He awoke to the absence of Laurel’s warmth besides him. Stretching his tired muscles, he released a wide yawn before finally getting up and following where she had gone without him. His dreams that he had last night left many questions in his head. About how he truly felt about Laurel, or where he thought their relationship could lead, but he casted them aside momentarily, blaming his tiredness on such things. Though, those thoughts still lingered in the back of his mind. He traveled to the river, where he assumed she would be this early on such a beautiful autumn day. Where they should still be in the den, stealing each other’s warmth still, but Laurel had other plans for him.

As he came up behind her, he tried to quiet his steps in order to quietly sneak up behind her. Coming up closely besides her, his next words came out as a surprise to him. ”You look lovely in this light,” he whispered in her ear, before his mind caught up to what he actually said. Internally, he was freaking out about what he just said to her, but it confirmed his thoughts that where no longer sitting in the back of his mind. Right now, those thoughts where speaking for him. Perhaps she will just brush it off and forget about it. But, he knew he wouldn’t, especially when it was true.

Her fur glowed in the rising sunlight and the shadows of the trees littered her coat. The way she stood, relaxed, but confident on the bank of the mighty river, was so beautiful. Gorgeous was the right word. He could see himself with her, but did she? Though, he didn’t want to rush things, he couldn’t help but smile and think about the marvelous future they could have together. But, what would she think of his past or the fact that she doesn’t even know his real name. He knew that once his real name came out, she would probably lose all trust in him, but he couldn’t keep the truth from her if she wanted to have a future with him. He longed to hear his name on her lips, but would they be said with poison or love?

He began to feel better inside when she didn’t really address his compliment, but at the same time it worried him. Did she not think of him the same way? Was she not interested in him at all? She had snuggled and slept with him last night when he offered to sleep outside, but she would have none of it. Was she just trying to lead him astray? Gosh women are so confusing, he thought to himself. One minute she wanted to be snuggled right up close to him and the next she was uninterested. Part of him wished it could all be black and white and she would just tell him if she liked him. Though the more he thought about it, he was doing the same thing. Humph, maybe he was more female than he thought.

Shaking the ridiculous thoughts out of his head, he listened to what she had in store for him and he instantly wished she would have rather be still sleeping in the den. He groaned inside at the thought of learning to swim. He had agreed, but he thought that maybe, just maybe she would forget and they would move on. But, of course not. Damn, women. As she hoped excitably into the water, he retreated backwards like a cat away from the water. With his head back and a grimace on his face, he looked to Laurel. He really didn’t want to do this, especially with it being fall and the water becoming colder and colder. Couldn’t they wait until summer to do this? ”Do we haavvvveee to?" He whined, as he looked behind him quickly. They could be getting a head start and make up for the time they spent in the mountains if they left now. Looking back to Laurel, he pleading with her with his blue eyes like a little pup. He really wanted to just go back into the den.

As he looked upon the dark woman with pleading eyes, he hoped that she would give in and they’d go back to the den perhaps or even get moving once again. However, she wasn’t a push over. Putting her foot down, she scolded him, telling him the water wasn’t even that cold. His ears folded back, until her voice soften and said some words that perked his mighty ears right up. She didn’t know what she’d do without him if he drowned. Now she was playing with his heartstrings. However, he fell for it and set his mind on learning how to swim for her, for them.

As she continued on, he probably would have laughed at her display of instructions, but he was focused. He wasn’t playing any more games. He nodded at every step, soaking everything in like a sponge. She wanted him to learn, so he was damned if he wasn’t going to learn it for her. Listening carefully, she finally told him to come to her and repeat the instructions. Now was the time. It was either sink or swim time. Do or die.

At first when he looked down at the water, he was reluctant to step in. He knew where he was going to go eventually, deeper into the water where he’d have to swim. However, his will to please Laurel won over as he forced himself into the water and where Laurel waited for him. ”Use paws, not ears or tail. Breathe through nose and keep mouth shut. Got it.” He repeated as he looked up to her for more instructions.

His eyes were careful, focused on the way her body moved and showed him the right and proper way to survive in the water without drowning. However, he couldn’t resist having his eyes linger in places as she taught him all that she knew and was taught herself. When he finally caught himself, he instantly stopped and paid attention to what he was supposed to be, not the way her body moved gracefully with every movement that she made, even when she wasn’t meaning to. He had to admit that when she had a unique gracefulness that made her just feel free. She was a free, honest, and playful soul that only wanted the best for everyone. She was a true gem and Tobius was glad that he was able to discover her and her beauty.

He intently listened to her words, soaking them in like a sponge. She then approached him with a silly grin before touching his nose with hers. "And relax! The water will carry you better if your body is relaxed and loose!" She told him, a smile forming on his lips. “Alright, I think I’m ready…” He said, his words lingering slightly as he looked to her grey eyes, wondering if there was anything else she needed to tell him. Without any more hesitation, he moved closer to the water, his blue eyes looking down at it for a moment. Taking a deep breath, he took a step into the watery depths, his fear spiking slightly. What if the current was too strong and neither of them knew it? Laurel wouldn’t be able to help him by herself, but he needed to get over this fear for her and especially for himself.

Shaking his fears and doubts away, he took another step and another until he was halfway submerged into the water. It didn’t take long until the water was up to his neck and he was barely touching the ground anymore. His fear began to creep up again as he thought about kicking away, making his body go ridged and tense. Laurel’s last advice reminded him to relax and keep his body loose. Taking a deep breath, he calmed his nerves and his body soon relaxed and before he knew it himself, he was no longer touching the ground.

At first his movements were rough and choppy as he tried to apply what he learned from Laurel. His body began to sink and his fear came back again, but he continued to kick with all his limbs and his head soon rose higher and his body relaxed again.“LAUREL! LOOK! I’m doing it!!!” He yelled with joy as he swam in a circle to face her again, a giant smile on his face. “Look! I’m actually swimming! Oh, Laurel!”