Odd how the absence of a thing is what so often proves how important it has become. Once Fitz notices the lack in his bond with Nighteyes, in that newly created space of being where Huaisang had so quickly and so effortlessly insinuated himself into their gentle awareness of each other, he's taken aback by how much the loss stings. Uselessly, all he can do is stand next to Huaisang on the side of the lane while Nighteyes lopes over to them from where he'd been waiting patiently, and try not to let either his confusion or his dismay show too plainly on his face.
(He is not successful. But maybe that is some silver lining for all three of them, to know that the bond, while it was there, was something he cherished.)
Are we not here together, fed and content? Nighteyes chides him affectionately. Let that be enough, brother.
The wolf, as always, accepts the change to their dynamic with ease, because to do otherwise just isn't in his nature; today is chillier than yesterday, he can still taste rabbit on his tongue, and his mind no longer touches Huaisang's. But that absence doesn't change the effusive, wolfish affection that he greets Huaisang with, as he hoists himself up onto his hind quarters to put that cold nose right against Huaisang's cheek, tail lashing and ears flat with fondness, before he drops back down onto all fours and sniffs eagerly at the care package that has clearly been brought for his benefit. He brought me sausages?
"Yes, he did," Fitz answers him with a wry twist to his lips, some of the melancholy easing from his eyes. Then, glancing at Huaisang, he clarifies, "He can smell the sausages you brought for him. You know--" and this to Nighteyes again, "--I thought you'd had your fill of rabbit this morning. How is it that you're still so hungry?"
Nighteyes already has a mouthful of the cooked meat in his mouth and has dropped down onto his haunches to make short work of it. There's laughter dancing in his eyes when he looks back up. Shall I let it go to waste instead?
In response Fitz just scoffs and glances Huaisang's way out of habit as though to invite him to share his mild affront, and then remembers with a grimace that he can't. He frowns, apologetic, and rubs at his chin. "I'd wondered," he admits, "how long it would last."
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(He is not successful. But maybe that is some silver lining for all three of them, to know that the bond, while it was there, was something he cherished.)
Are we not here together, fed and content? Nighteyes chides him affectionately. Let that be enough, brother.
The wolf, as always, accepts the change to their dynamic with ease, because to do otherwise just isn't in his nature; today is chillier than yesterday, he can still taste rabbit on his tongue, and his mind no longer touches Huaisang's. But that absence doesn't change the effusive, wolfish affection that he greets Huaisang with, as he hoists himself up onto his hind quarters to put that cold nose right against Huaisang's cheek, tail lashing and ears flat with fondness, before he drops back down onto all fours and sniffs eagerly at the care package that has clearly been brought for his benefit. He brought me sausages?
"Yes, he did," Fitz answers him with a wry twist to his lips, some of the melancholy easing from his eyes. Then, glancing at Huaisang, he clarifies, "He can smell the sausages you brought for him. You know--" and this to Nighteyes again, "--I thought you'd had your fill of rabbit this morning. How is it that you're still so hungry?"
Nighteyes already has a mouthful of the cooked meat in his mouth and has dropped down onto his haunches to make short work of it. There's laughter dancing in his eyes when he looks back up. Shall I let it go to waste instead?
In response Fitz just scoffs and glances Huaisang's way out of habit as though to invite him to share his mild affront, and then remembers with a grimace that he can't. He frowns, apologetic, and rubs at his chin. "I'd wondered," he admits, "how long it would last."