Early Bird (Erkenci Kus)(Part 4)

31. A way of life

After their breakfast, Can and Sanem started making their way down to the main resort. They would take a snowmobile back to get his car.

Their both deep in thought but in a happier mood. Sanem trips over a rock while staring up at the trees ahead and grabs hold of his arm.
He puts his hand over hers to keep her steady.

"Don't you dare say I wanted to hold your hand."

"Yeah yeah," he snorts and lets go. Her hand stays hooked in his arm though as he chuckles and she smiles a little. "I was right, you are more reasonable when you've eaten."

"Maybe, but I'm not a child. I can be reasonable without having to be persuaded."

Can lifts a brow but doesn't comment on that trap. "Then I must be one too, because I'm also a lot calmer when I'm full. And I want to hurt people when I'm hungry. It gets bad."

"Can?" Sanem stops and is staring at something when he looks at her.

"Hm?"

"Sledding," she says longingly. "I want to go on a sled, can we?" She pleads with a pout, big doe eyes and all.

"I thought you just said you're not a child? You're acting a lot like one," he points out trying not to laugh.

"No, but...it's the child inside of me that wants it, not me," she says quickly. He grins and nods at her trying to make herself sound grown up. "But thanks to you that child's dream of sledding is now dashed."

"Stop, shhh. Let me look at you." He steps back. She poses as he squints at her pouting her lips out like a model, hands on her hips. "I can't ignore this face," he mumbles and then gives in. "Come on," he waves his arm. "Let's go on the sleds."

"No, but now I don't want to," she frowns and lets her shoulders sag.

"Oh stop," he laughs, "you just don't want to admit you don't know how," he taunts.

"Who?"

"I think it's better you don't. You might break something and have to lie in bed for 3 weeks."

"Who? Me?" Sanem starts to follow him. "I was the fastest last time it snowed. Uncle Ahmet's son was always second and I won every race."

"Hm hm."

"You don't believe me? Let's race then."

"There's not a trace of a child in you. None." He turns and keeps walking slowly while she stops and glares at his back.

"I will beat you!"

"Then come on, run, we'll arrange that race and see." He slows and she starts running towards him, bounding and leaping. "Don't fall."

"I'm running."

"You're going to fall, slow down. Don't do anything stupid like break a toe on the way, we have to finish the race."

She grabs onto his arm and they walk up the hill to get to the top, with her slipping every now and then, and him shaking his head at her squeaking every time.

Up at the top they are given two sleds and told to get ready.

"Just a warning, I've done this before."

"So have I," Sanem says. "Sledding is a way of life for me."

"I don't understand how sledding can be a way of life?" Can shrugs and sits on his.

"It means I know what I'm doing, don't ask questions," Sanem sits too and grips the steering rope.

"Okay, are you ready?" Can asks, grinning down at the bottom of the hill.