"..I'm not pretty." Lily was frowning a bit, but he had closed his eyes again and nuzzled against Nereus. Of course Lily knew people would try and catch him, it was the way life was. Wasn't it? It was nice though, to have these little moments of freedom. Even if this moment of his freedom was being shared with a man he wasn't sure if he could quite trust or not. Nereus said he wouldn't let anything bad happen to Lily, the fox wriggled a bit more on the man's lap. Making soft noises of contentment. Though he still didn't quite understand why this man would want to help him so much, was it because he thought Lily was a girl? Those ears twitched lightly and he shuddered to think what might happen when Nereus found out the truth.

Lily's stomach grumbled softly and he opened his eyes, looking just a little embarrassed or maybe a little ashamed. He let go of Nereus's clothing that he was clinging to, and brought his hands down to rest lightly on his small stomach. There was nothing to eat in the cave, if it weren't storming, Lily would have been out chasing white bunnies, though he doubted he could catch one. Still, he would have been trying, Lily sighed softly and brought his hands back up to cling to Nereus. Not once complaining about being hungry, at least they wouldn't dehydrate, they could just eat snow for that.

Closing his eyes and placing his head upon Lily's shoulder, Nereus tried not to show how very much all that wriggling and shifting about affected him. Taking a deep breath he pulled back slightly when the kitsune let go of him. Seeing where the fox's hands went, the man regarded her with a worried frown. Was the fox pregnant? Or perhaps simply hungry? He wished fervently that it was the later, he didn't think he could deal with any more problems then that.

Rummaging quickly trough a pouch he had upon his waist, the knight pulled out a small bag of nuts. There wasn't very much, but it could help ease hunger. Waving it in front of Lily's face, Nereus smiled as he wrapped his free arm around the young woman again.

When Nereus moved about to get to that bag of nuts, Lily shifted a bit on his lap. Wriggling and moving against him some, though not realizing the kind of discomfort he was causing for the other man. Lily eyed the bag of nuts curiously and hesitantly reached out to take the bag when Nereus waved it in front of his face. Lily held the bag gently, peeking into it for a moment and then reaching in and pulling out a single nut. That head tilted to the side slightly, those ears twitching a bit. What was this thing? Was it food? It didn't look like any food Lily had ever seen or eaten before. It looked more like a seed in his opinion. He brought the nut to his nose and sniffed at it lightly, that nose wrinkling a bit, the fox dropped the nut back into the bag and looked up at Nereus' face. "...What is this?"

Letting out a long breath, he watched as the young woman peeked into the bag. As she pulled out the nut and acted in such a curious way, Nereus couldn't help but laugh a little. "It's food. Here, I'll prove it to you." Reaching into the bag and pulling a nut from it, he smashed the shell with practiced ease and popped the food into his mouth. Doing so with a few more, Nereus then held one out to Lily.

It wasn't like any food Lily had seen before, though the fox was used to eating small bits of meat and mostly fruits and berries. He watched Nereus curiously as the man crushed the nut and then ate it. Lily watched as Nereus ate a few more and when the man held one out to Lily, the fox shook his head slightly. "..It's alright...there doesn't seem to be much, so you should keep it for yourself." Very gently Lily and reached out to lightly push away the hand that offered the food. Honestly it wasn't the first time the fox had gone without food, he knew he would survive. Lily rested his head against Nereus' shoulder and made a soft noise of contentment. Besides, he was sure he wouldn't like the offered food anyway, it just didn't seem like something his stomach would enjoy at all.

Shrugging, Nereus popped the nut into his mouth and munched on it quietly. Meawhile his free hand rubbed Lily's back gently and moved down to press lightly against the fox's tail. So it was as soft as her ears ... And he'd been hugging it and her to him earlier. "I want to kiss you," murmured Nereus softly. Let Lily do as she wished, at least now if he acted strangely and walked away from her she would know why. He didn't want to force himself on the young woman, nor did he want to do anything with someone he barely knew. Though that hadn't really mattered during wartimes.

Lily made a soft noise when Nereus touched his tail, that tail twitching a bit, but over all Lily seemed to enjoy the gentle touch. Much the way he had when Nereus had touched his ears. When that man spoke, Lily blinked, a hand raising to gently rest two fingers against his own lips. Nereus wanted to kiss him. Lily smiled brightly, lowering those fingers and he turned his head to present Nereus with his cheek. Kisses on the cheek were nice things, so surely that was what Nereus meant by a kiss. Maybe. Lily didn't really think so, but still, he could try to get away with just a kiss on the cheek. Nereus seemed too kind to do anything mean, still Lily was confused about trusting this man.

He wasn't sure how to react after Lily turned her head to give Nereus access to her cheek. With a small smile he feathered soft kisses along the fox's jawline, then pulled back. It hadn't been what he'd intended, or wanted, but it would have to do for now. "We should figure out the sleeping arrangements. Neither of us seems to have blankets, or any other kind of the things we'll need to survive." He had what he needed to start a fire, but it seemed like Lily had already taken care of that. Shaking his head, he turned away from Lily to look the cave over. Anything really, to distract him.

Lily giggled softly as Nereus kissed along his jawline. Wriggling slightly in the man's lap until the soft kisses were done. Lily wrapped his arms around Nereus and hugged the man tightly for a moment. Kisses were such sweet things, he nuzzled the man's neck for only a moment before pulling back. "..I can keep you warm...Like I did earlier." Though blankets would be lovely, Lily shook his head. Enduring the snow storm was worth being away from that place. Especially now that Lily had a new friend..or..was he really a friend? Probably a potential master but he seemed to kind for that. Lily closed his eyes tight and reached up to tug lightly at one of his ears. It was so confusing being around this man. Lily wanted to trust him, but he was too afraid of being tricked. He let go of that ear and opened his eyes, wriggling and shifting about on Nereus' lap.

Groaning slightly, Nereus pulled Lily flush against him. He couldn't take it anymore! Bending his head down the white haired man captured the fox's lips with his own. Though gentle, he was demanding at the same time. Pulling back, he looked down at Lily with an apologetic smile. "I'm sorry, Lily." Running a hand down the fox's back he began petting her tail quietly. Though he was tense, Nereus appeared to be calm. He certainly knew a very good way to keep warm, but he didn't want to take advantage of this sweet fox woman.

Lily let out a startled squeak when Nereus pulled him against him and kissed him. It was a gentle kiss, if a bit demanding, and Lily had placed his hands lightly on Nereus' chest. The fox didn't pull away, his body had tensed a bit and a soft noise escaped his throat, it was hard to tell if that noise was one of pleasure or protest. Then Nereus had pulled away, and Lily was ready to bolt away, but that hand. It ran so gently over his tail, that fluffy tail twitched just slightly and Lily wriggled a bit, snuggling against Nereus. He wasn't really sure what to say, so he just sighed softly and rested his head against Nereus. It was a bit relaxing, a little soothing, having his tail pet like that. "...It's alright." Nereus didn't need to waste apologies on the likes of him.

Taking the words as permission to continue, Nereus placed a soft lingering kiss upon the fox's lips. Oh so slowly his hand snaked it's way up from the fox's tail. Nereus had begun placing small kisses along Lily's neck when he froze completely. Pulling back with a look of utter disbelief, and just a little hurt, he looked down at the other man. "Why this farce? Why make me believe you are something you're not?" Nereus was tempted to push the other male off, but he needed the warmth too much. He was horrified with himself! Why couldn't he have figure it out sooner, when his emotions hadn't begun to soften towards Lily? Now he was hurt and confused, questioning himself thoroughly as he looked down at the white eared man he still held.

Lily squirmed a little when Nereus kissed him again. A slight shiver running down his spine as that man's hand moved up from his tail. The small kisses along his neck had elicited a slight noise of pleasure from the fox, when Nereus stopped suddenly, Lily blinked. Wondering if he'd done something wrong, even though he hadn't really been doing anything at all. He watched Nereus carefully when the man pulled back and spoke. I look of not quite understanding crossed the fox's features, his brow furrowing just slightly. "Farce?" Lily didn't know that word, had never heard it before, he wasn't sure what it meant. Nor was he sure what Nereus meant when the man continued to speak. "...I don't understand...I didn't make you believe anything."

He couldn't bring himself to raise his voice against Lily. Moving his hand from the other man's chest, Nereus looked down at him with an expression that wasn't quite able to settle. "You let me believe you were a woman." Shaking his head the man removed the fox from himself gently, then went to huddle by the fire. They hadn't know each other long, and yet he felt like he'd been betrayed. Licking his lips, Nereus closed his eyes. The taste of her, no him, lingered there and he wanted more. It confused him to no end. Nereus had never been attracted to a man before, no matter how womanly one of them might look. This was a rather novel, frustrating and confusing experience for him. Glancing over at Lily, he sighed while rubbing his arms quietly. Why did the cold have to bother him so? And this darn storm was keeping the both of them stuck in that cave..

Lily's ears were drooping. He was certain he was in some kind of trouble now. "...You chose to assume I was a girl." Lily spoke the words a bit defiantly, flinching slightly. He knew he wasn't supposed to talk to people like that, but he was free. More or less, at least the collar was gone. Lily squeaked a bit when Nereus removed him. Watching as the man moved closer to the fire. Lily's tail came around and he hugged that to his chest, turning his head to stare at the swirling storm. Lily wasn't collared anymore but still trapped. "...I didn't mean to trick you..." He mumbled the words softly, he really meant what he said, he hadn't meant to trick Nereus at all.

Glancing at the fox, Nereus sighed glumly. Shaking his head at himself the knight turned back to the fire and poked at it lightly with a stick he found laying around. There had to be some kind of middle ground, some solid footing for him to stand on in this situation. The white haired man didn't want to hurt Lily, he wanted to protect him with everything he had! But that was the strange thing in this whole affair. "My offer of helping you till stands. Though it would be best if you were straightforward about thing instead of hiding them again." It was quite apparent he was upset about the situation, in both his voice and the way he hugged himself with the excuse that he was trying to stay warm.

"I don't need your help..." Lily was free now, and he wasn't going to sit there and let this man blame him for something that he didn't feel was entirely his fault. Lily hugged his tail tighter to his chest for a moment, then let it go. Blue eyes were defiant as he lifted them to actually meet Nereus' gaze for only a few moments. "I didn't hide anything...You never asked. You assumed, it isn't my fault you are too stupid to tell the difference between a boy and a girl." Lily knew he wasn't supposed to talk to others that way, but he was free now. Well, at least he liked to think he was free. Still he was afraid of what Nereus might do, after being talked to like that, after being called stupid by a mere pet. Lily didn't hesitate, he was on his feet and running out of that cave and into that storm in moments. He was free, he wasn't going to let this stranger punish him for being so rude.

Nereus looked up at Lily's words and shrugged. Though when the fox bolted out into the storm, a wide eyed panicked look moved over his face. Fox or not, if Lily got lost in that storm he would be in deep trouble. Searching desperately, the warrior tried to find something to help him find his way again after he ran out. But he couldn't! Making a split second decision, Nereus leaped up to run after Lily. Trying to find some trace of the fox, the grey eyed man stumbled for a moment. "Lily! Get back here, you'll die out in this storm without any shelter!" Yelling out loudly, he screamed Lily's name over and over again as he stumbled about.

Lily had run out into the storm, floundering a bit in the deep snow. Still he hadn't gone very far, bright blue eyes rimmed with fear as he heard Nereus calling for him. It was foolish to rush out into the storm like that, was freezing to death worth it? Besides, Lily didn't know for sure if Nereus had been going to punish him for being so rude. Surely the man would do something for him running away like that, wouldn't he? But Nereus had seemed so kind, though when he realized Lily was a boy, he had gotten a bit distant. Lily frowned deeply, not sure what he should do. He would never survive out in the storm, he knew that.

A soft whine left the fox's throat as he turned towards Nereus' voice. The man was yelling so loudly. If anyone was out looking for Lily, surely they would find him from all of Nereus' yelling. Of course, Lily could hear the yelling through the howling storm better than humans could, his ears twitched a bit and he shivered lightly. Hugging his tail to his chest as he made his way to Nereus. Moments later, Lily had slipped his hand into Nereus' still hugging his tail to his chest with his other arm. Ears dropping as he turned the man around and headed back towards the cave.

Lily had a very good sense of direction, even in a storm it would be hard for the fox to get lost. Possible, but very difficult. His eyes were on the ground and he was quiet until they returned to the cave, where he promptly let go of the man's hand and darted inside to a far corner. Sitting on his knees and hugging his tail tightly to his chest. He shivered a bit, maybe from the cold. "...I'm very sorry! Please don't punish me for being rude.." Apologies had never worked before, but Lily was free, so they had to work now. Right?

Teeth chattering, he was beginning to feel that seeping cold again when a hazy figure began forming in his vision. Watching as it moved towards him, he kept screaming until he made out Lily's form. Feeling a hand in his, tugging him in some direction, where he didn't know, Nereus followed. He was more relieved then he dared say that the fox had turned to find him again, and show the way back to the cave.

He blinked blearily when Lily ran off into the corner. Moving forward slowly while shivering, Nereus went to wrap his arms around the other man with a small sigh. "Not happening, I don't want to hurt you even if you do get me angry sometimes." He was too cold to care about anything save getting warm. Pressing himself closely to Lily, he buried his face in the other's neck seeking all the warmth he could.

Lily had squeaked a bit when Nereus moved towards him and wrapped his arms around him. The fox wriggled and squirmed a bit, but didn't really try to get away. Nereus was so cold already, Lily had only just started to get cold before turning back for the human. Lily seemed to relax a little at Nereus' words though, and he put his own arms around the man, as well as his fluffy tail, to help keep the other warm. Lily nuzzled against the other gently, choosing to be silent for now. Honestly the fox wished the storm would hurry up and blow over, pass them by so he could start running again. Not necessarily running from Nereus, but running from the one that had collared him in the first place. He closed his eyes and inhaled deeply, taking in Nereus' scent.

Letting out a small sound of relaxation, the white haired man closed his eyes. The shivers running trough his body became less frequent, and his arms tightened around Lily. "Who are you running from?" Question hanging in the air and holding it's place, it quivered there waiting to be answered. Even the ground seemed cold, not such a surprising thing in the winter, and especially during a storm. Nereus had been fighting in a warmer climate, only to be returned to his homeland during winter. It hadn't been so bad when he knew his return home was imminent, and Tempest had been there too. Now though, a storm was raging and confusion still bubbled up within his mind.

Lily clung to Nereus for a bit, that body tensing slightly when he asked the question he had asked. Lily frowned, if he told him. If he told him where he came from and who he was running from, Nereus might want the reward. Nereus might drag him back to that place for the promise of rewards. Lily wasn't sure a reward was being offered, most likely it was, and a big one at that. The fox was hesitating, frowning deeply and trying to figure why Nereus would want to know such a thing if he wasn't looking to turn Lily back in. He couldn't come up with a reason, he shook his head slightly and nuzzled against Nereus. "...Lord Violet Rosenzweig, my master. I'm running from him." He was a very rich man, he had a large estate, owned a lot of land and a lot of slaves and pets. Lily had been his favorite. The fox shuddered lightly and gripped Nereus tightly. "...Please...don't take me back."

Lifting his head slightly, the white haired male reached out to run his hand trough Lily's hair. He meant it to be a soothing gesture, but Nereus knew he wasn't good with that type of thing. "I won't. Knowing whose after you will help me plan how to help you run away." He'd heard about the rich lord. Powerful, and one of the people who always kept buying prisoners of war turned into slaves and pets. The war had been going on for so long, a decade at least. It had Nereus wondering if Lily came from that land across the sea... If he did, then returning him there would end in disaster.

Nereus really was a kind man! At least his words and actions were still very kind. A soft noise of contentment left the fox when the man ran his hand through Lily's hair. It was such a nice touch, soothing and Lily liked it very much. He murred softly and nuzzled against Nereus, pressing his body against him as much as he could. It was nice being held and touched like that. "Mmm." He wriggled just a little bit as he pressed himself against Nereus as much as he could, and briefly he wondered if Nereus knew how nice this felt.