Hold Me While You Wait

She wandered a bit of ways from the border in search of food. Her nose to the ground as she did so. However, as she wandered, her mind did as well. Every now and then, she would think of the mysterious stranger she had met a few days earlier, @Apsephion. She shook her head and sighed slightly, trying to pull her attention back to her hunt. She needed her full attention, she couldn't hunt alone and not be paying attention. 

She narrowed her eyes slightly as she started at the doe, waiting for the perfect time to strike. She needed to be careful, not wanting to harm her pregnancy. But at the same time, with how the world messed up and her pack thinned so quickly, there wasn't many that could hunt for the pack.

the staff team luvs u

He'd wandered the area, though not trekking too far from the frozen mountain. There was something keeping him here. A magnetized pull, preventing him from leaving. But even still, he relented, circling the peak in the hopes of finding a new distraction.

But instead of finding something new, he found something familiar instead. A small white streak, dashing across a field. He couldn't have been sure yet that it was the same wolf he'd assumed—but how could he know if not to investigate.

Kicking up a spray of snow, Apsephion broke into a run, soon coming up on the heal of pursued creature. This would have to be taken care of first. And so, even against his typical nature, he intended to help kill it.

Focus taken away from the other wolf, he lunged for the doe, teeth snapping near the neck. If only he could get a firm enough grasp, he could use his weight to partially bring it to the ground. But both would have to play their parts to be successful.
the staff team luvs u

She stalked it for a few more moment before she rushed forward, only to see a blur of black run past her and tackle the doe she was stalking. At first, she was extremely annoyed, until the familiar scent hit her nose. She watched him use his body to pin the struggling creature to the ground and she almost chuckled. But now wasn't the time for that. She rushed forward (more like waddled at a brisk pace) she moved to slip in beside him, teeth grasping at its neck and biting down. 

She placed on of her paws on the doe's head to keep it still as it finally fell limp. She pulled away and turned to look up at him, standing directly in front of him if he didn't pull away after. "So much for a one time thing, huh?" She teased him lightly, a small smile on her face. She was happy to see him again, and that was clear by the flick of her tail.

the staff team luvs u

The hunt didn't last long, for the doe went down without much of a fight.

And as it would soon be released, his hunting partner had in fact been the woman from the days prior. Her sweet tone and round belly gave her away.

Blood dripping from his muzzle, Apsephion took a step away from the now limp body. His tongue took a few swipes at the stain before he turned towards the snow white female. Far below him, though, he was forced to crane his neck more than he would have liked.

“How could I turn my head from a damsel in distress?” A tease tossed right back, but encased by an unwanted, hard tone.

He could see her body language clearly. She had wanted him here again. And while he didn't quite know how to feel about that, he couldn't force himself to pull away. Instead he found himself drawing closer, nose flicking away a tuft of the does fur that had ended up stuck to her muzzle.

But when it was gone, Apsephion didn't pull away immediately. He lingered there, eyes focused on hers in a curious, questioning manner. His breath was hot, fuming. He was a statue, locked in place; unmoving. It was as though he searched for something in her gaze, but when he presumably couldn't find it, he caught himself and slowly pulled away.
the staff team luvs u

These two are way too adorable

---

She chuckled softly at his words, watching him closely. "And who said I was a damsel?" She teased back, her voice soft and kind, a direct contrast to his hard, rough voice. But for some reason, his tone didn't push her away, instead it pulled her closer like an invisible tether. She gasped softly as he moved closer to push away a tuft of the doe's fur on her nose. Surprisingly he didn't pull away, and she glanced up at him with bright blue eyes. 

Before he pulled away completely, she would attempt to reach over and gently lick off a small portion of blood that had made it onto his cheek. She as well would linger a bit before clearing her throat softly and pulling away, looking down at the ground in a bit of embarrassment, her face turning a bit hot.

the staff team luvs u

Before he had successfully freed himself from his trap, he felt a touch of warmth against his cheek. Unknowing and instinctive, his lips flared, teeth clenching. But as soon he realized, he shut himself up, yanking his muzzle away.

“Aren't you?” He answered, speaking with cold sincerity. Isn't that what a man was supposed to call a woman? Hell if he knew. Maybe he'd offended her. But now he had completely fumbled, losing this genuine moment and his own, unsoured attitude.

He took a step away, sitting tall, with a firm gaze upon her with his brows furrowed. How to go about this now, eh? He hadn't the slightest clue.
the staff team luvs u

She saw his reaction and raised an eyebrow, but her calm expression never changed. She was curious as to his thoughts but she knew he wouldn't say them. "I'm sorry if I overstepped." She bowed her head slightly in apology, once again going back to apologizing to him. 

She stood up and shook out her fur, stretching her body out as she did so, relaxing her muscles after the short hunt. "Don't most damsels in distress require a knight in shining armor?" She glanced up at him, curious to see if he would continue to be flustered or if he would pull himself together. She certainly wasn't helping, but she couldn't help it. He was kind of adorable when he was flustered.

the staff team luvs u

She apologized again. Hearing the words made his ears flatten, nose wrinkling. “No—... it's fine...” He couldn't be mad, given he'd practically crossed the same boundary as her.

Standing, he circled around her slowly, ending his path by the flank of the dead doe. Prodding it with a paw, he snorted half heartedly. “Am I not a knight? I saved you from this beastly doe. One more attack, and it may have squashed you.” A jest, clearly. It may not have done such a thing, but what fun was it to be so serious in a time like this?
the staff team luvs u

She glanced up at him, realizing that he seemed to always wrinkle his nose at her apologies. "You don't like other apologizing to you?" She asked, curious to know if he was like this to everyone he met. 

Her eyes never left him as he walked around her to the flank of the doe and she chuckled softly at his words, slightly rolling her eyes. "My hero." She teased before cocking her head to the side slightly, one ear flicking down a little as she did so. 

"Do you plan on making a habit out of this?" She asked in a bit of a tease, but she was also genuenly curious. This was the second time he had helped her without her asking after all.

the staff team luvs u

The truth of it, she realized. He didn't like apologies. Mostly because they meant nothing. But he wouldn't be so harsh as to present this reasoning to her.

Thankfully enough, she didn't ask for a reason. So he wouldn't give it. “No.” He breathed, tail flicking behind him.

Away from the doe, he returned to her, sitting a few tail lengths away. Just in time to hear her ask, "Do you plan on making a habit out of this?" But then he wondered, was it really up to him? He could swoop in whenever he wanted, bit that didn't mean she would accept him each of those times.

So, in the end, it begged the question. “Do you want me to?” All she had to do was say no, and he would walk away. Granted, the magnetic pull he felt might try to stop him. But at least with her confirmation, he would know that there was no secret of her disliking of him.
the staff team luvs u

She glanced down at the ground, thinking for a moment at his question. Did she really want him to stick out? The instant answer that came from deep inside was yes, not hesitation. But she had to think logically about this. If they continued to see each other like this, it could easily turn into something more and she wasn't sure if she was ready for that. Finally though, she would nod and flick her eyes back up to meet his. "I think I do." She said softly, her voice calm and sweet. 

She stayed seated where she was, curling her tail around herself. He had her full attention, now the ball was in his court.

the staff team luvs u

"I think I do."

Not an answer he expected, but one he had slightly hoped for.

Offering an affirmative nod, he stood, almlst in preparation to leave. But he would not yet do so. “Then let me know when you next decide to take a hunt on by yourself,” He huffed, tone a bit scornful.

In reality, she should have known better. But she was no child, and he was no father here to tell her better. She would have to learn that on her own, taking his hint as an example.
the staff team luvs u

Her heart pounded slightly as she watched him, hearing his words. She rolled her eyes slightly before nodding. "I'll be sure to come find you." She saw him about to leave and stood up, probably a bit quicker than she should have. "Wait, at least stay for dinner." She gestured with her nose to the doe beside them. "You helped kill it after all, might as well get something out of it."

the staff team luvs u

Before given the chance to walk away, she stopped him.

But he did not turn to face her, tipping his chin slightly to the side to hear her. Stay. She said. But stay he would not.

“You have a pack to feed.” Apsephion answered simply, refusing the request. He would find his dinner elsewhere, rather peck away at a meal meant for more bellies than his own.

Now he would not wait, lumbering off until he was hidden from view by the distance.
the staff team luvs u

She sighed slightly as he walked away, shaking her head slightly. She wanted to call after him, but he seemed extremely stubborn and she knew he wasn't going to come back. And so, she watched him walk away, a hint of a smile on her lips. 

She turned towards the doe and began to gently drag it back home, heading to the mountains. This time she wasn't nearly as far away and could easily take the meal back to the borders.

the staff team luvs u