Wolf Stray (On Hold)

Expectations

Asher had a follow up appointment with the healer. He sat on the edge of a cot as Conall looked him over.
Asher and Conall where very familiar with one another as they boy had often come in to be treated for unexplained injuries. So Asher was relatively relaxed as the Omega examined his bite wound, took his temperature and pulse, and asked him questions.
"How have you felt lately? Anything unusual?"
The boy shook his head.
"Not really."
"How about headaches?"
"Nope."
"Nausea?"
"No."
"Racing heart."
"Not that I recall."
"Have you felt panicky lately? Maybe just anxious?"
Asher ducked his head slightly.
"No I'm fine."
Conall sighed quietly.
"Asher. You know anything you tell me stays between you and me. I won't tell Batraz or anyone else."
The wolfling rung his hands nervously.
"I've always been anxious healer. It's just how I am. It's nothing new."
The man nodded.
"Yes I know. I guess what I was asking is has it gotten worse or maybe even just changed a little?"
Asher shifted his jaw side to side as he seemed to think about whether to answer.
"You won't tell Batraz?"
Conall tilted his head.
"Of course I won't. You know I wouldn't."
The young teen nodded.
"Yeah sorry. I just get nervous."
"Don't worry about it."
The wolfling glanced at the door that lead out. Batraz was waiting outside for him. He took several deep breaths.
"I'm scared." It was so quiet. Almost a whisper.
Conall was silent. He knew Asher would continue when he was ready. Pushing him would only make him more nervous.
"I-I'm scared because... Because I don't know what he wants me to be. I always new what dad wanted. He wanted me to be quiet and just stay out of the way. I could do it. It wasn't so bad. Because I knew what he wanted. I don't know what Batraz wants from me. I don't know what he wants me to do or be. So I try to stay out of the way but what if that's not what he wants? What if he wants me to be something else? I don't know what to do and I'm scared because I don't want to mess up."
Conall's heart ached. He really cared about Asher. He had known him since he was a pup and seen all the pain and hardship he had endured over the years. It had been hard. Knowing but being unable to tell anyone who could help the boy. And when the people found out they had taken action but now they all thought it was over. Asher had bee saved. The could all go home. But it was far from over.
"Asher. Batraz is a good man. He's kind and understanding. I think you should talk to him. Ask him what he wants. I think he's going to surprise you. It's going to be simpler than you thought."
The younger stared at his hands.
"You don't think it's too forward? He won't be mad?"
"He's a man of action. He'll appreciate you getting straight to the point."
Asher nodded thoughtfully.
Maybe he was right. Batraz was nothing like his father. He needed to be more direct.
"You're probably right healer. Maybe that's what I should do."

∆∆∆∆

Batraz stood as Conall and Asher walked back into the room.
"He seems to be recovering just fine," The healer said ruffling the boys hair in a familiar manner. "No fever, or nausea. Doesn't look like he's going to start having seizures or anything. I'd say bring him back in two weeks. If he's still doing good then I'll miss seeing him around."
Batraz grinned.
"Well that's good."
Asher smiled shyly but said nothing.

On the walk home the boy kept glancing up at him before quickly looking away as if scared of being caught staring.
The older wolf thought about asking what was on his mind but decided against it.
Best to get him back to his safe zone before I start asking questions. He thought. Then at least he can escape to his room if he doesn't want to talk.
Asher was trying to think of a way to be direct. He had never been direct before.
Some people jumped into a body of water without thinking.
Some people tested it first.
Asher had learned to be scared of the water and to avoid it at all cost.
When Conall had said to be direct he had told Asher to jump feet first and hope there were no water monsters that would come out to drown him.
What could he say?
He racked his brain for an answer but couldn't find one.
Suddenly they were home. He hadn't even realized it until he had already walked through the door that Batraz had held open for him.
He had a weird moment of disassociation as his brain tried to recall what he had done while in auto pilot, but of course he couldn't remember.
"Is something bothering you Asher?"
The wolfling snapped back into focus.
"N-uhm no. Why?"
Batraz smiled softly.
"Because you're shaking."
Asher held up his hands to look at them.
Oh damn. He was trembling.
"I didn't even notice." He admitted quietly.
"Something on your mind?"
The boy took a steadying breath.
"Well shit," he said nervously. "Here Goes nothing."
Batraz parked his tilted his head and lurked his ears forward but internally he was bracing as he wondered if he had done something wrong.
"What do want?" Asher finally blurted out.
His face and neck where flushed now, his ears stood straight up, and his whole body trembled.
Batraz was taken aback and he frowned slightly in confusion.
"What do you mean?" He questioned cautiously.
Asher rubbed the back of his neck nervously and shifted back half a pace as his shoulders came up in a preemptive flinch.
"I-I-I mean what do you... Want? I don't know how else to-to-to uhm say it I guess. Like what do you want me to do or be or-or act I guess? I dont- I don't know what to do I guess."
The man stared at him for a moment in confusion.
"You mean... What do I expect from you? That's what you want to know?"
The boy shifted again and shrugged.
"Yeah. I mean... I guess so. Like who do you want me to be or something I guess?"

For a moment Batraz felt hurt. Surely the boy didn't expect him to be life his father! Surely he realized how different the men where!
But he stopped himself mid mental rant.
No. Asher had only known him for about a week. He had no way of knowing that all this wasn't some act that could drop away in a moment.
"Well Asher. I don't want you to be anything in particular. I want you to be who you would like to be. And if you aren't yet the person you want to be I would like to help you become that. I guess I would like you to be more confident but I don't necessarily expect you to be outspoken. I want you to feel free as a person. I don't punish personality Asher. As for what I expect we'll it's very simple. I expect from you what I expect from everyone. I expect you to be a good person and to keep your word. I also want you to do your best at whatever you decide to try. Whether you become a warrior, a cook, a singer, an athlete, or anything else. I just want you to do your best. Do you understand?"
Asher hesitated.
"Yes. Ok. But-but I mean like what do you want me to not do? I guess like what bothers you or something?"
"Iit really bothers me when people grind there teeth together."
Asher froze.
"What?"
Batraz nodded.
"Yes. It's bad for your teeth. You could crack a fang. And it makes a horrible sound."
The boy stared at him, unsure what to do with this information.
"It also bothers me people twist there necks to pop it. It makes me cringe so hard. Or when people toss food under the table. Just gross. And rude! Or when somebody pushes a door to close it and it hits the door frame but then it doesn't close. Just close the door! Am I right? Or sometimes I'll ask somebody "can you go get so-and-so?" And they yell across the field. I could have done that! I wanted you to go and get them. Walk over and fetch them."
Asher stood, mouth agape, as he tried to think of something to say, for some kind of response.
Batraz smiled at him.
"You're not going to bother Asher. Believe it or not I like having you around and I enjoy your company."
The boy nodded uncertaintly.
"Right. Ok."

NOTE:
I did end this story somewhat prematurely due to some drama I had going on in my real life world. These stories, though just stories to you, are really important to me because it's how I escape reality most times. So I'm sorry that I left you hanging.