I'll be your girl for all seasons

"How do you know?" he retorted quickly, feigning a challenging tone, though a smile would peek through the stern face he sought to show her. "When was the last time you talked to a fish about their aches and pains?" Bronze could not keep the jest from his voice, no matter how hard he tried; he knew he did not have much time left in this world, and he had learned to enjoy each moment like it would be his last -- as it could easily be.

The warm water was more soothing than he had realized, and the elder brute let a sigh escape his throat, a sound of relief. Winter was harsh on him, though he had craved the cold and the snow when he was younger. Silent finding this spring was nothing short of a miracle. She suggested they come here each morning, and he nodded readily. "We will have to tell Song we claim this place as our own," he teased again, his words playful and light. "And anyone who dares bother us will have to pry this place from our paws." As if he wanted to fight even one more time -- the siege he had attended had been more than enough for him. He knew he could fight, if he had to. If his family were to be threatened, he knew he would find strength he didn't know he had left in him, but simply lying here sounded so much more pleasant.

"I love the idea," he reassured her, nipping gently at the side of her throat. A low rumble built in his throat as he lapped at her fur, happy to be with her, even though he spent nearly every waking moment with her now.