When he had first arrived in Auster, Romulus had had zero expectations. He came here to see the lands his family had dominated and thrived in, but that was about it. He had no grand plans, no amazing schemes or ideas, no goals or objectives... He only had a dream of seeing the Armada family return to their ancestral homeland. Finding a pack and friends to live in hadn't been part of the equation. Lillith hadn't been part of the equation. But now that he'd found her, incorporated her into his daily life, Roman couldn't imagine a life without her. The spectral silver girl had consumed his every thought and dream. She had become his ambitions, his goals, his plans. The closer and more intimate they got, the more true it was. He smiled back into their kiss, his forelegs tightening a little around her waist to keep a secure hold on the girl he had long since decided was his.

A warmth spread throughout Roman's body as if he'd consumed a straight drink of potent whiskey, pooling low in his belly the longer their mouths remained connected in heated bliss. He worried a little about overheating Lillith again, so he kept himself measured and restrained, despite the overwhelming urge to roll her over and make her melt into the snow. No no, they would not have a repeat of the castle performance. He had to be good for her. She was still recovering, after all. Pushing her outside her comfort zone was good, but throwing her in the deep end was a bad idea waiting to happen. He murred back in reply through their kiss, feeling her body spasm a little as breathlessness began to overtake her. He wondered if he should pull away, but Lillith's forelegs wound tight around his neck prevented him from doing so, leaving him at her mercy to enjoy whatever she wanted from him as this beautiful young fae lay draped across him, driving him wild inside.

When their lips did finally part, Roman released a soft, happy sigh and blinked open half-lidded steel eyes. He found sparkling rubies staring back at him, a heat and love contained within that made his stomach flipflop and heart race. She whispered his name between gasping breaths, feeling each word she spoke against his muzzle they were still so close. Then she said the words every man waited their lifetime to hear or dreaded to hear. Lillith was falling in love with him. Lillith loved him. Roman's breathing stopped, staring at her with shocked eyes as his brain scrambled to process the words he'd just heard. Lillith loved him. He'd heard the phrase before, from faes he'd had flings with and walked away from, begging him to stay. He'd heard it on several different voices, but each one had been hollow, unreal, nothing more than a desperate plight to contain him, confine him. None of them had worked before.

Lillith was different. Lillith was special. Her voice didn't have the same empty promises and pleading the others had. In her eyes he saw nothing but love and nervousness. This wasn't some she-wolf trying to keep him tethered down after a good time. This was the real, genuine article. Lillith loved him. Roman's heart beat erratically in his chest, threatening to burst free any second. His mouth opened, but no words came out. For once, he was utterly tongue-tied! Entranced and bewitched by the beautiful wolf in his arms. "Lillith..." he began, finding his voice in a husky whisper that barely rose above the gentle winter breeze. "Did you know..." He gazed so deep into her eyes, as if he could see straight into her soul, spying the future they could have if he said what his heart felt. It was beautiful. It could all be his. She could all be his. The newest Armada wolf one day.

"...that I'm falling in love with you too."

"Speech"

She pulled back to see his dreamy features as he sighed contentedly against her lips that she kept so close. Their eyes met, her own blinking back the star struck feeling that threatened to overwhelm her. The way he held onto her waist, the way his eyes looked up into hers, and the taste of his breath as it formed fog from his lips. Little reminders that added up into desire, a feeling that Lillith was only barely adjusting herself to. What she felt during their kiss was intense, but she could feel it building further, and dangerously so. She was nervous and felt timid in the face of the unknown.

She didn’t know how he would react to her words, but as she spoke she could feel him freeze. For a moment silence lingered between them as Roman gathered his bearings. Lil thought for a moment he might rebuke her, a possibility that hadn’t crossed her mind until that moment. Wasn’t it true though? True for him as well? Slate tipped ears fell to her skull in embarrassment as she thought that her confession would fall flat. Suddenly he was gasping like a fish, like her words had taken the breath right out of him.

Lillith pulled back from him as worry crossed her features before he finally found his voice and spoke her name in return. There was no scorn or rejection as he spoke. The muffled world around them made whispering seem so much more intimate. Snow was beginning to accumulate on her fur and the huge flakes were almost warm like a soft blanket. Lilith didn’t realize the temperature though, she was comfortable and warm laying along the length of Roman’s body.

He’d captured her ruby gaze once more and she fell into his endless silver stare. Did she know? Her heart returned to its racing pace, taking her breath with it as Romulus gazed deep into her rose red eyes. The ramifications of their words would travel far into their future and onward. Lillith wanted Roman to be a part of her life, an important part of her life. She was young but she knew this feeling and what they kindled together was love. And Roman did too.

She flashed a tooth grin as he confessed the same, her smile reaching her garnet gaze. Joy and relief filled her along with the feelings they fostered together with their snowy kiss. "I did,” She replied softly, still grinning shyly. Her heart swelled in her chest, the emotions within her were tamed not at all, only intensified. She was still nervous about this shiny new concept, but Roman was the one she wanted to experience it with. "I wouldn’t kiss you if I didn’t.” Lil revealed with a breathy chuckle.

"Speech"

Romulus gave his own little breathy chuckle when Lillith gave him a look of surprise and relief, but did ultimately confirm that she knew he loved her. Then she explained that was why she kissed him, and he laughed a little more heartily. "Oh, so it wasn't my devilishly good looks or amazing kissing skills?" he teased her, batting silvery lashes at her in an overly dramatic fashion. "Well, I'm glad to know you weren't just after me for my body. Wolves these days only ever want one thing." He snickered, but really humor was his coping mechanism for when he was nervous. He'd been so anxious about saying those words to Lillith, despite the intense emotions she evoked in him. What if he'd screwed it up? What if he'd confessed his love and she didn't reciprocate it? Well, that was all a thing of the past now, because Lillith loved him!

Roman refused to look anywhere besides directly into Lil's eyes—not that anywhere else could ever hope to compete with the beauty those wine-hued gems contained. He gave her one of his crooked smiles, feeling his heart beating strong and hard against his ribs. The urge to love Lil senseless was stronger than ever, and resisting was getting hard, especially when she was lying so temptingly across him like this. Although, he supposed there was no harm in a little post confession kissing, right? Speaking of confessions, he supposed he would have to tell her about his family's history at some point. The Armada family had a long and sordid history with Ardent. Best she know where he came from, lest their travels land them meeting someone who knew the Armadas for less than savory reasons.

"Well, why don't you kiss me some more and show me how much you know," he purred in response, slowly gliding his big paws up and down along Lillith's back, pausing every so often to squeeze his forelegs around her or risk a gentle grope of his paws over her shapely rump and massaging around the base of her tail. His silver eyes flashed with the roguish challenge, a dashing grin on his face while he brought his muzzle just a little closer until their noses were pressed together. He didn't finish closing the gap however. This was his challenge to Lil. He wanted to see just how much passion she could withstand knowing that his love was behind it.

"Speech"

Roman teased her softly, feigning surprised that it was not his good looks that were ultimately the reason she was kissing him. Honestly he could have looked like anything and she would feel the same about him. That wasn’t the joke though, and she giggled softly. He was just as nervous as she felt, after all this was a big moment, how did you follow up after confessing falling for the other? It was easier, really knowing they felt the same. He loved her.

Lillith gazed adoringly back into his eyes that swirled like liquid mercury with his intense passion behind them. Holding himself back as he held to her. Lillith felt restless in her skin. The warmth between them only increasing as they lay there together. That building fire frightened her, she didn’t want to be burned again. This was the ultimate show of trust in Roman, giving herself to him completely.

The young Armada man spoke up softly again, seeking again to feel her kiss against his lips, challenging her to reveal what she knew. All the while caressing the back with his dark paws, tracing the curve of her spine, his grasp against her thigh sending tingles in places she hadn’t felt before. His careful touch at the base of her silvery tail combined made her heart skip and her breath catch. She knew he was being careful, holding himself back as she set their pace forward.

Lillith didn’t know if she could even handle the feelings he so easily pulled from her. Already she struggled to keep her heart from escaping her chest, and her breathing even so he didn’t have to worry. She couldn’t let herself react again like she had in the castle. In her mind she knew he love dher, he said it, she felt it. There were only a couple other wolves she felt as safe with. Now Romulus held her tight, touching her body and teasing her senses. There wasn’t another wolf alive who was allowed the privileges he was given now.

She pressed her nose to his as he leaned forward, garnet gaze sliding closed as she breathed in deeply and again pressed her lips to his. She couldn’t keep her heart from bursting out of her chest, flamed made vibrant trails over her skin, and her breath caught. She embraced all of it as she embraced Roman, returning her slender arms to his neck as she pressed against him. Like he’d shown her before, Lil slid her tongue over his slate lips. Surprising herself with pleased little noises that escaped on her breath as she did.

"Speech"

In those sanguine eyes, Romulus saw the love and the desire, but he also saw the hesitance and the fear. She was afraid of getting burned again. Roman didn't blame her; their first kiss in her bedroom hadn't exactly gone to plan, so it was to be expected that she might feel a little gun-shy at first blush. He didn't want to press her too far beyond her comfort zone. He just wanted to love Lillith wholly and completely, the way she deserved to be. But no amount of love would be worth it if it was causing her pain or discomfort. As much as he wanted to kiss her more and more deeply, he knew he had to be careful with her. That was his true show of love: the way he restrained himself with her when a lesser wolf would not. It was more than just love—it was respect.

Roman was not oblivious to the sacred place he held in Lillith's heart, nor did he aim to take advantage of his position. He knew she had never felt these things for another wolf before, never let another touch her in such a manner or be as close as they were now. He'd watched her shy away from her own father's affection. Yet here he was, making the perfect bed for her divine body to lie across while her paws and arms wrapped around him and his own explored the planes of her slender body. He loved the sounds he drew from her with a well placed squeeze, particularly the ones around her thigh, hip, and the base of her tail. He knew he was awakening things within the adolescent fae, but he took his time, advancing them slowly so he could gauge how Lil was doing. No more panic attacks and hyperventilating. Only love was allowed here.

When he'd teased her for another kiss, Roman had anticipated a few more pecks like they'd shared before. Boy, did Lillith shock him when he felt her lips press to his, then wrap her svelte forelegs around his neck, press her body tighter against his, and boldly brushing over his lips with her soft tongue. Romulus gave a muffled sound of surprise, sucking in a breath through his nose and tail wagging furiously against the snowy ground. Lillith was truly pouring all of her passion and desire into this kiss, stepping beyond her own boundaries in ways that made Romulus' heart race out of control and turn his blood to lava inside his veins.

Never one to argue with more heated passion, Roman's eyes slid closed as he gave himself up to their kiss. His lips parted, slipping his tongue out to dance with hers and sample her taste. Lillith's maw tasted sweet yet heady, as if taking a long drink from a rich wine. He moaned quietly into their kiss, letting her keep the lead and guide their tongues back and forth at her pace. Her little sounds of delight brought a shiver to the young man, unable to resist giving her rump one more firm squeeze around the base of her silvery tail. A primal gnawing tension began to grow within his belly, aching for release—aching for her. Gods, how he wanted her! But no. No, he had to move slow, and he reminded himself that the benefits of their shared enjoyment would be worth the patience.

"Speech"

Lillith was hesitant and nervous as she explored these deeper feelings with the boy that she loved. She loved him. There was no doubt in her mind the emotion that swirled within her, it delighted her and frightened her all at the same time. She could feel Roman’s enthusiasm as much as his resistance as he carefully tread at her pace. Neither wanted a repeat of her reaction in her bedroom. This was supposed to be easy and it was as the girl slowly adjusted herself to the exciting feelings that were blossoming between them. The fire that was ignited and kindled between their bodies, it needed to be respected like any true flame.

The feeling of his paws all over her, she felt the anxiety such new experiences created within her but all that Roman was showing was his love and adoration. This was no silly trick of her mind, only love. There was no other time where she had felt so comfortable and close to someone. There was still nervous energies within her, fear and hesitance, but it was easy to work through internally and externally with Roman here guiding her, caring for her, and loving her. So Lillith kissed him, and she kissed him deeply. That action revealing the deep love that she developed for him. A new burning passion for him was developing as well, like nothing she had ever felt before.

She held onto him tightly, acutely aware of the sensations across him from everywhere they touched but especially low in her belly deep within her. It was far too much and she knew it, but she wanted this kiss more than anything before, more than her health like she had asked in her pity party earlier, more than she had ever wanted to see her mother or sister again. Roman returned her affections, careful to match her pace and not tumble ahead of her. He was perfect, respectful, and the taste of his tongue was addictive.

She pressed onward and would be punished for it as the coupled sounds of their enjoyment were muffled by the heavy snow; it was not enough to douse the frightening feelings within. Before she burst out and overreacted Lillith reluctantly pulled away from his lips with a soft gasp for air. She almost felt like she was drowning, but she ignored the panic in her chest and counted from ten. Eyes still closed as she willed herself to calm down, she couldn’t hide the way she struggled for breath anymore. To her own disappointment she knew she needed to stop. For now.

Lil finally opened her eyes, the look of fright she wore that night in her bedroom was nowhere to be seen. She wore a soft grin, an expression of desire that was new to her features. "I.. I really enjoy kissing you, Roman.” She admitted in a whisper, but there was no doubt he already knew that with the soft murmurs of pleasure against his lips. "I think we ought to keep walking again though.” Lillith followed up, the hesitance obvious in her sweet voice. Her body was quite clear in revealing when she had gone too far, and that was becoming obvious with the heat on her cheeks and her hitched breath. Yet she couldn’t quite bring herself to slide off his warm belly.

"Speech"

Despite the nervousness he felt in her body, Lillith didn't shy away from their deeper affections this time. An impressed and highly delighted Romulus returned her passion as much as she gave him, helping to kindle and fan the flames building between them. They had to be careful though; any fire was prone to burn you if you let it grow too wild, and while Roman had no issues handling the heat, he was watching out for his newfound lover who was more inclined to catch fire before he was. He could taste Lillith's excitement and enthusiasm through their kiss though, so he wouldn't deny her what she sought. Moderation was needed, not abstinence.

The fire of their young love roared within his heart, a tension building steadily deep in his belly, awakening sensations and urges both foreign and familiar. Somehow the love shared between them seemed to amplify everything. The feel of her lips on his, the taste of her tongue in his mouth, the sensation of her paws around his neck, her scent in his nose and the weight and warmth of her body on top of his. All of it felt a thousand times more potent and powerful. Together, he led Lillith through her first experience of passion, letting her kiss him as deeply as she desired and showing her ways to do so by example. It was a degree of trust that he knew she didn't afford lightly, and he was honored that she had so much faith and love for him.

As he savored her taste and her tongue over his, Roman uttered low rumbles of delight edged with a hint of a primal lust. Lillith was rousing things, both inside him and physically, and it was hard to deny what instinct demanded. He managed to somehow, and while his paws itched to glide lower over her slender, curvy body, he reined himself in, reminding himself what he was trying to avoid. There would be a time for all things. Now was not the time for that. The sounds she made as they made out in the snow sent a shiver of desire through his body, testing his resolve. Fortunately, whether by sensing his tension or by the sheer value of needing a breath, Lil broke their kiss with a gasp. Roman sucked in a shallow breath as well, instantly missing her taste and yearning to lean in and claim her mouth with his again. Silver eyes blinked open—and then narrowed with concern when he saw her panting with eyes closed while she tried to calm herself down. Shit, they had gotten too close to overwhelming!

Without missing a beat, Roman began to slowly rub his big paws up and down Lillith's back in rhythm with his own steady breathing, hoping to settle Lil's gasping breaths. "Shhhh... Easy there..." he whispered to her in the quiet of the winter day, the only other sound around them her short breathing. "Breathe with me... You're doing great." Once her breathing had settled, Roman greeted her ruby eyes with a little grin of desire of his own, that expression on her face making him quiver with a hunger he forced himself to deny—for now. "Hey there, gorgeous girl," he spoke, soft and teasing. She mentioned them continuing their walk, and as much as he just wanted to lie here in her warm embrace and continue kissing her the way they had been, he knew he was pushing his luck already, and he didn't want to harm his Lillith.

"Yeah, you're probably right..." he said with a reluctant sigh, slowly unwinding his strong forelegs from around her sides. Once Lillith had pulled herself from him, Romulus got to his paws and shook the snow from his fur. Meeting her gaze with a smile so full of warmth and love, eyes sparkling for her, he motioned with a pull of his head for them to continue their walk back towards home. He set the pace, slow and even through the snow, the wolves leaving symmetrical paths of tracks through the snow from where they'd lain together. All the way, Romulus kept his side brushing against hers, shooting little grins down at the girl he was falling in love with.

"Speech"