Moonspear island smiles and cardigans

for @Speedy <3

the sun was coming up over the horizon and as always Slavik was waking with it. He rose stiffly from his warm den, loath to leave its comfort. It was a simple dug out at the roots of a tree, but he’d lined it with feathers and furs from his hunts to make it comfier. He was proud of his little place, and with the brisk wind that blew above he barely could bring himself to leave it. But he did, for he had someone on his mind and a plan for the day.

He hadn’t seen as much of Speedy as he wanted to, and with her recent incident he knew he should go be there for her. So last night he’d hunted a rabbit, and buried it next to his den to bring to her this morn. He quickly dug it up and went on his way, following her scent to wherever she may be.

She had been up long before the sun, woken again by her troubled dreams. She had organized her plants a little better and made sure everything still looked in good shape, but that hadn't taken as long as she wanted it to take. So, still in need of some kind of distraction, she had finally ventured out into the cold winter night. Well, it was actually closer to dawn but still dark, and the healer had decided to resume her exploration of the territory.

As the sun began to rise, Speedy was making her way through the trees at the bottom of the mountain. The trees here still held onto their dark green color, even with the snow covering the ground and resting on their branches. She was watching a squirrel move swiftly from tree to tree when Slavik's scent filled her nose, making her tail wag and her eyes search the trunks for his fiery coat. When she spotted him, she smiled and trotted over to meet him. Hey you, she greeted, maneuvering around the rabbit in his mouth to nuzzle his cheek. Been hunting? she asked next, taking a step back to meet his gaze, her smile widening.

It didn’t take Slavik too long to find Speedy, looking her normal happy self. He welcomed her nuzzle, returning it with the crown of his head so as not to rub his rabbit on her. He hummed a greeting, since his mouth was full, then went ahead and dropped the rabbit. He nodded at her question, Yeah, for you! This rabbit is now property of Speedy, he said in his friendly low voice, before nudging it towards her with his nose.

How’ve you been? I feel bad I haven’t really got to catch up for a bit, thought maybe we could do something fun today? he said all at once, his tail swishing contently behind him.

Slavik dropped the rabbit and informed her that he had caught it for her. She smiled again and looked up from his gift. That's sweet, Slavik. Thank you. She was actually pretty hungry, so she lied down and pulled the hare onto her front legs to begin eating. 

She paused her bite to look up at him when he asked how she had been and stated that he felt bad that they hadn't talked much lately. Don't worry about it, you can just make it up to me, she teased at first, sort of avoiding his first question. But then her face fell a little, and she looked down. I've been...okay I guess, she finally offered. She was never one to lie or hide the way she felt about things, but she didn't want to ruin their lighthearted meeting with her heavy stuff. The wound on her neck was healing well but was starting to itch a little, and she shook her head a little before continuing to eat. What kind of fun did you have in mind? she asked, swallowing her bite. Speedy was definitely up for something to take her mind off things.

Slavik just smiled and shrugged at her thanks, No problem, he said as he watched her take hold of his kill. He wasn’t that hungry yet, but he would probably go get something of his own later. Maybe she’d even want to come with, if she was into that kind of thing.

To Slavik’s first question Speedy sort of beat around the bush, until she gave him a reluctant reply a little later. She was doing ok. Slavik felt a tug of guilt; why hadn’t he come visit her more often? He shuffled closer to her to sniff at the wound on her neck, and found it was healing but still present. The sunshine boy rarely felt anger, but he truly wanted to snap at the wolf who had done this to Speedy. Especially since it was her, who had not a cruel bone in her body. I wish I’d been there to protect you, he said, with a tender lick across her neck.

Speedy moved on to the fun thing he’d spoken of. Well he didn’t have anything particular in mind, but the pair had always managed to make their own fun before. They’d surely figure out something. I don’t know, he said, and stood to pace around while she continued to eat, we could go for a hunt if you’re up for it, or if you wanted something way more fun we could play snow wars, he suggested with an eyebrow raised, and his signature grin lighting his face.

She stilled as he sniffed her wound, allowing him to inspect it, closing her eyes at his words and the tender lick that followed. For the first time since the incident, she felt guilty about keeping the identity of the wolf that wounded her a secret. She wanted to tell Slavik, her closest friend, but she was afraid of the position it would put him in. What would he do if he knew Revui had attacked her first that day when in a blind fit of rage, not realizing who she was? The truth sat in her throat, pushing her to speak it, but she swallowed the words and sat up, suddenly not hungry anymore. She pushed her face into his neck and took a deep, steadying breath. The empath lingered there for a few moments before pulling back with a small smile. I'm glad you weren't, she finally replied. Then you might have been hurt, too. Speedy would have been even more beside her self than she already had been if Slavik had also been injured. 

She was glad for the promise of something to lighten the mood, and some of her light returned to her face as she asked, What is snow wars? Her smile grew a little more. It sounds fun.

Slavik lingered in their embrace as well, it felt nice to be with Speedy again. She was always so warm, she just radiated goodness. He hoped that he had the same effect on her, to bring her happiness as well, and he allowed her to stay nuzzled next to him as long as he wanted. When she finally pulled away she released a sentiment that was just so Speedy it made him smile. She couldn’t help but think about others, even when her own well-being was at risk. He loved that about her, and he loved her for being who she was. He was forever grateful for that underground cavern, which had caught the eyes of two young explorers and brought them together. Upon leaving that cavern, those two explorers were steadfast friends, and that way they had stayed.

I know, but I still wish I’d been there, he said softly, with one more quick lick to her cheek. The subject changed now, and snow wars it seemed was the thing to do. He grinned, standing and wagging his tail cheerfully. He explained while she finished her breakfast, me and my sisters used to play this all the time, you’ll love it. You gather a bunch of snow, like this, he stepped back to demonstrate, digging up a pile with his paws. Then he ran to hide behind it, this is you fortress! It’s like a safe zone! he called over the mound he’d made.

Then you just throw snow at each other, like this, he smirked a sent a small flurry in her direction. He watched with his playful smile as snowflakes showered above her head, just a light dusting on top of a Speedy cake. I guess there isn’t a real winner, but it’s still fun, he said, bounced back to her side, then licked the snow off the crown of her head.

She appreciated the sentiment behind his wanting to be there and that meant more than anything. She closed her eyes, still smiling and leaned into his affectionate lick, glad that she had him to make her feel better about all of this. 

When he jumped up and began telling her about snow wars, she got to her feet as well, tail wagging behind her. She watched him make is 'fortress' as he had called it, giggling as he he piled the snow up so that he could hide behind it. She hadn't processed his next words until she felt snow on her head, and she gave him a playful glare that fell away as he came bounding back in front of her and started licking the snow from her head. She would so get him back for that. 

She ran a few steps away and began making a snow-mound of her own looking to Slavik from over the top of it when she finished. Like this? she asked, grinning at him from inside her own safe zone. A sly smile crossed her face then, and she quickly used her paw to fling snow at him, aiming for his chest and turning around to check her work as she giggled again. He was right: this was fun.

Slavik backed away as Speedy stood and began to move away. He watched with that toothy grin as she started building her own fortress and repeated his words. He nodded, yeah you- but didn’t finish his sentence as Speedy had already flung a bunch of snow at him. It landed right on his chest, a cold mush that began to melt into his molten fur as soon as it touched him. He wriggled his butt, then turned around and retreated to his fort, peeking over the top with anxious energy.

He eyed her moves from behind his mound, using his front paws to gather more snow at its base. Then he darted out from behind it and ran towards her, then swiped at the ground. Chunky snow flew through the air towards her fortress, some of it going over top and some of it simply adding to the bulk. He remained out in the open, challenging her to an all out snowdown (snow showdown).

LOL @ snowdown

She watched triumphantly as the snow she sent flying towards Slavik hit his chest like she had planned. She remained behind her snow wall, peaking out from the side just as the molten male came flying towards her. She pulled her head back right before snow came falling down from above, piling on top of her head. Speedy jumped up laughing and launched herself at him. She came to a skidding halt right in front of him, sending a spray of snow in his direction. She laughed again before throwing herself at him once more, this time hoping to connect with him and bring him to the ground.

Slavik waited with his tail up and wagging, surely Speedy would be making her entrance soon. She emerged with snow from his attack still floating around her fur, and he watched as she ran towards him. He braced himself with his head down for the inevitable wall of snow she was about to fire at him, and when it came he shook it off as quickly as he could with a low rumble in his chest. But just as he'd freed himself from the snow, he saw Speedy lunging for him.

She pushed him over and had him down. He looked at her and scowled, That's got to be cheating, he teased, mocking offense. But in reality, this was a move that Simsey had pulled plenty of times on him and Arway, and he should've seen it coming.

They fell to the ground, and the healer knew it was only because Slavik allowed it to happen; there was no way she could get him there against his will. Speedy laughed at his words, grinning widely. Nah, I don't think so, she teased before offering a few licks to his face and jumping up to run back behind her fortress. She hid behind there for a minute, gathering a pile of snow with her paws so that she was prepared to launch more at him. Only when she had adequate ammunition did she very slowly peek up over the top of her snow mound to see if she could catch a glimpse of his golden coat against the white. She knew she could be putting herself in the position for an attack, but that was half the fun.

Slavik’s grin widened and his eyes shut as Speedy placed a few licks on his face, he batted at her with a paw, but in a moment she had bounded away from him. She was headed back towards her wall of snow, and Slavik saw this the perfect opportunity to prepare. He scrambled up and ran to her fortress, but crouched down on the opposite side of it. If she looked over she would see him, but if she was hiding on the other side he would be good. And then he waited, feeling rather sneaky, for her to take a peek.

And she did! Her brown mocha fur and golden yellow eyes appeared above the fortress, and as soon as he saw her he smacked at the ground, sending a spray of powder all over what of her face she had exposed. Then he raced away, out of her reach to look at his handiwork and laugh.

The second she saw him, she realized her mistake and was met with a face-full of snow. She giggled as he ran away, jumping over her mound to chase after him. When Speedy got close enough, she skidded to a halt, sending snow flying towards him and hopefully covering him with the winter substance. Not wanting to get caught again, she took off for his fortress, leaping over the top of it and landing on the other side with effortless grace. With a panting smile, she peaked around the edge again to catch a glimpse of hopefully a snow-covered best friend.