Lee couldn’t understand why his favorite wolf wasn’t waking up. He was feeding him, coddling him a little. Everyone else seemed to be improving enough to go. What the hell was going on?
The sweet boy was trying, Lee could tell. He was eating voraciously, and he’d be fine, then he’d get in with the others to rest and boom -- he was back down.
Maybe he ought to quarantine him for a bit. Keep the others away. Not that Lee had any idea what that would do.
One way or the other, he wasn’t losing this pup. He couldn’t. He was important.
He brought more milk, the pan laced with protein powder and puppy formula.
At the sight of him, the wolf -- Drew, his name was Drew -- began to wag, tail thumping on the floor.
“Hey, buddy. I brought you some more milk. I might have to go hunt today, as your transport isn’t here yet.”
The wolf snorted, tossing his head. Silly beast.
“Come on. Take your warm milk, huh? I worry about you most.”
He helped the wolf drink, the sweet pup lapping up the milk. Lee just didn’t understand. Drew would start to look better…
“What is it you need?”
Drew pushed into his belly, nuzzling him.
“Snuggles, huh? Okay.” He sat on Drew’s pallet. “Did I tell you I was Lee? I might have. I talk to myself a lot.”
Drew nodded, moving into his arms easily. Eagerly, even.
He held on, humming softly, babbling about milk and how rabbit wouldn’t help, but maybe he could get a deer.
Drew chuffed softly, watching him with bright, smart eyes.
“I bet you’re fun to hang out with, man. Like for real. Are you warmer now?”
He thought Drew was. Warmer and more energetic.
Lee yawned. Now he was a little sleepy again. Drew pushed in, nuzzling his chest, his cheeks.
Such a lover. What was Drew like as a man?
Suddenly he could imagine a lean, lanky man, eager, eyes alight. Oh, maybe it was his imagination, but how lovely. Lee knew he was lonely and he was probably projecting.
Drew nipped him. Not hard, but enough that he felt it.
“Ow!” Well, it hadn’t really hurt… “What was that for? I thought we were cuddling.” He loved to cuddle, and it had been a long time since Sam.
Drew bobbed his head, licking him gently where he’d bit.
“Okay. Sorry if I startled you.” He stretched out with Drew, feeling lazy, but like he’d said, they were on their own at least another day. He really did need to close his eyes a minute, conserve energy so he could go out and get more meat. They needed it.
Stay, Lee. Stay.
He frowned and opened his eyes. Then he looked around. “Hello? Is someone else here?”
Shhh. Stay with me. Drew put that heavy head on his hip, weighing him down.
“I’m losing my mind.”
Silly wolf.
“Who keeps talking to me?” Maybe the voices in his head were finally talking back to him. He had no idea. Because no one else was in human form. Yep. He was just losing it.
When he tried to get up, though, Drew held him down. Hush. Sleep with me.
“Drew? Is that you? How?”
Drew leaned up and lapped his chin. Please, Lee. Rest with me.
“I don’t understand.” His heart was racing but he settled back down. “How can I hear you?”
So tired. I will shift when we wake. I promise.
“It is you. Are you okay?”
Tired, but getting better, I swear. I can’t believe we’re free. Did everyone left get out? So many starved.
“One ran. When I stopped at the first stop. I was supposed to hear from Abby tonight, but nothing. I know they were shooting at her.” God. Starving to death. That was horrific.
Drew whimpered softly, and he felt the wave of pain, of sorrow, of loss -- just like it was his own.
“Shhh.” Lee petted him, fingers tangling in the soft fur that was growing out to cover the bare spots.
Drew’s pleasure was a real thing, the pup pushing close like he was soaking in heat. That made him hum, and he refused to feel guilty. All the others cuddled together, but Drew seemed to need his own space, and if he wanted Lee in it, so be it.
Drew sighed softly, that tail wagging away.
He gave scritches and love, trying somehow to just pour it into Drew, who he wanted to meet as a man.
Soon. Soon. It’s so hard.
“Hey, just rest, okay? For real. I’m just a babbling fool. It’s been a long time since I had company.” Lee curled around Drew, protecting him.
A babbling fool? No… Drew was laughing at him.
“You hush.” He had no idea what was going on, and he felt a bit like he was freefalling, but that was okay.
He didn’t mind having an adventure. Not at all.