Gruff & Bones: The Quest For The Last N-Word Pass

Chapter 7

I roasted the cow on a makeshift spit outside while Bones caught up on some sleep. I swear that's all he ever does. But I don't mind, I've known him for years. I don't mind towing the load a bit. 

I heard the door open and close as Bones walked out and sat down next to me. 

"Can I ask you something?" He said sheepishly.

"Of course, what's wrong?" I looked down and saw a look in his eyes, worry, fear, but not the same kind as usual.

"After we find that thing, you won't leave me will you?" His eyes darted down as he asked. I heard him sniffle.

I let out a deep and heavy sigh, I didn't know what to say. Had we become more than just two people fighting for what we believed in? Had we gotten… closer?

What did he mean by "leaving him"? I let go of the spit and extended my hand out for him.  He hesitated, then grabbed it as I stood him up. We looked each other deep in the eyes and I could tell he felt the same way I did. I had never felt that particular way before, and I don't think I ever will again. I pulled him closer and held him in a tight hug. 

"For now… let's just worry about getting the artifact, ok?" I finally answered.

"Ok…" he replied emptily.

I didn't know what to say, I should have told him I would never leave him, but I didn't. His question caught me off guard…

He broke from the hug and moped back into the house.

I continued to roast the cow while I kicked myself for being such a prickly dumbass.

4 minutes later --

I walked into the living room with the roasted cow over my shoulders and threw it onto the ground. 

"Eat up buddy, tomorrow our lives change forever!" I said. 

"I'm… not really hungry…" He moped. 

I felt I had to apologize for what I said, or, what I didn't say. So I walked over and sat down next to him.

"Listen, I don't know what's gonna happen after we find the Pass. Hell, to be honest it may not even exist. But I do know that for the time being, you're all I have, just like I'm all you have. We've stuck together for years, why would that ever change?" 

He paused and looked up at me. 

"Gruff… I love you". He said shyly.

"I… I love you too…" 

He leaned against my shoulder and we just kinda sat there, thinking. I lied down in the sleeping bag and said with a yawn:

"I'm gonna get some rest, you should too."

"I will…" he replied. "Good night!" 

"Good night Bones… good night…" I repeated, dreamily, as I drifted off to sleep.