Moonlight Nocturne

Nick lets out an embarrassed keening noise, too, staring out the window.

 

"... can I sleep in your room, then?"

 

"Uh, I guess?"

 

"... okay." She looks out the window, still flushed. "... is it okay that me and Miriam made out on the couch? Because she's really cute."

 

"Yeah. I mean I've-" He pauses. Snaps his mouth shut. Considers. "....Yeah. Don't worry about it."

 

She smiles shyly up at him, before looking back out the window. "... okay."

 

It's even later when they get to the house, and Nick helps her upstairs - and gives her a fluffy towel before ushering her towards the shower.

 

"... can I borrow clothes again?" She yawns, sleepily trying to pry her blood-soaked shirt away from her shoulder. It's really sticky. "... thanks, Nick."

 

"Yeah, I'll grab some.... just... stay cool. It's all gonna turn out okay."

 

She attempts a watery smile, and ducks into the bathroom to shower. She stays in there for a long time, before getting dressed and going to find Nick's room. Miri's probably sleeping, right? It's... really late.

 

She thinks she finds it. Pushing open the door, it's dark, but what she can see is definitely a boy's room, with a calendar full of fast cars and some movie posters on the walls, along with a few little car models and things that were probably picked up on a hunt - including a small animal skull.

There's movement in the darkness.

 

She freezes, looking around nervously, her hand still on the door. The dim light from the hallway silhouettes her in the doorframe. "... ... Nick?"

She swallows, unsheathing her dagger. "If you're Nick then you should say something now because there's been a lot of monsters lately and I really don't want to get chewed on again today."

 

One ear flicks, and a black-furred wolf lifts his head off his paws, yawning sleepily and pawing at the blankets. He rubs his face with a paw, then sleepily stumbles off the bed - taking a literal tumble - before padding over to Elena.

 

Elena blinks slowly, then slides her knife back into its sheath and goes to bear-hug the wolf. It doesn't involve that much bending over, which is a little disconcerting. "... you're really fluffy. Um. Do I sleep on the floor?"

He's so fluffy. She'll pet his head as long as he wants. Even if she's just a little wary and nervous, because... you know, dog.

... hopefully he can't smell that.

 

He snorts, then sleepily whuffs against her neck and nudges her at the bed, yawning again.

If she doesn't move very quickly, he starts to doze off again.

 

She yawns and obeys, pulling away to curl up in bed. "... thanks, Nick."

She'll snuggle into Nick's fur and hug him like a teddy bear all night, if he lets her. This feels safe, and that's a feeling she hasn't had much of, lately.

 

She wakes up with another wolf napping alongside them, muzzle buried in her hair.

 

Elena blinks sleepily, beams, and reaches over to scritch Miri contentedly. This is a good day.

And then she remembers that her mom is hurt and her brother is missing. And that brings her down to earth again.

 

Miriam nuzzles her hand, sleepily opening her eyes and yawning wide.

 

She's so cute. She could totally bite someone's hand off with those huge teeth. Elena hesitates, considering whether it's weird, but... it's still Miri, right? So she leans in and kisses her furry nose. "Hi, Miri. I... guess I'm staying here for a while."