Dendrophile - Miragehound

12

"Tavi? What the hell are you doing!" Elliott yelled, gripping Octavio's skinny arms. Pinning him to the door of the cabin. Bloodhound looked on in confusion, but also slight amusement. They didn't know Elliott was so strong. 

"Elli? This bastard is trying to kill you! What are you doing!?" Octavio spat out, trying to pry free from Elliott's strong grasp. He eventually gave up, while Elliott took him outside, slamming the door to the cabin. Bloodhound just stood there, confused, but not feeling threatened in any way. They understood that they could look a little scary, or intimidating, but they would never try to hurt their Elliott. 

Moments passed, while Bloodhound just listened to the two arguing outside before Elliott slowly opened the door and closed it gently. 

"I'm sorry about that, Hound," Elliott said, trying to hold back a stutter. Bloodhound gently placed the knife down, walking over and placing a firm hand on Elliott's warm shoulder.

"Do not worry, félagi fighter." Elliott melted into Bloodhound's touch before asking a strange question. 

"Can I stay with you for a few days?" Bloodhound smiled underneath their mask, a small blush forming on their cheeks, which had happened almost every time the hunter saw Elliott.

"Of course, Elskan." 

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Four days had passed, and no sign of Elliott at school at all. Renee was only a little bit worried, but Natalie had helped her relax. Renee was pissed at first, she really thought Elliott was staying with some kind of serial killer, but Natalie had reassured her that Elliott was a lot smarter than that. And when Elliott found someone to open up to, he knew they were true. Renee felt bad about she had acted that night and wanted to apologize. Renee heard her phone ding, Octavio had texted their group chat. 

Octavio: any reason why you're missing school again? 

Elliott: still sick, not feeling good

Natalie: Feel better! <3

Octavio glared at Natalie from his seat at the lunch table. "You know he's lying right?" Natalie stared at him, before looking at Renee. 

"I went back down to that cabin, and that dude was trying to kill Elliott! He's literally losing his mind, and if he turns up dead, don't say I didn't tell you so. We had a fight outside because I tried to protect him!" Octavio yelled from his side of the table, making Natalie flinch a bit. 

"Shut up," Renee said bluntly, placing her hand on Natalie's. Octavio rolled his eyes dramatically and turned around to face Ajay. He was still complaining loudly enough for the girls to hear, but Renee just ignored him. 

"Nat, we need to go visit Elliott and," she put on a smug smile before quickly glancing over at Octavio, "and his little serial killer," Renee said this loud enough for Octavio to hear.  She grabbed her phone out of her pocket and typing out a text message to the group chat.

Renee: Hey Elliott, I heard what happened. mind if Nat and I come over tonight? 

Elliott: sure :) meet us at the campsite. 

Renee gave Natalie a little wink, half hoping that Octavio would flip out in the group chat, but Ajay must have held him back. 

As soon as school finished, Renee and Nat drove up to the campsite. It was getting dark out already so Renee hoped that Elliott had a flashlight or something. Renee pulled in and parked her car. She got out of the car and Nat followed. 

"So where do we go?" Nat asked, gripping Renee's hand. Renee shrugged, she knew that they had to wait for Elliott to get there. 

After standing in the cold and dark for a few moments, they heard a twig snap. Nat jumped from the sudden noise and Renee grabbed her defensively. A masked figure came out from behind a tree, followed by a taller figure that was Elliott. 

"Halló félagi fighters," Bloodhound said, extending their hand out politely for the girls to shake, and to show that he was trustworthy. "You must be Renee and Natalie." 

"Bloodhound?" Renee asked, looking over to Elliott who gave her a nod. Bloodhound nodded too. 

"Come, follow us this way," Bloodhound said with a wave of their hand. Elliott quickly followed behind, staying close to Bloodhound's side. Natalie smiled at this, knowing they had grown close and that Bloodhound could definitely be trusted. 

The group walked for about twenty minutes until they reached the cabin. Bloodhound opened the door, allowing the group to walk inside first. They were hit with warmth and a pleasant smell. Renee was pretty impressed by how nice the cabin was, how clean and tidy it was, and it was incredibly homey. 

"So uh, you guys probably want an explanation right?" Elliott said awkwardly, motioning to some wooden stools Bloodhound had that they could sit on. Elliott sat on Bloodhound's hammock, while Bloodhound tended to their ravens. 

Natalie just looked on in wonder, cooing cutely at the ravens, making Bloodhound chuckle. "Yeah, so what's the deal? You're skipping school?" Renee said, crossing her arms with a deep exhale. 

Elliott fumbled with his hands for a moment before sighing, "I'm just sick of Octavio. He's trying to control me, and he doesn't understand the situation. I lo- I mean, I-" Elliott stuttered out. Renee raised an eyebrow, knowing his stutters got worse under pressure. 

"I don't want Octavio to be a jerk to Hound. And he is really judgemental and I have a feeling he told you guys some messed up stuff. I just want him to leave us alone." 

"So this is what it's all about? Do you care about what Octavio has to say that much? Witt, he's about as threatening as a pesky mosquito. Just kick him out of your life." Renee said simply, Elliott looking up with puppy eyes. 

"I guess..." Elliott said. Renee knew he wasn't feeling himself. Suddenly, little tip taps echoed off the window before a boom of thunder went off.

Bloodhound calmed their ravens quickly. "You two should stay the night. Here." Bloodhound said, heading over to open a small chest. They pulled out two quilts, handing them to the two girls. 

"Thanks," Renee said kindly, she really had second thoughts and honestly, Bloodhound was a pretty good person. 

Renee watched as Elliott laid down on Bloodhound's hammock, as Bloodhound laid down next to him. She giggled to herself lightly, before looking over at a smiling Natalie. 

The two snuggled in the hammock together, completely oblivious to the two girls' gaze on them. A blush crept over Elliott's face as Bloodhound wrapped a gentle arm around his shoulder. Elliott leaned into the touch. 

"Goodnight guys," Renee said, before throwing the quilt over herself and laying down next to Natalie.