Bitterroot Valley drag me under

for a long moment she only watched him—raindrops break the shape of his face in the lake until he looked like something dreamed. he always looks a little out of place in the rain.

to hear her name in his mouth, spoken in horrible softness, made her heart stutter. it had been weeks since she'd heard it spoken aloud.

for a beat, she says nothing. watches the rain crawl over his muzzle instead.

"sorry," she gives a slight scoff, though not mocking—more nervous. "didn’t think you’d notice." its flat and offhanded, but her eyes don’t leave his.

the lake laps against her forelegs, cold creeping up through her fur. she looks down at it, at the mirrored shape of him beside her. "had to visit someone." a half-truth, easy on her tongue.