Larksong Grotto the sun dog

upon leaving reek, vuk found herself bathing over and over and over again, reluctant to do so and yet knowing she must. it was with a fish in her jaws that she approached the new den that she had found -- twilight was settling across the sky and seff, exhausted by whatever games @Terich-mir had played with him that day, had fallen fast asleep.

vuk greeted her mate a bit breathless, apology in her eyes for being away so long. she gathered herself to his side and dropped the fish before him before kissing his cheek.

Their lives hadn't been easy since they departed the ridge, but Terich was happy to have Vuk to share it with. Even now, after being evicted from Reek's den after his generous hospitality, Terich felt that their lives were better here than they ever were at the ridge. He was spending time with Seff - rather, he was watching over the babe as he slept - when Vuk arrived with her fishy gift. Terich smiled warmly at her as she approached, and although they had shared moments of affection from time to time, he had not expected the kiss she planted on his cheek. 

Terich nosed the fish toward her and nuzzled her cheek softly before pulling back. You should eat. You and Seff need the nutrients. He wasn't trying to be valiant; Terich was a practical man. He could fish for himself if needed. He wanted them to thrive far more than he needed the sustenance, at least for right now. He was skinny, skinnier than he'd been in years, but he could pass up the fish for her.

when terich drew near, vuk took in the sight of him, his drawn eyes and thin body, but his eyes shone with love for her, care for seff, a boy who was not his son but whom he adored all the same. tears welled in her eyes and she leant against him, the fish forgotten in her need to be close to terich.

though the memory of her time with reek still thrummed in her veins, vuk found she was able to focus on her mate, her mate, whom had asked nothing of her in return for his devotion and his love, and her gratefulness for his very existence discovered love within itself.

shyly, vuk reached to kiss terich once, briefly, and then with a lingering firmness.

Their relationship had always been platonic, based on their mutual need rather than any true affection for each other. But that affection had grown organically, albeit slowly, and Terich felt stirrings of love for Vuk whenever she drew near. Her scent was mingled with that of Reek's, but nothing seemed amiss there; they had shared their den with the man, after all, and he was their alpha still. When Vuk's lips touched his cheek more firmly a second time, Terich paused in his thoughts and regarded her for a long, silent moment. Vuk..? he asked softly, breathing her name more than speaking it. Is all well?

vuk could not answer terich when he spoke, his voice a throated whisper -- in response she nudged beneath his muzzle and leant into him, raising herself up restlessly to circle 'round and pass her slim pale body along the agouti of his own. she wanted him, with all the desperation reek had planted in her veins --- here was her mate, the man who loved her; why should he not take her now? and why should she hold herself from him? reek; his name was upon her heartstrings but it was terich who filled her mind and her eyes.

Terich was unsure of what to do with himself and how to act in this situation. He had loved Capri from afar, that was true, but he had never consummated his affection for her. He had never dealt with this before, and while he didn't altogether dislike the sensations running through him at Vuk's heady touch, he also didn't know how to process it. They had agreed to be platonic partners, mates in name and deed to the outside world, but not within their own circle of trust. He had never thought to touch her more than a gentle friend, and now she was running her body along his, inviting him with her eyes. 

He cleared his throat, turning to look at her fully with a frown adorning his features. Vuk..? his voice was soft, uncertain, and after a moment of silence he continued. I thought we had an agreement. It pained him to speak of it, but they were in the confines of their den, and he knew they would be safe here. But why did he need to speak these words anyway? What had gotten into her, or into him?

terich's unsurety gave vuk pause; she drew aside to regard him quietly. the girl understood his trepidation, his confusion; he had always respected her boundaries, but she wished to tear them aside. reek had awakened a hunger within her she had not felt since the nameless wolf, and terich..

"y-you are m-my m-mate," vuk whispered, lifting her eyes to his own in the quiet darkness, punctuated only by the low trilling of nightbirds. did he not want to take her? she wondered, awaiting his response.

At her words, Terich took a deep breath to steady himself. Yes, they were mates, but they had agreed to a platonic relationship. And though he had come to love her and Seff as family, he had never dreamed she would return his affection. His blue eyes glittered as she rubbed herself upon him, and seemed almost abashed when she looked at him. Taking another steadying breath, Terich nodded. Aye, that I am. He studied her, the way her body was poised toward him, the heat that lingered in her eyes. Are you certain? He didn't want to do something that she would come to regret later. Hesitantly he reached forward, nibbling the feathering of her ear, glancing into her eyes, wondering.

he was so unsure; vuk nuzzled into the crook of terich's throat, nodding against the lush fur there. "yes." her voice was gentle, muted by his pelt, and yet firm. she was certain of her want for him, certain of her hunger, and yet she was unsure that it was only for terich that she burned. reek ... vuk shoved him from her mind, as far as she dared, as far as she could, and pressed herself more firmly against her husband. "yes."

Fade to black. <3

Terich drew her closer, relishing in her softness, in the way her body warmed his as it had s many nights, and as if had never before. He nibbled on her earlobe, caressing the parts of her he'd only touched as a friend, moving down, down into the warm velvet darkness of desire, until he no longer had a coherent thought in his head. The only thought, played over and over in his mind, was Vuk. Vuk. Vuk.