[i]Three minutes forty-three, forty-two, forty-one,[/i]

“Now blend the seasonings with a fork. Turn the box around as you go, look for bands where it’s not mixed. Ingredients can sometimes collect on the bottom.”

[i]One minute eighteen, seventeen, sixteen,[/i]

“Place the buns face-down on that pan. It’ll go on top of the rotisserie oven to toast. Here,” From his perch on her arm, he offers a hand. “I’ll split the ones that didn’t cut cleanly.”

[i]Four minutes two, one, three minutes, fifty-nine, fifty-eight,[/i]

“Stir the chilli lightly. We only want to keep it from burning.”

[i]Three, two, one,[/i]

“There, it’s time for another drink.”

He peeks over at the bowl to double-check. Still plenty of water left. And she hadn’t complained about the taste either. Good, good. It wouldn’t do if she couldn’t stand the salts.

“Just keep lapping at it for now. We can move on to sipping it next time.”

[i]Five minutes thirty-one, thirty-two, thirty-three,[/i]

He feels her hugging tight to his side, nestled between a sheep and the crook of a wolf’s arm. His wool is proof against tears and runny noses alike; ideal for smushing a face in when you need something extra soft. “So, your Danyness…” The question mingles pleasantly with the popping of corn, the sizzling of sausages, the gentle warmth of the ovens. “Which popcorn would you like? Chocolate? Caramel? A little of both?”

[i]Twelve minutes twenty-two, twenty-three, twenty-four,[/i]

He cannot feel his leg.

It must be a clever bit of Biomancy, letting one limb go numb while the rest wake up. Mostly. 

Another round of wild laughter, from deeper in. The movie has not stopped. 

There is only one voice laughing.

The movie has not stopped.

[i]Two minutes fifty, fifty-one, fifty-two,[/i]

“I, myself?” He blinks back wetness. Nestles close against Ember’s shoulder, where the fur will dry him off. “I do like a good chocolate drizzle.” There he lays, where he might be watching the kitchen, where he might be borrowing all the courage he can from the wolf still carrying them both. Her Danyness will never know. “Always makes a nice treat.”