The wolfhooks were always better this time of season. Maybe that was why I couldn't find any—because someone had collected them already. I gazed at the few I could find clutched in my hand, shrugging as I popped one into my mouth. No point in trying to preserve them. They wouldn't last me long anyway.

I sighed. "Sorry, Mother... It seems you won't be making your Wolfhook Pie anytime soon." Pity—it was so tasty, too.

I was about to turn out of Wolvendom when a stick cracked behind me. I knew there were wolves—and worse—in the area, but I did my best to ignore the sound, walking as casually as I could down the path. Perhaps—perhaps whatever was there didn't notice me—

I yelped as I was pulled to the side, my cry muffled as a hand covered my mouth. I was lowered to a crouch behind a bush and I turned to the figure next to me. He lifted a finger to his lips and I nodded. He then turned his attention away from me, listening... listening carefully to what now walked down the path I had just been whisked off.

The Hilichurl chuckled, mumbling to itself unintelligible words that seemed to be humourous—at least to its fellow Hilichurls that chuckled with it. I dared not even loose a breath as they passed, knowing that if the boy beside me hadn't pulled me away when he did, I would've been under attack.

Soon enough, we seemed to be in the clear, but the boy kept listening intently to our surroundings. Finally, he took his hand away from my face. "Ok..." He turned to me. "You... safe now."

I cocked my head, my eyes narrowing in mild suspicion. His language seemed... strained. Broken. Could he not speak? "Who are you?"

"I... Razor."

"Where are you from, Razor?"

"Here."

"You live... in Wolvendom?" Razor nodded. I blinked in surprise. Intriguing. "By—with no other people?" He nodded again. Interesting.

Razor seemed to mirror my stance, cocking his head exactly as I had. I giggled, bringing a smile to his face. "Your name?" he asked.

"Oh! I'm Y/n," I allowed myself to say. He didn't seem to pose any threat. On the contrary—he had saved me. "Nice to meet you, Razor." I stood, gazing at our surroundings before deeming them safe. Besides, if there was any danger nearby, I was sure Razor would've picked up on it instantly. I smiled at the boy. "I should go home now."

"Home?"

"You know... to my family?"

Razor nodded. "Lupical."

I gave him an awkward smile. "Lupical? What's—what's that?"

"Lupical... is Razor's family."

"I thought you said you didn't live with anyone else."

"I... don't."

I eyed him, my gaze fluttering from one part of his face to the other. Though it may have been rude, I began to wonder what sort of family Razor had for him to be so, uh... uneducated. "Well, can I meet them?" I asked.

Razor hummed thoughtfully, a low growl coming from the back of his throat. "Lupical... not trust... humans. Sorry."

I nodded. "That's ok. I probably don't have time anyway." His terminology was... strange, as if his speech patterns weren't awkward enough. He probably wasn't used to speech, so seeing him try his best to communicate was... rather endearing. Though if it put him under strain, perhaps it was best not to coax too much conversation out of him. 

And a thought crossed my mind... if Razor didn't use speech and referred to people as humans... did that mean his Lupical weren't human?

Fascinating.

Razor stood from his squat on the ground, facing me. He was slightly taller than I was, but he seemed to be around the same age, if a little older. "I... Razor... take you... home. To your Lupical."

I smiled at the offer of an escort, extending my hand to him. "I accept." He looked at my hand for a moment, as if wondering what he should do, before he gingerly slipped his hand into mine. I squeezed it reassuringly, interlocking our hands. His hands were rough and calloused, no doubt after all his years living in Wolvendom, which wasn't generally known as the most peaceful area in Mondstadt. But his hold was... gentle—careful. As if he was afraid... that he might hurt me.

The two of us walked down the path, hands swinging back and forth idly. Razor didn't seem accustomed to walking so casually with another, but he often pointed out things in the forest like birds feeding their young or a wolfhook bush at its prime. A few smiles were even enticed out of him as I shared them with him and praised him for his ability to notice and appreciate the small things—which caused a light shade of pink to tint his cheeks.

We were almost out of Wolvendom when Razor suddenly halted. "Hm? What is it, Razor?"

He stood unnervingly still, watching, waiting, listening... "I... distracted. Did not... notice... danger." His eyes widened at the word he uttered. "Danger! Razor smell danger!"

He whipped his head around in worry, before pinpointing a specific direction. With that, he ran, gripping my hand tightly as he led me in the opposite direction. My stomach churned. If even someone like Razor was worried then...

He soon stopped at a junction, sniffing at the forks in the road. He pointed. "No danger here. Danger come soon. Y/n... you run. I protect."

I started. "What? No! I can't leave you by yourself!"

"Y/n, you run. I protect you. Running is good. Running is safe. I will be safe." I shook my head in protest. He squeezed my hand in reply, looking at me straight in the eyes. "I smell danger. I protect you. You safe—I safe."

Something in his eyes was firm, determined. He knew he could do it. I sucked in a long breath. "Ok. I trust you."

He nodded and offered a grateful smile, giving my hand one more reassuring squeeze before he let go and turned, guarding the fork. I ran—ran as fast I could so I wouldn't be a burden to him. I flew down the path, not daring to look back. The area wasn't safe—but I knew Razor would protect me. Razor would get rid of those monsters. Razor would—

I halted. What was I doing, leaving a friend behind? With that thought at the forefront of my mind, I turned and sprinted back, as fast as I could.

Razor wasn't at the junction when I got there. Only a bunch of half-dead monsters in too much pain to move. They likely weren't even conscious. Still, I was hesitant to step over and around them as I made my way to the centre of the junction. The trail of monsters continued—down the other path. Razor had said that one wasn't safe. What in Teyvat was he thinking going down there?

I took another breath as I stared down the path, clutching the small cloak I wore to my chest. "Come on, Y/n..." I exhaled deeply, calming my restless nerves. And I ran. Down the path that presented danger.

But no monsters attacked. Razor had likely taken out all the hostiles nearby, so I would be safe. At least, I hoped so. But more than anything, I prayed—I begged—that Razor was alright.

I soon heard shouting and other signs of fighting. It grew louder as I approached, and I knew that was Razor's voice I heard yelling as he fought. I rounded the corner and saw them—Razor and the Hilichurls. I loosed a breath. He was... alright. For someone in the heat of battle, anyway. I stayed hidden, not wanting to draw attention.

Shortly, he had taken out the last Hilichurl and he stopped to take a breather. I knew we could both hear the sounds of more monsters on the approach. Perhaps I could persuade him to turn back with me before they arrived—

It was then I saw a glint of light in the corner of my eye and whipped my head towards the source. It was an arrow. Aimed right for him in his blind spot.

I ran out of the bushes, safety be damned. "Razor!" I screamed. He immediately jerked up and stared at me in surprise. I pointed behind him. "Above you!"

His eyes widened and he turned to the Hilichurl Shooter—just as the arrow was set free.

⁜※⁜

Razor had howled—actually howled like a wolf in absolute agony. He had lifted his arm just in time to block the arrow, stopping it from embedding itself right in between his eyes. Those eyes had widened as flesh cleaved and blood spurted, the arrow sticking out from his forearm.

And I had run—run faster than I had when I was leaving. For that was real fear I had felt. I grabbed him and began to haul him back as he clutched his arm. He'd tried to pull it out but I'd insisted we waited until we were in a safer place. So he'd bit his lip and dealt with the aching as we ran back the way we came—back into the heart of Wolvendom.

We now walked at a slower pace, exhausted from the fighting and running, and in Razor's case, the draining pain. He suppressed his whimpers with tight breaths, a hand clasped near his wound. I had offered him my cloak to try and slow the bleeding—at least until we could safely remove the arrow and adequately treat the injury.

I loosed a breath. "We haven't seen or heard any monsters recently. I think we're safe now." Razor only nodded, eyes closed tightly as if to shut out the pain. I faced him. He needed help—now, lest his wound become infected. I could help, but I needed supplies... and if anyone had pre-organised supplies, it'd be Razor's Lupical. "Can you take me to your Lupical?"

His eyes fluttered open to meet mine. "Why?"

"Because they can help you, Razor. I can help you. But I think it'd be best to see them. I know you said they don't trust humans but... please."

Razor nodded. "I... trust... you." He pointed with his good arm. "That way. Big cave. Lupical inside."

I guided him forward in the direction he had pointed and sure enough, we came across a cave. A wolf stalked out, paws padding on the dirt as dust was displaced with every step. A low growl sounded from the back of its throat as it eyed us, as if questioning the situation. My breath hitched as I saw it, magnificent, majestic—and dangerous. Wolves—Razor's Lupical consisted of wolves. Coming here when I was not welcome—

Stupid stupid stupid stupid—

Razor whined, clutching his arm tighter. I looked at the wolf—pleading. It eyed me for a moment longer before it huffed and inclined its head towards the cave. I exhaled in relief, staggering into the cave. My eyes darted over the objects in the cave—choosing to ignore the wolves that watched me a little too closely. Surely there was something that could help—

Then I noticed it. A bush growing out from a crack in the cave floor. I stumbled towards it, lowering Razor carefully to the ground as I studied the plant. Yes, this would do.

I plucked off a couple of leaves and held them towards Razor. This method was rather primitive—but it would work. He eyed the leaves wearily. "Chew these," I instructed.

".. Greens not yummy."

I loosed an amused breath. "You don't eat these. You chew them into paste. I'm going to apply it to your wound as a disinfectant. The juices should help it clot." Razor cocked his head to the side, not fully understanding. "Leaves help make blood stop," I added quickly.

I gently shook my hand in emphasis, the leaves laying flat on my palm. Slowly—hesitantly—he took the leaves in his good hand and popped them in his mouth. He began to chew, expression distorting as the bitter taste of the leaves coated his tongue.

I glanced at the arrow still embedded into his forearm and made to examine the wound. I carefully placed my hands around the shaft, feeling the wood and feathers on the end. And while he was distracted with the leaves—

The wolves all immediately jumped to their feet as Razor let out a muffled cry, his Lupical ready to defend one of their own. I whimpered slightly, meeting the deadly looks in their eyes as I discarded the arrow and held a hand up in fear. "W—wait!" I pleaded, scuttling backwards to find myself backed against the wall. One of them stalked closer, snarling in my face. Its maw was coated in dried blood from their most recent feast, saliva drooling from its mouth. Its dark depthless eyes contained the promise of a violent end.

"Wait," Razor rasped. "No. No hurt. Y/n friend." His words were even more broken than before, likely due to the agonising pain he felt on his arm as the blood leaked out in a steady flow. The wolf growled again but backed off, withdrawing its head, but not before puffing in my face as a sign of dominance—a warning and a mercy.

I hesitated for a moment, before crawling back towards Razor and cleaning as much of the blood as I could from his wound with my already blood-drenched cloak. I extended my hand, motioning for the leaves, which Razor spat into my palm. I tried not to cringe at the texture, applying it as quickly as I could into the wound. Once I had finished smearing the makeshift antiseptic onto and into his injury, I wrapped my cloak around his arm and over his shoulder, acting as a sort of sling.

I then knelt by his side, dusting my hands clear of dirt and chewed-up leaf. "So? How does it feel?"

Razor shifted his arm slightly, wincing. I steadied his arm, signally for him to be careful. "It feel... strange. I can't... move... arm."

"While it's healing, you need to keep it as still as possible."

Razor pouted. "I want to hunt. No arm, no hunt. No food. Must hunt own food."

I hummed thoughtfully to myself. If Razor was required to hunt his own food, then... "Let's take you to Sister Barbara. She'll heal you." What I'd done had only stabilised the wound anyway. A broken arm was no good for living in Wolvendom. He needed to go to the Church.

"Go to... city?"

I smiled and nodded, extending a hand to help him to his feet—which he took. "Yes, to the city. Sister Barbara will fix your arm."

He slowly smiled with me. "Shining Barbara... help me."

I giggled lightly at the nickname he had given the Deaconess—earning a soft smile from the boy in response—then gently led him along. And this time, we would take a much safer path out of Wolvendom.

On our way out, Razor stopped us and disappeared into the shrubs for a moment. I began to grow worried until he reappeared moments later with a beautiful little wildflower in his hand. He passed it to me, unable to meet my gaze. "Shining Y/n... help me. Th—thank you."

I beamed and planted a small kiss on his cheek in reply. "It was my pleasure, Razor."

⁜※⁜

A/N: I mean, come on. Razor is just adorable
Also hey, did y'all know we've only got four months until 2024? Feeling old yet?

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Fanart credits: https://www.deviantart.com/yum3l/art/Razor-857384769