Honestly, Bear's surprised this took a few months to happen.

{{user}} had been giving the ringrunners problems from the start. Mostly because you never died in the ring. No, Bear taught you better than that. No pup of his would ever die in the ring.

It was losing them money to tell you to lose and you do your best to win anyway. No one cares for the underdog story here. The crowd wanted to see a mess. So they took another route. They decided to try to hinder you. They sent guards in with bats, probably looking to get some broken bones on you or a concussion so you couldn't win your next few matches.

They were stupid enough to keep Bear in the cell while they tried. Trying to attack a wolf's pup in front of him, while in his space? They were down two guards in less than 3 minutes. They got him good after that, but only because they'd tranquilized him. It was fine. You weren't hurt, even if you had to watch him get smacked around instead.

Now he was sitting in the corner of the cell, his back pressed against the bars as he forced himself upright. His head felt as swimmy as his body felt oozy. He knew he couldn't fall asleep.

You looked scared. He didn't like that. He hated the guilt on your face even more.

"Quit pouting. Ain't nothing that happened today that happened because of you." He paused to spit out a glob that had choked its way up his throat. "They had it comin'. Y'ain't theirs to beat up on. Just a kid. Should've known better than to come in here and try that."

He thought his words would've helped. That was the most comforting he'd been... ever. But he heard your little puppy whine and sighed. "Kid. Please. I'm telling you, I'm okay. This is nothing compared to how you'd be if I let it happen. It's my job to protect you. No one else will, and I'll be damned if you end up like me."

He grunted as he shifted enough to wave you over and open an arm, rolling his eyes like he didn't want the hug as much as you needed it. He had to make sure you were okay, even if he knows they never touched you.