Rind.

Inside, they would not meet each other's eyes. They shared the peculiar silence of strangers in an infirmary waiting-room; at once excited, frightened, and unsettled. Kellan moved first. Gustin jumped when he did, then exhaled, feeling ridiculous.
"We need to make meal, human. Enough for the week."
Gustin nodded, went dumbly into the motions of setting the stew to boil. Kellan went outside, refilled the icer with snow and spent an hour gathering firewood. Gustin walked the house, checking for any last-minute repairs to be made. The day before, Kellan had done the same, patched a potential hole and retied some of the rigging which brought in water. Gustin's fingers itched. His throat felt tight, skin felt hot. Maybe he was the one going into heat. He wandered around the house, cleaned and laid out all the knives and dishes, shook out the furs and rearranged them the way he liked, checked on soap and water and salt, straightened up the wood and kindling piles in preparation for Kellan's return. Idle at last, and with excitement and fear and worry for the wolfe's mental well-being rolling around in his stomach, he went in to take a bath. The bath felt ritualistic, the water suddenly seemed of some import. He added to it the oil they made from lemon skins and cleaned himself carefully in order, taking his time with each part of his body. Kellan would be home soon. He took a cloth and dried himself off, waiting in the steam-filled room to hear the door. He wasn't disappointed. He paused then, on the tips of his toes, hearing the quick footsteps and thuds of dropping wood. He wondered if he'd be able to sense some difference in the wolfe - if he would know when it was time. He didn't think he would. Kellan's footsteps circled around the main room; Gustin could hear him sniffing. They crossed the room towards him. Outside the door, Kellan stopped. Gustin held his breath.
"You alright, human?"
Gus exhaled. Kellan sounded normal, sounded fine.
"Yeah. Be out in a minute."
The footsteps retreated and Gustin turned to get dressed. His hand paused over the pile of clothes - should he even bother? He decided it couldn't hurt.

In the main room, Kellan had bowls set out, full of the herbs he'd collected with the Layer, in a straight line by one of the fires. At the end was a bowl of eating size, and he was mixing four or five of the herbs inside of it. Gustin approached him with caution. Kellan looked up. His eyes seemed alert, but his movements were quick and jerky.
"Human."
"The one and only."
"Come. This is yours."
Gustin frowned.
"What is it?"
Kellan glanced sideways.
"Relief. For your Change. I may not be ...of help at the time it begins. When you wake, chew two pinches of this. It will keep the pain away. Should be enough for five days. Pain won't last past three."
Gustin swallowed a knot in his throat. The wolfe had thought ahead; Gustin was impressed and duly appreciative. Kellan was looking up at him, his eyes remorseful.
"I will try, human, to be of help. I apologize in advance if I am unable." this last part was said softly, as with one hand, he held the bowl out.
Gustin took it, set it on the night table Kellan had fashioned in the week before, and made himself a bowl of soup, then went to sit down. Kellan stood.
"I bathe."
Gustin rolled his eyes and nodded.
"You bathe. See you in a bit, then." he went back to his rabbit stew.

When Kellan reemerged, the dishes were washed and the sun was going down. The fires were hot; wood was stacked close to each of them. Gustin was in his bed. His heart leapt into his throat. The wolfe within him rose to its feet and put its nose to the air.

~:~