Blacktail Deer Plateau wisteria; growing [m]

he answered her taunt with a bold thrust of his chest, his copper gaze smoldering. astara’s head rose, ears bent forward with the slightest hint of a smirk turning the dark corners of her muzzle. 

then, he advanced — drawing his muzzle along her shoulders, spine, neck. 

a tremble snaked the blackbird’s spine as she answered his growl with a deep boom her own. her head turned sidelong, teeth raking his cheek in a gesture hollow of tenderness. many nights they had slept along one another, many days they had touched, platonic — yet a new spark stirred under the hollowed beatings of astara’s chest, seeking absolution in merrick’s form with timorous vigor.