Chapter Text
the plant thrived under the good cold water enjoying the breather it got appreciating that second of coolness.
caretaker eyes fell on the poor small mute creatures carefully examining it and cherishing its existence so small yet so big in impact, at least thats what they think since after all that lil thing was one of the reasons caretaker even maintained a routine
the forest was quiet to a certain level, away from the birds chirping and every step a breathing creature takes caretaker found it peaceful with how less nonsense talking and grudge making there was well ignoring the bag of freshly hunted animals..that they definitely dont feel sick just by looking at it or remembering the fact they had to kill to survive..!
yet focusing on where they are, a place where everyone act out of the mind and not pettiness neither the need to fill their ego was something they appreciated as in the nature instincts were the leader
no one acts reckless unless looking for a mate and if caretaker remembers hunting some human wasnt one of these rituals to gain a partner in these animal's eyes
as they opened their eye after that breather the light hit them straight in the pupil making them yelp seeking a cover for their face scrunching their nose in disliking for such an act
the sun became a familiar after a while allowing them to finally move their hand out of their face and now enjoying the natural light and the sweet sweet sounds of nature
until the bushes shook a little letting their soft sound hit the civilian's ears, caretaker's eyes went before their mind can process followed by their hand snatching a broken bottle of the healing potion from their own labcoat pointing it at the bushes with such shaky hands as merely being so shaky that they wont appear to be harmful at all
but as they turned a black figure was what their eyes met
slowly their eyes glided to the figure's body scanning it then stopped at the figure's face
it was a pitiful sad yellow face with the iconic sword in his stomach, a good ol friend rather than a hunter!
before caretaker can say anything mequot lowered the potion looking at them not moving one inch which nerved caretaker a little yet still comforted them
they relaxed their stiff body and held their chest taking a deep shaky breath "yo..you scared me there mequot" they muttered showing no anger at his stealth but rather just stating
mequot looked down further as his cheek flushed with shame at his action "apologies..i did not know i can be this silent" his eyes went back to caretaker seeing them smiling warmly
they went to him and tiptoed tapping his head "there there..no need for apologies ok? you just went to where you noticed my presence at" they excused him giving him the same old assuring smile making mequot feel better at
as caretaker stood back in their original height they went and dug in the meat filled back humming as they searched in the bag but looking away from it to not cause a reaction of themself
mequot's curiosity got the better of him as he tilted his head staring to the cause of such a strong odor, he was met with a meat filled hand and a gentle smile
mequot let a confused hum making caretaker realize they never explained why this offering, laughing at their stupidity they said sheepishly "you seem to..be hungry and you arent much of a plant eater are you?"
mequot nodded taking the meat off the slightly shaken nurse leading to caretaker letting a sigh they didnt know they were holding till now
mequot crouched and sat on the soft grass with a soft thud gazing at the gifted meal with hunger and excitement opening his mouth but a hand landed on the meal stopping him from eating it
he let a confused hum staring at the worried nurse, caretaker noticed his stare decided to explain their intentions "are you sure its ok to eat it raw? i can cook it for you if you want! after all its better than risking your health for a meal right?" they gave a sheepish smile that resulted in him looking more thoughtful at the pile of meat in his hands
"i do see the suggestion and its importance..yet i always ate these with no need to cook them therefore no problems in that, but thanks for checking" he explained which caused caretaker to go on their knees crouching next to the guy as their worry grew even further "always? mequot even as an immortal you arent invincible! you should be more careful there.." they held mequot's shoulder giving it a squeeze
mequot let a sigh while caretaker beamed in happiness knowing he caved in as he offered the meat to them, taking it with such care they muttered "ill do my best" then stood up holding their clean hand for him to hold as a help in standing up, and mequot did take it
the sun finally started setting into a nice orange painting everything in a warm vibe making the two walk nicer
silence was the trio in their duo walk being what filled the walk, caretaker's eyes kept looking all over the place in fear as the forest was unexpected while mequot was staring infront focusing on the path
caretaker turned to him as their fears were slowly fading becoming comfort of mequot's existence as well..an aware and moral being next to them, seeing him in such a state while painted with colors that reflected how they saw him, a warm being was even soothing
their grip held the bag as if grounding themself from that comfort reminding themself of the surroundings yet still indulging in this sweet spark, their voice still a gentle mutter but loud enough to be heard "i know its a sudden thing but..i am grateful for meeting you"
mequot turned to them eyes a little bit wide but not to an extent as a head tilt showed his confusion "i beg your pardon?"
caretaker chuckled in embarrassment but also glad that the reaction was nicer than they thought, glancing at the now cold hue filled path and surroundings they continued now more warmly "its just..that day when you approached my hut after hearing me scream and really just being patient when i kept throwing those empty healing potions out of fear while trying to reason with panicked me..even being a kind being in this scary lonely place is good enough.."
mequot nodded keeping his eyes at the nurse as they walk, why thankful for just simply being understood? he didnt wanna ask further knowing it might trigger something worse mentally so he kept his mouth shut letting a hum which caretaker smiled at accepting it
walking through the bushes and stopping whenever caretaker noticed something that caught their attention like fireflies, they stopped their tracks which mequot noticed and followed stopping as well following caretaker's gaze to a huge amount of flies swarming
without a second thought caretaker took a step closer, they sniffed the air and froze in their place
mequot's eyes squinted as he moved closer having a bad feeling about this "..something matters?"
"the smell.." caretaker whispered then turned to mequot, eyes full of fear "its metallic, the corpse nearby is fresh.."