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[chris_cutter]

Nervous wasn't exactly the right word for what Chris was feeling as he made his way down the path towards Mike's hut. Anxious, maybe. Cautious. He made his way slowly, part of him hoping that Mike wouldn't even be there, that he'd be out with Eostre and the girls or out with Hobbes or out doing a million things that could be done on the Island

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[m_pinocchio]

He's been out in back of the hut most of the morning, clearing some space, starting to accumulate a real firewood pile, something that can sit and dry and be ready for immediate use without him needing to hunt around for anything. Larger logs, then smaller sticks for kindling. Keeping it dry might be an issue with the frequent afternoon rains, but he's started on a small shelter for it, almost like a shed without walls, and he thinks that'll do well enough.

Time for lunch, and he's coming around to the front of the hut and brushing dirt off his hands when he sees Chris and stops dead, his face going stony.

"So what the fuck do you want?"

[chris_cutter]

He hadn't been expecting Mike to approach from behind him and it caught him off his guard. To his credit, he managed not to visibly jump, just turned one shoulder and swallowed back the wince that came from Mike's steely tone.

"Hey," he said, voice quiet, but determined and he brushed a hand through his hair. "I, uh. Came to talk. You have some time?"

[m_pinocchio]

"Well, I dunno," he says, crossing his arms over his chest. He honestly hasn't thought much about this in the last few days, and to have it suddenly all come rushing back...

He'd almost arrived at the point where he preferred to let it be. And God knows what Chris wants to come dragging it back up for now.

"I don't know if I think you're worth talking to anymore, Cutter."

[chris_cutter]

It wasn't anything he didn't deserve, he knew that, but the flinch was harder to hide that time. Swallowing tightly, he nodded and took a few steps forward, still plenty of space between them, respecting an invisible line they'd both drawn in the sand.

"I know," he said, his voice quieter, gaze lowered. "Just-- a couple minutes, okay? Please?"