Imperial Duties

His hesitancy was obvious, but as she spoke she could feel him begin to relax again. The stiffness in his muscles as he faced the nerve wracking prospect of the woman that loved him. She hadn’t come from a complete upbringing either, her father dying at such a young age while her mother chased every fleeting desire of her heart. Venom understood better now, but that didn’t change her disdain for her mother’s choices. The Empress herself had tried so hard to find a partner who would be with her for life, but Hattori had become a sore disappointment that had Venom rebuilding from the ground up. Thankfully now with Maverick at her side.

If he did refuse this gift, she wasn’t sure what her next plan would truly be. As someone who usually did have plan b and c at the ready she was putting her faith in Maverick’s devotion much more than her own persuasive words. She knew the life he lived, she was given glimpses into what he had grown up in. Together they would be better as a whole than two halves. They could build an environment suited to creating and raising a family of their own. Partners in such a heavy endeavor.

Maverick was not naive to the struggle that would face them, the strength they would need to raise puppies together, but more than that she saw Maverick hesitate because of a lack in his own confidence. He fully revealed himself from the mask he wore to protect himself. The overly confident rogue found his match here, and he would slowly unravel those emotions with Venom. She stroked his soft fur as he took in a deep steadying breath. Her sunset gaze didn’t leave his, hopeful and encouraging as her soft smile was when he finally spoke again.

First by uttering his defeat as he cursed her tongue. Venom couldn’t help the Klein like smirk that appeared over her features as she realized her victory. He really would do anything for her, including facing one of his biggest fears. His endearing gaze never left her own as he brought a pale paw to her cheek after trailing up her neck and jaw. He promised they would do this together as he lowered his nose to hers affectionately. As she looked up into his bright teal eyes she could see his expression falter slightly. He paused for a moment as they lay there before finally confessing.

He doubted his worthiness when he had no exceeding attributes beyond his tall height. He didn’t think he was worthy to take up the weight of the task she asked of him. She wasn’t sure what she could say that he didn’t already know about how she felt about him, and how easy it was to see him as the projection he wore. "You’re even better than good enough.” She assured him softly as she lifted her own pale paw to his cheek, trailing her sharp claws through his thick fur. "Neither of my parents were any more special than you. My father was a very tall man, but my mother was completely average when she gave birth to us.” He didn’t need to be anything but the strong and handsome man who held her right now.

"The cards will fall as they may.” She told him softly, stroking his cheek as she returned his little nose nuzzles. "You can’t help the features you were born with, what matters is your devotion and dedication. From what you’ve shown me I know you are more than worthy.” She told him in complete confidence as she leaned forward to kiss him again, a bit less innocently than a little peck on his nose. Maverick swiftly became an important feature in her life, and there wasn’t much she desired more than bring such meaning to their lives.

"Venom"