we can take our time

The worries that the two seemed to share hung uneasily in the night air. But that isn't the way either of them wanted to feel tonight. It was a lovely, quiet, and sweet-smelling night here on the plains. And they were alone, with the whole night to themselves, as Regulus had said. Solveiga took a deep breath, her lungs full of the smell of the night and the smell of Regulus as she pulled away from the warm embrace of his fur. She let out a laugh at his joke. Honestly, though, a rock might be required. Solveiga giggled again, watching as her mate pulled away and went romping through the grasses.

She rolled onto her belly and pushed herself up into a seated position, baby blue eyes alight with amusement as he shook his massive red rump in the air. Another giggle escaped, and instead of answering, she jumped up and chased after him. Playing was good. It was innocent, full of joy and mischeif. It was exactly what she needed.

The little healer bounced toward her mate and dropped into a bow that mirrored his, tail flipping to and fro until suddenly (and hopefully unexpectedly) she pounced at him. If she was successful in surprising Regulus, she would try to wrap her forelegs around his neck and find something to playfully nip at. His cheek, his ear. Maybe both! Already her worries were dissipating like smoke in the wind.