Moonchild

Eight

"Don't be a smartass, Aurie. He's freaked out enough." Cricket scolds me and it gives me a small smile at the fondness still in his voice. Every time this happens I worry that it'll be the time he's finally tired of being my friend, but it seems today is not the day.

"...I popped a cyst. I'm fine. I'm sorry."

...
Lukas
...

Sorry?

I can't seem to process what's happened, the neurons just aren't firing. He's the one looking half-dead on the bathroom floor because I got carried away with him. And Cricket managed to get injured because I panicked.

Me. I was the one to panic while the pack's weakest member had jumped into action without hesitation.

He still hadn't even shown any signs of caring about the jagged bite mark Aurie ripped into his arm. Sure it would heal but it must hurt.

"....."

"Let me get dressed, then we'll clean up and then I'm ready, Cricket," Aurie mutters slowly unfolding himself and using the tub to help himself up, the hoodie he's wearing unbunches and falls just short of his still shaky knees.

"Ready for what?" Jack questions from behind me, a silent observer since grabbing the backpack.

"A walk." Aurie hums, facing away from us, hands rubbing his eyes and then carding through his hair to push it out of his face.

...
Aurie
...

"No."

The growl that rips itself from Lukas's chest with the order makes my knees shake, and if Cricket hadn't been there to grab me I would have ended up on the tile again. He's so mad.

"I need to walk it off," I mumble, feeling like the world is starting to spin from the relief of the anti-cramping medicine starting to work and I need to learn more and more on Cricket to stay upright as the other medications start to force my body to behave.

"You can barely stand." Lukas snaps, but his voice is suddenly much closer than last time, and it startles me enough to open my eyes only to see him right in front of us, whatever emotion had been on his face replaced with shock.

....
Lukas
....

Aurie averts his eyes and curls around Cricket, shutting his eyes tight again and I feel struck stupid.

His wolf was clearly close to the surface to give him strength and it showed through blood-red irises, the only familiar thing is the band of black surrounding the color, containing it.

"...My bad. I forgot... I know its gross." Aurie murmurs, shame present in his voice.

It makes me want to grab him and shake him until he takes it back but I'm afraid to even touch him.

"Cricket..." Aurie sighs just a moment before his body sags completely and Cricket struggles to catch him in time with a strained chuckle before trying to rouse him just enough to stand.

"...no... nipples...Just...bed...please..."

Its utter nonsense but it makes Cricket roll his eyes, a quiet, "Thought so." Brushing past his lips right before a "Help!" As Aurie gives in to unconsciousness again, sagging in his hold.

I can't touch him though. The look on his face when I finally let him go earlier still haunting me. The way his face contorted with pain...

Jack pushes past me and scoops Aurie up and then turns to push past me into the bedroom and waiting as Cricket scampers behind him.