Toboe x Male!Reader | Oneshot Commission

Title:
Safe
Summary:
Anime: Wolfs Rain
Toboe x Male!Wolf!Reader
Oneshot
Commission for DenNorFanGirl


A tiny puff of breath was released into the cold air as Toboe tucked his paws under his stomach in a futile attempt to keep himself warm.  Greeny-brown eyes searched for his friends in the darkness of the cave, comforted to still see the outlines of his pack sleeping soundly. He could just make out the brilliant white fur of Kiba, sleeping soundly whilst Hige rudely sprawled himself out beside him. Even Tsume was there, crushed up in the corner by himself, refusing to sleep with the others. The only one that was missing had been [Male Name], whom had agreed to scout out the area for food or something more they could move onto. 

The youngest wolf whined quietly, his ears flattering against his head as he squirmed, his bangle on his right paw jingling ever so slightly. It was cold, and Toboe dared not sleep, for fear that nightmares would haunt him. He'd even contemplated asking to sleep beside Tsume, but he knew that the older male would not allow it. All he could do was stay where he was, shivering in the cold as he awaited for the only friend that didn't mind snuggling right up next him.  

He had to admit; he was worried. [Male Name] was tough, but he'd been gone a long time. Toboe wasn't a brave soul, so he dared not venture out to find him, and instead, settled on the thought that [Male Name] could overcome anything. But then again... The weather was harsh outside. It was never a good idea to go out in a blizzard, but [Male Name] had always been the braver type. Nothing scared him.  

Unaware that he'd been whining the entire time, he'd jumped when hearing Tsume's tired voice snap at him from the corner. "Quit whining. He'll be back soon." The whines died down to silence, as Toboe lay his head down onto his front paws. Despite having the majority of the pack here with him, Toboe felt insecure. He didn't feel safe. He knew that Kiba and the others could protect him far more than he could ever protect himself, but he seemed to gain the most comfort when his fur brushed up against the [Hair Colour] mess that was [Male Name]'s coat.  

Just thinking about it had started to comfort him. His eyes flickered tightly closed, attempting to conjure up an image of [Male Name] in his head. Messy [Hair Colour] fur and dull [Eye Colour] eyes. He wasn't the most talkative of souls, but he always found the time and words to comfort Toboe when needed.  

It was then that the soft padding of paws reached his ears, and Toboe's eyes flickered open. He was momentarily startled when a larger body was pressed against his side, but relaxed to find [Eye Colour] eyes staring down at him with their usual bored gaze. Toboe pressed his body further into [Male Name]'s fur, a soft whine of happiness escaping his muzzle. "You're back!" He whispered, attempting not to wake the others. "I'm so glad!" 

"Did you doubt me?" [Male Name]'s rough voice returned, as he distracted himself with licking a few stray snowflakes off his paws. He looked cold, as Toboe mentally noted, and he could feel it too. [Male Name]'s body felt frozen and wet, thanks to the blizzard, and Toboe could feel light shivers coming from his muscles and bones. The larger wolf did his best to hide his shivers, but Toboe wasn't fooled.  

"You're freezing!" He whined, batting at [Male Name]'s paw with his own. When he didn't receive a response, he pushed his body as far against [Male Name]'s as he could, attempting to use his own brown fur to dry the freezing wolf off.  

"Settle down," [Male Name] had pushed him away with his back leg. "I'm alright, Toboe. Don't worry." With Toboe now away from him, [Male Name] took the opportunity to stretch out his frozen, sore limbs and let out long yawn. He shook his head, waving off the snow that had collected behind his ears, and settled down again. "Are you coming back to me, or not?" 

With a soft 'hmph', Toboe pulled himself back, snuggling down into [Male Name]'s fur, happy to find the larger wolf placing his paw over Toboe's shoulderblades. "Did you miss me?" [Male Name] asked, placing his head on top of Toboe's. After getting an annoyed whine in response, [Male Name] knew that the answer had been a 'yes'. "You shouldn't ever miss me. I'm always going to find my way back, you know." 

"But I feel safe with you," Toboe answered quietly, tucking his paws under his stomach again. "It's only natural that I'm going to miss you."  

"You shouldn't," [Male Name] breathed, ears twitching. "I'm reckless, and you know it. You're safer with Tsume, or Kiba."  

"I'm safer with you," Toboe insisted, jabbing the other wolf in the side with his elbow in order to get his point across. "You always protect me because I'm not very strong, and you always fuss over me. I wish I was stronger, and then maybe I'd be able to protect you!" 

He was annoyed to hear soft chuckling coming from the head resting on his own. Apparently, it was funny. "Keep dreaming, Shorty," [Male Name] laughed, letting out a puff of air.  

Toboe glared softly into the dark, annoyed to have been made fun of. Even so, he knew [Male Name] didn't mean it. The older wolf was always teaching him how to be stronger, and always offering up much-needed help and advice.  

"Goodnight, [Male Name]," he spoke quietly, glancing up at the [Hair Colour] fur that was resting on top of Toboe's head. No response came, so after a while, Toboe just assumed that [Male Name] was sleeping. With a soft sigh, Toboe's eyes flickered shut, his body relaxing and preparing itself for sleep.  

And then, the response finally came. 

"Goodnight, Toboe. Sleep tight. I'll be here when you wake up. I'll keep you safe."  

Toboe wasn't sure what paradise was like, but he was fairly sure that this moment was close to it.