I'd like to go to Epoch soon. Mom would want to hear the news, I think. Is there anything you'd want me to do for you if I go?
Fennec caught
@Germanicus on his way out. She didn't want to keep him long, but it didn't feel right to just go without mentioning it. She wasn't sure how long the trip would take.
Epoch was close, but it was also to the north. So far she hadn't gone that direction since the mountains had it a little shut down and fenced in. It would be a job for her to find a safe path through but it was a route she needed to learn if she intended to keep in contact with her mom. She would be fine if she was careful.
Fennec waited for his answer, still seated in the place where they'd spent the previous night. Her eyes didn't track him but her ears did. They held enough anticipation to make up for it.
this can be short <3 and no rush
This would be his last chance to back out of their agreement before she shared it with someone outside of the two of them. She knew, rationally, that he wouldn't. Yet she was still relieved when he didn't argue or bring it up at all. Something in her settled ever so slightly.
She's going to be insufferable about it. She told me I should just get married weeks ago.
She knew his touch only came so often because she asked for it but that didn't lessen the impact at all. He was never reluctant in a way that made her feel guilty for needing it. Fennec leaned towards it, letting her cheek brush his.
I'll call if anything happens.
She wished he could come but hadn't asked because she knew he had too many things to do here. She was going to end up rushing home as soon as she could, and it was welcome to find that to be the case. This was already home.
Pride wouldn't let her ask for an escort when no other Mereo wolf would need one for a trip this short. The mountains nearly made her reconsider, but if she was going to claim a home here long term, she needed to learn every inch. She would explore them until she found a route safe for her to take.
Fennec wasn't sure that anything she did could surprise Towhee anymore. The choice wasn't the surprise here anyway - the happiness though. This was the biggest shock.
She'd never felt this kind of respect. It wasn't just the way their bodies met - it was the way he spoke to her. It was the implicit and immediate trust, and the way he simply told her the way rather than doubting she would make it. Penn had never made her feel like less... but he'd also never made her want to be more.
It was like Germanicus spoke a language she hadn't known existed. It had to be that she was desperate and feeling some kind of intensified honeymoon phase. This isn't more than what it is. But she couldn't deny the swell to her affection when gave her a starting point. It was the kind of casually thoughtful act she'd have never thought to even ask for.
Fifteen steps, then a tree.
She confirmed it, resolving to try his path first and see where it led. Blind exploration would lose her time and it wasn't like her pride was tied up in finding the route herself - she just didn't want to waylay another to play babysitter.
I thought tomorrow. Unless there's a better time?
One more night here first, then an early start. If she was lucky the trip would only last a few days at most.
Fennec had been in and out for weeks on supply runs but found herself extremely reluctant to leave now. Only a few days and they'd be back to this. Unless he changed his mind, without her here to remind him why he'd done all of this. It was a stupid fear, but knowing that didn't stop it.
She stood up and stepped in closer.
Would you believe that I'll already miss this?
It wasn't hard to, she hoped.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
He left sometimes too, she remembered, but she wasn't sure how often. Fennec hadn't thought she'd mind but now knew it would be just as strange, the prospect of sleeping alone. At least it wouldn't be permanent again.
Tonight she'd be sure to leave him with something worth holding over those few days. And in the early morning she'd depart.
can be my last! <3