Disclaimer: I don't own The Croods, nor do I have any stock in their franchise. Would be fantastic if I did though!
Trigger: None.
Warning: Hopefully no one heard my joyful squeak. If you do… apologies!
Catch & Release II – The Journey Continues
By Juliette Lyst
Touch Of Gold
"… I don't like this," Dawn whimpered, voice quivering.
"It'll be okay," Eep assured her. She was currently holding the brunette against her, trying to calm her down.
Reluctantly, Dawn felt her body relaxing, between the heat coming from the redhead's body and the blanket. Her eyes drifted shut.
All the Croods were focused on the brush, most notably Eep. Her mother had given her what to the outside would seem simple instructions. 'If something happens, run.' The redhead would have no problem with that—if her parents were coming along with them. That wasn't the plan at all though… and she was uncertain.
She didn't like feeling like that, but she was not going to mention it to Dawn. Her friend had much bigger problems to deal with. Eep got a good handful of Chunky's fur and tightened the grip her thighs and calves had on the cat.
More noises came from the brush, but instead of seeing some beast rushing towards them, they heard the sound of a very familiar voice grunt, as they hit the ground.
"Guy?" she muttered; eyes wide.
"It's not heavy," his voice trailed back to Grug and Ugga. "It's awkward!"
After they heard him, they saw the young man crawling through the brush, struggling to pull something behind him. On investigation, it was some strange contraption built out of vines, leaves and sticks. It wasn't small either.
"What is that?" Ugga asked, lowering her spear and planting one hand on her hip.
"An idea I had," he replied, rolling onto his back and sucking in a few deep breaths.
"For what?" Ugga asked.
"We nearly pinned you," Grug grumbled, his expression an angry one.
"Huh?" Guy asked, from an upside-down position.
"We thought you were some sort of monster!" Ugga yelled, snapping at him.
"Huh?" Guy asked again, confused.
"And Dawn was worried sick over you being out here," Ugga continued. "Dead or dying… or something else!"
"But… I'm fine," Guy replied, blinking blearily.
"Tell that to her!" Ugga yelled, gesturing to the death cat behind them.
Tilting his head back a bit more, Guy's eyes widened, and he scrambled to his feet. He let out another yelp when he lost his balance and fell. Getting up, he struggled to get to Dawn, falling twice more before he made it to the cat.
"Wow Guy," Eep commented, her words dripping with sarcasm. "If it had been a beast, you'd be dinner by now."
He winced, then redirected his gaze to Dawn. "Is she…"
"She's fine," Eep replied. "Very worried about you, but…" Here, Eep checked, "I think she's asleep now."
Bowing his head, Guy sighed in relief.
"What were you doing out there that was so important?" she asked.
Gasping because he'd forgotten that quickly, Guy turned and rushed back into the contraption he'd built. "It's a pallet," he explained, carefully pulling the full-sized thing out of the brush with him. "For Dawn."
"For Dawn?" Ugga asked.
"Yeah," he agreed, bobbing his head. "It'll help her feel better when we're riding on Chunky."
"Really?" Grug asked, peering at the thing.
"Yes," Guy replied, "I just need to get it secured to Chunky and get her strapped in," he added.
"I'll help," Eep spoke, carefully lifting Dawn.
"I will too," Grug added. He had to admit being curious over the new contraption.
Using care and with help from Ugga and Grug, Guy secured the pallet on the cat's back. It fit just so, with plenty of space for all of them to still ride around it safely.
"Huh," Ugga said, looking at the sloped sides and studying how it was built. "This thing is sound?" she asked.
"Yes," Guy replied in the affirmative. "I tried it myself." Which… might have explained the noises. "Bounced in it and everything."
"Since we're all already packed," Grug stated. "We might as well get back at it."
Early-Afternoon
Yawning, Dawn stretched a little, letting out a little hum. "Guy?" she murmured; eyes still closed.
"Yeah?" he asked.
"Guy, I had the strangest dream…" as her eyes opened slowly, she blinked. Rubbing her eyes, she looked at the sky again.
"About?" Guy asked, looking down at her and smiling.
"You had disappeared… and there was something out there that tried to eat y—Are we moving?"
"Sure are," he confirmed.
"Why am I—"
"I made you a pallet."
"A what?" Dawn asked, tone flat.
"You know," Guy reminded her. "We spoke about it, so you could be comfortable riding on Chunky."
"I'm on Chunky?" she asked, feeling around. Her hands encountered straps and unusually curved sides. Then, she encountered fur beyond the sides and below them. Her eyes widened.
"I told you I could do it."
Dawn rolled her eyes faintly. "I'm not doing it, Guy. Pallet or no pallet."
"But," he responded. "You're on it now! Doesn't it feel comfortable?"
"I can't say it's not," Dawn conceded. Her back and hips weren't complaining at all right then. "But I'm still not going to do that… Not to Chunky." She pouted. "He's innocent!"
"Do what to Chunky?" Grug asked, glancing back momentarily.
"Well, you might not," Guy agreed. "But then again… you might."
Dawn's brows twitched. "Guy…"
"What are you two talking about?" Eep asked, looking over her shoulder.
"Oh, nothing much!" Guy replied. "Just how nice this pallet is."
"Guy," Dawn growled his name out.
"Okay, okay," he agreed, laughing awkwardly. "So, it's just to help you right now." He stroked her cheek.
"Yes," she murmured. "While we can…"
"Mmngg…"
"Guy…"
"I'm sorry. I agree. While we can, we'll use it."
"Why wouldn't you be able to use it?" Gran asked. "Wait, if you can't use it, I'll take it!"
"That's not it at all," Dawn replied. Loosely folding her arms over her stomach, she let out a sigh, so happy to not feel sick while riding for once. "Guy has the idea that I'll have the baby up here."
"Up where?" Ugga asked, confused.
"On the pallet!" Guy stated, excitement for the device coming through his voice.
"Oh…"
"While it's on top of Chunky." Dawn added.
"Wait, what?"
"Are… are youuuu…" Eep asked, looking over her shoulder. She was completely lost for words.
"He was serious," Dawn replied bluntly. "Obviously."
"Why on Chun—" Gran asked.
"Why on the cat—" Grug sputtered, at the exact same time.
"Because we're out here," Guy began, trying to reason with them. "And we have no clue what might happen."
"We will have to hope to get close enough to 'Tomorrow' before that happens," Dawn remarked.
"And we will," he replied.
Pausing at that, Dawn offered him a soft smile. "I hope we do," she replied, crooking a finger to him.
Guy leaned closer to hear her.
"We've been looking for years, Guy," she added, her eyes sad. "I'm sorry if I stop that search early."
"We'll do it," Guy responded, in a low voice.
"Before I have the baby or before he's off to make a family of his own?" she asked, eyes twinkling.
"Hey!" the young man exclaimed; shocked Dawn would ask that.
Her genial smirk was in place.
"Hmm. We'll definitely aim for it before we have a third one," he replied.
"Third?!" she gasped, brown eyes widening.
Smirking, Guy straightened up where he was sitting.
"Guy?" Dawn asked, irritation in her voice.
"Sorry. Sorry," he replied, lowering down to press a tender kiss to her forehead.
Watching the display, Eep's expression fell and she turned away from the couple.
Late Evening
"Did you ever think we'd be here?" Guy asked. He was sprawled out on the grass. His and Dawn's footwear were near a tree. Along with her top. They'd wandered away from the main camp, to have some time alone.
"Mm… No," Dawn replied. She was facing him and pressed to his side, lightly dragging her nails across his stomach. "Not here exactly."
"Where?" he asked.
"Well…" As she debated her next words, both of them remembered what had brought them to this point.
Then…
Mid-Morning
"Look at what I found, Guy!" Dawn called, smile in place. The young, dark-haired girl was positively giddy. She'd been digging with her bare hands, looking for shiny pebbles she could add to her collection. Her fingers were covered in dirt, along with her arms.
"What?" Guy asked, ambling over. The young boy was already feeling a little excited. He was always curious about things she had an interest in… Mostly because he couldn't see the appeal himself.
"Look!" she gushed, holding up her prize carefully to show it to him.
Guy squinted at it. "It's… a brown pebble?" he asked, scratching his head.
"Nooo," she replied. "Look at it again," Dawn held it up near the light and showed Guy…
"Whoa!" he exclaimed, stepping closer. "Not a pebble…" he mumbled, surprised. He could see through it! And the color was nice… like honey…
"No, it's like a crystal." she replied. "Or a gem. Reminds me of you too," she added. Blowing some of the dirt off it, she wrapped it up in a small leaf with a few other pebbles—for later cleaning.
"How?" he asked, reaching over and carefully pulling a twig out of her hair.
Dawn's dark tresses were long, reaching to just below her hips… and so thick that she'd taken to braiding it back to keep it free of snags. It was successful… sometimes. On other occasions, she picked up twigs, sticks and very often—dirt.
"Reminds me of your eyes when we're near a fire! They glow just like it."
Blinking, Guy opened his mouth—then shut it… uncertain what he could say.
Later…
Early Evening
"Guy Guy Guy!" the brunette squealed, holding a small pink animal in her hands. She had the biggest smile. The poor little thing was squeaking and chittering for its life.
Running over, Guy's eyes widened. "What did you find?" he asked.
Cuddling it close to her shoulder, Dawn lightly scratched it on the head. "She's like 'Watch,' Guy!" That said, she showed the small creature to him.
"Huh," he replied. Seeing her so giddy had him smiling too. Hearing a small purr, he carefully lifted Watch off his left bicep. "Look, Watch!" he exclaimed.
The small sloth cooed.
The small sloth Dawn held purred in response.
"I think I'll call her 'Song,'" Dawn said.
"Nice to meet you, 'Song,'" he spoke, addressing the pink sloth.
Now that there wasn't as much noise, 'Song' relaxed and hung onto Dawn's shoulder as she and Guy resumed walking through the woods.
The two traveled in silence for a while before Dawn cleared her throat and looked at Guy. "How many moons are we up to?" she asked.
"Hmm?" he asked, looking around for some fresh berries they could add to their current fruit supply.
"Moons, Guy," she repeated. After watching him grunting and looking around and over logs, she gave up for the time being. He was way too distracted.
Eventually, he was done and was holding a few berries, most of them the size of his fist.
"What are we supposed to do with those?" Dawn asked, confused.
"Umm… Eat them?" he deadpanned, handing her one.
"Huh…"
Glancing up, Guy sniffed lightly. "We can walk and eat,"
Making a face, Dawn accepted her berry, and they resumed walking.
After a while, they found a stream. Automatically, they took the opportunity to refill their waterskins. They had no clue how long they'd be near a water source. Once they were done, they put the skins away and drank from the stream directly.
Thirst relieved, Dawn set her pack and sloth down. Untying her hair, she took the opportunity to splash in the water and scrub some of the dirt out of her hair and off her skin.
Intrigued, Guy followed suit.
Eventually, both of them were relaxing by the stream, drying off.
Yawning a little, Dawn diligently twisted and squeezed her hair to get the water out of it.
"Here, I can help!" Guy offered, scrambling over to offer assistance. His hair was wet too, but there was a lot less of it to deal with.
Later…
Afternoon
"I don't know what's wrong with me," Guy spoke, cringing when he heard his voice squeaking. "Why am I doing this?!" He was seated in the grass, working on a new knife. He was trying to wrap the handle with vines to give it a softer grip.
"Don't look at me," Dawn replied, spreading her fingers wide. Though he was annoyed by his voice changing pitch so often, she found it very funny. Her voice had changed a little… or at least it sounded like it had to his ears.
It wasn't nearly as dramatic though.
"It can't make up its own mind," he replied, voice awkwardly screeching.
"Could be worse," she muttered, rolling over on her back in the grass. For the last few moons, she'd suffered, needing them to stop in one place for a few days at a time. Every few weeks. She'd also recently started feeling self-conscious about her body.
They worked together to make her newer clothing, something she'd be more comfortable in.
Guy had already finished their new footwear and making new pants for himself—reusing material from the pair he'd outgrown. At this point, he gave up on wearing anything on his chest, but he noticed she didn't feel comfortable doing the same.
So, they'd made a brand-new top for Dawn along with newer pants.
"That's true," he agreed. He lightly pulled on the vines he was working with, tightening the knots. "How's your stomach feeling today?"
"Much better," she replied, sighing.
"Think we can get back out tomorrow?" he asked. He was trying hard to keep track of what was happening with her, so he knew when they should stop for a few days.
"Yeah…" she confirmed. Yawning, she stretched. "I'm sorry I'm slowing us down, Guy."
"Hey, it's fine," he squealed. Pausing, he cleared his throat. "We do the same when I don't feel well."
She offered him a wobbly grin. "True," Dawn pursed her lips in thought. "Hey Guy, want fish tonight?"
His dark brows pinched together as he made the final knot for the new knife. "Sure," he replied. Lifting his head, he looked her over carefully. "Are you up for it?"
She hummed in agreement. "Yeah. I can help," Seeing his face made her feel a little guilty. "Even if my stomach hurts, I can still help you fish."
"Dawn, if you don't feel well—"
"No! I want to help! You do so much for me Guy…" She sniffed then, feeling a little teary.
Hearing the emotion in her voice, he nodded quickly. "As soon as you're up for it, we can go catch some fish."
Both of them ended up drenched that evening, but they had plenty of fish to last a few days.
Later…
Afternoon
"And you do it like this!" Guy demonstrated, getting a solid grip on the tree's trunk and climbing to the top.
Dawn watched him as he scampered up. "Okay," she agreed. "Now what do I add to my feet so I can do that?"
In response, Guy cut a coconut free.
Directly overhead.
Dawn managed to dodge it. Barely.
"Hey!" the brunette yelled up at him. "You almost hit me with that!"
"Wups! Sorry!" he called back down. "If you came up here, it would be a bit safer for the both of us."
Jumping when another coconut came down, Dawn grit her teeth together and scurried up the tree without thinking, just to throttle him. Before she could, he spoke.
"Hey! Look at that!" he grinned. "You climbed up here!"
"Wait… what?" she asked, blinking and realizing she was looking at him eye to eye. "I climb up the tree!"
"You climbed it!" he replied, excited.
"But now…" Dawn's voice quivered as she hugged the trunk. "How do I get down?"
Guy sighed. "Like this Dawn," he stated, climbing back down the tree carefully. "See?" He stood on the ground and took a few steps away from the tree.
Looking at him, she kicked herself off the trunk and hurtled toward him.
"Dawn!" he yelped, right before she landed on him.
Both of them ended up sprawled in the dust.
Guy held his head. "Oww, oww."
"…Sorry Guy."
"Why did you…?"
"Thought it was a good idea," Dawn replied, feeling a little bad.
"Oww!"
"At least you weren't hit by a coconut," she retorted.
"I didn't hit you with a coconut!" he exclaimed. A split second later, he was wincing. "Oww!"
"It could have happened," she replied. On seeing how distressed he was, she scooted over. "Let me take a look."
"It hurts," he spoke, pouting.
"That's why I said let me have a look," Once she saw him move his hands away, she got on her knees and pulled his head a bit closer to her.
"Oww!" he cried again. "Careful!"
"I am being careful," she replied. It was true! Her touch was light and gentle as she lightly probed around for any lumps and bumps.
Guy remained quiet while she worked. Though painful, he was grateful that she was willing to help him. Plus, were he honest with himself—he caused the problem to begin with. 'My fault,' he mentally grumbled to himself.
"…ven a scratch," she pronounced.
"What?" he asked. "I have a scratch? Where?"
Blinking, Dawn stared at him. "No… that is not what I said."
Lifting his head just a little, he made eye contact with her. "Umm…"
Dawn was suddenly very aware of how close they were. Her pupils dilated, and she swallowed hard. "Ah… Y—You don't have a scratch," she replied again, though her voice was a bit—
"Is something wrong?" he asked. His eyes had reacted in response to hers, and his face felt warm.
"Um… N—No," she replied, backing away from him—still making eye contact. Once she put some distance between their bodies, she breathed a bit easier. For some reason, her throat had felt a little bit tight.
"Alright," Guy replied, finally breaking eye contact. The rush of warmth had spread down to his chest.
"Sorry for jumping at you," Dawn murmured in a soft voice.
Guy waved the apology off. "It's fine," he replied. "Glad I was able to catch you."
One of Dawn's dark brows shot right up. "You did not catch me!" she exclaimed.
"But I did," he pointed out, looking at her again. "With my body."
Snorting, Dawn rolled her eyes. "Don't worry," she remarked. "I won't be throwing myself at your body any time soon." As soon as she said it, her eyes widened and she wondered what she had just…
For some reason, the words made both of them feel awkward. They got up and walked in separate directions.
Later…
Early Afternoon
"I don't think we have much to do today," Guy spoke, currently stretched out on his stomach. He was propping himself up on his elbows, chin resting in both hands.
"Aside from catching lunch," Dawn replied, in a similar position in the grass, facing him.
They maintained companiable silence for a while. Lately, they noticed they were looking at each other for extended periods of time. They were both taller and older… and should have been finding more constructive things to do.
This was more fun though.
A little while longer, Guy's eyes widened a fraction. He jerked just a bit. "W—Well," he spoke, deep voice wobbly. "I'm going to head off for a little."
"To where?" Dawn asked, surprised.
"Umm… Swim." he responded. Before he got up, Dawn rested a hand on his.
"Guy, wait." she spoke.
"Dawn?" he questioned.
Frowning, she sighed and spoke in a very soft voice. "Why are you running away from me?"
"I'm not running," he responded.
"Yes," she replied, sounding sad. "You are."
"Dawn…"
"What other explanation is there?" Sighing, she moved her hand away from his and turned away, rolling onto her back. Staring at the puffy clouds overhead, she let out a small whimper.
"It's not that," Guy spoke, peeking at her from a now upside-down position.
"Then what's the problem?"
"I just…" He paused, shoulders sagging. He glanced away. "I really like you, Dawn. A lot." When he didn't hear anything, he looked at her, seeing her eyes wider than they'd ever been. "Dawn?"
"Can we stay together?" she asked in a small voice, hesitant.
"As mates?" he asked. When she didn't say anything, he continued. "I want us to be mated, Dawn."
She offered a shy grin. "Really?"
"Really. I promise to always be there for you," he spoke. "I'll take care of you and protect you."
"I promise I'll do the same," she replied. "Take care of you and protect you," then, she grinned. "Even when you do get yourself into trouble—often on purpose."
"Hey!" he exclaimed, blushing. It was true though… Dawn did manage to pull him away from quite a few mishaps.
"Hey, what?" she asked.
"Hey you." Guy murmured. Leaning down, he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
Her cheeks reddened, but this time she wasn't embarrassed.
Evening
"We should be stocked for the next few days," Guy commented, as they set to roast and smoke a bulk of the fish they'd caught.
"It was a good day, wasn't it?" she asked.
"Yeah…" he replied, adding a few sticks into the fire.
They were quiet for a moment.
Looking away briefly, Dawn lifted her eyes. "Guy?"
One of his brows popped up as he worked to skewer several choice pieces of fish.
"I have something I want to give you." She got up and walked to where they'd stored their things.
Attention diverted, the young man turned to her, curious about what she was going to do.
Digging into her pack, Dawn sucked in a breath and carefully pulled out the small, honey colored crystal she'd found when she was small. Turning to him, she walked back over and sat in front of him, offering it up.
Accepting it, Guy's eyes widened. "Is this…?"
"It looks just like your eyes," she breathed, watching as the firelight danced in front of them.
"Dawn…" he was floored, his mouth moving a few times without sound. This… had been one of her most prized possessions for such a long time! "Are… are you sure?" he asked.
She nodded, smiling widely.
"… I don't have anything to give you," he responded, feeling frustrated with himself.
"Having you is enough," she replied, smiling.
Swallowing, Guy abandoned the skewers and fish, picking her up and heading to where they had set out their bedding.
"Guy?" she asked in wonder as he settled her on one of the soft furs and knelt above her.
"Dawn," he whispered her name.
They locked eyes, and then, he lowered himself down.
They had quite a few firsts that night.
The fish, unfortunately, spoiled—but they didn't complain the next day.
Now…
"Further out," Dawn replied, stifling a yawn. "Maybe at 'Tomorrow' by now."
"Hmm."
"What about you?" she asked.
"I'm not sure," he admitted. "I know that we would be home once we reached 'Tomorrow,' but I never had any other idea as to what we'd do or where we would be."
"You 'had no idea' Guy? You?" Dawn kissed his shoulder. "Mister Full-of-Ideas. Really?"
He let out a laugh. Turning over carefully, he rose on one elbow and kissed her neck before burying his face in her chest.
Late Morning
"I need to adjust the design just a little, I think" Guy commented, studying the pallet. He kept looking from the pallet to Chunky and back.
"For what?" Dawn asked, her mouth full. She was eating some of the smoked meat from the day before.
"The pallet," he explained.
Dawn stopped chewing, giving him a questioning stare.
"You need to be able to rest on your side in this thing," he explained. "So, the pallet needs to be light with elevated sides and have strong enough straps to secure it to Chunky and hold you in place too.
"It's already secure," she replied, once she finished her mouthful.
Guy looked down at her belly. "It needs to be more secure."
Not wanting to argue, Dawn turned away and walked further through the camp. Today, the family was foraging for anything else they could have along with the meat. Experience had told them the importance of being prepared.
Done eating, Dawn brushed her hands off and went to help. The work was slow-going. The young woman had to scrutinize what she picked up, to make sure it was safe. Thankfully, Sash had come over to join in too.
"What do you think, Sash?" she asked the pink sloth, handing over a few berries. She wasn't too sure about it, but hoped her pet could help.
The long-limbed animal studied it, turning one of them around. She sniffed and promptly discarded them.
"…Well," Dawn spoke, her eyes wide. "Thanks for the help."
The sloth squeaked and resumed working.
After a while, Guy came over. "Time for a break," he spoke, putting a hand on Dawn's shoulder.
Nodding lightly, she rose to stand and turned to him. "You're right."
"Close your eyes," he asked.
A bit skeptical, Dawn did just so.
"And open your mouth," he added.
One brow rose in question, but she complied. She wasn't prepared for the burst of flavor on her tongue. Opening her eyes, she looked at Guy, chewing her mouthful. "This is…" she was stumped, her tongue recognizing the texture, but was unable to place the taste at all.
"A very special treat," he replied. He'd worked hard on it. A way back, he'd found a few plants that granted a great taste to whatever they touched. It took him time, but he found a way to seal the flavor into some of their smoked fish. It wasn't easy to hide from her.
Dawn had a really sharp sense of smell.
"Thank you," she murmured, pausing and looking over his shoulder. "I'll be right back."
"Hmm?" he asked. Still, he nodded lightly as she walked past him.
"We need to talk," Dawn said quietly, once she'd reached the redhead. Had she not been looking; she wouldn't have noticed the glare that was thrown their way. However,
"There's no need," Eep replied. She was working on a few strips of prepared sinew, frustrated with the effort of extracting the fibers within… but trying her hand at the new skill regardless.
"There is, Eep." Dawn spoke. She waited, quietly.
Unnerved by the attention, Eep stood up and abandoned the task for the time being. "Fine, if you're certain."
"I am," Dawn replied, leading the young redhead away from the camp. Once they were a good distance away, Dawn turned to her. "I see there's a problem," she spoke, her eyes narrowed a little. "I'm sorry… once again."
Eep's brows furrowed as they walked. Once she heard Dawn's words though… she glanced away. "Nothing is wrong," she denied. "There's no need for you to apologize."
"Eep," Dawn softened her voice. "I know there is. You do too. I'm so sorry things have turned out like they have."
"They would have no matter," Eep replied, folding her arms. After a moment, she grudgingly brought up what had been on her mind. "He would have always chosen you."
"E—"
"You're his childhood friend after all," she scoffed, rolling her eyes. "You've been together for years."
Dawn swallowed, hurting for Eep. "It's not—"
"You won, alright?!" the redhead snapped. She was done with the conversation and it was obvious by her stance that she wouldn't tolerate it for much longer.
"… Won?" Dawn asked, her eyes sad. She looked away. She wasn't sure how to tell Eep… that there never had been competition between them… Especially as she realized, with shame, that she had harbored contempt in her heart.
"I have work to do," the redhead added, feeling a bit guilty, seeing the expression on Dawn's face.
"Eep…" Dawn spoke, looking at her again. "We are still friends… right?" She shouldn't have needed to ask. Despite her initial feelings, Eep had been friendly towards her… though more reserved lately. The worry was there still—in the back of her mind.
The redhead inhaled slowly, glancing away a moment. Looking to Dawn, she stepped over to her and gave her a gentle hug. "Yeah," she responded softly. She felt how badly Dawn had been trembling, swallowing hard. "We are friends still, I promise."
Dawn returned the hug. "Thank you," she whispered, feeling more at ease.
Pulling away, Eep had a small smile in place. "I…" she cleared her throat. "I accept your apology, Dawn."
The young brunette smiled.
"And—I also need your help, if possible?"
"With?"
Late Afternoon
They were on the move again, with a well-rested macawnivore.
"I can't believe you were able to do this, Dawn!" Eep spoke, studying the short length of cordage Dawn had woven from the sinew.
"Hmm?" the brunette asked, sleepy. She was unsure how, but Guy had managed to tweak the pallet a little so she could curl up on her side and still be held in place safely while they rode.
"She's a lot better at it than I am," Guy offered. He felt worried about the two young women earlier, once he noticed that Dawn and Eep had moved away. Eep had shouted something then—he wasn't certain what—but the sound had reached the camp.
His body begun fighting itself. He felt that he needed to be there to defend Dawn, but he also knew that Eep would never do something to hurt her. He was glad he'd practiced restraint when he saw them hugging.
"Really?" the redhead asked. She was—grudgingly—beginning to forgive Guy more by the day. Nothing would be solved if she kept feeling hostile toward him.
"Yup," A smile flit across his lips at a memory. "She saved my feet on more than one occasion." When he saw Eep look over her shoulder, he elaborated. "I was impatient and wanted to use sinew that wasn't quite dry enough. She stepped over, demonstrated how easily it would tear and told me to 'do better.' So… the next time, I overstretched them when they were dry… and ripped them. Got the same speech."
"Ah… Clever." Eep replied, smirking.
"Yeah," Guy responded awkwardly. "I figured I should just let her handle it from then on. She's very good at making different cords—both in length and thickness. That's why our footwear never fell apart."
"That's good!" Eep replied. She glanced at the footwear she sported along with her family and understood now that both Guy and Dawn were to thank for that.
Two Days Later
"You won't believe what I found!" Grug exclaimed. "Come on!" he urged his family.
Guy wrapped an arm around her waist, resting his hand on her hip. "Here we go," he murmured.
They followed behind the family, startled to see a massive set of wooden doors.
In the middle of nowhere.
"What is…?" Dawn spoke, reaching out to touch one of the doors.
The doors flew open with Grug holding his hands out to the sides. "Welcome to our 'Tomorrow!'"
Everyone was stunned… at the sight of all that food.
"Isn't it strange," Guy remarked. "How all this food grows in perfectly straight rows?"
Dawn's eyes widened. "We found 'Tomorrow,'" she said in wonder… having never thought it would happen—and right on time at that.
The End
Author's Note: I had a lot of fun with this portion of the series. I'm almost as endeared to this couple as I am to Peter/Jennifer.
Will I add more to this series?
If you've been a reader of my fiction long enough, you already know the answer.
Thanks for stopping by!
XXO
~J. Lyst