It Means No Worries

He grinned at Asla as she came into view. He looked a mess, but there was more life in his eyes then the last time she had seen him. He had remembered how to move the muscles of his face into a smile.

Asla approached him without hesitation, kissing his nose and hugging him. He wrapped a paw about her, bringing her in close, and jumping a half circle, spinning her through the air. He could only get away with it because of her size, and he wasn’t afraid to use that against her. Especially if he managed to get a laugh.

He almost tumbled when he fell on his paw, and it reminded him of its numerous aches and pains. He caught his balance, and let her down gently. He flinched at her choice of word ‘burn’ proving that his time away hadn’t healed all his wounds. He couldn’t bring himself to comment on the word, so instead he said. “I missed you, and I got out some of my aggression, I think” he nodded his head towards his injuries.

"Speech"