The Sentinels [m] tivat

for @Sanja <3

the old burnline, now ironically marked by a border of blossoming greenery, told him they were coming upon the црношума even before his faltering attention caught sight of the great trees.

after leaving the scene, slavuj tried to focus on leading the poor young woman someplace where snarls weren't part of the soundscape. she herself would every other minute entrap his gaze, so that more than once he walked into shrubbery or a rock, attempting afterwards to coolly brush it off as innate clumsiness.

when they passed the burnline, the sentinels looming ahead of them, slavo paused and turned to the woman, still meek as a sheep before the power she now held.

"apolojies, for vhat happ-n-ded dere. yeau knew dose men?" as much could be assumed from the fact that all spoke the same language he'd never heard before.

Sanja ran.

It was the best and the worst feeling in the world, awakening her senses. Making her feel small as the din of battle faded behind; childish, almost. She could fight her own battles every other time, she thought. At the same time she chased Slavuj and saw him as a savior.

They found the blackwood. She was out of breath in a good way, crowding up against him greedily; he spoke but she didn't listen, wouldn't have understood anyway. Thankful, thrilled, in-debt.

she was a flurry of motions, of sounds of a body strained by a long run and unexpected excitement, accented by the state of her being. she washed over him and his concerns like a storm wave.

he welcomed her gratitude, but remained sheeplike, pushing his blotted nose into her opulent fur when it could be excused as an accidental touch. he couldn't hide his reaction, and hoped not to offend with its obviousness.

with a motion he made the bangs slide off of one side of his face, and raised his head to look into the eyes of the dark maiden.

he tried to convey a gentle, rejectable "may i?" with a single brown eye, muzzle gently gesturing at her thickened wolfmane.

Her body snaked alongside his own, battering against chords of fur that reminded her of willow strands, but heavier. She stopped when he looked at her with a question and then murmured a welcoming note.

his apprehension melted.

he smiled at her with a sincere love.

( for another, living, breathing thing; for one who extended an invitation, to join them in height of passion; for one beautiful and honest in want of body. )

slavuj hummed a gentle tune, never forming words, but the cadence changing with his breathing.

[ ... ]

his coat was full of her scent, his arms had learned her shape.

the dog, still standing, feeling as if made of air, gave the dark maiden another smile.

her choice.

It wasn't like the other times she had sought physicality from men, or women; perhaps the fact this was no wolf, or that Sanja felt differently herself? But it was new and good, and when they parted she would think fondly of the sheep-man.
He had secreted her away while the elder wolf fought Void, and as a rescuer was entitled to the compensation of a thankful, happy body.
Away from him after, Sanja felt somehow at-peace, and hoped it would last (but alas, the flame was lit and would indeed burn bright twice more).

he watched her drift away, and the quiet serenity of the afterglow was punctuated by the happy thumps of his tail.

elated, to have participated in such a divine yet natural act, the dog let the tune he hummed turn to words.

"...taek mai hand, 

taek mai whole laif tchoo,

for ai can't help, falling in love, vith yeauuu~"