Sun Mote Copse i got a table for two way in the back

She woke to find @Njord fast asleep beside her for the first time in many days. Meerkat smiled and murmured, curling closer to her mate’s warmth. She closed her eyes, fully intending to drift off again in their cozy embrace. Maybe they could sleep in today, then have a late breakfast of (bison) steak and (partridge) eggs…

But she quickly realized she wasn’t sleepy. Gently, she drew away from Njord and sat upright, pointing her nose at the ceiling as she stretched her neck. She then stood, giving her pelt a small shake while doing her best not to rouse her husband. He needed his rest after that particular venture.

Meerkat crept to the mouth of The Taigh, drawing in a breath of the chilly air. She was not in any hurry to leave the warmth of their little cottage, though she ducked just outside the door to relieve herself. The scent hit her instantly.

She’d known it was coming so she was not surprised, though Meerkat’s face glowed like a child’s on Christmas morning as she slipped back into the den. She considered shaking Njord awake but he looked so peaceful. She tried to muster her patience as she padded over to the far wall, where she sat and began recounting the eggs stored there.

Beside the warm body of his wife, in the comfort of their new cottage, Njord slept deeper than he had in many days. He dreamed of hunting bison across the vast and endless plains, running faster than he ever had before. In the waking world, he hummed small growls and yips as his feet moved ever so slightly in a running pattern.

The quiet sounds of Meerkat’s steps roused him when she frisked about the Taigh. His heavy head lifted, sapphire gaze admiring the ticked, carob fur along her back. Then, he swiftly found his feet and slid into place as the big spoon, sitting behind her with his face pressed alongside Meerkat’s.

Njord breathed deeply. He knew. She knew.

Their love was old. Wisened. Tested. And through it all, it had only grown stronger. Soon, more children would be brought into this world because of it. They would be born here and grow up among the safe and bountiful copse.

He held her, wordlessly, in his arms and kissed her cheek, gently rocking back and forth.

Njord held her like this for a long while. Maybe it was a silent promise. A moment of reprieve and reflection, like prayer before mass. He wished to worship her in every way a man, lover, and husband could.

But eventually, his heartbeat quickened, and Njord could not help a shuddering, wanting breath as he nibbled the fringe of her neck.

There were seven. They would go bad soon, she knew. Meerkat divided them: four to one side, three to the other. A soft snort from her husband made her glance over at him. Smiling warmly, she looked to the eggs again and nosed them closer to a cut of bison meat laid out on the floor. She bent to sniff it, mouth watering.

When she straightened, her husband pressed up against her back, his head hooked over her shoulder. Meerkat gave a soft oh of surprise, quickly melting back against him. She slanted her face to touch her muzzle to his cheek, tongue darting out to catch his whiskers in an airy kiss.

Good morning, mo chride. I was just sorting breakfast… she murmured, voice trailing off when Njord’s warmth drew away.

Then his teeth were nibbling along her neck. Meerkat’s head dropped toward her chest with another oh… as it sparkled something inside her, a glittering warmth that fanned from the top of her spine all the way out to her extremities.

As much as she enjoyed the nibbles, she wished for something a little more… ardent, after a moment. She straightened her neck and nudged her husband backward with her hips, hoping he would understand that she wanted him to grasp her more tightly—with his teeth, even, if he wished—and hold her close, as close as two could ever get.

Breakfast could wait.