The Heartwood Love only left me alone

the world grew silent.

for the first time in a long while, minne had no thoughts. she listened only to the breathing of the man next to her and rhythm of their heartbeats. the world, in its great silence, seemed to glow softly. this close to him she could see the things she had missed before. just how extensive his scarring was, the notches in his ears and tail missed the first look she had at him. the scars over his muzzle that she now knew as well as the back of her own paw.

it was easy to admire him.

it was easy to let herself be admired, leaning into his preening.

although it inspired her. now she too reached to groom the ruffled furs of his neck back into place. she did not think about how his absence would come sooner than she'd like.