Modesty Becomes You

"M'like a bad stink." He beamed, all teeth and dark eyes shining with mirth. "Can't get ridda me even if you try, which I noticed you ain't really doin' that." Which naturally made him intolerably smug, something she ought to get used to if she wasn't already.

Beyond the banter and attempts to get under her skin, it was nice to see her again. Onyx felt like a ghost sometimes, here for a while then gone the next. Like a strong northern gale would sweep her away, send her off to the far reaches of north Boreas before they ran into each other again. And there was a thrill in that, the unknown and the anticipation. Knowing she'd missed him too, though she'd never say it aloud or even to herself, made him feel good, you know? He was loved plenty, never went a night without being content with his lot. He wasn't a schemer or a reacher, the sky wasn't the limit when he knew folks like that just forgot about what they already had. The value in it, you know?

He stepped closer, all up in her grill as he looked down at her. He had about five inches on her height and was intent to rub it in a little, shoulders square and head held high. Leaning in, he was fully aware and expected that she might swat his muzzle away. He knew she wasn't one for having her personal space intruded on, but he was also one for pushing boundaries in a playful way, mostly. He meant no harm and she knew that.

"Would it melt your icy heart to know I missed ya?"