Maverick felt as if he had found his true partner in the beautiful and powerful Venom. Not only did the two compliment each other naturally in their personalities and characters, but they even shared a hobby. Namely, exploration of unknown lands. Venom had a yearning to see all of Boreas and Auster, and Mav, well, he still held onto some of his old vagabond ways in his wanderlust as well. So after a breathy conversation post-coitus one night, the white and navy brute had decided to plan a day trip for the two of them to get out and see some of the places she wanted to see. Secretly, he was also using this as an opportunity to scout out some potential future honeymoon locations as he surreptitiously planned for the next step of their relationship, but that was just between him and the gods.

Setting out from Ashen at the start of sunset to accommodate for the new lifestyle he was adapting to with his nocturnal partner, Maverick took Venom west across the lands to an island off the western coast of Boreas. He had heard rumor of the beautiful beaches and lush jungle here, so it seemed like an idyllic location to check out. The wolves arrived at the coast just on the edge of dusk, right before it turned night. The swim across the channel was short and easy for the dire brute who had plenty of experience in the water. When his paws did touch the shores of the nearby island, Mav was left in a state of shock and awe. The pale moonlight seemed to cast the sand into a sea of glistening silver. Ocean waves lapped gently at the shore and rolled between his paws while he stood there, gawking at the sight with his fur plastered to his toned muscles, the saltwater sluicing down him in cascades.

"Whoa..." gasped Mav while wide eyes drank in the sights. He waited until he heard and felt Venom approach, turning his amazed gaze back to his girlfriend while trying to pay attention to their surroundings and not the way her wet fur clung to her thin, feminine form to emphasize all of her shapely curves in all the right ways. "Have you ever seen anything like this before?"

"Venom & Maverick"

After getting himself settled there wasn’t much time before she could see Maverick’s paws itching. The need to go and roam even spread to her. Venom didn’t take much coaxing to convince him on a short trip away from their islands. Plague was her second in command, along with princess Kiyohime gaining more responsibility they would be fine for a few days. Venom was able to scout more of the world, and have time alone with Maverick. There were no interruptions out here.

The evening was already upon them, but that was the best part of the day for travel. The moon was high, and lit up the whole world before them. The pair easily slipped into the ocean surf to cross the channel and wind up on the shimmering shore. The moon’s light played in perfectly with the world around them, creating a magical and unnatural sheen. One that almost fully distracted her from Mav’s soaked form beside her. His own awe was obvious on his features and his voice. The only place that was reminiscent was the shimmering shores of the Hallows.

"Similar, but not as magical.” The Empress answered as she leaned her wet shoulder against his. "I wonder what other surprises might be out here.” She questioned softly as white gloved paws pulled her further in.

"Venom & Maverick"

Silver Island

Venom looked like some ethereal goddess come to earth and given flesh with the way the silver moonlight danced off the ends of her fur, practically making her glow as she waltzed up the sparkling silver sands to join him. Maverick's breath caught in his throat from the beautiful sight she was, the way her wet fur clung to every supple curve of her nubile body bringing forth some very lascivious thoughts that almost made the man want to abandon their exploratory venture all together. Venom leaned into his shoulder and told him that she'd seen similar, but no place quite as magical. She quietly mused to herself about what else they might find and he chuckled in response. "Guess there's only one way to find out." Large mismatching paws of white and navy followed his white-gloved angel as they traversed up the silver-sanded beach and into the thicket of jungle just ahead of them.

Beneath the dense canopy of palm leaves, the moon's light was almost entirely blocked out. The jungle portion of the island was much darker, but it also held a nocturnal life to it. High in the trees, tropical birds who favored the later hours of the day called back and forth to one another. Nightingales sang their melancholic songs around them, while a host of nighttime insects chirped above the splashing of the ocean waves. There didn't seem to be much in the way of land-dwelling life here on the island, perhaps due to the small terrain. Maverick led the way through the underbrush, bushing his way through some ferns and across the lush grasses beneath his toes that felt like walking on carpet it was so thick. Somewhere nearby, the sweet scents of tropical fruits fragranced the air. Silver Island was turning out to be a veritable island paradise, hidden away and private. Mav made a mental note to remember this place for later purposes.

"Venom & Maverick"

Venom gained much experience in keeping her focus during her duties, but even she was distracted by the way she was allowed to see Maverick’s form. His plush fur was slicked completely down against his well toned frame. He was broad chested and built from a life alone in the wilds. Her only consolation was catching his teal eyes doing the same to her svelte body. A smirk played on her lips, and beyond the gentle bump of her shoulder she did not acknowledge the temptation they both felt. Both held strong, and Mav answered her without much information of his own, there really was only one way to find out.

The beaches were both familiar and foreign, not anything like her island home at all. The texture was different beneath her toes, the look of it was obviously different in the way it shimmered and shined under the moonlight. The island was naturally romantic, but almost more so once the pair reached the forest canopy. The thick leaves blocked much of the moonlight but it continued to dapple against Venom’s pelt.

They were not alone here either, the sound of night fowl filled the air with eerie sounds that seemed to belong here in the unexplored forests. The Empress was not often made nervous, but she wondered how brave she would be if Maverick were not at her side now. Sand changed to a soft moss, perfect for a quiet walk in the woods. The further they intruded into the forest the heavier the scent of sweet fruits became. Curiosity filled her as she let Mav lead her through the underbrush. "I wonder what that fruit scent it.” She mused at his side as they went on, still tempted to taste his sweet lips instead of the mystery fruit.

"Venom & Maverick"

It still baffled Maverick how things as seemingly simple as islands could all be so inherently different and unique. Their home in the Dove Belt Archipelago had several unique islands, sure, but to find another just off the opposite coast that was wholly its own experience was astounding to the wolf! From the silvery pale sands that glowed in the moonlight to the isolated jungle that felt as if it had been made for the two of them alone, Mav was in awe of the natural splendor that surrounded them. Lost beneath the thick canopy of vegetation, the rest of the world felt shut out, as if he and Venom had slipped into their own nocturnal tropical paradise. Their footfalls were muffled on the lush carpet of moss and grass, dampened and deafened to the outside world. Here, they could exist just for themselves. It was awfully tempting to just stay here, forever lost with his Empress of the night.

Glancing to his partner at his side when she mentioned the scent of fruit on the air, Maverick took a deeper sniff to try and suss it out. "Well, the most delicious thing I smell right now is you," he replied with a sly grin to his lover, giving a playful rumble while he leaned in to nip at her closest ear. "I think it's this way..." Mav led the way through to a clearing in the jungle, glancing about for a moment until his eyes landed on a mango tree with a bundle of ripe fruits hanging from its canopy. "Allow me, my love," Mav said with an exaggerated bow much like he had given her the first day they met. Then, with all the grace that could be expected of a vagabond rogue, he charged the tree and slammed his bulk into it, shaking the poor plant until it dropped several of the ripe mangoes to the ground.

Maverick scooped two up in his large paws, extending one out to Venom. "Care to share a midnight snack with me, gorgeous? Y'know, I think I heard somewhere once that mangoes are an aphrodisiac." He punctuated his teasing words with a wink before sinking his teeth into the ripe flesh of the fruit, the sweet juices bursting across his tongue with a delighted hum from the brute.

"Venom & Maverick"

White gloved paws brought her over the soft carpet of moss and sparse grasses as the two of them strolled through the forest. The darkness was homy, the dappled light was romantic, and she didn’t want to be exploring this deserted island with anyone but Maverick at her side. The vegetation was similar to that of her own islands, perhaps slightly less tropical as Venom hadn’t noticed the ocean’s warmth to be as intense as her own island’s. Likely this place was as effected as winter as the rest of Boreas. This night was beautiful, the temperature was cool enough she was completely comfortable. There was a gentle breeze through the foliage that brought the sweet scent of fruit to them.

Maverick returned her curious observation with one of his own, she happened to be the sweetest scent to his senses. Venom shook her head with a bashful chuckle, still not completely used to Mav’s complimentary tongue. He had a way with words the Empress had the least amount of experience with, and yet she continued to enjoy them fully. He nipped at her ear and she playfully bumped his hip with her own as he led her forward through the trees.

Venom took in a deep breath of the fresh ocean air as she was led to a small clearing in the forest. Even during the spring weather there were already lightning bugs flickering within the trees. Maverick led her to the tree she had scented, bright vibrant mangoes hung from the branches tantalizingly out of reach. Mav bowed and asked that she allow him before he rushed at the tree. Venom would have found a different way, he could have given himself a concussion if he wasn’t careful, but as he collided with the tree the intended effect happened. Mangoes fell from the branches for Maverick to collect.

"What a gentleman.” She giggled far too girly for an Empress, but he had a knack of making her feel like a love struck yearling. She took his offering as he mentioned the potential effects of the mango, not that either of them needed any help in indulging one another, the fact still made her grin up at him as he bit through the skin and flesh of the fruit. "Absolutely incorrigible.” She repeated her assessment of him as she watched the juice make rivulets down his chin. In complete opposing fashion Venom began to meticulously peel open the mango with her incredibly sharp claws before tenderly biting into the overripe fruit herself. Watching Maverick all the while.

"Venom & Maverick"

Perhaps the thing that Maverick marveled about the most in his young relationship with the Ashen Empress was how easy it felt being with Venom. There were no pretenses or preconceived notions either of them felt bound to maintain. There were no expectations of the other to be someone or behave a certain way. They could be themselves together—giddy, silly, lovestruck fools who were basking in the simple delights of one another's company. Maybe that was what attracted the once-vagabond to a domestic lifestyle of monogamy. He had lived as a rambler and found no great satisfaction in it beyond the temporary reliefs of a warm body in his bed at night. But like surviving off sweets, it didn't satisfy the way a fine meal did. His one night stands satisfied him for a night—Venom satisfied him for a lifetime. And despite her frequent sighs and rolling eyes at him, she never once tried to change him. She accepted him for the goofy, reckless, debonair idiot he was. It really made him wonder just what the others before him did to so royally screw up a relationship with the incredible woman...

After thoroughly enjoying making Venom turn bashful with his flirtatious remarks and his rudimentary way of harvesting the mangoes, Mav settled in on the lush carpet of moss to enjoy the spoils of his innovation. That included the girly giggle he was able to pull from the usually austere monarch as he offered her one of the sweet, ripe fruits he'd collected. She grinned and called him incorrigible, a callback to what she'd said to him during their first meeting, and Mav replied with a shameless wink to his partner. Being consort to the Empress had its perks, one of the greater ones being he could tease and flirt with her all day just to make her smile like that and it was still considered serving the Empire! While Maverick made an absolute mess of his mango, Venom was much more methodical in her approach, using one of her sharp claws to peel it away with ease before taking a slow bite of the succulent fruit flesh.

Now it was Maverick who watched the way Venom ate, her sunset eyes never leaving his as she practically made a show of her sensual snacking. He took another generous bite of his own fruit until a few more dribbles of nectar ran down his chin, the man slowly running his pink tongue across his lips to lap them up and clean himself of the juices. Maverick was practically thrumming with want for the shadow and snow fae the longer he watched her. "Y'know, I think I'm starting to see why they're an aphrodisiac," he mused in rumbling tones, teal eyes never leaving Venom's for a moment. A sly grin pulled at his lips, chomping down on another mouthful of mango and swallowing before he asked his alluring lover, "We're not making it back to Ashen tonight, are we?" It was mostly a rhetorical question to tease her some more. If it were up to Maverick, he would have already been laying his Venom down on the bed of soft mosses to love her silly beneath the moonlight until she howled his name to the stars above.

"Venom & Maverick"

Being out here in the wilderness Venom was able to release the bonds of propriety. She could easily be the most basic version of herself with Maverick. There were no preconceived notions, no images to maintain. Just simply being together, being themselves, pure of heart with one another. This was one reason she was so drawn to Mav, why she found herself submitting to him and the relationship so easy. Being with him made her feel most like herself. He made her feel free and unbound. Like he had released her soul to join with his as he gave himself to her. The emotions that he kindled within her were unlike anything she had experienced, and he easily made himself the most valuable of Venom’s possessions. His love of more value than the most rare of jewels.

However seriously she felt about him, they would be as possibly carefree as they both enjoyed their succulent fruit. Her own sunset gaze never really leaving Maverick’s vivid gaze as he demolished his mango while she carefully made a show of enjoying the juicy fruit. As she finished, and remained under his gaze, Venom leaned forward to lick the remnant from his chin as he mumbled his discovery and obvious note that they would not be making a return to their home that night.

She shifted slightly, trailing her tongue over his chin and up his jaw before nibbling slightly at the base of his ear. "No, I don’t believe so.” She whispered to him as a white gloved paw caressed his forearm and trailed up and down suggestively as she leaned into his shoulder. She felt the deep seated desire that he built within her, without even really trying. So deep was her attraction to the starry vagabond turned consort.

"Venom & Maverick"

It was humorous to Maverick when he considered their relationship in the scope of themselves, and it was epitomized in this very moment they shared together. There was Venom, the regal and dainty monarch of Ashen, methodically peeling and slicing her fruit with her unique claws to snack on. And then there was himself, the renegade turned prince consort, chowing down with no sense of decorum or even slight attempt at modesty. They came from vastly different worlds and lives, and yet Maverick had never felt more whole than when he was with Venom. They balanced each other out in their differences, complimented one another in their uniqueness, and it was why he felt their relationship thrived as seamlessly as it did. Wherever their personalities differed, instead of friction they found collaboration. Their strengths supported the other's limitations, the yin to their yang, balance in amongst chaos. Soul mates wasn't something Maverick had ever bought stock into, and he wasn't sure he believed any sort of cosmic force had brought him and Venom together, but it was hard to deny the sheer compatibility they found in each other. Venom was his Aphrodite, and he was her diamond in the rough.

The dire brute asked his question, and in return he received a tender lick from his beloved shadow and snow fae across his chin, licking up the remnants of sweet fruit juices from his lips in a sultry maneuver. Up his jaw she went, her lips moving to his ear until he shivered beneath her touch. Then she whispered her heated words while one white gloved paw began to stroke his foreleg in unsubtle suggestion of what she had in mind. The corner of Maverick's lips curled upward in a sly grin, flashing pearly teeth in a wolfish smile. It seemed they both had the same things in mind with this romantic milieu and intimate night. There was no other soul around for miles—just the two lovers, lost in their own little paradise on this tropical island. Her touch stoked the deep seated flame of desire he held within his core for his Empress, though Venom would always find it easy to turn him on. She knew him much more intimately than any other wolf alive did.

"Well, then I guess we should make the most of our own private paradise," he rumbled in husky tones back, leaning his cheek down to nuzzle against her own. One large paw lifted and moved to wrap around Venom's lithe waist, sliding her body closer to his own. In the same move, Maverick dipped his muzzle down to catch her mouth with his own, kissing his lover with a slow, smoldering passion that was always burning just below the surface for her. It was a leisurely build of passion and lust, but Mav wanted to savor this perfect moment with his Venom and enjoy it one second at a time. There would be plenty of time for more moments of desperate paws grabbing for one another amidst heated kisses and urgent needs. Tonight he wanted to revel in the love he and Venom had kindled together.

"Venom & Maverick"