no subject

[The only sign of her he will see in the darkness is the glow of her eyes when she turns them his way, but there is a stretch of uncomfortable stillness. The pup's tiny growls are low, but Tifa is silent for a moment longer before there's a rustle, and she emerges from the bushes.

Carefully, she sets the wolf down and the two of them immediately rush over to Eustace, Tifa trailing a string of relieved wolf kisses across his face while the pup barks and leaps at him.]

Are you okay? You're not hurt, are you?

[Her words are rushed and panicked as she bumps her head against his.]

I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.

[Memories of the last time she couldn't do anything flicker through her, a painful reminder of her failures that she doesn't ever wish to repeat.]

I couldn't put him down.