Tim
Animal
Hope Springs, West Virginia
December 1st, 2019
Harris
The last month had been far more interesting than Harris could have anticipated, he and Shawn had grown far closer than he thought they would. It wasn't as if they had shared much, but Harris had grown to trust him, and he enjoyed his company far more than that of the trees.
Harris looked over Hope Springs, snow resting on the roofs and still falling, blanketing the landscape. The formerly all-encompassing sound of wildlife had gone silent, except for a singular bird every hour or so. Harris had found himself unable to avoid becoming covered, a fate Shawn did not share due to the impromptu shelter Harris had constructed from the ground up. Harris found himself unable to care about the snow, it didn't affect him anymore.
Harris turned back to Shawn.
"So, you're the boss, where should we go today?" he asked with a small smirk.
The Wanderer
"You know, for a genius, it probably wasn't your smartest move putting me in charge."
He said sarcastically, a smirk finding it's way onto his face, although masked by the significantly larger beard. He had learned a lot about the man he now considered to be his closest friend, and was happy that Harris was willing to put up with him and his affinity for opiates, going as far as to provide him with Papaver Somniferum, allowing him to have near unlimited access to fresh opium latex. Shawn had also used some of his woodworking skills to carve himself a pipe suited to using opium in.
"I think it may be time for us to move on friend."
He stated, lifting a cigarette to his mouth and lighting it. As he did so, he caught a glimpse of the transparant cord connecting himself to Harris, and felt a feeling of warmth spread throughout his body. Having had over a month to discover what it was, he had learned that Harris wasn't the only gifted being amongst them. After a lot of trial and error, he had found that he was able to make both people and animals fond of him. Incredibly so, it was more than once that he had come back to their home looking like a fantasy princess, with dozens of animals behind him. Through his training, he had learned that it's effect were not permanet, and would fade away if he put a distance of about 30 yards between himself and his "target." However despite this, the link between himself and Harris had never disappeared, even after Shawn had traveled over two miles to test it.
Shawn had grown restless in the past week or so, his innate urge to stay on the move had become overwhelming, even with his bond with Harris. He knew that he had to start moving again, but he also knew that he couldn't leave Harris, even without his fear of withdrawals, it would destroy him to be absent from his friend's side.
Harris
Harris chuckled in response to Shawn's jape, primed and ready to respond in an equally snarky way, only to hesitate when Shawn continued. His face shifted from a smile to a confused frown. He turned towards Shawn as he lit a cigarette, looking into his face in an attempt to discern more meaning from the statement. He had no clue what was meant by his statement, and his mind kept telling him to assume the worst, that Shawn was suggesting they split up and move on. Despite only knowing each-other for a short time, Harris couldn't help but feel his stomach drop in fear and anxiety at the thought of being forced to part ways with the man, he felt a strong connection, far stronger than even that which he had shared with his family, and the thought of losing that was almost too much.
"Please don't tell me that means what I think it means," he pleaded in a combination of sadness and stern anger. "I... we've been through so much, even in such a short time, I can't help but feel like this is it, I'll never get to interact with a person ever again."
He looked at Shawn, feeling angry yes, but mostly terrified.
"I was alone for so long, Shawn, it was soul crushing. I didn't dare approach anyone because of what I'd become, and I can't help but feel like you'll be the last person to approach me," his voice became less and less monotonous, dancing between octaves as his emotions ran wild.
Maybe he was just over-reacting, maybe he didn't mean that, but what else could he mean? Harris barred his teeth and squeezed his fists, letting out a wooden cracking sound as his fingers pushed against his palms.
"If you want to leave, I can go too, I don't need to stay, I'm the whole planet's defender, not just this one forest!" Harris desperately bargained, not even allowing a chance for Shawn to respond. "Just... I'm sorry," he sighed.
"I was alone, Shawn, truly alone. I won't force you to stay with me if you don't want to, but I promise that I won't ever forget what you've done for me," Harris said sadly. He hung his head and turned away, closing his eyes and waiting for Shawn to leave.
The Wanderer
Shawn stood still in near absolute horror, unable to even grasp what had just happened. Unable to think, he instead followed his insticts, and moved quickly to Harris, and stood in front of him. Shawn then wrapped his arms around him and hugged him, tightly, burying his scruffy face into Harris's neck, hiding the tears that were beggining to fall from his eyes.
"N-No, no, how could you think I'd ever leave you, how could I leave you."
Shawn continued to hold on to Harris, squeezing him tighter, and continuing.
"Don't you dare ever think that'd I'd want to be somewhere that isn't by your side Harris. You are the greatest person I've ever met, and the closest thing to actual family I've ever had."
Shawn's eyes continued to pour like a broken faucet, and even though he was sure harris would feel Shawn's tears on his bare chest, he couldn't bring himself to pull away. Shawn could feel the pain of Harris eminating throughout his entire body, and could only manage to hug him tighter.
"I promise you Harris, we'll never be alone again until the day we die."
Harris
Harris was glad he he had been turned away from Shawn when the man came to embrace him, for the cascade of emotions that were brought upon him were enough to bring a tear or two to his eyes. He listened silently as Shawn continued to pull him into an ever tighter bear-hug. Harris failed to notice how Shawn's strength seemed unnatural, instead focusing on attempting to keep his emotions in check.
"I don't know what to say... I feel the same, I promise that I'll never stop being here for you," he stated with determination on his breath. He allowed a few minutes to pass so that they could both calm down before he found himself and began to think.
"Then you mean to say we should move. I see ennui's struck you," he said, his normal taciturn method of speaking returning once more. "I cannot say I feel the same, but I would follow you to the edge of the Earth should it prove necessary."
Harris looked over Hope Springs one last time, he'd miss it while he was gone; nothing had the ambiance of a small town, but he wouldn't abandon his friend just because he didn't want to give up the ambiance, what kind of person would he be then?
"Where do you mean to take us? I'm originally from Maine, but I've always loved travelling, in fact that's what got me into this mess," he admitted, chuckling. He was much more confident about himself, Shawn was to thank for that, but he still missed what he had lost somehow, despite his new form being better in every way than a human body. He sighed and smiled at Shawn, wordlessly confirming that everything was going to be fine despite the little hiccup.
The Wanderer
Hearing Harris' voice's returning to it's normal, comforting tone brought a wave of relief onto Shawn, and he stepped back, wiping his eyes quickly. He smilled softly after a few moments had passed, and things had calmed down. He found himself feeling incredible solace in knowing that Harris planned to stay with him too, even without Shawn forcing kinship.
"Not ennui, but Wanderlust,"
He said with a soft chuckle, before continuing.
"Sadly, while my heart demands me to wander, it doesn't give me a location, just a direction. Now, it's calling me East. Perhaps we could stay in Kentucky or Illinois for a few weeks? I definitely think you're able to handle some more intense security duty, thanks to yours truly."
He said chuckling again, winking as he promoted himself shamelessly. He hadn't been in Illinois since his mother had passed away, which forced him to move to Georgia to stay with his Grandparents, who had been neglectful to say the least.
"Perhaps we could stay in the Shawnee or Hoosier forest, seems right up your alley Or well, cave I guess?" He said with a wide smirk, playfully teasing Harris.
Harris
Harris sighed in an exaggerated fashion in response to Shawn's teasing. That did sound like a fun little excursion though, he would like to see something other than forest however, he heard Hub City was at its most peaceful around Christmas time, though he'd never have thought to visit had he not become... immortal, as far as he could tell. Of course, Shawn didn't share that, but Harris had been told multiple times by the plants that Shawn wasn't normal, so maybe he could handle himself. The fact that he literally talked to trees had proven to be quite a bit of ammunition for Shawn when Harris had revealed it.
"I've been in a forest for half of a year, I'd like to see something different, honestly. If you're such a security expert, than perhaps you wouldn't mind us going to the Hub," he jabbed at Shawn. "I've heard it's less dangerous this time of year. Not that that's saying much, people do live there, so it's not as if it is an instant death zone."
He wondered why he felt so set on going to Hub City, maybe it was the fact that he had always been told not to, that which is forbidden tastes all the sweeter for it. He believed that was a quote from the Bible, he was wrong probably, he wasn't religious, very few scientists were. It wasn't as if he'd taken time out of his day to think about the wonders Hub City hid, it was just one of the places he'd hoped to visit one day, perhaps just to see if all the rumors were true.
It was liberating to realize that all those dangerous places he was too afraid to go to before were open to him now that he was whatever he was. Perhaps he'd finally be able to find that wonder bacteria he was looking for in the Everglades. It was always a possibility.
The Wanderer
Shawn raised an eyebrow in slight suprise at Harris's suggestion to go to Hub city, he then smiled widely. Shawn knew how insecure Harris was about his form, and it bought him genuine joy that he was becoming comfortable enough to seek out an area with a significant population. It reminded him that their friendship was mutually benficial, and not as one sided as he thought on the occasion that his insecurities set in.
"Well then I'd be more than happy to go to Hub city, I haven't been there before, but are you sure you'll be comfortable there?"
He asked, wanting to make sure that Harris didn't suggest it for his own sake. Ironically, despite his power he wasn't particularly fond of the vast majority of humanity.
Harris
Harris nodded.
"I'm ready for this, Shawn. About time I stopped hiding," he responded simply, examining his hand as he used to back when he had first met Shawn. "I'm not afraid of who I am."
He turned to begin walking, but stopped in his tracks as a realization crossed his mind.
"Shawn, have you ever flown before?" he asked without a hint of sarcasm or joking in his voice. "I only ask because..." A pair of wings suddenly shot out of his back.
"I've got a ticket to fly."
The Wanderer
Shawn smiled so widely that it could be seen through his beard, and stepped forward.
"I've been waiting for you to ask me that since the day we met."
