Northstar Vale (M) In memory of Keith.

She didn’t expect that response. Towhee guffawed, then noticed the slightly distracted look on Maxim’s face. Had she gone and done that? Still tittering under her breath, she sniffed noses with him before offering his a little lick.

We could just do it in front of him, she said offhandedly, still laughing under her breath. Don’t think he’d scoff then…

But she wasn’t being serious in any form or fashion, even though the memory of Jack’s warm reception to the idea of younger siblings still had her heart wrapped in a merry little glow. Towhee wondered if Leo would feel similarly. There was still the matter of asking leadership too.

If you’re in the mood now too, she teased, since Maxim still looked a little starry-eyed, we could try to get creative or something. She playfully elbowed him. Or we could, y’know, try. Worst case scenario, my back yells at me and I yell at you to get off.

As soon as the words left her mouth, she realized the double entendre and snorted loudly. As if that was not bad enough on its own, it sent a gob of snot shooting out of her nose to splatter his muzzle. Talk about killing the mood.