Ander - Part 5: Subchapter 40
40
The little gap was way too small for Ander to wriggle through like Kiana had, so he had no choice but to dig out a little slope first. Kiana helped by cheering him on.
After much huffing and puffing, he finally clambered outside and had a good look around. There was a thick layer of snow piled up on the roof, and he made a mental note to knock it down before sunset. He didn't want the whole place to cave in on him while he slept. The oak tree was an absolute assault of contrast, with pitch black claws wearing gloves of pure white, reaching for the sky.
He took a few steps and immediately sank down all the way to his knees, gasping at the sudden frigid sensation crawling up his legs, making them tingle. He waded through the tightly packed powder, carving a trench behind him, until he could look over the curvature of the hill.
Grovenglen looked like something out of one of Layla's fairy stories. The roads were a crisscrossing pattern of white. The houses all had golden glows emanating from their windows and smoke rising from their chimneys. Children were already running around outside, throwing snowballs at each other. From up here, they looked like red ants scurrying over a pile of sugar.
He was no stranger to snow, of course, but it had never snowed this much or this quickly back in his old village, maybe because of the mountain. And speaking of the mountain...
Ander turned around and saw Kiana, her hands folded over her heart just like the carving he had made of her, staring straight ahead, transfixed by what she saw.
It was completely covered, from tallest peak to widest base, in pure white snow. There were some dark grey patches showing underneath the overhangs and rocky outcroppings, but even they only served to make the rest seem even whiter by comparison. The whole thing was so bright Ander had to shield his eyes after a while, and every time he blinked he would see a vague outline of the forest, zigzagging through the darkness behind his eyelids in greenish lines.
"By the gods, Ander, isn't it beautiful?" she breathed.
"It sure is, but not quite as beautiful as you."
She smiled. "I haven't seen this much snow since I was a little girl."
Ander walked up next to her, put his arm around her waist, and together they stood on the top of Wolf Hill, looking out over the valley, the forest, and the mountain. Everything was so peaceful, so perfect.
"I wish I could stay a little longer," Kiana said. "But I really should get home."
"Can I walk you back?"
She bit her bottom lip in that cute way of hers, a sure sign that she was thinking very hard. "That sounds really nice, but I don't think it's such a good idea. Mother has been kind of... how should I put this? 'Mothery' as of late. I wouldn't want you to be on the receiving end of one of her inquisitions."
"Oof, no, that doesn't sound good at all. But I can understand where she's coming from. I've learned enough about Foxes to know that the way we've been doing things would make her spit fire."
"Aww..." Kiana put on a sad face and ran a hand across his chest. "Are you saying I should stop my little visits?"
"No! Heavens no! I just -"
Kiana burst out laughing. "I'm sorry, Ander!" She sniggered. "You just make it so easy to mess with you sometimes."
"It's okay, I don't mind," Ander said, resting his hand on top of her head. "It's just, I've been thinking... Maybe it's about time we tell her?"
Kiana stiffened against him. "Tell her? You mean, about us?"
"Why not? Rufio probably knows already, and Layla definitely knows. And after everything she's done for me, I hate sneaking around behind her back like this. It feels... I don't know. Cowardly."
Kiana suddenly stepped away from him. "I am not a coward, Ander."
"What? Of course not! I never said that."
"In case you hadn't noticed, our relationship isn't exactly conventional. People talk, and not everything they say is good."
"So what? You've never let a little gossip get you down before. Is there something else going on? Is Mateo bothering you again?"
"No, I just... Everything is so perfect exactly as they are, Ander. I don't want to risk changing anything."
"But things will change, whether we want it to or not. Don't you see? Sooner or later, Bethany will find out. I just think it would be much better if she found out from us instead of some - Kiana?" She had turned away and was grasping her stomach, as if she were about to throw up. "Are you okay?"
She nodded slowly. "I'm fine. I just wish we had more time."
"What are you talking about? There's no rush, we have all the time in the world. Or did you think I meant we should go down and tell her right this instant?" Kiana gave him a small smile, but she still looked a bit sickly, so he wrapped his arms around her and held her tight. "I'm sorry I upset you. We don't have to tell her until you're ready, okay?"
She returned his hug and nodded against his chest. "Thank you, Ander. I know you're right, as usual, but... I need some time to figure things out."
"Take all you need."
Kiana gave him an affectionate little squeeze. "I have to get going, before Mother comes and drags me back home by the ears. Goodbye, Ander."
"Goodbye, Kiana."
"I'll come see you tomorrow, okay?"
"I'll be looking forward to it."
They shared a goodbye kiss, and then Ander watched her go down the zigzagging path to the bottom of the hill, stepping high to make it through the snow. He could still feel the shape of her warmth against his body, as if a part of her were still holding him.
She looked back and waved, smiling broadly, and Ander raised his arm in return, feeling nothing but love for the vixen who could make him so happy. Although...
Ander lowered his hand and scratched his head. There was something strange about her today, something that had been bothering him since the minute she showed up. He had utilized every ounce of willpower not to ask her about it, but now he sort of wished he hadn't. He just couldn't help but wonder...
Why on earth did she smell like rotten grapes?
If you enjoy my story, please help keep my face un-mauled by irritable ostriches by dropping me a donation.
Thank you! ^_^
Paypal:[email protected]
Donation Progress $100 / $300 (Unlock Sunday update)
How and Why: The Story behind "Ander" (Journal): https://www.sofurry.com/view/517234
Special thanks go out to the following furs for helping me keep this project afloat with their generous donations. I couldn't do it without your support.
- Mystery fur
- PyrePup
- KmlRock
- Faan
- Sunny-Fox
- Mystery fur #2
- Sky Star
- Claybrook
Thank you! You guys are the best! ^_^