Sunset Dinner Date

Deimos gave soft chuckle at Ikigai's mention of this being the price of responsibility. Truly he wasn't sure it was a price he had ever wanted to pay, but he had only ever wanted to live up to his family's expectations and make himself a benefit to them rather than a hindrance. He thought he had fulfilled his obligations when he found Ikigai and had his family, but when his niece came to him with the need and vision she had for the pack he knew there was still more for him to give. Still, he couldn't have done it without Ikigai and he wished he had more to offer her in return for changing his life and turning him around from the vindictive, bitter man he used to be.

It was a beautiful evening and as they enjoyed their meal with the view of the ocean in front of them it was nice to simply enjoy the quiet and peace of it all. They didn't often have quiet moments like this with their pups running around so it was lovely to just focus on one another and their relationship for a bit. As he had his fill of the food–and the delicious wine–he settled in with a contented sigh and turned his attention back to his mate with a little smile, dipping his muzzle to lightly nibble along the edge of one dark ear. By now the sun had mostly set, just peeking over the horizon with darkened shades of color all across the sky and the stars and moon starting to peek through. "This is beautiful, but it pales in comparison to you, my mate," he rumbled with a little grin, bringing one of his large paws over her back as he shifted more onto his side and started to pull her into his embrace.

Tonight he wasn't thinking about the pack or their responsibilities. He was only thinking about her, the love he had for her, the journey they had been on together, and the unexpected turns he had taken to get to this point. Deimos wrapped his foreleg around her waist and easily pulled her smaller frame into his till their chests and stomachs were pressed together with them both on their sides, laying under the soon to be night sky. He had enough wine to feel the slight fuzziness and buzz of it, but he was still very much aware. He would never let himself be completely out of control again–not after how he had treated Ikigai the last time he had been. He slipped his nose beneath Ikigai's chin and gently lifted her muzzle enough to expose her throat to him and he started leaving a trail of kisses and nibbles through pale, snowy fur while his paws traced the dark stripe along her back. She had his full attention–body, mind, and soul–and he was going to savor every second.

"Deimos & Ikigai"