Ocean Kisses

Trust Me

Doc pov

The wolf remained asleep for a few hours, and I had drifted off too, just a light nap on the couch, trying to stay aware of his movements. The warmth of the blanket around me was comforting, but I couldn't completely relax with him so close and his injuries still weighing on my mind. But then, I heard a soft whine—thin, almost pained—and my ears flicked instinctively at the sound.

I opened my eyes to see him trying to move, but as soon as he put pressure on one of his legs, he let out a soft yelp and winced. My heart clenched at the sound. I wanted so badly to help him, to offer some comfort, but I remembered the earlier incident—how he'd bitten me in fear when I had grabbed him in the water. I didn’t want to make the situation worse.

He seemed to be struggling with more than just the physical pain, though. Slowly, he made his way over to where I was lying, his limping gait betraying how much he was still suffering. He stopped right in front of the couch and collapsed, lying down on the floor, his body curled slightly as he shivered. I could see how cold he still was, despite the warmth of the house. The fact that he was still so cautious, even in a place where he might have felt safer, made me ache for him.

I shifted slightly, adjusting the blanket over me, hoping he wouldn’t be disturbed by my movement. I didn’t want to startle him again, but I thought maybe—just maybe—he might appreciate the warmth. As I slowly moved, the blanket fell over him, covering his shivering form.

At first, I didn’t think he’d react. But then, just as the fabric settled on him, he let out a startled yelp, his body jerking slightly in surprise. His fur stood on end as his head shot up, eyes wide, clearly unsure of what had just happened. I froze, panic rising in my chest, worried that I had frightened him again.

But when I looked at him more closely, I saw the confusion in his eyes, not aggression. He seemed startled, yes, but not fearful in the same way he had been earlier. The blanket had simply fallen over him without warning, and his reaction had been one of instinct more than anything else. His tail flicked nervously, but it was still tucked underneath his body, a sign that he was still uncomfortable.

I sat up slowly, careful not to make any sudden moves. "Hey," I murmured softly, my voice gentle, "it’s just a blanket. It’s to help you stay warm." I knew he probably didn’t understand the words, but maybe he could sense the sincerity in my tone.

He shifted slightly, his body relaxing just a bit as the warmth from the blanket spread across him. His breathing slowed again, though he still appeared tense, as if unsure about this new development. But the shivering had stopped, at least. I let out a soft sigh of relief, hoping this small act of kindness, even if it had startled him at first, would be enough to show him that I was trying to help.

I stayed where I was for a moment, just watching him. He wasn’t exactly comfortable yet, but he wasn’t resisting either. Slowly, carefully, I adjusted the blanket again, making sure it was covering him without being too intrusive.

"Just rest," I whispered, as if I could somehow make him understand. "You’re safe here."

He didn’t respond right away, but after a few moments, his breathing deepened, and I could see him relax ever so slightly. It wasn’t much, but it was progress. And that gave me hope.

I woke up the next morning, the couch feeling cold without the blanket I’d had wrapped around me. I half expected it to be on the floor, and sure enough, when I glanced down, there it was, bunched up on the floor beside him. I must’ve rolled over it during the night, as I usually did, but that didn’t matter much right now. What did matter was that he was still lying there, unmoving, his body curled up on the cold wood, though I could tell he wasn’t asleep.