Wild Rye Fields Take it easy

Not the best, but I s'pose it's better than nothing <3

It was silent between them. Uncomfortably and unbearably silent with nothing but the sound of obnoxious chewing to fill the void and Cottongrass found that he hated it. That he couldn't stand the way his mind was filling with thoughts faster than he could get rid of them because this was all a big mistake. He should've ran away when he finished spilling his heart to Askan. Or maybe he should've said no when the she-wolf had asked all those serious questions that made his head spin. It was then the guilt cut deep. Because Wild Rye Fields was about family and Cottongrass never was good at commitment, especially when it wasn't easy and—

Askan was talking. Asking something that interrupted his spiraling thoughts and shunted him to the present where he should've been the entire time. He blinked, ears twisting forward while it took a second for the words to register and his mind to flood with thoughts that actually mattered. And a part of Cottongrass immediately wondered if Askan felt insecure. If the other wolf ever felt like he was different in a bad way and everybody stared in pity but never said anything because they were polite like that. But the thought disappeared as quickly as it had came. The older wolf was smart and full of good advice with an important rank and there was nothing to be insecure about.

It was probably just Cottongrass' being ungrateful or something like that, ruining an otherwise good meal. He dropped the mangled rabbit on his fore paws and looked up at Askan, and with a weak smile said—

"We're friends." Because they were. And Cottongrass tried to shove down whatever ugly thoughts were building in the back of his mind so Askan wouldn't worry.

So they were both on the same page. Good, that was something, relieving almost. After all, wouldn't it suck to find out that his feelings were one sided, that Cotton saw him as nothing more an acquaintance? That being said there was nothing wrong with that but... What he meant was that this was good news, and yet it didn't look like it on the face of things. Neither Cottongrass nor himself were having that good of a time, through no fault of their own. It just....It'd take time, that was all.

Askan had always been the impatient sort, he lived in the here and now, but he supposed he had no choice but to wait with Cotton. Ah well, how did the saying go? Good things come to those who wait.

They continued their meal in silence till Askan had nothing but scraps and bones left. It was getting late and if he didn't head back to the den soon-ish, then Reyes would no doubt throw a pissy fit. Not that the southerner would ever admit to it, or even call it that but the point stood still. They had a good thing going and there was no use in standing him up, not when he was such good company. But then what about Cotton, it would be like leaving a lost pup to defend for itself. Sure, he could manage as he'd been a loner for a long while but...

With a huff, Askan shook himself off and turned to his friend, because that was what he was.

"Come on, I wanna settle and Reyes would want to see you...So follow me, the den is this way. Separate from the main one."

With a flick of his snout, he gestured for the fluffball to follow them and off they went, in search of the grumpy southerner.

Fade