catching up

Being a mother was hard work, or at least that's what Hanako would have people believe. Instead of being the guiding paw she ought to be, Hanako had fallen into the habit of being the cool and fun parent, the sort they could hang out with and not worry about expectations and duty. It was a little sad that the children were all growing so fast, nothing compared to the little potatoes she'd once bundled against her chest. But she supposed it was for the best, knew it was inevitable, like the tide drawing in.

Upon hearing Azure softly call for her, Hanako poked her head out of the den. She'd been feeling fussy as of late, wanted to rearrange the order of her bedding as it wasn't quite as comfortable as she deserved. As though reading her mind, her fiancé came baring gifts.  Something new for the pile and a tasty snack to fill her tummy, the day was already pleasant enough but it was getting better now that Azure was here.

Leaning up on her tippy-toes- she was convinced Azure had somehow gotten taller, that was easier to stomach than the thought of herself shrinking - she gave him a sweet kiss on his cheek. A lot had changed, but this had not.

"That I am. How can I assist you, my Champion?"  She asked with a barely contained smile tugging at her lips. It was a title that suited him well.