*9 Years Ago- Spring

Winters usually seemed long and harsh, but not the winter that just ended. Zero had never been exposed to having such a warm and welcoming home, but that’s kind of what it was, even if he’d never admit to it. Ever since being invited to stay in the small room with Gadget, though a bit cramped, it didn’t bother him as it meant staying out of the freezing cold air. There wasn’t much for snow but the wind coming from the sea side was enough to cause a chill throughout the entire town.

The room arrangement worked out well as none of the staff ever bothered Gadget or came to the room. He guessed since the wolf was always very good about going to his meals and coming back once getting his food, and always returning his plates when finished, no one ever saw it necessary to come get him for anything. After all, it seemed the staff and kids wanted Gadget to stay in his room most of the time. It didn’t bother Zero any as he grew more comfortable in the tiny space with the other teen. Free food smuggled in by Gadget from his meals was always a plus.

The whole experience was new to the jackal and he didn’t really know how to process it. Sure, he was close to his pack, but he never felt the way he did around Gadget. Maybe it was the wolf’s innocence, or stupidity; he didn’t know. He felt a sense of protection around him, like if anyone tried to mess with Gadget, they’d also be messing with Zero. The same could be true for his pack, but it was a different level with Gadget, deeper; he couldn’t explain it.

“Are you ever going to go doofus?” Zero insulted as Gadget intently stared at the cards in his hand. “You’ve been debating for the last five minutes. Why did I play this with you?”

“Because you’re bored and you didn’t want to hear me ask you again.” Gadget answered nonchalantly as he finally placed his choice card down.

“Oh, right.” Zero threw down a card.

“Did you even look before putting that down?”

“Do I need to?”

“You haven’t played many card games have you?”

“Thank God for that! They’re so boring! If it weren’t for you asking, I’d never play.”

“I’m glad to know I hold a special place in your heart that will allow you to play cards with me.”

The jackal growled, causing the wolf to giggle at him. This was how their odd friendship worked, Zero would generally insult him while Gadget just either went with it or ignored it. They had a sort of playful relationship; while Zero could seem a bit mean, Gadget more teased him. Neither one minded and actually enjoyed the interesting friendship they shared.

“So, do you want to go?” Gadget asked as he placed another card down.

“Do what now?”

Shaking his head, the wolf just laughed, “The festival? There’s a festival that starts today that goes into the weekend. It’s called the West Sea Spring Festival. There’s booths to see, games to play, and food.”

“Wow. That name is sooo original.”

“Yeah, I don’t think they thought through it a hundred years or so ago when the festival was first founded.”

“Geez, you don’t even know when the town was first created?”

“Nope.”

Frowning, Zero finally asked, “Why are you never insulted?”

“Hm?” Gadget hummed, “Am I supposed to feel insulted?”

A loud sigh left the jackal as his friend gave a warm smile.

“I just feel that’s how we communicate as friends. I don’t know. It’s kind of funny sometimes.”

“Funny?!”

“Hahaha!”

Gadget found himself laughing loudly, enjoying himself as Zero was shocked and speechless. Suddenly though, a smirk grew on his lips, causing Gadget’s laughter to cease.

“Z-Zero?”

“Hah!”

Jumping from his spot, Zero easily pinned Gadget to the floor; sitting comfortably on the wolf’s stomach and hands held to the ground in his own. An evil toothed grin gleamed as Gadget’s cheeks darkened from the surprise attack.

“Ha! No matter how many times you try and tease me, I’ll still always have the upper hand!”

“Heh, that’s true,” Gadget agreed. “Hey, would you teach me sometime?”

“Teach you what?”

“You know, how to pin others down like this? Or, you know, self defense?”

“Hm…” 

Thinking, Zero adjusted his body a bit to be more comfortable, but for some odd reason, not wanting to get up. Gadget didn’t seem concerned either as he waited for his answer.

“I suppose I could,” The jackal responded, giving another smirk, “Can’t have someone kicking your butt if I’m not around.”

“I’m not sure if that’ll ever happen, but it looks so cool. I always wanted to learn.”

Finally getting off, Zero situated himself to lie down beside the wolf, speaking in a more serious tone. “It won’t be easy, but learning some self defense would be a good survival skill. Since us jackals travel and usually live outside of cities, we make sure we’re well prepared for anything that’s out there.”

Gadget had been lying on his back listening to his friend before turning to his side to face Zero, just as the jackal had already done. A burning question stuck in the wolf’s throat, but he wanted to know.

“Why are you here in the town alone instead of with your pack?”

A small frown formed as he sighed, “It’s something that younger jackals do.”

“What do you mean?”

“When jackals get to the age of fourteen years old, they have to leave their packs for a year to live on their own. Basically, we have to prove our survival. Some get sent to forests while others cities. I was unfortunate to get picked a town. Well, this specific town is by the ocean and has pastureland hills on the other side. There’s not many trees or wilderness to find food, and no caves to sleep or hide in.”

“...Do you regret coming here?”

“I said it had been unfortunate, or it’s considered that anyway, but I never said I regretted it.” Zero quietly admitted, embarrassment clear in his features. “I don’t regret it cause it’s been...fun...with you.”

The wolf beamed at the other as he embraced his friend tightly.

“H-Hey!”

“Let’s go to the festival tonight!”

*sigh* “Fine.”

----------------------

Lights and music filled the town square. Booths and stalls of all kinds were set up as families and other visitors enjoyed the festivities. The same could be said of the two Mobians who walked happily between all the stands and anyone attending the festival.

Zero’s eyes grew in wonder when they’d arrived. His blue and yellow orbs stared aimlessly as Gadget led them around by the hand. The wolf was afraid of losing the jackal in the crowd, and since Zero had been so engrossed in everything around him, he hadn’t voiced any teasing but rather decided to just let the other enjoy the scenery. 

“Here we are!”

Gadget’s voice caught Zero’s attention. Looking, he saw the wolf had led them to a small stage set up with a blue curtain covering the stage. Leading them again, they both sat in empty seats about in the middle of all chairs. Everything was outside and the lights with the early night sky gave Zero a sense of peace, as he hadn’t been out much since staying with Gadget due to the winter season.

“So, what’s playing?” Zero asked.

Pamphlets were in every seat, so Gadget grabbed his. “It’s called West Sea’s First Spring.”

“A play about the town’s upbringing. Sounds just fabulous.” Zero deadpanned as he rolled his eyes.

“Well, at least it’s free.”

“...True.”

“Welcome everyone!”

————-

The play had been relatively boring. Gadget didn’t mind it so much but Zero had been about to fall asleep, except the next scene that came up began to peak his interest. On stage were two teenagers, a boy and a girl from different families in the town who didn’t get along, but that didn’t stop the two teens from falling in love with each other. The topic was fresh and fascinating to him as he had never been to plays or public showings of any kind. Zero had literally been kept away from most of society except to learn about some of the basics, like their daily lives, and best ways to manipulate them. 

Thinking now, it could almost be seen that Zero manipulated Gadget, but that wasn’t the case here as the wolf had suggested the jackal to stay with him, with no help from the jackal, and Zero’s pride was a bit too strong to want to take advantage of Gadget’s kindness at first. Granted, he did accept the offer in the end, but it was more out of wanting to survive, instead of worrying about his pride.

The play continued and of course the parents of both parties objected. 

“Hm, this is a lot like Romeo and Juliet.”

“What?” Zero whispered back to the almost silent comment.

Cheeks turned red as he realized he accidentally said that out loud. “Oh! Um, there’s a famous play called Romeo and Juliet about two teenagers who fall in love but the parents object. They both died in the end out of sadness. It’s a tragedy.”

“Really? I thought everyone hated tragedies. Why is it famous?”

“I mean they do, but it talks about how strong love can be to the point the two lovers didn’t want to live if it meant living without the other person.”

A dull expression came on Zero’s face. “Why would anyone just choose to die like that? It’s pathetic.”

“I guess the other person was just their whole world, and maybe the world just, disappeared, if they couldn’t be together…”

The words spoken along with Gadget’s soft, sad tone caught Zero off guard. He might be slow sometimes around everyday life in the normal world, but he wasn’t an idiot. Gadget had meant his parents. When he lost them, he lost his whole world. While the jackal never experienced losing someone to death, not anyone close anyway, he knew how hard it was to be away from his pack, who were like family, for just the few short months he had been gone. But, while Zero would get to go back to his pack someday, Gadget would always be here.

Alone.

Something churned in the jackal’s stomach, almost making him feel sick. What, was this? The thought of anyone else being alone could make him care less, but Gadget, all alone; no one around to talk to him when he’s by himself, to help him when he’s fallen from his clumsiness, to play stupid games with him when he’s bored, to go to festivals like this because he doesn’t have anyone to go with, or anything else to do.

Gloved fists clenched as he tried his level best to contain the rising bile. These thoughts, he couldn’t stand them.

“Zero?” a warm hand gave his cheek a feathery touch, “Are you okay? You look sick.”

A shaky breath that he hadn’t realized he was holding spilled out. Worry etched itself into Gadget’s face further before he took one of Zero’s hands, beckoning him to stand. 

“Come on.”

The jackal didn’t argue, he just followed the wolf blindly once more as he had when getting to the festival. Negative feelings bubbled in his chest and he just didn’t know what to do about it. As this mental war went on, Gadget found a secluded spot underneath a tree not too far from the celebration but far enough away to be alone. Carefully, he helped his friend to sit before taking a seat next to him.

He was still worried of course, Zero knew, and that bothered him almost as much as the thoughts of loneliness had. What was wrong with him?!

Arms widened and tackled Gadget into an embrace. Except for accidental hugs in their sleep, or the excited short hugs Gadget gives sometimes, the two never really shared embraces, at least not ones from Zero. Despite that, Gadget was always willing to share one, though he felt more concerned than happy at the moment considering how sick his friend looked.

“Are you okay Zero?”

“...” 

Quiet, Zero backed away enough to look at Gadget but kept his arms loosely wrapped around the other, almost as if afraid to let go.

“You won’t be alone.”

“Huh?”

“When you’re parents left, you’ve been alone since,” Zero stated, not questioned, “And don’t try to deny it. Everyone at the orphanage practically treats you like the plague.”

That harsh comment made the wolf flinch, but he couldn’t voice anything against it as it wasn’t far from the truth. The jackal continued.

“I’ve never had a friend. I’ve only ever known the ones from my pack. They’re...different from you; different from what you and I share.” Gadget watched Zero, listening clearly, gaze never wavering. They both knew Zero was absolutely serious at this moment. “I’m supposed to return to my pack at the end of the year. I don’t know how, or when, but I’ll return. I’ll come back for you.”

Those words, the intensity, the sincerity; tears formed in the corners of those yellow eyes. Gently, fingers lifted and whipped away the falling tears.

“P-promise?”

Showing a toothed grin, Zero answered, “On a jackal’s honor.”
