The day blurs past me, it's not a special day, other than whatever Aniki has in store tonight. The repairs, the food, the gentle fakeness of it all, but what he said is always in the background. What was he waiting for…no, I shouldn't doubt him, maybe I need a good fight, maybe that's what will get my head straight finally.
I let Lyria know not to expect me at the house, she nods quickly as she runs orders out from the kitchen,
"Stay safe Gōki, I'll let mom and Lirien know so they don't wonder."
Maybe she got her fill of adventure, I kinda miss when she'd ask me everything about where I am going or what I had done. The mill is almost fixed up, Aniki keeps camp a ways beyond it, but luckily it's not too hard to find. The air is just starting to cool off, it's a nice hike…it's nice to be away from all…that.
Out here you can't even tell anything happened, just the same trees, same rocks…shit i could walk right back into the parking lot at the camp site…that would just be…
Shit, if I start day dreaming I'm gonna end up lost out here like before, I know Aniki's camp was somewhere out here, gotta go right, left…right? I think that knotty tree is one he pointed out before…
Dammit it's getting all dark, climbing up and down rocks and bullshit, I gotta be at least kinda close. The forest is creeping me out, something keeps rustling around, breaking sticks, but I never see it…
On one of the trees it looks like someone carved an arrow, ohh there's another one over here too. Aniki's campfire glows way out in the distance, the arrows were a lucky break, or Aniki knew I'd get lost…he's always looking out.
He put up another tent since last time I was here, a scrappy one for covering wood or something, otherwise it's just how I remember it.
"Heeey Aniki! I'm home!"
Soon as I yell he starts clanging and rustling around in the tent, must of been taking a nap. The fire is nice and warm and the big sitting logs are more comfortable than standing, so I plop down in my spot from last time, Aniki just keeps rummaging around.
After a few minutes the tent opens.
"Ha ha, what took you? Had to put on your make up–"
That's not him. It's a woman.
She's huge and green, braided hair, big muscles, a big rack, she's got on some kinda fuzzy underwear that barely covers anything. Shit! He's gonna be pissed I'm eyeballin' his girl.
I can't look away, the way she smiles at me, my face is getting hot, no! If he knows I'm drooling and bleeding from my nose over his girl he'll never forgive me.
My eyes snap shut.
"M-miss, heh…Aniki…Drashka…knew i was coming, you should get dressed I didn't mean to…"
She sits on the log, and leans close to me, god she smells so good, that…on my arm, No…don't think about how soft it is…She whispers into my ear.
"Gōki…Wuzza mattah? Loike wotcha see? I'z oh kay, ya ain't gotta be so…Respec'ful"
What? But…that voice…I turn slowly and open my eyes, she…she has tusks like him…and the eyes, the voice…
"Aniki? But your–I mean he's like…and your so–"
She just laughs, she laughs Aniki's laugh and squeezes me tight with one arm.
"Din' tink I woz sexy eh? Maybe dat I woz sum koinda manimal cuz I foight gud. Ha! Nah I'm da' 'ole pac'age"
She stands up and leans toward me, locking my eyes to hers takes everything I have, the temptation of letting my eyes wander down the cleavage canyon can't outweigh that THIS is Aniki…Aneki?
"Now, can' be hav'in no fun on'a empty stum'mik, dah big mahn can sit roight dere an' I'ma gonna' make ya' sumtin' noice."
She leans further before standing, almost burying my face, god so close…but just before I get to suffocate she stands up and starts pulling out food and drinks from the tent.
Shit, I gotta breathe, can't spend all night thinking about Aneki's big pillowy…no! Be normal! I'll do…Calisthenics…that'll clear my head.
She just smirks at me and works on cooking.
"Heh…don' get too worn out, 'dere's a lotta noight left."
Dinner was meaty soup with little veggies mixed into it, it wasn't fancy but the way Aneki moved while she made it seemed weird, she was so careful. She was slow, tasting it again and again to get it 'jus roight'. The way she kept bending over and sliding around made it hard to focus on the meal.
When she gave me a bowl of it, she leaned in close again before sitting across from me. I can see my reflection in the soup. It's the only thing that's safe to look at.
She's watching me, waiting…the food smells awesome and I hear her hold her breath when I try it…shit…how is Aneki…cute?
"It's fantastic, but that makes sense, after all you made it."
She blushes, what the hell! Aneki…you're supposed to laugh or…brag…I…what am I supposed to do now?
The meal feels awkward, she's smiling, she keeps looking at me, she keeps wiggling around, watching me…what should I do? I need to be normal dammit! Aneki isn't some soft teenage girl, she's just nervous because I keep staring.
We eat, and she collects the bowls, she looks at me, but I can't meet her eyes…Fuck.
She steps into the tent, wagging her hips the whole way, calling out to me.
"Got sumtin' fo' ya, sin'ce ya ol' one got beat up."
Old one?
She comes back out holding a jacket, no…that's my jacket, there is fur from that big cat around the neck, some leather patches on the chest, but that is my school jacket.
"Lir'en's mum 'elped ah bit with the lil' stitchin' but…I'mma be leavin' Gōki, got biz'ness in dah city…an….I… *ueerm* Com' wit me!"
The jacket fits perfectly, the name tag my mom put in the collar is even there still…
"Aneki…I…I'd love to. This place doesn't suit me anyway…not anymore."
I can't wipe my eyes on the sleeves. Not now. But my hand doesn't help, dammit not in front of her…
Turning away, trying to hold it all in, everything, being so sick and tired of all of this bullshit, all this playing along like anything can be normal.
Suck it all back in, one big snotty breath, put on a smile, a sexy lady…Aneki…made you something!
"Thank you! It's perfect!"
Aneki smiles a bit toothy grin and holds up a familiar bottle with a little shake.
"Ain' no table'z aroun' Le'z see if ya can drin'k me unda' dah sheet'z"
Drinking, dancing, singing…everything I needed…To move out of Pines Breath.