Shrike moved with wild abandon through the snow. It was kicked up in every direction as the young man romped around, laughing and trying to catch the falling flakes on his tongue. Laughter spilled from his maw, the youth having a wonderful time. There was no threat of Hellstrom anymore, though Shrike didn’t truly believe they were gone. No... They were just licking their wounds.
But if they dared show their faces here in Alacritia again his family would stand against them once more! Shrike would bound into the snow, sending another flurry forward as he practically face planted into the stuff. He’d let out a loud laugh, tail wagging as he flopped down. Goodness he loved winter. It was a wonderful time of year! He’d roll onto his back, looking up at the gray sky. If only every day could be so perfect.
Winter may be fun to play in the snow, but it was stressful for the alpha. Prey was low and anything that was still hanging around was thin and scrawny. Bass was losing weight under his bulky winter coat, both from the stress of worrying about his pack and the lack of eating. He would rather see his pack and family eat before himself. It wasn't like he wasn't used to small meals during this time, there were a few frozen stores dug into the ground of prey that they had caught before the snow began to falk so heavily. Plus the white male was not above scavenging at this point and time. Licking his lips he was on the hunt for food now, when he heard the laughter of one of his older sons. A smile came to his weary face as he changed course, hunkering down low into the snow banks as he crept towards Shrike.
Keeping himself as hidden as possible, he crawled towards his growing boy with a smirk on his maw. Thankfully the tan boy was on his back and looking up at the falling snow, making this a low easier. Rump wiggled as he positioned himself, springing into the air with a loud growl. Bass aimed to land across Shrike, making their bodies into a plus sign as his front paws tried to land on his left side, hind legs on his right. Jaws parted, he aimed a gentle nip at the boys exposed tummy. "Oh look, a nice plump meal!" he teased, pale tail sending a flurry of snow behind him. They were never too old to play, right?
Shrike didn’t understand the hardships of winter, not like some of his packmates did. Sure he had lost a little weight, but for the most part the boy still got to eat what he needed for strength, and for that he was definitely grateful. Had he realized the effect winter had on his father, however, he might not have been quite so joyous. But that was where the saying “ignorance is bliss” came in, right? He would swish his tail in the cold snow, allowing the stuff to be sprayed this way and that by the furry appendage.
So lost in his own world the boy never noticed his father creeping up on him. He would open his eyes slightly, reaching a paw up towards the heavens with a grin on his face. Eyes would widen slightly in surprise however when Bass did finally make his appearance. His father would land across his own body, causing the boy to give a soft “oaf” from his lips. But, a moment later, giggles were spilling from his maw. A plump meal huh?
“Oh no mister hunter you don’t want me! I don’t taste very good!” The young boy would lean up, licking Bass’ cheek. “But you taste good! Maybe I oughta eat youuuuu!”
Bass was glad that the boy didn't push him away as he playfully tackled him, it was almost like he didn't know quite how to play with his growing children. It was so much easier when they were pups, and play was never out of the question. But when Shrike leaned up and licked his cheeks, his teasing words reaching his ears, he couldn't help but laugh. Wiggling his bodice that stood over the boy, he carefully lowered himself so that his belly would be pressing into Shrike's stomach, hopefully holding him in place. "How are you going to get me if you can't get off the ground?" he asked with a playful growl, moving his left front leg down further to try and block Shrike's head from being able to raise and bite at his flank. The alpha then dipped his head back down, nipping at Shrike's exposed belly and throat, but not too hard to draw blood. If he wanted to play, he was going to have to find a way up. He looked to meet his mismatched gaze with his own yellow eyes, a grin on his maw as a single brow rose in challenge.
Shrike would let out a little “oaf” as his father lowered himself so that their bellies were touching. Well, more like his father’s was holding him in place. Shrike would give a playful growl in response, wiggling his butt in the dirt as he tried to adjust himself so he could get a nip at his father’s flank. But Bass would adjust his leg so that wasn’t an option, and the young male would pout slightly at his plan being so easily foiled. But would he give up? Never! “You wait and see!”
He couldn’t help but let giggles escape his maw though when Bass began to nip at his belly and throat. It was just play, so the bites weren’t hard enough to draw blood. His bi-colored eyes would shine happily, though he was determined to not let his old man get the best of him. The first problem would be finding a way up.
Shrike would move his back legs up, trying to move them under Bass and push him off with them. He thought about kicking them out like a rabbit might, but he didn’t want to run the chance of accidentally hurting his dad. If he could just could just push Bass backwards, enough to get the front half of his own body up, then perhaps he’d have a chance at turning this little game around!
