Fur and Fang [BXB]

Twelve

Fenn sat on a picnic blanket with his face turned toward the treetops. His eyes were closed as he absorbed his surroundings through his other senses. The wind passed through with a soft hush, rattling the newly emerged leaves above him. The air was chill in a refreshing way and the earthy scent that the forest brought was somehow calming.

Fenn hadn't realized how much he missed the outdoors. He'd been cooped up inside since he'd arrived in the pack. He wondered whether Atlas had chosen an outside location for this date because he could somehow sense his unrest. Regardless of whether it was a coincidence or forethought, the thought shifted Fenn's mind to Atlas.

Fenn opened his eyes and glanced in the Alpha's direction. The man had set up a little spot for them in a more open part of the forest at the edge of a small pond and was now unloading a bunch of goodies from a picnic basket.

Fenn eyed the assortment out of curiosity, finding all sorts of fruits, cheeses, meats, crackers, and sweet treats. His stomach growled in anticipation.

Atlas smiled, having heard the grumble, and said, "Don't worry. It's almost ready."

Not able to wait, Fenn sneakily grabbed a grape and popped it in his mouth. At least, he thought he was sneaky. He found out otherwise when another grape appeared out of nowhere and bopped his forehead before bouncing out onto the forest floor.

"What was that for?" he complained, accusatory eyes turning toward the Alpha.

"Your impatience," Atlas smirked.

Fenn opened his mouth to complain more but was interrupted as Atlas filled the opening with a strawberry. "Now it's ready to eat."

"Gee, thanks," Fenn deadpanned as he chewed, drawing a chuckle from the taller man.

"I have an idea," beamed Atlas. "A game we can play."

"What kind of game?"

"Sort of like 20 questions, I guess," he said. "We go back and forth and can only take another bite of food when we say something about ourselves."

Fenn was wary, and it must've shown on his face because Atlas continued, "but there are no questions, so you don't have to answer anything you're uncomfortable with. You get to choose what you say."

"And what kind of things might we say?" Fenn raised a brow.

"Well, I can start by saying my favorite color is green. Dark green specifically, with cool undertones, like those aesthetic pictures of misty evergreen forests," Atlas rewarded himself with a cracker stacked with summer sausage and smoked cheddar. "Your turn."

"I like purple," Fenn said.

"What kind of purple?"

"I thought you said no questions," Fenn teased the man. Atlas threw up his hands in a backing off gesture, but Fenn decided to answer him anyway.

"I met a girl with purple hair once. She had a bunch of tattoos and piercings and her hair was cut at jaw length. She was really cool, and now whenever I think of bright purple, I'm reminded of her and the strength and kindness she showed me."

"I'm dying to ask questions," Atlas said, but did not push any as Fenn grabbed his own meat and cheese cracker. He thought for a moment before saying, "I was captain of my football team in high school."

"I'm not surprised," Fenn said, raking his eyes over the Alpha's body. "You're built like a tank."

"I hope that's a good thing," Atlas said, looking down at himself.

"It is," Fenn assured. "Trust me, you don't want to look like me."

"I don't know. I think you're pretty adorable."