Astor and Niss had talked about her plan for hours last night, somehow creating a glimpse of hope inside of him. He was aware of how crazy this sounded but at the end of the day, this could be his only chance, his only way of ever trying something that he wanted in his life. He was sick of being weak, sick of feeling inferior. Ren was right there, in front of him. He would be able to touch him if he raised his arm but he would find himself trembling even at the thought. Ready was definitely not the best word to describe him but Astor was willing to try, this once he had to let go of this fear. As Niss had said to him last night it was all about taking the first step, changing yourself to the best version of you.
The white-haired werewolf had been troubled. He did not believe he had that power in him but then the woman reminded him of something. The wretched day he had found out that his brother had sold him, the rage in him and the fire in his body. Even Zeth had been afraid of him back then so maybe, maybe if he was able to channel that feeling again, that certainty in himself, that erasure of his concerns then he would succeed.
"You're up early." Ren'svoice startled him. They met at the end of the staircase, both of them heading towards the kitchen. The sun barely up, its rays coming in from the windows as they smiled at each other. "Why won't you rest some more?" he asked him.
"I…Niss and Nash will start training me from today." he announced, feeling his cheeks burn from embarrassment as Ren stared at him, a confused expression on his face.
"Why would you need that?"
"I do not want to be always protected." Astor announced. "I want to be of help, I also want to complete my revenge one day, and to do that I need to be strong." He did not reveal the true essence of his plan. The battle inside of him is to not hate himself for forging such a stupid plan. The chances that he would succeed were one in a million, he already knew that but his feelings were affirmed once again as this man stood before him. The gentle rays of the dawn on his face, his hair messy from just waking up hair, and the lazy smile of his greeting. It was too much, his heart was simply going to give out.
"I will get your revenge for you. I will protect you." Ren said with a serious expression and Astor smiled, nodding his head.
"Yeah, I know that you will. You have been really kind to me, pity or not I really appreciate it. You are my savior that won't change but I want to save you too. I hope I never have to but I owe you."
"Pity?" Ren asked, a frown forming on his face as he met with Astor's pretty eyes. He spoke of revenge, of becoming stronger but in Ren's eyes Astor was not someone to be sullied by the color of blood. "Astor it's not that…I do not pity you, I…"
"Then what is it?" The young werewolf asked, tilting his head. Ren remained silent for a bit, thinking of his answer as a small scoff escaped his lips. He turned his back on him, heading into the kitchen.
"Not yet." Astor heard him mumble. "Come on I am hungry." he called him inside.
Ren opened the fridge, taking out eggs, bacon and he even started preparing coffee. Astor sitting in his little stool was fascinated by the way he looked, how he moved and how he looked so glorious in this silence. He wished that nothing would ruin this moment. The warm sun, the sizzling sound of the pan and the fresh smell of coffee. The calmness between them and the opportunity Astor had to admire him as he simply existed.
He had never thought of him as someone who would cook but the plate of eggs and bacon in front of him stated otherwise.
"I didn't think you could cook." Astor teased him and he smiled, sitting down to eat with him.
"I don't, this does not need any skill."
"I can cook."
"Really?"
"Yes, I used to cook for my brother all the time. He was a really picky eater so I had to work my way around. Ever since he was a child he…" Astor said, a faint smile on his face as the image of his little brother when he was young flashed on his mind. Just the very first years, maybe until Zeth was ten things were different between them. His father did try to "educate" the young boy about Astor but his mother had a really big effect on him the first years of his life. There were a few moments that almost felt like a dream when he and Zeth did not feel like his archnemesis. "When he was young, he was quite cute." he said, a bitter expression on his face as he broke the yolk of his eggs.
"Cook for me too. I wanna see if you're any good." Ren said and Astor looked at him surprised.
"You want me to cook for you?"
"Yeah. Will you?"
"Of course I will!" Astor accepted with excitement. "Anytime you want."
"Then when I come back from my trip please prepare me a nice meal. I am a fan of meat in general."
"You're going on a trip?"
"Yes." Ren answered. "I have some things to settle. It's business but I will be gone for a while."
"How long?" Astor asked, a disappointed expression on his face.
"Two months."
"Two months? And when are you leaving?"
"In a few hours"
"Really?"
"Why? Are you sad that you won't see me for a while?" Ren asked him, a grin on his face as he stared into Astor's eyes intensively. Astor blinked, trying to answer but only weird sounds came out of his mouth in his failed attempt. Ren laughed, looking at his flustered face.
"I will be fine!" Astor stated boldly after he collected himself.
"I am sure you will. Focus on your training." Ren told him as he stood up. He threw his plate and fork in the sink and then walked towards Astor, placing his palm gently on the top of his head. "I am curious to see how you will improve."