[ P ] lady and the grump

A

rgent was surprised that Merrin hadn't shared a bed before and his confusion twisted into anger when she explained why. He tried to imagine Merrin waiting every night for someone who was supposed to love her to come to bed, but falling asleep each time alone and rejected. He thought about how lonely that must have been for her and resolved to hold her that much tighter so she wouldn't feel lonely again. The familiar scowl was present, lips downturned as his muzzle wrinkled. "He's a bloody idiot," Argent grumbled, words coming out gruffer than they normally would. They softened when he looked back at Merrin, the cold edge of steel melting from his grey eyes. His head tilted and ears twitched when she expressed a desire to be close to him. Downturned lips formed a fond smile upon hearing those wonderful words.

He reached out with a large paw to rest it lightly atop her forepaw and nodded slowly. "I want to," he assured her, wanting her to know that he wasn't doing it just to please her. It would be his first time sharing a bed too and he was happy it was with Merrin. There was no one else he would rather wake up to or fall asleep with.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Glancing up at him amid her embarrassment, she witnessed a ferocity flash within his brilliant orbs. His scowl was all too familiar, although this one set deeper in his maw. He's angry...did I...? Her ears pinning back further and head lowering under the intensity of his gaze.

"He's a bloody idiot."

Merrin lifted her head, her ears perking up as she blinked at Luciel when she realized he was angry, yes, but on her behalf. Her eyes began to shimmer as emotion welled up inside her and when his paw came to rest so gently on hers, she looked downward. A slow, rather sheepish smile moved along her lips as she simply admired the way his massive, fluffy paw completely enveloped her more dainty ones. She turned her gaze upwards again, seeking his dazzling orbs that lit up his hardened features.

She had never felt more comforted and more validated than she did her and now. All it took was that glimpse of Luciel's protective response to mentions of the brute she was mated to before along with his reassurance that he too wanted to bury himself beneath the furs next to her. She opened her mouth to speak, but her stomach suddenly growled, this time louder. "Oh, my! I've nearly forgotten to eat! See what you do to me?" Merrin teased, her tail wagging.

"Come now...we eat first and then...we'll address our, ehm, sleeping...arrangements." Why was she so flustered with all of this? She swiftly lowered herself to begin to pull the meat from the thigh of the rabbit before offering some to him, trying to focus on eating instead of letting her imagination roam wild with thoughts of a large, silver-furred male pressed up against her under the sheepskin.


@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

T

he softness of her paw under the pad of his made him all the more reluctant to withdraw from the tender contact. With a soft parting pat on her paw he slowly returned his foot to the ground, huffing at her teasing. A smile spread across his grizzled features. "Tch. You do it too," he playfully retorted, wondering if any of the times she'd flustered him were deliberate. Not that it mattered. He liked receiving affection from her even if he ended up blushing from head to tail.

He could tell with the way she spoke that she was feeling as nervous as he was at the prospect of sharing a nest together for the first time. There was something very intimate and vulnerable about sleeping next to someone. It was a show of trust, something that could only bond them together further.

At her insistence he tucked into the meat she had set aside for him, dulling the edge of hunger in his stomach and steadily filling the ace. He hoped there was enough to satisfy both of them. The heatwave had made it hard for the hunters to supply bigger game and that meant making do with smaller meals. "You can sleep over whenever you want," he extended the invitation to her, letting her know that there was always a bed for her in the cabin. He remembered how exhausting army life could be. When the army was spread too thin it wasn't uncommon for him to work overnight. It had been a struggle trying to sleep when his fellow soldiers were buzzing around the barracks.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Eating quietly, lilac orbs glanced over at Luciel several times. Merrin didn't need to add too much to her belly to stop it's incessant rumbling and she purposefully left more meat for the much larger male to partake in. She imagined he needed a good bit more to satisfy him and she wanted to ensure she wasn't eating him out of house and home when prey had been so scarce through the summer.

"You can sleep over whenever you want."

Merrin could hardly contain her obvious excitement at the idea of cozying up with her mate whenever she pleased. Trying to keep her tail from wagging only moved the motion into wiggling hips where she lay and a beaming smile took over her face. "I would absolutely love that! I'll do my best not to intrude." She bit her lip shyly, peeking over at the bed again, her stomach tying into knots. "Although, I can't make any promises with such a tempting offer!"

She made sure to assist in discarding whatever bones remained of the rabbit. She trotted back to her beloved, her gait more of a prance with all of the nervous energy coursing through her. Merrin leaned up to bump her head against his affectionately before she hopped back over to the furs. Instead of burying herself beneath, she flopped down on top of the sheep skin and rolled over, exposing her belly as she pawed at the air in his direction playfully.


@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

N

ow that they had both eaten Argent was beginning to relax more. He was more excited than nervous about sharing his nest with Merrin. Grey eyes watched her thoughtfully, hoping his invitation would please her. He could see by the twinkle of joy in her lilac eyes that she shared his enthusiasm for future sleepovers and her words were music to his ears. Happiness sparked his tail to life causing it to beat against the cabin's floor. "You're always welcome," he insisted in his gruff way, gaze growing soft with affection.

He touched his forehead to hers when she scampered over, giving her brow a gentle lick. Merrin was first to snuggle into bed and he grinned widely when she sprawled out on her back waving a paw at him. Argent didn't keep her waiting too long. He shuffled over and stretched out on his back beside her and let out a happy sigh. The movement pulled at his ribs as it always did and pain flared briefly through his injured side. It was dull enough that he was almost used to the slight twinges that shifting positions caused.

With his head tilted towards her, one cheek flattened against the ground, he gazed over at her in blissful wonder. She was really there. With him. "This is nice," he murmured softly, enjoying the warmth of her side alongside his. He could get used to this.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

As Luciel drew in closer, making himself comfortable on the bed next to her, Merrin simply watched him fondly. He'd even rolled onto his back as she had, looking over at her. She stared at him in silence, studying the admiration in his features as he murmured softly to her. A smile warmed her own expression as she nodded in agreement, her cheeks warming as her entire being urged her to remove the distance between them. She put up little resistance to the gravitational pull as she rolled to one side and wriggled herself closer to him, sheepishly glancing up to meet his starlit orbs as she tested her boundaries.

If he'd allow it, she'd find herself nestled into his side, burying her face into the thick billows of silvery fur. She breathed in his familiar berry-laden scent, allowing a sigh to release with a hum of contentment. "And to think you were contemplating sleeping elsewhere..." She teased him lightly as she lifted her muzzle upward to flash him a cheeky grin before pressing a few tender kisses into the side of muzzle. Nosing her way to, possibly her favorite feature about him, the fluff of his cheek and nuzzle into it.


@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

T

here was no resistance when she wiggled closer. Argent found himself shuffling over to meet her half way, gazing over at her lovingly. He felt the soft brush of her lips against his cheek and her nose as it nuzzled into his neck. It tickled, but he held himself still despite the urge to wiggle so as not to disturb her. Her teasing earned a half hearted grumpy huff and he leaned closer to nose at her cheek. ”This is better,” he admitted, feeling the tell tale sign of a blush warming his cheeks. ”Are you comfy?” he asked, silver gaze peering down at her, one brow raised in concern. He was concerned that he might be taking up too much room, but she did seem quite happy snuggled up to him. Unless it was her way of subtly asking for more room? Why did he have to make it so hard for himself by overthinking it?

He let out a sigh and leaned his cheek into her nuzzling nose, all doubts falling away. His worries all seemed silly since she’d willingly snuggled closer. Happiness bubbled up inside of him and he decided to share that joy with the woman he loved by gently kissing her brow.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

His grumpy huff only earned him a light, melodic chuckle from the woman. She was more than glad that he agreed this arrangement was far better than the one he'd been planning. She peered up at him with pure adoration when he asked her if she was comfortable. "Mhm, very much so." She nodded earnestly and took a moment to silently study the silver starlight of his eyes, wondering what he might be thinking.

Merrin gratefully accepted the kiss to her brow, her ears laying back lightly as she nestled herself beneath his chin. She snuggled even closer, if it was at all possible, moving to rest her head against his chest. Closing her eyes, she focused on the rhythmic beat of his heart...listening to it, feeling it against his ribcage. It was not long before it began to soothe her into a gentle lull of sleep, her eyelids drooping as she began to nod off. Though, before she relented to slumber fully, she nestled into him and murmured with a soft hum, "Mmm...I love you, Luciel..."

[Exit Merrin to dream of her sweet Argent <3]

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

T

he last flutters of uncertainty were swept away by the sweet assurance of his beloved. Argent let out a sigh as he felt the tension that pulled through his muscles like tightly wound strings grow loose and the full weight of his body sank into the sheepskin nest. He knew he would not spend the night awake, brooding over the path his life had taken, but marvelling at the way it could still surprise and delight him. A fond smile touched his grizzled muzzle as he felt her snuggle into his embrace and he touched his nose to her brow, mentally willing his tail not to start wagging in case he disturbed her slumber. ”Love you too,” he murmured. His tail twitched defiantly and he had to force himself to relax and not think about how happy he was.

The excitement of their adventure hit him with a wave of weariness. It had been a wonderful day and he was reluctant to close his eyes. He didn’t want it to end. Waking up next to Merrin was enough of a boon to soothe him into sleep and into sweet dreams.

Exit to sleep

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck