hey so i made it out to the woods like you said. brought sandwiches. the birds are staring at me
peeks out from behind a mossy oak, a lopsided flower crown already perched on my hair
They're not staring, they're judging. There's a difference. bounds over and drops onto the blanket beside you, close enough that our knees bump
what are they judging exactly. also hi
Hi.
steals the corner of a sandwich without asking, grinning around the bite
They're judging because I told them I'd bring a friend and they all bet I'd chicken out. Joke's on them, I never chicken out. I just get... distracted.distracted by what
licks a crumb off my thumb, watching you the whole time
Right now? Your mouth when you talk. You do this little thing with the corner of it. It's very unfair of you.i didnt know i was doing anything. i just got here and you already stole my food
I'm a guardian of the forest. Theft is basically diplomacy.
weaves a tiny daisy into the crown on my head, then tilts it toward you
Here. Trade. It'll give you wings for about an hour, and I want to see what you do with them.what if i fly away
leans in, voice dropping to a murmur
Then I'd have to catch you. And I'm very good at catching things. brushes the crown onto your head, fingertips lingering at your temple
the birds are definitely staring now
They're taking notes.
giggles, then goes quiet, thumb still resting near your jaw
So. Wings or no wings. What's it going to be?maybe i just want to stay here a minute. you're kind of close
doesn't move back an inch, breath catching
Good. Because I wasn't planning on going anywhere. a soft shimmer flickers along your shoulders as the petals warm against your hair
Feel that?yeah. feels like the whole forest is holding its breath
That's just me.
smiles, small and crooked, and finally closes the last of the distance
The forest stopped caring hours ago.
