The days following her grandchildren’s departure had Venom feeling a little saddened. However much she could be anyway, surrounded by her own young brood and her supportive mate. Maverick was always there when she needed him, a surprisingly sturdy rock that had once been a wandering tumbleweed. She couldn’t have been more grateful for him. As the youngsters tumbled out of the den she grasped for Mav’s paw before he could follow them. By now they were old enough to go out without such heavy supervision. Right now she just needed him and a little extra love.

Her sunset gaze rose to meet his, as if she hadn’t looked at him in a long time. There was a loving smile on her features but it didn’t hide the sadness she felt at the Stargazer band leaving Ashen’s borders. They didn’t always need words to communicate, and she knew that her little desperate grab and pleading look would keep him here with her for a few moments.

"Venom & Maverick"

Maverick had not been blind to the melancholy that had made itself home in his beloved mate's heart following the departure of her eldest son and his band of her grandchildren. He knew that for a family-oriented wolf like Venom, saying goodbye to anyone, even for a brief period was a difficult thing to do. On one particular evening, as the Klein family began to make their way from their palace home, Mav trailed behind their four rambunctious pups as they spilled out into their world to learn and grow—only to take pause when he felt a tug on his paw. The sky and cloud brute stopped in his tracks, turning to meet the pleading sunset gaze of his fiancée as she held him at the palace entrance. No words were exchanged; none were needed. An empath at heart, Mav had learned how to feel Venom's emotions and read them on her face, even when they were at their subtlest.

Venom would not need to beg or plead for her fiancé to do what he did best. With a lopsided loving smile of his own back to her, Maverick glanced back out the den door just to make sure their children had wandered off far enough into the foliage of the ravine before he turned to give Venom all of his undivided attention. Teal eyes held gorgeous sunset jewels as he moved to wrap Venom up in his arms, strong forelegs winding their way around her slender sides to keep her held to his body. Maverick leaned in to gingerly nuzzle his snout along the side of hers, drawing back only to catch her lips with his own in a tender, affectionate kiss. He was hers, for now and for always. Whatever she needed him for, however much love she desired from him, he would provide for her until the end of days.

"Venom & Maverick"

Venom had been sad about her grandchildren heading on their way, but much like most of her life she would not protest on her own feelings about what was right. She knew they were better off continuing on and seeing the world, that was who they were. That was who their parents were, and she could not and would not interrupt that fact. She wouldn’t let her own emotions affect how she ran the pack either, but there was one wolf who would not be fooled by the mask she wore.

Of anyone Maverick knew her the best, she didn’t have to speak and he could read her thoughts. With a small tug of his paw, Maverick stopped in his tracks and returned his attention to her. The pups had no idea and raced off quickly, (Though they could scarcely be called pups anymore.) and Mav’s entire thought. She could see love and concern in his gem-like gaze and he caused the smile on her features to be genuine. He chased away the storms in her mind and her heart and put her at ease no matter the challenge before her or the both of them.

He carefully but confidently wrapped his arms around her, holding her as no one had or would again. His strength and reassurance revitalizing hair weary soul no matter the scenario. Venom let out a sift sigh of relief as he held her tight and gingerly went to kiss her. Everything else disappeared when their lips met, everything was right in the world and her errant emotions were put in their place. Maverick always put everything in perspective and reminded her of the happiness that was fully hers. Venom kissed him back, softly and timidly as she relaxed into his arms and let him chase all of her worries away.

"Venom & Maverick"

Loving the beautiful Klein Empress came as naturally as breathing did to the dire brute. Maverick had never once considered himself a "one lady" kind of man until he’d stumbled upon Venom, the monochromatic fae changing his life in countless ways for the better and bringing him a comfort, happiness, and peace he’d never felt before nor would ever feel with another. The once-vagabond was now her mostly domesticated trophy husband, and he couldn’t have been happier with his lot in life! The smile on her face made his heart skip like a stone on the water, leaving ripples in its wake that stirred feelings deep within him for his flawless fiancée. The soft sigh that left her as she melted into his arms and returned his kiss made a delightful little shiver slide down his spine, his heart thrumming strong and fast within his chest. Whenever he was with Venom like this, loving her, holding her, keeping her happy, the dire brute felt like he was home—like this was where he was always meant to be.

Maverick broke their lips apart after a few long, wonderful seconds of kissing, but never pulled his mouth more than an inch away from hers. He could feel her breath against his lips, her scent in his nose like the finest perfume, her plush, soft coat gliding between his digits while he stroked along her lower back and sides. Embracing the Empress while she simply relaxed in his arms and leaned against his body, Mav supported her and kept her held tight to him, never letting go for even a second. "Just needed some Mav time, beautiful?" he teased her with a playful, affectionate lightness, whispering against her lips as he leaned closer to brush their mouths together, not quite a full kiss again but teasing and tempting her with their closeness. "Wanna lie out on the veranda and watch the moon, or go back to bed and snuggle all night long? Fair warning though, I’m gonna love you silly whatever you pick." That signature roguish grin crept over his muzzle, a lively spark in his teal gaze as he held Venom’s sunset eyes.

"Venom & Maverick"

Venom sometimes thought that Maverick had been made for her, she never would have said that the first day they met. The Empress had been absolutely infuriated with him when he’d made his presence known, trespassing on her land. The moment seemed so long ago now, like they had actually spent their entire lives together. He had been hesitant and uncertain at first, but he adapted to complete her in ways neither of them could have foreseen or predicted.

She grinned up at him as their lips parted, knowing she didn’t have to say a word to him to know what she needed. It was always just him. Having his support was one of his most important jobs in the Empire. He held her softly, and only barely pulled away so his soft yet deep voice could rumble against her chest. "I do,” She answered simply as he clarified what her needs really were. He had an idea as he went on, and a solution to her saddened heart. The answer was always the same, drowning in their eternal love for one another.

With her grandchildren and son off to explore the world, and her elder daughters getting older and starting their own families it was good for Venom to step back and enjoy what she had found in her own life. Instead of yearning for days gone by. "Lets go enjoy the moonlight, I believe its getting close to full.” She returned with equal quiet of her voice as she reveled in the teasing not kisses they engaged in while being so close. She chuckled as he followed up his intentions with her, "I’d expect nothing less from you.”

"Venom & Maverick"

Maverick just gave a smirk and a knowing look when Venom confirmed that she did, indeed, need some personal Mav time. The snow and sky brute didn't claim to be the smartest wolf, but he was very attuned to his Empress' needs and wants after all the time they'd spent together. Venom's choice to venue for their evening was met with a grin and a nod from her betrothed. "C'mon, let's go enjoy the night together," he murmured against her lips, so close to kissing her again and yet teasing her with their proximity. Finally relenting, Maverick pressed his lips to Venom's in a quick yet heated kiss as he released her from his embrace so they could walk together out of the palace and into the argent night. The Emperor consort kept by his beloved's side every step of the way, occasionally leaning in to rub his side against hers in a show of affection, his bushy tail brushing against hers with every other step.

When they did step outside into the warm summer evening, Maverick marveled at the beauty of the night. It was a perfect night; the moon and stars lighting up the world in a silvery veil as the last remnants of twilight sank away. Somewhere in the thicket of the ravine, nightingales began their evening songs and nocturnal insects joined in on the symphony. Fireflies danced about the trees and clearings, little green lights that sparkled like a sea of stars on the ground. Maverick made his way over to the veranda off the front of the palace, lying his massive form down on the moss-coated stones and gestured for Venom to come join him, stretching his toned body out so she could curl up into his side. Once she had moved within reach, Mav wasted no time in scooping up his beloved fiancée and pulling her tight to him once more, surrounding her in his embrace so that he could drown her in his love for her. Almost immediately, the brute covered her head and neck in gentle kisses and affectionate licks, paws winding around her slender sides so she was receiving all of the love he could give to her.

"There we go. All the Mav time your heart desires, gorgeous," he whispered with his muzzle beside her ear, nuzzling at the back of her neck while deftly avoiding those quills hidden in her scruff as his nose burrowed through her plush fur. "You are so beautiful, Venom. How did I ever manage to con you into falling for me?" A playful chuckle rumbled deep in the brute’s chest as he held his beloved tucked up snug to his body, savoring the way her soft coat mingled with his wherever they touched and her sweet scent filling his nose.

"Venom & Maverick"

Venom could have Maverick whenever she wished, any night she wished, but there were children and responsibilities to see to that had priority. However much their love meant, it could withstand a few nights of chores and duties over alone time. With their pups reaching yearling stages now was one of the best times to become reunited with each other, Venom was going back into heat, and part of her wondered if they wanted to have another litter, or if she preferred having a couple years in between children’s ages. At the moment she was leaning toward the latter, but maybe it was a topic to broach with her soon to be husband.

He stayed by her side as they walked, gently bumping against her side as she did the same, their tails brushing each other with their steps. His teasing kisses at the forefront of her mind as they made their way from the palace entrance and into the night. A gorgeous one at that, stars sparkled overhead as lightning bugs mirrored their image in the trees. All sorts of night insects created a harmony of sounds joined by the distant song of coyotes.

Relaxation called them, and as Maverick made himself comfortable Venom did not hesitate to join him there on the day warmed stones, letting him wrap his arms around her as he held her tight. Banishing all of her fears and sadness, reminding her that he was here and that he would always be here no matter what happened. She succumbed to his affection, a smile taking over her features as she sighed with contentment.

He whispered in her ear, words that confirmed everything he hadn’t said to her. "You’re a more talented swindler than you give yourself credit for,” She chuckled softly into his fur. "Or maybe you just took advantage of my fragile state.” She teased as she pulled her white gloved arms around his neck, booping his nose as she did so.

"Venom & Maverick"

That sigh that left Venom’s lips was by far and away one of Maverick’s favorite sounds in the whole world. He’d heard it when they cuddled at night, when she finally sat down after a long day, in the afterglow of their throes of passion… It was a sound that meant his beloved Empress was at total peace and content. It also meant he was succeeding in his duties as her prince consort. Knowing he could bring that level of peace, relaxation, and satisfaction to the love of his life made him feel more accomplished than winning any contest or achieving any rank could have. Maverick had not stayed around Ashen for the hopes of finding power or glory. Those things had never mattered to him. Everything that mattered in the world to the brute was currently wrapped up in his arms or out roaming in the evening woods. This was his paradise. Perhaps he was just so smitten with her, or perhaps it was her approaching heat season that had him in such an amorous mood, but all Mav could think of doing was loving his Empress into total blissful nirvana.

His playful remarks earned him a gentle chuckle from Venom, and his fiancée returned his banter in kind, bringing an amused grin to the snow and sky brute’s face. A hearty chuckle rumbled deep in his chest and against her back while they spooned together in the silver moonlight. "Hmm, that rope swing really sealed the deal for me, didn’t it?" he teased her back with playful banter, grinning when their noses booped together. He gazed deep into Venom’s sunset eyes, seeing in them his present and his future. "Weeeeeell, I dunno about your fragile state, but I definitely took advantage of you when we were both high and drunk. Though to be fair, I guess you also took advantage of me too. So I guess we really swindled each other, huh?" That devilish grin returned to his features as he reminisced on the night that had forever bound them together. Strong forelegs wrapped around her slender sides as her white-gloved paws entwined around his neck, the two lovers holding one another close so that nothing may ever come between them.

Although he was sure he knew the answer, as the Empress’ consort and future husband, the duty to ensure the Klein monarch’s happiness and satisfaction was ever his core goal. Squeezing her svelte form gently in his arms, Mav stared like a love struck yearling at his beautiful fiancée. "Are you happy, Venom?" he asked, not out of doubt that she was, but as a lover making sure the woman he cared so much for was always at her best.

"Venom & Maverick"

Maverick had found and embraced his purpose in life, his purpose in her own life. He completed her. He brought, surprisingly, a peace that she hadn’t ever felt before. As long as Mav was beside her all was well within the world. As was made obvious right now as they lay together. Venom was happy, and she could see plain as day that Maverick was happy as well. He’d enjoyed the other side of the coin, and now he’d found his paradise as he created one for her.

Mav teased her back about their first meeting, somehow opening up to him with that rope swing had really opened the door to what they had now. However much she would have denied it at the time. Then he’d rescued her from that fall, and one thing had led to another. Not that she would have ever admitted to taking advantage of him in any way. He still made her chuckle at the thought.

He wrapped her up in his arms and she held onto him as he held her. Venom closed her eyes and breathed him in, appreciative of these moments alone and together. He had saved her in more ways than one. "You already know the answer to that.” She returned softly as she blinked her eyes open to look up into his handsome features as a sweet smile spread over her features.

"Venom & Maverick"

Maverick treasured these peaceful little interludes they could steal away together. As few and fleeting as they had been recently between the activity of getting the pack moved, reestablishing the Empire back in their ancestral home, her bout of blindness, and rearing four active and healthy pups, he made sure to savor every second he could have of just the two of them. The question he asked her may have seemed silly and redundant to Venom, but to Maverick it was the most vital thing he needed to make sure of. Maintaining Venom’s happiness was his ultimate goal. It was his utmost duty as her fiancé and prince consort. So when she settled into him with her eyes closed, looking to be the absolute picture of peace and harmony, and told him he already knew that answer, Mav could only smile with satisfaction. "I do, but I like to make sure I’m still doing my job well," he remarked with a low chuckle, still nuzzling and nosing at her crown and nape.

Meeting her sunset gaze with the clear-sky teals of his own, Maverick squeezed Venom gently in his embrace, reveling in this moment of love and affection with his mate and his future wife. "I suppose we’ll need to start making some serious plans about the wedding," he said in passing thought. "And I don’t mean Ike’s." A flash of pearly white teeth in his usual charming grin. "I suppose we’ll also have to start thinking about what we wanna do for our honeymoon too. Y’know, besides the obvious…" The smile on his face turned to a cheeky grin as the paw roaming over Venom’s side slipped down to give her rump a playful and appreciative squeeze, unable to resist. Really, it was Venom’s fault for being so gosh darn gorgeous!

"Venom & Maverick"

Maverick had been with her during an incredibly low point in her life, very nearly the lowest she had been. To helping her reach a high that she hadn’t thought was possible. Life itself was a series of ups and downs, but they had found a baseline that had her more content than she had ever been. She was extremely happy with her husband to be, and that was why she planned to marry him. Though life also got in the way of those plans, a vow was not nearly as important at this point. He had proven his devotion, they made a family together. He made her so happy. Mav wanted her to say it, to reassure him, but what if something happened after she did? If she admitted just how wonderful he was to have in her life wouldn’t something come and steal him away from her? Was she just being paranoid? Probably, but the fear was real.

He squeezed her lightly, but didn’t press the issue. The topic changed slightly to their coming wedding. Nothing had been set in stone, Venom was taking her sweet time. He was right though, as he squeezed her and let his paws rove her slender frame she knew there wouldn’t be much more putting off such important plans. "It doesn’t really matter, as long as I’m with you.” He pulled her paw up to his face so she could cradle his cheek as he held her tight. "What do you wish to see in our ventures together?” The place and scenery would blur and become unimportant in their time together anyway.

"Venom & Maverick"

While they lay there, tangled up in one another’s arms just basking in the silvery moonlight and warm evening air, content to enjoy their time spent together, Maverick allowed himself to daydream of the future. Already he and Venom had accomplished so much in the name of their love. They had rebuilt and strengthened one another. He had lifted her from her emotional squalor and she had given him a home and a purpose again. They had started their family and made and raised four beautiful, healthy pups who were now growing into wonderful regal if not a little bit angsty teenagers. Ashen had returned to its ancestral home under their guidance and the pack was flourishing like a night blooming flower in all its glory. Never before would Maverick have ever expected to be so important to someone else, not like the way Venom made him feel. For so long he had been content to live a rambler’s life, drifting from place to place, living for the day until his days came to an end. For the first time in a long time, Venom had given him a reason to think past tomorrow.

His question was answered by her in a very Venom fashion as the beautiful face in his arms contented herself simply with being with him. Her paws on his cheeks spread warm tingles across his skin, his heart beating quicker for the tender love she gave him. She then asked him what he wished to see and where he desired to go in their travels. Mav, ever the romantic sap that he was, grinned at Venom and leaned closer until his nose booped against her own, rich teal eyes gazing deeply into her beautiful sunset jewels. "I want to see you, laid out on the sparkling black sands near where we met, glistening with the sea water drying on your gorgeous coat. I want to see you shining in the moonlight and the glow of the auroras as we run through the northern forests." A little roguish grin played on his lips. " I want to take you anywhere and everywhere, Ven. Anywhere you've ever wanted to go. I wanna show you my world before I met you, just the two of us roaming wherever our hearts take us and enjoying being together. I love this life we've made, but I gotta be honest, the wanderlust is real and it's like an itch I can't scratch alone."

"Venom & Maverick"

So much had happened since she had invited Maverick into her life, so much had happened since they met even. He had seen her through dark and troubling times and they had come out stronger for it. Unlike her previous husband, who had been unable to stand the test of time and challenge. Venom would forever believe Hattori the weaker man for the breaking of his vow. She knew that Maverick had been made for her, and that he would be the stronger of the men that she had loved. He would uphold his vow and keep their family together while Venom tried not to regret her choice in taking Hattori as her husband.

There was so much more to think about than her past though, they had such a bright dazzling future together that her once husband shouldn’t even have crossed her mind. Once they were wed they would have time for just the two of them. And Maverick had spent no shortage of time thinking about where he wished to take her. She grinned broadly up at him, feeling very much like a little yearling once more. Her childhood had been far too serious, like the majority of her life. Mav was the much needed lightheartedness she needed.

"Well, you know the only place I want to be is with you.” She chuckled as she leaned up to kiss his cheek. "I’ve shown you my life, I would like to see your world instead.” Venom chuckled sweetly at the prospect he gave her, and in honesty looked forward to such an adventure. "I want to share your wanderlust.”

"Venom & Maverick"

Maverick knew that no matter what he asked of her, Venom would never deny him the simple joys that brought him happiness. His ramblings and wanderlust would always be a part of him, as basic as the blood in his veins. Seeing the delight in her expression and the light in her sunset eyes when she asserted that she wanted to experience his life as well brought those tingly butterflies in his chest and belly to rise. Gods, how he'd fallen so hopelessly head over heels for this beautiful woman wrapped up in his arms! She was the stability he had lacked in his life, the support and the balance that kept him grounded and reminded him he was important and loved.

He offered Venom his cheek as she leaned up to kiss his face, a low chuckle rumbling in his chest as he leaned in to return her kiss with one of his own to her lips. "Then we'll go wandering together and see everything we can until your legs can go no further," he vowed to his beautiful fiancée, his thick tail beating against the ground as it gave happy wags off the end of his rump. "I've never shared my life with anyone this way but you. I want you to see me as I was, and have me as I am from now until forever." Maverick was so ready to marry Venom; ready to be her emperor consort at her side for the rest of their days and into whatever came after. Leaning down to press his lips to hers once again in a slow kiss, Mav whispered against Venom's muzzle a declaration of his devotion, "I love you, Venom." He'd never get tired of saying those magnificent words.

"Venom & Maverick"