Little Goat Mountain and now it's only you that matters

Kaito kept pretty still as Arlette worked to rid him of the spikes of ice and clumps of snow clinging tenaciously to his fur. And, he found himself quite amazed at what a difference being rid of them made! He not so much feel any warmer, persay, but his friend's efforts eased a burdening weight from his neck that he hadn't realized he'd been carrying until that weight was gone. What a relief, and he closed his eyes even as she nosed into that vulnerable stretch between his jaw and his jugular. He had seen her at work handling herbs and medicines, the delicacy in which she held her plants. He knew her gentleness, and trusted her tending would be done with the same measure of care.

He lowered his head when she reached his face. Instinctive, to simply assist her. She nipped and snagged at the ice which lined his cheeks - but only when she reached his nose did her gesture change, and he blinked open startled eyes to find her staring back up at him.

Kaito held her stare for a long moment, his own soft and searching; she was the first to pull her contact away, but he felt her look linger, and a chilling warmth pricked the blood in his chest.

She moved her head - presumably to continue picking the ice from his side - but he lifted a paw to stop her. "Wait," he said, before he could really think of what he was doing. "Was that - what was that?" a small laugh passed through his lips, but his brow furrowed. Confused, in himself, as much as he was with her.