Blackwater Islands soft like trees in water, shaped to soothe and move

Gabe wanted to smile when she spoke, but he figured that too would cause him pain, so instead he attempted to smile with his eyes. They walked on in silence for the remainder of the journey and soon reached the stream. Galateia told him what to do, and he paused at the last part. Cleaning his muzzle with her tongue from far away could be perceived as a kiss, and if Kalika saw that surely she would kill him. He glanced around, his posture confident but fear in his eyes. He didn't really want her to know how afraid and sad he truly was, so he went straight to the task, and stuck his nose in the cold water.

It was cold at first, but he felt the cold turn to burning around his puncture marks. He winced, his legs trembling as the water passed roughly over his wounds. He stepped out quickly when he felt he'd finished, his muzzle dripping with water and blood.