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 Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2025 8:14 pm
He arranged the piles of crisp leaves, sweet berries, and fresh herbs, his tail swishing lightly as he considered. It wasn't much - but he hoped it was enough. He always hoped it was enough, and so far, it had been. He just hoped it would remain that way - because he liked Aleda.
Hathi really liked Aleda. Sometimes he worried that he liked her too much, or maybe more than she liked him. But she made him happy. True, Hathi was usually happy, but... not like this. It had been a long time since someone made him blush, made him stupid and tongue-tied... or more stupid and more tongue-tied, anyway.
He kind of didn't remember how to do this. How did he do this? How did anyone do this?
Hathi looked up at the sky, darkening from sunset to twilight to night. The stars were starting to come out, hesitant pin-pricks in the sky. He wondered, not for the first time, if Matthius was looking at the same stars and missing him as much as Hathi missed his son. He hoped so, but he also hoped that wherever he was, he was safe and happy.
((WC: 264))
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Posted: Tue Feb 25, 2025 9:45 pm
Aleda thought it was ironic how before Hathi her life had been without purpose or direction, and now that he was there she was busier than ever. Somewhere, somehow, the news of her medicine creations had gotten out to the local populace, and now she was in demand. Winter had taken plenty of victims, which meant Aleda had little time between the caretaking of those nearby their small, quaint forest, and sleep. It hadn’t left a ton of room for cuddles, and, well…
Aleda quite liked cuddling Hathi.
She missed their together time. She had wondered if perhaps it had been the “new” relationship feeling that had made her so drawn to their time together, but then the days turned into weeks and then into months— no, she just liked Hathi. She loved his big, silly smile when she’d come home or his carefully planned pollen dates. She cherished curling against his side at night, or tangling herself into his hair when the world was too big and she just wanted to be too small. He made her laugh, and Aleda hadn’t realized how much joy could come with a daily giggle. Life was worth living when Hathi was around, she just hoped her appreciation came across.
Maybe it hadn’t, she realized. That particular evening had been a long one; a filly had gotten the flu and wasn’t rebounding as quickly as anyone would like. It had taken almost the entire day to break their fever, and at the time she hadn’t thought of anything else. Of course she hadn’t— her job was to help and heal; she couldn’t get lost in her own life while on duty. But after, while the filly snoozed softly and their parents spoke their gratitudes, Aleda observed the sky and bit back a sigh. She missed Hathi. She wanted to get home to him right away, bundle herself against him, and drink in the night air. Did he know how much she liked him? Did… he like her as much, too?
She needed to find more time for him. Luckily, winter was almost over, but even after she would need a plan. She couldn’t be the locals only “doctor”, and she didn’t want to watch her relationship fly by, either. She wanted to hold onto that feeling— maybe even grow it into something forever, if… he wanted to.
So she scurried home the moment she could— not without a polite bow and soft smile to the relieved, tired parents —and found her way back to their home breathless and mane wild. The stars glittered in welcome, but to her it was an indication she had failed to make it before they had risen and scattered across the sky. Her wings fluttered in agitation, a quick buzz of a sound following.
“Hathi?” She called softly, searching for him. Something smelled absolutely divine, like herbs with a sweet tang. Her stomach rolled, audibly growling. Her cheeks flushed, when had she gotten so hungry?
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Posted: Sat Mar 01, 2025 12:52 pm
Hathi's ears pricked as familiar hoofbeats padded toward him, and the smile was already on his face when Aleda spoke his name. He beamed wider when she emerged, hurrying over to her as soon as she saw her. Hathi had just finished preparing their meal and had just begun to consider if it was worth getting Actually Worried - he knew how important Aleda's work was, and he never ever wanted to be overbearing, annoying, or in any way constricting to her life and her work. But he still cared about her, and he'd decided a long time ago that he wouldn't let himself become obnoxious with concern unless and until the moon was high in the sky and she hadn't sent word. That seemed like a fair compromise, in his brain. That way, he could worry without smothering her.
Hopefully.
"Aleda!" Hathi said, nuzzling his nose against her cheek. His wings fluttered happily, excited by her mere presence. All melancholy thought faded instantly - Hathi wasn't over-given to dark moods, and it was easy enough to for him to slip back into happiness, usually. "Welcome home," he said as he pulled away.
That was when he noticed how flushed she was, and how tired she looked. His brow furrowed immediately, concern overtaking his features. "What's wrong? Are you okay? How did it go?" Hathi could tell that it couldn't have gone that badly - he had seen it on her face when it had, and this wasn't anywhere near as bad as that had been.
"Come, eat," Hathi said, shaking his head at himself for getting ahead of himself. "Settle in, rest, and tell me all about it."
((WC: 276))
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Posted: Sat Mar 22, 2025 8:01 pm
She made room for him the moment he approached, her wings tucking neatly together and her head craning to meet his nuzzle with her own, her cheek brushing softly across his nose. That felt better, almost— a small comfort that let her loosen her muscles and sigh contently. She was home.
"Hathi," she repeated in confirmation. "It's okay. I'm okay, just-" she stopped, wearily sighing again with drooping wings. She was so worn from the day, and while she was more than happy to fill him in, she also was finding herself lured by that increasingly enticing smell.
"Yes," she breathed with an exhaled laugh. "Food sounds lovely. I haven't had a chance to eat after I left our home." Our home; it had a lovely ring to it. She reached to nuzzle against him again, appreciatively bumping her forehead lightly against his shoulder.
"You didn't get dinner again, did you? I could have helped." She knew the answer, she could smell it, even. She adored the thought he put into her, into them. That didn't stop her from pulling a faint pout his way, tail flicking playfully.
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