Russet shyly fiddled with his shirt while he walked with me down the hallway. He was holding my hand so tightly that I was worried he'd hurt himself.

I stopped in the hallway and hugged his waist. "S'okay, Russ. No need to be that nervous. You don't have to meet them all at once like I did."

Russet relaxed a bit, but still held onto my hand while I led him to the kitchen. I glanced back again to check his body. He looked a bit cold.

"Daddy?"

"Sweater, right?" he asked with a chuckle. "I can hear most of your thoughts, baby. You're so sweet."

My face burned red-hot. "I'm sorry for distracting you, Daddy. But thank you."

"No need to worry, baby. I love hearing your internal voice talk about various things. And you are very welcome."

I smiled as a chunky-knit sweater landed in my left hand. I turned around and let go of Russet's hand to put the sweater on him. It seemed to swallow him, but he looked much warmer and happier now.

"Russet," I started, making him look up from his sweater-covered arms to my face. "Please tell me if you ever need or want anything. I will do my best to get it for you. Now, if it's something I know you can get yourself, I will teach you how to get it. Okay?"

Russet nodded with a happy smile, his ears wiggling. I beamed and grasped his hand again, turning left into the kitchen. Gavin was at the stove today, and Russet froze behind me. I turned around and hugged him.

"It's okay, Russ. Gavin is a wonderful person, even though he was hurt by so many people." I whispered, and Russet tried to relax. "If it makes you feel better, Russ, I'll get some food and we can go to my room. Okay?"

He silently nodded, so I squeezed his hands and moved him away from the door. I walked up to Gavin and hugged his waist, making him squeak in fright. I giggled, looking up at him with a broad smile.

"Gav, what'd you make today?"

"A simple vegetable soup. I thought our new family member would appreciate it. He's a rabbit, right?"

"Mhm, a super cute lop-eared one." I grinned, sticking my lips out for him to kiss.

Gavin chuckled and pecked my lips. "That's good, Anwyll."

I rubbed my head on his side, inhaling his scent while he dished up a couple bowls. "I'll be in my room with Russet while we eat. He's really nervous."

"I understand." he smiled, petting my cheek. "I will catch you there later, then?"

"Mmhm, unless you want to play for both of us."

Gavin shook his head, a blush rising to his cheeks. "Sorry, Anwyll. I'm a bit too shy for that."

I giggled again. "S'okay. I love you, Gav."

"I love you too, Ann."

He handed me a tray loaded with two small bowls of soup, two small plates of caesar salad, and a piece of cheese bread to split.

"I know you still can't eat that much, Anwyll. And I gave Russet a quite bit less, because he looks to be in rough shape and I don't want him to feel sick."

I smiled and pecked his lips while he was still bent over. "Thank you, Gav. You're really thoughtful."

He smiled brightly. "I will have Zaire take Matteo his food."

"Thank you! I know I will be busy with Russet for awhile, but I still want to go over there and keep him company."

Gavin ruffled my hair. "What have you done to him, by the way? He's a lot softer and more smiley anytime someone goes over there and mentions your name."

I beamed, my tail whirling. "Forgiveness and love changes people, Gav. We've talked a lot. He's not that much different from all of us. Even if he is an adult, his past is kinda like yours and he never had anyone to talk to about it."

Gavin's eyes widened and his face paled. "R-really? What was he forced to do? Bear fights?"

I tilted my head. "Bear? You thought Matteo was a bear, too?"

Gavin frowned. "He's not? Everyone was sure that he's a bear."

I shook my head. "He's a bull."

"Ooh, I see. That makes much more sense."

I rubbed my head on his side and then hurried around the counter. "Bye, Gav! See you later! Say hi to everyone for me."

He chuckled and waved me off with the promise that he would tell everyone. I didn't see Russet by the door, which concerned me. I pushed the door open and I saw him huddled on the floor with his head on his knees.

"Russet? Are you okay?"

He flinched, then looked up with reddened eyes. "Mm, I'm not sure. Are you done?"

"Mmhm, I have our food. Gavin made this soup specifically because of you. I hope you like it. We also have some tasty greens and a slice of some deliciously warm cheese bread."

Russet's tummy rumbled, so I giggled as he got up. His skin turned reddish, and he stuck close to me while I led him to my room.

"It's the one with the violet ribbon." I said, and he nodded.

He fumbled with the door for a second, then opened it. His jaw dropped when we stepped inside. I shut the door with my foot and set the tray on the side table. Gavin also gave us utensils and napkins. He needs to get so many kisses for his wonderfulness.

"It's so big..."

I glanced back at Russet with a happy smile. "I know. I'm still shocked at its size. I got to sleep in a small closet for fifteen years, if I wasn't tossed outside in a thunderstorm or during the summertime. I am so happy to be here."

Russet hurried over and grasped my hands. "Do I get to stay here?"

"You already have your own room, Russet. I believe Daddy told me it's right next to mine."

Russet squeezed my hands. "I'm really thankful, but do you mind if I stay here for now? I've always slept with my friends nearby..."

His body stiffened. "Where are my friends?"

"Daddy..."

"I already know, baby. I have magically washed and dried those rabbits. They even have chosen favorite ribbons, so they have been tied on."

"Daddy, I feel like I need to thank you in a more sticky way."

Daddy's laughter rumbled through my head. "If you want to, baby. I won't say no. But for now, just focus on Russet. He needs you."

"I know, Daddy. Again, thank you so much for everything."

"You're welcome."

Russet blinked and, then as Daddy cut the link, five rabbits appeared in my room on a giant blanket. They were huddled together, half on top of toys and plushies. Russet dropped to his knees, tears sliding down his cheeks as he crawled to the fluffy rabbits he'd claimed as his friends.

I watched him for a bit, then brought the tray to rest on the blanket behind him. I started on the soup first, moaning softly from the flavors. Russet's ears twitched as he turned, then his nose as the soup's aroma hit him. He blushed when his stomach growled like a big wolf. I giggled and offered his bowl to him.

"We'll eat together, and then you can introduce me to your friends. Okay?"

"Okay," he smiled, shakily lifting the spoon to his lips. "Thank you."

__________________________

After we ate and played with the multicolored bunnies, Russet was exhausted. I tucked him into my bed and gave him Viola to sleep with.

"I'm going to return our dishes to the kitchen and visit with another family member that's under my care. Do you think you'll be okay here with Viola and the bunnies?"

Russet sleepily nodded, snuggling deeper. "Smells like you." he murmured. "It's so warm and soft."

"Mmhm. Sleep tight, Russ."

He nodded again, so I kissed his forehead and pulled the blankets higher. I juggled the tray opening the door and shutting it quietly, then made my way back to the kitchen. Dian was on dish duty, so he smiled when I came in.

"How is our newest family member?" he asked with a smile, kissing my head when I thanked him as he took the dishes.

"He's worn out, Dee. And extremely shy. I want him to be happy here, but I know it's going to take him some time. He's sleeping in my room right now, so I decided to use the time wisely and go see Matteo after this."

Dian nodded and leaned down to kiss my head. "You're a good little wolf, Anwyll."

I grinned and hugged his waist. "You're a great dragon, Dee."

He smiled weakly, but brightened when I tugged him down for soft peck on the lips. He kissed my cheeks and sent me on my way, so I made it to Matteo's door in no time.

I was a little worried about leaving Russet alone, but I was also worried about Matteo. I knocked on the door and it swung open for me, revealing Matteo's curled up form on the bed. I shut the door and hurried over to him.

"Mattie, what's wrong? Are you okay?"

He shook his head, snuggling deeper under the covers. "No," he croaked. "Thirsty."

I placed my hand on his forehead and rushed out of the room. I grabbed a bottle of water and a cup from the kitchen, a few washcloths from the linen closet, and I made a small bowl of warm water appear along with a bunch of blankets.

I made multiple trips in and out of Matteo's room, but finally I could stay. I heaped the blankets on, making him whine softly, then cracked open the cold bottle of water and poured it into a cup.

"Could you sit up for me, Mattie?"

A round of coughs burst out as he sat up, and I helped him sip at the cool water. I handed him a tissue for his stuffy nose, then had him drink a bit more water with a couple pills before laying down again.

"Better?" I asked, and he weakly nodded.

"Would you cuddle my front, Anwyll? Please?" he asked with large navy blue eyes.

I sighed and climbed onto his bed, curling against his chest. Matteo breathed a soft sigh and flipped over, pressing a kiss to my head as he drifted off to sleep.

__________________________

I awakened to a piercing shriek and leaped off of Matteo's bed. He grunted, but quickly settled down as I shut the door. I had a feeling I know who that scream came from.

I dashed down the hall and skidded to a stop in front of my room, where a frightened Russet was huddled into the furthest corner of my bed, shaking from fear. Waltz looked back at me with a startled expression as I rushed inside.

"Waltz, did you scare him?"

"I only jumped on the bed!" he cried, "I didn't know he'd be that scared!"

"Alt, Russet's only friends for gosh knows how long are those rabbits over there, and he didn't have a name until I gave him one about four hours ago. You can't be too boisterous around him, Alt. He's already terrified of you."

Waltz's eyes filled with tears. "I'm sorry, Annie. Originally, I thought it was you under the covers."

I hugged his waist, and kissed his chest. "It's okay, Alt. But you're going to have to apologize to Russet, okay?"

"Mm." he mumbled, hugging my body closer. "Love you, and I really am sorry."

"I know. I love you, too."

I saw a flicker of his wings, then I hopped onto the bed and crawled over to Russet. He was shaking in the corner, and his eyes snapped open as I placed my fingertips on his face. Russet screamed again and sank his teeth into my wrist, which mare a startled shriek burst out of Waltz.

"Alt, please just leave for now. Your presence is freaking him out."

He whimpered. "B-but, Annie! Your wrist!"

"It's okay, Alt. I'm okay. I'm going to calm him down. Please tell everyone to stay out of here for awhile, okay?"

"O-okay, Annie. I love you."

"I love you, too."

The door shut not long after and I winced, feeling the blood trick down my forearm and reach my elbow, where it dripped off onto the bedding. I moved closer and Russet bit down harder, making me whine softly when I heard a crunch. Russet's eyes were wide and whirling, showing he wasn't in control right now.

"Russet..." I whispered, my tongue feeling thick in my mouth. Russet flinched. "Ssh, it's okay. I'm here for you. I'm sorry for leaving you alone. I should have known Waltz would come in here eventually. He likes to jump onto my bed to see my reaction. He's really sorry for scaring you."

Russet's beautiful brown eyes began to clear, while my own head felt fuzzy. He bit down again for some reason, probably because his protective mode had turned on with me flopping onto my side.

"Russet, when your mind becomes clear, don't blame yourself for my injury. Blame the one in front of you for making you do this to me." I murmured, my eyes shutting as the world faded.