Blackfeather Woods only a madman likes the pain

Perhaps if he had noticed her sooner, the shadow -- one that reminded him of himself, in ways, always searching for answers and the meaning of life -- then he would have offered her to do exactly what she did then. Like he had offered Burke, an offer that had been swiftly rejected. An ear flicked back but through the stinging sensation along his muzzle and mouth he did not react timely. Cicero did not instantly react, allowing Kendra to sink her teeth into his chest. He was not sure what she wanted; yet in his experience, pain was only all the more satisfactory when you worked hard for it. Better than when it came easy.

The biggest question in his mind was why him, why now -- but then something clicked, something changed, and teeth were bared to match her own.

His tongue was littered with ugly blisters as it was revealed through his snarl and teeth sought purchase along the top of her head or, if he could reach it, her nape. He did not aim to maim her, but he would draw blood if he could get a good enough grip; that was why he had chosen those locations. He did not aim to maim, but simply to blow off some steam. He hoped that it worked for both of them that way; and most of all, he hoped that it would not mean the parting of their ways when all was said and done, but rather an intensifying of the fragile trust between them.