Redsand Canyon Whack fall the daddy-o.

The word “intimacy” kind of fell under the same umbrella as “husband” and “wife,” meaning Towhee didn’t really want to think of Maxim in those terms. But there was a comfortable companionship between them as they nosed at one another. There was no affection to the touches, no flirtations or seductions. Towhee sighed, a noise of contentment and relief.

This was nothing like what she’d tried with Reyes. Her former mate flitted through her mind for a moment before she banished all thought of him. She stretched out her limbs before curling them, making sure to keep her healing leg safely stretched out in front of her as she let her chin sink down atop the other. Towhee closed her eyes, effectively shutting out the world.

A minute or two passed, then she cracked open an orange eye and found Maxim’s face in the darkness. Night, she said simply, smiling a little and closing her eyes again. She let out another sigh, and a toot to mark the occasion.