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[wilder]

[Private]

It's been three nights now. Something's off. But what?

[A pause as he thinks about it. ]

...Whatever. I got time to figure it out. I should probably say something.

[/Private]

[dictated; he sounds pretty blasé]

Yo. I'm back. Miss me?

Also, whose the wise guy that shoved us in with the food? If that was some tradition of burying us with things we like, I'd say you missed the mark. [Though let's be real, it was probably the castle that put that stuff there. ]

Anyway...[What the hell does one even say to this] hi again I guess?

Comments

[wolfchild]

Turn around then. Oh! Wait! I need a brush. I'll be right back.

[ She dashes out and up the stairs. There's a cheerful, "Hello, Curry!" from above before she returns with brush in hand. ]

I'm back.

[wilder]

Huh?

[He watches her go...and okay he can't help but smile a little when he hears the hello to curry. But when she's back he'll be turned around]

Gonna braid it again?

[wolfchild]

Mayhaps. Do you want something?

[wilder]

Well...I did like that one braid you made me. Remember it?

[wolfchild]

Yes. It's the one I wore. [ She tilts her head. ] You really like that one?

[wilder]

Yeah. It was nice and practical.

[wolfchild]

All right. I can do it.

[ She kneels next to him again and starts brushing it out carefully to avoid any pulling. It's so soothing it might put you to slee--wait no you can't have nice things. ]

[wilder]

Cool.

[And he'll sit there and let his hair get brushed. He's not falling asleep yet, but he's sure feeling a bit drowsy for some reason...that's weird]

[wolfchild]

[ Zelos, you are being too quiet. She stops to try to peer around at him. ]

Did you fall asleep?

[wilder]

Hm?

[He'll glance over at her, looking drowsy]

No, I just got really...[realizing how odd it is] ...sleepy.

[wolfchild]

Have you been sleeping?

[ gearing up for a scolding in 3...2... ]

[wilder]

Uh...

[HOW DOES ONE ANSWER THIS]

[wolfchild]

Zelos, you stupid! You have to sleep!

[ She gets off the couch. ]

Lie down right now! Nap.

[wilder]

H-Hey come on don't worry about it! It's not like I'm that tired! I don't even have bags under my eyes!

[wolfchild]

Nap!

[ She even points and everything. This is serious. ]

[wilder]

[...Yep. She's serious. He slumps his shoulders and sighs, before moving to lie down - grabbing one of the couch pillows to put under his head]

[wolfchild]

Do you want a blanket?

[wilder]

Sure.

[Maybe he can fake sleep until she leaves...]

[wolfchild]

[ She steals a blanket from somewhere and drapes it over him, careful not to touch him. Then she sits cross-legged on the floor by his head to stroke his hair. It reminds her of Weasel when the little girl would cling to her and Arya would stroke her hair to get her to sleep. Except Weasel never had hair like this. And Arya lost her and never found her again. ]

[wilder]

[Your life is so full of precious moments. But Zelos while fully expecting not to get tired, actually finds himself getting sleepy again. It's weird, he hasn't felt the least bit tired (beyond physical exhaustion) the past three days. He was starting to think that it was possibly his new loss that York mentioned. Yet...here he was. Maybe it was something else after all]

[Either way, it takes about five minutes before he drifts off into sleep land]

[wolfchild]

[ Arya continues petting him until long after he's drifted off. Gingerly, she strokes his cheek. She sighs. Arya drops her forehead against his. ]

You are so stupid. [ she whispers. again, she feels her eyes well up with tears that do not fall. ] You have to take care of yourself. Everyone— You're the only one who's come back. I...I'm tired. I'm meant to be your little wolf. But I can't be yours if you're dead.

[ She screws her eyes shut tightly. Her hands tremble, but her touch remains feather-light on Zelos. When Arya opens them, his face blurs and swims from the unshed tears. ]

You're my best friend.

[ She pulls her hands back to cover her face. Why is she crying? He's alive, isn't he? He's alive and he's only sleeping and here she is sobbing like a stupid child. Arya bites down on her fist to keep from making a sound.

She has no idea how long she spent like that next to him. When the fit subsides, she rests her head on the edge of the couch and strokes his arm. She falls asleep with her fingers lying over his wrist. ]