His heart was heavy, head too. Audra's passing, and then Celeste's, it was all... a lot. While the viking king has been keeping busy, trying to put his head down and keep going. The pups were growing like weeds, bold and strong. He was busy keeping them out of too much trouble, keeping the pack running, making sure everyone was fed and whole. Not that he was hiding from his feelings, but Víðarr had been struggling to confront them. Fuck. The thing about grief, it demands to be felt. The ache doesn't stop-- eternal. Endless. Though he doesn't allow himself to look it in front of the pack or even the kids, around Tenshi? Around Tenshi, he's allowed to simply be. With the pups well asleep, and the evening hanging comfortably around his shoulders, Víðarr takes snacks and mead out to the fire pit outside their den, and bids his wife join him. "Víðarr"

Tenshi sees it, feels it, knows its happening, but doesn't push it. She had not been close to Audra or Celeste, but understands their relationship with Vidarr. The pain of losing someone close to you is a pain she does know. It is something someone has to feel and accept on their own and that is what she allows Vidarr to do. Head down, paws forward, constantly moving until he fell exhausted each night. The pups and pack alone were enough to tire both of them out and she was thankful for that. This night though, something feels different. Vidarr doesn't appear so harrowed.

She can tell as she watches him move to the firepit outside their den. Turning to count that all the pups were there, she tucks them in tightly with the companions before moving to follow her husband. Landing with a softness beside him, she doesn't hesitate to snuggle right up to him and playfully snatch the mead away before he gets the first sip. Finishing her swig, she licks her lips before reaching over to move her tongue across his muzzle, a smile on her face.

As she hands the bottle back over to him, she rests her chin upon his plush fur. "Would you like to talk or be distracted?" Tenshi murmurs as she gently presses her nose into his fur and against his skin.

"Speech"

The hole in his chest feels as if it might swallow him whole, but Víðarr would try not to let that happen. As Tenshi joins him, settles at his side, he's quick to reach for her. Drawing her to his side, nosing at her cheek as she takes a long sip from the bottle. If there's anything in the world Víðarr can count on, it's this. Fuck, how he loves her. A warm kiss to her nose, and then her muzzle, he's tender. Grateful that she's trying, for him.

"Talk to me, distract me." His gaze is warm, reaching out to nose at the side of her face. Víðarr can't help himself, and he's reverent in the way he touches her. Lingering, possessive, perhaps a bit more needy than usual. "How have your days been? Can I do anything to make them better, easier?" Víðarr's head had been down-- the warpath, preparations for winter.

"And maybe we can actually have a wedding with guests, in the winter. If you would like." The offer is gentle... maybe they could use something to look forward to. Maybe he could use something to look forward to, that wasn't raiding. Not in place of, just in addition to.

"Víðarr"

His nose rubbing against her cheek has her giggling. Or maybe it's the liquid inside the bottle. With tending to the pack and a bunch of rambunctious pups, she hadn't had much time to drink or do much relaxing. Making time for themselves now was nice and Tenshi would enjoy every moment of it. "I've been busy. Training the pups, teaching them things, keeping them out of trouble," Tenshi smiles, giving a Vidarr look that meant 'they really do take after you.' It's more of a tease than anything, really.

"You are busy, do not worry about me," she chastises by tugging at his ear with her teeth before licking at his muzzle. There's no doubt that Tenshi also loves him, deeply, dearly, and passionately. "Perhaps there is other activities we could indulge in more that would help keep your mind off the stress," Tenshi flashes him a suggestive grin, effectively scooting herself as close as she can to him without being literally on top of him.

"An actual wedding?" Tenshi's head pulls back, a joking gasp leaving her lips before she takes another swig from the bottle. "Vidarr, as much as I would love that, please do not pressure yourself into going over the top, hm?" She gives him that stern look and she's not lying. She is a woman after all and all women want to get married, right? To be the center of attention for one day, but for now, there are more important things to tend to. All that matters is knowing she is his.

"Speech"

Víðarr is no stranger to trouble. His grin is warm, wide as it plays on his face. Savoring every golden moment with his wife, tugging gently at her cheek, lavish. Attention undivided. A rakish grin playing on his stony features as she speaks about the children. "I love watching you with them." It's a gentle observation. Tender.

"Never too busy for you." His chuckle is honeyed, head thrown heavily over Tenshi's shoulder as he draws her near. Víðarr resting easily on his hip, holding his wife. Relaxed. It's the nearest he's ever come to peace, even within the storm. "You spoil me." The words are scorching, spoken too close to her shoulder, her neck, her ear.

Though she's stern, he's happy to take the bottle as she relinquishes it. "Just think on it, could be fun." Grinning, playful, poking at the side of her face with his muzzle. Breath thick with the scent of the alcohol and the warmth of the evening, Víðarr can't help himself. Pressing a kiss here and there on Tenshi's face and neck. Comfort. At least with her, he can handle the weight of the grief that rests in his chest. Happier things to think of. Better days had to be on the other side of winter, they just had to make it there.

"Víðarr"