Work Text:
Shauna stands by the butcher table. She was actually surprised by the way Gen was successful in netting three ruffled grouses. The birds looked nice and plump from their summer feasting. And now they get to fatten the yellowjackets as the first flakes of snow fall from the grey sky. Shauna’s fingers are busy plucking the feathers as someone approaches her from behind.
“Hey Shauna.” Lottie says. Knowing she shouldn’t sneak up on Shauna.
Shauna who just ignores Lottie as she works.
Lottie strolls to the side of the table and is content to simply watch Shauna work. The way her fingers know what they’re doing. Ripping and plucking.
Shauna who can ignore Lottie well enough until the bird is cleaned and she reaches for her knife. “Isss something up?” She asks with a quizzical gaze.
“Hm?” Lottie cocks her head before registering the question. “Ah I just thought..” She had to cover the fact she just wanted to be near Shauna. Her line of sight flickers over to the pile of feathers stacked in the left corner. “That it’s a shame we don’t do anything with the feathers.”
“You can have 'em if you really want.” Shauna says.
“Thanks.” Lottie chuckles.Lifting her arms up to reach for the feathers. “I’ll find a use for them.”
Shauna just nods curtly and takes the knife in hand to start slicing up the grouse.
A few days later she’s sitting around the fire to warm her hands from the bitter cold.Winter works fast in the wilderness.Her head perks up as she spots Lottie exit her hut. Lottie was wearing her furs but..on the shoulders were the feathers.Acting as makeshift shoulder pads.But leave it to Lottie to make it work.
Shauna thinks of getting up to say something but before she can Mari is bounding up to Lottie. Ugh. another time.Later that day Gen excitedly comes back with a few pheasants. Shauna is quick to snatch them away and get to work cleaning them.
An hour later she looks for Lottie.Spotting Lottie sitting alone behind all the huts. “Lottie.” Shauna says, clearing her throat.Hands behind her back.
“Yes?” Lottie asks.
“I found some more feathers for you.That is…if you still want them.” Shauna says, bringing her arms around to show off the pair of pheasant tails.
“They’re beautiful.” Lottie muses with a smile as she stands up. “Thank you Shauna.”
Lottie sticks her hands out to take the tails and as they’re fingers meet Shauna looks away. “No problem. Just uh. Being a good leader. Anyway I gotta go.” she promptly turns around and walks away.
It brought a little joy seeing Lottie don the feathers as part of her wardrobe. Another day later Shauna gets up before anyone else and heads out into the trees.
Hours later Lottie sits outside her hut conversing with Mari about some trivial thing from before their crash landing.Shauna huffs and can see her breath as she walks straight up to Lottie.
“So.I was just out patrolling the area.” Shauna starts “and I happened upon this.” With that she holds up a feather from a mourning dove.
“It’s..lovely.” Lottie breathes. Her smile is infectious as she reaches a hand up to stroke the feather.
“I’m glad because it made me think of you.” Shauna says.Lottie giggling as she runs her hand across the feather. “And it’s yours now so here you go.” She shoves the feather out to Lottie and waits for her to grab it before excusing herself to take care of some things.