Bitterroot Valley A Strange Kindness

he's actually just a big baby ignore him

She tried to soothe him, and it was this that he quickly remedied: No, no, it ain't you, he hushed, shaking his head. Just... the outlaw drew in a sharp breath and exhaled it just as quickly. Don't know what it was, but it wasn't you, so don't worry 'bout it, ya hear? The latter of his words coming humorously, almost akin to a faux warning of some sort.
Yer too cruel, Twitch, he hummed now, mocking a sad, almost pitiful tone as he looked to the woman, flicking his tail to her flank with a smile returned to his face. Yer bullyin' is gonna ruin my life, y'know, he hung his head when he said this. Breakin' my heart, you are—y'know that, right? And now he had risen once more. Grinning, almost ear-to-ear, should such be possible for him and his now beast-like anatomy. In spirit, at least.
He led the pair towards the trees, away from the clearing, but went to exchange such leadership. You wanna lead the way to yer grove, princess? The pet-name slid from his tongue in a way that sounded truely genuine, almost, as if it held something warmer. Something fonder.
Something that had yet to be explored.

Something that would not happen today, but, perhaps, in the distant (or near, for all hew knew) future. A sort of hope coursed through his bones.