[ P ] Cruel & Lovely

set before his death

The days had blurred together during the first part of his healing but now that he was well enough to be up and moving around, he saw a new promise in life. Somehow, he'd been spared a gruesome death - be it Amelia's wicked hand or some errant God up above, he did not know, but he was about to waste his second chance. At least, that's what he kept telling himself every time he looked at Amelia and Cadhla, their newest daughter. She was a couple months old by now and old enough to be without her mother's constant attention. They had dropped her off with Declan for the day so they could get some much needed alone time. Not that he had really been able to take advantage of any alone time they got since...

He grumbled softly to himself as he cleaned, wincing here and there as the pain in his brutally broken leg flared to life. It always hurt but he'd almost grown used to it by now.

Amelia would be home soon and he wanted to surprise her for all that she'd done. She'd kept him alive despite everything and kept him around... despite everything. It had rekindled his love for her in a way he'd never imagined it would. He was more than grateful, he was indebted. And that thought didn't bother him like it might had it been anyone else.

He had managed to make it into town today and purchase some flowers and trinkets he thought she might like and they were displayed in their quaint home now as he settled in to wait for her return. Their son didn't live too far from them so it shouldn't be long now...

It was her paw steps he heard first and when he saw that flash of red through the doorway, he smiled as best he could. The bitter, blackened mass in his chest fluttered as looked upon her beautiful face. These feelings were unlike any he'd ever experienced and maybe he'd become dependent on her but either way he wanted to show her all the ways he appreciated her for her love. "My Queen," he purred as he rose to his paws and limped towards her.

"You are as beautiful as ever, my love. As radiant as the sun itself" he said as he pushed his muzzle into the thick fur around her neck. Drawing in her scent caused desire to pool deep within him, but he struggled with intimacy now that he was lacking a certain body part. Still that did not stop him from trying.

---

I am the monster in your head.

I am the venom in your skin.