We Are Bulletproof

"Red?" Alex's whisper drifted through their small camp. The campfire had been put out for the night and everyone was safe and snug down in their burrows. Red was too, curled up in fox form with his nose under his tail, napping. He couldn't fully go to sleep until he knew that Alex was home, and that nothing had happened to him. In their world, nothing was assumed. He couldn't simply expect to wake up to Alex beside him because all too often, people didn't come back.

Yip!

Red let out a soft bark to let Alex know that he was awake as he emerged from the warm burrow into the cool night air. The fog even penetrated into the woods! He was surprised to see how thick it had gotten—he could barely make out Alex's figure, five feet away from him. Red shifted out of fox form and shivered even more, but soon Alex's arms were around him.

"Hey, you'll catch a cold! Go back to sleep, I'll join you in a bit after I wash up." Alex kissed the side of his head. "Sorry I couldn't walk you home."

"It's okay." Red rested his cheek against Alex's shoulder, recalling the funny face he made earlier in the office. He thought about that look for a long while as he walked home with Nico and again after he got back to camp and washed up in preparation for bed. The burger would last him until morning; he had gotten used to living on starvation rations so a little food went a long way.

A part of him thought the look was jealousy but... that didn't seem like Alex. Red had never seen him be jealous before and there were young male shifters among them too. Although, Red never let anyone walk him home before except Alex. Was that it? Did Alex mind the fact that someone else was walking Red home? Or maybe he felt guilty about not being able to do it, since he brought it up now...

"Alex?"

"Hm?" Alex rubbed the sides of his bare arms to keep him warm.

"...Red safe. Nothing happen way home." He looked up and although he couldn't see Alex's face properly, he felt that Alex was no longer wearing that odd look from earlier. "Nico friend."

There was a long pause, and then he felt a brush of breath against his temple. Alex was laughing softly. "I see. You like him? As a friend?"

"Yep. He nice. Give Red burger. It taste good!"

Another laugh, this time louder. "You little glutton, anyone who gives you food is your friend! Is that where all of your loyalties lie, hm?"

"What mean this glu... uh... gloo ten?" Red had a feeling it was a bad word, even if Alex was using it in a teasing way. He felt Alex's hands at his chin urging his head up. Then—a kiss! Red's face felt red enough to light the whole area. "Alex why..."

"Don't ask why I'm kissing you, silly. Go back into the burrow, I'll join you in two minutes. Go on, or you'll freeze to death!"

"But—gloo ten? Alex gloo ten what this??" He had to know what this word was! "Why ten gloo? Can be more gloo?"

"Inside Red."

"If Alex no say, Red ask Nico right now."

"Oh really? You'll go right now? Naked?"

"...Red ask tomorrow. In shirt and pant." He slapped Alex's shoulder gently for calling out his simple bluff but obediently turned to re-enter their little home. "If Nico give burger one time more, Red no share with bad Alex," was his parting shot before he shifted back and dove back into the safety of the burrow. Behind him, he heard Alex laughing again.

Red wanted to visit grandma but along the way, he had a long think about it. Since there wasn't much talking, there was a lot of thinking. If he went as a human... it might be problematic. He usually visited as a fox; grandma didn't know him as a human...

It might be better to come back later.

"Red can find home. Alone." He smiled at Nico and reached out to pat the side of his arm awkwardly. "It... late. Dark. Red see grandma tomorrow! Maybe see Nico again... at office!" It was getting super foggy too; he was anxious to get back to the camp. Turning, he headed off down the path before Nico could stop him. He'd be back at the office, though, now that he knew a nice person who worked there other than Alex.

"Yeah I wouldn't come along either," Alex said with a wry grin. "He wants me to write up about the old library. Pfft. Who even goes there anymore?" Alex sighed as he began to pack up some things into his worn messenger bag. Red hovered anxiously beside him and tried hard not to latch on to him--in case he bolted for the door or something.

But--he perked up. It sounded like Nico was offering to walk him home! Red looked at Nico with relief evident on his face. "Go see grandma?" he asked hopefully, as Alex straightened and slung the bag over his shoulder. "Red see grandma with Nico?"

"Oh. Uh..." Alex had a funny look on his face that Red didn't understand. "Yeah, yeah. That's really nice of you man. Red's all for it. He must like you a lot--he doesn't usually take to people so fast."

Red frowned. What did that mean? He liked Nico? Nico was nice to him and gave him food--of course he liked him! It sounded like Alex meant another kind of like but Red didn't think he acted inappropriately. He touched Alex's hand before it fell away. "See Alex at home?" He smiled and the funny look faded from Alex's face.

"Sure thing! I'd better get going though. Thanks Nico! See you at home Red!"

After he left, Red sidled closer to Nico. "Thanks Nico."

Nico's just like me!

Red studied his profile as he turned away to shuffle some papers on his desk. Hm. Ordinary though he was from the front, Nico had a nice profile, actually. Quite a handsome one, to be honest—not that Red was checking him out or anything but he did notice it, with a somewhat artist's eye. Besides Alex was right there! He wouldn't ogle another person with Alex right there!

"Grandpa..." he whispered mostly to himself, feeling terrible for Nico's loss. Even if Nico wasn't openly weeping, Red knew that the sadness of losing someone never went away. It was always there. Red understood that better than most and was more sensitive to it than most. Alex, not so much; he seemed to be able to let go more easily than Red.

"He's definitely not working here!" Alex said cheerily, but almost... too cheerfully. Almost a bit forced as though wanting to change the topic quickly. "Red can't write. I think he's just here because he doesn't want to go home alone. Heh..." Reaching out, he gently ruffled the hair at the back of Red's head. Red, embarrassed, tried to push his hand away. "But I won't be home till pretty late. Mr. Meyers gave me a new assignment. Well, us, if you wanna come with, Nico." Alex pursed his lips slightly as he smoothed down Red's hair. "Red, you have to go home alone today."

"What? Alone?" Red shook his head. "No... dark... scary dark." He didn't like going home in the dark. That was how the hunters got his family—after dark, with guns and traps.

"Grandma... okay?" Red breathed a sigh of relief but part of him wasn't convinced and wouldn't be until he saw her again with his own eyes. He looked at Nico and then at Alex, both of whom were trying to reassure him, and nodded. "Grandma okay... Red visit." Maybe later... Maybe tonight he could bring her something from their camp...

Alex sat down beside him but he was smiling at Nico. "It's all good buddy. Grandma's okay. Red, just stay calm."

"...okay." Red glanced at Nico. "Nico... okay?" Did Nico also need help like Grandma? Was Nico lonely too? Since he was so much like her, Red wondered about him too...

Alex put an arm around Red to stop him from rushing away immediately. Red did struggle a little bit, still under the impression that Grandma needed him. Right now! If she needed somebody, he could help! He took so much from her—it was the least he could do!

"Ahh," Alex said as he forced Red back into his chair. "Um. Red is... kind of sensitive about... family members dying. He lost his family a while back so... maybe take it easy around him."

Red tried to stand again. "Grandma!"

"It's okay Red. Grandma is okay! She's good." Alex gave him a thumbs up. "Grandma's okay. Calm."

"No, no Grandma..." Red looked to Nico for confirmation. "Grandma needs help, Nico?"

Grandpa died?

Red was again distraught. He didn't bawl but he did put a hand to his mouth, remembering how his grandpa was taken. And his grandma, his parents, his older brothers and sisters... One by one they disappeared. Luka's parents had to go out to find food for them, after all; they couldn't stay in their den forever. Then when they didn't come back, Luka's older siblings had to go and... And then it was just him, quivering down in that big empty lonely den. Eventually he had to accept that everybody was gone. He scurried out and hadn't been back to that part of the woods since.

But it didn't sound like Grandpa had been hunted or trapped. There was no horror in Nico's voice as he spoke, only sadness. Red didn't understand much of what he said but he understood enough. Grandpa was gone and Grandma was alone and sad. That made him feel guiltier, taking advantage of her like that when she needed help too! (Or at least it sounded like she needed help, from what little Red understood.)

"Grandma needs help?" He stood up suddenly. Grandma needed help! Right now? Right now! "Red can—"

A hand at the back of his head made him turn suddenly. Alex was there, looking puzzled. "Everything okay, Red?"

"Grandma needs help!" Red said urgently.

"Huh? Grandma? Whose grandma?" Alex looked down at Nico. "What were you guys talking about?"

Nico didn't make a big deal out of being nice and only shrugged, but Red already had a good impression of him. It wasn't hard to get into the good graces of starving animals—and people—but Red was more cautious than most (of either group). He took a long time to warm up to people, being naturally cautious and shy and suspicious. After being gypped and pushed around and screwed over so many times, he had a hard time trusting just anyone.

Nico and his grandma, though, were special people. They were gentle and non-threatening. Nico's grandma didn't make a big deal when she first saw Red sneaking out from under her porch, whereas some of the people in town would make a lot of noise and pull out strange devices to point at him. She quietly watched him for a moment, and then went inside to get some food. Afterwards she went back in, letting Red know that it was safe to eat without fear of being caught.

"Grandma... lonely?" Red was a little distraught at the thought of that nice old lady being lonely. She took care of so many people! Red had seen them going in and out. He thought with so many people around... But maybe they didn't stay. He felt a stab of guilt. He didn't stay either; he just took her food and used her porch. Red leaned in, frowning. "Where grandpa?"

Red nodded. Yes, outskirts. Far far far faaaar away from the town center and from all the people who lived in Hazleton. Most of the humans were harmless, so it wasn't that Red and his commune thought that they posed any danger. It was just that the humans' way of life didn't accord to what they knew. Some barely even shifted out of their animal forms, preferring to live out their lives as naturally as possible.

He sat listening to Nico, barely understanding the gist of what he was saying. He spoke too fast for Red to fully comprehend every word, and Red needed time to digest his meaning. But he liked the sound of Nico's voice. He liked the way he spoke, even if he only caught a few words here and there.

"Drifter?" Red had heard of the word before; it seemed to be a bad word, or at least it garnered a bad reaction from some people. He frowned. "I visit. Only few time. She give food. Grandma nice. Like Nico."

It was beyond delicious. Red didn't know if there was even a word for how that burger tasted from start to finish. He enjoyed the last bite as much as he enjoyed the first. Soft bun, crisp lettuce, grilled meat and the sweet, tangy pickles—Red loved the pickles the most. When he finally had his last bite, he regretfully folded the wrapper neatly. Half of him wanted to keep it as a souvenir of this amazing experience but he had a feeling that weird as he was, that might be too weird. They told him to blend in while he was in town...

A little sadly he put the wrapper into the waste bin. Well, he'd have the memories of this moment anyway.

"Um." Nico was asking about him and Alex, which made Red uncomfortable. They decided not to say anything about their relationship yet. Well, Alex didn't think it was a good idea; Red didn't understand why. What did it matter? But Alex insisted and Red went along with it. He studied Nico for a beat too long after the question was posed and then nodded very very slightly. Nico gave him half of his burger; he was firmly in Red's good books now.

"Live with Alex. Not in town." Red worried his lower lip, wondering how much he should divulge. Nothing was the answer, but he didn't think Nico would do anything horrible. He was just curious, probably. "Nico... not live with. Um. Grandma?"

The appetizing burger was pulled into two pieces and Red's astonished eyes watched half of it sailing his way. He smelled it. The meat, the sauce, the tang of pickles and the fresh smell of tomatoes. Like any animal who lived out in the wild, he took easily to humans who gave him food. That was why he went around to Nico's grandma's house so often, knowing that if he poked his head above the sill of her kitchen window, she'd see him and come out to give him a tidbit of meat or some kibble.

Red took the burger since Nico had offered it twice. He didn't do anything as dumb as cry but he was touched. "Thanks," he whispered, hardly believing that he was holding a fresh, hot burger in his hands. Not a cold one, or a half-eaten one, but a fresh one all to himself. Red cradled it in both hands as he took a bite. He closed his eyes.

If he died right then and there... he'd happily go.

The burger tasted amazing! A smile of pure bliss spread across his lips and for the first time in a long while, Red remembered what it felt like to be completely happy. And even though he knew his reaction was probably weird to a normal human who had burgers all the time, he couldn't quite find it in him to feel embarrassed. Maybe later he would be, but right now he was lost in his own little world.

Happy Burger sounded... cheesy? Was it covered in cheese? The meaning of the word escaped Red and he was confused for a little while. Another word to ask Alex about! If he ever stopped being mad at Alex for teasing him in front of Nico. Not that it mattered if Nico was laughing at him—he wasn't—but Red was pretty sensitive. Some of the others around camp called him thin-skinned, which—again—confused him. He didn't think fox skins were particularly thin. If anything they were quite thick!

"Happy Burger." He smiled slowly. It sounded like a nice name. Burgers that made people happy, it was a nice concept. But then Nico took the burger out and Red salivated too. His leg jiggled under the desk. Normally he would have stolen it. He would have created a diversion then darted in and taken it for himself to nibble on underneath Nico's grandma's porch.

Buuut... he couldn't get away with it here! So he looked longingly at the burger and apparently Nico caught some of those brain waves. "Half?" Red asked, stunned at so much generosity. Fries and burger?! He wanted it so badly but... but... He couldn't somehow bring himself to take a whole half of a burger. Not legitimately. It was easier to steal, apparently, than to be offered something.

"No... thank you." His smile was half-hearted and a little glum. Red shook his head a little and looked away. It—it was too tempting and he didn't want to watch Nico eating that delicious burger.

Alex thought he was being funny but he wasn't! Red poked him in the thigh under the table and gave him a mild glare from out of the corner of his eyes. Alex knew the significance of the red brick house and it was his favorite pastime to tease Red about it, but Red didn't like it. He was fond of the old lady who lived there; she set out food for him during the winter months, when it was harder to get by. Red was grateful to her for it—and for the big porch that let him store things he couldn't lug to their camp in one go.

"Well most drifters are pretty friendly. Some of them are even downright shy." Alex seemed undeterred by the poking and the glaring. He grinned at Red. "Bet some of them visit her regularly too. Right Red?"

Ooh Alex! Red colored and mumbled nonsensically under his breath. "Nice... lady..."

"Red's been by her place a few times," Alex went on to explain, before an older man with thinning brown hair and horn-rimmed glasses poked a head out from the office nearby.

"Alex? Can I see you for a second?"

Alex rose, nodding. "Sure thing! One sec guys. Red. Stay."

OOH ALEX!

Red snorted, angry but unequipped to express it. He wasn't a pet dog! After Alex disappeared into the office, leaving him and Nico alone, Red turned back. He edged a hand toward the bag and picked out a tiny fry. "...these... are good."

Jus-tice? Red tried to figure out if he knew that word while Alex nodded grimly. "Justice would be catching those sons of b—" He stopped short and looked at Red, who was mouthing the word "justice" and then pressed his lips together. "I'd like to see them all arrested and thrown in jail."

Red tentatively poked Alex, then pointed at the pile of fries. Alex took another one and handed it to him.

"Is your grandma the lady who lives in the red brick house?" Alex's lips quirked. "The one with the uh. Big porch out front?"

When Red didn't immediately take a fry despite being offered, Alex pulled one and handed it to him. Red looked at Alex, then at Nico, then took it and ate it. It was still hot! Crispy and fresh... mmm... He smiled reflexively—eating something delicious, it was impossible not to feel happy!

"Oh yeah? The woods? I was up there myself a couple days ago." For some reason Alex's jaw was a bit tight. Red reached over to touch his hand; it had curled into a fist on top of his thigh. Alex relaxed the hand at his touch and turned his hand over to lightly squeeze Red's fingers. "Probably local trappers or poachers, like you said."

Red didn't understand half of what they were saying but he understood hunters. A shiver of fear slid down his spine. "Hunters... bad," he murmured as he folded his drawing and then stuck it into his windbreaker pocket—for secret disposal later.