A fragile dream in the making

Oath's heart ached slightly at the soft whine that escaped her. The sight of Fairytale crawling beneath him, seeking comfort in his presence, filled him with a strange sense of protectiveness. She was brave, resilient, but also fragile in a way that made him want to shield her from anything that could cause her harm. His cyan eyes softened as she nuzzled into his legs, the warmth of her small body pressing against him.

"You fought well," he murmured, his voice deep but gentle as he lowered his head to look down at her, though all she could see was his chest. "Don’t blame yourself for the pain. Bruises can heal, and you held your ground. That’s all that matters."

As she settled between his front legs, Oath leaned down, nuzzling the top of her head with a tender touch, his breath warm against her fur. The sight of her tail wagging, despite everything, brought a soft smile to his face. He lowered himself slightly, careful not to jostle her, letting her rest against him.

"You’re safe now," he said softly, his tone reassuring as he held her. "We’ll take it slow, get you resting. No need to push yourself anymore." His gaze lingered on her, admiration for the little wolf growing with each passing moment. She had proven herself to be far more than a damsel in need, she was a fighter - and Oath felt honored to have her by his side.

For now, they could rest, and in this moment of quiet victory, Oath found peace in simply being there for her.

As they lay there in the quiet aftermath of the hunt, Oath couldn’t shake the thought that had been lingering in the back of his mind since they met. He had noticed the way Fairytale struggled to track the deer, how she squinted and moved cautiously, her vision clearly hindering her at times. He hadn’t mentioned it before, not wanting to embarrass her, but now seemed like the right time, especially since he knew someone who might be able to help.

“You know,” he began, his voice soft but steady, “I have a sister. Her name is Atreyu, and she’s a healer. She’s skilled with all sorts of remedies, even with... vision problems.” His eyes met hers, though he knew she couldn’t see the full depth of his expression. “I could tell you have trouble seeing things from a distance. It’s nothing to be ashamed of, but maybe she could help? If you’d like, I could take you to meet her. She might be able to do something for your eyes.”

He hoped his words came across as caring and not invasive. He didn’t want her to feel exposed, but he also wanted to offer her a solution - something that could make her life just a little easier.

Oath watched her closely as he spoke, his voice gentle but full of concern. He knew the idea of revealing her vulnerability might unsettle her, but he also knew she deserved to feel stronger, to overcome whatever challenges her eyesight caused. Still, he didn’t want to overwhelm her all at once.

"But first," he added with a soft chuckle, "you need to eat. You earned it, and I can hear that stomach of yours grumbling louder than any deer we could’ve taken down today."

He nudged her lightly with his nose, encouraging her to rise. The warmth in his tone was unmistakable, a mixture of pride and care. "We’ll rest, fill our bellies, and when you’re ready, we can visit Atreyu. She’s patient and kind, and maybe she can help you see the world a little more clearly."

Oath smiled, watching for her reaction as he waited, ready to help her however she needed, whether that was with her meal or simply offering comfort by her side.