Collecting seeds with Finn was more fun than it had any right to be, Finn's easy chatter soothing in between hiding from Raptors and avoiding the random townships nearby. Finn was a good tracker too, and Veronica was able to teach her more about the plants of the plateau as they collected them. Veronica made markers for Challenger for when he got back, and Finn wondered how much longer she had with Veronica at night once he returned, sitting next to Veronica who read so casually and realistically that it was like a radio play, Veronica who was warm and didn't mind when Finn fell asleep when she read, Veronica whose skin was so soft under Finn's sleepy fingers, who smelled so good, Veronica who was squatting in front of a plant, affixing a label for later. Finn squatted next to her, read the label aloud, and was rewarded by Veronica with a pleased smile.
"It took me far longer to learn to read than it's taking you," Veronica admitted.
"Yes, but you were a child." Finn pointed out.
"Either way, you're doing well and I'm proud of you," Veronica said. Finn glowed, and Veronica smiled at her again. "Now we need some fennel," Veronica said, moving on.
It rained on the way home, and they took shelter in a cave for the night, hoping Roxton and Margueriete would understand why they hadn't come home. Veronica collected moss and ferns for a bed - a single bed, Finn noticed, quickly collecting some for her own bed.
"It's easier to just make one," Veronica said when she noticed Finn making a bed too. "We'll have to share to stay warm anyway. I only brought one blanket with me." Veronica turned her face away to compose herself. "Just bring it over here. I'll start a fire."
Luckily they had some herbs that tasted good in hot water, out of a pot which Veronica fashioned out of leaves. Their lunch had gone hours ago, but they snacked on the nuts Finn always carried when she travelled and they sat next to the fire, staring into the flames, both putting off the moment they would go to bed, both nervous. Finn was acutely aware, in moments like these, that her continued survival relied on Veronica's kindness and generosity. Finn hadn't brought a blanket because other than her crossbow, her clothes were the only things she could call her own in this world. Everything else was Veronica's.
"I guess there's no reading lesson tonight," Finn said, disappointed.
Veronica looked over, pulled some paper from her bag.
"I know it's harder, but you'll have to learn cursive sometime. If I'd brought more paper, I'd have you practice writing." Veronica slid in next to Finn, Finn wriggling in closer to read by firelight, and they went over the alphabet again, this time in cursive.
"I like your handwriting," Finn said finally. Veronica smiled dimly; she'd expected Finn to be dozing already from reading but she was still awake, still poring over the pages as though something finally made sense. It was a blessing and a curse; the company was nice, but it was putting off what was sure to be an awkward moment, the moment Veronica had to sleep next to Finn. "And your drawings are exquisite."
"Thank you. My father taught me," Veronica said quietly.
"It's hard for you, isn't it? Not knowing where they are. If they're still out there. Me, I never knew mine. So I never really missed them. And then everything was a mess. I was so young, someone must have taken care of me, but I don't remember them either. Pretty ungrateful, huh? Either way, I'm glad you had enough time with them to learn this. I could look at these all day."
Veronica smiled. Finn was blunt, sure, but her heart was in the right place.
"Look all you like, but I'm going to bed," Veronica said, putting her hand on Finn's bare thigh to gain leverage to stand. She lay still, tucked under her small travel blanket waiting for Finn to ease down next to her, but after at least half an hour she looked up to see Finn still studying her botany pages as though they were fascinating. "Finn," Veronica called softly. Finn looked up, tucked the papers away and crawled over to the bed. Even with the fire it was still chilly so she didn't feel bad about tucking herself into Veronica's arms, one knee between hers, wrapping her arms around that bare torso, shivering a little as she did so.
"Cold?" Veronica asked sardonically, rearranging the blanket over them both, Finn's body cold where it pressed against hers. "I can get some more firewood."
"Don't you dare. I'm just got comfortable, don't you dare move," Finn mumbled against Veronica's neck.
Veronica sighed and dug out one of her arms where Finn had trapped it between them, letting it rest on Finn's back. It wandered of its own accord, back and forth as Finn fell heavier into sleep. The last time she was in bed with a woman... Veronica cursed her thoughts, deliberately stilled her hand and ordered herself to sleep, pressed against the soft warmth of the woman she was learning to admire.