not maybe, definitely

They were both intoxicated on far more than the substances they consumed earlier, and the silly care free grins they shared showed that. His pale paws roved her frame as they lay there together, and eventually his luck ran out as he stroked her scruff. He jumped when he discovered her natural defenses. Before she could explain his toes were exploring the fur there, she could feel him grasp hold of one hidden quill. She smiled up at him sheepishly as he whispered his amazement, revealing a deeper affection and adoration in his deep voice. The moment was so sweet and fulfilling in ways she never knew she was missing. "You have no idea,” Venom returned softly with a little kiss to his nose. She really had completely lowered her defenses for him. Every thought and desire could and would be done as she desired. It was an incredibly freeing and intoxicating feeling to someone so stiff and disciplined.

She couldn’t help her sleepy gaze looking up at him from beneath her dark lashes. After what they experienced together there was a part of her that didn’t want the night to end. The high was too sweet and the euphoria addictive. More than that was the feeling of completeness she was missing. Opposed to the creeping feeling of loneliness when the thought of morning disturbed her blissful mind. It was easier to more fully indulge and push the thoughts away because they might hurt. Right now Maverick was wrapped up in her as much as she was him, and there was no risk of him letting go tonight.

He chuckled at her observation, teasing her further and hinting at the foundation they were already building of vagabond and monarch. It was a lovely fantasy that Venom was diving head first into just so she could ignore what would happen when it was over. She grinned through his teasing and as he licked the end of her snout. It was a tingling feeling, silly and sweet at the same time. She tried not to feed the darker thoughts that arose as he warned her off him. He joked, but that was exactly what she was afraid of. He snuck in past all of her defenses and was given a glimpse at her most closely guarded secrets. Conquered the mighty Ashen Empress. He could walk away richer and leave her broken. She couldn’t’ let herself believe that though, no matter how real a possibility it might be. Eventuality.

"Maybe I do,” she voiced quietly, more to herself as the trepidation seeped in. There was a connection between them now, something deep and instinctual that couldn’t be denied.

She didn’t voice her fears, but they were brushed away as he shifted slightly, lifting his muzzle to brush gentle affections over her brow. This was more than some lusty courtship, this was as genuine affection as she had ever felt. It was special and had more meaning than Maverick would ever know. He nuzzled next to her ear and she held onto him a little tighter as he whispered to her again. He’d seen many facets of her, this the most rare, but the one he could most clearly see. She should always be happy, just like this. "That’s a bold assertion, Mr. Ruffian.” Venom teased him, but at the same time she’d possessed her serious nature. "Would someone like you stay around to make sure that remained true?” She didn’t want to acknowledge the fact that he would leave her in the morning. But maybe the solution really was as simple as a request for his lingering presence. Her fear of rejection lingered in her voice though, and no amount of liquor could disguise it.

"Venom"