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It hadn’t taken long for Eberwolf to realize that Darius behaved strangely around the Golden Guard.
In all fairness to the witch, it was easy to miss, but they have become too well attuned to his moods to not notice how he tensed minutely whenever the characteristic golden mask and white cloak appeared in his line of vision. He always pretended to be equally as indifferent to the guard as he was of everyone else, but the demon knew better than to fall for that act; the way in which Darius turned his head to the other side and casually had something else to do somewhere else every single time spoke louder than any of his calculated excuses.
Eberwolf hated it.
They didn’t know anything more about the little soldier than any of the other Coven Heads did; he was young –probably too young to be in the position he was given, but blessed with an uncle that could grant him any whim, even if the whim was to play in the same gilded clothes the Emperor himself wore–, and arrogant, flaunting his presumable superiority to them especially after Lilith Clawthorne had become a defector and he has risen to the top once more.
That wasn’t enough for them to truly care, but the last truth was what made them dislike him: Darius was uncomfortable around him.
And so he hissed and growled and watched idly as the other Coven Heads ignored the child’s requests and shoved him aside, staying content as long as he was at enough of a distance for Darius to not start acting strange.
And then everything had changed.
Perhaps he should have known that would come to bite him in the ass later.
The first time he notices Hunter flinching in his presence, he dismisses it as the unfortunate consequence of their current circumstances. They are in Bonesborough, Darius holding the boy in a half hug while letting Eber lean on him as they walk, half chatting and half looking at all the other people who descended from the Archives and are now evaluating what has been of their homes.
They pass by a group of scouts who stare at them for a little too long, and since he isn’t sure if they’re hoping that they’ll tell them what to do or if they’re withholding some kind of resentment due to what happened during the Day of Unity, Eber’s ears flatten against his skull as he growls at them, daring to try to put even one finger on his pack.
He almost misses the movement caused by Hunter’s consequent flinching, but they’re all tired, enough for it to rattle Darius’ posture and get to Eber second-handedly. He doesn’t think much of it at the present moment, in part because he’s content seeing the scouts turning to look away from them and in part because he thinks he knows the reason anyway.
They’re yet to learn what happened while they were, for all practical purposes, trapped in a long-lasting sleep, but there’s no mistaking the meaning of Hunter’s new scars and exhausted eyes, regardless of how much he brightens up when talking about Human Realm animals. Eberwolf doesn’t have to talk to Darius to know he agrees in no bringing it up and let the pup talk when he’s ready, but they don’t need to talk about it to gather that something terrible must have happened.
How recently? That’s anyone’s guess, but even with the tearful reunions all around them and the hopeful feelings in the air, he doesn’t think any of them feel truly safe just yet.
Of course Hunter would feel threatened by those who once tried to bring him back to his murderous jailer.
They soon reunite with the rest of their little ragtag rebellion and Eber forgets all about that split second, too busy grabbing onto Darius’ wrist so they don’t lose the contact they were deprived of for months and looking fondly at the kid hugging his friends.
Things can only go up from here, he thinks.
The second time they notice, they can still dismiss it as the nerves from their new and unexplored living situation.
Eberwolf knows that being aware of Darius and Hunter bonding in secret for a few weeks while they were all still at the castle is one thing, and a different one is having lived it. If the kid’s palisman were still alive, they would have been able to ask the little bird about it, about how those two had started to open up to each other and unknowingly help bring down each other’s barriers. It would have been mostly because Eber wants to understand them, feeling at the moment like they have missed a step in a narrow staircase from time to time.
They know better than to feel like the odd one out, but sometimes they can’t help it. It’s been Darius and them for years, and they aren’t as well versed on the pup as they like to pretend whenever someone brings it up, no matter if they are already more ready to admit the kid is part of the family than Darius and his stubborn pride.
That doesn’t mean that seeing them happy around each other doesn’t bring joy to the demon’s chest, remembering what their faces used to look like in the cold hallways of the castle. They deserve this, to have a warm home to go back to every day and to know they can falter and stumble and still have someone offering a hand to help them through it, erasing the concerns that one wrong move can end up the peace.
It’s usually those two worrying about things like that anyway, though with their eyes closed and pretending to take a nap in one of Darius’ expensive pillows, Eberwolf’s stomach is in a knot, wondering if they unintentionally made a move that could ruin the progress they’ve made so far.
They had been pestering Darius, hands full of mud and laughing all the more gleefully at their brother’s indignation when they heard Hunter letting out stifled giggles while watching the pair from behind the taller witch.
That was, in part, why Eberwolf enjoyed annoying Darius so much these days; they finally could stop hiding how much they cared about each other now that no one would try to stab them or poison them if they noticed, but the open affection they expressed for each other now didn’t mean that they were done with the frankly delightful banter that had brought them closer throughout the years. And the fact that Hunter always looked a little brighter every time they did that, awed still at seeing how much they could push each other and still care, just made them all the more willing to throw a jab at Darius here and there.
Darius had said something about chasing Eberwolf down with a hose if they didn’t wash their hands in the next five minutes and if they even so much as thought of touching anything stainable in the house, and the demon, well acquaintance to those threats and hardly bothered by them despite knowing Darius would make good on his word, had hissed at him, their hand inches away from the curtain covering the window of the front door.
They were paying attention, having been putting on a bit of a bigger spectacle than usual to amuse their cub, and that’s how they hadn’t missed how the smile had frozen on Hunter’s face and he had taken an unconscious –Titan, Eber hoped it was unconscious and he was not afraid of him– step to the side, shielding himself behind Darius.
Eber had frozen for a split second as well, and if the way Darius stumbled over his words was any indication, he had noticed that at least. He had only raised an eyebrow, growing concern kept under wraps in his eyes so as to not alarm the one catalyst for this, but he knew Eber well enough to trust them when they subtly shook their head.
It was nothing. Perhaps if they thought it enough, it would become true.
They had dialed up the bickering after that until Hunter was laughing again, trying not to think about anything but the present, and now they lay on a pillow on a different couch than the one their brother and their cub were fast asleep against each other, wondering if it was all a fluke or something they did that they have to keep an eye out for; the kid isn’t always the best at being honest about what bothers him
They resolve to pay more attention, but even that doesn’t calm the uncomfortable feeling in their gut, leaving them unable, for once, of napping to their heart’s content.
Eberwolf doesn’t usually feel jealous of the connection their family forged secretly, but at this moment they wish they had Darius’ almost uncanny understanding about the emotions of their most recent addition.
The third time is undeniably Eberwolf’s fault.
Considering what they had noticed last time, repeating something that happened then seemed like the worst idea in the world, and yet they had gone and done it.
Darius wasn’t at home, which was very unusual these days outside of his work hours, considering how much he fretted all the time about making their house as comfortable as possible for Hunter and making sure he didn’t feel like a burden. Perhaps he wasn’t quite as frantic about it anymore because the kid seemed more and more at ease around them every day, confident enough to make plans to spend time with them without feeling like he was ‘presuming’ that they would even want to in the first place, and not only accepting touch without thinking twice about it, but often initiating it himself whenever he needed it.
That’s why Eber had… not exactly forgotten about the incident, but certainly pushed it to the back of their mind.
They’re walking in the vicinity of the house, closer to the edge of the forest than they are to the building. It’s not an unusual thing for them; whenever the Abomination witch isn’t involved, this is their go-to activity to do together.
Hunter is talking animatedly about his day at school, a small smile on his face –Eber suspected it’s because they’re listening so intently to his tale– despite the anecdote building up to be something unpleasant; the pup has been talking about some other students giving him the dirty eye, though the demon figures that they must not have ended up with the upper hand here, considering their kid’s protective friends and the fact that they’re being told this story in the first place.
They jump on Hunter’s shoulder, who stumbles a bit, but continues being so relaxed that Eberwolf marks it internally.
They’re growing closer, like the family they are, and truly, what else could they ask for?
Perhaps they should have asked them to be a little more perceptive.
Hunter gets to the point in his anecdote in which the other kids start making vague comments meant to be passed off as innocentshould a teacher hear them, so they can have plausible deniability, and Eberwolf can’t help the protective instinct they have for their own; even if it’s something that has already happened, they have half a mind to go seek out those rude witchlets and give them a piece of their mind.
They don’t realize they’re growling until the muscles beneath them tense, and Hunter falls silent abruptly. Eber wishes they were unobservant enough to think it has nothing to do with them, but the kid is suddenly looking everywhere but at them, and when they speak again, there’s an uncomfortable quality to it that makes them scramble their brain for the right thing to say, even if words have never been their forte.
“I… you know? I think I forgot I have a paper due tomorrow,” Hunter laughs awkwardly, in such a way that he can’t actually believe that he’s fooling them but they think he mostly wants to escape and he doesn’t have to be all that convincing for that. “I better get to that, don’t I? Haha, yeah, so, umm, could you get off?”
Eberwolf doesn’t have to be asked twice about it.
“Pup…”
“Great! Thank you! I’ll see you later, Eber!”
With a heavy heart, knowing when they’re not wanted, the demon watches him go, with their brain slowly putting the pieces together. They should have known.
Darius arrives home a few hours later, and while the awkward air has dissipated by them, Eberwolf can tell he suspects that something happen because of how quiet Hunter and him are.
“I’m surprised you two didn’t burn down the house while I was gone,” He says, apparently determining that it’s nothing so urgent that can’t wait to be addressed. The jab puts a small smile on Hunter’s face.
“When have we ever done that?”
The older witch gets closer and ruffles Hunter’s hair, with a little more strength than strictly necessary to hear them yelp and complain playfully. One of his fail-proof ways to get Hunter to cheer up after a bad day, Eber knows.
“You almost do last week.”
Hunter’s cheeks turn red.
“It was just a little bit of smoke! Nothing actually burned!” He protests. “Tell him, Eber!”
He has to keep his sigh of relief at the casual addressing, the kid even meeting his eyes as he pleads for him to join in the discussion. It seems like things are fine for now, if not forgotten.
He joins them easily, although his laughs come slightly more forced than usual, and through the evening, he can feel Darius’ eyes lingering on him more than usual. He can tell the other is going to get on his case as soon as Hunter goes to bed, but that’s fine. He wanted to talk to him anyway.
When Darius walks the boy to his room to tuck him in bed –and perhaps even give him a forehead kiss while he’s at it, his brother is such a softie–, Eber waits until he hears the door of the cub’s room close softly, knowing the older one of the pair will emerge in five minutes at minimum. Still, he doesn’t have anything to do and the impending conversation is keeping any other thoughts from staying long in his mind, so he scurries into Darius’ room and waits there, not bothering with the lights but knowing the other will be expecting him anyway.
Any other day, he would have tried to startle Darius when he finally crosses the door, but not this time. Not that it would have worked anyway, the other was expecting him, because his eyes, glowing in the dark with that unnatural green sheen, immediately zeroing on him and he nods.
Darius doesn’t say anything yet, simply getting ready for bed at a slightly faster pace than usual. Recognizing the care in the gesture, for a man who goes to such lengths to care for his appearance, Eberwolf remains silent, letting him finish and only jumping on the bed at his side once the other is done and patting the empty space.
“What’s bothering you, Eber?” He whispers softly.
“The pup,” He says simply, trying to make sense of what he wants to say to not make the witch have to guess what’s going on on top of dealing with this little crisis.
“Did something happen while I was gone?” He knows that tone. He’s not going to let the fatalistic thoughts take a hold of Darius.
“Nothing like what you’re thinking,” Eber scolds him lightly. “I can hear you starting to blame yourself already, stop it.”
Darius chuckles.
“Fine. But tell me what’s wrong.”
He takes his time curling up on Darius’ side, feeling an arm coming up to surround him before he has gathered his thoughts enough to speak.
“I think he’s scared of me.”
“Hunter?” Darius’ surprise is evident. Eber scoffs.
“No, our other pup.”
He can practically see Darius rolling his eyes. “Alright, I get it, but why would you think that? He seems to enjoy your company.”
“He does,” Eber agrees easily. “But I think sometimes… I remind him of the Coven.”
“We were all there, that’s not something we can’t help.”
“He’s not scared of you though.”
“And neither he is of you.”
“You don’t know that,” He wrinkles his nose.
Darius starts passing his fingers through the demon’s fur in a soothing motion and he lets out a soft chirp in appreciation.
“Yes, I do,” He refutes. “But I don’t know what’s on your mind. Talk to me.”
He snorts. “Look at you, suddenly a communication enthusiast.”
“Eber.”
“I know, I know.”
Darius doesn’t say anything, and Eberwolf knows he’s waiting for him to feel comfortable enough to start talking on his own. Such a thoughtful one, this witch, he thinks, amused, but mostly fond.
“Do you remember when you used to dislike him?”
The hand on his fur stills for a moment before continuing the calming motions.
“I didn’t dislike him, I just didn’t want to think about him.” Darius says, and while he knows it to be true, Eber wonders if he’s trying to convince himself more than him ”... But yes, I remember. Is this about that?”
“A little,” He pauses, not quite ready to admit what follows, even if they both have made mistakes they’re not proud of. “I used to growl at him a lot, do you remember?”
“Oh,” One word, but it’s filled with understanding. “I do. Did he say something about it?”
“You know him, he wouldn’t. I didn’t realize it was bothering him until it had already happened a few times.”
“Hence today.”
“Hence today.”
Eber closes his eyes. Perhaps he’ll feel better about this if he sleeps on it, he isn’t sure this is something he can fix; it’s not like he can go to the past and bite himself to stop himself from bringing unnecessary grief to an already burdened boy.
“I think you should talk to him,” Darius says eventually.
“And say what? ‘I’m sorry for scaring you’? He’s either going to deny it or not gonna take it well.”
The other snorts. “Well, don’t say it like that, obviously.”
“Then what’s your brilliant idea?”
Darius sighs. “Don’t be like that. I know it’s hard, but… we can’t change what we did back then. But I think an apology is a good start.”
“You think that will be enough?”
“No on its own, no. But you’re already doing your part in caring for him, aren’t you?” He can almost feel Darius smiling when he leans his head against the top of his own. “He knows you care, don’t doubt that.”
He takes a moment to mull over it.
“I guess I can give it a shot.”
“Good. Now sleep, I don’t want you to be cranky tomorrow because you’re tired.”
“You say that as if you weren’t the cranky one.”
“I could kick you off this bed right this second.”
“But you won’t.”
Darius laughs softly.
“No, I won’t.”
Finding a moment to talk to Hunter is surprisingly easy with Darius helping to create opportunities for it and sending Eber knowing glances when they hesitate to take them.
It’s a work in progress but Darius has been there and won’t pressure them. Still, with the amount of times Eberwolf has nagged at him to talk to the pup, it’s time to put their money where their mouth is, so it’s during the afternoon of the second day after their conversation when they decide to talk to the kid, while Darius is in a convenient grocery store run to get some snacks for movie night.
“Pup,” They take a seat on the side couch, wanting to be close to Hunter for this but not smother him in case he feels uncomfortable.
“Yes?”
Hunter isn’t looking at him, but it’s not due to him being uncomfortable, he’s just distracted and doesn’t think they’re going to have the unfortunate conversation they’re about to have.
“Can we talk?”
Those words are enough to clue Hunter in, however, and he’s suddenly straightening his back where he’s sitting. He no longer acts as much as a soldier as he used to, but some habits die hard.
“Yes, of course. It’s… something the matter?” He asks, which is practically code for ‘did I do something to displease you?’, they have learned. Not the best way to start this, and Eber is not about to prioritize their own comfort if they can keep the kid from worrying about his worth.
“I want to apologize.”
That’s evidently not what Hunter had been expecting, because he goes from starting to fidget nervously with his fingers over his knees to staring at them with furrowed eyebrows.
“Huh… for what?”
Eber would laugh if they didn’t know he means it.
“For my behavior,” Titan, this is harder than it seems. “Before.”
The kid looks even more confused, if that’s possible, and his eyes seem to be looking at something faraway as he starts trying to parse what incident could the demon be possibly talking about.
“Huh… Darius was the one who was upset about you eating all the snacks, not me.”
“Not for that, obviously,” They huff. Perhaps next time Darius has to do something like this, they won’t judge him so harshly for having a hard time doing so.
“Then why? I’m not upset at you,” Hunter looks concerned of all things. Much too sweet of a kid for how they treated him in the past.
“But you’re scared.”
“I’m not though? I’m literally sitting here with you.”
“You are. When I growl or hiss when you’re nearby.”
“... Ah.”
So he did realize that was happening, it wasn’t so unconscious after all. He looks uncomfortable, and Eber wonders if he thinks for some reason that they’ll be upset at them for admitting it… knowing him, the answer to that is yes.
“I’m not… I don’t think you’re going to hurt me, if that’s what you’re worried about.”
“But you’re uncomfortable around me.”
“I’m not!” The kid promises them, looking at them with wide, almost panicked eyes. Eber thinks they’re completely fumbling this conversation, but they still look at him in disbelief. “I… I mean, most of the time, I’m not.”
The demon shakes their head sadly.
“Look, kid. I’m not trying to accuse you of anything. Like I said I’m here to apologize.”
“I don’t need you to,” Hunter protests weakly.
“No, you do. I know you know we regret the way we treated you back at the castle. But that you know that doesn’t mean it was alright, or that I should just assume you won’t be bothered,” There’s a soft purring reverberating behind their words, their body deciding that they need a little bit of comfort for this. Ah, well, they’re sure the pup won’t bring it up. “I’m sorry. I didn’t even know you, I had no reason to treat you like that. But I still did it.”
Hunter is quiet. It doesn’t help with Eber’s nerves, but their apology would mean nothing if they didn’t take his feelings into account; he needs a bit of time to process their words, even if that creates an awkward silence on the living room, allowing the sounds of his self-soothing purring to fill the space.
“I know you weren’t thinking about how much it hurt,” Hunter says after a few moments more.
“That only makes it worse. Acting carelessly, not a desirable trait in a beastkeeper, is it?” They smile humorlessly, showing all of their teeth. “I’m very sorry, pup”.
“… Thank you, Eber.”
“I know this doesn’t mean we’re completely okay now,” They point out. “But I promise I wouldn’t try to scare you or hurt you on purpose, not for my life.”
Hunter looks at them, and his smile, at least, looks more sincere than theirs.
“I’ll… try to remember that.”
They nod.
“That’s all we can do, pup. That’s all we can do.”
Their purring settles into something more genuine now that the weight is off their chest, and while Hunter spends a few minutes more looking like he’s thinking about their conversation, he eventually scoots closer to them from the couch they’re in.
“Do you want to get a head start on movie night?”
“I thought you’d never ask.”
When Darius gets back, arms full of bags of snacks –half of which will be gone by the end of the night–, he finds them curling up together on the couch, watching a dumb comedy they picked at random, figuring that laughter was the best remedy for any heavy feelings still lingering in the air.
Eber meets eyes with him, and they know, by the way Darius’ soften afterward, that he knows part of their worries have been dispelled.
They’ll all be okay. They always are.