The chase is impeded by their raucous laughter, sounding like wild animals crashing through the underbrush to the tune of their howling amusement. His lungs quiver with mirth even as he gasps for air, grasps for her. She slips his fingers, Fangorn tripping at his ankles and making him stumble, lurching to correct the motion automatically while trying not to smash the adorable little terror into pumpkin pie.
Like a wild hare she rabbits to the side, and though he slides magnificently in the mud he doesn't fall again - small mercies - and instead turns to try and swoop Fangorn into his arms. Failing that, to hold mud over the little grinning gourd, and calls out through his laughter to Melita. "Surrender or your buddy gets it!" Don't misgender the bitey vegetable after all. She's fast and slippery, and he's not above playing dirty.
Like a wild hare she rabbits to the side, and though he slides magnificently in the mud he doesn't fall again - small mercies - and instead turns to try and swoop Fangorn into his arms. Failing that, to hold mud over the little grinning gourd, and calls out through his laughter to Melita. "Surrender or your buddy gets it!" Don't misgender the bitey vegetable after all. She's fast and slippery, and he's not above playing dirty.
Harper
