Wolf

Andy carried Drake inside, having shifted a little less than halfway home to avoid suspicion. It wouldn't be good for them if someone spotted two wolves running down a sidewalk, now would it? He cradled his now sleeping son close to his chest as he walked in, stopping for a moment to glance at Ashley, who sat half-asleep on the couch. Ashley turned his head, seemingly waking up all at once when he saw his tired looking mate and son before him.
"Andy- oh my god. You're home." He got up and rushed around the furniture towards Andy. Andy's long facial expression didn't falter, staring at him.
"Drake's fine. He's a bit rattled, but I got to him before anyone else did. In case you cared." He drawled, walking to the stairs. Ashley frowned.
"What? Of course I care! What makes you-" he stopped, hit with Andy's gaze again. His face didn't show the amount of anger and disappointment, but his eyes spoke everything he couldn't. "Oh."
Andy looked away. "Yeah. Oh." He muttered and began to ascend the stairs to put Drake back in his bed. Ashley stayed downstairs, dragging himself back over to the couch where his small daughter still slept. He smiled weakly and picked her up, bending over carefully to pick up her stuffed animal as well. He carried her to her room, laying her down gently.
Ashley leaned over the crib and kissed her forehead softly before standing back up and going to the door, closing it as quietly as possible. Glancing to the door that led to Drake's room, he saw Andy still standing over Drake's crib. Ashley sighed heavily, leaning against the door frame.
"Andy.. You need to get to bed. It's been a long night." He said softly.
Andy looked over his shoulder. "Does it look like I care?" He said dully. "Of course you wouldn't know, since you seem to have such screwed up priorities."
"Okay, Andy, that's en-"
"Shut up." He snapped. "Honestly, Ashley, you are the last person I want to see right now. You were sacrificing our son for a pack that's spread out across the state."
"It was dangerous." Ashley said in reply, otherwise at a loss for words.
"Right, y'know. One of our own went to save Drake, too. She didn't even know who he was, but unlike some people, she cares about others wellbeing." Andy hissed and turned back around to soothe the stirring child, slightly woken by the argument. "Sh.." He hushed, leaning over the crib again. "Just.. Go, Ashley." He whispered over his shoulder and looked away once again.
Ashley's face held the steady, crestfallen expression as he nodded, stepping off the doorframe and backing away. Without a word, he made his way towards the bedroom, brushing his teeth and doing his normal bedtime routine. The only thing different was that he wasn't teasing Andy for silly things like having his hair tied up while he washed his face, or having chipmunk cheeks when he rinsed with mouthwash. Silly things...
Ashley rolled his tongue against the inside of his cheek and went back to the other room, finding Andy now sat in the rocking chair by Drake's crib. He took a deep breath.
"Andy. I- you don't have to answer me, but at least listen. Please." He sighed, stepping into the room slowly. "I was stupid. I was more than stupid, I was... I was selfish. I was pathetic, scared, and a terrible pack leader. I was being an even worse father... And that's what I need to start putting first, is being a good father to our children. You have every right to despise me right now, but I'm sorry. I am really, really sorry." He pleaded quietly, coming closer to Andy gradually. He bit his lip a bit when Andy didn't respond in the slightest. "Andy.. Please."
Ashley ran a hand through his hair, taking it as a clear message that he should leave Andy alone still and turned to leave.
Andy, although practically biting his knuckles to stay quiet, whimpered suddenly, uncurling his fist and covering his mouth. Ashley turned back to him, frowning deeper.
"Andy?" He worried and came back over. "What's wrong?"
Andy shook his head, standing up quickly to leave as he was still quite upset and didn't really want to see Ashley. Ashley's eyes widened and quickly reached his arms out, catching Andy before he fell over from standing up too fast. Instead of struggling and fighting to get away, Andy collapsed into his chest, heaving broken sobs and choked cries.
Ashley shuffled out of the room and closed the door behind them so none of the kids woke up, putting both arms tightly around Andy. "Sh. Baby, don't cry." He murmured. "What's wrong?"
"How- how did he..." Andy sobbed. "How did he get out.. How did he get all the way there without me seeing- how did he do that.."
Ashley grimaced, unsure of how to answer. "Drake's always been sneaky, Andy.."
"But I'm his mother! I should have- I should have noticed.." He hiccuped. "Am I th..that bad? Am I really that horrible of a mother that I can't even keep my own son safe?"
That's when Ashley felt his heart plummet, watching his distraught mate cry into his chest over and over about how terrible he felt, how it was his fault.
Ashley rubbed his back comfortingly. "No. No, Andy, don't say that. Don't say any of that. You're an amazing mom." He whispered. "You're so amazing. Don't ever think you're terrible. Ever."
Andy said nothing, clinging tightly to him as Ashley continued to murmur in his ear to comfort him. It was then that he realized that he wasn't as upset at Ashley as he thought, and it was really himself he was so mad at. It was himself he had blamed so harshly that he had to pin it all on Ashley to alleviate his guilt. It was just as much his fault as it was Ashley's.
"Let's get you to bed..." Ashley breathed and picked up the tired, limp body of his distressed mate. Andy didn't protest this time, quieting down some as he rested his head on his shoulder.
He let himself be carried to the bed, and he closed his eyes as Ashley laid him down. Ashley got into bed beside him and pulled the covers over the both of them. Andy felt an arm drape over his waist and pull him close against Ashley, and smiled weakly, heavy eyelids remaining shut. Ashley exhaled quietly.
"Sleep well, my angel." He sighed into Andy's hair.

Notes