Mount Everfall scintillate bright like a diamond

he was tense, waiting for her to speak -- they'd only know each other a short time. maybe he'd been too fast; maybe he had scared her off. instead, tears filled her eyes and she stepped forward to bury into his fur. Casmir, more than a little stunned and unsure of what to do, stood dumbly for a moment before he lowered his muzzle to gingerly smooth the fur along her eartips. 

it was odd, he found, odd and exhilarating at the same time, to touch her gently as he had before but to know she was his mate, that they were bonded now by his want and her acceptance. he also discovered he was scared, terrified even -- he didn't know what to do and yet he did, and he wanted to find out what it was he was supposed to be to Laika.

"awesome," he mumbled, pressing his lips against her hackles and closing his eyes as pure joy and relief swept him.