[ P ] lady and the grump

A

rgent hadn't planned to invite Merrin over to stay the night when their date had first begun. Now he was scrambling to think if he had left things out of place or made a mess that might make him look like a slob in Merrin's eyes. The heatwave had been making him shed like dandelions all over the cabin and while he'd done his best to sweep the fur outside with his tail, another fur storm was forecast once his fur dried properly. It was one of those little discoveries that couples made once sharing living space together and one that Merrin would hopefully come to see as just a unique quirk and not something that would drive her mad. His mother had hated the shedding as much as she loved him; she hadn't liked her home covered in fur.

He cleared his throat as he stepped over the boundary into the cabin and glanced back at Merrin. It wasn't as bad as he'd first feared. "Make yourself at home," he encouraged her, hoping that eventually the cabin could be something she saw as theirs and not just his. The sheeps pelt was laid out across the wood panel floor looking oh so warm and inviting. He lifted up a corner of the woolly nest with a paw. "Here," he called invitingly, silver gaze beckoning. "Get warm under here," Argent suggested, hoping she didn't mind that he was offering her his bed. She could sleep there tonight. Argent didn't mind finding another spot to spend the night in. He wanted her to feel comfortable.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

The cabin was altogether a renewed space from when they had first found it. The space was comfy and cozy as opposed to dark and eerie and she couldn't help but attribute that to the welcoming warmth of a particular gentleman. It was impossible for her to be biased...it was his home after all...

Merrin brushed her flank against his as she crossed the threshold, still holding the crystal delicately in her jaws. Lilac orbs flickered around the main room until she found a nice place next to an opening that would allow rays of sunshine to enter. Trotting over to the corner, she placed the crystal down, using her paw to adjust the way it lay there until she was completely satisfied with it and she smiled to recall the butterflies had danced within her chest to receive such a gift.

She admired it a moment more before turning back around, eyes settling on a very familiar wool pelt, even noting the lightest of berry stains on one side of it. Merrin was secretly glad he hadn't been able to completely get them out for the remnants made it undeniably his. As he lifted the corner she paused and glanced up at him as she shifted on her paws uncertainly, noting that it was in fact his personal bed. Her lavender gaze wordlessly questioned this boundary even though he seemed more than willing to offer it to her as she tentatively took steps closer to him.

Reaching up to touch her nose to his, a blush formed across her face when she smiled. "Thank you, Luciel." She then burrowed under the pelt head first, turning around beneath it a few times before her muzzle reappeared and then her face as she she lowered herself into the comfort of the pelts. Merrin couldn't help but glance between her mate and her paws as she fidgeted slightly with the thought of being in his bed, suddenly abuzz with a medley of panic and excitement to know she was welcomed here.

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

I

t was nice to have a private space where he could spend time with Merrin without worrying about prying eyes. His old place had been too far into the lowlands and Merrin's home was at the barracks. Argent was certain that their goodwill towards a former soldier hanging around the barracks would run out sooner rather than later and he didn't want to get Merrin in trouble. This cabin was something that in time could become theirs instead of just his.

Her nose touched his and he sweetly kissed her cheek, features soft with affection for her. He smiled when she burrowed under the sheep pelt. Soon it would smell like her too and that pleased him."Are you warming up?" he asked, hopeful that she was warm and comfortable under the sheep skin. Argent wasn't used to having company over. This was an even bigger deal because it was Merrin. She was a special guest so he wanted everything to be just right for her.

"I've got some rabbit leftover if you're hungry too," Argent offered. He'd only eaten one of the hind legs for breakfast so there was enough to share between them. It wouldn't exactly be a feast, but he hoped she wouldn't mind.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

The sheepskin and bedding was slowly warming her up, but Luciel's kiss did wonders to heat her the rest of the way. She tingled from nose to tail tip, eyes closing as she leaned into his touch. Her smile broadened as the thought that not many would ever see the gentle giant side of her Luciel. Selfishly, she was glad for it, soaking in all of the love he had to give. He truly left her wondering if this was perhaps all a wonderful dream that she would wake up from and she begged the fates to allow her a little bit longer.

Her eyelids fluttered open as she looked up at him and she snuggled into the wool with a smile and a nod. "Mmmhm!" Merrin blinked as he asked about food and opened her mouth to reply, but at the very thought of a meal her stomach beat her to the punch, growling rather loudly. "Oh, my! Excuse me!" She piped up, blushing with light embarrassment as she gave him an innocent smile. "I do suppose I am feeling quite peckish..." She then moved to stand, not wanting to make a mess of his bed by eating in it.

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

A

rgent couldn't help looking over at her and smiling to himself. She was comfy in his bed. It was another small development between them, another step towards the everyday domestic bliss of waking up together. They would wake up together tomorrow. The thought made him blush slightly, hoping he didn't have any weird habits when he slept that might embarrass him. His old army comrades had accused him of snoring sometimes, but he hadn't been the worst offender in the barracks. Hopefully he didn't snore tonight.

"Mmmhm!" the soft hum from his snuggled up mate made his smile widen and he nodded. The growling stomach announced her hunger eagerly and he hurried to retrieve dinner. He pulled the rabbit out of a nook tucked away in the corner of the cabin and carried it over to her, setting it at her paws. It felt good providing for her even if he hadn't caught the rabbit himself. It had been delivered to him as part of the stipend he received from his retirement. "You can go first," he offered, letting her pick her favourite portion of the rabbit first. He didn't know if she had a preference, but if she did he would take note of it.

He took the time to make a nest for himself while she ate, taking scraps of cloth from around the cabin and some of the big oak leaves from outside. He shaped them into a semi circle mound by nudging with his nose and digging with his paws. A quick test with his rump confirmed that it was comfortable enough for the night and he let out a satisfied huff.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

More often than not, Merrin noticed the quick glances of silvered orbs and the way Luciel would smile to himself. He could do that for the rest of their days, gaze upon her as he did, without a word and she would be perfectly content knowing that he adored her even in the quietest of moments. At times she wondered what he might be thinking, but she gave in to the mystery of it, instead learning all of his mannerisms for what they were without trying to translate them. That was certainly enough for her.

Merrin stood and moved out from under the sheepskin, shaking her pelt for it to fluff out wildly where it had been damp before. Her eyes gain wandered the space curiously while waiting for her mate to return with the leftover meal. Her gaze drifted over to where she'd set down the light purple crystal, her heart soaring at the mere sight of it. When he returned with it and set it down, she touched his nose with her own, smiling warmly as she rubbed it back and forth in a little eskimo kiss before peering down at the rabbit. "Thank you, Luciel. This is lovely and your home is lovely as well. I suppose if anyone could turn a rundown house into a cozy hideaway, it would be you."

She lowered herself to where she could eat comfortably after he offered her the first bite. Although her mouth watered as she looked it over, she held off from digging in as she could see Luciel moving around out of the corner of her eye. Lifting her head, she observed him as he gathered material to make a nest and she chuckled as he seated himself with a huff. Merrin picked up the rabbit in her jaws and moved closer to him, looking over the nest with a smile and a few nods. "You are quite the host, aren't you? I should be more than comfortable." She patted some of the leaves with her paw, her tail wagging at the thought of him even testing out the bedding for her.

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

T

he retired captain felt a warm glow of satisfaction when Merrin complimented his homemaking skills. It made him feel good to know that she felt comfortable here because he hoped that they might have many more sleepovers to come. "It's not bad," he muttered in agreement, but despite his quiet response his tail drummed against the wooden flooring. "Better with you here," he admitted, lowering his head bashfully. He wanted her to know how happy he was that she was here and that it wasn't any trouble having her over. He knew she tended to worry about things like that so he tried to show her that her company was nothing, but a blessing.

Once the nest was constructed he was debating whether or not to make himself comfortable when Merrin spoke. She seemed to think he was making the nest for her. Of course she did. He hadn't told her that she was welcome to sleep on the sheepskin. "Uh…Oh…I was gonna.. I mean it'd be more comfortable for you. The sheepskin.. if you want," he fumbled with his words, and nodded back at where she'd been bundled up. "I can sleep here," he offered, awkwardly shuffling his paws.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

She only mirrored his bashful smile as he commented on her presence adding to the pleasant appeal of his home. Luciel was a man of few words, she knew this, but he always made the effort to weave them into his affection as best he could. "Well...I am glad glad to contribute in any way." She beamed, choosing to accept his shyly spoken statement as a compliment.

Merrin was starting to settle down next to him to work on filling her belly, her eyes scanning over the hindquarter and leg that were left until Luciel seemed to be at a loss for words. She looked up at him, worry briefly moving across her features as she thought she might've said something wrong. She tilted her head as she glanced over at his rather spacious sheepskin bed, starting to put the pieces together. Her eyes grew wide and she felt her face heat up, partly with embarrassment and partly with the thought of actually sleeping in his bed.

She cut her eyes nervously at Luciel before she looked back at the nest he'd fabricated, her ears folding back lightly. With the crystal, the welcome into his home, and the sharing of his meal, she'd assumed he'd done well beyond what she would have expected him to. "I...I couldn't possibly take your bed from you." Merrin shook her head and looked him over with a frown. "And some of your fur is still wet. You could catch a cold, Luciel. And...and..." She glanced between the Captain's next and his plush bed of hides, noting the distance, her round lilac orbs seeking his. "...you'd be so far away..."

@Argent

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T

he issue of sleeping arrangements was one that he hadn't considered. He'd hoped Merrin would be happy in his bed, but she was obviously concerned about taking it from him. It wasn't being taken, but given. He knew that in Merrin's mind it didn't make a difference and he scowled at the temporary nest he'd put together. Argent didn't feel right about her not having a warm and comfortable place to sleep. Ears twitched when Merrin confirmed that she was feeling the same. "You could get sick too," he softly grumbled, concerned about her just as much as she was him. He grumbled again, looking from one nest to the other.

Silver eyes were drawn to the round and very adorable gaze of his mate. He let out a gruff sigh, slowly shaking his head in defeat. "Then… I suppose… he began, features warming up as the thought crossed his mind. "There is plenty of room … enough for two," he trailed off and cleared his throat. She'd napped on his tail before why was he so nervous? "If you want to share," he finally got the words out, giving her room to decline if she preferred. He was trying to find a compromise that might make them both happy.

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

Merrin blinked at him, her mouth opening as her thoughts attempted to catch up before she spoke. She wasn't quite expecting this sort of compromise and she glanced back at the bed. "I...ehm..." There was another thing she was slightly embarrassed to admit, on top of being so naive to true romance. "I've never...um, shared a bed..."

She cringed, realizing how odd that sounded when she'd explained she'd been married previously. It was, however, the honest truth. The man she had been bound to had never once slept next to her. "He...uhm, he didn't ever
..want to..." From her current point of view, she would compare any relation that her and her husband before had to that of a chore on his part. He would fulfill his duty and then move along, leaving Merrin to her own company while sharing the beds of other mistresses that he preferred.

She stared down at the rabbit carcass between her paws and shifted where she sat, nervously as she peered back up at Luciel. "I'd like to...to share it with you, to have you close..." She murmured softly, her mind wandering to what that might be like, causing her entire body to tingle to imagine herself curled into the warmth of his thick arctic coat. "Only if you are willing! I have no desire to make you uncomfortable." She piped up quickly to add to her statement.


@Argent

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