<span style="color: #FF0000">Life as a werewolf was not easy. One thing that Eidhin had come to notice was smell. Everything in the world smelled in some way shape or form. At first it was not bad when it was just him, but when E came to live with him there was a whole new world of scents to take in. It fascinated him to be able to smell everything about her, to know not just her physical well-being but even her mental state. It was minute of course, but the change was enough for him to take note of it. It was that shift in her scent that had prompted him to make her a garden. <br/><br/>Their first hunt, though he found it to be exhilarating, had left a bad taste in her mouth. Literally. The following week it seemed she was constantly ill, with vomiting and cramps that he felt like the worst person in the world for making her join him on the hunt. Even though she was now a werewolf that did not seem to make it any easier for her to eat meat. Years of being a veggie eater left her without the stomach to handle meat. Particularly in the quantities that werewolves were known to eat. <br/><br/>Armed with this new understanding he had made a trip to town, gathered up a few supplies, mainly the seeds and fertilizer. Then set to work the moment he got home. At the moment he knew she was resting, so he tried his best to not make any noise or to give her a need to leave the bed. The goal was to have the garden planted and up before she awoke, as a surprise.</span><br/><br/>Despite her extreme aversion to two aspects of her new life, not all aspects were that bad. If anything, the bad was staved off by the companionship she had back with Eidhin. For five long years, they’d been apart. Now that they were back together, sure, she now had to go through a painful change monthly...and sure, she<span style="font-style: italic">killed</span>an animal… But the sickness of it all was worth it.<br/><br/>And for that next week, she continued to rest. Eilidh would get up, go through as normal a routine as possible, which generally consisted of trying to eat some sort of a vegetarian meal to offset all of the meat she’d ingested, while getting sick. There was, of course, reading time, and spending time with Eidhin, but otherwise she kept to herself while resting. So, it was no surprise that--with all the physical stress on her body that week--that she was sleeping soundly when Eidhin took to making her the garden.<br/><br/>In fact, she didn’t notice anything different.<br/><br/>When she awoke, it was noticed that he wasn’t there, but it was the norm since that fateful change. He seemed to be the earlier riser and she seemed to be the one to sleep in until all hours. It wasn’t until about ten that morning that she finally roused, stretching and loosing a yawn before crawling out of bed. Shorts were changed into, and one of the sweatshirts she’d taken of his, and she was climbing down from the loft, following the smell of freshly brewing tea. “G’morning,” Eilidh yawned at him, a hand rubbing her eyes.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“Good morning,” he replied from the stove. “There is some toast, jelly, fresh slices of fruit and some grits on the table. Figured you would be hungry and not too in the mood to cook yourself,” he brought the freshly brewed tea over to the table eyes cast up to take in her appearance. “You are lucky I have kind of forgone wearing shirts now,” a smirk played on his lips before he took a sip of tea. “That was one of my favorite shirts,” comment finished once he lowered the mug. “Eat up, I have a surprise waiting for you outside,” he grinned and gave no more information to it.</span><br/><br/>As he looked her over, and commented about his shirt, she rolled her eyes and held it tighter about herself. “That’s exactly why I started wearing it,” she replied with a laugh, settling in to the table only to pause. “Wait...there’s a surprise?” Without warning, she got up, tea in hand, prepared to go outside. “You can’t tell me there’s a surprise and expect me to eat first.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“I can and I did,” he chuckled. “I slaved over this hot ass woodstove all day, the least you could do is eat something first. You know how hard it is to make toast on a woodstove and make sure it does not burn?” he asked still at the table and not making a move toward the door.</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">....He knew exactly what to say…</span>she thought with a mental groan as she stopped in her tracks and shuffled back to the table, dropping into her seat. “Fine, I’ll eat first.” Taking a sip of her tea and replacing the mug on the table, she took a piece of bread, spreading the jam before taking a bite of it. “...Can I have a hint?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Sure. It is something I did for you," he grinned from over the rim of his mug.</span><br/><br/>"How about a hint that isn't the obvious?" she asked, throwing a piece of toast at him.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He caught the toast and popped it into his mouth. "Um...it is something you will like," another useless hint and he was prepared to snag another piece of toast from the air.</span><br/><br/>Instead, she kicked his shin and narrowed her eyes. "You're terrible. A<span style="font-style: italic">useful</span>hint?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He mouthed the word "ow", but otherwise did not show much discomfort from the assault. "Fine. Um....I had to go into town in order to do it."</span><br/><br/>That hint, she could accept, thinking it over while she nibbled on an apple. "Be thankful I'm still waking up, or I'd have been tempted to tackle you for details.," Eilidh joked. "But lets see...something you got in town...a toilet you'll be installing?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He snorted as he chuckled, "Yeah no. Not yet. And I highly doubt your tackling would have been of much use against me. Given how tiny you are."</span><br/><br/>"...That sounds like you're challenging me," she replied, narrowing her eyes again. "Don't tempt me." Then after a pause, "...Is it something we could both use?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"You are awefully cute when you narrow your eyes like that," he snickered. "And....well...yes and maybe?"</span><br/><br/>Taking another sip of her tea, she huffed. Then, as fast as she could manage so he didn't have time to react, she put the mug down, jumped over the table, aiming to tackle him and knock him down a peg.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Definitely some speed behind her attack, he would give her that, though she still lacked that final bit that came with experience. Without setting down his own mug he moved, one hand thrust to catch her before she fell on her face. It was a quick grab and release as he moved to the other side of the table. “You know, you are going to delay the surprise doing this…” he taunted.</span><br/><br/>If she were the sort to swear, there’d have been a swear loosed just then. That he was able to avoid her so quickly without even putting his mug down had her bristling, but she didn’t react other than to shoot him a look and stalk off outside. Steps were slightly irritated from his casual brush off, a bit heavier than they normally were.<br/><br/>But that stopped the moment she opened the door. A garden. He’d planted her a garden. Stepping through, she looked over each marker, taking in what he’d planted, the smile on her lips growing by the minute. “You planted me a garden? Even though you’re so deadest on me needing to eat meat, you planted a garden?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The mug was set on the table as he followed her outside, his hands tucked into the pockets of his shorts. A shrug was given to her words, “I might be an annoying jerk sometimes to you, but I am not cruel. I know you need to eat meat, on occasion, but between that you should have what you like. So, I went into town and got a bunch of stuff and set this up for you. Over in the shed are some more seeds and other supplies so we can work at keeping the garden together,” he smiled and looked off for a moment while he scuffed his foot in the dirt. “I expect some really good salads from you,” he teased.</span><br/><br/>Without warning, she jumped on him and hugged him tight. There were no words to describe how happy she was that he’d thought to plant a garden, that he’d been so mindful of it, despite his insistence she needed meat. It wasn’t that she thought he was going to force feed her bacon and steak, but she also hadn’t thought he’d do this for her, either. That there was more fun poking at her inability to suck it up and eat like a normal person.<br/><br/>“Thank you for this, Eidhin,” Eilidh finally said after contenting herself with hugging him for a bit, pulling back. “Best surprise yet.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">As luck or karma would have it, the sudden hug nearly caused Eidhn to lose his footing. Standing somewhat on the heels of his feet while he allowed her to take in the garden, he had not been expecting the hug, nor the force of the experience. Arms wrapped about her, he held her close once he regained his footing. “I am glad you like it,” is all he said and messed up her already messed up hair. “Now, what would you like to do?”</span><br/><br/>She swatted his hand away, her own hands taking up the task of trying to fix her mussed hair. “Well, when was the last time you went into town for something that wasn’t...stalking me or necessary supplies?” she asked, curiosity in her eyes as she continued to poke about the garden. “Because, if you’re up to it, you and I should go into town and grab a pint. I think we deserve it.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He blushed a bit and rubbed the back of his neck, “Yeah…I guess I really was a stalker…” A shrug and he crossed his arms over his chest, while he rocked back and forth on his feet. “We could do the whole dinner and drinks thing, if you wanted?” Truthfully he was more scared of just being in the town among the rest of people, than he was facing a rampaging boar. At least the boar he could read and know how it would move, people they were a whole different animal. One that never acted the same way twice and that scared him.<br/><br/>“Damn, that means I need to actually wear cloths. Unless you think that this would be alright?” he asked with a grin and a waggle of his eyebrows.</span><br/><br/>“Dinner and drinks would be nice,” she said with a smile and a nod, though her back remained to him. Only when he joked about his shirtless demeanor did she look back with a perked brow and a roll of her eyes. “I’m sure the whole of Rathdrum would feel much more comfortable if you got dressed. Call it a hunch, but we’re not going to a male review.”<br/><br/>Standing, she brushed her hands off on her shorts. “Then it’s settled. Which means, we’ll have to find you something that looks semi-presentable, something that doesn’t look like a mountain man has rejoined society for a night, and…” There was a pause as her nose wrinkled. “You’ll need a shower. They’ll smell you coming a mile away.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"> “Hey, I don’t smell that bad. I mean…there was the fertilizer, but still you have that extra special nose so that is not fair at all,” he insisted while he turned to go back into the house. “Come on and lets finish eating, then I will shower and model some things for you. I just hope they don’t make my butt look big,” a joke though his voice was completely serious. <br/><br/>Clothing had literally become an option for him once he shifted and often he found himself more inclined to go with less if he could help it. It just felt better to him. What clothing he did have he was not sure it if would even still fit him. Which would mean they might have to go into town to get him something to wear or he would have to go in his usual shorts and nothing else.</span><br/><br/>Following him in, she waited until he wasn’t fully focused on her and hopped on his back. “Your butt will always look big, just like the rest of you. Unless you wear camouflage and blend into your surroundings, I don’t think anything is going to help that,” Eilidh replied, her tone chipper. “Now, onward to the table, chariot! Your highness needs a lift to her chair, or else she’ll be too tired to help you pick out a proper outfit for tonight!”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Her sudden weight made him stumble, yet again; a glance over his shoulder before he rolled his eyes and did as she requested, “Lucky your ass is so small or else I might have a reason to complain about carrying your butt.” With little care he plopped her down in her chair. “What am I? Your slave now?” he asked whilst he reclaimed his mug of now warm tea.</span><br/><br/>The grin on her lips couldn’t have been smacked off even if he’d tried, with the way he plopped her down and how he threw out his new title. “I was thinking more...servant, but since ‘slave’ has<span style="font-style: italic">such</span>a nice ring to it, I think you’ll do just fine as my slave!” she confirmed, nodding her head matter-of-factly. “But, don’t worry. You’ll be paid in some fashion, so think of it as...indentured servitude more than anything.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"What do you mean, '<span style="font-style: italic">barely got over</span>'?" she asked, eyes narrowing as she pursed her lips. "I recall getting over the table easily! Not as though I'd have a hard time missing such a big target, either! You're just a giant; That doesn't make me little. Besides...David seemed to take on Goliath just fine, wouldn't you say?"</span><br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"See, David was a normal sized person. You on the hand are a shrimp. I mean did you get over it easily? I recall having to catch you there are the end, because you were on your way to falling right on your face."</span><br/><br/>"I<span style="font-style: italic">am</span>normal-sized, thank you very much," she retorted. "As for getting over it easily, pretty sure I did otherwise I'd not have come close to landing on my face. So your argument is invalid...But that's okay; The ladies don't like you for your smarts."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Oh? What is it that they like about me then?"</span><br/><br/>"Your guess is as good as mine," she quipped.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Well, we are going out tonight. So, I will have ample time to see just what the ladies like about me," he grinned. "You on the otherhand we have to remember to bring the step stool so that you can reach the bar."</span><br/><br/>"At least I'll be able to get *into* the bar. I'm not sure you and your ego will fit through the door." With an eyeroll, she grabbed up her abandoned apple and started nibbling on it again. "And, I'm not sure we'll be able to find out what the ladies like. You've got your kid sister along with you, remember? I'm the wingman you didn't want who'll end up as lady-repellant."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"I'll just hang you on a coat rack by the door. Keep you out of my hair for a while," he winked at her.</span><br/><br/>"Won't stop me from shouting about your bed-wetting habits, the headgear you wore for years...your affinity for video games because you had no game in the real world..."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Are you sure they will be able to hear you over my ego? Or anything else about all of this," he gestured to his current self. Even flexed a bit more to add emphasis to his statement. "You on the other hand will be forgotten by the door and have to deal with coats being thrown atop you."</span><br/><br/>All she did was roll her eyes to his flexing, loosing an "ugh" before replying in kind. "I don't think that's how it works...They'll pay attention to you because you're a<span style="font-style: italic">stranger</span>, some weirdo that blew in on an unwelcomed breeze that they'll be all too happy to see leave...and then there's me, the lovable girl next door that they all practically raised. It would only take one word from me, and you'd be out without booze or ladies to sooth the pain of an ass kicking."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Lovable? Really?" he scoffed and stole a piece of toast, which he promptly spread some jelly onto. "They must not have seen you in the morning...." then a bit under his breath. "Or when you were on your period..."</span><br/><br/>"I'm amazingly motivated in the morning," she shot back with a glare. "Besides, at least I have an excuse to be irritable and grouchy a few days out of the month. What's yours?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Dealing with you," he shot back instantly.</span><br/><br/>"Remember this moment when I become the biggest game blocker tonight."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Remember this moment when you want a hug later," he said with a chuckle. "Alright, you eat. I am going to go and get a shower, before you hog all of the hot water. Which makes no sense, given how small you are."</span><br/><br/>"I swear you're just overcompensating with your size..." she mumbled, starting in on her grits. "Just hurry up. We've a lot of work to do to make you presentable."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Yes, Mother!" he mocked before he closed the door behind him for his shower. He intentionally took a long time, just to waste the hot water. When he was done, he spent some time in the mirror cutting and trimming up his beard. When he felt himself decent he left the shower with a towel wrapped about his waist. "Ok, your turn."</span><br/><br/>In the time that it took for him to take a shower and trim his beard, she had eaten the rest of her breakfast, washed the dishes and put everything up, and had her own outfit already picked out. In that time, she waited...patiently outside the door for her turn, counting the minutes down as each bit of hot water was wasted.<br/><br/>Then, when he came out, she shoved him square in the chest. "I can't believe you just wasted all of the hot water!" Eilidh exclaimed. "You're lucky I'm not your mother, or you'd be in trouble for that. ...Now you get an audience while picking out clothes, complete with snarky peanut-gallery commentary, while I wait for the water to heat up. Again."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Peanut-gallery?" he looked her over and smirked. "Yeah you are about as big as a peanut," he mussed her hair and pushed past her to the ladder that led up to the loft. "Alright...so...how about this?" he tossed down one of his wrinkly t-shirts and ripped up jeans.[/color[<br/><br/><br/>There was a punch to his arm, but she didn't say anything to it specifically, waiting for the entertainment to begin. And that entertainment came at her loud scoffing to his outfit choice. "Please tell me you've got other things that don't include anything cut off or in messy condition?"<br/><br/>[color=#FF0000]"I might have one thing like that...." he said and dug around for a bit before he produce probably his own nice poloshirt and a pair of white slacks. "How about this?"</span><br/><br/>Looking at the options, she nodded. "So long as it fits...definitely presentable, and far more so than anything else I've seen you wearing thus far..." But then a question rose in her mind, as she eyed the shirt. "...Does this even fit you, though?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He shrugged and sllipped on a pair of boxer briefs before he came back down. "Maybe," then he pulled on the shirt and slipped on the pants without even thinking twice. "It is a bit snug,, but I think it will do. What do you think?"</span><br/><br/>Giving him some privacy since she didn't really feel like looking at her hulk of a brother while he got dressed, she refolded her own clothes, and then the clothes that he threw down. Only when he called her attention to it did she look. "It'll do," she replied after a moment, looking him up and down to make sure he didn't look like he was in a bangers casing. "What're you doing with your hair?"<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">To answer that he climbed back up the ladder and got himself a hat, "There, all dressed and ready to go. If only someone else would hurry their ass along..." he said with a stare right at her.</span><br/><br/>"...No hat," she said with a stare right back. "The hat makes you look like a little leaguer. I'm not sure whether I should give you a light punch to the arm or find your mother for you." Then to emphasize that fact, she lightly punched his arm, picking up her clothes and ducking into the bathroom to enjoy her luke warm shower.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He was wearing the hat, but he was not going to argue about it with her. Instead he sat down at the table and pulled out one of the few books he made a point to keep around. His nerves felt like his skin crawled and this was just from the simple notion tha they were going to head out into the world of people. People he had rarely tolerated before and now....now that he was different he was not sure what would happen.</span><br/><br/>Her shower was as long as she could manage it to be without getting goosebumps. No, he’d made sure to make it as difficult as possible to take her usual length of a shower when he took his own, which had her grimacing. The water, cooling by the second, trickled down her back, hands furiously lathering her hair to get the shower done and over with as soon as possible, moving to lather her body before the soap was properly gone from her hair. A quick shave job was all she had time for—not that she anticipated any contact with anyone, but she didn’t want to limit her wardrobe choices, either—and then she was out of the shower.<br/><br/>After brushing her hair and allowing the strands to hang about her face while she got dressed, she pulled on her blue pants, quickly followed up by her black v-neck, and then shook her hair out, teasing it so that it wouldn’t look so lifeless. A quick peek in the mirror and then she left the bathroom, arms out. “Alright, how’s this? Think you can tolerate being around your…apparently peanut-sized sister? This should work, right?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He took in her appearance and nodded, "Yeah you won't make me look too bad."  An apple was grabbed from the bowl on the table before he stood and joined her in the center of the room. "Want me to carry your step stool? Just in case they raised the bar at all?"</span><br/><br/>She'd been slipping on her shoes when he commented about the step stool. Instead, a look was given. "Yes, please, carry the step stool for me," Eilidh replied, tone a bit more on the apathetic side, wandering back to steal his apple and take a bite of it. "Better yet..." Jumping up, she wrapped an arm about his neck. "You can just carry me at the appropriate height. It's a win/win! Instead of carrying the step stool and having to cart it around for me, you can just cart me around instead."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He grunted dramatically, but otherwise she really did not weigh much at all. "Just don't spill anything on me, or worse get drunk and throw up on me," he said as he exited the house. The door locked and what little he had for security put in place before he took off at a light jog toward town.</span><br/><br/>"I wouldn't dream of throwing up on you," she replied, taking another bite of the apple, and holding it up for him to get a bite if he still wanted one.<br/><br/>Once they were making their way toward Rathdrum's outer limits, she looked thoughtful. "Where did you want to go for dinner, anyhow? I mean, I was still able to eat pretty well while you were gone, so I thought you might want to choose a place you'd been craving."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">A bite of the apple was indeed taken, "Um..." he began in thought while he chewed. "Is that place that serves the nice thick steaks still open?"</span><br/><br/>"It is," came her reply with a nod, stealing another bite of the apple for herself before holding it up to him again. "From what I hear, the steaks are still as good as ever, and their brews are even better."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Then we can go there. I can have a thick steak and you can have a frilly salad thing..." he teased and gripped her a bit tighter while he jumped over a log.</span><br/><br/>Had he not been carrying her, she may have swatted him for that comment. But, given he was carrying her, she didn't think it wise to taunt him, or beat him (no matter how much it was deserved); Better to leave him to the carrying, than to chance him dropping her intentionally.<br/><br/>After a spur of the moment decision, she stole his hat and put it on herself. "This hat's mine now, for the time being. I think I wear it better, anyway. I'd ask if that was alright with you, but...seeing as I'm already wearing it...think it's going to have to be."<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He rolled his eyes and continued to jog, “It is a wonder that I have any clothing left at all to wear with you constantly taking mine.” Another log was jumped and he slowed down to some degree as they approached the edge of town,” I would not go as far as to say it looks better on you, more that my clothing is so amazing it makes even a peanut like you, look decent.” The sentence was finished with him putting her down on the ground. It was now that his palms began to sweat and all of his confidences fade. <br/><br/>“Um…you sure this looks alright…” he asked while he looked over himself the best he could. It had been years since he was forced to interact with people in a prolonged manner. Now, they were to have dinner and drinks. They were to linger there and spend time amongst regular humans.</span><br/><br/>Apple core tossed, she adjusted his hat accordingly, the jump having jostled it loose. A look was given at his comment, once again calling her a peanut, but she didn’t dignify it with a response; No, there was no need, since it would just lead to more teasing and getting riled up before going to dinner.<br/><br/>But that’s where he surprised her. As he set her down, it was like all the confidence he’d held back at the cabin melted away, following her feet to the ground and going down under. The façade was gone and, in its stead, was someone who looked almost…scared to go back into a world with people, a world he’d been without for years. Taking off his hat, she stood on tiptoe, replacing it on his head, and offering him a smile. “You look perfect,” Eilidh responded quietly. “As much as it pains me…you’ll probably get hit on…a lot tonight, so if I do too much eye rolling, just smack me or something and continue enjoying yourself.”<br/><br/>Her hand rose up to gently pat his arm, trying to alleviate some of his worry through the touch. “You know you look better than nearly all this town put together. Just put on your usual smile and you’ll be golden.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The reassuring words helped and he smiled despite how much he wanted to just run back into the woods. “Well, you are probably going to get hit on too. So, if I punch a couple of guys…just let me continue to punch them, until they get the idea that my sister is off limits,” a joke he managed along with the wink he gave her. “Shall we?” he offered her his arm in a rather flourished manner.</span><br/><br/>“…Noooo, that’s not how that works,” she replied to that, narrowing her eyes and already shaking her head. “No, if I get hit on, you get to sit back and deal with it, because I’m a big girl and can handle myself. If anything, I need to punch out the girls who’ll hit on you; Don’t know what they’re carrying and all…” But, with his offered arm, she accepted it with a small curtsy. “I believe we shall! After you, my good sir.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">A tip of his hat and they were off into town, looking for all the world like some rejects from the Wizard of Oz. At first he was fine; the supporting arm of his sister intertwined with his own steadied him and made the journey easier. However, with each step further into the town, the more eyes that were on him, the more he began to panic. By the time they reached the restaurant he thought he might just bolt for the woods. <br/><br/>How he managed to open the door for E, he will never know but he did and they were soon within only to be ushered off to a table. <br/><br/>Their waiter came to list the specials of the night, Eidhn deferred to allow her the chance to order first them followed up with ordering two ribeye steaks down rare, with a pint of dark ale to accompany them. Once they were alone, he let out another calming breath, “My wolf does not like it here…” he whispered to her.</span><br/><br/>She could feel his nerves, could feel them rising with each step that he took out of the woods, into town. And, because of that, she tried to compensate, trying to somehow will her own calm onto him so that he’d see there was nothing to worry about. There was no father lurking around the corner, waiting to exorcise them. There was no need to worry.<br/><br/>It would be just like before he left, when they’d go out with the family or with friends, or like when he’d go on dates. “Nothing to worry about,” she whispered beneath her breath as they went inside and sat down at their table. A quick order of Puy Lentils and Rice, and a small side salad for his benefit, and she kept smiling as he ordered, watching the waiter leave. But, when Eidhin said his wolf wasn’t content, she noted her own wasn’t all that comfortable, causing her to glance around. “We’re fine, I promise,” Eilidh assured him, beneath her breath. “Just…try to relax. After this, I won’t make you come into town. We can stay in the woods, and keep<span style="font-style: italic">them</span>perfectly content…One night is all I’m asking for…”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">That was just it, he did not want for this to be the only time. It was not easy to just sit there all the time in the woods alone. In fact, the only way he had been able to handle it at all was with the help of his wolf. Essentially, he had retreated into it and allowed it to help. Even then it had not been the best, because wolves, like people were social by nature. Without the social stimulation the two had fared as well as one could expect. <br/><br/>So, it was not that being in the town they did not like, but more that they were scared of the unknown and yet craved it more than they have ever craved water. <br/><br/>“No…I like it…I am just…nervous is all,” he tried to assure her. “We should try to do this again…like once a month? Or more?”</span><br/><br/>Her eyebrows rose in obvious surprise at what he said in response, blinking a bit as she almost didn’t believe the words had come out of his mouth.<span style="font-style: italic">He…wants to do this more?</span>she repeated in disbelief. Not that he’d have to tell her twice, though, as her expression softened, and the smile returned. “We can definitely do this again…at least once a month, if nothing else…” Voice dropping lower, she grinned. “Besides, we need to<span style="font-style: italic">‘house break’</span>you again, so what better way to do that than being out with people?”<br/><br/>A hand reached across the table to grab a hold of his, eyes filled with good humor. “Seriously, though…you need to relax. You look guilty of something, or about to do something that would make you incredibly guilty…So, take a deep breath and a haul off your pint when it gets here, and loosen up. If you can’t loosen up that way…I’ll make you do karaoke or something.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“You sure you want to put your ears through that?” he asked. His thumb rubbed along the back of her hand in a gesture of gratitude, though he had no chance to properly vocalize it, for their food arrived then. As instructed he went for his pint first, though instead of just a long pull from it he ended up downing the whole thing in one go. Fortunately, the waiter was a good one and he was quick to fetch the pint and refill it. <br/><br/>“I remember when drinking so much would have me under the table singing show tunes,” he remarked once the waiter left them once again. “Now, I don’t feel anything at all.” A shrug he gave before he gave up with the wondering and focused on his food instead. With the first cut into the steak his mouth watered, the first bite was more than he could have wished. It was flavorful, juicy and cooked perfectly. <br/><br/>“How’s your food?”</span><br/><br/>The thumb on her hand was felt, her eyes dropping to it for a moment, smile turning a touch more genuine. But, just like that, the moment was gone and she was rolling her eyes. “I’m not sure that my ears could handle it, but if it meant that you’d loosen up…it may be worth it…”<br/><br/>No sooner had she pulled her hand back did their food arrive, taking a sip off of her own glass before tucking into her rice. A happy sound escaped, ecstatic to have one of her favorite meals. The only thing that made her a little disheartened was his comment about being unable to feel anything with the drinking anymore. She’d not thought about that when she’d suggested they go out drinking in the first place, but now that he mentioned it…nothing, not even a glimmer of a warm, fuzzy feeling was starting. Absolutely nothing.<br/><br/>“My food’s wonderful, as per the usual,” Eilidh answered. “How’s your…poor…poor animal?” The last was added with a grimace, unwilling to look down at his plate. “Does that at least taste good, despite the inability to feel the brew you’re drinking?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“My poor animal is juicy and cooked perfectly, thank you very much,” he responded with a smirk. “And the ale is delicious; I think that we might just need a lot more to feel anything than we did before. No biggy, except to maybe our wallets,” he joked and took another long drink from his pint. “After we eat up, where are you going to take me next?” he asked a grin on his face. “Some place exciting?”</span><br/><br/>There was a noticeable grimace as he seemed to take joy in describing just how wonderful his meal was. Anything else, anything at all, and she’d not have minded hearing about how juicy it was…this was an animal, a helpless creature with an adorable face, that he was thoroughly enjoying. But, rather than focus on that, she focused on the idea that it would take more alcohol to feel anything. It was true, it would hurt their wallets a fair deal to drink as much as she thought they’d need, but that didn’t stop her from wanting to do it anyway.<br/><br/>“After we eat, I’ll be taking you to the busiest pub in Rathdrum. A regular haunt of the locals, I’m sure you remember, it was always filled to the brim with people. Loud laughter, loud singing and a neverending glass of whatever you’re drinking. I thought you may like to go there, unless you’ve a better idea?” she asked, a grin on her own lips as she waggled her brows at him.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“No, that place sounds absolutely perfect. Though you have me wondering if my ego is going to be able to fit through the door,” he teased himself and focused on his meal. “You know, when I was alone I dreamt of this…well not this particular moment, but of just spending time with you. It’s nice to finally have that again, one of those, you never miss your water until the well runs dry kind of things,” he gave a half and somewhat embarrassed smile before he focused back on his meal. <br/><br/>It was the truth. Every night as he lay in bed he would think about the time he could have been spending with her, the time they could have been enjoying with one another. The games, the laughing, the talking, just the general time they would have spent together. Perhaps, if he could go back in time he would have changed everything. He would have gone to her and told her about him, and then maybe with her help he could have come to terms with what he was sooner. That was all in the past and today was all that mattered.</span><br/><br/>It was a candid moment just then, one that completely overshadowed his ego remark. She’d been prepared to remark on just how big it was, and how he’d likely have to wait outside while she snuck him drinks through the window, but the conversation turned to a genuine place, a place that, had they not been in public…would have brought tears to her eyes.<br/><br/>She’d missed him every day he was gone. Every day, she’d gone out looking for him, hoping to find some sort of a sign, a glimpse, something to tell her he was still alive. She’d cried herself to sleep every night and started wearing his clothes around the house, careful not to wear each too much to lose the smell too quickly. She’d gone to their spot, and spoken to the air as though he’d magically be able to hear her. And it was the tokens he’d left that kept her going.<br/><br/>Now she had him back, and there was a fear that they’d be torn apart again, a fear that was deeply embedded but pushed to the back of her mind so as not to mar the time she did have with him.<br/><br/>Her hand reached across the table again, this time keeping hold of his hand as happy tears welled in her eyes, barely held back by the knowledge that they were in public and she refused to cross that line in a restaurant. “Well, now you’re stuck with me…for better or for worse, you have a tag-along. Even when you get sick of me, I’ll be right there, your ever-present shadow. So, you better get used to my constant presence as there won’t be any ‘wells running dry’.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">His hand held her own and he was happy to return the bit of emotional contact. To feel her hand in his own and know that this was real and not some dream he would end up waking up from. Instead this was more like a dream come true. If he was not concerned about the other patrons thinking him unmanly he would have been crying as well, but instead he just smiled and felt his chest tighten with emotion.<br/><br/>“Well maybe that well should go dry,” his smile only growing in the face of her confused look. “Would not want your short ass drowning,” he snickered. <br/><br/>This was nice; this was what he wanted out of life. Spending time with his sister, his pack, out in the public with her and living their lives as they wanted.</span><br/><br/>…Then the moment was gone. Back to the short jokes, her foot kicked his shin as she stole his pint to finish off, her own being finished and empty some time ago. “How could I possibly drown with you there? Your ego is large enough to fill the entirety of the well, and still allow for breathing room, while blocking off the water.” Then, with a shrug. “Just because you’re a giant…that doesn’t make me short, thank you very much. Swear, it’s only because you’re…different that made you a giant. Where’s the beanstalk you climbed down from?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"Probably the same place your step stool is being kept," he shot back. " Besides I was taller than you prior to being different. You just notice now because I am overall bigger than you..." he raised his newly filled glass and paused. "Way bigger," then gave her a wink before he downed most of his drink.</span><br/><br/>“Hey…You weren’t so much taller than me…It’s just more pronounced now that you’ve gone all…steroid-y,” she replied. Taking up her own glass, she downed the last of her drink, eyeing him. “Now…are you about done with your poor, helpless animal, or are you still cleaning your plate? Because I’m about ready to move on and get you drunk.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"I was waiting for you to weed whack or is it called grazing when your people eat?" he teased, hand already reaching for his wallet to pay for their meal. "I think you and your small self will be the first one to get drunk. There is just less of you to absorb the alcohol."</span><br/><br/>Another eye roll was given, along with a pointed look as he addressed her stature for the umpteenth time. “Just because I’m small doesn’t mean that I’ll get drunk first. My metabolism speaks for itself,” she retorted, getting up already and stretching. “Besides, you’ll be the one who ends up drunk first, because you’ll be the one pounding back pints and I’ll be the one to carry you back, sopping drunk and staggering.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">"If you could manage to even reach the bar," he again shot at her, while he left  the money for the meal along with a nice tip. As he joined her outside he draped his arm about her shoulders and pulled her close. "To think at one point in time I thought you were like some giant invincible force and now look at you?" he gave her a noogy then darted away before she could hit him back.</span><br/><br/>Another jab at her height, followed by another only moments later after they had left with a noogy to accompany it! Instead of punching him, despite the urge, she withheld.<span style="font-style: italic">No…no, you can get him back later…lull him into a false sense of security,</span>Eilidh told herself. “Really, it’s like you have no other material than my height. Not all of us can be giants, Eidhin.” A look was given, but little more was said, instead enjoying a comfortable silence.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“If there was more about you that was interesting I would try and make fun of that as well,” he snickered but fell into step beside her. When they arrived at the bar, Eidhin would admit he was not prepared for the reception that his sister got. <br/><br/>“Eilidh!”  <br/><br/>Her name was shouted in a happy cheer, tankers lifted and spilled their brew when the containers clinked together. <br/><br/>“Where have you been Darling?!” <br/><br/>More than one shouted as they pushed Eidhin out of the way and scooped Eilidh up to carry her over to the bar. “And now I know how you reach the bar,” Eidhin said to himself while he tried to make his way over to where his dear sister had been taken.</span><br/><br/>As she’d anticipated, the sound her name resonated in booming report, pouring out of the pub as all of the regulars spotted her. Her lips pulled into a broad smile, laughing as they lifted her up and carried her to the bar, everyone asking where she’d been and what she’d been up to. “One at a time!” she tried to get out amid the laughs, but everyone was asking so many questions her head was spinning. “I’ve been busy!”<br/><br/>“Too busy for your pals here at the pub?” one questioned, the mock pain in his voice laughable.<br/><br/>“If I were here all the time, you’d never miss me!” Eilidh answered with a laugh. “Now, who’s buying the first round?? Eidhin and I are in need of a pint!”<br/><br/>“Who?”<br/><br/>That voice…was one she hadn’t heard in a while. Through the crowd, from her perch atop the bar, she spotted him. “Coilin…”<br/><br/>A smile was on his lips as he closed the gap, looking up at her with a look he’d given her what felt like ages ago, a look of familiarity that had been replaced with animosity a few years earlier. His hand was offered, a hand she hesitantly accepted as he helped her off of the bar. For a long moment, she stood there, unsure to do and what to say, all the confidence she’d felt entering going out the window the longer they held eye contact. The last time she’d seen them had been a fight in the woods…about Eidhin…<br/><br/>“What’re you doing here?” she finally asked, the smile having melted off of her face.<br/><br/>“Looking for you,” Coilin answered, as though it were the simplest explanation in the world. “I…wanted to see you again. To talk.”<br/><br/>“There isn’t anything to talk about. Now if you’ll excuse me,” she said, stepping around him as best she could through the throng of people.<br/><br/>“Of course there is,” he said, cutting her off.<br/><br/>“No, no there really isn’t,” she said, cutting him off in turn. “I’m here to drink, not to deal with anything drama-related. Another time, perhaps.”<br/><br/>“You won’t give me even a minute? Please?”<br/><br/>“What’s left to say, Coilin? You made it pretty clear how you felt about my search.”<br/><br/>“I’m trying to say I was being a jerk; Can’t you hear me out? Let me buy you a drink?” he asked, his voice almost pleading.<br/><br/>“I’m here with someone right now, remember?” she said in a final attempt to skirt him. “I’d kind of like to get back to him, if you don’t mind.”<br/><br/>“Oh? And who is he? Anyone I know?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">There was only so much of this that he could stomach before, Eidhin turned from the gaggle of people around his sister and instead focused on the young women who had given him an appreciative once over. Focused mostly on them, he only half paid attention to what was going on behind him with Eilidh. It was out of habit more than anything else; as he figured she could take care of herself.<br/><br/>A few choice words and allowing them a touch or two on his arms, and Eidhin kind of wished he had more than just a place in the woods. Just as he leaned into one of the woman, his lips brushed against her ear, a familiar voice broke through the happy bubble he had established. <br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Collin.</span><br/><br/>Eidhin remembered that day and he remembered it well, he remembered how much his words hurt Eilidh. As much as he would have liked to just ignore what was going on and continue enjoying the company of the two women before him. She had mentioned his name and he was not about to just leave her there alone. <br/><br/>With an apology and a promise to see them again later he turned form them and made his way back over to her. “The name is Eidhin ,” he pitched his voice to be easily heard over the crowd. “You know, the brother that supposedly was never going to come back,” his tone did not match the overly friendly look on his face. “Collin right?” he extended his hand, “You were the one who <span style="font-style: italic">helped</span> my sister while she was looking for me. Right?” <br/><br/>Already the wolf growled within his mind, not liking this other male and wanting to rip into him for the pain he had caused his pack mate. He was not welcomed, nor wanted with them right now.</span><br/><br/>Had she not heard him suddenly there with her, she’d have jumped at Eidhin’s sudden presence. The grimace that couldn’t be helped was heavily on her features, looking between the two as Eidhin stared Coilin down hard, Coilin’s face looking as though he’d seen a ghost; A large ghost…very large…who looked like he’d been pumped full of steroids like Captain America or something. Resisting the urge to facepalm, she rocked back on her heels, finishing her drink in barely a gulp while getting another as her “friend” sized her brother up.<br/><br/>“You’re her brother…” he said, trying to recover as though it weren’t a shock. “The last time we saw you, you were thinner, gangly, couldn’t tell your way around a paper bag when outside of the house. You sure you’re the right person?”<br/><br/>Eilidh heard the comment and shot him a look, stepping between the two and putting a hand on Coilin’s chest. “Yes, it’s Eidhin. So, if you’ll excuse us.” With nothing more said, she grabbed hold of Eidhin’s hand, yanking him along before a fight broke out; A fight that she would have otherwise welcomed had it not been for their location, and their new…abilities.<br/><br/>“Thank you for that,” she said quietly when they were out of earshot, Coilin’s eyes still burning a hole in the back of her head. “I doubt he believes it, but I appreciate the help just the same.” A glance over at the direction where another set of eyes were readily staring, and it took everything in her not to roll her own, a foul taste in her mouth. “Did I interrupt your game over there?” she asked next, eyes glancing back over there before reconnecting with his.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000"><span style="font-style: italic">Gangly….paper bag!</span><br/><br/>The growl had been low in his throat and on the verge of being very vocal when Eilidh interrupted them and pulled him away. <br/><br/>Now at a small booth near the back, Eidhin struggled to control the anger that had begun to swell within his chest. The wolf was upset, angry and hurt. He was the alpha, it was he who was the leader and he was supposed to protect and defend them. Yet, here she was making him look weak in front of a male that he could easily break in half. <br/><br/>“Eh,” he gave a shrug to her question, no longer concerned with the two women he had been talking to and more just focused on not going back over there and saying just what was on his mind.</span><br/><br/>She could feel his upset, could tell she’d messed up even as she pulled him away, but there was no way to avoid it. Eilidh didn’t want them fighting for a plethora of reasons, but now he was irritated, and she was irritated and ready to go home.<br/><br/>“Look.” Her voice was low, even, only a pitch he’d be able to hear. “I know you’re upset that I stopped you. I’m still getting used to this idea of you being alpha, and needing to be the one to take care of things, but I’ve a history with him…And no matter how much of a jerk he was, I don’t want you pummeling him into the ground and being chased out of Rathdrum because people don’t realize who you are or why you’re doing what you’re doing.” A sigh fell free. “If you want to go back there and continue with it, then continue with it. But you’re talking to the same girl who was always the one protecting you…not the other way around. I’m not used to being on this end and all I ask is for some patience. …Please.”<br/><br/>A look of pleading took hold of her eyes, ignoring for the moment that Coilin was watching them closely. “I’m sorry…”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">It was her tone and how she <span style="font-style: italic">felt</span> more than anything that soothed his inner wolf more than anything else. A deep sigh and he reached across the table to take her hand into his own. He kissed the back of it and patted the back of it, “Alright…but if he says something else I am pinning him to the wall with a knife,” it was a joke of course and he hoped she would take it as such. <br/><br/>“Was I really Gangly?” he asked in a serious tone. “I did not think that I looked that bad before the change,” he went on to say.</span><br/><br/>His sigh had her wince, but it was the kiss on the back of her hand that had her relaxing. Even if the joke was, in her mind, done in poor taste, she didn’t say anything, only offering a smile and a small nod.<br/><br/>“Are you really asking me if you’re gangly?” she asked, perking a brow. “I mean…if you want my<span style="font-style: italic">honest</span>opinion…yes. You weren’t exactly the most active person in the world, so the most muscle definition you had was in his thumbs.” A light grin was given to show that she was joking, to some degree. “But you were…kinda gangly, which is why I find it so funny you make fun of me for being small when you weren’t always the Hulk.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“The Hulk? Come on now I am not <span style="font-style: italic">That</span> big,” he stressed though the grin stayed on his face. “I think we should get back to celebrating, don’t you?” <br/><br/>A waitress was waved over and he whispered to her an order before slipping some money down into the front pocket of her apron. When she left he rubbed his hands together and prepared for the drinking to begin, “I bet I can out drink you when it comes to shots.” <br/><br/>An open challenge it was and he was interested to see if she could even begin to match him shot for shot. “I will even be nice and offer to do five before you even take your one. You know, since I am the hulk and all.”</span><br/><br/>She wasn’t in much of a celebratory mood anymore, not with the eyes that continued to stare hard in their direction. No, it made it incredibly hard to move on and forget exactly how things had happened, how that entire fight had gone down. He’d seen her as the obsessed one, the one who couldn’t let go what was already gone and never coming back. He’d said that she was throwing away those who were there, right next to her, holding her when she cried, for a person who obviously hadn’t cared to stay around.<br/><br/>But, for Eidhin, she’d try.<br/><br/>So, when the waitress left and the challenge was issued, she readily accepted.<span style="font-style: italic">A drink was needed, so why not see if I can’t get plastered?</span>she asked herself. “Fine. I accept that challenge, and look forward to seeing you stumbling over drunk! What’re we drinking?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">A tray filled with about ten shots of whiskey were brought to them, five set before each of them. “Whiskey of course,” he said as if there was even a reason to question. He downed the first five and ordered another round for himself, even as he felt the stiff liquor start to burn in the pit of his stomach. <br/><br/>“Man, you are in for a hurting…” he said after a moment of composing himself.</span><br/><br/>Without hesitation, she downed her first shot. It wasn’t her favorite liquor in the world, the feel of it burning all the way down her throat and settling in her chest leaving a bit to be desired. But, liquor was liquor so she was going to down every shot and enjoy each one. Another shot down, and then another, continuing until her five were gone, ordering another round for herself, going straight for ten shots as opposed to another five.<br/><br/>“I’m in for a hurting?” she asked, mock confusion in her tone. “What do you think I did with my time when you were gone, huh?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“Make me pictures out of macaroni and do other girly things,” he stated after he downed the next five he ordered to match her ten, then ordered ten more. “You know…paint nails and do your hair,” he said with a smirk. Now, he began to feel <span style="font-style: italic">something</span>, though he was not sure exactly what this something was, but it felt good. “You sure you don’t maybe want to change you to something a bit less…manly? I mean we don’t want any extra hair on that chest of yours,” he joked.</span><br/><br/>More eye rolling, another sigh as she downed more of her shots, working her way through her next ten…and she was feeling something. That warmth in her stomach was slowly working its way outward, a pleasant sort of feeling she was more than ready to indulge in. The rest of her shots down and she was ordering another round, uncertain if she’d be able to handle another ten without issue, but she was going to try anyway!<br/><br/>“Let’s just worry about you and your manliness,” she quipped. “Next step will be the mountain man I thought you were last month…”<br/><br/>Coilin, watching the scene unfolding, decided to bring the next round of shots that were ordered, pulling up a seat and plopping down in front of the pair with his own shots in front of him. “So, what’re you both drinking to?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Yep, he was definitely feeling something and he liked it! His shots were down and was already to get more when their <span style="font-style: italic">friend</span> Collin decided to join them. <br/><br/>“Oh, well we are celebrating leaving dumb, pathetic and petty shit in the past,” a look given to the other male while he raised his shot. “To focus instead on being reunited and having a prosperous drama free future,” he said and downed his shot without even the barest hint of it bothering him. <br/><br/>This was dangerous territory and he certainly was baiting the guy with his comment, but he could not help himself. The asshole had it coming to him; had this and a whole lot more coming to him.</span><br/><br/>It was dangerous territory, and Eilidh knew it, having both of them at a table drinking. …And Eidhin didn’t seem to have regard for that danger. No, he baited Coilin, readily so it would seem, like he was itching for a fight.<br/><br/>Coilin downed his own shot, and Eilidh pounded her next five back to back, unable to deal with any of this drama sober, or buzzing. Pausing before her next one, she glanced over at Coilin, who seemed angry, but collected. “I’ve a better toast!” he announced, standing and holding his shot glass high. “To mending burned bridges, winning back what was lost, and letting go of the pathetic shits who left without a trace for years; Those of us who stayed deserve that chance, and here’s to these shots washing away the bad and paving the way for the good!”<br/><br/>Eilidh’s next drink was already at her lips, but froze as he said his next sentiment, eyes automatically going to Eidhin to see how he’d take it before going back to Coilin, at a loss for words.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Several thoughts and feelings ran through Eidhin at the moment, most of them involved seeing how well he would fit crammed inside of something small. A glance to Eilidh for a moment then back to Collin he picked up his shot, “To those who think they know everything, but wet the bed until they were thirteen!”<br/><br/>Down went the shot, the glass turned upside down and set on the table. “Have a good night Collin,” he said with a genuine smile and extended his hand to Eilidh. “Let’s go home. Think we have had enough to drink,” he said with somewhat of an apologetic look. Sure he wanted to punch him and punch him hard, but he knew that would be bad. So, instead he gave him an insult back and called it an evening.</span><br/><br/><span style="font-style: italic">Oh god,</span>was the first thought that came to mind the moment Eidhin rose his shot and threw out an embarrassing moment of Coilin’s. Did it seem to faze him?<br/><br/>…No, not at all. She was uncertain how much alcohol he’d had before they got there, but he seemed to let it roll off his back like water, instead himself firmly in front of Eilidh’s seat, hand outstretched to her just as Eidhin’s was. “What if she doesn’t want to go home?” he asked, hand extended though his face was focusing on the brother of it all. “What if she wants to stay? Catch up? Reminisce about time’s past like those walks we used to take over the trails…that night at lookout point? Why does she have to leave just because you’re feeling you’ve had enough?”<br/><br/>Instead, he turned to her and leaned down, one hand bracing on the table while the other braced on the booth’s back. “Eilidh…please…I’ll get on my knees and beg. Don’t leave just because your ‘brother’ says you need to…Stay…talk with me…Would talking really be that bad?”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">The sigh was held and he held her gaze for a moment, and then just smiled. “Well she is a big girl and if she wants to talk to you then that is her choice,” he went to leave though he stopped next to Collin. “Please stop insinuating that I am not her brother,” his tone was low and threatening. “The few times we got into it when we were younger I gave you as good as you gave me and as you pointed out…I am not that gangly kid that I used to be,” he smiled at him a final time and then left the bar to get some fresh air. <br/><br/>Did he just give up? Allow another male to just win? <br/><br/>No, but he did take the damn high road he knew his sister would have wanted; even if it would have been way too easy at ripping that guy literally in two.</span><br/><br/>It didn’t take long for her to resurface outside of the bar, popping up next to him and leaning against the wall. The smell of cigarettes almost made her want one, but that was one habit she wouldn’t get into. Instead…she’d binge-drink, having downed the last of her shots and was feeling well passed the point of buzzing, moving toward frustrated drunk.<br/><br/>“Can we go home now?” she asked, the slightest of slurs to her words, but it was a slur that she was holding off to the best of her ability. “I just really want to go home.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">He raised his head to look over at her and desire to ask about Collin was right there on his lips, but he held his tongue for the moment. <br/><br/>“Sure,” is all he said as he pushed up from the wall and stepped closer to her. At first he just stood there looking at her, and then he slipped his arm about her shoulders. “So, apparently we can get a bit drunk,” he joked as he walked with her toward the woods. “I wonder if we still get hangovers?” question asked aloud though he did not expect a response. <br/><br/>After a moment of walking in silence, “I’m sorry.” His voice was soft and sincere; because he knew he had fucked up and ruined what should have been a fun night out for them.</span><br/><br/>She didn’t really wait for a confirmation that they would leave, more just waiting for his head to round to her so that he could acknowledge she’d spoke. And, when he just looked at her, her brow furrowed the smallest bit, eyes tired, watery.<br/><br/>Then his arm was around her shoulders and they started to walk and she focused on the action of putting one foot in front of the other, though her steps weren’t quite as straight as usual, an arm around his back to steady herself. Nothing was said, though, when he broke the silence with his hypothetical question…nor when he apologized. Initially, she remained silent and just kept at walking. But, then she finally broke the silence with her own words, lacking though they were.<br/><br/>“It’s fine…I just want to go home…and maybe go for a jog…sleep…something.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">“Maybe just sleep?” he offered and kissed the top of her head. “I rather not drunk run into a tree or anything,” he joked though he knew that would not lighten her mood much if at all.</span><br/><br/>“Jog tomorrow, then,” she replied, though there wasn’t much feeling to her words. She just shrugged, continuing to walk with him as much as she wished that she could jog and not end up in a ditch or rolling down the side of a mountain. “When we get home…can I have snuggles…like we used to when we were kids? I’ll probably fall asleep on you and then you can extricate yourself, but…I’d really appreciate it for at least a minute.”<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">It was something he had planned on regardless and he was more than happy to oblige her with the requested snuggles. He may have needed them just as much if not more than her. The rest of the walk was silent; when they reached the cabin he disabled the traps and allowed her to enter first. After he followed after her he locked everything up tight and allowed her to use their “bedroom” first to change. Once she was done he took his turn, which was mainly slipping into a pair of shorts for the night. <br/><br/>For what she wanted, he laid down first and then waited for her to get situated. Once she was comfortable he covered them both with the fur blanket, more for the cover than for any actual warmth. <br/><br/>“Good?” he asked.</span><br/><br/>Once they reached the cabin and he’d disabled all of the traps, she went into the cabin and changed. Her movements were slow, tired and worn, slightly jerky and stumbling as she lost her balance a few times, but she managed. Shorts and a tanktop were put on, hair brushed out and put up in a ponytail, before climbing down so that Eidhin could change as he needed. Then, when he was done, she climbed back up and curled up into the crook of his arm, head resting on his shoulder and her hand resting on his chest.<br/><br/>“Good,” she answered quietly, ready for the day to be over. “Good night, Eidhin…” And with that, she closed her eyes, letting out a sigh and willing her body to relax so that she could sleep.<br/><br/><span style="color: #FF0000">Sleep took a while to come to Eidhin, his mind an ever running stream that just did not seem to have an end. Over and over he replayed the events of the evening. Events that he was now not very proud of and wished he could go back in time to change. There was the chance; a small chance that he could have lost her tonight to Coilin and the thought of terrified him. Eilidh was his whole world, even without her being his sister, she was still about the only person in the world who loved him for who he was. <br/><br/>She was someone he could not even think about living without. <br/><br/>So, as the night waned on, he laid there in bed with her sleeping on his chest and realized he had never been happier. From now one he would have to be more careful when it came to how he acted. He would have to try his best and ensure he did not do something to lose her. </span>