That morning was different. Gold woke up almost on the opposite side of the cave from Joon. Her subconscious was working overtime dealing with what happened. The sun shined brilliantly into the small space. The rocks proved to be a less fitting bed than Joon's tail. One side of Gold's face felt flatten. She did not feel well rested for the first time since coming to the surface. Since he first rest was with Joon, he was all she knew. She tried hard not to connect the two.
Joon woke feeling empty. See Gold across the cave made him feel far away and isolated. Since they met she had slept on him, he felt that something must have changed. He guessed that he did not mask his withdrawal well enough. It was obvious she had become aware. He tried to lighten the mood, "Let us go to a hot spring."
Gold loved water, she agreed eagerly. Besides she needed something to cut through the chill.
As they hiked silently up to the spring an awkwardness developed between the two. Neither knew how to proceed to break their new found tension. Steam could be seen from far off ahead in their path. The excitement grew inside of them for the idea of a hot water.
As they reach the water's edge Joon jumped in as usual. Gold checked the temperature with her toes. Joon pulled her in, this began their water games. The water splashed between them back and forth. Gold dunked Joon under the surface.
Playing together seem to break the ice between the two. After playing all afternoon they heard a voice call out "Greetings." They both turned seeking the voices face.