Boys Don't Cry - The Cure

Oleander was… not well. She wasn't sure how she had missed the signs at first. She followed his instructions to the letter. She wasn't entirely comfortable working with the herbs, but she pushed through. She had done plenty of things she wasn't comfortable with in her life.


At some point, she'd been forced to admit she had it good with Oleander. He had treated her better than any of the slavers back where she had been born. Other than the one paw swipe, he hadn't laid his hands on her. Didn't mean she wouldn't be a contrary, difficult slave. But she wasn't ready to give up on him.


When he spoke next, his voice was soft. She finished adding the last of the herbs, and waiting for instructions about the mushrooms. She didn't say anything to him yet.