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Sam was trying to make the best of the warmer weather that was starting to arrive in one of the last winter months. He really was trying his best to enjoy being outside with Robin in that little alcove they'd found many months ago. But there was something that had washed over him a few days ago; something that dampened his spirits and refused to lift.
The young gargoyle sat with folded legs on top of a stone overlooking the water. Robin was standing in the little clearing there was, dancing around and throwing his light magic into the air. The magic exploded into what Robin had called 'fireworks'. The display was pretty, it should've evoked something within Sam but it just… didn't. The young wizard stopped dancing and glanced over at Sam with a look of sadness.
"Do you want to head back? It has been a long day," Robin remarked.
Giving a silent nod, Sam went to stand as Robin gathered the bag he'd brought. Sam donned his human disguise as the two boys slipped through the little crevice leading into the outside world.
"I'm sorry. I know you only came out here to try and cheer me up," the young gargoyle mumbled, keeping his eyes on the ground.
He heard Robin let out a soft sigh, "It's alright. You don't have to apologize. If you're not feeling great then we'll just head back and you can do whatever you feel like is best."
Sam hummed in agreement but kept his head down. He couldn't place what he was feeling and he wished to feel anything else.
As they walked, a sudden echo of twigs snapping brought Sam out of his thoughts. He lifted his head and stared into the thickness of the forest. The echoes were happening too often for it to be a mistake; and from what he could hear, they were quite forceful snaps.
Sam hadn't even realized he'd stopped walking until Robin came back into his line of sight. The young wizard waved his hand in front of Sam's face, causing him to look down at the younger teen.
"Is everything alright? You suddenly stopped and got that 'deer in headlights' look. Did you hear something?" Robin inquired. Sam tried to listen for the snapping sound but everything had gone silent.
Sam began to shake his head. "It's no-"
Before he could get another word out, a large furry creature rose out of the foliage, letting out a low growl. A black bear. It barely towered over Sam but the young gargoyle could not help but feel his skin tingle.
The bear went to swipe at Robin, who had only just turned around to look at the furry creature. Before the bear could strike, Sam felt his limbs move before he did and shoved Robin out of the way. Robin landed somewhere in a bush while Sam took the brunt of the attack. The bear's claws slashed through Sam's shoulder, digging in deep. He resisted the urge to let out a scream of pain and held his tongue, stepping back from the bear and clutching his now bleeding shoulder.
Staring down the creature, Sam attempted to remember how he'd scared off the bear last time. It had been months ago and that one had technically been a spirit; but it should still work, right?
Standing tall, Sam dropped his human disguise and flared his wings out. He stretched them out as they could go, raised his arms and let out a roar that shook the forest around them. The bear sunk to its paws and scampered off into the wilderness from where it came. Sam waited until the creature was fully out of sight before lowering his arms and wings. His breath was heavy yet quick.
Hearing a rustling sound, Sam turned around with a jump only to find Robin walking through the bushes, attempting to get the twigs out of his hair. A sigh of relief escaped the young gargoyle's mouth. At least Robin hadn't gotten hurt.
A stinging flare jolted Sam, causing him to fall over. The ground was surprisingly soft when he came into contact with it. Darkness began to fill his vision as he felt something shake his side. He heard someone call out to him before the darkness took over him.
Moments later, Sam found himself jolting awake, panting heavily and looking around. He was no longer in the woods but somehow back in his room, in the regular bed that was in the room and not his hammock. How had he gotten back there so quick? Had his curse flared up? Had he hurt Robin?
The stream of thoughts were interrupted when the door creaked open and Robin slipped inside the room. Sam felt relief flood his body. The young wizard’s eyes lit up and he quickly made his way over to the bedside table, placing a cup of a teal looking liquid.
"I'm glad you're awake. I was worried you'd hit your head when we had to drag you back here," Robin spoke, sitting on the edge of the bed.
"We?" Sam couldn't help but question.
"I had to call Willa to help me get you back as you were too heavy for me to carry alone. You need to lay off the pancakes," Robin jested, gently poking Sam's arm. Sam faked offence and Robin let out a giggle in return.
Rolling his arms, Sam hissed when he felt a sting of pain jolt from his right shoulder. Glancing over, he noticed his shirt and hoodie had been removed, replaced with bandages adoring his shoulder and part of his torso.
Robin leaned back, letting his arms rest behind him. "You'll probably be getting a good talking to once Willa figures out you're awake. You gave us quite a scare."
"I'm sorry. But I couldn't just let you get hurt, not when you've been trying your best to help me out. I'm sorry for being a stick in the mud. You should've just left me in my bed this morning," Sam couldn't help but mumble out, keeping his eyes on his hands.
A hand made its way into Sam's view and he looked up to see Robin looking at him with that damn soft look, a small smile on his face.
"I told you, you don't have to apologize for not having a good day. But I wanted to help cheer you up, just because I wanted to so I did. And hey, I made you smile," Robin stated, leaning his head forward with a smirk. Sam tried to hide the smile that was slowly making its way onto his face and Robin let out a hearty laugh.
Leaping off the bed, the young wizard stretched his limbs.
"I'm going to see if Willa's made dinner yet. I think we both need some food," he commented, beginning to head to the door.
He stopped before the door and turned around, "Oh by the way, I've taken your ruined clothes and am in the process of trying to get them stitched up. I don't know how long it'll take me but as soon as they're done I'll get them back to you."
Sam felt something stir within his chest, something warm and fuzzy. "You'd do that for me? Why?"
"Sam, Sam. Buddy. You're my friend and I care about you. You saved me from a bear so the least I can do is help patch up your clothes," Robin replied. “Get some good rest buddy.”
And with that, the young wizard left the room, leaving Sam all by himself. He felt his cheeks heat up and that warm feeling in his chest expand to every point in his body.
Leaning back, Sam grabbed a pillow from behind him and softly screamed into it. What was he feeling? It was foreign and strange. He didn't know how to feel about it. But it felt good.