She agreed. No arguments, no hesitation, no exasperation over his still lingering neediness, and no more discussion.
That was that. He gave a rather indulgent growl as she walked around him, pressing up against him as she came about his other side. His nose tickled from a brush of the tip of her tail and he continued to smile at her, his confidence and sense of self fully restored.
"Just us," she had said before gracefully pulling away from him and into the den.
"Just us," he whispered again with a bit of pep this time, the words leaving him in a matter of breaths before moving forward to join her inside. The dark space was cozy, even almost comforting with the aroma of old herbage from seasons past. It was an earthy smell, one that typically soothed fidgety puppies to sleep with the accompaniment of a summer lullaby. Slowly and carefully, Angier waited for her to settle down first before easing himself up beside her while using himself as a barricade against the cold, craving to warm her with his body heat.
He wrapped his tail around the curve of her side and spine before resting his chin on his wrists, poking his tongue out to place on more rather playful kiss to the side of her face when he had attempted to aim for her the bridge or side of her muzzle.
"Rest now," he whispered to her, closing his eyes.
"When yer ready fer something to eat, ya let me know."
(
Fade.)