Hazel admired the view she was getting as Elliot was attempting to climb the giant snow mountain she created with Walter's climate machine, his short tail doing little to cover his well toned butt from the goat's heterchromatic gaze while she bit the bottom of her lip and wagged her tail as she fought the urge to wolf-whistle at her best friend as she snapped out of her trance, not noticing that he succeeded his climb to the top.
" What the hell is wrong with me? Elliot's my best friend, has been for years! do I really find him attractive? " she pondered. " Peanut Butter's cute and all, but Elliot...Mmmmm, he's much more handsome, No Hazel No, He's just a friend and he'll always will be, even if he's kind of cute- No! Get a grip on yourself! " She chastised herself as her friend galloped back to her side, slightly miffed that she didn't pay attention to his achievement until he brushed it off as one of her bits of randomness and sat down in front of her to rest himself, noticing that she was staring at him hard and it was starting to get very unsettling.
" Uh...Earth to Hazel, you okay? Why are you staring at me like that? " Elliot asked as he waved his hoof in front of Hazel's face to get her attention until he followed her gaze towards his crotch. " Do I have some leftover snow on me or something? What are you looking at Hazel? You're really creeping me out right now! "
" What?...Oh I'm sorry Elliot, I should have been paying attention! " Hazel apologized. " did you finally make up the mountain? not that I was staring at your ass the whole time or anything! "
" Yes, I did. but never mind that, I'm more worried about you, Hazel. What's going on? " Elliot asked her. " Are you coming down with something?...…. eat too many tin cans? " He reminded her with a smug, grin.
" Like I said before, that's a cruel goat stereotype! " Hazel huffed. " And thank you for reminding me of my near death experience, Elliot! "
" I didn't mean to, but okay. " Elliot said. " I just want to know what's wrong with you. Come on, please tell me! "
" I-'m fine Elliot, don't worry about me! " Hazel assured him. " let's go to the salt lick! " she said as she started to make her way there. " But it's not salt I really want to lick...Shut up Brain! "
" Hazel, you staring at me is not a clear sign that you're fine, Now please quit avoiding the question and answer me! " Elliot sternly demanded as he blocked the goat's path. " I won't be mad at you, I promise "
" Alright...* sighs * you promise? " Hazel asked nervously. " Please love me, you handsome stud... ARGGH, he's our friend, you desperate moron! "
" I promise, Hazel. " Elliot assured her, sitting down on his haunches to listen. " Go ahead. "
" Okay, I was staring at you because...well, I think I'm starting to have a crush on you. " Hazel admitted as she stepped closer to Elliot, sniffing his chest contently.
Looking at her in shock, the miniature horse chuckled bashfully as he flicked his tail and shuffled his hooves nervously, his cheeks turning red as he gazed into Hazel's eyes while trying to come up with a response.
" Oh boy, is this awkward…" He thought. " I never knew she thought of me THAT way...I'm flattered. but I don't want to complicate things between us and end up hating each other...Maybe I should let her down easy. "
Taking a deep breath to calm his thoughts, Elliot cleared his throat and began to address Hazel, who was fluttering her eyes at him, making it harder for him to let her down.
" I'm flattered Hazel, I'm really am. But I just don't see us working out as a couple...things could get awkward between us! " He explained.
" Elliot, I've known you for years. We've been through so much together and I know what makes you tick!...Please, just give it a chance? " Hazel pleaded. " will things get weird between us? Sure, but at least we have each other, that's what counts! "
" There's something oddly familiar with that line..." Elliot recalled with a knowing smirk. " I wonder where I heard that before..."
" Okay, so what if I reused a bit of dialogue. Look. I'm tired Elliot! " Hazel whined. " Plus, it's getting late and Coach will chew us both out if we're not in the stables with the other goats "
" Okay, Hazel. I know, I know...Just...let me think things over for a...* yawns * while " Elliot yawned as he started walking towards the barn. " let's go to the salt lick! "
" Alright, Shorty! " Hazel bleated as she walked beside the miniature horse, averting her gaze from his well-toned muscles and resisting the urge to bite her bottom lip.
Clyde stood beside the barn and watched over the other goats as Walter rounded them up for the night, sighing in boredom until Elliot and Hazel showed up, smirking to himself at the two's close proximity to each other as if they just got back from a date.
" Did you two have a nice date? " He asked teasingly as the miniature horse rolled his eyes in annoyance.
" We're not dating, Cyde…" Elliot said gruffly with a snort from his nostrils.
" Oh come on, Elliot. lighten up, he's only teasing you! " Hazel told him with a playful nudge. " And yes we did, thanks for asking, Clyde! " she played along, much to the horse's mumbling irritation.
" Now ain't that just sweet, now get some shut-eye. we got a busy day tommorrow! " Clyde told the two as he walked out of the stable and closed the door behind him. " And learn how to take a joke every once in a while, Elliot. Yeesh! "
Walking into their stable, Hazel moved herself around in circles a few times before finally deciding on a comfortable spot to lay herself down, sighing to herself to how nice the extra hay felt on her hooves and joints...now if only she had something or someone to keep her warm on this cold night...
As if he read her mind, Elliot trotted over and layed down beside her, resting his head and neck on her back to use her as a pillow, unknowingly nuzzling her and pulling her close. " She feels so soft!..." He thought.
" Thanks Elliot, I was feeling kinda chilly! " Hazel thanked him as she lowered her head down to the floor, feeling content with how close her and Elliot were at this moment, her heart racing with excitement and her cheeks flushed with a shade of red closest to her fur.
" Anything for you, Hazel. " Elliot told her as the two best friends drifted off to sleep in each other's warmth.