She did find comfort in his words he promised her not so long ago. He wouldn’t be forced, Hattori wanted to be here beside her. He leaned into her, facilitating her embrace but also lining her up to push her onto her back. She succumbed willingly, nestling into the furs softly. The young Empress revealed her pale belly to him and rendered her quills harmless. White gloved paws pulled to her chest as she gazed up at him from beneath heavy lashes. He took her in, just as her own sunset eyes settled on the handsome features she was beginning to love.

He returned to her side, a tender expression over his features as he brushed her dark fur. He was a highly skilled warrior that lived and breathed his duty, but Hattori showed her the gentle attempts he was making. He softened for her, and those efforts did not go unnoticed or unappreciated. Venom grinned shyly and leaned into his affection as he returned her sentiment. She chuckled softly as her amusement reached her bright eyes and they warmed under his humor.

One pale paw lifted to touch his cheek as she gazed into his eyes adoringly, he made her feel like a love stricken yearling. Giddy, playful, immature. Thankfully she hid most of it behind her playful grin, but inside there was a girl that just wanted to squeal with happiness. The feeling was incredibly strange to such a serious young woman. ”Every morning,” She spoke softly, a tinge of awe hinting in her fluid voice. ”I get to wake up to you every morning.” Venom mirrored the soft touch to her fur and caressed his cheek and the fur along his neck. Her heart beat fast in her chest and sunset gaze focused entirely on her husband to be.

Hattori rumbled in acknowledgement. For as long as she would have him, both as a husband and Shogun he would remain. Time made all things uncertain, anything could change at any point, but Hattori felt stable in his resolve. As though despite all the mistakes and misplays he'd made this was the right move, one that would not only serve his interests but the Empire's too. He exhaled through his nose as he pulled in his hind legs, curving them against her side. This was probably a mistake, she was luring him back into getting comfortable and settled again, but he couldn't find it within himself to care too much. Not here and not now.

"Are you hungry? I can have some food brought here if need be." Which was to say the snacks Venom had provided were long gone, some accidentally tipped into the water behind then.

His companions, one of them at least, were no doubt nearby and ready to heed his command should he ask something of them. A lot had changed in their lives but they remained loyal and steadfast, fighting tooth and claw beside him in the raid. He couldn't ask much more of them really, but he would if that is what Venom needed.

The two of them made Ashen into a well oiled machine that could do without them for a night and a day. Venom wasn’t fussed, all she desired was to remain here entwined in Hattori’s embrace. He rumbled along with her words, his bright gaze hard to look away from. Silence lingered for a moment and she smiled softly as she lowered her paw and lay her head back against the furs. He asked after her well being again, reminding her the utmost care he would take of her. He had a recurring habit of putting a smile on her features, it sat differently than the smirk she wore outside of their bubble.

”No, thank you though.” She returned appreciatively. Really they should return home before they started to get hungry. Part of her knew they needed to return, but the other part of her wanted to lay here with him for a while longer. ”Unless you’d like to linger for the day?” She hadn’t slept much, they could nap a little. After showing him a few more of her affections. The way her curled around her and held her gaze made her want him all the more. One night was not nearly enough, but perhaps a lifetime would be.

Hattori rumbled, if she did not wish to eat now he was not going to press the issue. He was like his father in more ways than he cared to count but he was not one to needlessly throw his weight around, to utilize his power and prestige for the sake of selfishness. Besides, whilst her welfare was important to him there was no need to shove her muzzle into a kill and implore her to eat, she'd had some of the dried meats last night. Her belly might have been a little empty but not to an extent where they ought to worry. Like her his mind wandered to remaining here for a while longer and whilst it was tempting he was certain she could estimate where his line of thought went to.

She knew he was not the sort to sit idly by, even in her company he always felt an itch to do things, be productive. And there was much to be done within Ashen, no time to lose.

"I would, but I do not think that is what we should do." He told her, catching her gaze. Not that it was hard to do.

He doubted anyone had noticed their absence but Venom had once told him of her ascension to the throne. How her Mother had essentially abandoned her throne and empire, left it to wither whilst she hid away from the world on a distant island with Lament. Who, from what Hattori could assume, had been thrown to the wayside not long after. Not a massive loss but it made Hattori wonder if the warrior had any lingering feelings on that matter. Not that they were any of his concern. The point being, Venom was already leagues better than her mother, both in her rule and in the way she conducted herself.

"If you need a moment with me you need only ask. Leaving this cave will not change things back to how they were, it has been done.

The both of them wished to linger for longer, neither rushing to get back to pack lands. Hattori made himself comfortable curling around her, and Venom melted into his side. Her sunset gaze lingered on his handsome features as she spoke, tempting him shamelessly as they lay together. Food and responsibility certainly didn’t matter when they had privacy to themselves in the mystical cave. She wasn’t sure that she could say their time together was spent idly, she’d enjoyed running her toes through his fur. Tangling herself up in him as she learned him in return, every moment was time spent well. However briefly the pair would allow themselves.

Hattori rumbled in return, wanting to remain and see to her only, but the both of them knew the choice was a poor one. Their efforts were needed in the pack. ”No,” she looked up to him as his steely gaze found her own and she aimed to steal another sweet kiss. His next words were bold, not unlike himself, but Venom grinned lightly at his offer and observation. They couldn’t take their night together back, nor did she have any desire to do so. Venom gave herself and her heart to Hattori to keep.

The newness in the way their relationship changed was a novelty that she could enjoy for days and weeks but that wasn’t who she was. She had to place her leadership role above her desires, there would be plenty of time together in the future. All she need do was ask. Venom’s grin grew wider, ”Nor would I want to.” For another moment she swam in the liquid silver of his eyes, again letting herself feel the weight of this decision. She’d joined herself to Hattori, a pledge she held on tightly to now and for the rest of her days. ”I need you, for a moment, Hattori.” Venom’s voice was a soft request to her love, a bit more time together.

As if he would even think of denying her for even a moment. He leaned in, his side pressing against hers as the orange of his coat seeped into the black of hers. Their colours and forms melding together as he felt her ribs slot in between his, he felt as though he was right where he meant to be. She was a temptress but despite the logical workings of his brain he didn't think she was being overly unfair or demanding, if she wanted him a little closer he could manage that. But his point still stood, just because they wanted to remain here didn't mean they should. Just a little more...and then they could focus on getting themselves sorted out.

If push came to shove he would carry her out of here, something she would no doubt find mortifying.

"What do you need?" He asked her, gently brushing the side of her muzzle with his own. Yet another rare show of tenderness.

Hattori kept his inner thoughts and workings hidden so well that these small intimate moments spoke volumes to the young Empress. His affection here was freely given and Venom reveled in every touch. He held her tightly, perfectly against his side. Venom had been so starved for his attention that leaving was much more difficult than it need be. She always had all of his attention when he was with her, but this was different. Being under his gaze, feeling so wanted like this, Venom treasured him and these special moments together.

She knew if she lingered for too long he’d act as her guiding compass as he had so many times before tonight. The Empress hoped he wouldn’t stoop to dragging her home by her tail, but she wouldn’t have put it past him. She leaned into his affection as he spoke softly, unwilling to deny her anything. Venom looked up at him from beneath dark lashes, her heart suddenly beating at double speed. The corners of her lips pulled back slightly, ”I told you, I need you.” She answered sweetly, and instead of explaining herself further she aimed to wrap her slender limbs around his neck. ”Once more.”

Then she promised herself that they would make the journey home. Soon enough they could make their public vow and live without secrecy, but until then she’d enjoy their last few moments here. If she had to walk home sore or not.

Oh. So that was what she was after? He should have seen it coming with the way she was drawing him in closer, looking up at him from behind her dark lashes, but now that it was pointed out to him he couldn't miss the signs. They were all there, shining bright and clear within the dark depths of the cave and despite his obligations he felt yet another sharp pang of temptation. He should have held firm and denied her, gently, but it was a struggle to even follow that line of thought let alone go through with it. He frowned, brows pinching as a rush of breath huffed from his nose. Hattori knew a lost battle when he saw one, the odds were not in his favour. Thus far no opponent had bested him on Boreas but Venom was getting awfully close.

But he conceded nonetheless, just because.

"Very well." Was all he said as he indulged himself in her once more.