Thread: Snowy Relations [Juno + Hiro_]

He was watching the beast like a hawk. Any moment he suspected the creature would pounce and sink his sharp teeth into his tender flesh. Perhaps he had been subjected to the harsh reality of the cold for too long. He certainly couldn't allow himself to see that the beast looked almost bored in his presence. However, he wasn't so far gone that he didn't know that the foul creature likely belonged to the person who owned this... Whatever it was.. He didn't know what to think. His body may have been well on its way to recovery but his mind felt numb. Deciding that he could do nothing but wait, he simply lay in his spot, keeping a sharp eye out for any possible threats. He wanted to think that he was in no danger but not being able to recall much of anything was hardly a good sign. And then there were the bitter reminders of the cold. All he could recall was being surrounded by a cold and white abyss. Surely that had to have been real. He could not have been dreaming that. There was a reason for his weakness. It had to be it. If he had had the strength, his reaction to the sudden whistling that broke through the silence would have matched the beast. Judging by its excitement, he could only assume that its 'master' must have arrived. His limbs stiffened accordingly, unable to help but feel anxious. He didn't know who or what would greet him and he wasn't sure he wanted to find out. However, as that was quite out of the question, he would just have to stay alert. A man entered through the door. A man and his kill. For what seemed like the umpteenth time, he was unsure of what to think. The fact that he was competent enough to hunt and kill spoke volumes and he found himself wondering if this man and his beast worked alone. Is that why the creature had been left behind? To guard him? As if he could escape... When the man spoke, he felt his brows instinctively furrow in an obvious sign of confusion. Perhaps he had misheard. Either way, he wasn't going to bother with asking him to repeat himself. The manner in which he lay the slain animal down startled him as he flinched visibly, silently cursing himself for daring to reveal any weaknesses before a complete stranger. A stranger who he was at the mercy of, no less. In his sickly state, he took it upon himself to study this man. Aside from his obvious knack for hunting, there wasn't anything overly savage about him. He had very long hair of a rather rich black shade that created a lovely contrast with the blue-green of his eyes. He didn't know why but those eyes reminded him of something and he couldn't for the life of him remember what that something was. Nevertheless, he felt some of the tenseness leave his body for the time being, only to flare up within seconds of the man speaking to him. No, he wasn't mistaken. He could not understand this man and the lost look on his youthful face said it all. Despite his confusion, he was forced to take note of the gentle tone the man had chosen to take with him. Perhaps if he had understood the man, he would not be so wary but the suspicions only heightened when the man approached, his limbs practically cracking under his tenseness. When the man took his hands in his own, tenseness gave way to him being plain perplexed. Just what was this stranger doing? Was this a formal greeting in this part of the world? Wherever they may have been... Either way, he knew he should have jerked said hands away but even if he hadn't been too weak to protest, a rather nagging voice deep inside insisted that he liked this sudden attention. It was certainly an improvement from being guarded by the beast. He found himself tilting his head when confronted by that faint smile. It was too faint, really, but it didn't fail in reaching him. Whoever this man was, something inside of him wanted to suspect that he was good and that he wouldn't harm him. He had gone to all this trouble to ensure he lived to see another day, what reason could he have to hurt him. Or so he thought to himself as a weak reassurance. I do not understand what you say. Why are you holding my hands? Tell me your name. Every syllable sounded strained and hoarse as he bombarded the man with questions. He may have looked like living death but there was a certain demand in his tone that implied he wasn't accustomed to not getting what he wanted and in this case, it was answers.