you call and say I'm arctic

The confession sounded foeign on her lips, but she knew them to be true. Venom was toeing a dangerous line, but how awful could being together be? Who was going to look down on them and even more so who had the right to look down on them? She shook the thoughts from her head before she could expand on them. They were holding back for the principle and for their own honor and that should have been enough for now. Spring would be here soon, and if Hattori was lucky, so would a marriage proposal. Venom could be patient until that moment. She didn’t have to contend with natural attraction and her heat right now. She had enough self control.

She was severely tested as Hattori confessed the same, but she managed to keep her distance and instead pulled further apart as she sat back on her haunches. He said earlier that she could not force anything from him, but if she had the will to ask it would be done. He tempted her further, and Venom felt herself take a steadying breath. ”I know,” She returned softly finding herself at a crossroads. She’d acted much too quickly the last time he’d offered her any of her desires, and she was much more cautious now. What she really wanted was the feeling of his embrace around her shoulders.

Venom stood once more and shook out her fur, discreetly pulling away as she fought for control of the fog in her head. ”Hattori,” she found his gaze once more as she aimed to lead them further down the shore. ”What is more common, redrafting a contract or satisfying its ends early?” She spoke as though the answer would have no consequence, and there was a hint of playfulness in her tone.