Chapter Text
"I love you" were those three magic words I could never bring myself to say out loud.
Growing up in a poor run-down orphanage, the feeling of genuine love and affection always seemed so alien and out of reach.
Never have I dreamed that there'll come a time when my happiness would depend on another. Not 'till I met Jack for the very first time.
Perhaps it was that resplendent, warm smile of his that won me over. Or maybe it's his adorably precocious yet outgoing and amiable nature that is to blame.
Perhaps I'll never know for certain.
Running my fingers through his disheveled chestnut fur, I watch the light brown jackal spread his arms and legs on the grass below. His dark hazel eyes are filled with fondness as he gazes up at me.
"I see that someone's in an especially sour mood today.", he states, resting his head on my lap.
"Is there anything I can do to turn that adorable little frown upside down?"
I avert my gaze to other critters in the distance, pretending not to listen to a thing he's saying.
It's only when I feel his furry fingers grip my arm that I look down again.
"You know pretending won't save you from me, babe.", he raises his mouth to my ear, still caressing my arm.
"No amount of physical pain and torture can hurt as much as you ignoring me.", he whispers softly into my ear, making a shiver run down my spine.
"Since when have you learned to be so impulsive?", I finally ask, feigning annoyance.
"Well, the truth is that Zill may have given me some tips on wooing you.", he admits, burying his face in my neck.
"And I'd say it's working pretty well.", he adds, noticing just how desperate and futile the attempts to shield my flushed face were.
"Heh. You wish.", I shot back, feeling heat rise to my cheeks.
"Oh, come on, honey. We both know you can't resist me.", he states, with voice as sweet and soft as summer rain.
"Look, I'm just not in the mood, okay?", I lie, hoping that my act would lead Jack to some reason and make him knock this ridiculous act off.
"Oh, really?", he asks,
"Then, please explain why you seemed so interested in my fur a mere second ago."
Dang it, I thought bitterly. You should have known better than to get entranced by that soft, unkept coat of his.
"Your fur being soft and inviting has nothing to do with this, alright?", I exclaim while staring down at the colony of tiny black insects scurrying across the grass field.
"Alright. If you say so.", he shrugs while standing up and stretching his arms. "I'm probably gonna go for a walk, then.", he announces before taking a few steps away from our spot under the large willow tree.
"No, wait!", I call after him, feeling butterflies in my belly as I do so.
"Could you...stay just a bit longer..."
A wide, knowing smirk spreads slowly across Jack's face as he stares back at me.
"Yes?"
"C-could I get that kiss from you already?", I ask in a sheepish tone of voice.