Soren tilted his head, eyes sweeping over Yunxi's human form, and smirked.
"Who's this soft cloud puff?" he teased, the corners of his lips curling.
Yunxi instantly stiffened, his cheeks flushing red as his ears twitched wildly. He looked like he wanted to sink into the ground.
"Hey! Soren!" Rayna shot him a glare, stepping slightly in front of Yunxi. "Don't tease him."
Ezra, brushing the dust off himself, got up and walked over. He circled Yunxi once, eyes narrowed in curiosity before suddenly wrapping an arm around him like a brotherly hug.
"So this is how you look, huh?" Ezra said, grinning. "You're clever, aren't you? Showing this side only to Rayna." Then, narrowing his eyes playfully, he added with mock suspicion, "Wait... are you trying to court her?"
Yunxi's eyes went wide, hands waving frantically. "N-No! Not at all! I-I just—"
Soren let out a small huff. "Nah, I don't sense that intent from him," he said casually, easing the tension as he glanced between them. "Relax, Ezra."
Ezra finally released Yunxi, chuckling. "Alright, alright. So, what were you two doing out here?"
"We were just talking," Rayna replied firmly.
"Oh," Ezra said simply, though his eyes lingered on Yunxi for a moment longer before he backed off.
Ezra crossed his arms, tilting his head. "So, what's your reason for suddenly shifting back now? You've been in beastform the entire time."
Before Yunxi could even open his mouth, Rayna stepped in quickly, sensing how shy and cornered he felt.
"Come on, you two," she said, brushing past them with a soft smile. "Aren't you hungry after hunting? Ezra, go catch some fish for me, I want to have roasted fish. And Soren, bring me some fruits."
Both of them glanced at her, then at Yunxi, and without another word, nodded.
"Alright," Ezra said finally, and the two of them headed out to follow her orders.
As soon as they were gone, the weight in the air lifted. Yunxi was still staring at the ground, fidgeting with his fingers.
"Chill out, Yunxi," Rayna said gently, stepping closer. "Come on, let's eat together, okay?"
Slowly, shyly, Yunxi nodded.
"And... if you don't mind," Rayna added with a little grin, "can we eat that rice you made again?"
For a moment, Yunxi blinked at her in surprise, and then his whole face lit up like someone had just handed him the sun.
"Sure!" he said quickly, his voice soft but full of a quiet happiness.
They began preparing the meal together in Rayna's hut—Rayna roasting fish, Yunxi carefully arranging the rice and herbs. The hut filled with the faint aroma of food and the sound of the fire crackling.
As he worked, a thought crossed Yunxi's mind.
None of them called me ugly. Not even once. Am I really... not disgusting?...
I hope... I really hope they never become like my family. I'm so glad I can be like this... normal, with them.
Without realizing it, a small smile found its way to his lips.
Rayna, glancing up from the fire, caught it. Just a faint curve, but it warmed her heart in a way she couldn't explain.
Yunxi's smiling, she thought. And for some reason, it felt like one of the most precious things she had seen all day.
As they ate together, the light in the hut dimmed. The golden rays that had been streaming through the window were now swallowed by thick, heavy clouds. A grumble from the clouds also could be heard.
Rayna glanced out, chewing slowly.
"Oh... it's going to rain."
Soren followed her gaze, his sharp eyes narrowing at the sky.
"Yeah. The winds must have brought the clouds in faster. Looks like the wet season is here. It's going to pour soon."
Right then, Ezra, very quietly, tried to steal a roasted fish from Soren's plate as if nothing would happen.
"I noticed that," Soren said flatly, not even turning his head. "Give me my fish back."
Ezra pouted, clinging to it like a child.
"You literally threw me down from so high! My poor bottom is still hurting. I deserve extra care to heal."
Rayna laughed, shaking her head.
"You two..."
Her eyes drifted to Yunxi, who was sitting cross-legged beside her, quietly eating with a content expression, as if the storm outside and the chaos around him didn't matter at all.
"So, Yunxi," Rayna asked softly, "you've got everything you need for this season? Food, herbs, everything?"
Yunxi paused, then nodded quickly.
"Yes. I made preparations... don't worry, Rayna."
Before she could respond, Ezra glanced over at him.
"Wait. I'll give you some extra meat."
Yunxi's eyes widened in surprise.
"Why...?"
Ezra shrugged, his tone casual but his expression sincere.
"Don't feel burdened. You took care of Rayna while we weren't here, and you cooked us some really tasty meals. Consider it a thank-you."
Yunxi blinked at him for a moment, then a small, shy smile appeared on his face.
"...Thank you."
Ezra grinned back at him, softer this time.
"No need to thank me."
After sometime, Rayna, Ezra, and Soren bid goodbye to Yunxi as he returned to his hut. Rayna lingered outside for a moment, tilting her head back to watch the sky.
A cool droplet landed on her cheek. Then another.
"...Huh?" she murmured, blinking up just as the drizzle began.
Soren stepped closer, pulling her into his arms slightly as if to shield her.
"Let's go in, Rayna," he said gently.
Ezra, meanwhile, was busy cleaning up their things.
"Hey, Soren," he called, "should we shift to your tree hut? I mean, it's higher up—less damp, less cramped. Plus, we can watch the rain from up there. Sounds perfect, right?"
Soren paused, considering, then nodded.
"...Yeah. We'll just need to move a few things up there from here."
"I'll help," Ezra said with a grin.
Rayna smiled faintly, looking at the soft drizzle around them.
"I like your tree hut a lot," she admitted, then turned to Soren. "But hey, it's not pouring as heavily as you made it sound."
Soren arched a brow.
"Rayna... give it one day. This is just the beginning. Tomorrow, you'll see what the wet season really looks like."
"Hmm," she hummed in thought, glancing at the misty forest around them.
The rain was still light, so Soren spread his wings and scooped Rayna up, flying her up to the tree hut while Ezra took the ladder, arms full of supplies.
By the time everything was settled, the drizzle had turned to a steady pour. The sound of rain drumming on the thatched roof filled the cozy space, a soft backdrop to their movements.
"Hey, Soren," Ezra called out as he opened a bundle of supplies. "Where do you want me to keep the meat?"
"I'll show you," Soren replied, walking over.
Rayna wandered to the wide window, leaning on the wooden frame. The world beyond was blurred—the river hidden behind a silver curtain of rain. That rich, earthy scent of wet soil and leaves rose up, calming her in a way nothing else could.
Night came quickly, wrapped in mist and rain.
"Come, Rayna," Soren called softly. "It's time to rest."
Rayna turned from the window, nodding.
Ezra eyed the single bedroom and smirked.
"...So, you only have one room here, huh? That's... cozy," he said, his tone making his meaning obvious.
Rayna sighed, already guessing where this was going.
Soren's reply was immediate.
"No. You're sleeping out here," he said bluntly, gesturing to the outer room.
Ezra's jaw dropped.
"No way! That's completely unfair!"
Rayna couldn't help but laugh as Ezra continued to protest, while Soren stood firm, unbothered, as if to say end of discussion.
Suddenly a loud crack split the sky.
Thunder rolled over the forest like a giant drum, and Rayna flinched.
Soren's sharp gaze caught the tiny movement. Without a word, he reached out, pulling her against him, one arm wrapping protectively around her shoulders.
"Shh," he murmured softly, his voice low and steady. "It's alright."
Ezra, halfway through his sulking, stopped and turned towards her. His eyes softened briefly before a teasing curve pulled at his lips.
"Are you afraid, Rayna?" he asked, moving closer.
She shook her head a little, trying to play it off.
"Just... a little," she admitted. "The sound came so suddenly, it startled me, that's all."
Ezra's grin returned, this time slower, almost mischievous.
"Want us to make you forget all about it?"
Rayna blinked, confused. "Hm?"
Ezra's grin only deepened, his eyes sliding toward Soren.
Soren, who had been perfectly calm up until that moment, tilted his head and met Ezra's gaze. Something unspoken passed between the two of them.
Then, slowly, Soren's expression shifted—unbothered calm replaced with a look that made Rayna's heart skip.
Both of them were looking at her now.
She blinked, suddenly aware of the weight of their gazes.
"...What are you two planning?" she asked, her voice coming out softer than she expected.
The rain outside only seemed to grow heavier, the low rumble of thunder fading into the background as the tension inside the tree hut curled tighter and tighter around her.