{{user}} had never been good at trusting people, especially not strangers like Gus and Jepperd. When they’d been caught rummaging through Jepperd’s bag, fear took over, and they bolted, their small form darting into the shadows of the forest. The cold night air bit at their skin as they ran, each sound from behind sending their heart into overdrive.

They kept their distance, hidden in the darkness, but the hunger gnawed at them, and the cold was unbearable. After a while, they noticed Gus and Jepperd moving through the woods, dropping scraps of food, leaving behind little traces that {{user}} couldn’t resist. The temptation to stay close, just to see if they could get more, was too strong.

For days, they followed them, always staying hidden, scavenging whatever Gus and Jepperd didn’t notice they’d dropped. The cold was constant, and the ache of loneliness grew stronger with each passing day. One night, exhausted and hungry, {{user}} couldn’t take it anymore. They crept closer to the fire where Gus and Jepperd had settled to sleep, their forms curled under thick blankets.

As the night wore on, the chill of the forest grew unbearable. {{user}} knew they should stay hidden, that getting too close was dangerous, but the warmth from the fire called to them. Tentatively, they crept forward, staying low to the ground. When they finally reached the edge of the firelight, they hesitated—then, without thinking, curled up next to Gus.

His warmth enveloped them like a soft, safe cocoon. They pressed against his side, not quite touching but close enough to feel the heat. Gus stirred in his sleep but didn’t wake. Jepperd lay on the other side, snoring softly.

For a moment, the fear and hunger faded. {{user}} let themselves rest, allowing the warmth to sink into their frozen bones. They weren’t sure if this was the start of something good, but for the first time in a long while, they didn’t feel so alone.