As soon as she saw him take a step away, a puff of air leapt forth from her lungs and her mind screamed stay, but her throat clenched, stopping the air before it could reach her lips which also remained pursed. The air pushed at the back of her throat, begging to erupt with a scream should she let it go any moment soon, but stubbornly, she held onto it. It didn't seem as though he was going to go any further and so, shoulders relaxing, she slowly allowed her throat to relax, allowing the air to pass quietly, slowly. It was hot and somewhat shaky still, but at least she'd controlled that little part of her that had wanted to shout.It surprised her greatly, then, when his next step was not away but toward her. In disbelief she raised her head, eyes once more turning back to him but as soon as he stepped within reach she accepted his presence and all tension melted away as she closed her eyes, feeling his muzzle trail along her jaw to the nape of her neck and along her shoulders. The hair just behind her ears stood on end and she had to try to suppress a shudder but the weakness in her knees gave her all the more reason to lean into his embrace, slipping her muzzle along his own dark shoulder blade and resting it at the base of his neck where the fur was thickest.
She drew in a breath and it fought its way back out, and this time, she allowed herself to vocalize what had once threatened to emerge as a shout and not presented itself as a quiet plea. "Stay."
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