Wapun Meadow in the way you're walking,

at the sound of her name - the one that part of her regretted to share, the one that should have been said in its wholeness, she swallowed, moving away from the meal, listening with forwards-facing ears. his words came hesitantly, and they met her with an unknown expression, processing the words, somewhat lost in reply.

she listened, silently, turning his words over in her head. i am glad to have brought you peace, she breathed, then, her maw upturned and yet, her gaze floating from him to the deer beneath her, uncertain in her gaze, unready to say anything that could potentially tether her to him. nanuralaaq was not ready to make that choice. not when this was only their second moment together. not when a certain man still lingered in her mind. but, with a blink, and another breath drawn, she said: you are strong. i meant what i said, in calling you dark mountain, akin to those that protected my home.

and i wish to have more conversations, and to have more walks, and hunts, and all the things, she shuffled, then, moving her paws against the snowy ground, sitting up from where she had once laid, her brows drawn together and a guardedness creeping up upon her figure. a cloak that shrouded the openness she so typically held. but i see the way you look at me, she wanted to say. and i like it, but i am incredibly selfish.

a moment passed, maybe two, before she stood. we should take some chunks back, nanuralaaq said, nodding at the deer. should he invite touch, she would return it, that much she would allow herself. though now, her gaze remained firmly on his eyes, blue like the sky above. the huntress would not let them linger. could not.

walking together was nice, though. she invited him along with a smile ; a flick of her tail.

this was something they could have. no implications. just togetherness.