[CHANTEL] Sticks and stones

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek held her close, yawning softly in the light off morning, a sleepy whine passing his lips as he stretched before settling down again so as not to wake her. He studied her peaceful face, almost wishing for such innocence. But wishing had only made him worse off in the past. He never made true wishes anymore.

[chantel]

She whimpered, pulling the pillow closer to her. She turned over onto her back, her mouth falling open to expose her elongated canines before they slowly shrank back and she opened her eyes. He reached up, rubbing at an eye before she sat up, drawing her knees close to her. "I feel sick.." She mumbled, folding her hands together in her lap.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek looked up at her sleepily and hauled himself into a sitting position. "What's wrong?" He asked tenderly, a voice he only dared use with her. He drew her close, gently rubbing her stomach.

[chantel]

"I think it's cause I got cold yesterday.." She said quietly, holding his hand closer to her stomach. Everything about him was comforting to her. He meant so much to her, and she'd do anything for him if he asked her. She laid her head on his shoulder, moving closer to him.

[derek chandler ralston]

"You'll be fine then," He breathed, hugging her close to his bare chest. His body temperature was always rather warm considering the mixed breed that he was. "I could run you a warm bath, if you want." He brushed her hair from her face for her, hoping she found a good man some day, one who could give her more than he ever could.

[chantel]

"If you want to." She said quietly, gently running her fingers over his hand. She kept close to him, not wanting to be away from his warmth. She hoped a warm bath would make her feel better, help get rid of the cold that seemed to be in her bones.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek got up and wandered to the bathroom to fill the tub, getting dressed while it was filling. After a few minutes he plugged it up and lifted her from the bed with a crooked smile, grabbing a towel along the way. He set her down gently in the bathroom. "I'll go raid your friend's kitchen and make us some breakfast while you warm up some, okay?" A swift kiss on the forehead and he strode out of the room.

[chantel]

She stayed close as he picked her up, smiling at the kiss on her forehead. It wasn't often that he showed her affection, but she cherished every bit of it. She carefully undressed and climbed into the warm bath, laying there for a while before she started to wash her hair and her body and finally got out, drying off before she wrapped up in her robe. She wandered downstairs, rubbing at an eye.

[derek chandler ralston]

Derek had found eggs and bacon, and, not bothering even ask since he hadn't uttered a word to the other woman, he had started to cook them on the stove. He glanced up from where he was putting the food on the plates he had found when Chantel came down the stairs. "feeling better?" He questioned, barely lifting his head.

[chantel]

"Yeah. Thank you." She said quietly. She sat down at the table, laying her head down. She yawned, looking up at Derek. "What're you making?" She asked quietly, reaching over to grab an apple from the bowl in the middle of the table and roll it across her place.

[derek chandler ralston]

"Eggs and bacon." He set a plate down in front of her, and one next to her, and poured two glasses of juice. Modern breakfast, he supposed. At least, compared to the people and animals he had been living off of the past few weeks he had been gone. He sat down next to her, handing her her glass.

[chantel]

"Thank you." She said quietly, taking her cup from him. She picked up a piece of egg, putting it into her mouth before she grabbed her fork, poking at the bacon. She was clearly backwards when it came to eating. But she was used to catching her food, not having it served to her. "I think I gotta work later." She said, swinging her legs back and forth as she still tried poking the bacon.

[derek chandler ralston]

"Do you?" He breathed, watching her as he ate slowly. He reached out gently and guided her fork towards her eggs, then her fingers towards the bacon, offering her the faintest of smiles before returning to his own food again. He picked up his glass, taking a swallow of his juice.

[chantel]

"I think maybe." She said, letting him move her hands before she watched him eat for a moment. She sometimes felt like she was stupid. All she was was half wolf, and could function less than him who was a little bit of almost everything. She poked her egg, taking a bite of it before she brought the bacon to her lips. "I have to ask Parish."

[derek chandler ralston]

"Alright," He breathed. "If so, I can drop you off." And then figure out what he was doing, how to get a roof over his head when he had no job. Not that it mattered. He usually slept in a tree in the park, away from everybody but the night time creatures that sometimes roamed around and hunted.