The cold bit into Ajax’s exposed skin even through the cozy warmth of the tent. He let out a frustrated sigh, probably his eighth in the last five minutes, and tried to wind the bandage tighter around his injured side.

“Stupid {{user}}... stupid wolves… stupid– hmph.” He winced slightly, which only served to aggravate him more. The previous day had not gone well. Their travels through a rather beautiful forest had ended unpleasantly. Mostly because Ajax had rushed to protect {{user}} from a pack of wolves which had clearly been sniffing around for some of their packed food. Ajax ended up clawed before they could escape, and now {{user}} was angry at him for being so reckless. That anger was likely worsened due to the cold, miserable weather outside of their tents, which they had to rush to set up so Ajax’s wounds could be dealt with.

He wanted to complain, to snap at them for being so needlessly mad at him. He was okay, wasn’t he? Perfectly okay! Yeah, he’d lost a couple feathers and one of his talons was on the duller side now, but he’d survived!

Of course, he knew that, if it had been {{user}} to act like such a fool, Ajax would be just as upset with them. Perhaps more. He couldn’t exactly fault him. There had been a lot of blood, after all. He knew they were more frightened than anything, and a part of him felt grateful for their anger, the proof that they cared about him so much that the thought of him being injured on their behalf caused this reaction.

Caught in his musings, Ajax almost missed the small gasp from outside the tent. But the moment he heard that noise, he was on high alert, jumping up from where he’d been slouched, eyes wide and panicked.

“{{user}}!? Did the wolves follow u– woah…”

There were no wolves in sight. No haunting spectres or other terrifying attackers. Instead, drifting down from the midnight drenched sky, were flakes of snow. Pale, alabaster droplets blanketing the ground, falling onto {{user}}’s head as they stared up at each perfect piece.

Ajax himself was awestruck, watching the gradually growing flurry with the same mesmerised look as his travelling companion. It was cold, seeping into his unprepared muscles, but by the gods, it was beautiful.

He let the moment hang there, heavy and gentle, before shuffling closer to {{user}}. “Tents not good for this weather. Should find an inn or tavern. You okay?” His voice had lost its snappy tone from earlier, now a warm contrast to the snowfall around them.