Why he found himself traveling north of Auster was quite beyond him. Something itched under his skin that he needed a break from the day-to-day down in the bamboo. Having taken care of his net system so that it wouldn't be destroyed in his absence, he made his way up into Boreas. Entering the jungle system where he knew the wide river would lie, Kuroo kept up a good pace. It felt nice to adventure alone and see what there was to see. Nothing had changed much except for the changing of seasons.

The midday sun overhead warmed his back as he stuck to the trail leading up to the river's edge. Trying to keep his mind off of the undying questions about his family, Kuroo approached the fast-running river. Not quite the best place to fish, but he could find something. Curious, the mottled wolf dipped a paw into the chilly water. Gritting his teeth against the cold, he took another step in.

Before he knew it, he was being swept away. A loud yelp left his lips as he fought against the current. Completely soaked and slightly scared, Kuroo frantically got his wits about him and looked for something to latch onto. As he was swept away, he saw a large branch hanging out over the river. It would be his only chance of survival. Inhaling a deep breath, Kuroo reached up and grabbed ahold of the branch. With his lower half in the water, he struggled to hold on. "Help, please!" He called out as loud as he could over the rush of the water. Hoping someone would come along and save him.

"Speech"

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He decided to venture down south, away from the cooling temperatures and to where the heat remained well into fall. It made him uncomfortable and he wasn't exactly sure why he kept moving away from the cold. Besides being hungry, anyway. He didn't find freshwater fish appetizing, but supposed he was left with little choice in the matter. Hunting much else would offend his companions, but fish they could all pick at. He let Atli and Finnur hunt their own meals while he worked on his own, catching himself a few in the time it took his companions to catch many. Finnur had a nice pile of little fish going while Atli wasn't too far behind. He supposed by amount they were pretty even, but his attention was pulled away when he heard a sudden cry for help. Ears alert, he searched for the direction of the sound. Finnur's curiosity already had him in the air as he swallowed a fish, searching for the source himself.

Sverre began to move and quick the fox followed, though she wasn't thrilled about the idea and moved slower than the worried wolf and curious bird. Following Finnur towards the cry, Sverre finally spotted someone in the river holding onto a branch that hardly looked sturdy enough to last much longer. He rushed over, calling out to promise help. "Hold on!" He hoped that he could rescue them before the branch broke, but he wasn't sure how. Without any tools or ropes, he would have to risk putting weight on the branch to catch them. If the branch broke beneath him, they'd both be caught in the river and who knew where they led.

Usually good at kick thinking, it wasn't with him today. In a new land with little idea of how anything worked, he was left with the only idea he had regardless of it's risk. Carefully, he placed one paw on the branch and felt it shift beneath him and deeper slightly into the rushing water. Even slower he moved to put his second paw on the branch, quickly shifting his weight more onto his front half as he extended a paw out to the man. "Hurry, grab my paw!" His accent was thick from his adrenaline, and they were lucky it was even in English. The branch was cracking though, and Sverre wasn't sure how much longer it would hold. With the weight of the other man, it could very well break.


"Speech!"

He dipped in and out of the water as he struggled to hold on. It grew harder and harder to breathe as his eyes grew wide. "Help!" Kuroo managed to yell weakly as fear spread through him. Was he going to be saved? Would this be his end? Swept away by the very thing he loved almost the most? Shutting his eyes tightly, his ears flicked forward as he heard a rustling nearby. Someone was nearby! A faint hold on! rang out toward him. So there was still hope!

Searching the shadowy banks speckled with bright sun, he watched as the blue-coated man scrambled toward him. The branch dipped deeper into the water as he almost slipped off. Gritting his teeth until they felt as if they were going to break, Kuroo's pale eyes locked on to the stranger reaching out a paw. There wasn't any reason the stranger should be helping him, but he was. Thanking every heaven and star he could think of, he didn't waste a moment to shakily release one paw's grip from the branch and reach out to grab ahold.

The touch of his paw felt electric as their skin made contact. Inhaling one deep breath, he pushed forward with as much energy he had left. Kicking fiercely against the current, with the help of the stranger, Kuroo was able to hoist himself up onto the branch. One step, two step, and one leap off from the branch before he tumbled onto the shore. Flopping over onto his back, he coughed up water from his lungs. Exhausted and barely able to speak, he tilted his chin to glance over at the man with a smile.

"Speech"

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With his weight on the branch that was holding the other man above water, obviously it pushed him deeper and for a moment he was worried it would be too much. When the man was successful at grabbing his paw, Sverre held on tight and pulled backwards to save him from the rushing water and get him back onto shore. They were lucky the branch didn't break beneath him, giving way and sending them both down the river to what would like be their demise, or at least a very few painful weeks. Luck would seem to be their side today however and he couldn't have been more grateful.

As the man slumped onto the ground and heaved the water from his lungs, Sverre gave him some space and sat down while catching his breath. Atli hurried underneath him, peering out between his forelimbs and scrutinizing the splotched man. She wasn't friendly, but knew Sverre would shoo her away if she was as rude as she wanted to be. When the man seemed to calm down from extraditing the water, Sverre was curious to know what happened and if he was alright.

"You're lucky; are you alright?" Eyes scanned the mans soaking wet body looking for signs of harm or injury, more focused on making sure he was alright than his cute smile unfortunately.


"Speech!"

It took Kuroo a few moments to drift back into reality. His head was still a little dizzy from the near-death experience. The few words the stranger spoke made him blink a few times before lifting his head to glance back at the river. "Lucky you saved me!" Kuroo nearly chirped as he rolled over to stand up on his wobbly legs. Still slightly too exhausted, he sat on his haunches and let his tail wag a few times. Looking back at his own body as well to check for any injuries, he shrugged his shoulders.

"Seems like I'm alright," he commented, the smile never slipping from his lips. Glad that he had been saved from the perils of the river, he wondered how he could thank the man. "I was fishing, it's kind of my thing, and well, the river got the better of me this time," Kuroo's jovial attitude moments after his near demise was just his way of coping. Water dripped from his coat, making it appear darker than it normally was. Though, his pale eyes were still bright as ever. "I'm Kuroo, by the way. Thank you for saving me, I really mean it," he glanced from the river back to the blue-coated figure in front of him. He could see the worry in those fiery eyes and it nearly made his stomach do somersaults.

"Speech"

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Sverre wasn't really the type to go saving others, but it wasn't entirely unlike him either. Strangers weren't usually something he cared about, but something changed today. Maybe just this once, or maybe forever, but it puzzled Sverre even though he didn't allow himself much time to think about it. Instead, he watched the splotched man like a hawk as if he was lying to him about how he was feeling. When he started to stand and wobbled, resorting to just a sit instead, Sverre was quick to stand though relaxed with a quiet breath of relief when he sat and was fine.

While Sverre was serious and strangely worried about the man, the near-drowned man seemed hardly phased by the event and rather happy. He supposed that he would also be quite ecstatic to be saved, but this was still strange. The worried expression was plastered across his face as the man explained the situation and introduced himself. "Sverre," he started plainly. "The water isn't always so forgiving. Be more careful next time." His expression and tone changed to stern as he continued, brows furrowing as spoke.


"Speech!"

The way Sverre looked on at him with those concerned eyes and stern brows almost made Kuroo feel like a pup again. But was that also a sigh of relief he heard as the man stood when he had sat up? Must be imagining things... Except, he hadn't died, so there wasn't anything to worry about. Right? If you asked Kuroo, he was used to the stare he was being given. Often a bit careless for the sake of a fun time, his brother would look at him in a similar fashion. Rolling his shoulders back and clearing his throat, Kuroo gave Sverre a timid smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you considering the circumstances, Sverre," he said in return after a moment of silence.

"I suppose I should be more careful. Back home, the bay where I fish is typically more relaxed than this place," Kuroo let out a nervous chuckle. Maybe if he had been anyone else, he would have been insulted the way Sverre was speaking to him. In reality, he found it endearing and cute. So worried about a man he'd just met. The thought made his smile grow, but he held back his words. Teasing Sverre might not be the best thing right now with the way he was looking at him. Clearing his throat again, he felt better now and stood to his paws so he could give the man a proper once over. Definitely not a sight for sore eyes.

"So, uh, before I rudely interrupted your day, what were you up to, by chance?" Kuroo's pale eyes watch Sverre with a gentle smile and slight tilt of his face. Between his ankles, his tail hung and swished lightly in a friendly manner. Even if he was still more wet than dry and a tad cold, he wanted to know more about his mysterious savior.

"Speech"

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For some reason he couldn't stop worrying about the piebald man. Had he aspirated a little water? Had he bumped into a rock? Was there more he wasn't telling him? He did his best to look him over from head to toe, focusing on the mans shoulders as he rolled them back. Was he stiff or sore? Sverre hadn't seen what had led up to him being trapped on the branch and despite the other man appearing to be okay, Sverre was still skeptical. He didn't know why though, this wasn't common for him. He let the man speak though he remained silent, watching and studying the man for anything he could be holding back. He wasn't sure why he was so skeptical, but something was off about him. Or it felt off, anyway. Sverre wasn't the emotional kind, so understanding them was out of the question.

When asked, his gaze broke from the focused and intent almost-stare and flashed back up to the mans face. "I was also fishing," he said with a slight chuckle and half-smile. Ironic how they were both fishing out of their element and introduced through pure luck, really. Had he been a moment or two later, he didn't even want to think about what could have happened. Without a sign of anyone else around, there was little hope for the man until he arrived.


"Speech!"

So maybe the guy was a little weird. Why was he staring so intently at him? A confused expression made Kuroo's own brows draw tight as he tried to figure it out. Was he regretting saving him? Was he being too friendly toward him? Nervous and feeling as if he might vomit, Kuroo attempted to collect himself. Possibly Sverre was just worried something worse had happened to him. But the water didn't feel like it was trapped in his lungs and his brain felt fine, not woozy as if he had hit his head.

Shifting his weight from side to side, his smile faltered a bit until Sverre finally answered his question. The response was honestly adorable in Kuroo's mind and he was glad that the man's gaze had finally lifted back up toward him. Letting his smile widen a bit, he nodded softly. "Fishing is perhaps my favorite pastime," his voice is soft and quiet, but loud enough to be heard over the roaring of the river. "I wouldn't mind seeing where you were fishing if you don't mind that is," the boy's head tilted slightly to the side as he waited for Sverre to respond.

"Speech"

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The man seemed otherwise alright, though that didn't stop him from worrying. Now they just needed to get him dry or he'd get a cold. Even the smallest amount of water in the lungs could turn into pneumonia. He might not be a healer, but he at least new that. He didn't seem to be shivering though and the sun was still up for now so the temperature wasn't dropping yet, but he was still worried. Kuroo went on about fishing being his favorite pastime, probably the reason he was here fishing today and mentioned wanting to see where he had been settled farther up the river. He didn't see the harm in it, really. Maybe if they moved to the safer spot, he could trust him to catch them some dinner while he started a fire, both to dry the man as well as cook their food should he desire it.

"Sure. The water is calmer there, if you'd like I can start a fire while you catch us some dinner?" He rose from his seated position slowly, ready to head there when he was. It wasn't too far away, plus a nice place to settle down for the night if needed.


"Speech!"

Kuroo's tail began to wag a bit more when Sverre agreed to take him to the calmer spot by the river. With the promise of a fire to warm up his now shivering body and damp fur, he moved to follow the blue-tinged man with eager eyes. "Sounds like a deal to me!" His chipper voice matched his smile as he took a few steps closer to Sverre. Now that Sverre was standing, he could tell the man was quite a bit taller than him, but not too burly either. And the fire that enveloped his chest and curled up his neck to his crown was quite adorable as well. Feeling his face flush with slight embarrassment if he got caught staring too long, Kuroo moved his pale gaze up to Sverre's powder blue face. With the rush of tingles making it more obvious to him that he was indeed colder than he thought he was, he was glad Sverre had agreed to build a fire.

"Speech"

CODE © SKELLE 2022

Sverre was watchful and noticed the shivering, but decided to keep his mouth shut for now. There wasn't much that could be done until they got him settled in front of a fire to dry. He lacked any pelts to dry the man off further, so the heat of the fire would be all that he had. He hoped that keeping him occupied fishing in a calmer part of the river would be enough time to get the fire strong so he didn't have to wait. He couldn't explain why he wanted to help this man so badly, but he also wasn't stopping to think about it either.

As they got back to the place he had settled down earlier, he motioned towards the part of the river he was fishing at earlier. "That seemed like a good spot to fish before you called for help." As he spoke Finnur was quick to land on a rock near the rivers edge, peering down with a tilted head to look for more fish for himself. Atli clung to him as usual, hiding underneath him though hardly even noticed anymore. "I'll get the fire started." He abruptly said as he stood and moved off to find some fallen sticks and small logs for the fire.

Now that he did have time to think while he worked in silence with Atli following him like a shadow, he found himself occasionally sneaking glanced back towards the spotted man. Why was he so worried about him? Of course he had already fallen into the river once while fishing, but if he did so here he could easily get himself back out. Instead, he caught his fiery gaze lingering on the man longer than he felt it should've. Forcibly breaking his stare, he went back to gathering sticks.

Bringing them all to a central location, he began putting the sticks together and lighting the fire after a few failed attempts. With it growing, he carefully tended to it while still sneaking glances at man.


"Speech!"

Maybe it was the fact that Kuroo was typically always, in some way, damp from a nearby water source. Down in Auster though, the weather never really turned chilly such as this. With the blast of summer forging away, he hadn't expected the frigid winds that Boreas brought. Thankfully, they were still far enough south that the temperatures of the farther north hadn't quite reached yet. Attempting to calm the shivers that ran down his spine as he trotted beside Sverre to the small clearing beside the calmer spot in the river, his own pale gaze stole looks toward the blue-coated man.

There was something about the way that he carried himself, the concern he held for a stranger, that drew him in. They had only just met and yet, Kuroo felt as if he could trust him. Not that he was a particularly suspicious sort of guy, but he wasn't exactly stupid either. When they reached the clearing, he paused his steps to glance around, finally noticing that Sverre had two companions. A cute little bird that watched the water and a small fox that clung to Sverre. When he glanced at the river, he nodded in agreement. "It'll be good enough for me," he murmured with a smile as he went to work without another word.

Silently thankful that Sverre was building a fire, Kuroo stood by the water's edge near the puffin. Letting his soft-colored gaze track the shimmering movements beneath the surface, he realized just how cold he was. If Sverre hadn't come to the rescue, he surely would have died from hypothermia. A different sort of shiver ran down his spine at the thought. He'd had to thank Sverre somehow for saving his life. Distracted by his thoughts, he stole his own glance over his shoulder toward where Sverre had wandered to get sticks.

When he noticed the other man begin to look his way, he quickly returned to looking at the water. Feeling his heart race slightly, he wondered why, again, he was so drawn to him. How was he supposed to fish without being so distracted? Kuroo's face wrinkled slightly out of frustration and fought the urge to look back over his shoulder toward Sverre. Attempting to focus, as best as possible, he trained his eyes on the fish swimming about. After another moment, Kuroo took his chance and dove face-first to grab the fish out of the water. One down, one more to go.

"Speech"