Memories
---
Sprout’s POV
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It had been 5 days.
5 days of restless nights, of tossing and turning in that uncomfortable inn bed, feeling like something was missing. A week of excuses, telling myself that it wasn’t a routine, that I wasn’t growing dependent on this strange ritual.
But every night, without fail, I found myself in the same spot.
And every night, there was something waiting for me.
Food. Carefully prepared, warm, flavorful. Something that actually tasted like food instead of the bland garbage this village served. And always, without fail, there was a note.
I sat at the small wooden table in my room, fingers brushing over the neatly stacked slips of paper. I had kept every single one since the first night.
The first note:
"I hope you’re doing well. I noticed you haven’t been eating much, so I baked these. Stay safe, Red Hood.
-Pâtisserie"
I had scoffed at it at first. It felt ridiculous. Who in their right mind would leave food for me? But the taste… that unmistakable familiarity…
I had eaten every crumb.
Another night. Another offering.
I remember that night the cool night air brushing against my skin, carrying with it the unmistakable scent of fresh-baked pastries. Tonight’s selection was different lemon pound cake, neatly sliced, with a dusting of sugar that glistened under the moonlight. Alongside it, a small batch of lemon pound cake muffins, golden and perfectly rounded.
My fingers hovered over them, hesitant.
Lemons were out of season. Hard to find, expensive if they could even be bought at all. And yet, whoever Pâtisserie was, they had gone through the trouble of finding them. Of making this. For me.
I exhaled slowly and picked up the note tucked neatly beside the platter.
"Here. I made this. I hope you drink a lot of water, okay? Stay safe, Red Hood.
-Pâtisserie"
I let out a small snort despite myself.
“Drink a lot of water.”
Who even writes something like that?
It was too casual. Too familiar. Like something an old friend would say. Like something… he would say.
I shook my head, shoving the thought away before it could settle. This wasn’t the time for ghosts.
And yet…
I had been drinking more water.
I exhaled slowly, reaching for another note from the small pile I had started keeping. This one was from the third night. That evening, I had found a batch of beignets golden, warm, dusted with powdered sugar, and drizzled with honey.
I unfolded the parchment carefully, my eyes scanning the words I had already read too many times:
"I added honey this time. You always liked sweets, didn’t you? Stay safe, Red Hood.
-Pâtisserie."
My breath caught in my throat.
They knew.
Not just my name. Not just my title.
Something deeper. Something personal.
I swallowed hard, my fingers tracing over the ink as if touching the letters would make them reveal more.
How?
How could they possibly know?
I shoved the thought aside, reaching for another note this one from the fourth night.
That time, they had made an Apple Cinnamon Pie. The scent had hit me before I even reached the clearing, wrapping around me like something safe. Something dangerous.
The note had been simple. Different.
"Please don’t over-stress yourself. Stay safe, Red Hood.
-Pâtisserie."
My grip on the paper tightened.
Stress.
That wasn’t something a stranger would notice. That wasn’t something that could be guessed.
Whoever Pâtisserie was… they were watching me closely.
And then there was last night’s note.
The most recent one.
A fruit tart, larger than any of the previous treats almost the size of a full plate. The crust was golden, the filling glistening with fresh berries, and the scent of vanilla and citrus curled around me like something dangerous. Something I should stay away from.
And yet, my hands had reached for it before my mind could stop them.
The note had been tucked just beneath the platter, the edges slightly smudged, as if the writer had hesitated before finishing.
"Why are you here? What’s your purpose, Red Hood?
Are you looking for someone?"
-Pâtisserie
I stared at the words, something sharp twisting in my gut.
They were watching me.
Not just leaving food. Not just taking guesses.
They knew something.
I groaned, rubbing a hand over my face.
"What the hell kind of question is that?" I muttered.
I wasn’t looking for anyone. I had come because of a mission. I had tagged along because I didn’t trust this place. Because my friends needed me.
Because of some ridiculous rumor about a human and a wolf one I wasn’t even sure I believed.
That’s why I was here. That’s all.
…Right?
I exhaled sharply, shaking my head.
"Childish," I muttered. "Reckless."
It was stupid. All of this was stupid.
And yet, my fingers brushed over the note again, lingering.
I bit my lip.
It reminded me of something.
Someone.
The way the words curled slightly at the ends, the way the letters almost ran into each other…
No.
I shoved the thought away.
I leaned back in my chair, my body tense, my mind restless.
And then, without meaning to, I remembered.
---
Flashback.
---
A different kitchen. A different time.
I stared down at the tray of burnt cookies, my heart sinking.
They were ruined. He’s gonna hate them.
I swallowed hard, trying to fight the lump in my throat.
He’s not gonna want to be my friend anymore…
I rubbed at my stinging eyes, glaring at the charred mess. Maybe if I just..
"Sprout?"
I flinched at the voice.
When I turned, I saw Cosmo standing in the doorway, golden eyes wide with concern.
"Phew! Are you okay!? Your hands are they okay!?"
He rushed toward me, grabbing my wrists before I could react.
I blinked at him, confused, before realizing
I was still holding the hot baking tray.
The pain hit me all at once.
I shrieking, the tray clattering to the floor as Cosmo pulled my hands into his own, his ears flat against his head.
"Sprout, you idiot!" he scolded, dragging me to the sink. "Why didn’t you drop it sooner!?"
Tears welled up in my eyes, but not from the pain. From frustration.
"It’s ruined…" I whispered, staring at the burnt cookies.
Cosmo blinked, then looked at me again really looked.
I expected him to be mad. To laugh. To call me stupid.
Instead, he smiled.
"You really think I care about that?" he said, squeezing my hands gently. "As long as you’re not hurt, that’s all that matters."
I swallowed hard, staring at him.
"You mean it?"
Cosmo rolled his eyes but nodded. "Duh."
A small, uncertain warmth bloomed in my chest.
I sniffed, wiping at my face. "…You still wanna try one?"
Cosmo tilted his head, then smirked. "Only if you promise not to poison me."
I burst out laughing, shoving him lightly, and just like that..
….
Another time.. me and Cosmo where in our special spot, I bought some of my favorite books to show Cosmo, Cosmo always is curious on what type of books we usually read.
The clearing was bathed in warm sky, the soft hum of the wind rustling through the trees as I laid out my books across the grass.
Cosmo sat beside me, his tail thumping against the ground as he leaned in, eyes wide with excitement.
“You actually brought them this time!” he said, practically bouncing in place.
I smirked, flipping through the pages. “You didn’t believe me?”
Cosmo huffed, flicking his ear. “Last time you said you’d bring a book, and all you had was a crumpled-up piece of paper with bad drawings on it.”
“Hey! Those were great drawings!” I argued, crossing my arms.
Cosmo rolled his eyes. “One of them was just a stick figure with ‘Me’ written over it.”
I turned red, shoving his shoulder. “Like you could do better!”
Cosmo stuck out his tongue before turning back to the book in my lap. “So, which one are we reading first?”
I tapped my chin, pretending to think. “Hmm… how about this one?” I held up a book with an overly dramatic title. The Grand Legends of Heroic Hunters.
Cosmo’s nose scrunched up. “Boring. Next.”
“Okay, okay, what about ” I dug through the stack and pulled out another one. “Magical Beasts and Where to Find Them?”
Cosmo’s ears perked up. “Oooh, that one sounds interesting!”
I grinned, opening the book as Cosmo scooted closer, his fur brushing against my arm.
His golden eyes darted across the pages as I read, absorbing every word like it was a secret just for him.
I snuck a glance at him, watching the way his tail flicked when something excited him, how his nose scrunched whenever something confused him.
He was adorable.
And..Oh no, wait.
I suddenly remembered something important.
I swallowed hard, trying to keep my voice casual. “Hey, Cosmo… wanna help me with something?”
He barely looked up from the book. “Hmm?”
I coughed. “Uh… my homework.”
Cosmo immediately slammed the book shut.
“NOPE.”
I blinked. “What?!”
Cosmo crossed his arms, his tail flicking with annoyance. “I knew something was off! You never offer to read first without a catch!”
I grinned sheepishly. “Okay, okay, but hear me out ”
“Nope!” Cosmo flopped dramatically onto the grass, ears flat. “Last time I helped you, I spent an hour trying to explain basic math to you while you just nodded and said ‘uh-huh’ like you understood!”
I gasped, placing a hand over my chest. “I did understand!”
“Oh yeah? Then what’s twelve times eight?”
I opened my mouth.
Paused.
Closed it.
Cosmo smirked. “Exactly.”
I groaned, shoving my face into the book. “Please? My dad’s gonna kill me if I fail this test!”
Cosmo sighed dramatically, sitting up. “Fine. But only if you let me pick the next story.”
“Deal!” I beamed, quickly flipping open my assignment.
Cosmo leaned in, scanning the pages before blinking. “…Sprout. This is from last week.”
I winced. “Uh… surprise?”
Cosmo groaned, flopping back down. “I can’t believe you.”
“You love me,” I teased.
Cosmo scoffed, rolling onto his side to face me. “Yeah, yeah. Just don’t expect me to do all the work.”
I grinned. “Wouldn’t dream of it.”
…..
The sun had just begun to set, casting a warm orange glow across the clearing. Fireflies were already dancing lazily in the air, and the forest hummed softly with the sounds of the evening.
Cosmo and I were sitting side by side, our backs resting against a thick tree trunk. My book lay open on my lap, but neither of us were really paying attention to it anymore.
We had been talking about nothing and everything about weird-looking clouds, about what kind of cake we’d bake if we had every ingredient in the world, about whether or not the moon was actually made of cheese.
And then, out of nowhere, Cosmo let out a tiny sigh and leaned against my shoulder.
I stiffened. Not because it was uncomfortable no, definitely not because of that. It was just… different.
“Hey, Sprout?” Cosmo’s voice was softer than usual, like he was thinking too hard about something.
I turned my head slightly, catching a glimpse of his golden eyes. “Yeah?”
There was a pause. Then, quietly
“Do you think one day, we’ll both live in harmony?”
I blinked.
“…Huh?”
Cosmo sat up straighter, his tail curling around his legs as he fidgeted with his paws. “You know… humans and wolves. No more fighting. No more hunters or Dumb things saying we can’t be friends.”
I frowned, tilting my head. “Well, yeah, obviously.”
He perked up a little. “Really?”
I scoffed, nudging his side. “Duh. Why wouldn’t we? We get along fine, don’t we?”
Cosmo’s ears twitched, and he gave me a small smile. “I guess we do…”
“Exactly! So if we can do it, then everyone else can too.” I grinned. “They just have to catch up.”
Cosmo let out a little huff, amused. “You make it sound so simple.”
I shrugged. “Maybe it is simple. Maybe grown-ups are just dumb and overcomplicate everything.”
Cosmo giggled, covering his mouth with his paw. “That’s a big accusation, Sprout.”
I smirked. “Well, am I wrong?”
“…No.”
We both laughed then, and for a moment, everything felt… right. Like nothing else in the world mattered.
Then Cosmo leaned back against me again, this time resting his head just below my chin. My heart did this weird little jump, but I forced myself to act normal.
“Hey, Sprout?” he mumbled, his voice laced with sleepiness.
“…Yeah?”
“If we do live in harmony one day… you think we’ll still be friends?”
I frowned at the question. What kind of question was that?
I lifted my hand, hesitated, then ruffled his ears. “Obviously. You’re stuck with me forever, Cosmo.”
Cosmo giggled again, his tail thumping against the grass. “Forever?”
“Forever.”
Cosmo giggled, his golden eyes sparkling with warmth, before leaning in and giving me a quick lick on the cheek.
I froze. My face burned, my stomach twisted, and my heart God, my heart was hammering so fast, I thought it might burst right out of my chest.
He just grinned at me like it was the most normal thing in the world, his tail wagging as he sat back, completely unaware of the storm he had just sent through me.
I had never felt something so right.
I didn’t even have to think about it.
---
Flashback Ends
---
I jolted upright in my chair, gasping as if I had been drowning and only just broken the surface. My chest ached, my lungs burned, and my heart
My heart was still hammering.
Not from excitement. Not from warmth.
But from pain.
I reached up, fingers brushing my face, and
…Wet.
Tears.
I sucked in a sharp breath, pressing the heel of my palm against my eyes, as if I could force them back in.
What the hell was wrong with me?
I shouldn’t be crying.
I don’t cry.
Not over this. Not over him.
And yet, here I was. Pathetic. Weak.
I let out a harsh breath, my hands shaking as I pulled them away. My fingers curled into fists before I could stop them, my grip tightening around the crumpled notes on my desk.
Forever, huh?
I had said it so easily back then, with no hesitation, no doubt. Like it was a fact. Like we were inevitable.
But I was wrong.
Because I had shattered that promise with my own two hands.
Because I had torn it apart the moment I listened to my father instead of listening to my own damn heart.
A bitter laugh bubbled up in my throat, but it came out broken. Hollow.
Even after everything even after the blood, the betrayal, the years spent forcing myself to forget some pathetic part of me still wished I could take it all back.
Still wished I could go back to that clearing, to that moment beneath the moon, and stop myself.
Don’t listen to him.
That’s what I would tell the boy I used to be.
Don’t throw it all away. Don’t become the person you swore you’d never be.
But I had.
And now there was no going back.
A lump formed in my throat, thick and suffocating. My chest ached, and before I could stop myself, my fingers clenched tighter around the notes scattered across my desk. The paper crumpled beneath my grip, the edges trembling just like my hands.
The world around me blurred. My vision swam with something hot, something I refused to acknowledge.
I barely registered the sound of footsteps.
Then
A pair of arms wrapped around me.
I stiffened, blinking rapidly as I turned my head slightly, catching a glimpse of dark hair and familiar brown eyes.
Shelly.
Her voice was soft, careful. “Hey… You okay, Sprout?”
I swallowed, my throat dry.
She sighed, pulling back just enough to sit beside me on the bed. “You look like you’ve been crying for a while…”
Crying?
I reached up instinctively, my fingers brushing against my cheeks. They came away wet.
I hadn’t even noticed.
I sucked in a sharp breath, clenching my jaw as I wiped my face roughly with my sleeve. “I’m fine.”
Shelly hummed, clearly not believing me, but she didn’t push. Instead, she leaned back on her hands, watching me carefully. “Is it because of your little crush?”
I tensed.
My fingers twitched against the fabric of my pants.
I hated that word. Crush.
It made it sound small, insignificant. Like it was some childish infatuation that would fade with time. But it wasn’t. It never had been.
Shelly knew that.
She had known it since we were kids.
Because she was the one who found me when no one else did.
---
Flashback.
---
The white sheets felt suffocating.
Too clean. Too sterile.
I stared at them, unmoving, my chest rising and falling in shallow, uneven breaths.
My hands hurt.
But not as much as the emptiness inside me.
Not as much as he did.
Why?
Why did I do that?
Why? Why? WHY?
I squeezed my eyes shut, my hands curling into fists. The sting of raw, torn skin barely registered as my nails dug into my palms.
I deserved it.
I deserved worse.
I should be the one in pain. I should be the one suffering.
Not him.
Never him.
The guilt twisted inside me, a parasite that refused to let go. I turned my face into the pillow, muffling the scream that clawed its way out of my throat.
Then I punched the wall.
Once.
Twice.
Again.
And again.
Until my knuckles throbbed, until red stained the pristine white sheets, until the pain in my chest became too much and I needed something else to hurt more.
Until
“Sprout?”
I froze.
The voice was quiet. Hesitant.
I turned my head slowly, blinking through the haze clouding my mind.
Shelly stood in the doorway, small and uncertain, her hands gripping the hem of her dress.
She looked afraid.
Of me.
Of what I had done.
Something inside me cracked.
“…Go away,” I muttered, turning back toward the wall.
I didn’t deserve to be seen like this.
I didn’t deserve anything.
But Shelly didn’t leave.
Instead, she stepped forward, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Sprout… What happened?”
Her words barely registered at first.
I was shaking too hard.
Everything came tumbling out broken, jumbled, half-formed words between sharp, uneven breaths. I told her everything. Everything. The forest. The moonlight. The laughter. The warmth.
The betrayal. The way his golden eyes had dimmed when he realized what I had done. The way his body had trembled under my hands as I held him down.
The way I had broken everything.
And as I spoke, the weight of it all crushed me, burying me under a grief so heavy it felt impossible to breathe.
I could hear my own voice cracking, words slipping between gasps of air. "I I held him down, Shelly. I I hurt him. I let my father "
I choked on the sentence, my throat tightening, my entire body curling in on itself.
I couldn’t say it.
Couldn’t say what happened next.
Couldn’t admit it.
But Shelly didn’t push.
She didn’t recoil. She didn’t call me a monster, even though she should have. Even though I was.
Instead, she wrapped her arms around me tighter, grounding me in the present.
“Sprout,” she whispered, her voice soft but urgent, “breathe. Please, just breathe.”
I gasped, struggling to obey, my lungs refusing to work properly. My heart pounded in my ears, drowning out everything else.
Shelly’s hand found my hair, fingers running through it in slow, rhythmic motions. “It’s okay,” she soothed. “It’s okay, you’re safe. Just slow down. I’m here, I’m listening.”
Safe?
I almost laughed at that.
I would never be safe from this.
---
Flash back ends
---
Minutes passed before I could speak again, my voice hoarse, barely above a whisper. “I see him.”
Shelly tensed but didn’t let go.
“I see him,” I repeated, my hands gripping the fabric of my pants. “Not not in dreams. Not just in memories. Here. In this village.”
Shelly’s breath hitched.
I swallowed hard. “I think I think he’s been watching me. Leaving things for me.” My voice wavered. “The pastries. The notes.”
She pulled back just enough to look at me. “You really think it’s him?”
I gave a shaky nod.
Shelly studied me for a long moment, her brows furrowing. “And what… do you want to do?”
What did I want?
To see him?
To run?
To beg for forgiveness I didn’t deserve?
I clenched my jaw, my throat burning. “I don’t know.”
Shelly sighed, running a hand down her face. “This is a lot, Sprout…”
I let out a bitter chuckle. “Tell me about it.”
She hesitated, then reached for my hands, holding them gently despite the tension in my muscles.
“Do you want to see him again?” she asked softly.
I opened my mouth then closed it.
Did I?
Could I?
Could I look him in the eye after what I had done?
Would he even want to see me?
I exhaled shakily, gripping her hands like they were the only thing keeping me from completely breaking apart.
Shelly squeezed my hands gently, her eyes searching mine. “Sprout, listen to me,” she said, her voice steady but kind. “You don’t have to figure everything out right now. But if this is Cosmo, and if he’s been watching you, leaving you food, writing you notes… then maybe he’s waiting for you to do something.”
I swallowed thickly, my mouth suddenly dry. “Like what?”
Shelly gave me a pointed look. “Like stop hiding.”
I flinched.
Hiding? I wasn’t hiding.
…Was I?
She sighed, rubbing circles into my palm with her thumb. “You’ve spent years convincing yourself that it’s too late. That you can’t take anything back. But if he’s here, now, then maybe just maybe he’s been waiting, too.”
I wanted to argue. To tell her that Cosmo wouldn’t couldn’t forgive me. That no amount of pastries and whispered apologies would ever erase what I had done.
But then I remembered the warmth of those notes.
The way the food tasted just like it had when we were kids.
The way it made me feel like home was still out there, waiting for me.
I let out a shaky breath, my hands tightening around hers. “And if he doesn’t want to see me?”
Shelly’s expression softened. “Then at least you’ll know.”
I let that sink in.
At least I’d know.
That was terrifying.
But not knowing? That was worse.
I ran my tongue over my bottom lip, my pulse thudding in my ears. “And if he does?” My voice barely above a whisper.
Shelly gave a small smile. “Then you take it from there.”
For the first time in years, I wasn’t sure if the idea of seeing Cosmo again filled me with dread
Or hope.
---
Cosmo’s Pov
---
I let out a shaky sigh as I carefully placed the meal on the same stone where I had been leaving food for him every night. Six nights now. Six nights of watching, waiting, wondering if he would come back again.
Poor guy…
I had been watching him closely since his arrival. The way he barely ate, the way his expression soured at every bland meal served in that overpriced inn it made my stomach twist. I knew him too well, even after all these years. He wasn’t taking care of himself.
So, I had started leaving food. Small things at first cookies, simple pastries but when he kept coming back, I began making full meals, slipping little notes beside them.
I shouldn’t have.
I really shouldn’t have.
And yet, I couldn’t stop.
Before I could dwell on it any further, I felt something warm wrap around me from behind. My fur bristled for a split second before I realized who it was.
“Cosmooooo! What are you doing here?” Goob’s familiar, energetic voice filled the quiet air. “Ooooh! What’s this? What did you make?!”
My ears shot up in panic as I quickly turned to face him, trying to block the food from his sight.
“Ah Ah! W-Well!” I stammered, my brain scrambling for an excuse. “I was just, um, leaving food here for the Moon! Y’know, our offerings? Family tradition! Haha!”
I forced a smile, hoping it would be enough to satisfy his curiosity.
Goob’s head tilted, his expression skeptical. “Huh? We only do that on special occasions, though?”
Damn it.
“W-Well,” I quickly added, “you know how much I love the Moon! I figured… why not do it more often?” I clapped my hands together, forcing a laugh. “Can’t be too grateful for protection, right?”
Goob narrowed his eyes, stepping closer to inspect the meal. I held my breath.
“…Cosmo.”
“Y-Yeah?”
“This is way fancier than what we usually offer.”
I swallowed hard.
Damn it, damn it, damn it.
He crossed his arms, a sly grin forming. “You’re not just feeding the Moon, are you?”
I stiffened.
Goob’s tail swayed mischievously. “Are you feeding someone else?”
“No!” I blurted out too fast, too forcefully. “What? That’s That’s ridiculous! Of course not! Who would I even be feeding, huh? Crazy talk, ha ha ”
Goob blinked at me.
I coughed awkwardly. “Heh.”
His grin widened, and I knew I had already lost.
“Cosmoooo,” he sang, leaning in. “Who’s the lucky one?”
My entire body stiffened, my tail tucking slightly. “I-It’s not like that!” I protested, but my voice cracked at the end. Damn it.
Goob gasped dramatically. “Oh my god, it is like that!”
“It’s NOT ”
“Ohhh, Gigi is gonna LOVE this.”
I grabbed his shoulders. “Goob. Listen to me. You will not tell Gigi.”
He just grinned wider. “Sooo, I was right? You are feeding someone?”
I groaned, releasing him and rubbing my temples. “Goob, please.”
He laughed, tail wagging. “Fine, fine! I won’t tell yet.”
I shot him a glare, but he only looked more amused.
Goob then peeked at the food again, his ears twitching. “Sooo… who is it?” Goob’s eyes suddenly widened in realization. His ears perked up, and then..
“Oh Moon, is it someone from the village? Or WAIT.” He gasped, clapping his hands together, eyes practically sparkling. “IS IT YOUR SECRET LONG-LOST MATE?!”
I nearly choked on my own breath. “Goob ”
“Oh my god, it is!” He started bouncing on his paws, tail wagging furiously. “You totally have a secret mate you’re feeding! Who is it?! Is it our soon-to-be Alpha, Boxten?”
I made a strangled noise in my throat. “What? NO!”
Goob was not listening.
"Is it the guy Ginger always with you know...UHH is it Rudolf? Ranin?" Goob said as he tapped his foot.
"NO. And his name is Rudie. Goob, you lived here longer than me, how would you not remember you're friends name?" I sighed shaking my head in defeat, as Goobs then perks up.
“Or or maybe it’s that guy who keeps offering you endless entertainment you know, Looey?!” He gasped dramatically. “Cosmo, you do love a wolf with a sense of humor.”
I groaned, dragging a hand down my face. “It’s not I don’t ugh, Goob!”
He cackled, clearly enjoying himself. “C’mon, just tell me! You can trust me!”
I let out a long sigh, trying to compose myself before he got even more out of control. “Goob, it’s not what you think, okay?”
Goob gave me a deadpan look. “Uh-huh. Sure. That’s totally why you’re sneaking off every night to leave fancy meals for someone in the middle of the forest.
I stiffened.
His grin faltered slightly, his playful energy shifting into something more curious. “Wait. Cosmo… who are you really feeding?”
My ears flattened. I could feel my heart hammering in my chest.
He’s not dumb. He’s not oblivious.
If I didn’t get Goob off my back soon, he was going to figure it out.
And I wasn’t ready for that.
So, I forced a smirk, bumping my shoulder against his. “You really think I’d tell you? That’d ruin all the fun.”
Goob pouted, puffing out his cheeks. “Aww, c’mon!”
“Nope.” I cut him off, grabbing him by the shoulders and turning him back toward the village. “Let’s go before someone starts actually worrying about where we are.”
He whined dramatically but didn’t argue, and as we started walking back, I let out a quiet exhale.
Crisis averted.
For now.
Aww man… I guess I’ll have to miss out on watching him eat.
I sighed, glancing back toward the clearing one last time. The platter of food was still resting there, waiting. I had made him a carrot cake this time sweet, soft, and spiced just right. Not too heavy, not too rich. Something comforting. Something… familiar.
Would he like it?
He always had a sweet tooth.
The thought made my tail flick anxiously.
“You okay?” Goob’s voice snapped me from my thoughts.
I straightened immediately. “Yeah. Fine.”
He gave me a skeptical look but didn’t push. Instead, he stretched his arms over his head with a loud yawn. “Man, you’re lucky I’m too tired to interrogate you more. I will get my answers eventually, though.”
I scoffed, nudging him forward. “Sure, sure.”
The walk back to the village was quiet, the trees swaying gently as the night air wrapped around us. Fireflies flickered in the distance, their soft glow dancing along the path. Despite Goob’s usual chatter, he had fallen into a content silence, his tail swaying lazily behind him.
For a moment, I let myself relax.
But something nagged at the back of my mind.
…Why do I feel like I’m forgetting something?
I frowned, ears twitching.
The feeling was faint but insistent, like a thread I couldn’t quite grasp.
I shook my head, pushing it away.
Probably just the nerves from almost getting caught.
With one last glance at the darkened forest, I exhaled and followed Goob into the village, the warmth of home replacing the chill in my chest.