I press down the handle and push open the door.The room is cold, and the window is ajar.I look around, but there is no Ira there.Fuck."Ira!"I run to the window and look around.Nothing.
Shit.Has he run off?I stare across the street at Boris' house.He's no longer in his garage tinkering.There hasn't been music one single time since I asked him to leave.I check every day.I spend far too much time watching his house, and my heart aches every time I do.But it aches when I'm not looking too, so I don't see any point in abstaining.
I close Ira's window, hurry into the kitchen to turn off the stove, then I put on shoes and run across the street.Right as I'm about to knock on Boris' door, I notice indents from footsteps in the frost-covered grass.Prints from small shoes.
Hesitantly, I follow them around the house.I grind to a stop as I take in the scene before me.On the patio are Boris and Ira, asleep.Boris has Ira wrapped in his jacket, and Ira is sprawled over his chest.
I must make a sound because Boris' eyes pop open, shift color, and claws spring from his hand.Then he blinks, looks around, and relaxes when he sees me.The claws are gone as fast as they formed, and Ira never woke.
No words form on my tongue, but I can't look away.
"I should've let you know he was here."Boris' whisper makes me drop my shoulders.
"I didn't notice he was gone until he didn't come out of his room to eat."
He watches me with suchlonging, I have to look away.I don't think anyone has ever looked at me the way he does.I'm not worth looking at, and yet he does.
Fuck.I run my fingers through my hair and study his hand again.It's resting protectively on Ira's side.There had been claws, but not to hurt Ira.To protect Ira.
I blow out a breath and shake my head."I'll take him now."But I don't move.
Boris watches me for several long seconds.He looks worn, sick almost, and I try not to wince.I doubt I look any better.Or maybe I do.He's been taking care of us from afar since I asked him to leave.No one has taken care of him.Or maybe the...pack has, but I haven't seen anyone come here, and I've been watching.
"Ira said the cookies will come the day after tomorrow."
Fuck."Yeah."
"I promised we'll go to Rutchester to deliver them.You can come with us if you don't trust me to be alone with him."
The pain in his voice makes me want to say of course, I trust him, but do I?Funnily enough, I trust him not to hurt Ira, and I don't want to go with them to hand out the cookies, do I?I don't want to meet more wolves.
"Nah, it's fine.I'll pick up the cookies when I fetch him after school, you can...take him after..."
Boris nods.
"Thank you for the food."I want to slap myself.
I wouldn't call it a smile, but there is a slight hitch at the corner of his mouth."Anything you need, Simon.You never have to thank me.I know you don't understand it, but you're my reason to live."
I look away and shake my head.How can anyone say shit like that?
"So...I'll...eh...we'll come to you after school, the day after tomorrow."
He gives me one curt nod, then he nuzzles Ira's hair."Hey, buddy."
Ira stirs.I hope he isn't about to get sick.He's not one who normally naps.
"It's time to head home for dinner."Boris rocks him as if he were a baby, and my heart aches at the sight.
Ira looks at him, then at me, and I smile."Dinner's ready."It's been ready since Boris cooked it, for fuck's sake.It's on the tip of my tongue to invite him over for some of his own food, but I squish it.The day after tomorrow.I'll talk to him the day after tomorrow.
Boris helps Ira stand and squeezes his hand.The smile he gives him is a little wobbly, but more like himself than any expression he's given me so far."See you the day after tomorrow, okay?"
Ira beams, and my heart lurches.Am I wrong to deprive him of a relationship with Boris?But he's a monster.What responsible parent allows their kid to be around someone...not human?Up until now, I've tried to convince myself I didn't see what I saw in my kitchen, that Boris is lying to me, tricking me.But his reaction when I rounded the corner...
He'd protect Ira with his life.I know he would.
I hold my hand out for Ira, who takes it."See you the day after tomorrow."I give Boris one last look.
