Sleepy Fox Hollow this goes beyond me, beyond you

"It's not that bad," Elfie lied and shrugged. He appreciated that Maegi worried for him, but he also did not wish to have her stress over him too much. The boy wanted to see her happy, see her smile and have her love him as much as he adored her. 

"I can wait and then we can find Mahler," he added after a little thought, his eyes searching the she-wolf's face, trying to read, whether this was the answer she wished to hear, whether this would alleviate any concerns she might have.

"What are you doing?" he changed the subject with an obvious air of hopeful "Can I help you?"