It’s not too late just close your eyes and FEEL
#1
It seemed like Phoenix’s life always consisted of highs and lows, but like the jagged landscape beneath the ocean. He would just have to come to accept that there would be no status quo for him, that life would level off into a soft meadow. But the massive male had learned long ago to enjoy the happy moments while they were here, though that made the crushing defeats no easier to take. It seemed like a lifetime ago he had found Iskata’s note telling him the truth, that she had left not just to find their daughter, but to find a new life for herself. On that day he had lost all hope of again seeing the wolf he had given his heart to, though it seemed like the feelings weren’t reciprocated.

He had been trapped in a cycle of brooding sorrow for months, until Nocht had come along and forced him to live again. At first they began talking, which eventually incubated a close friendship, which soon after that grew into something more. The sun was rising, casting its warm glow into the pack den and revealing a smaller black female and a massive brown male cuddled up next to each other. “G’morin’,” he whispered into her ear as they both began to stir, as if in synch with one another. He didn’t know if she would be in his life forever, but for not he was happy to have her by his side for as long as possible.
#2
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out of character::black engulfs the dying

light

You got my colour wrong =P No harm no foul though.

we launch ourselves into the bright::in character


Nocht woke slowly, nuzzled awake gently by Phoenix, as they lay curled up together and sunlight pried at stubborn eyelids. Her mind was a mass of cotton fluff, as it often was in the morning, thoughts fleeting and ethereal in her mind. Nocht wasn't much for mornings, but she stirred less reluctantly than usually as the brown male whispered in her ear. A smile rose unbidden and had she tried to repress it she would have failed anyway. Her lungs expanded and contracted quickly, stealing a quick breath, and her stomach flip flopped in tandem as she stretched, still bleary eyed, but acutely aware of the warmth of the body beside her. Within her breast happiness bloomed without restraint, the strength overwhelming and surprising her. She wasn't sure how this thing had happened with Phoenix, what had grown between them and snuck up on her before she realised what was there, but she couldn't begrudge it. It settled comfortably, a feather-light weight, between her ribs, at the base of sternum, just above her stomach. It was such a curious thing, how she could pinpoint precisely where her happiness fell within her. Smiling to herself she turned, eyes closed, to press her nose against him and nuzzle him affectionately. "Good morning, a stór." She replied and then took a deep breath, letting it out in a long, happy sigh. She dropped the term of endearment into the sentence without much forethought and paid it even less heed after. Waking up was a complicated ritual for the grey furred wolf as she tended towards wakefulness finally. As the light flooded the cave and her mind shook off the cobwebs of the night she took a brief moment to take stock of what she had found with Phoenix.


She had admired him greatly and respected him from the get-go; he handled his pack with care and affection, his love for them shining through. Despite all this she still found herself uncomfortable in his presence originally, eager to please and unsure of how to do so. As time passed and she spent more time in his company she found herself relaxing, letting go. He wasn't as intimidating as in the beginning and as more time passed and conversation began to flow between them she found herself with a growing affection for him that surpassed just that of pack-mates or friends. She still wasn't sure how, but without any outside interference a fragile relationship between to unravel and reveal itself between them, knitting together threads of their being with its own until their connection wasn't nearly as tenuous anymore. It wasn't as if Nocht had even come looking for anything like this in Storm, but she wasn't one to ignore what she had found. And so this something special had grown between them, these mornings rising together, evenings bedding down together. Nocht hadn't promised him forever, couldn’t, but she found this much she could give freely.

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#3
Sorry ‘bout that.

He loved the pet names she called him. A few in Russian always came to mind when he saw her but he was hesitant to use them because he didn’t like the way they sounded. They were harsh and guttural, unlike the bounding flow of her own vernacular. Besides, being a telepath meant he could convey his love for her without the limitations of crude words. He had been hesitant to open his mind to her, fearing the repercussions if he did. That was how he’d fallen for Iskata, spending so much time in her mind and deluging himself in her psyche. He often wondered now if perhaps it hadn’t been love each other felt, but an addiction to each others’ minds, like a drug. Perhaps that was why she had left him. But Nocht was different. He knew he loved her even without the circumstances of his psychic ability, but after they had already shared their bodies with each other, sharing their minds was the next logical, and final, step.

There was no wonder, no questions about their relationship. In a world of unknowns he knew exactly where things stood between them. He couldn’t know how long they would have together so he was determined to savor every moment of it. And today was a special day—they had been officially mates for exactly one month. He had already gone to the city the previous day, picked out a house and prepared it for a private celebration. “How would y’like t’go for a walk?” he asked before kissing her on the top of her head. In contrast to Nocht, he was a morning person and was already feeling antsy and eager to get up and go. “I have a surprise for you,” he whispered almost conspiratorially.
#4
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out of character::black engulfs the dying

light


Sorry for the wait.

we launch ourselves into the bright::in character


She grinned happily as Phoenix dropped a kiss on the top of her head, uncoiling herself to

stand and ready herself to go for a walk. "I think I could like it." She replied cheerfully

and when he whispered in her ear her eyes widened almost comically and she sped up, eager

to untangle herself and find out what her surprise was. In spite of her age Nocht could

often be quite childlike at times, contrary to how mature and earnest she could be at other

times. She couldn't help it and often felt foolish about it, most especially when she

demonstrated this in front of others. They often seemed to feel that she didn't grasp the

gravity of living a grown-up life and she was irresponsible, perhaps not to be trusted, but

Phoenix never made her feel this way. In fact he inspired child-like glee in her instead,

his quiet acceptance of how she was settling any self-doubt she had. She rose and stretched

again once, now standing, to work out any kinks in her back left from sleep, wincing at the

pop and crack of muscle and bone as it sorted itself out. She took a few steps towards the

mouth of the den, now eager and ready to go, before looking back at Phoenix. "God, aren't

ready yet?"
She admonished teasingly, smiling widely at him.


However her enthusiasm was tempered by something nagging at her from the back of her mind,

telling her there was something she was forgetting that she really should be remembering.

She shrugged it off. If it were that important, she decided, she would remember what it was

later.

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#5
He did not think any less of her for acting like a youth. On the contrary, Phoenix loved to see Nocht open up before him and act like a child. Adulthood was an illusion; they were all really children just in bigger bodies. The could peel back the layers of professionalism that all tried to maintain and let each other see their true selves underneath, and only love each other all the more for it. Phoenix sometimes tried to act playfully with her, but ended up being stiff and unpracticed in it. The pup was still there, but he had forgotten much. Nocht was helping him learn all over again.

Rising slowly, the massive male followed his beloved out the den and began to stretch every muscle of his body, long and painstakingly. Normally he was an early riser and could be on his feet a moment after waking up, but seeing Nocht act so eager to see the surprise made his feel like mischievously taking his time to prolong the weight. He yawned, trying hard not to break out in laughter after what seemed like a long span stretching his muscles. He may have forgotten how to play, but he knew how to have fun. “Mebbe I could go for some breakfast first… you wanna go find some rabbits or somethin’? Mebbe we could lie in wait for some deer?” he teased.
#6
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we launch ourselves into the bright::in character


Nocht could go for something to eat. But she most often could and food could wait. In the face of surprises food could always wait, unless food was the surprise. She turned to huff exasperatedly at him, eyes wide as she went to admonish him affectionately and then saw the smile tugging unsuccessfully at the edge of his muzzle. Nocht's eyes narrowed slightly and she realised what was going on. He was playing with her. She pouted a little in the entry-way and then trotted over to him, rubbing her face against his neck and nipping at his muzzle playfully. "Phoenix." She almost whined, drawing out his name and smiling despite herself. "We can catch something on the way if you're that hungry. But let's go, huh?" She asked, perking up and grinning at him. She hated when he did this, knowing how impatient she could be, but hated it in an affectionate way. One of those things that both frustrated and endeared Phoenix to her. She pattered forward a little bit, eager to go now and then stopped, turning and smiling bashfully. It had taken a moment to remember that she hadn't a clue where they were going. She hopped on her toes a little more and let out a laugh at her own excitement. She was silly. She could deal with that.

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#7
Though Phoenix did not usually count the days as they passed, he had been keeping track ever since he and Nocht had officially become mates. He didn't know if she realized it, but this day marked a whole month that they had been a couple. He had planned something special a week ago, and the day before he'd ventured into the human city and scoured the rows and rows of houses until he found the perfect one. There was a cozy little bedroom with a big, comfortable bed for two and a fireplace--which he had fully stocked. he'd even left a copuple ptarmigans there for a romantic little meal, his first decent catches with his bow and arrows. He was proud of that, and wanted to share his prizes with the female who mattered more to him than all the food in the world.

"Acta'lly there'll be food where we're goin'," he answered cryptically as he began trotting southward, nuzzling Nocht as he passed by her and motioning for her to follow. He loved seeing her act so excitedly, knowing he could bring out the wonder in her. Seeing her happy made him elated.


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