're talking about and I think Tamer's limited in how he can show he cares for me and that's where the confusion lies. For example, would you agree Tamer's way of showing love is providing a safe and secure place to call home?"

She nodded.

"Well, I don't really need that from him, so instead I just tried to mirror what he does for you. I think he goes to you to care for someone then comes to me when he wants to be cared for. He does that because he thinks relying on you will make you feel less safe relying on him. He's just dumb, Winter. He'll learn with time."

Winter stared before her. It was a really nice sensation though. She didn't really know what to say about it.

Lorelei wrapped his hands around his knees. As if reading her mind, Lorelei continued. "I think Tamer is a bit confused, Winter. He's abused, doesn't have many people who love him, and already defines love as safety and security, so if he feels secure around me, then..." He changed the subject. "The thing you have to understand though is he's already made his choice in who he wanted to share his soul with - that's not something that can be faked nor taken lightly. If he could truly love you then also have some sort of muddled feelings for me, then I imagine that would be painful enough for him to ignore it entirely. He doesn't want that, and to be frank, I don't want that for him either."

Winter frowned. I never mentioned I thought that he had a crush on you... She shook her head, assuming she was just being too anxious. "Painful?"

Lorelei ruffled his hair with an awkward laugh. "W-well, for starters he's calling me a guy, Winter. I never made that clear to him because of how their pack hierarchy works - other males might be threatening and he might just be flat disinterested in other women if he's already got a mate, so not clarifying if I was born a man or a woman made it easier to get closer to him, I believe. But from his perspective that might also raise questions about sexuality. But I believe the biggest issue is him being in love with two people in which case Tamer would be.. . a very unique wolf."

"How unique?"

"Winter, I..." Lorelei shook his head but no sound came out. "I've never seen that before. That's not to say other Lupine aren't like him, but if that's the case then they're..." Lorelei licked his lips. "Not being open about it for a reason."

She stared at him.

"Soul bonding is a sacred cultural phenomenon that's more intimate than marriage, Winter," Lorelei explained quietly. "A Lupine that is in love with another while being in that kind of relationship could very well be seen as an affront to that. I also can't help but wonder if you lived all your life as part of a strictly monogamous culture when you weren't if you feel like something was wrong with you." Lorelei glanced at Tamer then back to her with a bite of his lip. "Does... he think he's broken in some sort of way?"

Could all that really be going on for him without me knowing?

Winter froze, mouth slightly open as she stared at Tamer, silent for a long time. Lorelei seemed to have thought about this before. She couldn't help but wonder if he knew something that she didn't.

Lorelei gave a sympathetic nod. "But do you understand why he won't ever acknowledge this about himself?"

She nodded, fingers tore through her bangs. "What can I do to help him?"

"Just keep doing what you're doing, Winter. Love him, but support him should he ever want to talk about something."

"Lorelei, do you love him?"

Lorelei released a small breath. Grimacing, he wrapped his hands around his knees. "I don't think I'm capable of pretending I don't love Tamer, Winter. But I also don't think Tamer gets anything more out of a romantic relationship than our current one but confusion and possible hurt." He sighed, voice growing silent. "I don't want Tamer to have to deal with that bullshit, Winter."

Lorelei looked really upset. Winter wrapped an arm around him while he rested his head on her shoulder, sinking in a sorrowful state. She didn't know why she felt so nervous.

"C-come on..."

Before another word could be said, Tamer emitted a groan.

"Lorelei?" he mumbled despite looking half asleep, rubbing his eye. Lorelei's face paled, presumably at the specific timing of that. Tamer frowned, sitting upward."What's wrong?"

Lorelei inched away from him. He took a deep breath, clenching his eyes tightly shut; Winter could sense the sheer effort and determination it took for him to force a smile just so Tamer could wake up to one.

"Good morning, Tamer," Lorelei whispered, beaming. Tamer blinked before a steady smile consumed his face. "You doing okay?"

"M-mm," Tamer mumbled, eyes shying away while he rubbed his neck. Resting his back between the two of them, he leaned into Winter with a wary shift of his eyes in Lorelei's direction.

Lorelei changed the subject briskly.

"Tamer, I was just saying to Winter; I'm going to fight Red for you tonight."

An astonished expression consumed Tamer's face. "What are you saying!" he demanded; his tone was sharp, yet quaking at the same time. "You can't fight!"

"Tamer. Red isn't someone you can deal with alone. I'll take him out of your way, then if you can hold off until then, I'll help you finish Xavier."

Tamer's fingers were like talons as they slid through his hair. "No. I don't need your help, " he spat shaking his head defiantly.

"Tamer," Lorelei whispered. Tamer jumped as Lorelei pried his hand away from his face, the sudden alarm leaving him eye to eye with Lorelei's warm blue. Sandwiching Tamer's hands between his own, he squeezed. "I get you just want to keep me safe, but that's not how this works," he assured. After a firm squeeze, Lorelei pointed his thumb to his chest, smugly raising his head. "I'm the only dashing prince in this story. And you're my damsel. You keep Winter safe. And I'll do the same for you. "

Tamer's lip twitched like he wanted to smile, but couldn't. "I can't let you do that," he pleaded quietly.

"There's no need to be prideful, Tamer. It's okay to accept help."

"It's got nothing to do with pride!" he snapped. "I just don't want to lose you!"

"I'm immortal, Tamer," Lorelei said gently with a confused laugh. "What are you afraid of losing here?"

Tamer hesitated. "E-even more reason for you not to fight! You'll be in more pain than anyone else!"

Winter passed Lorelei a stare.

This is basically the highest display of affection you can get from Tamer.

Lorelei was silent, staring down at his and Tamer's hands before returning his gaze with a weak smile.

"Sorry, Tamer," he whispered. His hands lingered on Tamer's before slowly sliding away. "I can't accept your love if it means you'll put yourself in harm's way for me. "

Tamer sucked in a breath. The colour drained from his face, seemingly forgetting to blink before he recoiled with a confounded expression; she quickly grabbed Tamer's arm as he sank back into the bed board behind them and retreated closer to his side - that wasn't a rejection, but Tamer absolutely took it as one.

Lorelei's stared at his knees with his lips sucked inward, but Winter could feel him nearingly vibrate with the urge to say something.

No, no, that wasn't the way to handle this right now...

"Tamer," she whispered, rubbing his back."Lorelei isn't rejecting you, he's saying that because he cares about you."

Angling his hand to a visor in Lorelei's direction, Tamer grimaced.

Sighing, she couldn't believe she had to say this. This was going to be a serious blow in Tamer's side all night otherwise. "If you want to show your appreciation for Lorelei you can just give him a hug or something."

The tension in his jaw released, but Tamer didn't really do anything but flick his eyes in Lorelei's direction, momentarily peering up at him with a ruffle of his hair before diverting.

"Come on, just this once," Lorelei said, reaching forward - Tamer hesitated but Winter gave him a small push, and Lorelei wrapped his arms around him with a firm pat on the back. Tamer's spine straightened and he momentarily raised his hands in response before dropping them by his side again. "You look like you need it."

Tamer gave a small nod into his shoulders.

Winter's heart plummeted. She could feel a lot of warmth eminiating in Tamer's soul then.

"Now, tonight, Tamer," Lorelei said, pulling away slowly. "If you find yourself struggling against Xavier, just try and hold out until I beat Red. I'll help you finish him. Should that fail then your best bet would be to appeal to Red's more chaotic nature and try to get him on your side."

"Why would Red be the more likely one to side with us?"

"I don't know that Red can relate to any feeling, but if there's one it's the feeling of losing a mate. He's also stronger so it just makes sense. And if that doesn't work and we lose, you're going to have to try to bargain with the king yourself."

Tamer's glare was venemous. "What the hell do I have besides Winter that he wants?"

"Yourself, Tamer," Lorelei said quietly.

Tamer stiffened, shocked. "And why the hell would he want me now if he didn't before?" he snapped.

Lorelei said nothing and rose, sweeping himself off. "I'm going to go prepare some weapons. You two should rest. I'll see you again when you're up." Lorelei winked at her. "Pamper this boy, okay?"

Lorelei left, and Winter wrapped Tamer in her arms. He seemed to still be in deep thought over Lorelei's words.

"Tamer, I just want to let you know," she said, rubbing her face into his shoulder. "I think you're great. And quite frankly, you deserve so much more love than you're getting. If it were up to me... you'd be the most loved person in the world. I mean it."

In a way, it pained her to say that, but she meant it.

Tamer seemed to turn to stone right then. Completely blocked out of his mind, all she could see was a large amount of white showing in his eyes. The sunlight captured a small amount of moisture glistening within them.

"Are you... Okay?" she asked apprehensively.

Winter realised then just how personal this matter was. He seemed to know what she was getting at. His head slipped into his hands but he seemed to just retreat into a ball, so tight his arms were psychically trembling from the effort of holding himself together He sucked in a garbled breath, chest lurching with a hiccup before nodding vigorously. Winter didn't say anything, not feeling like he'd want her to, instead tenderly encircling her hand over his shoulder.

"I love you," Tamer said meekly. He stared ahead with another sniffle, shaking his head as if in disbelief, eyes unblinking as if stunned. "I love you so fucking much."

"I know, baby," Winter whispered, touching her lips to his forehead.

Tamer went for her lips instead, hugging, squeezing and showering her in endless kisses as tears slipped down his cheeks.