Ravensblood Forest one fish, two fish

the sun hung low in the sky, its golden light dancing across the rippling surface of the river. firefly stood ankle-deep in the cool water, his bright eyes locked onto the shimmering forms darting below. he had spent countless mornings here, learning the rhythm of the river, studying the way the fish moved like fleeting shadows.

his muscles were tense, coiled with focus, as he waited for the perfect moment. patience, he reminded himself, hearing @Meredith 's voice echo in his mind. let the water forget you’re here. a flash of silver broke his concentration, and in a heartbeat, he lunged. his jaws snapped shut with precision, and when he lifted his head, a wriggling trout glistened triumphantly between his teeth.

firefly trotted to the bank, his chest swelling with pride as he added the fish to the growing pile beside him. the once-clumsy wolf who scared off more prey than he caught was long gone, replaced by one who moved with practiced ease. he glanced down at the water, his reflection smiling back at him. 

not bad, he murmured to himself, shaking the droplets from his fur before stepping back into the current. there was plenty of daylight left, and firefly wasn’t done proving just how far he’d come.

meredith perched on a boulder nearby, her sharp eyes fixed on firefly as he moved through the water. she leaned lazily on her forearms, smirking as she watched his triumphant lunge. the way he carried himself now was miles away from the bumbling, loudmouthed pup she’d first met. not bad at all.

well, lookit you, mr. big shot, she called, her voice rolling with a teasing lilt. her mummer’s accent thickened as she hopped down to the riverbank. ye gonna catch enough to feed the whole bloody camp, or just makin’ a name fer yerself, eh?

she flicked her tail and dipped a paw into the cool water, circling it around idly. don’t go thinkin’ yer all that, though, she added with a crooked grin, narrowing her eyes playfully. betcha still ain’t got the nerve to grab one o’ them big ones hidin’ in the deep. reckon yer all bark an’ no bite when it comes to those.

firefly’s ears flicked at meredith’s challenge, her teasing sparking a gleam in his eye. He turned toward her, water glistening off his fur, his grin sharp with determination.  

oh, aye, is that what you think? he said, his voice laced with mock offense, though the twinkle in his eyes gave him away. all bark, eh? well, i'll be showin’ you there’s plenty of bite where this loud mouth’s concerned, he teased, his voice carrying just the faintest hint of a pirate’s drawl.

he took a playful step closer to her, lowering his voice as though letting her in on a grand secret. i’ve been watchin’ those big ones, hidin’ down where the river runs darker. Got a feelin’ I’ll be pullin’ one of them beauties out before you can even blink.

turning back to the water, firefly waded deeper, his movements slower now, more deliberate. he cast a sly glance back at her, his tail flicking with playful confidence. keep those sharp eyes on me, meredith. you're about to see somethin’ worth talkin’ about, he called over his shoulder, the slight edge of confidence and nervousness creeping in like a new tune he couldn’t resist humming.

meredith couldn’t help but chuckle, her grin spreading wide as she leaned casually against a rock, her tail sweeping the ground behind her. oh, aye, firefly, she drawled, her voice dripping with indulgent amusement. i’m watchin’. don’t let me blink now, or i’ll miss yer grand triumph, eh?

eyes followed him as he ventured deeper, her tone softening just a little as she added, but don’t go bitin’ off more than ye can chew, lad. them big ones got fight in ‘em. make sure you’ve got the teeth fer it.

she shifted her weight, settling in as though preparing for a show, her gaze steady and warm despite her teasing. i’ll give ye this, though—you’ve got spirit. so go on, impress me. prove me wrong, she said with a wink, her voice laced with that rare kind of encouragement only meredith could give—half-challenge, half-affection.

firefly smirked at her words, the playful challenge lighting a spark in his eyes. he glanced back at her, water rippling around his legs as he squared his shoulders. oh, don’t you worry, meredith, he shot back, his voice filled with ambition. you can blink all you like—i’ll still be standin’ here with the biggest fish you ever did see. he added with a grin, baring them in exaggerated confidence before turning his attention back to the river.  

he waded a little deeper, his ears twitching as he focused on the water. the current swirled around his paws, and firefly lowered his head, his body tense and still as he scanned the depths. there was a flash of color—a big one. for a moment, he hesitated, her warning echoing in his mind. but then he grinned, the thrill of the challenge too tempting to resist.  

with a sudden lunge, he struck, jaws slicing through the water with precision from hours he had spent practicing this move. there was a brief, wild struggle, but firefly held firm, his grip sure and steady as he wrestled the fish to the shallows. when he finally emerged, the massive catch flopping in his jaws, his chest puffed out with pride.  

he turned to meredith, his grin practically glowing around the fish. big enough for ya, or should i go bigger? he teased, his tail wagging furiously with excitement.

aye, course i can, sunshine. that big ol’ thing’ll do nicely—though i’m not sure if it’s yer fish or yer pride weighin’ heavier.

she stepped closer, her tail flicking behind her, sending droplets of water scattering into the air. ye’re gettin’ cocky, though, she added, her grin sharpening as she gave him a playful nudge with her shoulder. might be ye’ll trip over that ego before we’re done here.

meredith glanced down at the wriggling fish, then back at firefly, her eyes glinting with amusement. but i’ll give it to ya, she said with a mock sigh, her voice dropping to a drawl. ye’ve got some bite behind all that bark. reckon i’ll let ye gloat—fer now.

her grin widened as she stepped into the river, giving him a sidelong glance. but don’t think i’m done with ye, flyboy. we’ll see if ye can keep up. she waded deeper, her movements fluid and deliberate, already setting her sights on the next challenge.

firefly snorted, shaking out his fur as if to rid himself of the weight of her words—though the smirk tugging at his lips betrayed just how much he enjoyed the banter. cocky? me? he gasped dramatically, placing a paw over his chest. you wound me.

his tail swished behind him as he watched her move into the river, eyes flicking between her and the water like he was already plotting his next move. but aye, i’ll take me gloatin’ while i can, he added, puffing out his chest just a little more before stepping up beside her. not every day a lad like me gets such high praise from the great meredith.

he shot her a sideways grin, eyes twinkling with mischief. now, you sure you want to keep this goin’? wouldn’t want you strugglin’ to keep up, after all. might bruise that pride o’ yours. his voice dripped with mock concern, though he was already shifting his weight, muscles coiled in anticipation.  

then, without warning, he lunged forward, sending a playful splash of water in her direction before darting ahead, his laughter ringing through the air. c’mon then, show me what you got!

apologies on the delay, life got busy for a cool min!

meredith had half a mind to let the water swallow him whole.

]indent]cocky, insufferable, and yet—there was something about firefly’s boundless energy that kept her hooked, like a fish on a line she didn’t quite have the heart to snap free. even now, as the water surged against her legs and his laughter rang out like a bell, she felt the barest flicker of amusement tug at the corner of her lips.

her pride, though? that was another matter.

oh, you bastard— she growled through a splutter as water splashed up into her face. by the time she wiped her eyes clear, he was already ahead, taunting her like a damn fool. her muscles tensed beneath her coat, eyes flashing with the thrill of the chase.

fine.

if he wanted to run, she’d run.

with a sharp inhale, she lunged forward, paws cutting through the water as she surged after him, matching his pace stride for stride. you better pray you’re faster than you look, firefly,”she called, voice rich with challenge. or i’m draggin’ your sorry ass under.

don't worry!

firefly barked out a laugh, the kind that came straight from the gut, wild and free. aye, meredith, but if you drag me under, that means you gotta catch me first! he hollered over his shoulder, his paws churning up water as he surged ahead. the river fought against him, currents pulling, slowing, but he was light on his feet, built for the thrill of movement.

he stole a quick glance back—just in time to see meredith slicing through the water like she was born to it, her eyes sharp, locked on him like a predator sighting its prey. oh, she was serious. good.

you best be careful, lass, he teased, pushing himself harder, sending a spray of water flying in his wake. you might find that chasin’ me only leads you right into trouble! his grin was all sharp edges and mischief, his laughter tangled in the rush of the river.

faster. he needed to be faster. because if she caught him? well, he wasn’t entirely sure he’d mind.

up ahead he could see the bend that hid the boulder that he had almost had a collision with days prior. a sneaky grin spread across his lips as he steered towards it.

meredith was close behind, slicing through the water like a blade, her breath steady, her muscles burning with the effort. she wasn’t about to let him get away that easy.

you’re all talk, firefly! she called after him, voice sharp with challenge, lips curling in a wicked grin. but we both know you ain't fast enough to outrun me!

she surged forward, pushing against the current, the rush of the river roaring in her ears. she could see the shift in his movements, the way his gaze flicked ahead, the way his body angled toward something unseen. planning something. she didn’t trust that look one damn bit.

her eyes narrowed, calculating. oh, i see what you're doin', she muttered under her breath, smirking. she didn’t know what he had up his sleeve, but she had no intention of being caught off guard.

he thought he could outmaneuver her? fine. she welcomed the challenge.

with one last powerful kick, she lunged, teeth flashing, reaching for the tip of his tail as the bend loomed closer. gotcha, bastard!

firefly felt the rush of water surging behind him, meredith’s presence like a storm on his heels. he could hear it in her voice—the fire, the challenge, the thrill of the chase. and oh, he lived for it.    

but he wasn’t about to make this easy for her.    

at the last possible second, just as he felt the brush of teeth at his tail, he dug his paws into the riverbed and launched himself forward. the world tilted for a heartbeat—water spraying, gravity pulling—but then bam! his paws struck solid rock.    

he landed atop the boulder that jutted out from the riverbend, his claws scraping for purchase as he skidded slightly before finding balance. chest heaving, he spun, looking down with a wild, triumphant grin.  

close, mer! he called, tail flicking just out of reach. but you really motivated meself to get comfortable in me skin. he laughed, all smug confidence, standing tall like a king claiming his throne.  

the river rushed around the boulder, a natural divide between them. he tilted his head, amber eyes dancing with mischief but hiding the countless nights he spent in the river trying to impress not just her but himself that he was not incompetent.

meredith prowled through the water, hazel eyes locking onto firefly with the kind of intensity that should’ve sent shivers up his spine. instead, it only fed that damnable grin of his, all sharp teeth and cocky bravado.

she had him, almost. she could feel his tail slip just past her nose, could hear the splash of his paws as he leapt for higher ground. and then there he was, perched above her, gloating.

her lips curled, half amusement, half warning. comfortable in your skin, huh? she drawled, circling the boulder like a shark. sounds to me like you’re just comfortable bein’ outta reach.

the river surged around her legs, cold and biting, but she barely felt it. her focus was fixed solely on him. but i gotta say, firefly, she purred, stepping closer, water lapping at her shoulders now. feels like you’re settin’ yourself up real nice up there, like a little prize just waitin’ to be claimed.

and before he could react, before he could so much as widen those damn amber eyes in realization—she lunged. muscles coiled, legs kicked against the river’s current, and she surged forward, paws scraping for purchase as she propelled herself up onto the slick rock.

if she went down, she’d make sure he did too.

firefly barely had time to process the shift in her stance before she moved. fast. too fast.    

one second, he was standing victorious, smug as could be, and the next—she was airborne.  

oh, shit—  

her paws hit the boulder hard, claws scrambling for grip, and instinct kicked in. firefly reacted, muscles tensing as he threw his weight back, trying to avoid the inevitable. but meredith had played her hand too well.    

she crashed into him, and in a tangled mess of fur, momentum did the rest. his back paws slipped, balance stolen in an instant, and suddenly—they were falling.  

the river roared up to meet them.    

splash!   

cold water engulfed him, bubbles exploding around his ears as the force of the impact sent him tumbling. for a breathless second, all was chaos—kicking legs, rushing current, the sensation of weightlessness—until he fought his way to the surface, coughing and sputtering, shaking his head furiously to clear his vision.    

and there she was, bobbing in the water nearby, looking every bit like the menace she was.    

dripping, firefly narrowed his eyes at her, a slow, incredulous grin spreading across his face.    

you absolute devil, he wheezed between breaths, laughter bubbling up despite himself. your just mad i beat ya so you went and sunk the whole damn ship!   

he flicked water toward her with a paw, golden eyes gleaming with pure, reckless amusement. that was dirty, lass. dirty.

meredith surfaced with a gasp, water cascading from her fur as she caught his words through her own breathless laughter. her chest heaved, but there was triumph in her eyes—a wild, untamed glee that burned hotter than the cold river ever could.

aye, dirty’s what you get for underestimatin’ me, she shot back, voice dripping with playful defiance. she pushed through the water toward him, their closeness now unavoidable, inevitable. her paw brushed against his side beneath the surface—steadying herself or maybe just... staying near.

the world was still for a moment. just the river, the cold, and them.

reckon you’ll think twice next time you try to get cocky with me. her grin softened into something warmer, but it didn’t lose its edge.

she lingered a second longer before turning, paddling toward the shore. c’mon, firefly. let’s get dry before we freeze our tails off.

and with that, the chase was over—for now.