The catlet turned back to Bucky, lifted her long tail, waaoed at him again, then delicately sniffed the offered hand. She must have approved of what she smelled, because she gently butted her head against his fingers, then arched her back as she sidled under his hand, entreating this new human for pettings.
Hawke chuckled; "Such a minx. I do believe you'll have your work cut out for you, serah, taming this one."
The kitten continued rubbing against Bucky's fingers, beginning to purr like an approaching thunderstorm. "Shameless," Hawke clucked his tongue at her. The kitten ignored him, making the mage laugh again. "Typical woman. Once she finds what she wants, she's oblivious to everything else."
Bucky scritches around her ears lightly, then a little more when she keeps butting at his hand for more pettings. He smiles, ready to give her everything she wants.
"I like the untamed," he says with his own wink directed at Hawke, and then his attention is back on the kitty, petting all down her back, then back to her ears again. She's small enough to fit in one hand, so he scoops her up gently as he stands, holding her against his chest. "She's also good at stealing the show, isn't she."
An evening well spent. Good food, good beer, and good conversation with a new friend (hopefully). And just perhaps a little bit of happiness for the latter, especially with how the small kitten settled comfortably in the soldier's large hand, odd for a feline born feral with no reason at all to trust humans.
"I believe you've made a friend, Bucky," Hawke told him, picking up the empty plate and placing it on the counter. "Two, if I might dare to count myself, eh?"
Bucky is surprised as well. She's such a gentle little thing and he so often feels the opposite of that, but she doesn't see it. She curls up with him, and he even uses his gloved hand to pet her.
"I think so, yeah," He says about the kitty, and then looks at Hawke. "Two friends- but the kitty isn't gonna go out with me on another date." And it'll be more than just coming over to get the kitty. They'll do dinner, and a stroll through the park. Bucky actually finds that he's already looking forward to it. How about that.
"Thanks for tonight. This was-- it was nicer than anything I've done in a real long time."
Hawke accepted the thanks with elegant grace, inclining his head before sweeping Bucky a lightly gallant half-bow. "You are most welcome, messere. I'm so very delighted that you enjoyed my company. I definitely enjoyed yours, and you even acquired a new roommate out of the evening's events." Blue eyes twinkled mischievously. "I daresay I'm a touch jealous."
But as it was getting quite late, and Bucky still had to procure kitten supplies for his new housemate, Hawke escorted both soldier and catling downstairs, shaking the man's hand with a firm grip and rubbing soft white ears with gentle fingers.
"Please, reach out if you need me. Anytime, day or night."
There's a part of him that wants to tell Hawke he can come to his place to visit the kitty, but his place is empty and pathetic. Maybe now he'll have a reason to get some furniture.
"I enjoyed your company very much. Thanks for having me over."
He heads down with Hawke and his new little kitty, just momentarily freaking out when Hawke reaches out to shake his hand. He shifts the kitty into his other hand though, praying that she doesn't jump out from being scared of it, but she stays put, and Bucky shakes his hand.
"Sure. Yeah. In fact, uh... can you help me zip my coat up right now? Kinda got my hands full with a ball of fur. I wanna tuck her inside."
Hawke briefly considered taking the cat so Bucky could zip the coat himself, but at the last minute opted otherwise. It had taken him a few tries to get the hang of “zippers”; Thedas had no such marvels in its shops. And it was such a huge step that this formerly frosty stranger was actually asking for such tangible contact that Hawke wasn’t about to turn it down.
So he stepped closer, craned his head to find the ends of Bucky’s coat, and he very gently fastened the zipper to its teeth, and with careful, deliberate precision, he slowly drew the tab upwards, dark blue eyes following the small piece of metal the entire way.
(Leave it to Rowen Hawke to make even such a mundane thing as zipping a coat sensual, but there we are.)
“There,” he replied, voice more than a little rough. But his smile never shirked. “All done.”
Bucky lets out a soft breath when Rowen moves in close to zip his jacket up. He keeps his eyes on the other- not because he's tense or suspicious, but because he wants to watch him. It seems like he's going slow on purpose... and Bucky likes it. He even leans into it a little, just to make it easier (sure, that's all it is).
"Thanks," he says, his voice a little rough as well as he lifts his free hand, resting it slightly against Rowen's chest.
“You’re welcome.” The words were accompanied by a single nod, more than enough to evaporate even more space between them. It might have been a touch surreal; Bucky with a cat in one hand and his other resting lightly against Hawke’s broad chest, but the latter wasn’t going to complain a bit.
And since Hawke was who he was, bold, brash, but incredibly tender, he took the subtle invitation to tilt his head just the slightest and, greatly daring, press the lightest kiss against Bucky’s parted lips.
That brief touch, a soft flash of heat, and then it was over, as again Hawke was smiling at his friend with warm blue eyes, and giving another nod.
Bucky thinks he might want to kiss Hawke, but he's feeling unsure. Is it too soon? Would it be strange? Is he ok enough to do something like that? He's overthinking of course, but then Hawke solves all those questions for him by leaning in to him.
It's soft and brief, but wonderfully warm. Bucky leans in to return the kiss for that moment, before Hawke pulls back. Bucky smiles, feeling that warmth run across his cheek, giving the other a nod.
"I'll call you," he says, before heading out. Then they can do this again, because Bucky very much wants to.
A few days later, Hawke was just getting out of the shower - another amazing modern marvel he adored - when he heard the chime of the "cell phone". Unfortunately, it stopped ringing before he reached it, earning a few sulfurous curses since trying to figure out how to return the call was such a damned headache.
The Livingstons, as well as a few of their sweet tenants, had taken the poor Ferelden native in hand and educated their new protector as best as they could in this world of all things modern, but the this sort of technology was still difficult and unfamiliar. He simply didn't know enough people to get much use out of the damned thing.
He was actually perched on the edge of the bed, wet hair dripping down his neck and shoulders, towel wrapped around his waist, scowling at the bloody phone in his hand, when it rang again, nearly making him drop it with a sour curse. But this time, he managed to answer it, fumbling a bit before at last getting it right side up, and grumbled a tentative, "...yes?" into the correct end.
Bucky's decent with phones. There are certain technologies he caught onto quickly, mostly because he needed to as the Winter Soldier. It's the more basic every day ones he's still getting used to. He figured that calling would be easier than texting though.
It's not easier actually, because a call takes a lot of nerve to build up when a person is nervous, and-- yeah. Bucky's nervous.
He's not even really sure why he's so nervous. Their date went better than Bucky could have ever imagined a date going- so maybe that's why. He wants this to keep going well and he has a hard time imagining that things will go well for him, especially consistently. There's that, and the fact that Rowen doesn't know much of anything about him just yet. Doesn't know who he was or what he's done. That fact has been an absolute godsend for the time being, because it felt like he was just a normal guy going on a regular date.
Alpine- Bucky's named his little white ball of fur Alpine- gives his hand the final nudge it needs to make the call, as if she knows exactly what's going on here and who Bucky's calling.
"Alright, alright," he mutters to her, then dials the number Rowen left him, and waits as it rings. And waits, and waits until the call goes to voicemail. He twists his lip and hangs up, but Alpine meows at him again. "I'm not calling him again, that'll seem desperate. There's a way to go about these things." Alpine nudges her nose against his hand, then bumps under it, nearly knocking the phone out of his hand, but as he goes to catch it, his finger presses call again. Shit. Well he can't hang up now otherwise he'll look like an idiot- and that's when Rowen actually answers. Sounding very annoyed.
"Uh- hi. It's Bucky. Is this-- a bad time? I can call back. I didn't mean to call you twice."
"-oh, Bucky, yes, of course." Hawke nearly dropped the stupid thing again as he shifted it around, but all of the irritation had faded from his voice because he couldn't help but grin from ear to ear. "Hello, serah. How are you? And it's not at all a bad time, I just can't seem to get the hang of these...phones." The last word was colored with frustrated spite. But he went on to explain.
"I was just getting out of the bath - shower - when it chimed the first time, and it stopped before I could reach it. And, as I have absolutely no skill whatsoever in its operation, was unable to figure how to return the communique, as such. As it stands, I'm definitely grateful you chimed again, otherwise I'd have missed you entirely." And he didn't want to do that, not at all.
Hawke plopped down on the sofa, still wrapped in the towel, phone at his ear. "I'm glad to hear from you. How are you and the minx getting along?"
Hawke's tone changes almost immediately, so Bucky's heart stops beating double time in his chest. Well that's a good sign, at least.
"Phones can be tricky yeah. Took me a while to get the hang of 'em too. You've got Alpine to thank for the repeat call. She bullied me into it. Oh- uh- yeah I named her Alpine. We're doing great. She's definitely settled in." He swears that Alpine is looking at him smugly right now, though. She really is a little minx.
The news that the kitten had bullied him into calling made Hawke chuckle, but not unkindly. "Alpine, how very fitting. And yes, she can definitely be a demanding little diva when she wants to be. I'm thrilled that you two are working out."
He ran a hand through his still-wet hair, shaking his head and sending water droplets flying before speaking into the phone again. "So! While I'm thrilled all to pieces to hear from you again, what can I do you for?"
"We are. She settled in real easy." He got her everything she needed that night- and more. Maybe too much, but it's alright. He wants to make sure he's good for her. He never thought he'd be the nurturing kind, not after what he's done, but here he is, taking care of another living thing again.
"Well, I was calling to say hi. But-- also to see if you wanted to go out again."
What a lovely surprise. Hawke blinked, gazing unseeing out of the large windows overlooking the interior garden. "Ohhh, I see. Well, I would definitely welcome your company, now or whenever you've a mind."
Which meant he needed to get his naked ass off of the couch and hunt up some clothes. Which also prompted the query of, "Er, where would you like to go? Just so I'm dressed appropriately. Far be it from me to complain, but your city has the most beastly unpredictable weather, my dear Bucky."
He didn't think Hawke would want to go out right now, but he's not against the idea at all. He's just hanging around his apartment trying to figure out what to do, which name to cross off his list next.
"Now is good, sure. It's pretty nice out so maybe..." Think on the fly here, Barnes. "We can grab some sandwiches and have a picnic in the park?" He hopes that's not too corny. Not too lame. Hawke did say he liked the park a lot, though, and they had talked about possibly going on a date there.
By now Hawke's in the wardrobe - closet - riffling through items on the hangers. "That actually sounds perfect, now that you mention it. And yes, it's quite the nice day today, although I'm a bit abashed to admit that I slept in this morning, so I'm off to a horribly slow start."
He'd been up most of the night dealing with idiots who tried again to break into the building. And this time, there had been more than a few broken bones. He was getting vastly tired of these ingrates not getting the fucking hint.
"Shall I meet you there? Or would you like to come by here first, as I'll no doubt get myself good and lost on the way?"
"It's alright, no rush. I've got nothing to hurry back to." Alpine meows loud enough for Hawke to hear. "Except her, of course. I swear, she can understand me."
Bucky would help to put a stop to those ingrates. He'd scare the shit out of them in two seconds flat. Another date idea, maybe. Hah.
"I can meet you at your place, no problem. We can walk over together." More time spent with Hawke sounds perfectly fine to him.
“Excellent. As it will probably take me some time to put these clothes together. No disrespect to your tailors, my darling, but have they never heard of laces?”
The metal fastenings - those infernal clasps and zippers - were just bloody intolerable.
“Do come on up when you arrive; I’ll leave the door unlocked for you.” Marcus wouldn’t have an issue letting Bucky into the building; Hawke had already added him to the doorman’s list.
That gets Bucky to laugh a little. "I can't even imagine what clothes you're wearing that would be harder than tying up a bunch of laces."
Bucky's already dressed, but he does actually look in the mirror to fix up his hair this time, and then he goes to the kitchen area to make sure Alpine has some water, food, and kisses her little head goodbye before he heads out.
After disconnecting with Bucky - and tossing the infernal contraption on the rumpled bed - Hawke went back to his closet. And not two minutes before Bucky arrived was dressed in dark jeans, a bright blue button-down with the sleeves rolled halfway, and sturdy black boots. No jacket this time, as the sun was shining and the breeze was pleasantly cool.
He was just running a comb through his hair when Bucky arrived, and sauntered into the main room with a toothy smile to see his date hovering near the doorway.
“Hello, serah, it’s good to see you again.” And it was; the soldier was just as delectable a confection as he’d been a few nights before. “Make yourself comfortable, I’ll be but a minute more.”
"It's good to see you too... you look nice," Bucky offers, heading inside Hawke's apartment when he gets there.
He's in jeans and a darker blue shirt with long sleeves, and still a jacket, but a lighter one, and his gloves.
"Take your time," he calls out as Hawke heads off again, and Bucky meanders around again, looking at the place with daytime eyes. It's always different during the day.
When Hawke emerged this time, he was at last ready to be seen by the general public. Dressed, combed, shaved (he really did miss the gloriously full beard he’d kept back in Kirkwall), and relatively neat, he gave his date a gleaming grin as he sauntered into the living room.
“All set,” he reported, unabashed about letting his gaze rove just enough. The thought of greetings with a kiss flashed through his mind, but, small steps, small steps. Even though the way Bucky had leaned into it a few nights ago was never very far away.
“Shall we get food along the way? I’m afraid I’m woefully underprepared for having anything suitable here.”
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Date: 2024-05-09 01:04 am (UTC)Hawke chuckled; "Such a minx. I do believe you'll have your work cut out for you, serah, taming this one."
The kitten continued rubbing against Bucky's fingers, beginning to purr like an approaching thunderstorm. "Shameless," Hawke clucked his tongue at her. The kitten ignored him, making the mage laugh again. "Typical woman. Once she finds what she wants, she's oblivious to everything else."
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Date: 2024-05-09 01:14 am (UTC)"I like the untamed," he says with his own wink directed at Hawke, and then his attention is back on the kitty, petting all down her back, then back to her ears again. She's small enough to fit in one hand, so he scoops her up gently as he stands, holding her against his chest. "She's also good at stealing the show, isn't she."
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Date: 2024-05-09 01:19 am (UTC)"I believe you've made a friend, Bucky," Hawke told him, picking up the empty plate and placing it on the counter. "Two, if I might dare to count myself, eh?"
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Date: 2024-05-09 02:00 am (UTC)"I think so, yeah," He says about the kitty, and then looks at Hawke. "Two friends- but the kitty isn't gonna go out with me on another date." And it'll be more than just coming over to get the kitty. They'll do dinner, and a stroll through the park. Bucky actually finds that he's already looking forward to it. How about that.
"Thanks for tonight. This was-- it was nicer than anything I've done in a real long time."
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Date: 2024-05-09 02:06 am (UTC)But as it was getting quite late, and Bucky still had to procure kitten supplies for his new housemate, Hawke escorted both soldier and catling downstairs, shaking the man's hand with a firm grip and rubbing soft white ears with gentle fingers.
"Please, reach out if you need me. Anytime, day or night."
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Date: 2024-05-09 02:44 am (UTC)There's a part of him that wants to tell Hawke he can come to his place to visit the kitty, but his place is empty and pathetic. Maybe now he'll have a reason to get some furniture.
"I enjoyed your company very much. Thanks for having me over."
He heads down with Hawke and his new little kitty, just momentarily freaking out when Hawke reaches out to shake his hand. He shifts the kitty into his other hand though, praying that she doesn't jump out from being scared of it, but she stays put, and Bucky shakes his hand.
"Sure. Yeah. In fact, uh... can you help me zip my coat up right now? Kinda got my hands full with a ball of fur. I wanna tuck her inside."
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Date: 2024-05-09 03:14 am (UTC)So he stepped closer, craned his head to find the ends of Bucky’s coat, and he very gently fastened the zipper to its teeth, and with careful, deliberate precision, he slowly drew the tab upwards, dark blue eyes following the small piece of metal the entire way.
(Leave it to Rowen Hawke to make even such a mundane thing as zipping a coat sensual, but there we are.)
“There,” he replied, voice more than a little rough. But his smile never shirked. “All done.”
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Date: 2024-05-09 03:36 am (UTC)"Thanks," he says, his voice a little rough as well as he lifts his free hand, resting it slightly against Rowen's chest.
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Date: 2024-05-09 04:07 pm (UTC)And since Hawke was who he was, bold, brash, but incredibly tender, he took the subtle invitation to tilt his head just the slightest and, greatly daring, press the lightest kiss against Bucky’s parted lips.
That brief touch, a soft flash of heat, and then it was over, as again Hawke was smiling at his friend with warm blue eyes, and giving another nod.
“Anytime.”
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Date: 2024-05-09 11:21 pm (UTC)It's soft and brief, but wonderfully warm. Bucky leans in to return the kiss for that moment, before Hawke pulls back. Bucky smiles, feeling that warmth run across his cheek, giving the other a nod.
"I'll call you," he says, before heading out. Then they can do this again, because Bucky very much wants to.
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Date: 2024-05-10 12:34 am (UTC)The Livingstons, as well as a few of their sweet tenants, had taken the poor Ferelden native in hand and educated their new protector as best as they could in this world of all things modern, but the this sort of technology was still difficult and unfamiliar. He simply didn't know enough people to get much use out of the damned thing.
He was actually perched on the edge of the bed, wet hair dripping down his neck and shoulders, towel wrapped around his waist, scowling at the bloody phone in his hand, when it rang again, nearly making him drop it with a sour curse. But this time, he managed to answer it, fumbling a bit before at last getting it right side up, and grumbled a tentative, "...yes?" into the correct end.
Stupid cludgy thing.
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Date: 2024-05-10 01:22 am (UTC)It's not easier actually, because a call takes a lot of nerve to build up when a person is nervous, and-- yeah. Bucky's nervous.
He's not even really sure why he's so nervous. Their date went better than Bucky could have ever imagined a date going- so maybe that's why. He wants this to keep going well and he has a hard time imagining that things will go well for him, especially consistently. There's that, and the fact that Rowen doesn't know much of anything about him just yet. Doesn't know who he was or what he's done. That fact has been an absolute godsend for the time being, because it felt like he was just a normal guy going on a regular date.
Alpine- Bucky's named his little white ball of fur Alpine- gives his hand the final nudge it needs to make the call, as if she knows exactly what's going on here and who Bucky's calling.
"Alright, alright," he mutters to her, then dials the number Rowen left him, and waits as it rings. And waits, and waits until the call goes to voicemail. He twists his lip and hangs up, but Alpine meows at him again. "I'm not calling him again, that'll seem desperate. There's a way to go about these things." Alpine nudges her nose against his hand, then bumps under it, nearly knocking the phone out of his hand, but as he goes to catch it, his finger presses call again. Shit. Well he can't hang up now otherwise he'll look like an idiot- and that's when Rowen actually answers. Sounding very annoyed.
"Uh- hi. It's Bucky. Is this-- a bad time? I can call back. I didn't mean to call you twice."
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Date: 2024-05-10 01:35 am (UTC)"I was just getting out of the bath - shower - when it chimed the first time, and it stopped before I could reach it. And, as I have absolutely no skill whatsoever in its operation, was unable to figure how to return the communique, as such. As it stands, I'm definitely grateful you chimed again, otherwise I'd have missed you entirely." And he didn't want to do that, not at all.
Hawke plopped down on the sofa, still wrapped in the towel, phone at his ear. "I'm glad to hear from you. How are you and the minx getting along?"
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Date: 2024-05-10 01:44 am (UTC)"Phones can be tricky yeah. Took me a while to get the hang of 'em too. You've got Alpine to thank for the repeat call. She bullied me into it. Oh- uh- yeah I named her Alpine. We're doing great. She's definitely settled in." He swears that Alpine is looking at him smugly right now, though. She really is a little minx.
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Date: 2024-05-10 01:47 am (UTC)He ran a hand through his still-wet hair, shaking his head and sending water droplets flying before speaking into the phone again. "So! While I'm thrilled all to pieces to hear from you again, what can I do you for?"
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Date: 2024-05-10 02:23 am (UTC)"Well, I was calling to say hi. But-- also to see if you wanted to go out again."
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Date: 2024-05-10 02:31 am (UTC)Which meant he needed to get his naked ass off of the couch and hunt up some clothes. Which also prompted the query of, "Er, where would you like to go? Just so I'm dressed appropriately. Far be it from me to complain, but your city has the most beastly unpredictable weather, my dear Bucky."
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Date: 2024-05-10 02:43 am (UTC)"Now is good, sure. It's pretty nice out so maybe..." Think on the fly here, Barnes. "We can grab some sandwiches and have a picnic in the park?" He hopes that's not too corny. Not too lame. Hawke did say he liked the park a lot, though, and they had talked about possibly going on a date there.
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Date: 2024-05-10 02:50 am (UTC)He'd been up most of the night dealing with idiots who tried again to break into the building. And this time, there had been more than a few broken bones. He was getting vastly tired of these ingrates not getting the fucking hint.
"Shall I meet you there? Or would you like to come by here first, as I'll no doubt get myself good and lost on the way?"
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Date: 2024-05-10 03:04 am (UTC)Bucky would help to put a stop to those ingrates. He'd scare the shit out of them in two seconds flat. Another date idea, maybe. Hah.
"I can meet you at your place, no problem. We can walk over together." More time spent with Hawke sounds perfectly fine to him.
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Date: 2024-05-10 03:10 am (UTC)The metal fastenings - those infernal clasps and zippers - were just bloody intolerable.
“Do come on up when you arrive; I’ll leave the door unlocked for you.” Marcus wouldn’t have an issue letting Bucky into the building; Hawke had already added him to the doorman’s list.
“Marcus will let you right in.”
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Date: 2024-05-10 03:15 am (UTC)Bucky's already dressed, but he does actually look in the mirror to fix up his hair this time, and then he goes to the kitchen area to make sure Alpine has some water, food, and kisses her little head goodbye before he heads out.
"Alright, great. See you soon."
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Date: 2024-05-10 03:25 am (UTC)He was just running a comb through his hair when Bucky arrived, and sauntered into the main room with a toothy smile to see his date hovering near the doorway.
“Hello, serah, it’s good to see you again.” And it was; the soldier was just as delectable a confection as he’d been a few nights before. “Make yourself comfortable, I’ll be but a minute more.”
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Date: 2024-05-10 04:03 am (UTC)He's in jeans and a darker blue shirt with long sleeves, and still a jacket, but a lighter one, and his gloves.
"Take your time," he calls out as Hawke heads off again, and Bucky meanders around again, looking at the place with daytime eyes. It's always different during the day.
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Date: 2024-05-10 08:52 pm (UTC)“All set,” he reported, unabashed about letting his gaze rove just enough. The thought of greetings with a kiss flashed through his mind, but, small steps, small steps. Even though the way Bucky had leaned into it a few nights ago was never very far away.
“Shall we get food along the way? I’m afraid I’m woefully underprepared for having anything suitable here.”
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