Marry me?
Solor was as nervous as a mouse that knew a raptor was in the air. He had spoken to Shaye formally, as the Alpha of his pack and the main remaining member of Vail’s family. The talk had gone down well, Shaye had set aside her amusement and spoken to him honestly and truthfully. The band had been her idea, and he had carefully dyed it pale blue, a symbol to match the beautiful colors of her shrouded eyes.
He held the twince carefully in his maw as he made his way to their shared den, not far from the herb garden they had built together. It was early morning, the sun just beginning to peek through the remainders of the night, and there was a chill to the air around him. There was a hint of fog lingering in the air, the remainders of a cold night. He could hear the rapids from here, a continuous, familiar burble, and hear the sound of birds as they woke to the morning sun and began to hunt for worms to full their bellies.
None of this beauty could distract him from the zing of fear that seemed to tremble in his bones. He was really doing this, he was really going to ask her the one question that mattered. He was going to tie his life to hers - Vail willing - and ensure their future together.
He arrived quietly to the densite, and seated himself outside of it. He placed his burden down at his feet, and tucked it, hidden under his paw. His tail sweeped nervously behind him, before he cleared his throat. He let out a soft bark, calling out to Vail, weather she was within, or at her herb garden, as she often was. Her white form was often seen navigating through the plants with startling grace.
The sound of his voice calling out for her brought her to wakefulness with a start. Already the morning sun filtered through the entrance of their cave like den, and had she not been out with Notch the night previous she would have already been up and out. Taking care of her garden as she began to harvest the plants before the frost killed them.
She shook the sleep from herself and gingerly made her way from the entrance, squeezing her small frame as she stretched the last bit of sleep from her joints. She yawned as she appeared before Solor, her fur unkempt as she hadn't even had a chance to groom herself. "Good morning," she said cheerily compared to how sleepy she looked. "You're out and about early."
He grinned at the sight of her bed-fur, her white coat pushed gently in odd directions from lying against it in the night. There was a sleepiness about her, that added to the frail look her body couldn’t help but boost. He wanted to wrap her in his arms, and hold her there… forever.
Instead, he cleared his throat again, and pushed his weight from foot to foot in a nervous gesture. "I spoke to Shaye today.” he began, both a start, and an explanation for his early rise. “She approved my coming here…” he grinned, knowing his words were likely confusing her. Why would he need Shaye’s approval to go to his own den?
He shuffled down then, kneeling before her, nose seeking out the softness of her chest. “Vail.” he whispered. “I love you, I always knew there was something about you that called me back to you, time and time again. It wasn’t until later that I realised it was love, and by then.. It was too late, or so I had thought. Almost too late, certainly.” he sighed softly thinking of their years apart. “I couldn't bear it if you left again. So really, this is a selfish gesture on my part.” he grinned impishly, amusement layered over anxiety and fear. “There is no wolf in this world that I want, except you, no one I would rather spend my life with. Be mine, Vail, marry me?”
She looked down at him curiously, only able to make out his shape as he began to whisper into her fur. She was silent, listening intently as he spilled his heart for her. She felt a smile growing on her lips as she pushed gently against him, her eyes grew misty as he finally summarized his speech. A pleased whine fell from her lips as he completed his confession, he wanted to marry her!
The tears spilled over as she wrapped her neck around his and held him tightly to her, the feeling was reciprocated completely. "Yes, of course, Solor!" the words came out breathlessly, she couldn't believe such a moment was happening. And all before she had even cleaned the sleep from her eyes! She giggled softly at the thought and hugged him even tighter. "You are my soul mate, I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life with anyone else." She admitted as she pulled back slightly and kissed him lovingly.
She had said yes. this beautiful, wonderful woman, was his. They already had a home in Abaven, a little garden near their den. Vail had duties to the pack as a healer, and he would need to find his own calling. They would get married, here, in Abaven.
He moved his paw and grabbed the little braclet he had hidden there, gently nudging her. “lift your paw” he ordered, and waited for her to comply. When she did, he would slip on the promise band, the soft blue fitting perfectly around her paw. He kissed the pad that was lifted, before letting her lower it to the ground again. “I was thinking, Rhythm being the oldest family member, could preside over the wedding, and Shaye could give you away.. If.. if that’s what you want.” he whispered softly.
Solor shook her from the daydream as he asked her to lift her paw, another quizzical look took over her features. She obeyed though, lifting her right leg off the ground timidly. She felt Solor slip a soft band around her wrist as he kissed her toes tenderly. Vail felt herself melt all over again at the gesture. She lifted her paw to her nose, smelling Solor's scent embedded into the beautiful object. She grinned like mad as he continued.
He offered two more wonderful ideas, obviously her soon-to-be official mate had thought long and hard about what might transpire with the question he had asked her. "Both of those sound perfect," She admitted as she finally let her paw fall back to the earth and she leaned forward for another kiss. "I know I give you a hard time, but you amaze me Solor." she whispered into his ear as she pushed herself into his chest. "I'm so glad to call you mine."
"The band is twine that I dyed blue. To ruin my next surprise, I'm going to employ Feather or Notch to help me find a little ornament to attach to it on the actual day." He explained as the pair walked, shoulders touching, tails entwined. It was easy, considering Vails mastery of balance, to walk this close beside her without unbalancing himself.
"Would you like to set the date, my little Winter Rose?" He asked her softly. They had reached the garden by now, and he wove them through the delicate petals of the more flowery herbs, picking one gently in his maw and tucking it against her ear. Paying no mind to its healing properties, only its prettiness.