Distractions

Walk | Talk | Think

That rumbling laughter that the male suddenly gave at her surprised response had an adverse effect on her. Not only did it make her heart give a jittery jump within her chest but it made her wonder if her actions were at all visibly out of character for her. Could he tell now that he had an effect on her? That she could barely be around him without somehow giving away what was going on inside? An answering chuckle of nervousness sounded from her as she tried to laugh it off, making a swift glance away before he was sitting himself down right before her, looking cool and comfortable and - maybe it was just her wishful thinking - oblivious to her problem.

A false sense of comfort began to settle over her at the casualness, to the point where she was ready to sit herself, but even before she could make that move and mimic Leon's position he reached toward her, his cheek brushing against hers. Her two-toned eyes blinked as they stared across at him, smiling and holding her breath against the unexpected rush of air that almost slipped from her muzzle. Was it his intention to keep catching her off guard like that? To make her slip up at last? Pretending everything was perfectly okay, Ashtoreth seated herself as she drew her gaze downward, taking a moment to internally compose herself before she dared to look at him fully again while her thoughts quietly rambled in the background. So different, she wondered regarding Leon's sudden boldness. She had been accustomed to him being around, close but never more than that. But since he had returned, he had been closer still, even adding in gentle physical touches on top of the norm. Had something changed him out there on his journey? Curious as she was, Ash doubted she was quite ready to know how that not-so-little venture had gone, nor any changes that might have happened to his character just yet. Perhaps it was best she was still in the dark regarding all of that.

His thoughtful blue eyes drifted upward and away from her to stare into the treetops ahead, the grey female watching him all the while. At least outwardly he had not changed. He still seemed the same personable, attractive male that he had always been, just maybe a little distracted while trying to get back into the swing of things around the pack lands. As his gaze fell back upon her and his answer rolled from his lips, she was not quite sure what to make of it, afraid she was reading too much in the words than was really meant to be taken from them. What could have possibly drawn him to her like that? "Oh really?" she questioned, pushing in a little of her teasing tone to color her words, "That's curious." But not wanting to elaborate or give room for questions, she chose to respond in kind. "I was just on my way back to the den site. Wasn't having much luck with hunting today." That was about as close to the truth as she was going to get. There was no way she was going to mention the fact it had been thoughts of him to distract her from her work. "But if you needed company on your stroll, I'd be happy to tag along." Part of her warned that this was likely a bad idea; what better way to tempt her thoughts than by trailing after their source? But she did wish to be around him somewhere under the mess of her mind, and she was hoping that exposure might somehow make it more bearable.