The last time Ty held an axe was after a drunken binge at the Bent Tail. Like most people in a drunken stupor, Ty decided to test his aim at an ax-throwing range. With a gut the size of the kegs he chugged that night, it was a miracle it took an hour of tomahawking before something went amiss. With little situational awareness, the careless lug crossed the range to another patron’s target to retrieve his axe just as an axe came flying his way. Fortunately, the careless retriever left the place intact except for a new distinct hairstyle and a newfound fear of axes.

“Ty! You gonna help with the chopping or what?!” An irritated husky dressed in classic lumberjack fashion called out.

“I’m gonna pass this time, sorry,” Ty responded. Even if Ty wasn’t traumatized, he could barely move with all the layers he was wearing. Ty wasn’t built for the cold despite his fairly dense shaggy fur suggesting otherwise. The shivering blonde practically was a marshmallow with the sweaters, puffer jackets, and thermal underwear he was swaddled in.

Hund gave Ty a once-over, realizing that his friend was not as insulated as he was. Hund shook his head and turned away from his immobile friend, accepting the situation. Ty thought he heard Hund mutter something and called him out on it.

“Whatcha say? These earmuffs muffle everything!” Ty yelled out while lifting one side of his ear warmers.

“Pathetic!” Hund said loud and clear.

Ty let the side of his muff plop back onto his ear as he tried to push aside the insult. “Pfft, please, you were practically built for this weather. I guess that explains why you complain so much about the beach.”

“No, Ty, I already told you. I don’t like sand. It’s rough, course, and….” Hund began, but Ty just nodded.

“Irritating. I know you go on this speech every time. I talk about the beach.” So Ty said with a slight bit of annoyance. Hund brought the ax down on the log of wood he set on the stump, splintering the piece of wood in two with ease.

“You can go back to the cabin with Tanu and Pan if you are too cold,” Hund muttered. But, despite his earmuffs, Ty caught Hund’s words.

“Nah, it’s cool. Or cold, actually.” Ty said, beginning to go off on a tangent. “I wanted to keep you company out there. Didn’t know you really did anything besides workout, eat and sleep.”

Hund huffed as he moved his choppings to a large pile. “We don’t have trees we can cut back at home.”

“You mean in the city, right, not here?” Ty clarified. “This is your hometown, right?”

“This is where I grew up.” Hund clarified, showing no affection to the locale.

“Oh,” Ty responded, catching the coldness in Hund’s tone. “Well, in any case, thanks for inviting me to spend the holidays up here! After this, it’d be cool to get a tour around town.”

Hund sighed and nodded in affirmation. “I’m just glad you volunteered to be Santa for the holiday parade. Every year, my folks ask me to come back to do it for whatever reason.”

Ty looked down at Hund’s round jiggly belly, hugging against his flannel button-down, and nodded. “Yeah, wonder why?” Ty said under his breath.

“What?” Hund asked accusingly.

“I said are you visiting your parents while you are here?” Ty diverted smoothly.

Hund let out a low “hmm” then turned his attention to a modestly sized pine tree. Then, with efficient fervor, Hund made quick work of the girthy trunk. Then, as he struck, sweat began beading along his forehead. Soon, with a mighty “TIMBER!” the tree came down with a thunderous thump. Hund paused and set his axe down.

“Maybe,” Hund said, answering Ty’s question. “Depends if they are around. They moved a while back but visit town usually every Christmas. My old house is still here.”

Ty sensed a bit of unease about his parents’ topic and wanted to inquire more. But his attention soon shifted to his friend’s apparent stripping in this frosty forest. Hund had unbuttoned his flannel shirt with remarkable speed and tied the sleeves around his waist. Now exposed to the wind, Ty entirely viewed Hund’s robust build. With a whistle, Ty couldn’t help but send over a compliment.

“I guess I should get into ax swinging, huh? You got a serious pump in your biceps now.” Ty said, eying the veins popping out from Hund’s arms. Hund rested the ax’s head behind his own and looked off in the distance for another tree. Perhaps it was the cold, but Ty could see the faintest blush grow on Hund’s cheeks.

“Boys!” a female voice called out. “You done yet?”

Ty and Hund turned their attention to a figure dressed in a fashionable puffy teal coat and jeans. As the figure approached, she lowered her hood, revealing a familiar raccoon face. Hund set down his axe to the ground and placed his hands on his waist.

“Oh?” Tanu said, eying at her shirtless boyfriend. “Didn’t know even here your hatred for shirts applied. Not complaining, though.” So she added with a wink. “Anyways, Pan and I are going into town to get ingredients for gingerbread and hot chocolate.”

“Absolutely!” Ty said, ready to leave.

Hund looked over his haul and shrugged. “Sure, Ty, can you get my axe?”

Ty looked over at the implement with trepidation. “You sure?” But he could see Hund and Tanu walking off.

“We’ll meet you at the car!” Tanu called over her shoulder as she reached her hand over to a part of Hund’s front. Then, carefully, Ty grabbed the handle of the tree cutter, ensuring the top of his head wouldn’t get chopped and waddled along with his friends.

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This is probably the closest thing I will have to a portrait I will make of the unapproachable hound. There is so much to gush over but I'd love to hear what you guys have to say! Thanks again to  Ticl for making another wonderful portrayal of Hund.