Imperial Duties

Settling into his new life had been a bit of a learning process for the once-rambler, but Maverick found it to be a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Venom made it feel smooth and seamless, as effortless as settling into a permanent vacation. Perhaps that was because he had spent most, if not all of his time at the Empress' side, learning the ways and culture of Ashen, getting a lay of the land and all of the islands in the Archipelago. Having her with him made it all feel more like an adventure than a chore and Maverick had no complaints as he grew accustomed to his role in the pack. Consort did have a nice ring to it, even if he wasn't used to having titles associated with his name. But he liked it. It was a reminder of his growing relationship with Venom, the path his life had begun to take, and the choices he'd made to lead him to this place today—and he couldn't be happier with the way this road was turning out to be!

As the evening drew towards dawn and Venom's usual bedtime, Maverick accompanied his lover back to the palace, into the privacy and sanctity of their chambers. All along the way, he had teased the Empress with subtle brushes of his bushy tail against her hip, an innocuous rub of his side into hers. When they were finally alone, he held nothing back. He kissed her before either of them shared any words, and no further words would be said before the two of them had stumbled their way into the bedroom in a flurry of frantic kisses and wandering paws. Together they spent the night losing themselves in a tangle of entwined limbs and pressing bodies, loving each other silly all throughout that incredible morning until they both fell asleep in the other's arms, sprawled out in the mess of disheveled furs and bedding. It was one of the best night's (day's) sleep Maverick had ever gotten.

Maverick was awoken some time later as the next evening began to set across the land, twilight and dusk shifting about in the darkening sky. Gentle nuzzles and softly stroking paws roused him from his peaceful slumber, the sky blue and alabaster white brute shifting with low, throaty grumbles as consciousness gradually seeped back into him. He was aware of the warm  and soft body pressed up against him, legs still entangled together where they'd passed out after their morning romps in the furs. Memories brought a small smile back to his lips, and the sweet scent of Venom in his nose made him hum and murr. Teal eyes flickered open while large mismatched paws roamed leisurely over the Empress' slim body, tracing every curve he could reach from shoulder to hip and every inch in between. "Good morning, beautiful. Sleep well?" he whispered back to her in the stillness of their quiet chambers, lavishing in the touches of his lover's massaging paws. Mav was eager to return each of her affections in kind, brushing the shorter fur on his muzzle against her cheek and peppering the side of her snout with tender kisses in his groggy state of amorousness.

The pair of lovers laid like that for a time, enjoying the comforts of one another's body and heart and soul, until Venom spoke his name again, the sound of her voice leaving pleasant tingles in his brain that rippled down his body like feather-light tickles. He responded with a low hum of acknowledgement, teal eyes peeking out from underneath half-open lids to revel at her beauty while they smothered one another in love and affection. She asked if he'd like to know a secret, one shared only with her ex-husband before now. Well, Maverick would have wanted to learn all of Venom's secrets on their own right, but knowing this was one that only Hattori knew just sweetened the already good deal! "Mmm absolutely," he purred in response, gingerly combing his claws through Venom's fur along her spine, working his way up until he felt the delicate prickle of her hidden porcupine quills against his squishy paw pads. Though he was still learning all of the subtle nuances and traits of her body, her quills were one of her first features he'd learned about her during their first night together. Now he knew to expect them, and no longer pricked himself while he slowly and methodically slid velvety pads between them to stroke and rub at her soft skin, teasing each quill he found along his way with the lightest of touches, enjoying having Venom in his arms while they conversed in the tranquil spring dusk together.

"Maverick"