Bramblepoint medusa and hemlock

Briefly, he wondered if Taltos would take offense. Peregrine had named his child for one lover, not the other. Of course, it was due in large part to the fact that Pan was dead and gone. And he had never cursed Peregrine to a lonely death, not even if and when he probably deserved it. The Alpha couldn't even imagine Pan speaking like that to anybody. He had been such a soft, gentle and innocent soul, incapable of hurting a fly.

Of course, Lasher's own curses were water under the bridge now. Peregrine regarded him, lips pursed, thinking briefly on their abortive attempt to get physical. He found he did not desire that particular brand of intimacy with Lasher. He was, however, enjoying the emotional variety very much. That was largely what Pan had provided for him too, seeing as they had only boned that one, sweet time. Perhaps Fox just kept him so satisfied that he didn't seek sensual release anywhere else these days (he should tell her that, it would flatter her).

for lasher, intimacy was not wedded to release so much as love. the expression of a deep affection. had he known the thoughts in peregrine's mind, he would have smiled, but as it was, he merely met the studying eyes of his once-lover with a calm gaze, welcoming the scrutiny that stemmed from a secret place deep within the black wolf.

for a moment he thought of breaking the quietude with a joke or a jest, but the words that flowed to his tongue were neither of these. "i shall be here for you always," came the druid's quiet murmur, holding the gaze of the panther with whom he was enjoying a new sort of bond.

He suddenly realized he hadn't done much of anything other than stare at Lasher for several moments. He caught himself and smirked, his expression softening at the other male's declaration of eternal friendship. Peregrine had expressed a similar sentiment once and it still held true. Yes, the bridge between them had burned to ash, once, but they had rebuilt a new one in its place.

"Does that make us biffles?" Peregrine wanted to know.

they stood gazing at one another for a long series of moments before peregrine paused, offering his characteristic smirk that even now charmed the ecru man. yet the words confused lasher; he blinked, ears flicking as he tried to make sense of what peregrine had said.

"what is a 'biffle?'" he inquired quietly at length, assuming it was something pleasant but unsure of its true meaning.

Taltos seemed genuinely perplexed by the term, which caused Peregrine to throw back his head and laugh. This went on for a good minute or two, the peals just rolling out of his broad chest, before the Alpha regained his composure.

"It means," he began, "best friends for life. You know, B-F-F-L? Biffle?" Like, duh. "We're already having monthly brunches," he added, gesturing at the slain pig, "now we just need to get matching bracelets and start completing one another's sentences. And I'd link arms with you, y'know, if mine wasn't busted."

peregrine seemed riotously amused by lasher's confusion, but taltos laughed along with the man at himself, ears cupping forward curiously as the panther set about explaining. "well, indeed we are then, i should say," he chuckled, eyes alight with humour. "i shall be your ... biffle." 

struck by a sudden bit of mischief, the druid turned and dashed into the wood, returning some minutes later with two daffodils, their stems long. "there," he murmured, lying the first o'er peregrine's withers, and turning to place the second over his own. "now we match."

Lasher's tentative acceptance earned another snort from Peregrine. A moment later, he dashed away. The swarthy wolf wondered if he was meant to given chase, like the last time. Of course, he couldn't, and Taltos knew that. Peregrine remained where he was, head cocked curiously, and soon enough his "biffle" returned with daffodils blooming from the tip of his muzzle.

"Wow," the black king mused as Lasher decorated them both. "You know how I know you're gay?" He chortled, admiring his decoration and then his friend's, then gave a nod of approval. "We're fine as fuck."

he chuckled as peregrine declared him 'gay;' in olden times, this had meant something quite different than its current context. "not so gay!" he crooned, arching a brow, but nodded at the sable wolf's assessment all the same. "we are very fine indeed." the flower did not detract from peregrine so much as stand aside as sunny spot of colour among the proud darkness of his coat. "would that i could make a wreath for your head," he teased, eyes warm. "this shall have to suffice."

The swarthy wolf smiled but said nothing more, simply enjoying striking a pose for a few moments while simultaneously admiring Lasher's own adornments. He felt a rush of warmth and affection for the other man, even a tiny hint of want. But Peregrine didn't act on it. If that sort of thing redeveloped in time, he would not try to stop it. But this wasn't the right time.

In fact, he knew he should be getting back. Much as he liked to think the four cubs would be fine without parental supervision, he was anxious to check on them. It would take him a long time to get back to the caldera too. Peregrine's lips pursed and he sighed, face momentarily falling before catching Lasher's eye again. His lips twitched back into a simpering smile.

"I'd better get going," he announced reluctantly. "I enjoyed my time here with you and I'm already looking forward to next time," he added, hoping it would soften the blow of his imminent departure.

there was much reluctance in peregrine -- lasher met it with his own, but nodded at his companion. however, his jaw tightened -- he stepped forward. "i would be remiss in my feeling toward you if i did not at least offer my strength as tool you might use to shorten your return journey," he murmured, glancing toward the tucked foreleg. 

"obviously you are more than capable" he went on, "but i would not like to see you trek alone so far again." in the month to come, he was sure the devil would knit, but for now, peregrine was rather vulnerable.

Peregrine quirked his brow at Lasher's flowery words, though he smirked in an amenable fashion. He appreciated the sentiment and the idea of letting Taltos escort him was endearing. But the Alpha would not permit it. He was no weakling. He had some pride.

"I'm not some weak ass bitch. I'll be fine," he answered laughingly, giving the corner of his companion's eye a nudge. "Take care and I'll meet you back here next month." With a parting smile, he then made an about face and began hobbling back to the caldera, the flower still wound into his fur. He tossed a wink over his shoulder before disappearing into the trees.