Kitsu looked down at her damp clothes, then back to Kael.
"Oh, sorry," she mumbled, looking away.
Kael rummaged through his stuff quickly and handed her another shirt.
"No need to be sorry. Just wear this," he said in a rush.
She took the oversized shirt with a nod of thanks 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 went racing as he tried to set his mind to anything else.
"Thank you, Kael," Kitsu said softly once she'd finished.
He turned to her. She was wearing his shirt—much too large for her—and his heart leaped at the sight.
"You can put your dirty clothes here," he said, gesturing to a bag nearby.
She placed her wet clothes in the bag but didn't take her gaze off him. "Kael, why are you shivering? Is it cold?
He hadn't realized it, but his body was shaking. 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, his attempt to see whether she was serious or not, and upon his sight of a shy expression, he realized she was.
"I'm okay," he managed to say, his voice betraying him.
Kitsu stepped closer, awaiting his permission. Groggily, Kael opened his arms, and straightaway she buried herself into his chest, wrapping her arms around his waist. It was too much to take in—the heat of her and the closeness—but weirdly comforting.
"Is that better, human?" She whispered, her voice muffled against his chest.
Kael looked down at her, feeling his heartbeat heighten. "Yes, but… I have a name, you know," he said, smiling as he gave the top of her head a series of soft pats.
She looked up at him, flustered. "Sorry, Kael, I just—"
"It's okay," he interrupted, rubbing her back reassuringly.
The only sound was that of rain tapping against the tent as they stayed like that for a while. The rain gradually began to let up. Kael opened his eyes and found Kitsu sleeping 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 reddening 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 around at the scattered supplies lying around the tent. "I can help you pack.
"No need," Kael cut in, shoving essentials into his pack. "I'll come back for the rest tomorrow. Let's just move quickly."
She nodded and watched him work. As he finished, the rain ceased altogether.
"We have to go now," Kael said, slinging the bag over his shoulder.
Kitsu hedged, twirling her fingers. "Kael, I could carry you if you want. I'm fast. And strong."
He looked at her, unsure. It did feel a little weird being carried by a girl, but it was also quite practical.
"Okay," he said finally. "But this stays between us."
Her face lit up, and before he could say more, she had already scooped him up with ease. The next thing Kael knew, they were at his barracks in a blur.
Dizzy, he managed to open the door and let her inside. "Here we are," he said, gesturing for her to go first.
She froze once she saw the fireplace. "Kael! Your house is on fire!"
Kael chuckled, setting his items out. "Controlled fire, Kitsu. For warmth, it's there."
"Oh." She exhaled in relief before further investigating the room, looking curious. Finally, her gaze ended on the one solitary bed.
"Kael, where am I going to sleep?"
He looked over his shoulder as he prepared something on the counter. "You can have the bed. I'll sleep on the floor."
Kitsu nodded but did not move very far from the bed. She sat down and then watched him.
"What are you making?" she asked after a moment.
"Hot chocolate," Kael replied, stirring carefully. "It will 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 the two steaming mugs and passed one to her.
She took a tiny sip, eyes alight. "This is wonderful!"
Kael chuckled as he sat 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?"