🖤 ฅ^•ﻌ•^ฅ 🖤

"Such pretty feathers." Letting a gloved finger scratch at his chest just beneath his throat, the bird in turn trills at the compliment. More land close by but do not broach your space just yet, turning their heads with curiosity, with impatient gazes wondering if they will be held next.

"You are distracting them." A frigid, smooth voice calls out behind you, glancing over your shoulder at the wild crow you hold in your hand.

"What's a little reward for being such a good scout?" A wind chime of a giggle tumbles from your soft lips, "All work and no play makes you..."

You look over your shoulder for a moment, locking contact with his brown eyes, unable to contain your giggle before you add, "Well it makes you Genau."

With that the black bird in your hand and those overhead laugh with you. Genau wears the same mask he always has, handsome features in a neutral setting, unwavering disinterest.

Yet still you see something stirring under his ever bored gaze.

The birds erupt into a flutter with a simple wave of his hand, sending out his "eyes" across the paths around the village for any possible disturbances, if one is found that is the direction you two would find yourselves set in.

The angry pout you give him has yet to sway him this way or that, or so you think. Glaring up at him with murderous intent the same way a cat does their human companions.

"Your tea is getting cold." He says simply, giving you his back before he walks into the cabin the village was kind enough to let the two of you stay in, "We may not have time for such luxuries as hot tea and soft pastries."

"I prefer my tea warm. Not everyone likes it scalding like you." A scoff, still Genau hears crunching snow following closer to the threshold, "You keep saying that and each time we do not have to travel far."

You continue in your complaints now that he has soured your mood temporarily although, as before he is not paying attention. Not fully anyway.

Not because he is letting your half hearted complaints slide off his back but because he is too busy replaying what he had just seen.

Not you holding the bird, oh no, he's seen that thousands of times now. This time, that cheeky wild crow, alerted Genau piquing his attention.

Getting him to look through the inky black eyes of the feathered scout. The angle tilted, your smile wide, cooing down at how handsome the bird was.

Something about it provokes a reaction, a hot sticky feeling weighing heavy in Genau's chest. A warmth he isn't sure he has felt since he was a boy.

The dishware clattering draws his attention, your fist on the table, your cute little angry cat like glare as you point a sharp claw at his face.

"See! You don't even listen!" You whine, before falling back into your chair dramatically. Picking around the edges of your pastry that is a bit 'too done.'

"I do. Not everything you say elicits a response."

He has earned your ire now, your true rage. He watches you sit up straight, watches your lively eyes darken in a matter reserved for conflicts or fights.

You rise, grabbing for your fur lined jacket without a word, leaving without so much as a slam of the door.

Good, this was what he needed, the distance, the cold hearted version of you.

Not how the crow saw you, now how the villagers do, with your sweet smile, your honied words or sharp tongue for those who were rude.