wc: 327 poor awkward frodo x'D
At first, Frodo was a bit nervous, in thinking that Eclipse might have just been vaguely messing around when she suggested learning about his bow. But no, she seemed serious enough in her answer, and it was earnest so he figured he might see her again sometime after they both departed. This was beyond pleasing, his heart skipped a beat and behind him where nobody could see, his tail wagged vigorously. Their talk continued to run smoothly until he mentioned the pups' mother, and - was that disappointment - he saw as she looked away? He struggled to come up with some sort of words, but she spoke first, in words that hardly surprised him. She seemed to have composed herself but he hadn't missed that look on her features.
And so he rushed to defend himself instantly. It seemed almost embarassing once he was talking, but he didn't want her to think anything that wasn't true. He started, opening his mouth, but then stopped again, hesitating before he leapt to say anything too ridiculous. He needed to be careful this time. No, she's not... he wanted to get that out of the way first. It's a-complicated. he managed, fur bristling. Gemma's just a friend, skipper. I 'elp her out. Her mate was exiled, so her puppies aint got a real pa no more. I 'elp keep her spick an' span, on her feet, nooks and cranny's. his intense green eyes wandered from reality as they focused on a far-off picture of Gemma. He imagined her, and he couldn't see anything there other than friendship. He loved her, but it was a brotherly love. He was pretty sure that the feeling was mutual. He smiled tenderly, though it looked a little more like a wince, and made eye contact with Eclipse again. Have you gotta mate up an' about? he asked, probing into her own life. He felt like they had lingered too long in his own.
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