Winter’s Kiss

@Quicksilver

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Many moons have passed since the shifting of the planes. Since then there had been no tales told of Duskguard and its inhabitants or allies. The troublesome Elysium and villainous Vera or Kuhn were nowhere to be found. Perhaps Shiroshika’s luck had finally shifted for the better and peace had finally come to them.

However with that some of their friends still haven’t been found either. It was time to move on. The seasons were changing and to wallow in the lost would only halt their progression. @Edelweiss had thankfully returned to them, and the Empress would count her blessings with even just a single friendly face returning.

With soft paws she crossed the threshold of their dens behind the frozen falls. Venturing closer to the familiar nest of the Shiroshikan leaders with a particular individual in mind. As soon as azure eyes fell on the silver emperor she smiled, brushing her muzzle against the underside of his jaw in greeting.

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Shiroshika, for far too long, had suffered - but since the world had shifted, they'd begun to truly heal. There were several still lost, wolves who he would continue to hope would find safe passage. His family, however, was whole.

Quicksilver held them close to his heart and thanked the stars for that each night.

They maintained their claim and those that remained, including his yearling brood, worked well together. The druid had returned from a successful hunt with his young sons and retired to the royal den to await his mate's return. When at last she joined him he welcomed her with warmth, pressing himself to her with a crooning note.


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It had been far too long since she could breathe in his scent. To soak in his presence without the looming dark clouds hanging over them raining down anxiety over their future. The future for their children and civilians who look up to them for protection and guidance. “I have nearly forgotten what peace felt like.” Though the words could have been seen as sorrowful, she smiled. Tail swaying softly in the silence of the dens behind them.

Now she could focus on the delicate floral notes that Quicksilver had. Earthen and frosty, refreshing and she bathed in that odour as long as she could. Nearly perfuming herself with him as she took her rightful place against his chest. “My husband. Have you breathed it in yet?” no longer did they have to talk about politics and plans for the worst. Those plans were still in place should peace be shattered once more but no longer did it linger at the forefront, but instead on the back burner where it belonged.

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She melted into him, safe and at ease. Quicksilver buried his alabaster snout among the pallid tresses of Reiko's furs and drank her in through flared nostrils. He basked in the aroma she carried: lavender and snow. It was a scent he would never tire of.

And that smile! There'd been times throughout their life together that he feared he might never see it grave her maw again. It came more frequently than ever nowadays, and for that the druid was grateful. She was at peace. She was happy.

“Let it always be this way,” he mumbled against his beloved's nape as he pressed a kiss to her skin there. Reiko tucked herself close in his embrace, content at last.
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“Mhm.” She murmured as her husband returned the embrace. Did they ever feel so at peace since their marriage? Even before that they were consistently stricken with grief one way of another, and such would be no more.

For a while it felt like she lost herself into the stress that was the world around them. In and out of their borders. Now, she was Reiko once again. Even before arriving o their dens she noticed a bounce back in her step. A certain lightness that returned which was once lost with the weight placed on their collective shoulders.

Warmth washed over her face all the while she squirmed lightly at the thought that popped into her head. “perhaps… it is time that we expand our family for one more season?” after all, it was what she always wanted. A large family. And without other siblings of their own, cousins, aunts, and the like, it only felt right to do so themselves.

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He basked in the closeness of her, content in the quiet stillness of their time alone. Quicksilver exhaled heavily through his nose and his eyelids fluttered closed. They were quick to snap back open, however, as his mate piped up with a question that was most unexpected. The druid withdrew just enough to seek his snowflower's vibrant gaze, his own wide with surprise.

The joy remained on her face at the suggestion, and his expression softened. Their brood was fast approaching their first birthday and he'd noted months prior that her season had not come again since their birth. Reiko's last pregnancy had been difficult on her, he remembered, but things had been different then. A year ago the future of Shiroshika had been uncertain. Now, with their life together more settled, it seemed only appropriate to expend their family.

“I think,” he crooned, and reached to touch the very tip of his nose to the Empress' own, “that is a wonderful idea.”
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It didn't matter how often they found themselves in this situation. Her face felt warm at the thought. It was nothing unfamiliar anymore. With Quicksilver the act of childmaking was pleasurable. Fun. And yet, butterflies still fluttered in her belly to this day at the moment prior to it all. After all, Reiko felt fortunate to have him as a husband.

They were finally free from all the strife. The air around Tsukiishi had grown crisp once more. Placid as the porcelain snow that coated their grounds. If they were to enjoy their peace, they would do so to the fullest. Rear as many children as they can during this time and become as prosperous as possible.

There was no rush this day to get things moving. Instead of rushing into it, the Empress took the time to groom her husband's chin and jaw. Licking and preening and showering the man with affection that he oh so deserved.

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There was no hesitation in Reiko's movements as she reached to pepper his chin in delicate little kisses, and Quicksilver closed his eyes to lean into each gesture. He hummed a satisfied, crooning note for her - though he struggled to shake the thought of their teenage sons and daughter returning to find them enjoying such a private moment. The druid was no stranger to embracing his mate in such a manner, but he always fretted at the possibility of the children seeing them. Their bodies and the change they would soon experience within them was a discussion they would need to have in the very near future, but the last thing he wanted was for his intimate encounters with their mother to become a learning experience.

They carried on slowly and carefully, paying attention to one another's needs and desires, and eventually the concern over being found dissipated. Quicksilver relished every moment, every touch, more than willing to melt into all the warmth and love that his snowflower had to offer. He moved to bring her gently down alongside onto the furs that lined their bedchamber, eager to explore every inch of her with trailing lips and sweeping kisses. The silverwhite's breath was hot on the places where she preferred his attention; he knew when to expect her to tremble beneath his wanting touch and listened for the soft noises that might beg for more.

Whatever she desired, Quicksilver would give.


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In no time their nerves faded. Both husband and wife ignored the world beyond their walls and simply enjoyed their time together, alone, which felt like such a rare treat these days but hopefully, a treat that they could indulge in more often. She was no fool, Reiko knew that they were getting older. That she Was getting older and the time to enjoy these moments was fading quickly - and the time when they could create any new life together was fading even faster.

Like the blossoms in spring, youth was fading but never losing its wonder. Her own petals would soon fall but in her wake their children would blossom in turn and the cycle would continue again.

The thought didn’t sadden her of course. Instead, it only solidified in the need to soak in this moment now more than ever. Her husband returned the affections after bathing in his own. It didn’t take much from him to get her squirming, trying to hold back any loud indications of what was going on. Though natural and expected - it still felt taboo for anyone to know when it was occurring and where.

With flushed features, pink dusting her nose and ear tips as blood rushed to her head. “I love you Quicksilver. Please, give me more children.” She begged, no longer able to wait.

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They leaned into each other, savouring their time together, and Quicksilver's whole body seemed to hum with anticipation. Electricity coursed each fibre of his being and when at last his snowflower gave voice to her need, he obliged willingly. The druid gathered himself upright as Reiko did and draped himself over her gently, carefully, his forelimbs encircling her trim waist to hug her close to his undersides.

He covered her lovingly, in the only way she deserved. He focused on her satisfaction above all else, and delivered exactly what she desired.

Later, when the union of their bodies came to an end, the duo lay entangled in the warmth of their bed. Quicksilver gazed longingly into eyes he'd adored for years and smiled softly.


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Just as she yearned their bodies and souls were entwined once more in a dance that should only be performed by adults. Enveloped in bliss that easily made her forget all about past trauma revolving around such an act like this. He was gentle. Loving. Attentive. Everything she needed to relax in his embrace and get lost in the moment they shared.

--- time lapse ---

Breathless they rested. The soft furs of their bed was nothing in comparison to his touch. Wanting to be just smothered by him she remained close. Tail draped over his and finding the nook in the curve of his undersides to snuggle into. “For the rest of the evening -” She smiled. Red rushing to her ears once more. “This is all I want.”
A coy invitation to do at it again later once they catch their breaths.

---

end??

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The air around them was pleasantly warm despite the frozen terrain on which they'd made their home, and Quicksilver was content to lay close to his beloved and rest. His paws felt like jelly following their evening activities and his eyelids were weighted. Sleep threatened to sweep him away, but the druid blinked and twitched an ear at the sound of Reiko's voice.

She gave voice to her wants once again and the silverwhite's smile brightened. His snowflower woukd have anything her heart desired that night, and for all might to come.

Quicksilver melted against her, pushing his muzzle against hers and pressing a kiss to his mate's feathered cheek. “I love you,” he crooned, “always.”

Sleep was not something that could be evaded for long, but when Quicksilver roused once more he was ready to perform when the Empress so desired.


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