@widowiisms
He had to wait until after nightfall, just like every time when he wanted or needed to get in contact with other people. Over time Steve had gotten a little better with being patient, but it still didn’t quite come easy, especially not when he had finally found her after such a long time of searching. There was a nervous energy brimming under his skin while the sun was slowly wandering over the sky and he stayed hidden at the edge of the forest, sheltered by a group of thick bush that was uncomfortable to crawl into but from where he could watch the people of the village come and go.
He tried to doze for a while but was too nervous to accomplish it, unsurprisingly. He should probably try to hunt to get rid of this energy but couldn’t bring himself to leave his spot, even though he knew that the little house wasn’t going anywhere. She’d be there or she wouldn’t, but until the sun went down, there was nothing he could do either way.
Once the sun, red and golden, touched the horizon, he finally moved again, crawling back out of his hiding spot and dragging his small bag with him by his teeth. By the time he was out and could shake himself, he could already feel it begin and he tried to relax.
It was never pleasant, but at least he wouldn’t qualify it as pain anymore. Maybe it had lost intensity over time, or he had simply gotten used to it, the excruciating pain he remembered from years ago having faded considerably. And it was over after a few long moments, and when Steve straightened, it was onto two feet again instead of four.
He stretched, spine straightening and vertebrae popping back into place, before opening the bag at his feet and pulling out a very simple set of clothes to dress himself. And then, finally, Steve could leave the forest and hurry down towards the village and the one wooden house, slightly off to the side, where he’d finally - hopefully - be able to talk to the white witch.
