It wasn't often that the dark king left his lands, especially now with his children old enough to explore and not really thinking of the consequences...but sometimes the man needed to admit to himself that he was just that - a man. The former guardian realized that it was time for a simple break. Leading a pack was a stressful position and a responsibility that Miccah never bore lightly. At least his wife shared the burden with him, and he was grateful for that. Thinking of his wife made a rare smile begin to tug at his maw.  Aideen had come into his life unexpectedly, first as a friend and then as his lover. He couldn't deny that she had changed him, had instilled some of her ever present warmth into his dark heart. Where once he had been cold, the king was still a stoic man but he had come to realize that he was open to the idea of being open with his pack. He trusted those who he called family. She had morphed him into a better man.

Their children were growing and the dying wildflowers and chill in the air reminded him of the changing seasons. Time was passing quickly and they were getting older, and Miccah could only hope he had the privilege to spend the rest of his days surrounded by Aideen's warmth and open heart with her by his side as his queen.

speech

”Speech”

f0x0r @DA, Tumana-stock @DA  & Dawnthieves.de

The cold stung her ears, like winter was nipping at their heels, turning the thicket brown and bare. But Aideen was not disgruntled by winter, she'd grown up surrounded by snow for the majority of the year, and while she loved her Woodland home, the naked landscape was a welcome throwback to her childhood. She'd walk the borders, and even the periphery of the Thicket itself, gathering the last fall herbs and taking note of the spots where she should be looking for new shoots, come spring. But her eyes would draw to the open fields, reminiscent of snow-covered tundra, the black berry bushes, even in their autumn state, sending the ghost of sweet perfume through her nose. Over the past months, she had missed her home much more than in the previous years. And she suspected it was because of the finality of it all; More than any time before, she was bound to Secret Woodlands and Relic Lore. She was a pack leader, she had children that her parents would never see, that tiny possibility of turning back, of returning to her old home, was undeniably gone now. She'd be separated from her relatives for good.

She couldn't escape the melancholia and it made her a little ashamed. She had a great life here, she had love and family and a home that was arguably even better than what she left up north. It felt like a betrayal to her mate and children, to long for the past. Even to Nina who had given her a home and a craft, who'd possibly been more of a mother to her than her own ever had. In the midst of her self-deprecation, the alphess came across a fresh trail, pausing her almost mechanical forwards motion. The familiar scent filled her flaring nostrils, connecting with her brain like a drug, soothing her compunction a bit as she turned to follow the tracks. Her brows furrowed a bit as she trotted to catch up with her husband, it was unusual to find him outside the borders, especially when she too was away; While they trusted the rest of the pack completely, their pups were a rambunctious bunch that needed close attention to keep out of trouble.

So when she cleared the trunks and bramble at the edge of the glade, she would pause for a moment to study her Dark Knight in silence, sitting crouched among the drying flowers, a faint slouch to his turned back. A tiny smile curled one corner of her mouth, head tilting ever so slightly as she watched the rise and fall of his shoulders with every breath. It was rare to see him at rest like this, her king he seemed to thrive being busy; Though everyone can use a break… She knew that better than most, always on the lookout for signs of stress. "My love," she called to him softly, stepping clear of the last branches and crossing the short distance between them with slow steps. There was no denying, it was awfully nice to have him alone for once.

Word count: 516

Thoughts ”Speech”

f0x0r @DA, Tumana-stock @DA  & Dawnthieves.de

Her steps were soft, light, but more than anything he recognized her approach by her perfume. Her scent still made chills go down his spine and made his cold heart warm. As Miccah turned, the smile that was so rare appeared briefly on his maw as he too closed the distance between them. He planted a soft kiss atop her crown before silently bringing her into his embrace. "I've missed you." Yes, they saw each other within their lands but it was always brief or they were with the children or focused on a pack mate. When had he truly last been alone with his wife, just to simply soak in her presence? The dark king couldn't really remember the last time him and his queen had been alone. He moved away then, his blue gaze unusually warm. "It's been too long since we've been together like this," he stated. Their life was always so busy but here, in this field full of dying wildflowers, he would soak in her presence as much as he could. Because who knew how long it would be until they could carve time together to be like this again, so the dark king sat and nodded for Aideen to do the same.

speech

”Speech”

f0x0r @DA, Tumana-stock @DA  & Dawnthieves.de

She basked in his smile, that special glow that she knew was just for her. It was more and more often these days, that she would catch that quick flash of joy on his face, even if it was only in passing. But as always, it was his eyes that spoke most strongly. Intense emotion shone in their sapphire depths, warming her from the inside out as she recognized the same feelings beating in her own chest. Suddenly she was taken aback with just how much she loved him. It would never cease to amaze her, the passion he brought out in her every day, with just that one look. "I've missed you too," She sighed, readily folding into his caress, fitting against him like a leaf to a stem. She knew exactly what he meant, having pups had brought them closer to each other in so many ways, but it had taken over all of their very limited private time. Being with him like this was a very rare treat, and she ached from having gone without it for so long.

When he pulled away she sighed, wanting nothing more than to stay like this forever. In his embrace she forgot all her worries and wistfulness. She looked up to meet his eyes, smiling faintly, copper eyes reflecting the warmth in his blues tenfold. "Mhm…" She agreed, reaching up to rub her muzzle lightly against his. In fact she could hardly remember when they'd last been alone for more than a few moments without discussing pack matters. It had to be months; Maybe even… Heat flushed through her body as she remembered a time when they had so most definitely been alone, her smile broader when she met his gaze again. Now that had been quite a different occasion, the flowers around them now mostly dead rather than just coming back to life. But the off season didn't prevent her from watching appreciatively as he took a seat, tail waving slowly behind her as she followed his bid and sat down beside him.

Becoming parents had been a big change in their relationship, and though one she considered for the better, there were still times when she missed just being with her mate, without all the responsibility looming over their heads. They both loved their pups, and their pack, and in the end being leader had proved a job they both liked even if it had been neither ones ambition at the start, but it meant constant busyness, doubly so with a litter to look after as well. "It's hard work," she mused, still smiling at her dark knight; Trusting that he would understand her without further words.

Word count: 449

Thoughts ”Speech”

f0x0r @DA, Tumana-stock @DA  & Dawnthieves.de

Her words almost made him snort for his wife couldn't have spoken truer words. Their life was one that was of constant movement, but these rare times of silence and stillness the dark king never failed to cherish. He would always be a man that enjoyed solitude over the company of others, but being a leader and father meant interacting with his pack mates and family. Where once he would've balked at the idea of this, and even the idea of having a family, Miccah had changed. Though he still enjoyed and craved his solitude, he found that over the years he was coming to enjoy his interactions with his pack mates as well. Not only did he have the chance to witness his pack grow and change, Miccah too acknowledged the change and growth in himself. He looked at his wife, giving a short nod to her words. And then he smiled.

It was odd. For so long, when he had first arrived in the lore, his smiles were never present. Over the years, their appearance had become rare, only appearing mostly when he was with his wife. But now, others had succeeded in bringing out what had once been such a rare occurrence.  Although it was the off season, so he didn't burn for his wife, he still took the time to acknowledge her beauty and that he was one lucky bastard. Moving closer to his mate, he bent his head and nuzzled the crook of her neck, growling playfully.

speech

”Speech”

f0x0r @DA, Tumana-stock @DA  & Dawnthieves.de

His smile was all she ever wanted in life. It lit up his face and glowed in his dark eyes, enveloping her in warmth. She could do nothing but smile back, meeting his gaze with one full of her own love and joy. She was his completely. When he reached down she tilted her head back readily, welcoming his caress. A low, ringing laugh rose from her lips as his nose tickled her, a pleasant, buzzing warmth spreading in her chest. It certainly didn't take the pull of spring for her to appreciate her husband's closeness, and his playful mood was infectious. Stretching up as tall as she could, she folded her head down over his shoulder, burying her nose in his scruff and nipping lovingly. It felt good to be so close again.

She would love nothing more than to stay like that, no world beyond the two of them, exploring and reveling in each other. But she knew it would have an end, the rest of the world would eventually catch up to them and demand their attention yet again. She sighed at the thought, pulling back to look into his eyes again, a soft smile playing on her lips. Hopefully, his presence would never seize to make her feel like this, warm and tingly, full of light and life, ready to take on the world as long as he was there beside her. "I love you," She whispered, feeling like it was something she didn't say enough; And yet words could never do justice to what she felt inside.

Word count: 262

Thoughts ”Speech”

f0x0r @DA, Tumana-stock @DA  & Dawnthieves.de