Secluded Spring the gold and the rust

Hazey woke early in the morning feeling like she wanted to jump out of her own skin. It felt like a gift when the first beats of rain began, growing steadily to a downpour that soaked into her coat. She was uncomfortable, but the discomfort would pass eventually. That much she knew. And the cold was offering some relief.

She snuck off, leaving Ryder to his own devices as she searched for something to eat, something to distract her until it was time to start moving. Once they were walking everything would be okay. Surely.

The spring was a mess of ripples and splashes, none of which would help her catch any fish, but perhaps a swim might be in order? That seemed distracting enough and the rain was already soaking through her coat, so Ryder might not even question it.. And maybe the chill would knock the itch right out of her. She tested the waters, dipping one paw below the surface.

SO WASH YOUR PAWS, ALLEY CAT

Ryder couldn't be sure exactly, but it felt like it had been almost a month since he'd met Hazelnut. One month, and she wasn't sick of him yet, and he'd not gotten annoyed with her either, even once. That was significant for someone who'd had as few friends as he'd had, and that was exactly why he was doing his best to brush it off. At some point, the shine would wear off. It always did.

When Haze went her own way for the morning, Ryder went for a run. It was still a habit of his, one he'd mostly maintained ever since he was small and his home had been the sweeping shores of Turtleback Lake. The rain did not deter him as it began, falling in heavy sheets. It soaked down through his fur and rested against his skin, but as long as he was in motion, he didn't care.

His path ended with the spring, and he thought it lucky that Hazelnut was already at its bank. His tail picked up to wag in welcome, head canting slightly to the side.

"Not wet enough already?" he teased lightly through a toothy smile.

ONCE YOU'RE DEAD YOU CAN NEVER COME BACK

She nearly jumped at his approach, having been so consumed in the water and her potential swimming endeavor, but when she tilted her head toward him an easy smile fell upon her lips. "Thought maybe I could spite the rain this way." One up it or something like that. Not that the rain was sentient or would care even if it it were. She gave a shake, droplets flying every which way, before adding, "It's a little colder than I thought, though." Hazelnut pulled her paw from the water, giving it a useless flick before placing it on land once more. "Would have found a den or something if I knew it was going to be this bad. No point now, I guess."

SO WASH YOUR PAWS, ALLEY CAT

Ryder stopped a few strides short as he listened to her, a chuckle waterfalling from his mouth before a mischievous sheen crossed over his pale eyes. He closed his eyes and shook himself out with all his might, sending sweeps of water every which way, including Hazel's direction. The motion had caused his fur to stand in disjointed arrays of clumped spikes. The unrelenting rain promptly began its work pounding his coat back into flat submission, but for now, he remained dishevele and perfectly pleased with the fact.

"True," as if his antics didn't already speak for themselves there, "but I'm sure we can track down something if you wanted."

Ryder didn't mind any kind of breaks along the road, still far from rushed to get back to the Falls. Especially when he wasn't so sure what that would mean for his friendship with Hazelnut. It felt better to see this through first, and when it inevitably broke off, he'd know it was time to go home. If there were enough distractions between here and there.

ONCE YOU'RE DEAD YOU CAN NEVER COME BACK

She felt heat creeping up her cheeks as Ryder closed the distance, but that feeling, whatever it was, was quickly abated as a smattering of water pelted her square in the face. Hazelnut lifted a paw to her muzzle, making a show of wiping the water off, though the rain made it a pointless endeavor. "I'll remember that." Her playful gaze landed on him, his fur sticking out every which way, causing a fit of giggles to bubble up.

Once the giggles had abated and she was able to collect herself, Hazelnut shook her head. "No. I think it's best we get moving." Best because he was rather close, and she was starting to notice things about him, like the way his fur clung to his skin, and the grey of his eyes like the beginnings of a storm. She gave another shake, hoping that some of the droplets might plaster him and that the motion might somehow shake the thoughts from her mind.

SO WASH YOUR PAWS, ALLEY CAT

Ryder didn't doubt it, and his lopsided smirk told her as much. His prize was in the bubbling laughter that spilled from her like a stream, his chest warming at the sound. One month, and she still found him amusing.

No rest for the wicked, then. He didn't mind it at all, readily taking up position at her side. It was then, with far less water and motion between them, that Hazelnut's scent was able to reach him. Different in a way that made his nose tickle, butterflies moving through his body until he realized exactly what that difference was.

Oh.

He knew exactly what that meant. His mother had spared no details the previous spring, and a rogue group of yearlings hadn't been the most couth company to keep over the winter. Suddenly he was looking everywhere but in Haze's direction. Should he back off and give her space, or would that make things weirder? Ryder tried to follow her lead.

ONCE YOU'RE DEAD YOU CAN NEVER COME BACK

She appreciated the ease with which she was able to exist alongside him. Ryder didn't balk at her sarcasm or blunt observations. He didn't seem particularly sensitive, or if he was, he must have understood her sense of humor. It was nice not having to worry over what he was thinking, what he wasn't saying. Hazey felt surprisingly comfortable in his company, even though they hadn't known each other long.

Ryder came to a halt by her side, bringing with him a wave of tension and.. longing? It was a feeling the woman hadnt been expecting, hadn't planned for. Her chartreuse gaze swept over his form. He wasn't looking at her. A frown etched itself across her maw. Why did she want him to look at her?

Hazelnut stepped forward, moving toward him in an effort to drag her side along his chest, tail sweeping under his chin before setting off.

Heat fluttered beneath her skin, warming the woman's cheeks in spite of the rain. Why had she done that?

SO WASH YOUR PAWS, ALLEY CAT

Hazel crossed in front of him unexpectedly, her touch incendiary. At the other side of his chest, his heart hammered, and his stomach dipped with new feelings. Without thinking he nipped at her flank, light and playfully even while instinct bid him to do much more to keep her attention.

It was all the easier to let go of thought and simply enjoy her company when it made his head swim so, and she continued to welcome him still. A year ago, he'd been scoffing at those claims of just how easy it could be to get swept away in a woman's wiles. Now he found himself shrugging off the warning in a different way. This didn't seem so bad, and it wasn't like play alone was what resulted in anything permanent.

He stuck right by her side, pushing the length of himself against her and growling low, bidding her to roughhouse.

ONCE YOU'RE DEAD YOU CAN NEVER COME BACK

A wave of butterflies swirled around Hazey's stomach as she sidestepped away from Ryder's nip. She hadn't expected any kind of reaction, but now that he'd had one, the woman was unable to stop herself from seeking another.

He pressed himself into her, igniting something new, something different, though Hazelnut couldn't place it. His growl seemed to echo through her, kindling that feeling in such a way that it burned brighter, hotter. Mischief fueled her features, her steps as she tilted her head toward him. Not even the rain could abate the heat she felt as she nipped his cheek, a playful growl echoing up from her chest.

SO WASH YOUR PAWS, ALLEY CAT

Hazey seemed down, and Ryder practically wriggled with amusement. All fun and games, just enjoying being close. Until it got down to being too close and his mind would short circuit, the arrogance of thinking he had better self control falling away into an (in)appropriate haze.

Just as he'd been warned against, Ryder would go too far down the rabbit hole with Hazelnut, potentially changing the course of his life forever.

/kissy fade

ONCE YOU'RE DEAD YOU CAN NEVER COME BACK