Barrel

23

She walked over, seating herself at the table. Barrel quickly brought over dried fruit and jerky. She glanced at him, and he blushed. "There isn't much here to work with. I hope this is fine for now."

She grabbed some fruit pieces, popping them into her mouth. "Didn't you say there was a river nearby?"

Barrel nodded, taking a slice of jerky. "There is. About a mile hike from here."

"We could go fishing," she said, popping another fruit into her mouth. "I'm really good at fishing. Do you guys have fishing poles?"

Barrel laughed, leaning his elbows forward onto the table. "You don't need a fishing pole when you have me." His smile grew mischievous. "It'll be fun, you'll see."

Eva's stomach stirred, and she grew excited. She smiled at him, eager to get to the water. After seeing him in action before, she wanted to see what he was like without the threat of losing their lives on his mind. Barrel seemed to be stalling as much as he could, making Eva crazy. He washed the dishes at a slow pace.

"Would you hurry up?" she barked, throwing the drying rag at him. "I want to go outside."

Barrel only smirked at her, handing her a wet dish. She scowled, grabbing it. "You're doing this on purpose."

"I am," he said, his smirk growing.

"Ass." She laughed, turning away.

After all the dishes were done and Barrel cleaned off the counter, they headed out to the river. It was a beautiful morning, and Eva enjoyed the fresh air. She loved taking in the scenery and watching the birds fly by.

"It's wonderful out here," she said, glancing at Barrel. He seemed to be thinking, and she wondered what about. She didn't ask, knowing it was about his past.

They arrived at the river, and she took in the gentle stream. A meadow stretched around them with a riverbed allowing easy access into the water. She smiled, seeing the fish swimming in the current. She looked at Barrel. "Now what?"

Barrel held an excited grin and undressed, making a hot rush roll over her body. Eva wanted to see him in his bear form again. "Now, you make sure to keep those clothes dry for when I'm done." Barrel pointed to the pile of his clothes before he turned around.

She watched as he walked around a tree, and she heard the snapping of bones and the roar ripping through him-. A shiver ran down her body as she knew what she was about to see. Barrel had shifted, and it excited her.

He walked around the tree, taking her breath away. Eva had seen him in his bear form before, but it still amazed her.

She watched him walk closer, and he stared down at her. She reached up, running her hands over his fur. She was surprised at how soft it was.

This was the first time she could really observe him while he was in his animal form. He didn't have to move or run off to attack someone. She could just stare at him, taking in his full shape.

He grunted at her before he turned and walked toward the water. She imagined he was saying watch and learn. She shook her head and seated herself on a log.

Barrel dove into the water, and she laughed as the fish scattered. Water sprayed everywhere. He looked like a little child excited to explore for the first time.

He dove under again, coming up with a trout in his mouth. He tossed it to her, and she watched it flop on the ground for a few seconds. She opened the bag they had brought, shoving the fish into it with her foot.

Barrel dove once more under the water, and the river fell quiet. She looked up at the sky, watching a few birds soar by. The trees swayed, and leaves fell softly around her. For a split second, it was quiet.

Then Barrel came up, spraying water all over her. He tossed another fish at her before he looked at her with a grin. Water covered her outfit, and she jumped up, scowling at him. "Hey! I'm trying to stay dry over here!"

Barrel stalked at her, and she stepped back. She knew what he was thinking and waved a hand. "Don't you dare! Barrel!"

Barrel shook his fur, and water flew everywhere, soaking Eva's clothes. She tripped backward, yelling at him, unable to stop the laughter. "Stop it! Barrel, the water is freezing!"

He walked toward her, continuing to shake his fur. Eva hit him, knowing it did little to stop him.

"Get back in the water," she ordered. "That was the entire point to this. We need dinner, and two fish aren’t enough."

Barrel seemed to laugh before he rushed back into the water, splashing all around him. For a second, Eva wondered if this would be her life. If she could be with him, would they relax like this and have fun? Would she remember what it was like to be carefree and enjoy herself?

Barrel broke through the water, snapping her attention to him. Whatever the future held, she at least had this memory to hold dear to herself.

After six fish sat in the bag, she looked at Barrel. "I think we have enough." She shivered, a cold chill running over her body. "And I'm cold."

Barrel dragged himself out of the water before he stopped next to her. She leaned over, tying the bag off as she heard him shift. A laugh left his lips. "You should have seen your face."

She looked over her shoulder, watching him zip up his pants. Her eyes took in his muscles, and she swallowed. She needed to contain her excitement.

"You're cruel," she said, watching him laugh once more. Water trailed down his body, and she held back an internal moan.

"I'm sorry," he said, not meaning it. She rolled her eyes and pushed herself up. Barrel pulled his shirt on and seated himself.

"You had fun," she said, looking at the river. "And you must have been here before."

He nodded. "I have. We used to come here every summer and enjoy what the river had to offer."

Eva wanted to know more about his family and his life. She liked to hear things about him besides the horrors he had to endure. But she also knew that it might not matter in the end. He would go one way, and she would go another after they split up. She wouldn't see him again.