Enyalois - Thanks!
Guest1 - Ill try!
c3w - Thank you!
Guest2 - Thanks!
Wolf - Thank you!
A certain guest - thanks!
Guest3 - She doesnt know how to as of now, Thanks
The howling wind and crackling fire filled the comfortable silence of the house, as the trio set about with the tasks they had taken up for the days trapped inside.
It had been a couple days since Leo's arrival, and the storm that had come with him. When it was clear the blizzard was far from ending, the two had dragged the horses to the small lean to propped against the side of his cabin in hopes it would stave off the cold.
The days spent inside were remarkably productive, storing snow in barrels, working to preserve his supplies, and the new bed for his guests. The tasks were far from the more intensive tasks of adding onto his home or hunting, but it was better than staying idle when he couldn't see further than a foot out his door.
Leo had set to work alongside him, helping with meals and toying with various complex projects. It was especially nice when he showed his appreciation in the form of fresh ammunition for his guns and a host of experimental traps to try during the spring months.
Artemis was the only one discontented with his productivity. After the first night she had dragged him to bed, she had been adamant that the only thing he should be doing was cuddling with her beneath a small mound of blankets. It was a battle to get free, and even when he did she would merely watch him work with a dirty look. The feeling of sharing a bed with someone was a rather nice change of pace, the first time he had done such since he was far, far younger.
The slightly stricter rationing he had implemented shortly after the storm started was doing quite well for their supplies, especially with Leo's contributions. Regardless of both, they needed the storm to end fairly soon for all of their sakes.
His mind came back to his task of carving various designs into the legs of the bed frame, and once satisfied with the small swirl started to drift back into his thoughts. Started to, that is, until a low growl drew his attention.
It became clearer and clearer to him as the days passed just how vocal she was, even if she didn't use words. Growls, sighs, and the occasional yelp, and he was starting to get a grasp on what she meant with each.
With a few final swipes at the post, he met the silvery yellow eyes staring down at him with his own, only momentarily pausing on the blanket behind her swishing back and forth with her tail. When wasn't she wrapped in that thing?
A pair of small, remarkably strong hands wrapped around his wrist and yanked him upright. He hadn't actually expected her to be able to do that, considering her small frame.
She kept the iron grip on his wrist, dragging him from his task and towards the door. He smoothly tossed the carving knife onto the table, giving the oblivious Valdez a glance before they slid into the white wonderland beyond the door.
Snow stretched as far as the eye could see, a pristine field of dull white. Flurries drifted to the ground with slow grace, intoxicatingly reminiscent of a time long since passed. Trees, bare merely days before, were decorated with long, glimmering icicles hanging from each branch.
The view was a stark contrast from the desert of yellows and tans he usually saw, even during the previous winters he had spent there.
He had just enough time to grab his rifle before the door shut behind them with a click. A gust of frigid winds pulled at his jacket and Artemis' blanket, a chill rolling through her form with it.
Regardless, she pushed further into the open, the oddly pleasant sound of snow crunching beneath their feet the only sound in the area. They only took a few steps from the porch when they started to sink, just about knee height for him and lower thigh for Artemis.
The blizzard had practically vanished, even the snowfall slowing by the minute, but he kept an eye on their distance from home regardless. Freezing to death stumbling around if the blizzard returned was less than appealing. Fat, slow flakes caught in Artemis' hair and pulled him from his thoughts.
"Why'd ya wanna come out here?" He grunted, even if she wouldn't give a verbal response. Could she even learn to speak English? Maybe he could teach her…
Her head spun to look back at him, silvery eyes slightly narrowed. When he didn't say anything else, she turned and continued their trek.
He had just started to recognize their surroundings, a familiar clearing they both had met in months ago, she dropped his wrist and waded deeper into the clearing.
The trap had long since been hidden away in his cabin, something about her blood had made the thing useless, hadn't caught a damn thing since the event.
He kept a careful eye on her as she waded through the snow, her face turned up and carefully sniffing the air. Her path weaved and twisted, going for minutes until she seemed to find her goal.
Casually, she dropped to her knees, sinking to her hips and digging into the snow. The blanket hung loosely on her shoulders now, using both hands to part the powder. She had to be cold by now, already rather thin garb and blanket turning wet and her hands and cheeks turning pinker by the minute.
He had taken a few steps to stop her when she found her quarry, yanking both of her hands to the sky in a burst of snow.
A simple bow in one hand, a quiver of arrows in the other, and a beaming smile on her lips. Had that been there all this time? It had stayed in remarkable shape, if so, with the string in tact and at least some of the arrows.
The smile remained as she carefully slipped the quiver across her shoulders, and drew closer. Maybe it was time to give her that knife back, she hadn't attempted to kill him in some time now, especially with the cuddling ordeal…
Her palm slipped into his, cold fingers interlocking with his, and they began their trek home.
It was peaceful, wildlife sleeping in trees and dens. The snowfall was practically gone now, each flake few and far between.
At last, the cabin came back into view, his humble abode covered with snow and ice glimmering in the meager sunlight. The… testament to his survival left him yearning and oddly warm.
As soon as the door closed behind them he yanked the blanket off Artemis before the forsaken thing could get her sick, draping it on a drying rack next to the fireplace, ignoring the indignant growl she gave in response.
The bow and quiver were quick to follow, propped close to the door alongside his rifle.
Now only garbed in the clothes he had found her in, she didn't show any signs of being cold. The fact came as a surprise to him, considering the chill he felt without digging through the snow, and just how cuddly she had been over the past couple days.
Carefully, watching every twitch in her expression, he lightly wrapped his hand around her wrist. Her eyes widened slightly at the contact, some mixture of shock and something else clear within, and he could see her tail wag harder in his peripherals.
Keeping his hold as gentle as he could, he slowly led her to the pile of blankets and pillows his bed had become, letting himself drop to the mattress with a muted thump. He struggled to suppress the warmth in his cheeks as her tail lashed harder.
As soon as he cleared the blankets to the side, she practically collapsed on top of him, only briefly pausing to smile up at him before she squirmed into a comfortable position with her head tucked just beneath his chin.
She felt like a living furnace, heat from her skin pouring into him and the blankets wrapped around them in waves. Her ears sat on either side of his chin, soft fur barely touching his skin. This feeling, not only another body pressed against his, but hers, was quickly becoming addictive.
His mind shot to his guest, and his eyes followed. Leo was still at the table, fast asleep with his chin tucked into his palm. A small stream of drool poured from his lip to the wood, something he idly noted for a later event.
It would seem the mental work had finally caught up with the inventor and, Percy added with a yawn, himself too.
It was with the steady rumbling in Artemis' chest, one he hadn't even noticed until now, that his mind slowed. The comforting feeling lulled him to sleep.
"You sure you wanna leave today? Blizzard could come right back around." He called, watching the inventor load his supplies back onto the cart.
"Positive, my friend. I am already behind on a delivery of some of my traps, and the blizzard is not likely to return. At least before I make it to town." Leo responded without turning from his task. With a few yanks at the bindings, he finally hopped from the wagon and tied the horses to it, "You have already been gracious enough, allowing me to stay with you. I will find a way to return the favor, you have my word."
"Don't worry about it," He responded dismissively, with an equally dismissive wave, "you've done more than enough to save my hide over the years."
"Nonsense," He countered, smoothly sitting in the carriage and giving the reins a light thwip, "next time we meet, I will have a gift for you, Jackson. Nothing you say will change my mind. Until we meet again, my friend!"
Percy merely gave a short nod in return, watching as the only human company for miles slowly vanished from sight, the only sign the wagon had been there wheel tracks through the melting snow.
The cool morning air nipped at his skin, barely warmer than it had been yesterday. He suppressed the shudder that threatened to roll across his skin, the thought of the warm bed he left far too tempting to resist.
He gave the pink sunrise a final look, and slipped back into the warm house. The dying embers still gave off the slightest heat, although the morning chill had started to penetrate the house.
The mess of blankets and pillows already drew him in, and he didn't bother to resist it. He carefully peeled the sheets back, clearing his spot until the only thing between him and warmth was a half-awake wolf.
Artemis blearily looked up at him when the blanket covering her head moved, her ears almost hidden under a frizz of hair. She gave an audible whine, squirming slightly and becoming him with an outstretched arm.
He happily accepted the invitation, shifting until he was once again beneath her. The feeling of still warm sheets around him was one he could only equate to bliss, bliss that lulled him right back to sleep.
Leo grimaced in pain, spitting a glob of blood before a boot collided with his ribs once more. Something felt like it cracked this time around, if the sharp spike of pain in his chest was any indication.
"I'll give you one more chance before this gets fun. What do you know about Jackson?" Cold blue eyes stared down at him, cruel amusement dancing within.
"Que te den, Pendejo!" He spat in response, steeling himself for what would come. Two or three pairs of boots shuffled around him angrily, seemingly ready to attack when blondie raised his hand.
"Oh, you know how to make my day. Nakamura!" The man barked, smug look returning when 'Nakamura' neared, "let's make our friend from the south nice and 'comfortable'."
"After all, how else would we treat someone aiding a fugitive?"