Chapter Text
The scenery of Wolvendom was truly something else, the low and scrunched together trees, the lack of civilization, and what it’s greatly known for; its wolves.
All of which struck no fear within Bennett, who stood lone in his adventurers team and with a thirst for something exciting. The creepy woods that created an eerie vibe throughout the entirety of the forest stood no match to Bennett’s craving for something exhilarating.
So, he went outside of Mondstadt's safe walls, and headed his way toward Wolvendom. To do what exactly? That, he was unsure about. As of so far, his only goal would be to explore. Since the area stood unmanned, seeing as people tended to avoid the dangers of the many wolves hidden between trees and bushes; this would make for a great adventure.
And exploring he did, as the sun stood high above, he wasted no time to run around and collect all kinds of valuables. And since everything pretty much was of value, collecting, he did. Grandmaster Varka had roamed by once long ago, stumbling upon the celebrity wolves who lived there, which had Bennett keep an eye out. He knew his bad luck would at some point land him right in their claws if he wasn’t careful enough!
But soon enough, darkness was to take shape, the sun slowly disappearing down the horizon. Giving its last little shine over the treetops before leaving Bennett to his own, accompanied with his own spark of light. He had gone on adventurers like these before, having to set camp for the night. Setting up the tent, lighting up a fire, it was no problem to him, if not for his bad luck to set him back.
The tent continuously fell down, coming to a complete disaster he’d have to waste his time to undo. And as he sat on the grass before the fire, poking around in it until deemed inextinguishable, the tent fell one more time.
He whined to himself, obviously with a right of annoyance, but he held his head high. His bad luck had followed him all his life and with no sign of change, now all he could do was to plain up ignore it as much as possible. But, that plan changed quickly.
After having fixed up the tent, much more carefully this time, he decided it’d be time to find some berries or other rations for dinner. He had accidentally spent the whole day goofing around, playing in the bushes and rolling in the endless grass, instead of going on a hunt. Unlike any old adventurer, Bennett stood out like a sore thumb.
In doing so, he fell over a root of one of the trees, rolling down the little hill he stood on. He screamed all the way down, that was inevitable, and he knew he was doomed the second he heard the bushes around him rattle with no hint of wind. He laid there, body sore from being slammed onto the ground earlier, and he groaned to stimulate.
“Hello?” He called out, a bad idea, but he felt he had no other choice. His cheek was squished against the muddy trail of pure dirt, and his body twitched all around as he tried to get up.
Suddenly, a dark figure appeared in the corner of Bennett’s eyes, moving around at the top of the little hill where his camp lay. It was most likely some thief, why they’d be in Wolvendom of all places was a mystery Bennett didn’t feel like solving. So, he just let it happen, already on his way to blame it on his bad luck.
But just as Bennett struggled his way up, pushing himself up to sit just barely, he was met with something wet against his aforementioned dirty cheek. His eyes widened at the sight before him, laying a palm against his own now both dirty and wet cheek.
"Human okay?" The guy before Bennett spoke, a raspy and dark voice to match the character. His long and ashy hair fell over his shoulders as he leaned in closer to Bennett’s confused stare. For he sat like an animal, even though he was very clearly human, and he spoke as if he’d never spoken before.
“Uhh. Yes, yes, I’m okay!” Bennett let out as he met those piercing red eyes against his own green ones. Then the guy let out an affirming grunting noise, and not a second later licking Bennett’s cheek. This had him scream internally, his cheeks burned up, and his mind was long gone.
“W-What’re you doing?! Why are you licking me?” Bennett soon managed to get out, trying to push the guy away from him. And to his surprise, meeting a tilt of the head on the other with a confused pouty look on his face.
“Razor cleans human, wolves help humans.” The guy, whose name was evidently Razor, spoke as if in riddles, with as few words as possible. And even with just those six words, it seemed he really struggled getting them out anyway.
So, his name is Razor? Bennett thought to himself, letting himself be helped up by Razor’s inviting hand. “You’re a wolf?” Bennett just couldn’t help but ask, it looked rather odd to him. He knew of furry-like humans back in Mondstadt, take Diona as an example. But Razor bore no wolf ears, and had no swinging tail, his teeth were flat, and his hands were humane with only long nails to count as claws. With that question, Razor let his chin drop, looking away from the other and over at a distant unimportant tree.
“S-Sorry I asked, I didn’t mean to… well, that’s just typical of me. Forget I asked that! I’m Bennett, by the way!” He then stuck out a hand, hoping to get a handshake from the other, but there was total silence. And Bennett was sure right then and there that he’d ruined yet another friendly conversation. So, he let his hand drop down to his hips again.
“I’m, uh… I’m here as an adventurer! I have my own team, but with no members yet… Heh, so, I’m going solo!” He laughed awkwardly, unable to take the silence any longer. This had Razor’s eyes drift back to him, his stare less confused and now a little more intrigued.
“Adventurer… Bennett?” He asked, his voice low, only slightly above a whisper. To which Bennett nodded eagerly. “So-lo.” And right then, Bennett understood that he was mimicking him. Luckily, Bennett’s face of despair was of some humor to the other. Razor smiled just barely before letting it drop again by the interrupting sounds of both their stomachs rumbling together.
“Didn’t get any dinner either?” Bennett asked in a joking manner. “Lupicals ate, Razor smaller tummy.” He said, slapping lightly on his exposed stomach, which had Bennett’s eyes drift down. This Razor guy, he was covered in scratches and wounds of all sorts. His clothes were dirty, to say the least. And his hair was of no difference, he was due for a proper wash.
But despite it all, he smelled nicely of wet grass and dirt, and he was well put together considering his wild habitat.
“Would you help me find food, then I’ll cook it to your liking? I figure you know this forest better than I do, isn’t that right?” Bennett smiled brightly, all his teeth on full-display, his cheeks rosy underneath the thin layer of dirt Razor couldn’t get off, and his eyes closed. It had Razor’s eyes and mind focused on that merriment he displayed beautifully. He had, without a doubt, never seen anyone smile so sweetly after such a tumble.
“Can Bennett walk?” Razor asked, stepping ever so slightly closer to the other. This subtraction in distance between them had Bennett’s cheeks grow redder than red. Truth be told, he was scared Razor wanted to lick him again.
“Yeah, don’t worry! I can walk just fine, hehe. Come on, you show the way.” Bennett took grip on Razor’s shoulders, keeping him at a respectful distance before he would practically lean up against him. The other had built more muscle than he originally thought, there was no denying he had adapted to this forest whether or not he was a wolf or human. Surely that was self-explanatory given the harsh conditions, but it had Bennett wondering just how long this guy had roamed these woods all alone. Or… well, with a group of people he referred to as Lupicals. Who, mind you, were nowhere to be seen.
Bennett had a small limp to his steps as Razor walked in front of him. His long grey hair dangling from side to side, and in the middle of that split hair laid his electro vision. His hair was gorgeous, like a wolf’s mane, and it looked somewhat soft, like fur. And his electro vision was definitely something he wanted to bring up with the other sometime.
Snapping Bennett out of his trance, Razor halted. In doing so, feeling Bennett bump into his back accidentally. “Sorry.” Bennett apologized, but Razor said nothing in return, just jumped to some nearby bushes to hide.
Bennett followed him with slower movements, wondering if Razor had found something. And right as he was about to ask, Razor jumped out of the bushes and a screech from a boar was to be heard.
“Meat!” Razor called out, holding the boar like you would a cat, looking ever so proud of his little heist. Even though he knew it was too small a serving for them both, he felt proud just showing off his hunting skills to the other.
Bennett applauded with small claps and a beaming smile. “Amazing, Razor!” Bennett praised as Razor gave the boar over, like a dog would retrieve. “Need more?” Razor then went on to ask, already scanning the area with his eyes to sense the slightest of movements. “No, this will probably do until morning. Thank you, Razor!” Bennett tapped lightly on Razor’s shoulder to make him come along.
The two of them were headed back to where Bennett had put camp, the fire having, of course, gone out. Not to fret, Bennett simply lit it up again by using his pyro skills. To which Razor watched intently.
Razor slumped down onto the grass, close to the fire and watching it carefully with curious eyes. He watched as each igniting spark lost its glow up into the dark nightsky, and then slowly diverted his eyes onto Bennett, who sat on the other side of those flames.
His attention was locked on the piece of meat he was cooking, cautious as to not burn it like he usually did. Either he’d undercook it or overcook it, there was no in between.
“How long have you lived in these woods, Razor?” He asked, genuinely curious. “Long time.” Was all Razor could answer. The two then sat in silence as they listened to the meat roast over the flames.
Bennett poked the boar from time to time, noticing Razor laying as still as a corpse. His red eyes always on Bennett, as if he’s expecting him to turn into a boar anytime soon for him to hunt. It had him chuckle nervously, feeling that intense gaze over him, he needed to say something, anything.
“Uhm… Just so you know, Razor. I have incredibly bad luck, as you may have seen just before. Once you’ve eaten, I’d completely understand if you left me for your own sake.” He told it as if it was a warning, and yes, to him it was a warning. People around him had a history of scolding him if not given proper caution about his lack of luck.
“Bennett… Much talking.” Razor lowered his gaze onto the meat, that’d surely burn up to charcoal soon. And with that comment, Bennett quickly retrieved the meat off the burning flames and onto a wooden board he’d brought along in his backpack of things. He brought pretty much everything with him, but a knife.
“Hahah, we’ll just have to use our hands, I guess! No worries, my hands are already burnt to the crisp!” Bennett joked around, watching Razor scoot closer to the prepared meat… No, past it… Headed straight for Bennett instead!
Razor sat beside him, their legs strutting to each their side, and Razor took one of Bennett’s arms and held his triceps with little muscle, less than he himself had. His orange gloved hands slid over his orange binding, and down to his gloves.
Bennett sat all nervous and tensed up, frozen in the moment and unsure of what to say or even do. Though the two were complete strangers, having never even known of each other up until now, Bennett had complete trust in that Razor wouldn’t do anything ill-attempted. That little trust had him huff out a breath of air he hadn’t known he was holding.
Razor then removed Bennett’s glove, the red ribbon along with it, to sit with bare knuckles. And it was as Bennett stated, they were badly injured due to fire. Perhaps some not even from his own skill usage.
And it was to no one’s surprise, not even Bennett’s, that Razor licked his hand all over. Bennett understood that he meant it so as to heal or at least show care for the wounds, that would be a wolf’s term. But as another human, Bennett couldn’t quite grasp the full intention behind it, so long there was no biting, he didn’t really care.
“Thank you, Razor.” Bennett was stunned, for once not feeling that intense need of having to keep going through a useless conversation of small-talk. Razor then held the hand in his own two, his two thumbs that stood unclothed doing light and unintentional caresses.
The two then soon began to eat the singular boar Razor had provided, and Bennett prepared, as the stars above stood as audience to the silent film. Bennett was usually always up for a conversation about whatever, and if none was coming in his favor, he’d simply start one up himself. But in that moment, sitting with that wolf-human guy, he knew to keep his mouth closed and enjoy.
And as the night grew even darker over the woods, Bennett grew more and more tired, ready for sleep after a hard working day of running around. He stretched and yawned with sleep in his eyes, watching as Razor mimicked him, not in a teasing way.
“You tired too, Razor? Where do you even sleep, just anywhere?” And here we go, back to the usual talking Bennett. To which Razor started off nodding, and then shaking his head. Which had Bennett confused.
“Razor tired. Sleep in forest, close to Lupicals.” He replied as he rubbed his eye much like a little pup. “Ah! Lupical… Who are they? Your own adventurers team?” To which Razor shook his head. “Lupical is family.” Razor replied.
This had Bennett finally understand; he was with his family all along! “I’d love to meet them tomorrow, if I can find you by then, that is!” Bennett smiled tiredly. But meeting Razor’s wide open eyes, which was much more intimidating than his glare, he immediately knew he had said something wrong.
“Razor keep watch. Bennett is silly.” Razor furrowed his eyebrows, he seemed determined. And though he meant the word ‘silly’ in a bad manner, Bennett couldn’t help but giggle at it. It was much too cute hearing it from him for some reason… and he couldn’t fully make out why that was.
However, Razor was serious. As soon as they were done eating, when only bones were left on the poor boar, the two decided on a night's rest. At least, Bennett did.
Even though he had brought the tent along to sleep cozy and shielded from the outside world, he laid with an open doorflap and his head peeking out. If a prey were to come along, he’d be decapitated easily.
But that wasn’t his first worry. No. He watched Razor sit beside the fire that was slowly dying. Only a pathetic little flame stood strong in the midst of burnt wood that was of no use any longer.
He felt bad. And with that feeling corrupting his entire flesh, he just couldn’t fall asleep. Not while knowing Razor sat out there in the dark and cold, watching for… well, for Archons knows what. If he was a wolf himself, did he need to protect himself from other wolves too? Truth be told, Bennett hadn’t a clue about what kind of animals wolves were, if they were targeting lone wolves such as Razor or if they were actually friendly.
“Hey, Razor?” Bennett caught Razor’s attention fairly quickly. He turned around to meet the other who was already slithering halfway out the safety of his tent. “Bennett.” Razor practically whispered.
“Why don’t you sleep a bit? I noticed your eyebags, I promise I’ll take good care of you!” Bennett suggested, eager to get Razor inside the tent and go get some warmth of the blanket and pillows. But to his dismay, Razor shook his head in rejection.
“Bennett sleep, Razor keep watch.” He blatantly said, an echo, almost. “Aren’t you cold out here? Can’t you keep watch within the tent then at least?” Bennett tried, he really tried. Again and again, they’d go back and forth, trying to get each other to go back to their natural elements. And neither of them were to give up so easily.
It wasn’t until Bennett began to grow tired of having that ongoing argument, that he made a stance.
He went into the tent, grabbing his singular blanket and couple pillows, then went back outside to Razor. “If you won’t come with me inside, I’ll just bring the inside to you!” Bennett smiled, oh, so brightly, so proud of his little idea. He wrapped half the blanket around Razor, then the other half around himself, making them cuddle close.
They were shoulder to shoulder, leg to leg, and Bennett feared he began to smoke due to the sudden realisation of the situation he’d put them in. But there was no protest, no hint of disgust, or sign of discomfort. Razor instinctively leaned in closer, his wild hair brushing against Bennett’s cheek, tickling him slightly.
And Bennett never thought he’d ever get so close to a stranger as fast as he did, their interaction could possibly beat multiple records. But he didn’t care about that, he didn’t really care much for the outside world as of then. He endured in the moment, feeling the sleep hit him in the face. And so, his heavy head landed on Razor’s somewhat exposed shoulder, completely neglecting the pillows he’d brought out too. They were cast aside somewhere around over there, wherever that even was.
Razor positioned himself to have Bennett sit up against him as comfortably as possible as he looked over the forest. His eyes always scanning for something viewed as a threat as he listened to Bennett’s loud snoring. If they hadn’t been noticed yet, Bennett would’ve surely ratted them out with that.
……
The next morning, Bennett found himself wrapped in his blanket like a burrito, apparently having been misplaced into the tent. Wringing himself free by squirming and flopping like a fish from side to side, he took notice of Razor’s absence.
He knew it was too good to be true anyway, so why did he sigh so heavily?
Bennett’s stomach groaned once again, what he feared it’d probably done all night. He rubbed it gently while stepping out the open tent, looking over the trees that laid surrounding him. Surely there’d be something, anything, edible within a short distance, no? So, he took his chances.
Walking around, a slight limp still to be seen on his left leg, he carried all the berries he could hold in his arms. Though he was unsure if they were poisonous or not, they’d have to do so far.
Picking up just a few more, a loud howl in the nearby distance was to be heard. The whole forest shook to the vibrations of the voice, even Bennett lost grip of all the berries he had collected. He cursed himself and bent down to pick them up, hoping the owner of the howl wouldn’t come anywhere near him just yet.
But that was just lousy hope. Heavy footsteps, many, way too many, sounded like they were coming right his way! This had Bennett panicking. Forced to leave some berries behind, he began to run the other direction. Away from the danger, he thought he’d be safe behind a tree that stood almost lonely with only a couple others to accompany it. Though, he was instantly proven wrong. Being thrashed to the ground by strong force, Bennett hulked out a painful cry as he felt the claws dig into his skin more and more.
“Stop!” A familiar voice sounded just a little further away. Bennett opened his eyes slowly to find that it was none other than Razor. And with just his voice alone, he could get the clawed animal on top of him away. And as it stepped away, Bennett saw that it was a wolf. A wolf!
His heart was beating out of his chest, his whole body ached, and his eyes were filled with tears ready to spill. He sat up the best he could as Razor ran over to him.
“Bennett… friend.” Razor took a long pause, looking up at the other wolf with some sort of assertion of dominance, then scanning Bennett’s thoughts for a hint of fear inside those green eyes. Concluding Bennett had no fear for Razor, he crawled closer.
“You know this wolf, Razor? Is he your pet, or is this maybe your dad? Since you’re half-wolf?” Bennett asked, letting Razor lick him wherever he saw fit. He was covered in dirt after all, and it was beyond embarrassing. Having to return to Mondstadt’s city soon, having only been gone a day or two, already looking as if having been gone for months. That’d surely strike some unwanted attention.
“Lupical.” Razor answered in between a lick. To which stunned Bennett. Those Lupicals he was talking about… are wolves?! He screamed internally.
“Lupical see danger. Lupical strikes. But not Bennett.” Razor had left his saliva all over Bennett’s face and arms, now deciding Bennett was healed well enough. “But not me?” Bennett pointed at himself as he held grave eye contact with the other wolf, who stood with predatorial eyes surging into his soul. And he knew, if not for Razor, he would’ve probably been done for.
Razor simply shook his head as he stood up, once again sticking out a hand for Bennett to support against. He stood dumbfounded for a bit, looking at the wolf and having the word ‘Lupical’ echo in his head.
Now, Bennett stood with uncertainty, he hadn’t the slightest clue if that boy was wolf or human. But it didn’t really matter anyway. To Bennett, he was a friend, and friends accept each other for what they are.
…..
The pack of wolves soon enough left the two boys alone, along with the scary one who attacked earlier. And so, they could spend the daylight together as well.
Razor helped him collect valuables, stuff of which he had no use for, but merely for the thirst of collecting. Razor would show him anything, a weird-looking stick to a whole skeleton of some unrecognizable animal. Either way, Bennett accepted the findings with open arms.
And whenever Bennett found himself stumbling over something invisible, or being one-upped by some boar, Razor would come to his aid. With that, the two could eat meat for lunch with full stomachs.
They walked along the dirt path, following it with no hesitation. “Have you ever been in the city, Razor?” Bennett then asked to fill the silence. “One time.” Razor replied, holding up his pointer finger. “Really? Only once? What’d you do in there?” Bennett asked, he was ever so interested. Because he found it weird that he’d been in there, and yet they’ve never seen each other. Maybe Razor only stood at the gates, or maybe he himself was away on a quest.
“Big man, Varka, took me.” Razor replied not within long, flexing up his own muscles to make up for the name. But they were nothing in comparison. Nonetheless, Bennett got lost in a trance as Razor held up his strong arm. He easily knew Razor was a strong hunter, if even doubtful about that before.
The second Razor let down his arm, Bennett found himself glow red with blush. He had to slap himself out of it in order to continue the conversation, for he knew damn well Razor wouldn’t do it. “Grandmaster Varka, huh? So, it must’ve been you and your wolfpack he talked about! Yeah, I remember him mentioning you now! How stupid of me to forget!” Bennett wanted to slap himself again for being so forgetful, but he stopped himself at the last second. He was already badly hurting, especially in his cheeks that always smashed first into the ground whenever he fell. There was no need to add to that pain.
“Varka… talk about Razor?” He asked. And Bennett nodded eagerly. “Yeah! I haven’t heard much, but he definitely misses you! Don’t you too?” Bennett asked, looking over at Razor as they continued to walk the regular-set pace.
The wind managed to hit them both with a gentle blow before Razor managed to respond. It seemed he was rather obvious about certain topics he’d best not talk about, that much was clear to Bennett.
“Mhm.” He only let out, a low hum that floated gently with the wind around them. So, Bennett had to leave it at that.
As the path came to a halt, they placed picnic at the ruins of Boreas. A wolf Razor knew of personally. Their legs dangled over the edge and into the arena, listening to the engraved sword in the ground’s noises of anemo.
With Razor’s body set at ease, Bennett too felt he could relax despite where they currently sat. So, he leaned back with the support of his arms, and looked up into the endless sky filled with white clouds.
“Hey, I noticed you bear a vision too! But I haven’t seen you use it the whole time we’ve been together. How come? Are you powerful?” Bennett asked, looking over at Razor who had closed his eyes in order to engulf in the basking sunlight. He met Bennett’s look, his red eyes glaring yet again.
“I fight to protect Lupical. I fight with Lupical.” Razor responded, his serious look forming over his face, which had Bennett feel an uncertain safety.
A quick hush came forth before Bennett intruded yet again. “So, are you powerful?” He echoed. “I fight to become strong. Lupical in danger, I fight. No holding back.” Razor leaned in real close, the two’s faces only centimeters apart. And though he didn’t actually answer his question, Bennett got a pretty good grasp on what Razor was on about.
“That’s impressive, not gonna lie! I’d love to see your abilities, Razor! I fear I’m not that strong, but I heal pretty well!” Bennett said with that giant smile of his. “Bennett, heal?” Razor mimicked, looking all over his bruised and injured body, showing no sign of self-healing.
“Why not heal now?” Razor asked, to which Bennett shrugged. “Some scars just can’t be healed, I guess.” He said, much more somberly than initially intended. With that being said, Razor backed off, understanding.
The wind crept low, hitting their free legs. Bennett never sat completely still, he was always either stretching or swaying around with his arms or legs. There was never a full moment of silence with him, and neither was there a moment of absolute stillness. In full contrast, Razor sat eerily quiet, not moving a single muscle. It was in his nature to stay as quiet as possible along with his wolfpack, so, seeing Bennett move so loosely as he did, it had him curious.
Razor reached up a hand, grabbing hold of Bennett’s little cape covering his shoulderblades. Meeting Bennett’s confused eyes, he stopped for a moment before continuing his objective. He pushed the two pieces of cloth upwards and over Bennett’s head to form animal-like ears.
“Bennett… Bunny.” He deemed it true, it all made sense to him. His continuous hopping around as if having no care in the world, the never-ending yapping, and his extreme amount of energy that needed to be burnt off.
Yes, Bennett was a bunny.
He grew red, his whole face looked like a tomato ready to be plucked.
Razor eventually let go, and Bennett, who now seemed more jumpy than ever, was a sight for sore eyes. Although, he didn’t actually understand why he behaved that way. Why he burned a red that didn’t come from his pyro abilities. It was a question he figured was unimportant, so he simply let Bennett be until he lost that unnatural color.
“So long as you don’t hunt me down and eat me…” Bennett soon gathered his senses to comment, rubbing off the rest of the paint on his face with his gloved palms.
“I hunt!” Razor growled, showing off his teeth as if really headed in for a bite. But he didn’t, he stayed put and listened to Bennett breathe a quick laugh.
“Oh noo! The almighty alpha wolf has me cornered! Whatever will a little bunny, like me, do?” Bennett put on his best damsel in distress look, throwing his head back as dramatically as possible. Of course, no one could beat Fischl’s performance, but that was beside the point.
Razor crawled the little distance Bennett had made between them in order to fulfill his role. His flat teeth stood naked and his eyes like open gates, his entire gaze fixed only onto Bennett.
He couldn’t lie, he had no idea how strong Razor really was and how far he was willing to take this little act, so seeing him like this, inhumane, had his spine crawling. And he whimpered as Razor suddenly jumped, pushing the other down to lay his back flat against the cold ground.
Bennett had closed his eyes, laughing out his pain and playfully trying to push Razor off who towered over him. “Alright, alright! You win! Don’t eat me!” Bennett laughed, feeling Razor’s hair tickle him as it fell over his shoulders to land on his exposed parts of his attire. But Razor wouldn’t obey.
Both of Bennett’s hands held each their strong shoulders on Razor, bending as he kept creeping down closer to him. Trying to slither out of the situation, he stumbled onto Razor’s hands on either side of Bennett’s own shoulders, and his knees on either side of his hips. And right as he opened his eyes, Razor’s face laid so incredibly close to his, their eyes only a few centimeters apart. It drove Bennett’s poor heart crazy, his blush already back on his face as Razor tilted his head to the side. Then came pain.
He was… He was biting him! In the cheek! In the very cheek that hurt the most!
“Razor! Auwh!” Bennett practically howled out in a cry as Razor gnawed his cheek. Razor loosened his dentition gradually, staring the best he could over at Bennett’s eyes that were squeezed shut, causing his nose to wrinkle and the bandage on top to lose grip.
Retrieving himself, Razor looked down at Bennett with now a new additional bitemark on his cheek to add to his collection of few scars. Bennett didn’t let go of Razor’s shoulders, not throughout the whole biting scene. He knew, through it all, Razor didn’t mean any harm, at least not intentionally. For he could easily see on the other’s face, the look of regret.
That is, right before he dove back in. Now, with more care. He licked the cheek, feeling the dents of his own mark roll over his tongue. Like that, Razor continued his own way of treatment, as he felt Bennett give small coaxing circular motions of his thumbs over his somewhat exposed shoulder. And Razor knew, it was his way of telling him that he understood it wasn’t meant to cause harm.
As soon as Razor lifted himself, sitting back up on the half-stone-half-grass ground, he waited patiently for Bennett to start up a new conversation. Though he, himself, preferred the quiet and listening to the nothingness, he still sat with a low chin and waited.
“Ughh, I don’t think I can take anymore hits for today…” Bennett oozed up with a hand to his head. “Razor… protect.” His voice was his typical low and raspy sound, and it gave a vibration to Bennett’s heart. Finally getting a good look at the other, he saw the puppy look, the big and sorry eyes that shone with love, his crumbled together posture to appear smaller than needed be. How could Bennett be mad at such a cutie?
He just couldn’t. Bennett gave his warmest of all smiles which rubbed off on Razor not within long. The wolfboy never really smiled, but when he did, he had the power to make the whole world smile right back at him.
On their way back to the camp, they picked up a wolfhook or two. Bennett had no idea what they were, only saw it as more food, but Razor wanted to help Bennett to treat the pain he’d experienced over the last twenty-four hours.
It was impressive, really, Razor couldn’t help but wonder how one could have so much bad luck. He knew it wasn’t a human-thing, for he knew a couple others who always seemed so lucky. Varka and Lisa, the two who helped raise him and train him to his limit. He was forever grateful having met them, their love for him was never to doubt. They were nothing like other humans he had unfortunately encountered when he was younger.
He remembered it clearly, men who threw a sword at him, threatening him to stay back or else. Women who cursed him as if a beast.
But he wasn’t a beast.
Don’t… know, Razor sighed to himself.
“Is something wrong, Razor?” Bennett waved a hand before his face, gaining his attention with wide eyes that lurked of confusion. “You seem down all of a sudden, you’re not still feeling guilty because of earlier, are you?” Bennett smiled, mutually pitiful of the situation.
“Just… tired.” Was all Razor breathed, which Bennett understood wholeheartedly. “Yeah, of course! Did you not sleep at all last night?” He kept trying his luck, searching for Razor’s now averting gaze. But it was of no use. All he could manage to get was a shake of the head on him.
“Ah… If you’d like… I can keep watch as you take a nap? When we get back to the tent? I-I wouldn’t mind at all, I’ll be super careful! Making sure no one bothers ya until you wake up!” Bennett seemed overly hyped of the task he gave himself, putting up his signature thumbs up as he smiled endearingly to the other, hoping he’d catch it.
“Bennett is silly.”
………
Bennett eventually did end up getting his way, keeping watch, even though he noticed Razor’s lack of trust in that task of his. Razor laid in the tent, all the pillows and blanket crumbled in there with him, most of his grey hair sticking out of the open doorflap and onto the grass like a silver stream.
All while Bennett sat with the wolfhooks pressed against his face and then the injured parts of his limbs. Razor had told him just earlier to do so, that it would heal him. And he couldn’t help but have a faint lingering smile on his lips, Razor truly was just a worried little pup, and it was the cutest thing in Bennett’s opinion. From time to time, Razor peeked his head up, watching Bennett sit there. And it was so deadly obvious he couldn’t keep still. He had fire in his pants, no doubt.
“Let’s hunt.” Razor lifted himself up by his elbows, laying on his stomach, and watched Bennett grow a distressed look on his face. “Razor! You’re supposed to be sleeping! It hasn’t even been ten minutes yet!” Bennett whined, he really thought he was doing a good deed. But it was, in the end, all for naught. Razor refused to sleep.
“Hunt with Razor!” He said again, this time, with much more determination. “Razooor!” He dragged out as he went over to the insomniac bastard. He sat before the other who laid ever so innocent with a glint of bloodthirst in those red eyes of his.
“Let’s make a deal. You try to sleep for… another twenty minutes. Then, if nothing happens, we’ll go hunting right away. Deal?” Bennett put out his hand again for Razor to shake. “Deal?” Was all he got back, with a tilt to the head.
Time stood incredibly still as Razor laid in the tent, thrashing and turning in his blanket, while Bennett sat and picked at the green grass. It gave him time to think, doing absolutely nothing, but he didn’t want to. He knew the thoughts that’d occur weren’t any good, and as of right now, he wanted to stay positive till when Razor would awake.
The ley lines of Natlan were burning in his throat, their uprooted unexpected fate still lingering as a scarily lurking shadow. He didn’t fear his roots, but he couldn’t embrace them either. It was, to say the least, a lose-lose situation for him.
Bennett sat with his face squished against his knees, his arms hugging his legs, as he sat and wondered when Razor would finally wake up. It wasn’t that he wanted to rid Razor of his much-needed sleep, he just needed more distractions.
Usually, he’d just go on a small adventure that’d have him home by the end of the day, just so that he had something achieved throughout yet another lonesome day. But with a promise floating around Razor and him, he couldn’t do that. So, he managed to find something a little similar.
The tent was a regular size, nothing too big and nothing too small. Just the perfect size for a little boy like Bennett, but for two? He didn’t think it’d turn out that cramped.
Taking careful and calculated steps inside the tent, avoiding any contact with Razor who laid with a light snore from his parted lips. He had finally fallen asleep, perhaps only due to the reward that stood waiting at the finish-line. Bennett laid himself beside him, keeping himself as small as possible.
He looked over at Razor, whose face was turned to him, with an observing look. Whereas Razor would study him, Bennett simply looked at him.
And he didn’t understand why, but all his previous thoughts that had weighed him down only moments ago, had all disappeared into thin air. Just laying beside another was maybe enough? So, he took a grey lock in hand and fidgeted with it the best he could without waking the other up.
And it was as predicted, much like fur. A mane on a wolf, if you will. Even though Bennett hadn’t a clue on what exactly Razor was, he could easily conclude it was something soft with just his hair alone.
He braided small parts of the hair he had achieved without a struggle, and other strands he merely brushed with his fingers. His eyes were solely focused on the hair, even his mind began to shut off, it was a miracle. It kept him entertained for what felt like forever, losing complete track of the outside world even though he was supposedly tasked to watch it.
However, Razor began to move just the slightest bit in Bennett’s direction. And with the already very little amount of space he had made do of, he was now forced even further against the wall of the unstable tent. He scooted as much as he could, believe him, he did. But it wasn’t enough for Razor, apparently.
It wasn’t until there was physically no more space, Bennett was forced to stop up and let Razor make his unconscious way toward him. He lost the warm blanket that once wrapped around him, his hood that usually clung to his head, and had budged away from the fluffy pillows. And to replace those comfortabilities, was Bennett.
Razor snuggled as close as he could get himself to Bennett, his face dug into the crook of his neck, his arms laying like salami in a sandwich that was their bodies pressed closely together, and their legs mingled together thanks to Razor.
This… This whole thing Razor got going on, it would surely have Bennett’s racing heart pump out his chest. He screamed internally as blush showed all over his body, he was completely covered in that particular red color. And if anyone were to find them laying in there, together and up against each other, they’d for sure think Razor had simply found a human-sized stash of Agnidus Agate Gemstones.
With how uncontrolled his heartbeat was, with continuous heaving after a refreshing breath to calm him down, Bennett was set-on that he’d be the reason for Razor losing track of his dream. But it was killing him. Feeling Razor’s calm heartbeat against his own rageous one, feeling his light breaths on his collarbone, and those little leg twitches he had from time to time as if he really was one big puppy. It was driving him insane.
They laid like that for another few minutes, Bennett frozen up from shock and flusteredness, to where he eventually gave in and let Razor continue his undisturbed sleep up against him. He laid an arm around the other, getting his fingers tangled with the grey locks once again, and pushing him in close for more warmth.
I would’ve never thought he was the cuddly type, Bennett thought quietly to himself, looking down at Razor’s scalp. There were a couple leaves hidden greatly underneath all that grey, and Bennett, without a thought running through his mind, went to pick them out. In doing so, he awoke Razor, and his head peeked up from having been buried in his gulping neck, red eyes now staring deeply into his green ones.
“Oh! Sorry! I didn’t mean to wake you… it’s just that, there are leaves in your hair.” Bennett apologized right as he noticed a wrinkle take form in between Razor’s brows. Was he mad? Bennett asked himself, unable to take his eyes off of the other. Deep in his heart, he could easily tell that it wasn’t that, Razor wasn’t mad, those eyes showed no hint of irritation and that knitting of brows was perhaps due to confusion. But it was to no matter, for he got no verbal response.
Razor simply shuffled away from Bennett, feeling Bennett’s hand that held around him slide off his body. Bennett’s eyes followed him as he stood up and walked out the tent, maybe he really was mad? It wasn’t to tell anymore. The airy footsteps soon came to a stop, he was surely standing right outside and waited for Bennett to follow along.
He gave one big puff of his chest, catching that much-needed air to fully calm his mind down, before he went out and joined Razor on what seemed to be the promised hunt.
Though, it wasn’t much of a mutual hunt they were on. It was more so Razor doing most of the work, Bennett picking berries to go with the meat, and then at evening also having to prepare it over the open fire. But neither complained.
As they walked along a different path, one Bennett was a complete stranger in, there was a faint sound of water streaming down on the horizon. “I’ve always wondered, how do wolves communicate together? Is it all just the howling? You know, just like when I first met your Lupicals!” Bennett asked to fill in the unbearable silence. “We signal.” Razor replied. “I teach you… One day.” He continued.
“Awh! Thanks, Razor! If you’d like… I can also help you learn more words.” Bennett rubbed his head as the two accidentally brushed shoulders. “Deal.” Razor huffed with a short smile, which Bennett luckily caught. He gave a silent chuckle as the two finally made it to the source of the splashing sounds.
There was a little sand before the water started, almost like a beach. And the sun that stood above the city, which they had a clear view of, shone its light to cast on the surface. This, making the water sparkle like a thousand diamonds.
The windmills of the city sounded just barely from where they stood, and the walls cast shadows a little further out in the water. But they weren’t headed that far out.
“Fish.” Razor pointed out to a bubbly area of the water, he gave a quick look over at Bennett, who struggled to see the fish he was talking about. But before Bennett was able to ask if he wanted to fish, Razor splashed out and instantly dove down under. He truly was some huntsman.
Bennett, however, took his extra layers of clothing off first, standing in only his shorts, and tried to catch up to the other. To his surprise, Razor had already caught about three fish, which he held onto tightly in his left hand while continuing his hunt with his right.
The water wasn’t extremely deep where they stood, it only went to about their hips. Still, making Bennett struggle to find his balance. And right as he had finally caught up to Razor, who stood with a focused glance that didn’t rise from the waters, he tripped on the fine sand he walked on.
He instinctively grabbed out to get a hold of Razor, hoping this would keep him steady, but to his dismay, now both were down. Razor dropped all the half-dead fish that did their best to swim away. The two splashed underwater, Bennett laying atop of Razor. His red eyes peeked through the salt surrounding him, looking at Bennett’s puffed up cheeks that had caught as much air as possible before going under, and his squeezed shut eyes that didn’t dare open anytime soon.
Luckily for Bennett, he didn’t think much of it, just a slight set back for dinner later. So, he pulled Bennett up from underneath his arms, in doing so, having him accidentally cling onto the other like they had in the tent. Bennett heaved for air, his hands clung to Razor’s robes, and his head was buried onto his shoulder as he supported himself against the other.
“Ahh, I’m so sorry, Razor! I somehow lost balance, and I guess I had to take you with me…” Bennett said, his eyes still closed as his nails continued to dig into Razor’s clothed shoulderblades. Innerly, Bennett was ever so afraid of falling again.
And when he finally did open his eyes, slowly looking up to find Razor’s patient eyes locked onto him. He couldn’t help but give a noticeable gulp, feeling embarrassment finally hit him, he truly was one big obstacle course for this poor Wolvendom guy. “You lost your fish.” Was all Bennett could say as he felt Razor’s arms that hugged him, empty.
“I hunt more.” Razor replied, already looking around to find another puddle of fish. And Bennett, who still clung to the other, let his face drop melancholy. They both knew he was to blame. One accepted it, and one despised it.
Razor was of a different kind, Bennett realized that as he sat, trying to dry himself, on the yellow sand with heavy and wet shorts that clung onto his skin and sandy boots. He was freezing, the sun being of no help, but perhaps it was just an outward manifestation of his actual feelings. He was dripping all around, and if he was crying, well, no one could tell the difference. Not even himself.
He felt so bad being in the way, but Razor never seemed to mind. It felt nice for a moment, to know that someone would look past his many unfortunate events, but then again… Bennett couldn’t help but ask himself if Razor only ignored them because he would leave him the second this adventure was over?
Of course, that’d make the most sense. Razor did live here afterall, and Bennett had to get back to the city by tomorrow. The two would part very soon, and neither would know when they’d see each other again. This upcoming thought held Bennett’s head low as he listened to Razor’s distant grunting and growling.
He was splashing and fighting out there, surely there would’ve been an easier method to getting fish, like using a fishing rod. But then again, it gave a smile to Bennett’s somber lips watching him fly from one side to another.
And as soon as he had caught enough, about six or seven fish in his claws, he held them up high for Bennett to see and expected an applause. Which he, of course, got.
Razor hurried back to shore, practically running, and threw the half-dead fishes onto the ground and watched them flop around. “You’re so great, Razor! This will make an amazing dinner!” Bennett stood up and added a couple more claps to Razor. To which he noticed the blue tint on his fingertips.
“Bennett, cold?” Razor asked, grabbing his hands and taking them in his own. “Oh… Haha, maybe just a little. Let’s just hurry back and start up the fire then, yeah?” Bennett giggled awkwardly, trying his best not to shake as water kept dripping down from his hair, landing on his bare shoulders.
But it was to his surprise, Razor covered his hands like a shield would, pulling them close to his mouth with chapped lips, and blew on them. His warm breath gave back their original color, and it felt so comforting that Bennett forgot all about his past worries. Razor continued this act of kindness, blowing gently on his hands that slowly began to heat up.
And as soon as Razor deemed them warm enough to continue their way back to camp, he sadly let go and went to pick up the now fully dead fish off the sand.
Bennett said nothing in return, he knew he should’ve let out a short thank you, but his thoughts were all gone right then. He looked at his somewhat warm hands, blush covering his face, and then looked over at Razor who stood and waited for him to follow along so that they could get going.
Being forced back to reality, he went to pick up his clothes and ran over to Razor, walking side by side the rest of the way.
Unpredicted, Bennett said little to nothing at all the whole way. It was odd, a strange silence that occupied Razor’s worries. Though, he didn’t speak up. His own take on the events from before were milder than Bennett’s, for he simply thought nothing of it. Mishaps happen, some are unavoidable; such as losing balance out in the water. In general, Razor understood most of Bennett’s little setbacks and his slight failure in the duration of the time they spent together. Though, he lacked the proper words to actually tell the other about it. So, yet again, being an outcast comes as a disadvantage.
They arrived at the camp after only a couple minutes. Razor dropped all the fish with such carelessness onto the ground and watched as Bennett tried to start up the fire. Missing the first time, he let out a defeated sigh before trying again.
Bennett thrashed to the ground and watched the pathetic little flame, he lit, barely grow. Razor, too, watched that little flame, however with a much more expectant look compared to Bennett’s.
“I’m beat. It’s a good thing you managed to catch so many fish, I could really use a bigger meal today!” Bennett sighed as he fell backwards onto the grass. Razor let out an affirming grunt, indicating he too was excited to soon eat.
Though, the blue sky that stood with a warming sun gradually lost its color. Clouds of grey sweeping in from Liyue and landing right above Wolvendom. Bennett looked up to find not a single spot of blue in the sky. “Really?!” He whined out as a drop landed on his forehead. The flame turned to smoke and had Razor look up as well.
Perfect, a whole rainstorm had the two locked inside the tent. Listening to how the raindrops landed heavily on the outer side of the tent with loud splashes, almost too dramatically. They sat against each their wall, their legs stretched and mingled with each others. It was unavoidable, given the size, and it was the only thing they could do. Even so, that little contact again had Razor feeling more content about the situation.
A thunder was to be heard in the nearby distance soon after, it gave a jolt in Bennett which Razor instantly felt. And as their eyes locked, Bennett began to nervously laugh. “Haha, I’m not scared of thunder or anything. But… I’m probably not the best to sit beside in a weather like this. Since it usually targets me… I-I could leave to somewhe-” Bennett began to wave off, already on his way outside to leave Razor be. But, with the general understanding of Bennett’s flaw, he instantly knew that going out in a weather like that would be plain up suicide.
“Bennett, stay.” Razor hissed with the gentlest voice Bennett’s ever heard. He grabbed a hold of his arm, refusing to let him leave any further as they still held that same eye contact. That little command had Bennett’s heart skip a beat, and he with no hesitation sat back down. Even so, Razor continued to hold his arm, though his grip loosened a bit over time as his eyes averted back to a different mental state.
… The silence erupted as soon as those red eyes closed. Bennett found himself sitting completely still for the first time, simply because Razor held his arm. He had to slap himself out of it. He couldn’t just fall in love with someone who showed the simplest gesture of human kindness. Especially with the fact that the two sat opposed to each other. Their differences shone just like all those diamonds on the water.
This whole change of ordeal had little physical effects, he was still hurt from many scenes of bad luck, and he was still struggling to make it through the day without a scratch. As for the emotional effects; with Razor beside him that whole time, it occurred to him just how massive his bad luck effects, not just himself, but also the people around him. People he loves.
He couldn’t put that poor guy through all of this. That’d be immoral. So, why? He had warned him about his character, and he had seen for himself that it was truer than true. So, why would he stay with him?
Another strike on the horizon had Bennett jump once again, thus waking Razor up. “Sorry…” Bennett apologized. To which Razor had to do something about it. He leaned in closer, crawling toward him, arm still in hand, and he bonked their foreheads together.
“Bennett fight thunder!” His brows were furrowed and his eyes glistened with a hint of determination and fight. “Wha..?” Bennett sat confused, not knowing what to do with himself as Razor sat on top of him.
“Bennett is strong. We fight thunder… together!” Razor raised himself the best he could with the low height of the tent, making Bennett follow along. Though, it was more Bennett being pulled with him. He opened the doorflap and was met with rain with much might. As he stepped outside, Bennett remained inside, looking out towards Razor whose grip fell down to hold hand instead.
“What’re you trying to do, Razor?!” Bennett had to yell to deafen the splashes of the rain, its howling louder than any wolf’s. But Razor didn’t reply verbally, simply gave a tug of the hand and pulled Bennett out. It was sickenly cold against his bare torso, and he knew he’d regret this by tomorrow.
But Razor had this perfect smile, reeling Bennett in more than he’d like to admit. They stood impossibly close, almost like before in the water, and Bennett lost track of the outside world. The thunderous sounds only happened in his heart now.
“What do we do now?” Bennett asked, his voice barely above a whisper as he stared fondly at the other, meeting back that same gaze.
“We hunt.” Razor spoke back. It was a signal for them to start running to somewhere unimportant. Away from the trees, they roamed around in a field-like part of Wolvendom as the rain carried out its endless performance.
The two of them laughed forever on as they held hands tightly, afraid to let go of each other. And though the rain soaked them through and through, having them sniffling and cold, they endured in the warmth of each other’s giggles.
Bennett feared he had never felt such acceptance before, that all of this was perhaps just a dream? But pinching himself, he knew the wolfguy before him was realer than real. It was just hard for him to imagine that.
The thunder around them died out, gradually the rain did too, but neither of them took any notice to that. As they stopped up, standing atop of a hill, they, for the first time in a while, took their eyes off each other and stared out into the becoming sunset.
The now clear skies turned a deep orange as the sun took its descent. It was a beautiful scenery, one made to be painted, and made the two stop their childish running to enjoy the view. They dangled their feet to an even bigger drop than back at the fighting arena of Boreas, Bennett kicking his around while Razor sat ever so quiet.
Only the wind was to be heard, its light whispering passing them subtly by. Razor was leaning back on his arms, taking in the quietness of the world for a second before looking over at Bennett.
“Bennett, better?” He asked, earning those green eyes. “Yes. Thank you, Razor.” He barely spoke above a whisper again, his breath still a little shaky due to the cold he had to suffer through. And he knew Razor took notice of that, watching him scoot closer until he suddenly stopped to take off his coat-like robes. There was a nice warmth the second Razor laid it over Bennett’s freezing body, it had him stop trembling as he crumbled together in the coat. It had Razor’s scent carved into it, overwhelming Bennett’s nose with even the smallest of breaths. Its scent a nice forest smell, Bennett couldn’t help but wonder if Razor just rubbed himself in leaves whenever he sweated.
Wait… Razor! Bennett looked over at him, the only thing to keep his own torso warm was that yellow poncho of sorts. And he didn’t want to be to blame if Razor was to turn up sick tomorrow morning. So, the only natural thing to do was to give it back, he was the one to forget to put on his clothes after all. But Razor refused as Bennett handed his coat to him, wrapping it back around Bennett.
“Bennett keep warm.” He said. “But what about you? Aren’t you cold too?” Bennett asked.
Razor, however, shook his head in denial. Though he sat with slight trembles to his limbs and visible goosebumps on his skin, he denied. “I protect. Also against cold.” His faint smile made him look ever so handsome in the lighting. The orange hue on his skin lit up his muscular features a whole other way. And his red eyes became softer compared to their harsh color. And like a cherry on top, his long silver hair being cast along the wind, all about him stood ethereal to Bennett, to say the least.
Bennett sat in pure awe, relishing in the beauty he found in Razor. It was almost too much. For the wolfguy was now all over his senses, and there was no fighting that. But… also no way to act on it.
“I like stars.” Razor said, pointing up toward the slowly forming stars. They glistened so gracefully upon the darkening sky, so Bennett could only agree. “They’re beautiful. Do you sit up here a lot?” Bennett had to ask. He didn’t want the conversation to slip, he knew it would only cause his thoughts to wander even farther.
“Mhm. Howl at moon at night. Give me… peace of mind.” Razor spoke slower than usual that time, perhaps he found the words difficult to muster up. But that wasn’t quite the case; written between the lines, he spoke of Bennett. His eyes found a different feeling when on him, and he couldn’t understand why that was. But whatever the case, he found it unimportant as the two shared eye contact of the same adoring pupils.
And as the moon rose, they were caught off guard by a howling wolf in the distance, hidden away between the forest a little further down the hill. Bennett laughed nervously as his eyes sprung away from Razor, landing on the ground way beneath them.
“I think we better head back… We also have to cook the fish still, if they haven’t been stolen or blown away that is! Would you like to howl before we leave?” Bennett asked, already on his way to stand up. “No need.” Razor followed along. The two headed back to the camp to find most of the fish still there, they’d still have a pretty good feast. So, Bennett started the fire and began cooking all the fish they had left. All while Razor looked at him, still with that same look in his eyes.
It was too much, he was much too curious about what was happening with him. He needed answers. Tomorrow, he told himself. Tomorrow he’d ask Andrius about it. Surely, he’d know.
When tiredness grew for them both, Bennett suggested going to bed. “Bennett, sleep. I keep watch.” He said once again, just like the night before. All Bennett could do was give a sigh and bring out the blanket. “You know I won’t let you do that.” He giggled as he wrapped the comforting blanket around them both, it instantly heated up to a cozy temperature they both melted into. “Especially not with you sniffling like that.” Bennett added.
They sat shoulder to shoulder, much like the night before. Though tonight, Razor brushed against his own coat that still clung to Bennett underneath the covers. His coat? Razor asked internally, no matter the outcome, it didn’t really matter anyway. If Bennett wanted it, it was already his.
Later through the night, Bennett took notice in every little breath Razor took, every little sniffle. It gave a relaxing sound, and it felt like he was hit with a brick of relishing sleep. And that would’ve surely been the case if not merely a figure of speech.
But there was no space for painful reminders of that as of right then. Leaning head to head against Razor had all his troubles float away like those grey clouds from earlier. It was a nice feeling, one he never wanted to go away. An escape, you could call it. What was even better, was Razor’s cuddly behavior when they sat close. He was like a whole other person under the stars, and Bennett really was sure he was a werewolf of sorts then. Transforming into something completely different. But, that was just another fairytale he’d been told by Fischl.
Razor rubbed his head gently against Bennett’s, gaining an electric friction in their hair. And whenever they'd accidentally brush their fingertips against each other it would cause a jolt in the other. Albeit, neither of them cared. Not even the slightest bit.
Razor sat watching the stars more than he kept lookout, and Bennett, no matter how much he closed his eyes, couldn’t fall asleep. This would be their last night together, and Bennett feared this was the last genuine comfort he’d feel for a while.
“You still up?” Bennett asked through a sniffle, a stupid question but it would get a conversation started anyhow.
Razor nodded, which he felt physically. “Can’t sleep?” Razor asked back.
“Yeah… Guess we didn’t burn off enough energy for the night after all, haha!” Bennett giggled. Razor felt the little hops of his body as he giggled, only backing up the nickname given to him. “Bunny.” Razor cracked up a small smile that Bennett saw only a glimpse of in the corner of his eyes. Truth be told, he was much too scared to look too far in Razor’s direction, they practically sat cheek to cheek after all! If he turned even the slightest way toward him, he’d land a kiss right there on his cheek!
Oh, just the thought of kissing that cheek, placement right above the mysterious scar he had carved in there, that had him burning up. “Don’t start up that hunt again, Razor!” He laughed, reminiscing when they did it last time.
And as his chortle sounded like a song, Razor turned his head toward him, what Bennett was too scared to do, and gave such a sweet smile to him. When Bennett finally stopped his laughter, opening his eyes, Razor sat incredibly close. To the point of having Bennett go on lockdown, both mentally and physically.
Seeing as no movement was happening in poor Bennett, Razor took it as his chance to snuggle the tip of his nose in the other’s fluffed up cheek. Smelling the other's scent as he kept sniffling through. In the end, he landed his head to rest on Bennett’s stiffened shoulder, still looking out to the forest before them.
It all happened so fast, as if only a millisecond went by. And Bennett found himself unable to respond like any normal person would. Instead, he blushed his usual red all over, working like a heating pad for Razor who happily took it in. He tried his best, he really did, but to act normally when Razor did all those things so randomly, as if it meant merely nothing? It was next to impossible, if not before impossible!
When he finally did calm somewhat down, looking at the forest like Razor did, he was able to feel that previously mentioned haunting and tiresome brick. He gave a tiny yawn before resting his own head on top of Razor’s. Unconsciously rubbing his cheek against the softness of the other’s hair. That was, until he finally fell asleep with a sneeze to add.