The Sunspire If the night is burning I shall cover my eyes

for @Sumayl when you get back or whenever you have time dear! I figure they could always use development and I had muse.
Also want to get this up before the holidays hit as I may be going on absence as well ^^. It is backdated a tad if that is ok.

Vienna's flanks rose and fell steadily as she slept, deeply and calmly. Her injuries had improved some and the infection, though still there, did not seem so bad now. She had had a rough week initially and had been glad for her brother's frequent presence. She did feel as though she had finally hit the bottom and now had nothing to do but climb.

Her sleep had started out dreamless, but before too long she found herself walking the familiar paths of the mountain. A growing feeling of unease began to fill her as she did so, and before long she found herself picking up speed. Her run was cut short when a dead weight drive into her from above and she fell, terrified despite the dream's lack of pain as she felt the familiar sensation. In a sudden shift she was no longer on the ground but instead stood on the sidelines. Instead her brother lay there, bleeding and unmoving.

She awoke with a whine that was swiftly subdued into a whimper. During the days her spirits had remained pretty high despite her bedridden nature. In the darkness, however, and with the nightmare opening the floodgates, she shifted until she faced the wall and let loose, shoulders shaking with silent sobs. Come morning she knew her fears and doubts would seem silly and far away, but tonight she was alone with her demons and, though they did not appear in force often, they could not be contained well right now.

With Vienna still bedridden from her attack Sumayl had found that his taste for adventure had dampened greatly — for it was no fun without the sunny woman by his side — but his new found tendency to stick within the Sunspire's claimed lands, unless his duty of Gamekeeper drew him outside of it, given that he could not slack off on his pack duties, was borne not of dishearten but instead out of the instinctual need to want to be close to Vienna, or at the very least remain a call away should she want or need anything. He wanted to protect her and he certainly couldn't do that if he was too far away. Sumayl had developed something of a routine of making a round to keep her company or bring her food, while trying his best to avoid her brother. They had fought twice now and Sumayl was in no mood to make it a third time, especially with their common interest bedridden and within earshot. There was nothing that seemed right about fighting with Jaxe when Vienna wasn't well. Though mostly Sumayl wanted to antagonize Jave, especially given that the other had stepped down from leadership. The golden Ostrega couldn't help but feel that it would be extremely cruel and low of him, so he resisted. Still, Jace was ranked above him and Sumayl couldn't help but feel that he was stuck at the rank of Theta because of his behavior with Jace while the other male had still been Beta.

But Sumayl wouldn't have been so vocal if he wasn't prepared to pay his dues.

Sumayl didn't go through his life acting as he did while living in a fantasy world where consequences did not exist. Even as a child he had never lived in such a delusional world. The circumstances of his upbringing had likely had much to do with it.

It was about mid-night and Sunayl found that sleepnwas coming with quite a struggle. He could not place why his mind would not shut down or why he could not simply fall into a slumber, only that he could lay there for as long as he wanted and it would make no difference. With a sigh he left his den, hoping that a walk in the chilling and icy winter night might help make him sleepy. Or at the very least clear his mind. Sumayl's path intentionality took him by Vienna's den, telling himself that it wouldn't hurt to pause for a few seconds, long enough to check on her. As he drew nearer his ears culled forth listening for the tell tale rhythm of slumber but instead picking up the harsh inhales and expels of air that if Sumayl didn't know better would have associated with crying.

Tears were not his forte but then again without seeing her Sumayl couldn't say for sure that she was crying but even so he did not hesitate further, walking right up to the mouth of her den. "Vienna?" Are you alright? but the words did not spill from the Ostrega's lips wondering if she would lie to him and tell him that she was when he sensed differently. Sumayl half had the mind to poke, but at the last minute had a lapse in his own arrogance and respected her space. "What's wrong?" Sumayl inquired, attempting to hide his alarm though not his concern.

Vienna was a wolf far too well raised to curse, but had she different parents and a harsher tongue, a few choice words would have been released at the sound of Sumayl's voice. Instead she quieted, regaining her composure as swiftly as she could, albeit with some difficulty. She had no desire to upset him simply because she couldn't keep her own emotions under control right now.

"It was... It was just a dream," she responded finally, uncurling herself from her position at the wall but still not quite turning to face him. "I'm sorry," she added. She didn't mean to startle him, nor to make him stop to check. Why he was up she had no clue but she wasn't really helping him along. Unlike her he needed his sleep.

Slowly she stood, pausing to let the world stop shifting. Finally she looked at him. "I just need to get out of here," she said, a note of desperation in her voice. She didn't know why, but all of the sudden the den seemed ten times smaller, and she felt trapped within. Not one to normally be bothered by such claustrophobic notions, she didn't quite know what was up, but she wasn't about to analyze. Instead she took a few careful steps to the entrance. She knew she probably looked awful, and though she did not normally worry about such things, she was a bit ashamed in his presence. She told herself it was because he had put the effort in to hunt for her and still she looked as though she hadn't eaten for weeks. It was partially true, though the last two days she had managed. Uphill climb now. At this point, however, grooming could only do so much, and she hesitated before she stepped out.

He didn't need to stay if he didn't want to. But just as she wished he hadn't come upon her, she also selfishly hoped he wouldn't go. She was still not ready to go back to dreams and didn't really want to be alone at the moment. She intended to find a spot where she could at least see the stars.

Sumayl wasn't even sure that Vienna was going to answer at first, for silence followed his initial question for a few moments, leaving the golden Ostrega to dither on the consideration that perhaps she didn't want company — even his own. Despite that such a thing was hard to imagine because, well, he was Sumayl but it entered his mind as potential option nevertheless. Eventually, Vienna spoke, telling him that it was just a dream. A soft frown creased the golden outlaw's lips as it followed with an apology of all things. “What in the hell are you saying sorry for?” He teased her lightly, though at the same time wanting her to know she didn't have to apologize to him. Not that he was even sure what she was sorry for in the first place. For being upset? Last time he checked she wasn't a robot and therefore was able to feel however she wanted, least of all having to apologize for being upset about something. It made Sumayl mad, not at Vienna, but at the fact that she felt that she had to be sorry for not being her usual peppy self. It brought about the wonder of who had ever made her feel like she had to be happy all the time and to be upset or mad was a cardinal sin. He had his suspicions borne of his own dislike of her brother, but that didn't mean he was correct in his assumption.

He watched her silhouette as it rose from within her den, his golden gaze seeking the vague shape of her face hidden in the darkness of her den as it was, as she faced him. Part of him wanted to fret, to tell her that she should remain in her den, that she was still healing but the defiant part of Sumayl would never let him baby her. She wasn't a child, and she had been cooped up her den for too long. Granted, she was healing and Sumayl understood and acknowledged that fact but at the same time, he would be with her and he wasn't going to let anything hurt her, besides how exactly was he supposed to argue with her, hearing the tinge of desperation in her voice. “I bet,” Sumayl murmured as he took a few steps back, realizing that his body was probably barring her exit.

Sumayl watched as Vienna stepped out into the light, and took in the extent of her injuries. She looked ...a little worse for wear but he had expected it. She had been attacked and, probably, lucky to be alive. Even thin and torn up as she was, she was still beautiful, in a battle scarred badass warrior woman way. The Ostrega's gaze softened measurably as he stared at her in a manner that an artist might look at his own masterpiece — with admiration with a little bit of awe. “I'm sorry I haven't been around much,” He took the time to hunt for her, and payed her short visits but it was the looming knowledge that Jace was hanging around Vienna too much, especially since he'd stepped down from leadership. Sumayl was actively avoiding her brother and made no attempts to hide it; not because he was afraid of Jace but because he did not want to worsen Vienna's recovery by fighting with Jace, and Sumayl was no fool. There was little doubt that if they ran into one another again there would be another verbal fight and there was no telling when a verbal fight would break out into a physical one. He didn't want Vienna to have to witness it. It was for her sake that Sumayl avoided Jace like the plague and no one else's.

The more time Jace spent with Vienna meant the less time Sumayl did, though he wasn't going to let Jace bully him away from Vienna because Sumayl was trying to be considerate for her sake. Jace would just have to deal with it. “Come on, we should go before your brother drops by,” Sumayl gave her a impish little grin, leaning close to off her cheek a gentle nudge, though there was a part of Sumayl that was afraid to touch her — afraid that he might hurt her. Sneaking out was something Sumayl had gotten very skillful at as a “teenager” and it made him almost giddy to know that likely Jace would be pissed that Vienna left her sick bed and that Sumayl encouraged it. Sumayl didn't know for sure, of course, but he got a kick out of imagining that he was spiting the other male by giving Vienna what she wanted.

“Don't worry,” The Ostrega purrled softly. “I'll keep you safe and walk you home when you're ready to go back.” At this point, Sumayl was just glad for the chance to spend time with her.

Despite the fact that she could plainly hear teasing in his tone, her mouth opened, another I'm sorry on the tip of her tongue. She bit it back instead with a small, shaky laugh. She just hated it when she was like this and her assumption was that others too felt the same. Her normal bubbly optimism wasn't a face she put on or an act she felt she had to keep up... It was who she was. And to be so frightened and upset... It felt wrong. So she felt the need to apologize, even if she knew it was unnecessary. It made her feel a bit better.

He didn't argue, and she could've kissed him for that (haha). She had half been expecting it and wasn't opposed to using her pleading face for all it was worth. Seemed Sumayl really was up for anything though, even escorting her busted butt for a little while. She had been willing to go with or without him, but with was the preferred option here. Not only did she want the protection, but she wasn't sure she could make it out there and back alone without something happening. Thus, when she got outside, she moved to stand close by him, wanting his stability in case she missed a step. Falling flat on her face wasn't really on her agenda for the evening.

The instant the breeze hit her she felt 100000x better, and some of the tension left. Despite being oblivious to Sumayl's admiration, she briefly stopped worrying about any of it, how she looked or how she felt. She had left the den these past days, of course, but always to return right away. This breeze promised freedom for a while and she had never felt anything quite so great.

She hadn't thought of Jace, but when he mentioned her brother, she had the decency to feel a tad guilty, though it was quickly dismissed. If he came and found her gone he may worry, but she would deal with that when it came. She was the older (barely) and tonight she just couldn't care too much when it compared to the draw of getting away for a time. She also dismissed his apology with a gentle shake of her head. With her healing she had thankfully gained some movement back in her neck though at times it still stung.

"You've done more than enough," she said. If she had her way she'd selfishly keep him but others needed him as well. He was already likely wasting more time than he should with how often he brought her food and came by. "One of these days you two are going to sit down and talk," she said, guessing both the reason he had been around a bit less frequently and the reason he wished to leave quickly now. With her there, injured or no. She wasn't so hurt she couldn't handle the two of them, and hopefully her presence would keep the two from going at each other's throats. Literally and figuratively.

At his promise to keep her safe she pressed her forehead against his shoulder for a moment, a silent thank you, before she began to walk towards one of her favorite stargazing spots. It wasn't far so they got there relatively quickly, even with her slow pace. Once there she sat down, tipping her head back and looking at the sky a few seconds before closing her eyes and sighing. Already the dream was fading from reality. "This is so much better, thank you."

He didn't want her apologizes, especially when she'd done nothing wrong to apologize for and Sumayl offered her a sheepish expression when she let out a shaky laugh, wondering for a second if he might have offended her with his words. It would not have came as much of a surprise to the golden Ostrega — whom regularly offended people on a daily basis and normally couldn't be bothered to care. Except with Vienna he did care. As messed up and confusing and jumbled and jittery as it made him feel. At his own apology, ironically, she shook her head as if she did not accept it causing Sumayl to frown slightly, though she was quick to assure him that he'd done more than enough. While it might have been enough for her it didn't feel like enough to him. He'd been avoiding her because he was avoiding Jace and that felt wrong, even if Sumayl told himself that it was for a good cause. “I'm sure I could think of more things I could do for you,” Sumayl spoke with a mischievous flippant manner, though he was being quite serious. If he thought he could handle being face to face with Jace again without wanting to instigate things he would have came around more than he had, however, Sumayl knew his limits and did not inspire to test them.

Sumayl let out a soft, mirthless laugh when Vienna spoke in a manner that Sumayl took to be firmly, that one day he and her brother were going to sit down and talk. “We tried that once and it ended in an ugly, verbal fight,” Sumayl did not think that he and Jace would ever get along. “I keep thinking it would probably be easier if I was afraid of him but I'm not. I'm not afraid of him or what he could do to me and I think that's a lot of the problem.” Jace didn't threaten Sumayl, and Sumayl was too damn confrontational to bother backing down. He wasn't afraid of much, though fire was definitely his top fear but that was what he could see to be understandable, but seeing as how Jace couldn't shoot fire beams out of his eyes or mouth, or anywhere else on his body there was no warrant to fear. “He doesn't intimidate me...and I'm too damn confrontational for my own good.” Not that Sumayl was placing all the blame on Jace because he wasn't; Sumayl was shouldering most of the blame, though not all of it. He wasn't a martyr and could not make himself out to be one.

Sumayl smiled softly when he felt Vienna's forehead press against his shoulder, and when she pulled away he dithered for a moment before walking behind her, stopping when she did, settling upon his haunches beside her, tilting his own head back and gazing up at the stars, dotted by the billions across the velvet night. He had heard that some wolves could read them, a talent that Sumayl himself did not possess. To him they were just pinpoints of lights breaking through the night sky, but even he, in all his cynicism could enjoy the idea and the moment with her.

“You're welcome,” Sumayl murmured to her when she thanked him, an impish grin tugging at the edges of his lips. “And hey, anytime you wanna sneak out, you know who to call.” Sumayl was down for anything though, as long as it involved spending quality time with her. Sumayl fell silent for a few moments, contented with scanning the starlit sky though he did not see particular shapes or anything else like that. His inability to make sense of constellations did not demoralize the moment, though. For a moment the golden Ostrega was reminded of their trip to Wheeling Gull Isle, and glimpsed down from the sky to her, taking her in for a moment with softened golden eyes. “This is something you would classify as romantic right?” Though bravery was not something that Sumayl lacked (even the kind that was often mistaken for stupidity), he was spurred by reinforced boldness and the moment and his own harbored feelings for the woman by his side, spoke without really giving her a chance to respond to his first question, “What would you say to calling this a ...date?” The moment felt right to him, but perhaps it wasn't right for her, or perhaps his feelings were not returned. Either way, it was a leap he was willing to take regardless of the consequences. After all, Sumayl wasn't the type to let chances pass him by, even if he knew it might not work out how he necessarily wished it too.

“Don't be afraid to tell me no, if you don't feel the same way or I picked the worst possible time to ask you out or whatever.” Clicking his teeth together as he closed his mouth, Sumayl found that he was actually nervous and in that nervousness was borne the urge to ramble.

edit: i don't generally bold on mobile but I figured it would help since we write such long posts :D

His flippant remark amused her, and for a moment her voice regained a mischievous note. "Is that an open offer?" She could take advantage of that one of these days, though she knew she wouldn't seriously. She had no intentions of being handed favors any longer than necessary, and hopefully soon she'd once again be strong enough to do more for herself.

His next words thrilled her less, but she'd been expecting them. Him fearing her brother was not want she wanted, and she was sure it wasn't what Jace wanted either. Sumayl just couldn't see in her brother what Vienna did, and likewise Jace did not. She didn't doubt both were simply too stubborn and too set in the negativity of their first impression. She did not want to argue with him, not after he'd done so much and was there for her tonight. But she wasn't going to lie and say their lack of regard for one another didn't bother her. It did so even more than she let on, especially since her fondness for her packmate was growing more steadily.

So for now, she let that subject drop, though it was far from being forgotten.

"My own personal rebel." She said with a glance out the corner of her eye. She knew that was an offer he was definitely going to be making good on soon. She would go back to her den once this night was done, but the lightness that had settled on her now, out in the fresh air, was not something she was going to leave behind easily. Vienna knew she might be stretching what he was willing to put into their friendship, but she would take that risk if it meant not going crazy inside any longer. And seeing him.

Or perhaps not. She'd been about to laugh off his comment when he continued, the next part making it very clear that he was in no way joking. She listened somewhat incredulously, ears tilting back self-consciously and thoughts racing. Romantic? This? Perhaps. He was the picture of dashing suitor, beautiful as always. But she couldn't feel less like a desired partner and had a hard time believing he was speaking any sort of sense. "If this is a date, I'm not really up to typical standards", she said with a small laugh, but there was a note of regret in it also.

Her blood was racing, and though never one to analyze, she knew what she was feeling. She'd known it for a while, even if it hadn't sunk in immediately. She was more than a little interested, and to hear he was as well (even now) made her throat close with happiness. She took a good look at him, likely drawing out his own nerves, and it was his slightly on edge manner that really showed her he was sincere. He was normally so confident, but the click of his teeth and the offer of her own refusal stated otherwise in this instance. He still had that bearing though, the one that had made her first take notice. The very same one that led to his issues with Jace, but that she couldn't get enough of.

"I would really like that though," she said, meeting his eyes, but with no trace of challenge. "Really like that." If he was willing, she'd be a fool to say no. "Is this what you say to all the girls you bust out of rehab?" She added, unable to contain her happiness, and knowing that even if the terrain they stood on had just shifted, they still had the same friendship beneath.

Sumayl could not help the devilish way in which his lips curled at the corners when she called him her personal rebel, and even if he could have helped it he would not have. Vienna had hit that bull's-eye perfectly. When Sumayl had first arrived in The Sunspire he hadn't, for once in his life, had his priorities focused upon the fairer sex. At the time, there have been more important things aligned for him thab his next conquest, though he had teased about the idea openly. Is playboy reputation had not followed him into the Teekon Wilds, though he had never made to hide it, regardless. Even so, he certainly hadn't the intentions of wanting a relationship, let alone one that inspired him to nurture and bury the Playboy it within him in a six foot ditch. Sumayl had shied away from committal relationships before, as if the words 'serious' and 'settling down' were the literal plague to him. It hadn't fit his flighty style when it came to women. Looking back upon it as he did currently, briefly lost in his own thoughts, he'd been the kind of man to "love them and leave them."

This... There was nothing about his feelings for Vienna that were the same. There was nothing about this ...whatever it was they had going on, that was the same. It was unfamiliar territory to Sumayl the fact that he had no desire to 'love her and leave her'. It was almost frightening to the golden Ostrega we Considering there might actually be something real there. The potential is definitely there, he felt, and he was willing to explore it to its fullest — so long as Vienna was too. For moment Sumayl toyed with the idea of inquiring as to who standard she was speaking of because as far as Sumayl was concerned she exceeded all of his but then decided upon, "If it's my standards are speaking of you exceed all of them," he paused, drawing his salmon pink tongue across his nose and a quick swipe. "You look beautiful." murmured sincerely to her. He wasn't deterred by her injuries, or the fact that she might very well have scars what it was all said and done with. He was shallow and narcissistic but only when it came to his own appearance. Those traits, deterring as they were, did not transcend from himself.

Her gaze met his and Sumayl observed, absorbing this moment, wishing to commit it to his memory in the chance that she did not want or feel the same thing. Golden irises one significantly, velveteen ears cupping forth to hear her words when she admitted that she like to call this a date. "Good," The Ostrega purred with a smile that was sincere but had the ghost of his cheeky persona. He didn't dare let on that he had been nervous it was more than likely that Vienna had already put the puzzle pieces together. It was a rare occurrence that Sumayl Ostrega was nervous on the front of women, only reconfirming that this definitely have the potential but none of his other relationships (if that was what they could be called) had. "Eh?" Sumayl inquired her question, grinning mischievously from ear to ear it was not just from the playful switch of conversation. "Didn't you know a date with me will you anything? It's my perfection, it has magical powers." Narcassistic to his core Sumayl was and it came out full force and his teasing with her.

Sumayl's gays lifted the stars once more, sweeping across their littering of lights in the velvet darkness above them, inhaling deeply and letting it out, content. All joking has to side he focused his attention back up on her. "So I guess make us a couple now," Though he was seeking more of a confirmation as opposed to an actual answer since, technically, he'd already been given one when she agreed to call this renegade break out a date.

She hadn't really been considering how he would see her, for it was her own strange and sudden insecurity she'd voiced aloud. Not normally one to be vain in appearance (a good thing, for after this she'd surely have scars to add to the sizeable one already present on her shoulder), she wasn't used to this. But her emotional ties to others had been few in her young life, her worries few and most of her acquaintances fleeting. Her home pack and the Sunspire were the only two packs she had ever belonged to and, as a result, were the only places she had settled long enough to call them home. Finding a mate? Raising pups? Both were still as far from her mind as could be, neither a goal nor a desire. Some her age would be looking to settle down, but there was still too much world to see for Vienna to want such things. Would she ever? She didn't know.

But she knew one thing... she wanted Sumayl. And apparently, he too wanted her. Not in that sense (not yet, shh dirty minds) but his companionship had been irreplacable ever since she ran him over upon their first meeting. The idea of him choosing another, or even worse, leaving the pack was utterly unthinkable to Vienna. She wasn't sure when her feelings had changed, only that it was true. Perhaps it was on the island, or perhaps the mountain trip, or even the weeks after. Did it matter? Not really.

His matter of fact "Good" brought with it a touch of amusement on her part. He'd always been the less whimsical of them, more of a steady (albeit concieted) soul to her flighty enthusiasm. Not that she minded... she didn't think her body could handle the sort of exuberant response she would have given had the tables been turned.

He'd certainly magicked away the fears of the night, and honestly his words were completely true in that regard. It was the perfect way he'd handled it, asking no questions and simply being there. Maybe it was narcissistic teasing on his part, but to her, at that moment, he was perfect and the night held more than a little magic.

"I guess so." The thought of herself in a steady relationship was one that was more than a little strange. Unlike him, she was no heartbreaker. It wasn't odd because males were normally her focus, but because of her complete lack of focus. Sure, she'd had some fun with flirting (a certain hunt with a silver plateau wolf came to mind) but never taken it seriously. Until now that is.

"If that's what you want," she amended, smiling. Was he one of those who balked at putting labels to anything? She wouldn't mind, but she preferred to call it what it was. Much less confusion. If they were to term themselves a couple, she wondered how her brother would feel about it. He'd deal with it, she was a big girl and he had no claim over who she could choose to be with. She hoped he wouldn't give Sumayl too rough a time for it, though. Such a thing would only harm what she was trying to build.

"I hope it doesn't bother you this is my first time with the whole dating thing, so fair warning, I may be terrible. Good thing you're so perfect, perhaps we'll even out." She was clearly giving him a little crap, but it was a true admission as well. She wasn't fussed about it, though. Her lack of experience should hardly change the way either of them felt, and did it need to be difficult? She didn't ask him if she was his first experience, though the answer would hardly bother her. She just didn't want to bring that past up now if he didn't wish to disclose. Vienna wasn't the type to let ghosts of the past drive her to jealously. She trusted Sumayl, naive as that might be, and once her trust was earned it remained strong until proven broken beyond doubt.

Thinking of himself in a serious relationship was unorthodox to Sumayl himself, but he was past the point of marveling over the odd. It was what he wanted, and he had a hard time of looking at other women in any sort of attractive manner when Vienna kept appearing in his thoughts. He saw other females, surely, but not in the way he once had because whatever shine they had to them dimmed greatly in comparison to Vienna for Sumayl. “It's not just all about me here,” Sumayl corrected her, unable to help the ironic smirk that tugged at his lips. “Never thought I would be saying that,” He chuckled softly before he became serious once more and continued with, “It has to be what you want too.” Despite that Sumayl thought that a lot things were about him he understood that a relationship was a partnership and he did not want it to be all about him. There was no fun in that. Vienna needed her wants catered too as well here.

“No, it doesn't bother me,” If anything Sumayl found it to be cute. Suffice to say the golden Ostrega could not claim that she was his first “real” girlfriend because she wasn't. If a childhood fling could be considered real on any level. There had been a girl as a boy that Sumayl had considered his “girlfriend” only to find out given the fickle nature of most children that she had cheated on him with one another boy. It had crushed the at the time young Ostrega's heart which glimpsing back to it might have been the reason he strove to be a playboy and heartbreaker with no intention — until quite recently and solely because of Vienna — of stopping. “I believe we even each other out in everything,” He murmured and added, slyly, “because two perfect people are bound to be an untouchable match.”

Vienna stopped to consider it, cocking her head slightly. "What, it wasn't obvious? Of course that's what I want!" Ok, so maybe it had been less than obvious, but if she hadn't wanted this she would have said so. Vienna wasn't in the practice of agreeing with things she did not wish to, not even to spare feelings. True, she hated conflict, but she knew when to tell it like it was, and affairs such as these were never something to take lightly. Doing so could lead to so much worse hurt down the road.

It was all she'd wanted for a while now, she just hadn't known it then.

She hadn't figured it would, but it was good to have it out there anyway. Now she could pass any mistakes she might make as inexperience, she thought, laughing inwardly at the prospect. There were bound to be things. Like the whole 'more than friendship' thing... sure, she knew what it felt like. Heck, she could see clear as day that she felt a whole different spectrum for Sumayl than, say, Summer. But showing that to him? Yeah, that was less clear.

But he knew her, and she had little doubts he had also realized that sitting and sharing weren't really her fortes. Shifting, she let herself lean on him, pretty much invading his space to snuggle her face up against his neck. There were ways other than talking she could express it, and besides, it was darn cold out here. Not freezing, per say, but enough to make his warmth a most welcome thing to cuddle with.

"You don't say? If I ever meet one I'll have to double check." There was a laugh behind her tone, but satisfaction too.
Funny that a night that couldn't have started worse would have gone this way.