Firey stood up, glaring at Leafy. He crossed his arms. He looked away slightly, and she couldn't see his eyes. "F-Firey..." He scoffed.

            "Why didn't you tell me...?" He asked, lifting his head up slightly. Leafy gulped, as his eyes finally met her own. She flinched as he came closer.

"..."

He smiled.

"Why didn't you tell me you were dating such a lovely girl?!"

          He outstretched his arms, hugging her and laughing. Leafy flinched again, but this time, in confusion. "W-What-" Firey laughed again, patting her back.

            "I'm so happy for you! She's your one true love, isn't she?!" He excitedly said, pulling her into the living room. Firey grabbed her sides, picking her up, and spinning her around.

             Leafy blinked in confusion, before shaking her head. "Wait...did you hear us?" She asked. He nodded, grinning. "She's lovely! Why didn't you ask her to come inside?"

              Leafy's expression grew more relaxed, as she eventually found herself smiling. "Oh, believe me, I wanted her to stay the night..." She chuckled slightly.

               A blush spread across her face, and Firey stood up. "This is a cause for celebration! Let me get the good tea cups!! Oh! And the cake!!"

             He sprinted into the kitchen, leaving Leafy alone for a moment. She glanced around the room, then at the coffee table. She gasped in shock, her back hitting the back of the couch.

There was a knife on the table.

             Firey came back in, and frowned slightly at her scared expression. "You okay there?" He looked at where she was staring, and gasped in delight.

            "There it is! I thought I had lost it!" He sat the cake and teapot on the coffee table, picking up the knife. "This is my best carving knife, sharper than a pointy stick!"

             She stared at him in confusion. "I had to use this to cut some cloth, so I must have put this down and forgot about it..." He sat it back down, and sat beside her.

             He handed her a plate of cake. "Tell me all about her!" He smiled brightly. Leafy blushed again. "Well...she's so kind, and sweet..."

            She sheepishly bit into her cake. "And wonderful..." She couldn't stop thinking about Taco, as her blush darkened. "We actually been hanging out for a while now-"

             "Where?" Firey interrupted her. "In the woods...and-" "The woods?! Are there trees?!" He excitedly asked. She bit into another piece of cake, staring at him in confusion.

              "...Yes...? But-" "Wow! What else does the woods have?!" She thought for a moment, taking another bite of cake. "Well...animals... flowers...bugs..." She paused.

              "I'm not actually sure..." Firey yawned. "Wow, the woods sound kinda boring, now that you describe it...who needs it anyways?" Leafy chuckled slightly.

                "Well, it is the outdoors." Firey excitedly pumped his fists in the air. "Then I don't ever wanna go outside!" He lowered them slightly, smiling at Leafy. "Yeah?"

              She giggled slightly, setting her plate down on the table. "Yeah...?" She repeated, raising her fist slightly. He looked at her plate. "Wow! You finished your piece really fast!"

              Firey said, and she looked down at her plate in surprise. It was gone. Had she really eaten the entire thing and not noticed? Before she could think to much, Firey handed her the cup.

              "Anyways...what were you talking about?" He asked in an odd tone. Leafy took the cup, furrowing her eyebrows in confusion. "Huh...I don't remember...?"

               Firey laughed slightly. "Must not have been that important then!" Leafy felt a strange sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. "Must...not..." she hesitantly repeated.

              She subconsciously raised the cup to her mouth, but Firey gasped. "Woah! Careful, Leafy!" He said, as she quickly stopped. "It's still hot! Wait a second!"

               He put his finger on the side of the cup, and waited a moment, then smiled. "Okay! It's good now!" Leafy smiled at him. "Thank you, Firey!"

             She took a sip, noticing the liquid had an odd, piercing flavor to it. "No problem! What kinda friend would I be if you couldn't count on Firey?" He said.

              "When it comes down to it, you can always count on your best friend, Firey to look out for you!" He said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

              He smiled at her, turning her body to face him. Leafy's body lightly pressed against the back of the couch as he boxed her in. "I'm the only one who can help."

              His smile fell slightly. "I'm the only one who can protect you." He grabbed the back of her head lightly, and forced the teacup closer to her mouth.

              "Why, I'm such a good friend...I can help you drink your tea." Once the cup was empty...he sat it down, boxing her in again. "Tell me who you can trust."

               "Firey..." Leafy weakly answered. "Tell me who is always there for you." Firey commanded gently. "Firey..." He smiled, putting a hand under where her chin would be.

                 "Who's your best friend?" Leafy blankly looked back. "Firey..." He sighed in bliss, pulling her into a hug. "That's right. Good job, my precious, precious friend."

              Leafy shook her head slightly, groaning. "What...happened?" She asked, clenching her head. Firey stared at her in concern.

             "Oh, my dear..." He cooed slightly, gently holding her head. "You look so pale..." He lifted her into his arms. "I should take you to bed. I think you might be getting a fever."

He started to walk out of the room. Leafy's body felt heavy. "I can't have my sweet, dear friend getting sick now." He said, smiling. Leafy's world around her seemed to darken.

Firey stopped for a moment, and she heard the sounds of chains clinking together. "All locked up. Now we are safe." He said, before walking up the stairs.

"Everything will be fine once you're back in bed." He reassured. "It'll be like nothing ever happened." Leafy stared at him in confusion. "You just need sleep."

Firey pat her head again, smiling. Once they were in the bedroom, he laid her on the bed. "Stay here." He said, leaving the room. Leafy felt extremely tired all of a sudden.

She fell against her pillow, passing out.