with one headlight

She didn’t hesitate to lean against him, the distance they had carefully maintained between them falling away a little more each time they spoke. He smiled comfortably, and leaned back a little, giving her a comfortable side to put her weight against. It still caught him by surprise when she gave his cheek a gentle nuzzle. She felt so small and fragile in his arms, like a blooming flower. So perfect, and yet, he feared to touch her in case he broke her gentle petals. He didn’t want to damage this trust she placed in him, allowing herself to get close, as though she no longer feared heartbreak.

He let out a content rumble and dipped his head low so she could more easily reach the fur at the back of his neck. Perhaps he shouldn’t allow the Empress to be doing the grooming, but it felt so good, so right, to see Deathbelle comfortable with him. Nothing about their pose spoke of lovers, but there was a hint of their strong friendship there. It was true, Io really had been good for the Empress, she seemed less afraid of her own heart.

“It has been. Was there anything in particular you wished to talk about?”