Hansel made his way towards the newly named Gilbert, now holding a bowl of soup. His gaze fell to the wolf’s hands, still bound tightly to the bedpost.

The boy hesitated, still tightly clutching the little china bowl. “I’m sorry...but I’m still not sure if I can untie you just yet. Do you mind if I feed you your soup instead?”

Gilbert snarled at him like a wild animal. “Do you think that’s funny!? To spoon feed me like a baby! Are you trying to humiliate me?” His stomach rumbled loudly again causing the wolf to quickly avert his gaze from Hansel in embarrassment. Hansel slowly dipped the spoon into the soup and held it up.

“You don’t have to eat it,” he said softly. “But it’ll be hard for you to get your strength back if you don’t.”

Gilbert’s mouth pressed into a thin line. As much as he hated to admit it Hansel had a point. The sooner he could walk again the sooner he could leave this place. Sighing heavily he reluctantly opened his mouth.

A grin spread across Hansel’s features. “That’s more like it!”

“Oh for the love of...stop gloating and just put it in.”

And just like that Hansel leaned forward and popped the spoon inside his mouth. Gilbert swallowed hard and was immediately taken back by how good the soup actually tasted, the aroma of it’s rich flavor practically taking over his mouth. Hansel continued to feed him and Gilbert, despite himself, hungrily accepted each bite.

“Did you like it?” Hansel finally asked, slowly lowering the now empty bowl.

Gilbert shrugged. “It was fine.”

“Chestnut soup used to be one of Ethan’s favorite foods,” Hansel said with a sigh, adjusting the large quilted blanket that covered Gilbert like a mother tucking her child in for the night.

Gilbert glowered at him. “Are you seriously bringing that guy up again?”

Hansel bit his lip. “Sorry. I...I really thought I was over all of this. It’s been five years after all. I was sure I had finally moved on but now...after seeing you-”

and that’s when he suddenly began to cough. The bowl and spoon slipped from his tiny hands, clattering to the floor, as Hansel collapsed in a fit of coughs. Gilbert instinctively jerked forward to try and help but was met only by the painful bite of the ropes against his wrists keeping him in place. Finally Hansel’s coughing resided and when he wiped his mouth on his sleeve Gilbert noticed a small trail of blood dripping from the soft curve of his lips.

“Hey,” Gilbert said slowly, “are you alright?”

Hansel stumbled to his feet, hastily grabbing for the fallen bowl and spoon. “Yeah...I’m fine.”

“You didn’t look fine.”

Hansel laughed weakly, brushing himself off. “Don’t worry about it. Coughing fits are just a small side effect of dying. It’s nothing to worry about, really.”

Gilbert stared at him a moment, as if not even registering the words that had just come out of the other boy’s mouth. “Did you just say… you’re dying?”

Hansel nodded. “Yeah, have been for awhile now. I mean, in theory we’re all always dying but my body is just hurrying things along a little faster than most.” Hansel’s gaze flickered to the floor. “I think I was told I have about two or three years left. Five max if I’m lucky.”

“I’m sorry,” Gilbert said softly. He was surprised Hansel seemed so casual about this.

Hansel shrugged, flashing him a surprisingly bright smile. “It’s nothing to be sorry for. It just means I’m that much closer to meeting someone again that I really miss.”

“You’re talking about the guy that looks like me, right?”

Hansel averted his gaze. “It doesn’t matter. It’s getting late so I probably should get going. People will start wondering where I am.” He grabbed for his basket, beginning to dig through it until he finally slid out a large metallic object. The wolf’s entire body went frigid when he realized what it was. Hansel was holding a butchers knife. The wolf gritted his teeth, tensing, he must have been right all along. The boy was just here to torture him.

That’s when Hansel suddenly climbed up onto the bed and brought the knife’s edge to the ropes around Gilbert’s wrists. In one smooth movement he sliced through them, the ropes falling limply to the floor beside the bed.

Gilbert stared back at him, confusion flooding his gaze. ”Why did you do that? I’m still dangerous. I could kill you.”

Hansel slowly lowered the knife. “I think I can trust you now.” He offered him a small smile. “And besides, even if you did attack me I’m pretty sure I could defend myself.”

“Bull fucking shit,” Gilbert growled. If he wanted to he could have swatted this kid like a fly.

“Anyways,” Hansel said, beginning to carefully pack up his basket, “this was my grandmother’s cottage before she passed over. No one except me knows where it is so you should be safe here. You can stay if you wish, or run away. I don’t want to try and force you into staying here. However, if you do decide to stay I’ll be happy to continue to nurse you back to health until you’re well enough to leave on your own. I’ll be gone for a few days but I left you enough food to last you till I come back.” He grabbed his red cloak from beside the door, flinging it over his shoulders. “So, tell me honestly. Do you think I’ll find you here when I return?”

Gilbert hesitated a beat, fidgeting slightly against the sheets, before finally letting out a low sigh. “Sure.”

Hansel flashed him a small smile. “Good to know. If that’s the case then next time I’m at the market I’ll buy you some clothes. None of mine fit and it’s a little awkward having you naked in here, even if your manhood is being covered by the blanket.”

Gilbert stared at him, dumbfounded. Wolves had never had an issue with nudity but for some reason Hansel’s words made his cheeks burn. “My...manhood?”

Hansel grinned at him, seriously, did this boy ever stop smiling? “Be a good little wolf while I’m gone. Take care of the cottage. Tata!”

And with that the door slammed shut.

Gilbert’s face still felt warm once he had left.

What the hell did this sickly twig of a boy think he was doing talking to one of the most dangerous creatures in the world like that? The kid was either insane or had a fucking death wish.

Hansel seemed to embody everything Gilbert despised in a person so why could he not seem to bring himself to hate him?