my lungs will fill and then deflate

Aesop pawed at his nose, as though trying to hide his face in his embarrassment. Clearly he's not too put out by being caught, otherwise he'd sulk more than mess around like he is. Still, he felt his face heat up a bit, and he smiled sheepishly at her. Aesop made sure that his posture was polite, submissive and appropriate between a wolf of his stature and hers, yet still friendly.

"Yeah, it does," Aesop said, wrinkling his nose in distaste, though he snorted a laugh as well, "learned my lesson, sure as hell. Had to see for myself, you dig?" Now he laughed, a full laugh, and gestured down the beach. "Got time for a bit of a walk?"