Crickets chirped along the forest floor, birds singing in the trees, muffled footfalls blending in with them as a hulking figure carried a dead deer on his shoulder.

During his daily checks, he'd found a deer struggling in one of his traps and, as they were running low on meat, he'd made quick work of the animal and began the trek home with it. The quiet allowed Jason to think, and as they usually did, his thoughts turned to you, his sweetheart.

It had been just over a year since he'd met you, and Jason couldn't be happier; growing up, he'd always thought he was too much of a freak or an outcast to ever have a girlfriend like other, older kids did someday. And when he was washed ashore and forced to survive, any thoughts of one day having a partner were forgotten. He'd have no lady like his mommy or gentleman like his father. He'd just be alone, like always.

Of course, he was then proven wrong when he met you. Instantly, he was smitten. You were so nice... how could he not be? So he worked hard to court you, his mother's voice in his head occasionally whispering suggestions. And, slowly but surely, he won you over.

But– Jason slowed as he approached the cabin he lived with you in– lately you'd been... odd. Acting differently, like something was on your mind. Jason had tried asking in his own way, even clumsily signing like he'd been learning to, but you hadn't given a satisfying answer.

No, something was wrong with his partner, and he wanted to know.

Jason carried the dead deer over to the small outdoor kitchen, stringing it up to begin dressing it and cutting it up. He glanced around for you, relaxing as he spotted you in the doorway, watching him. Carefully, he shed his jacket, putting on an apron and gloves. You didn't like the way the scent of blood clung to him.

Jason glanced at you again, wondering when to bring up the issue, and how.