#c;merida

Cubby felt surprised. He wasn’t expecting such a nice comment. He smiled at others. “R-really.” He replies eyes wide open. The bear shifter smiled. “I might be scary as a bear though.” He warned imitating the bear sounds. There was a light blush before hugging the other tightly. 

“Thank you, Merdie.” He whispered. “You really are a good friend.” 

Merida squeaked in surprise, hands flapping in his tight hold to awkwardly pat his back in reassurance. She had known her parents weren’t the only ones against her decision to go exploring in the more…war torn parts of the forest, like Wonderland. But she was still surprised by his concern. Didn’t he know that she could handle herself?

Pulling back, she grinned up at him, hands on his shoulders, “I told you I could handle it!” All headstrong untouchability. Things like this only further fed into her ego, and made her think she was untouchable. It might come back to bite her one day, but that day wasn’t today. “Besides, I helped a lot of people. I used my old dresses to make bandages for the wounded. I hunted for those who needed food. I got to see a new part of the world and make a difference, however small. That’s all I wanted to do. I wasn’t in any danger…not really.”

Sure, there were a couple of close calls, between fights breaking out around her between enemy sides, leering soldiers who liked a pretty girl in their midst, and some of the strange, unique beasties of Wonderland, but she said she could handle herself, and she had. No harm done.

Still, knowing how she had worried him, she took the opportunity to throw her arms around him again, less of the angry press of her body against his chest and more of an actual hug, arms round his shoulders and face pressed into his neck. “I’m fine.” she repeated, stubborn and confident, giving him an extra squeeze.

The fire god didn’t want to let go. He wasn’t usually attached to others but the few he was attached to stuck to his heart like glue. Hephaestus was a soft-hearted one despite his rougher exterior. 

Hephaestus sighed still alarmed. “That’s good but it’s dangerous!” He said. Not that he didn’t think she was capable but. “You know how bolder some of these people have become.” He thought back to all the recent events. There was a strong shudder. 

The god continued to squeeze her in return. “You are fine.” He took a good look at her. “Just promise me, next time you bring reinforcements, yeah?”