[ P ] Autumn Dreams

The heat of Summer had all but faded in the presence of the chill, crisp air of Fall. A homestead seated in the middle of the woods was surrounded by trees full of flame-kissed leaves, hidden away from those that might not know it was tucked away there. Many of the leaves had already fallen and the gentle breezes of the cooler air tended to lure them into a dance as they would attempt to move into the cozy interior of the cabin.

Early morning roused the aspiring shield maiden and she'd already begun work to clear a pathway at the doorstep and out in front of the house for those who might find themselves visiting. It was a momentarily amusing thought seeing as she was, as far as she knew, the only consistent visitor to the home of Luciel Argent. Her cheeks grew a rosy blush beneath her fur as she thought of the warmth of his embrace while she slept in his bed. In fact, that led to another thought...the woman trying to recall the last time she'd spent a night back in the barracks. The Yorkshire cabin was close enough that she had no need to stay within the confines of the Imperial Army Base and...to be frankly honest, she's not sure if she would be able to...

It was unfortunate that she'd have to share the news with the Army Veteran that she would be traveling North into the Highlands in search of a young recruit that had gone missing, as was her duty. As Merrin continued to pile the leaves upon the edges of the property, her smile slowly faded into a frown as she began to ruminate over having to be separated from Luciel for...well, she wasn't entirely sure how long. The couple had grown incredibly close to one another and she could hardly fathom a day without him in it. She shook her head, her mind troubled, yet she had chores to finish so that she might be able to hunt down some breakfast for her beloved mate.

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

THREAD TITLE MUSE

The rustling of leaves tugged him from sweet slumber. He cracked open one grey eye and squinted sleepily over at where he expected Merrin to be. His large paw brushed over the still warm side of the sheep’s pelt that she had claimed. The woolly texture of the hide ruffled under his paw pad, not the soft form of his mate. A sullen grumble followed and reluctantly he lifted his head, nostrils twitching in search of her familiar scent. Argent didn’t have to look far, dark ears twitching as he realised that it was Merrin rustling around in the doorway. Mornin’ love, he greeted her, sitting up in their nest, fur still tousled and mussed up from sleep.

Summer had been one of blissful romance and he was excited to share their first autumn together. Merrin had been spending more time at the cabin and it was feeling more and more like a proper home. He knew it would be hard if she did return to the barracks because he was happy with how things were and he believed that she felt the same. Thought I'd missed you, he said, obviously relieved that she hadn't had to leave for her duties yet. Got time for breakfast? he asked as he lumbered over and planted a sweet kiss on her cheek. grey tail waving happily behind him.

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A greeting I'm that familiar baritone turned her around in the doorway, her features brightening to see her mate having risen. The sight of his wild wisps of hair a mess from sleep drew a chuckle past her lips as she a abandoned her chore to trot over to meet him. Good morning, dearest heart." The adoring woman cooed, her softly gleaming lavender eyes watching him as he rose from his pile of furs to meet her.

Merrin closed her eyes, leaning into the kiss and then snuggling into his warmth that still radiated off of him from his slumber. She peeled herself away momentarily to give him a look of disbelief, before clicking her tongue with a shake of her head. "How could I possibly leave without kissing your beautiful bed-head goodbye?" Merrin reached up and gently pawed at the stray hair that stuck up atop his head with a giggle. She danced on her tip-toes to pepper an abundance of kisses across his face and muzzle. He was more than deserving that and much more after having to take the brunt of her teasing.

When she pulled away she rubbed her nose against his in one last little Eskimo kiss before turning her head to peer outside the door at the work she had done and whatever it was she had left to do. "I was hoping I would have been able to finish clearing the pathway out front and then come back with breakfast for you. Shame on me for forgetting you are as early a riser as I am." Merrin turned back to him with a smile that faltered for a moment as she recalled what she would need to address with him likely over a morning meal.

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

The soft morning light settled over Merrin and for a moment he was awestruck by how wonderful she was. Even though she was his mate he still felt his heart rate quicken and a familiar flutter in his stomach like a boy with a crush. Argent doubted that a day could go by without him waking with a sparkle in his eye and a wag in his tail. Grey met lilac and adoring glances were exchanged in kind.

Her paw swept through loose strands of fur spiked up from sleep before he could think to react. Argent's mouth opened to protest, but his words died on his lips silenced by her kisses. A grumpy rumble was all that managed to escape. He could not resist her charms even when she teased him. It was these playful exchanges that reminded him how close they were growing. Once upon a time Merrin would have been too timid to be so bold and he would have swallowed his tongue if someone touched him so intimately. It was a testament to their growth that they were both so comfortable together. You.. hmph, he huffed, Not a hair out of place, Argent said, shaking his head at her perfectly groomed pelt. She really was beautiful. Much more than a shaggy old mutt like him deserved and he would cherish her.

They've really started piling up, he remarked, scooping at the leaves with a paw. The crackling noise they made when he shifted them reminded him of being a boy romping through the leaves. We can take a walk together, find breakfast. I'll sort this mess later, he assured her, wanting to make himself useful since he wouldn't be much use on a hunt except maybe to flush something out.

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The low roll of his grumbling only warmed her from ears to tail tip and she released a sigh of a laugh. She cast him a coy glance, her eyes glowing with gratitude as she turned away rather bashfully. "Oh, my darling, you are ever the charmer." She cooed, standing back to watch him lovingly for a moment as he began to shuffle some leaves about.

"A morning walk sounds nice." She agreed with a nod, padding closer to him and nudging him with her nose to try to draw his attention away from the leaves and back towards her. As their noses touched, Merrin offered a swift lick to the tip of his nose with a warm smile. She did her best to soak in the smaller joys in life, especially when she knew what was impending. It would be hard to try to conceal her apprehension, though it only attached her further to her mate, nearly gluing herself to him as she led him away from the cabin and onto a familiar trail.

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

An ear twitched at her loving cooes and he huffed to disguise the fact that she had succeeded in making him blush yet again. It wasn't difficult for Merrin to charm the grump right out of him and win him over with a sweet smile. Argent enjoyed the lightness he felt in her presence and wished it could stay like this indefinitely. There was always a whisper of doubt that something bad would happen and once again he would be a lonely bitter man.

Grey eyes peered over at her and his lips twitched into the ghost of a smile. Worrying about the future could wait. The here and now was all that mattered, he reminded himself. It does, he mumbled in agreement. You''ll blend right in, he noted and looked down at his own arctic hued colouring. Autumn and winter stood side by side. It might have been a romantic notion if he didn't stick out like a sore thumb. It would make hunting a little trickier for them.

I might be a problem, he pointed out and cocked his head thoughtfully, a telltale frown of concentration wrinkling his brow.

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Merrin's lavender orbs looked herself over before landing on the atmosphere. She watched as a few leaves caught a breeze and danced across their path, smiling as her gaze returned to him. Her mate studied his own thick tundra coat and she nudged him lightly as they walked together. "Not for long, Luciel. Soon I'll be the one to stick out against the snow, while you'll be practically invisible...not to mention warmer than I."

She leaned over to tuck her head beneath the thickest tufts of his mane and grinned from beneath as the hair covered her eyes. "Do you even feel the cold underneath all of this? I would imagine not. Oh, if only I were so lucky." Merrin signed as she moved out of the cover of his lovely arctic locks. "But, I know you'll keep me warm, won't you?" Her cheeks immediately grew warm and she turned away from him shyly, though she continuously glanced in his direction.

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

He watched the leaves twirl around them and flashed her a flicker of a smile. Yorkshire in autumn really was a site to see. Argent hadn't taken the time to fully appreciate its beauty before. As a fresh faced recruit he'd been too eager falling over his own paws to fulfill his duties and as a veteran soldier the war had been his sole focus. It was still a life he missed,but the bitterness of regret had crumbled under the seeds of hope. He had a new purpose and all the little things that had once been so small were now everything.

Merrin reminded him that their roles would change soon enough and it would be him with the advantage. It was one of the reasons he prefered winter. He stuck out less which meant people didn't bother him as much. It might not snow, he said with a subtle note of disappointment in his voice. The heat wave had affected the natural order of things and he wouldn't be surprised if the aftermath continued into winter. Course I do. I'm not a snowwolf, he huffed in amusement, looking down at her from beneath his shaggy mane. Her words once again stole his breath away and he felt heat rise to his cheeks. Warm and toasty, he promised, brushing his flank against hers affectionately. Whenever you want, he added although it came out as a mumble.

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She grew pensive as he noted there may not be a winter at all. Brows rose slightly as she recalled a saying she'd heard once before. "'The colder the Winter the warmer the Spring...' Do you suppose a blistering Summer could make way for a harsher winter?" Merrin was certainly no expert on the subject, though it was something to keep her mind occupied with as they trotted along.

She chuckled softly as he admitted to being able to feel the chill beneath the many layered pelt he wore. Her gaze fell upon him lovingly as she admired him, the corner of her mouth turning up in a smirk as she shrugged her shoulders. "Not a snow wolf? You certainly could've fooled me, dearest." She remained in the closest proximity to him, even when she'd become flustered at her own words.

The handsome man's response only stoked the flame as she felt the heat spread throughout her body. It was only smouldered by the comment he mumbled, her ears flicking forward and then slowly flattening. "Ehm, yes, but...Luciel, I do have to...talk to you about something..." She slowed to a halt, her body language becoming more closed off as she began to suddenly feel nervous.

@Argent

table ; bunny - - art ; Raven

The prospect of a harsh winter made his lip curl. He liked the cold, but he liked his toes and ears a little more. It would be another crisis too soon for the army to deal with. Maintaining the heat camps had exhausted them. Even volunteering with Merrin had sapped the strength from his body. It's possible, he agreed, grey eyes narrowing at the thought although he was no meteorologist. The big brains at the college would know more, he offered, slightly reluctant yet willing to accompany her there if she was really worried.

Hmph, he grumbled, smiling lightly despite the scowl framing his steely gaze. Are you trying to melt me? another grumble followed, cheeks warming at the sweet as he planted a kiss on her cheek.

Her hesitancy was unexpected and confusing. Concerned he watched her, wondering what had gotten her so antsy. Had he done something to upset her? Argent stiffened slightly, but he tried not to show that Merrin's nervousness was rubbing off on him. What is it, love? he asked, voice soft and inviting despite the worry knotting itself up in his stomach. He didn't jump to any immediate conclusions, but Merrin's reaction was enough for him to know that it wasn't good news.

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