Sam looked back to him. He hesitated a moment then shook his head. "It was nothing really. A desire to protect someone I deeply care about. But you don't need my protection so it's a silly thing."

The wolf sighed and went to remove his mask so he could fix his hair. Strands fell elegantly into his eyes just as they always did. Like they were just artfully meant to be there even when he wasn't realizing it. "I've known for a long time that you don't need my protection, that you're likely to only ever care about your own needs and pleasures. But that will never stop me from adoring you, Matthias. I'm content for it to only be on my side but when I think of you being troubled by others it doesn't stop my desire to protect you."