Word: 575

Christmas had come and gone, and Azzo wasn't going to say it was any better or any worse than any of the Christmas' he shared with his complete family. The only ones that kept him from storming out when he really wanted to were Grams and Aurora. Christmas was supposed to be a happy thing, not something that you wanted to quietly death stare at family for the whole evening.

Now it was New Years though, and he was sitting outside a few hours before the new years were slated to roll in staring at the sky. Merlin's head was in his lap while Azzo scratched behind the dog's ears idly. "It's going to be different next year Merlin." He said softly eyes closing as he thought about how things were going to change. His parents were already packing up Gram's things and the Christmas cheer had long since run out.

The air was chilled eventually his eyes found their way towards the sky searching for Saturn, though he knew he couldn't see it from here. He was thinking before standing up, "Come on boy lets go for a walk real quick."

Azzo started walking with the German Sheppard down the sidewalk thinking about what could've been done different. Could he have done anything different at all? Sometimes it seemed like the fates were against them. Somehow though, it always worked out didn't it? He was biting his lower lip as he walked, mind reeling with thoughts.

When they go to the end of the street Azzo stopped and looked at Merlin, "You know what..." He paused, "This New Years, I plan on making sure I can protect everyone left. I don't know how I'll do it, but I will." One hand was placed on Merlin's head.

His eyes however were focused back towards the space. "I have a duty to do. Grams'll be safer back home with her friends. I don't have to worry about her every time she goes out or when I leave." There was a small shiver that crept up his spine. "I just hope I don't let anyone down..."

He sighed softly as he started to head home, Merlin on his heels panting happily. "... I'm already losing Grams... The house'll be empty without her, I know I have you." He paused glancing towards his dog. "It's just not the same though, we'll have to find a way to get decent food without her, it's not like we can depend on Aurora all the time."

He looked a little sad, "It wouldn't be fair to her or anyone else if we had to do that. At least we've found out I can fix tv dinners, and your food isn't that bad. It's a lot easier to make than mine." He chuckled slightly opening a bag and dumping it in a bowl was a lot easier. Azzo sighed as he stopped in front of his house, it'd be so easy to not go in and just keep going. Do some patrolling he paused and glanced at Merlin.

"We gotta get you a disguise. That way you can come with me... I wonder..."

He started humming a song as he finally decided to head into the house. It was after all his last new year with grams, if he was lucky maybe Aurora would show up so if he had to suffer there was at least someone there to suffer with him.