Firestone Hot Springs you hit me like a hurricane

There was a moment where Valiant felt sure he'd just ruined his image of her. It stretched long and agonizing, and the isbjørn nearly blurted an apology before her reaction hit.

A strangled cry of surprise met hers, and then quickly turned to a gurgle as Vairë collided with him.

Beneath the water, Valiant's grin was wide enough to bridge the seas. They tangled, and when they surfaces, Valiant came up laughing instead of gasping for air. His teeth pinched where they found purchase, but he remained on the defensive rather than trying to subdue the doe.

"I'm sorry, Vai," he said, sounding genuinely contrite despite the laughter in his eyes. He couldn't help following this up with, "My paw slipped. It won't happen again!"

But whether he truly wanted her to cease her attack was still dubious — the smile certainly hadn't fallen from his face.