March 28, 2001

[wolf_caleb]

Date: March 28 (slightly backdated)
Time: Hour before moonrise
Location: Moore home, Ashreigney, Devon
Characters involved: Stella Sinistra-Moore, Caleb Moore
Rating: PG

Comments

[prof_stargazer]

Stella was concerned when Caleb said he needed to speak, then was just confused for a moment as he told her about rabbits and badgers. She did understand, eventually, what he was talking about, and as reassuring as what he'd just told her was, her worries were not nearly that simple.

"It's not just being out here," she began, frowning a little as she tried to explain. "I mean, I think I would have been a little nervous anyway about you going outside- it's something new, and I always get a bit nervous at new things. But then I have to add in the fact that I've been worried all week since Draco got attacked- I mean, Greyback is attacking people in Hogsmeade, now! In the middle of the day! What's to say he won't be waiting for you in that alley behind the shop one day?" Stella looked at Caleb pleadingly, hoping he was at least beginning to understand her somewhat strange behavior.

She didn't add, though, the fact that she was just tired. Tired of worrying, tired of dealing with the Ministry's ridiculousness, not to mention being physically exhausted and nearly sick over the unfairness of the fact that Caleb couldn't even get downstairs by himself the morning after a Full Moon. She was just sick and tired of all of it, and could feel her eyes welling up yet again.

"I know we're safe here, love," she said, a few tears escaping her eyes. "It's just been a long week."

[wolf_caleb]

"He has no reason to come after me, and if he did, we'd deal with it. Or I'd Disapparate, or anything else you wanted me to do. It's not like he could turn me into more of a werewolf," he said, trying to make light of the situation. Seeing that he wasn't helping, he sighed a lay back on his pillow.

"We spent the first half of our relationship living in fear of what might happen. I don't want to go back to that," he said tiredly.

[prof_stargazer]

"I know, I know!" Stella cried out, more frustrated with herself than anything else. Letting out a tired sigh, Stella turned so her back was to Caleb, allowing her tears to fall without him seeing.

"I know I'm not being very rational right now, Caleb. I just want to go to sleep," Stella said tiredly, a definite tone of 'who cares' filling her voice.

What she really wanted was for Caleb to put his arms around her, bury his face against the back of her neck, and assure her that he was alright. She just didn't know how to tell him that without feeling guilty about the fact that she was supposed to be the one taking care of him today.

[wolf_caleb]

When Stella turned away from him, he felt a pang of guilt in his chest. Obviously he was saying all the wrong things and just making it worse. Caleb could tell she was crying again, and could only assume that was his fault. She'd been doing better until he'd opened his big mouth.

Sighing, he slid closer to Stella and wrapped an arm around her waist. "I'm sorry," he said softly, dropping his forehead against her back. "Go to sleep, love," he added, kissing her back.

Afraid to say anything else, he closed his eyes and listened to Stella breathe, planning on waiting until she was asleep before falling asleep himself.

[prof_stargazer]

Stella snuggled back into Caleb's embrace, laying her arm over his and squeezing his hand.

"I'm sorry," she echoed quietly, letting out a deep breath. "Really, Caleb. This wasn't what you needed today, I know."

[wolf_caleb]

"I'm fine love," he assured her, getting as close as he body would allow. "Just go to sleep, we'll deal with it when we're both more awake." Or not at all if he could manage to avoid the subject altogether for the rest of the weekend.

He snuggled down into the pillow, and despite his desire to stay awake, found himself falling asleep a few moments later.