Falls of the Hinterlands and i'm always tired, but never of you

The ex-soldier did not know the word she had spoken, but through the journey had mulled it and concluded it was, perhaps, a nickname of his own. He did not mind the idea; perhaps he even liked it.
The thoughts were banished when he caught Mona's expression at his offerings. Her laugh, the tears beginning to track down her face-- these things pushed him into action. Before he could stop himself, he leaned in and pressed his muzzle against the top of her head. After a few beats, he started preening the velvety scarlet fur between her ears.
Nathaniel found himself content with this, with the silence and contact between them. He was relieved-- overjoyed, even, that his surprise had inspired such a reaction in her. The ex-soldier suddenly wished this moment could last much, much longer than it realistically could. Not forever, though, he thought. For the first time in a long time, Nathaniel found himself hopeful for the future. It was only a little-- only because Mona had so stubbornly inserted herself into his life. He had never appreciated an intrusion more than this one.