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The Best Medicine

"Of course I'll help." you tell the anxious wolf. You look down at the photo again, and you start to laugh! You don't know why, but suddenly the whole thing seems hysterically funny. Fitness- and exercise-mad Fred, a fat glutton; just like you! Your entire body shakes with the giggles, robbing you of any more speech.

Fred leaps up and stares at you, betrayed. "Don't laugh at me!" he wails. His self-confidence is in tatters.

"I... I'm sorry." you wheeze, "But this is just priceless!" You lose control again, and collapse on the floor, crying with laughter. Fred also looks ready burst into tears. You sober up, realising that you definitely haven't been the most sensitive person in the world. After much struggling, you get back into a sitting position. You hold your arms up to Fred, who reluctantly hauls you upright.

He steadies you with his body, but even touching him brings the photo to your mind, and how soft he must have felt before. A snort escapes your lips, and Fred stiffens. Poor Fred. You slip your pudgy arms around him and squeeze, wanting to comfort him. Suprisingly, he relaxes against your warm, ice-cream-soft body. You hear a stifled whimper against your chest, and instinctively stroke his head. You suddenly feel fiercely protective of him.

"Don't worry, Fred. Whatever hurt you so much before, won't happen again." Against all odds, this ludicrous promise calms him down. "But you must see the funny side!" You can't stop the chuckle that shakes the two of you. An untimely stomach rumble also shakes you. Fred then gives a wobbly laugh of his own, and tightens his hug on you.

"Was that you, or me?" He looks at you, a new, slightly shy friendliness in his eyes. "Maybe we should both go have some breakfast."

You couldn't agree more.


Written by Lupine (edited by wanderer)

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