uri hopes she realizes it someday.

he smiles, nodding at her words.

"of course."

and then, with a final bite, he extends the pack back over towards her, offering more delicious goodness.

"now tell me your thoughts on string cheese."

@sol // [x]

☉

"not maybe. you don't."

and fuck anyone who does.

"it is true."

he smiles, looking away if only to pull out another piece of string cheese. flames flicker in front of them, keeping them warm against the chill of the night.

after a bite, he looks back at her.

"but there's no rush. i'll be here. i just hope you realize it someday."

@sol // [x]

☉

the chuckle that escapes is far from condescending. it forms out of disbelief that, yeah, they're about to have this conversation even if they really shouldn't.

"because i care about you."

another bite is followed by a brief pause.

"...because i have feelings about you."

he turns, meeting her gaze.

"and you don't do that shit to people you care for. or at least i don't."

@sol // [x]

☉

"not me."

there's no hesitation in the way he states it, as though he's stating a fact because honestly, he would never lie to her or anyone. it's odd that she hasn't realized as much, because when has uri ever lied about how he felt?

apart from not being tired, of course, but those lies are okay because they're meant as jokes.

"at least, not when it comes to something as serious as this."

he sighs.

"i'd never lie to you, sol."

@sol // [x]

☉

for once, uri stays quiet, letting her speak her thoughts instead of interjecting with his own.

"i'm sorry."

he sighs, taking another bite out of his string cheese which seems to lessen the tension in the air.

it's then, mid-bite, that he turns to look at her.

"do you think i'd lie to you, sol?"

@sol // [x]

☉

"it is. i love string cheese."

he knows she's judging his choice in snacks but he doesn't mind it all that much. string cheese isn't for everyone, and yet here she is, taking one right out of the pack.

"the honest answer, please."

@sol // [x]

☉

don't explain though.

he stays silent after that, at least while he reaches into his backpack for a pack of string cheese. it makes for a good late-night snack, so don't judge, please.

ripping it open, he takes one and offers the pack over to her should she want some.

"do you really not wanna know why i care?"

@sol // [x]

☉

i still do.

if he wasn't smiling before, he's certainly smiling now. like an idiot, in fact, and he knows as much which is why he looks away in a poor attempt to hide it.

"i care about you, too."

he reaches for a stick to idly draw lines in the sand. a chuckle escapes before he speaks again.

"but that's not a surprise, i'm sure."

@sol // [x]

☉

with the book now safely back in his backpack, he sighs, moving to sit on the sand right as she says something that surprises him.

"you worried about me before?"

huh. he clearly missed the signs or was just too blind to see them.

"i never knew."

knowing now, though, makes him feel warm — warmer than the fire ever could.

@sol // [x]

☉

pathetic? pathetic? this book is a godsend, thank you very much.

"sometimes, sure, but this book is really good! trust me."

naturally, he pouts.

"yeah...i wasn't paying attention to training then and they don't really repeat it twice."

he sighs, reaching out for the book to return it into his backpack.

"but i'm trying now."

@sol // [x]

☉

"believe it or not, cap, but i've been reading."

in fact, he reaches into his backpack for a particular book, extending it to her with a small grin on his face.

it reads: wilderness survival for dummies.

"doing my research and all that. just trying to be a better soldier, you know?"

@sol // [x]

☉

there's no luck involved this time, but there is luck in how easy he's able to find wood and other materials to help set up his fire, making it far easier than it could've been.

"nah, i got it."

is using a match impressive? maybe not. but just the fact that he came prepared should say enough about how he's changed.

he strikes it, leaning down low to light the fire as embers start to spark. gently, he blows, causing it to grow and spread until it all catches on fire.

smiling, he looks up at her.

"there we go."

@sol // [x]

☉

"you're letting me choose the spot?"

this is clearly a test and it's one he'll take in stride because he's actually been working hard these past few weeks. has uri ever read a book in his life? comic books, yes, but recently he's read survival manuals on the basics.

and so he turns, searching.

"over there works."

simply and easy, he leads them over to an alcove that'll provide them with shelter in case it rains, which it looks like it won't.

"i'll start us a fire."

@sol // [x]

☉