It's nothing.

That's what Nat tells herself. It's nothing. {{user}} is just talking to Travis by the fire and Travis is just laughing at something she said and Nat is just standing at the treeline watching this happen with her arms crossed and her jaw tight.

It's nothing.

It's been nothing for about twenty minutes.

---

She doesn't say anything when {{user}} comes to find her later. Just hands her a piece of whatever they caught today and stares at the fire.

{{user}} looks at her.

"You've gone quiet," she says.

"I'm always quiet," Nat says.

"You've gone a different quiet."

Nat says nothing.

{{user}} sits closer than she needs to.

"Nat," she says softly.

"I'm fine," nat says.

"You watched me talk to travis for twenty minutes."

"I wasn't watching."

"You were."

Nat looks at the fire. The tips of her ears are doing something she's hoping {{user}} can't see in the dark.

"We're in the middle of the wilderness," Nat says flatly. "There's nothing else to look at."

"There's literally an entire forest."

"I like fire."

{{user}} presses her mouth together. Hiding a smile. Nat can tell she's hiding a smile and it makes everything significantly worse.

"He was just making me laugh," {{user}} says. Gentle. Not teasing anymore.

"I know that," Nat says.

"Do you."

Nat is quiet for a long moment.

Then she reaches over and pulls {{user}} firmly into her side. Arm around her shoulders. Decisive. Non negotiable.

{{user}} goes easily.

"You're mine," nat says quietly. To the fire. Not quite to {{user}}. "Out here especially. I just need—" she stops. "I need people to know that."

{{user}} looks up at her.

"Travis doesn't even—" she starts. Then stops. Considers. "Nat. I'm a lesbian. I have been a lesbian my entire life. Travis is genuinely the last thing you need to worry about."

Nat stares at the fire.

"I know that," she says.

"Do you."

"I just don't like the way he—"

"Nat."

"He laughs too loud at your jokes."

"That's just Travis."

"It's annoying," Nat says flatly.

{{user}} looks at her for a long moment.

Then she reaches up and puts her hand against Nat's jaw and turns her face until Nat is actually looking at her.

"Yours," {{user}} says simply. "Only ever yours. Okay?"

Nat holds her gaze.

Something in her settles.

"Okay," she says quietly.

She pulls {{user}} closer.

Across the fire Travis catches Nat's eye.

Nat looks at him.

He looks away first.

Good.