PSL for Renart

[advanced]

Comments

[aigue]

[This is cute. She so rarely sees him see enthusiastic that this is a treat.]

Is that right? Maybe you should show me a few moves sometime. I've never learned to box.

[advanced]

[It's easier to talk about his past with her than most anyone else. She gets why there might be holes in his recollections and she doesn't pry overly much, it makes it so he can relax enough to say these things without overthinking it.]

I can try, but I'm not sure how much I remember myself. I think it's been about eighty years since I last boxed.

[aigue]

[That gets her laughing.]

Well, eighty years is understandable. But maybe getting back into it will jog your memory. Like riding a bike!

[It also might be something he still finds fun, after all these years. She doesn't want him missing out on something from his past that he still might be able to enjoy.]

[advanced]

[His smile gets a bit wider when she laughs. This is good, this is what he wanted when he offered for them to come out here together, for her to find a bit of peace from the pain of missing Monty.]

Bikes suck.

[Just putting that out there.]

But sure, I'll teach you anything I can think of. You want to do it now before we sleep, or in the morning?

[aigue]

[Her tail wiggles happily. She's feeling a lot better - and not simply because she feels like she's distracted him away from talking about Monty.]

How about in the morning? It's starting to get late, and up on top of the mountain there's a fighting ring that creates moving snowmen. It would be the perfect place to practice.

[advanced]

Moving snowmen. Sure. That sounds like something totally normal.

[He snorts wryly, but he's not against it. If she's used it before then it's probably safe, even if it does sound weird.]

You gonna be warm enough sleeping out here?

[aigue]

[She smiles lightly. Yeah, the snowmen are weird.]

I have my tail. What, did you bring a tent?

[advanced]

No, I don't have a tent.

[Because that's a sensible decision for someone who lives outside as often as he does.]

I brought my sleeping bag and a tarp, but you can--

[Wait. No. He catches himself just before offering to share in case she gets too cold, even he isn't dense enough to not know how that would be taken.]

[aigue]

[Oh, Bucky. He isn't quite fast enough to stop that thought before she catches on, and she looks at him curiously.]

I can what?

[advanced]

You can, uh, take the sleeping bag if you get too cold. I can make do with the tarp.

[That's definitely what he was going to say, nothing to see here.]

[aigue]

[She raises an eyebrow.]

And let you freeze?

[advanced]

[A dull flush is staining his cheeks now, which makes this all the worse. He's backed himself into a corner here.]

I'd be okay, I've slept in worse. Besides, I'm meant to just let you freeze?

[aigue]

Well, I have a tail. You don't.

[She'll gesture at her tail.]

So I've got one up on you.

[advanced]

Your tail can't cover your whole body.

[Stop pushing him further into a corner with this.]

I just-- Fine, I was gonna suggest we share.

[aigue]

I like the idea.

[Of course she does.]

I can even promise I'll keep my hands to myself.

[advanced]

[He very nearly says that it's not her hands that he's worried about, but he clamps his teeth shut around the comment just in time. Him and his stupid big mouth.]

It's for keeping warm, Renart.

[Just making sure that's out there. Firmly. It's just a shame that his firm look of control is spoiled a bit by slightly flushed cheeks.]

We should dig a hollow in the snow too, to keep the wind off.

[aigue]

Of course, of course.

[Warmth only. She can be good, she can exercise some self control for once.]

Dig? I can dig, easy. Foxes are very good at it.

[She grins and hops to her feet.]

What spot looks good?

[advanced]

[It's kind of adorable to see her perk up so quickly, but he squashes that thought down ruthlessly.

Maybe not ruthlessly enough, because he does have a tiny smile at his lips as he shrugs.]

Hey, you're apparently the digging expert, you choose.

[aigue]

Alright, but no complaining if you don't like the spot.

[She gets to her feet and proceeds to trot around, kicking at the snow and dirt a little. Eventually she comes to a stop under a relatively clear tree.]

How about here?

[advanced]

[She looks so much more like the animal she naturally is while she's doing this, even if she's still in human form.

He doesn't bother inspecting the area she's chosen, he has faith that it will be a good one. She's every bit as experienced with survivalist skills as he is, more so in a lot of areas, there's no need to second guess that.]

I told you that it was your choice, I ain't getting involved. Then if it sucks, it's not on me.

[aigue]

Goodness, you're strict.

[She kicks a bit at the snow there, looking down at it studiously. It looks good enough to her, so she crouches down and starts digging.]

I think it's perfect, then.

[advanced]

[It's kind of weird to watch her dig in human form, there's something so animalistic about it even using hands instead of paws.]

Doesn't it hurt your fingers to dig like that?

[aigue]

[It doesn't bother her, the habit of enjoying digging stuck around with her after becoming a Fairy Tale.]

Not really. I'm tough.

[Her poor nails will be in horrendous shape, but she's at least digging quickly, so it isn't long before she's created a nice, deep divot for the sleeping bag.]

[advanced]

[She does it faster than he'd be capable of, even if he used a spade or trowel. It's pretty impressive, he can't deny it.]

Really? Pretty sure I'd have noticed that by now.

[Said in a total deadpan.]

[aigue]

Oh? If you don't think I'm tough why are you letting me do all the work?

[Not that she minds. She stands back up, hands on her hips, looking over her work.]