Finding what is lost

He gave her a look at her silly question. Of course he was. The last thing he needed was for her to get a chill. They would have to call off this hunt, and he would have to haul her a lot further than the little river crossing. He crouched down so it was easier for her to crawl up his back. He waited until he felt her grip the straps of his back, and stepped back up to his full height again.

The weight and warmth on his back was… distracting. To say the least. He gave himself a moment to adjust to it, and push down any feelings. Out in the open, in the chill of the wintery evening was not the moment to roll over and trap her beneath him.

When she curled her tail around his neck, that did him no favours either. He teasingly turned his head and nipped at it before pushing forward. He plunged into the water and found it freezing. His thick coat gave him some protection, and he wadded through its depths. Stepping carefully so he wouldn’t risk unbalancing his load.

Once they were on the other side, he helped her down before stepping to the side and vigorously shaking out his coat. He followed his falcons directions, which led them to an abandoned den dug out of a hill. He stepped inside, and pulled a blanket out of his bag. He placed it on the ground, and nodded his head to Ignita as he placed their pack on the ground beside it. “Want to get started on the fire?” Soon, they would be cuddled together. So far from the pack and their troubles. The idea that that might lead somewhere sent a sudden and blazing heat through him. Chasing away some of the chill left over from the water.