Redhawk Caldera sugartree

teya had not felt the familiar and gnawing warmth flush through her yet this year. thus today when she sought @Reyes it was only with the intention of telling him of lilitu and crowfeather and akashingo and jawahir, words rushing together as they did often when she was with the scarlet man.
unbeknownst to the raven, her body had prepared itself as the year before; the changes in her scent were not obvious to teya, but perhaps the sensitivity of her lover's senses might make him aware.
with no physical shifts to suggest otherwise, teya searched for him upon the small island where they made their home.

There had always been a difference between the pack's ravens and everyone else. It wasn't a point of contention; they governed together while everyone else lived quiet lives. Reyes had adapted to such a life before the move. He trusted Teya more than anyone he had ever met - otherwise he would have cut and run weeks ago.

His relationship with the others left something to be desired. Granted, he had found some kinship with Eljay that had not been expected; the rest of Brecheliant kept their distance. Reyes could work alone, and live a mostly solitary life, keeping his head down.

The days when Teya would cross his path were always better than the rest. She came upon him today at their rendezvous point - the island they had reclaimed - and before words could pass between them, he was holding her, kissing her.

teya laughed and leaned into him. reyes had grown steadily more affectionate over the course of their relationship and she treasured it in him. brecheliant was a quiet place. they had room to grow.
her body began to respond to his and teya put aside her pondering of the conversation she'd had with eljay and maia, about having children. their little ones would have their auntie again.
the rest she pushed away; she pressed herself against his crimson frame and nipped for the bulb of one ear.

As she began to play with his ear, Reyes hummed a note of pleasure. He pulled her closer and began to groom at the fur of her throat with tender affection. It was a display he kept reserved for Teya. Reyes hadn't always been an affectionate creature and he much preferred the privacy they shared within their hollow anyway; no prying eyes, no judgements or miscommunications. This wasn't for Brecheliant - this was for her, for them.

Whether he was aware of the shifting of her body or not, Reyes wouldn't let up. He wanted so much from her, and he knew she was willing to give him everything. The man trusted her more than anyone he'd ever met; Teya had given him no reasons to doubt her love, or their connection.

I need you, he all but purred against her greedily, his tone low and full of desire. Be mine -- always, as my wife, as my everything. She was already those things but he'd never said it aloud before.

his wife? teya froze for a moment, not with fear or trepidation or even surprise. only consideration now fluted through her. there was no reason to say no. reyes had been with her and she with him for so long now that teya could hardly remember otherwise.
"yes," she said softly, plume swaying in a gentle arc and then faster. "yes. i be your wife, reyes."
she pressed closer now, kissing him, joy dazzling in her smile and eyes bright.
your everything.

He didn't want to bring up names, or debate over whether his was good enough for her; she was radiant, agreeable, and he was hungry for her. Even if this moment was vaguely tainted by the sudden thought of Towhee and all that went wrong before — Reyes swallowed all of that and put it aside while she kissed him.

There wasn't space for the two women in his heart. Reyes had already tried to close-off his heart to the past, and now with Teya he could properly bury whatever sentiment remained. His children were gone, his ex had moved on -- it was time for Reyes to move on too.

He pressed against her, pulled at her greedily, intent to banish everything once and for all with the love he felt. He could not hold back as his love for her overwhelmed him. Their love would be stronger than what came before and Reyes wouldn't fail her, not the way he failed everyone else.