Kitsu looked down at her damp clothes, then back at Kael.
"Oh, sorry," she murmured, glancing away.
Kael quickly rummaged through his belongings and handed her another shirt.
"No need to be sorry. Just wear this," he said, his voice a little hurried.
She took the oversized shirt with a grateful nod and turned away to put it on. The rustling sounds of her changing made Kael's cheeks flush. He wasn't used to being this close to a girl, and his mind raced as he tried to focus on anything else.
"Thank you, Kael," Kitsu said softly once she'd finished.
He turned to look at her. The sight of her in his shirt—far too big for her—made his heart skip.
"You can put your dirty clothes here," he said, pointing to a bag nearby.
She placed her wet clothes in the bag but kept her gaze on him. "Kael, why are you shivering? Is it cold?"
He hadn't realized it, but his body was trembling. It wasn't entirely from the cold—there was something about this situation, about her, that unnerved him in a way he couldn't explain.
"N-no, I'm fine," he stammered, brushing it off.
Kitsu stared at him for a moment, unconvinced. "Kael, if you're really that cold…" She hesitated, her cheeks flushing as she looked down. "You know… we could hug."
Kael blinked, trying to gauge if she was serious. When he saw her shy expression, he realized she was.
"I-I'm okay," he managed to say, but his voice betrayed him.
Kitsu stepped closer, waiting for his permission. Reluctantly, Kael opened his arms, and she immediately snuggled into him, wrapping her arms around his waist. Her warmth and closeness were overwhelming, but also strangely comforting.
"Is that better, human?" she asked softly, her voice muffled against his chest.
Kael looked down at her, his heartbeat quickening. "Yes, but… I have a name, you know," he said, smiling as he gently patted her head.
She looked up at him, flustered. "Sorry, Kael, I just—"
"It's okay," he interrupted, rubbing her back reassuringly.
The sound of rain tapping on the tent filled the silence as they stayed like that for a while. Eventually, the rain began to slow. Kael opened his eyes and realized Kitsu had fallen asleep in his arms, her face tucked against his chest.
"Kitsu," he whispered, shaking her gently. "Wake up. The rain's letting up. We should get ready to leave."
She stirred, her cheeks flushing as she realized their position. "Oh, sorry, Kael. I was just… tired."
He smiled at her. "The rain's slowing. If we hurry, we can get to my barrack before it starts pouring again."
"I'm ready," Kitsu said, stepping back. She glanced at the scattered supplies around the tent. "I can help you pack—"
"No need," Kael interrupted, already stuffing essentials into his bag. "I'll come back for the rest tomorrow. Let's just move quickly."
She nodded and watched him work. As he finished, the rain stopped completely.
"We have to go now," Kael said, slinging the bag over his shoulder.
Kitsu hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers. "Kael, I could… carry you if you want. I'm fast. And strong."
He glanced at her, unsure. The thought of being carried by her felt strange, but practical.
"Okay," he said finally. "But this stays between us."
Her face lit up, and before he could say more, she lifted him effortlessly. The next thing Kael knew, they were at his barrack in a blur.
Dizzy, he managed to open the door and let her inside. "Here we are," he said, gesturing for her to enter first.
She froze when she saw the fireplace. "Kael! Your house is burning!"
Kael laughed as he unpacked his things. "It's a controlled fire, Kitsu. It's for warmth."
"Oh." She exhaled, visibly relieved, and began curiously inspecting the room. Her gaze eventually landed on the single bed.
"Kael, where am I going to sleep?"
He glanced over his shoulder while preparing something on the counter. "You can have the bed. I'll sleep on the floor."
Kitsu nodded but didn't move far from the bed. She sat down, watching him intently.
"What are you making?" she asked after a moment.
"Hot chocolate," Kael replied, stirring carefully. "It'll help warm us up after all that rain."
Her ears perked up with curiosity. "Hot… chocolate? I've never had that before."
Kael smiled. "Then you're in for a treat." He finished preparing the two steaming mugs and handed one to her.
She took a small sip, her eyes lighting up. "This is amazing!"
Kael chuckled, sitting across from her. "Told you."
For a moment, they drank in silence, the warmth of the fire and the sweetness of the drink wrapping around them like a blanket. Then Kael's curiosity got the better of him.
"Kitsu… where's your home?"