Bearclaw Valley all i want

Cole is quiet for a long time. Silent in a way that stretches, thick and heavy, between them. He doesn’t look at her, not at first. Just stares at the bloodied remains of the doe, the earth dark and damp beneath it. It gives him something to focus on, something solid, something that doesn’t feel like the tangle of emotions twisting in his chest.
He doesn’t know what to say. Doesn’t know how to answer her without revealing more than he understands himself.
Why are you taking care of me?
Like it’s something simple. Like it’s something that can be explained in just a few words.
He exhales, slow and measured, before finally turning his head to look at her. His gaze is unreadable, deep and steady. He doesn’t answer right away, just watches her, as if searching for something in her face.
When he finally speaks, his voice is low, rough. Winslet... I ain't felt this way in a long time. He shifts his weight, his ears twitching, uncomfortable with the weight of his own admission. I don’t know what this is. I just know I don’t want anything happening to you.
His jaw tightens, eyes flickering away as if embarrassed by the truth of it.
You say you can’t return the favor. He lets out a dry, humorless chuckle, shaking his head slightly. But do you want to? His gaze flickers back to her, and this time, there's something raw beneath the surface. Do you want to take care of me, Winslet?
Because maybe that's what he's been waiting for.