Only The Strong Survive

Charity
"Thanks!" Charity shot him a smile before going to sit on her cot and eating.

Ahanu
"No problem." He sat next to her on the bed, being careful not to spill anything. "Hey, uh, can we talk?"

Charity
Charity stopped eating, looking over at Ahanu and giving him a slightly confused look. She put the spoon back in the bowl and looked down at the ground. "...sure."

Ahanu
"I don't want to mess with anything that's not my business, and I don't want to offend anyone. But, uh, I think you and Auberon need to talk. Like, actually talk, and not fight. Both of you need to try and be understanding and such." Ahanu was looking at his feet, a bit embarrassed. 

Charity
Charity bit her lip, trying to hold back a lot of resentment. People always said she complained about her family too much, and she knew she did, but she complained because she wanted someone to understand her. People who didn't know her family would assume it was her fault- maybe it was, but how was she supposed to deny her feelings? After a quiet sigh, Charity twirled the spoon slowly around the cereal. "I'm guessing Auberon's said something to you already?" 

Ahanu
"I approached him first, but yeah." Ahanu didn't like confrontation, and this whole situation was making him feel awkward.

Charity
Charity winced at his words. Why didn't he come to me? She blinked the frustration out of her eyes and switched her sitting possition to cris-cross. "Oh..."

Ahanu
"I-I just..." Ahanu glanced over at her but couldn't read her expression. He looked away. "I noticed you seemed uncomfortable around him. I probably shouldn't have gotten involved. I'm sorry."

Charity
"No- it's fine," Charity mumbled, looking at her cereal. "But..." but what exactly? I can't just tell him to butt off, it's none of his business. "Nevermind..."

Ahanu 

"Auberon seemed like he'd like you guys to be friendly. J-just... think about it?" Ahanu scrambled to his feet. She didn't look too happy. He shuffled a little, muttering about feeding his rats, and turned, hurrying for the door of the hut. 

Charity
Charity watched him go, fighting back everything that told her to go after him. Friendly? Is that all we'll ever be again?

Ahanu 
He found some nuts and greens and stuffed them in his pocket. He yanked out his hair tie and dug a comb from one of his pockets. He pulled the comb through his hair, a bit roughly, until all the knots and tangles were free. Those things done, he took a deep breath and reentered the hut. Ahanu couldn't look her way, worried he'd made her mad, and fed the rats the food he'd gathered.

Charity
Charity had been staring at the ground thinking, then looked up and let her eyes follow Ahanu as he came in.

Ahanu 
He finished with the food and played with the rats a bit. He'd decided to name the fawn girl Bambi, and the grey one Andie. Andie wanted to play, and Bambi wanted more food. He played with Andie a bit, then pet Bambi. Rats satisfied, Ahanu ran a hand through now-smooth hair and quietly returned to Charity's bed. He silently sat down.

Charity
Charity proceeded to watch Ahanu, then looked back down at the ground thoughtfully when he came to sit next to her. "Hi."