Despite the weather growing warmer in other parts of Amaryllis, winter still raged in the Summit. The snow still fell, even with temperatures heating up, and in its wake left behind a slushy, wet snow that was heavy with water content. It was convenient when one was thirsty, but it made travelling around in it a bitch. One such storm raged outside as Opium stirred in their den. The mouth of their den was sprinkled in white, but thankfully, the inside - where they had swathed the coldest parts of the ground in animal hides - was warmer.

Opium stirred, raising her head to look up and out of the den's mouth. Seeing a raging storm outside, she lowered her head and snuggled closer to Archaic, keen to not wake him up, too. He'd likely suggest they go out in it, to see if they could find some poor animal stuck out there and bring it home for the pride. She let a contented hum slip from her lips as she settled in again.

@Archaic

code | image: 1 2

After the blizzard fiasco outside of the Black family manor hesitation entering a snow filled world grasped him. Inside a warm den felt the right course of action, pressed against @Opium's heated body. Some fear of the outside world during bitterly cold winters kept him mostly inside unless the snow had melted some and there were dry areas to shelter from the chill. Herb stores had been lightly stocked since they'd come late in the season, though he often pretended to count the stored herbs within to pass time.

Atop the mountains felt as though they stood inside a snow globe being shaken every other day. Everything maintained a crust of snow that sometimes built upon itself. Spring was no warmer, though the days had grown longer providing sunlight to melt patches of snow.

Movement of the paler form against him caused his eyes to flutter open. Slit pupils adjusted to the dim light filtered from outside, pressing firmly against Opium as if to assure that she hadn't left. Outside the wind blustered, throwing snow into the mouth of their den. A frown drew ink lips down as he lifted his head. "Unlucky weather," he glanced at his betrothed, "but you'll keep me warm." I hope.

code by corvus

She felt @Archaic stir beside her slightly and she opened her eyes, letting them adjust against the dim lighting of their den. The gloom and snow from outside spilled into it, but not with enough light. It mattered not, however, as they were tucked into the back corner of it and were only buffeted with a light breeze every time the wind gusted outside.

"For you," Opium teased, rebutting with a quirked eyebrow. Though, she had no qualms with remaining in their den until it calmed down outside. Nothing needed to get done in the midst of a snowstorm anyhow. "Of course, my... love," she answered, hesitating because being affectionate (even with all their time together) was still new to her. Even though they weren't so openly affectionate with each other all the time, Opium could definitely say that her affections for Archaic had grown since they joined the Summit together.

"You sure you don't want to take a short, leisurely stroll?" she teased, looking at him in the dark with mischief dancing in her eyes.

code | image: 1 2

Mental note to expand the den further back to avoid any gusts entered his mind. Such weather was not something he wished to experience even at the slightest unless the need pronounced itself visibly for the sake of @Opium or their pride. Hairs rustled slightly against the breeze that stirred the air within their den, bringing scents of a crisp cleanliness and pine inside.

Although their relationship had grown over time with much shared between them, the experiences they held surrounding affection remained few. To hear the woman speak words of love to him caused his pointed ears to twitch with a wide smile curving the ink lips. "So nice to hear." Head moved forward to lean into the paler face, trying to plant a kiss to the nicely curved cheek. "I love you too." Even over his brothers, though hard to admit, he would choose Opium, just as he'd stood up for her at the family meeting. Their bloodlines seemed broken then, with Opium's brother ultimately rejected from the family. Consideration of what that meant still lingered at the back of his mind, wondering at the future of the Blacks.

Now was not the time to worry about such things. Not when his betrothed was in such a good mood. "Ha!" Scoffing lightly he sought to nibble at the base of Opium's ear in a sultry manner, teasing and not overly harsh, goading her as she might goad him.

code by corvus

Opium never thought she'd be this happy in an arranged pairing, but perhaps she was one of the lucky ones? She got to somewhat choose a male she had some kind of relationship with before, and as they drew closer with time, it only seemed to get better. @Archaic echoed her thoughts, and the words he spoke to her filled her with warmth. Her cheeks burned hot with all the emotions swirling within her.

She was pleased to get a scoff out of Archaic as she suggested they take a walk. "No? I thought you loved wintertime walks," she joked sarcastically. Her betrothed closed what little distance that existed between them and nibbled at the base of her ear. In defense, she swung her head away with a half-hearted snarl - body language for "hey, get off" (playfully, too, of course). If Archaic fought against her, she'd attempt to place a clawless paw at the side of his face and push him down to his side. >:D

code | image: 1 2

Ever the humorous lady, he found that Opium's quick tongue had grown on him in the time they'd gotten to know each other. Part of him felt that she was not a proper lady but perhaps that suited him better than he'd originally thought. Together they'd found a balance, cultivated a love that seemed lasting.

Caught within the tumble of motion he found himself on his side. Wicked glint found its way into his silver, peach, and red eyes unobscured by locks of hair. "Not so fast!" Laughter entwined the words as he moved to find better footing over @Opium to gain the upper hand. He sought to press into her shoulder with one sheathed paw, pushing weight down to try and keep her from rising to all paws while at the same time his jaws sought to nip at the nape of pale neck suggestively.

Despite their long term arrangement they had not once consummated their pairing and the desire to do so had only grown since their intimacy had blossomed. He only hoped that Opium found herself drawn to the same notions. Not to secure the Black bloodline but for the love they had fostered between each other.

code by corvus

She had succeeded in pushing him down, but it would seem @Archaic wasn't going to allow her to win. A black paw shot out and pressed against her shoulder, and even though he was a small lion like her, he managed to get the better momentum and forced her back down before she could really get enough of a hold to rise. Losing her footing, she wound up back on her elbows once more, feeling Archaic's warm breath as he closed the distance yet again. His teeth nibbled at her nape, and she felt something prickle within her. It was some kind of innate knowing that coursed electric through her nerves and made a different type of heat settle into her loins.

She was still then, not wanting to move from this position, wanting to allow him to continuously spark this feeling within her. Her tail waved slowly behind her, perhaps beneath him, with excitement for what might blossom between them. She turned towards him, attempting to look at him from over her shoulder as he might've settled into position then. She didn't say anything to him, but on her lips sat a suggestive smirk. Lead us, my love.

code | image: 1 2

Quick to capture his prey beneath his paws there was satisfaction as he'd gained the upper hand in their wrestling. Success in pinning the woman down brought a fervent excitement, something lit within that he'd not experienced until now. Slit pupils pulled in the dim light, assessing the situation as his betrothed threw a look back over one ink blotted shoulder. Affirmation seemed to be there within the small, more delicately rounded features, enough to place him into movement above her.

fade to black

Such a moment had swept away time. It felt both short and long within those minutes. He dare not leave after the act, moving to lounge beside his now lover. Muzzle reached to groom the darkly marked shoulders with teeth, if she allowed, to kneed and massage the skin there.

Happiness enveloped him for maybe the first time in his life, no longer focused on finding a solution for his family's "gift" that was flaunted so freely within the bloodline. With @Opium there was no discourse, nothing to worry about. Even so, they were beholden to the traditions of the Blacks, as they lived among them much the same as before. Perhaps, with the change of leadership, they could convince Recluse to reform some of the regulations; although, he thought that doubtful.

These thoughts swarmed as he worked to groom whom he considered his wife at this time. Consummation solidified their pairing, making him thankful for Envy's hand in their arrangement all those months ago.

code by corvus

Her breath came in short bursts even if she had allowed Archaic to do most of the work. It was the excitement that coursed through her that made her feel like this, breathe like this. Doing this with Archaic had completed several important milestones in her life and in her head. They consummated their mateship, and from this point on, he was no longer her betrothed. He was her mate; her husband if she so wished to call him that. And... well, she would have to see, but she could potentially be making the rest of the family proud in a few short months with several bundles of pastel-colored joys.

Opium stared off into the dark, looking content but also lost in thought as Archaic began to groom her shoulder. She didn't fight him or tell him to stop; it actually didn't even seem to bother her. She liked the intimacy they shared, just now and whenever it snuck into their relationship.

One moment brought on so many questions. What if she became a mother this time? Would she like motherhood, or would it feel like a burden? Would she be a good caretaker, a good teacher? Or would she fail and her and Archaic's set of Blacks would grow up frustrated and angry? There were so many questions that couldn't be answered at this moment, and it was frustrating.

She broke her stare by blinking her snake-like eyes and turning to him. "So, I guess it's official now? We're official?" she asked with a small smile. Her eyes searched his, waiting for him to confirm it. Were they... mates?

code | image: 1 2

Quiet filled their small den, which now may need to expand further than he'd anticipated. Time would tell whether or not @Opium's womb produced another generation. Fatherhood hadn't been something he'd thought of often, leaving him with many questions and insecurities as to his fitness for such a role. Perhaps together they would come together to properly nurture a new generation.

As he worked upon her shoulder there came the understanding that his wife accepted the intimacy between them. Enjoyment of this moment enveloped him, feeling complete in this wayward life which had taken them further from the family than the others.

Opium's inquiry resounded between them so that he paused within his labors of making her comfortable, turning his multi-colored eyes to the pale face. "Yes, my love." A hesitant moment as his eyes sought to steal her gaze. "You are mine." And he would die trying to keep any other hands from her.

Underneath their affections the momentary cold remained forgotten. Within the den there was nearly everything he needed. Tendrils danced along his backside as he shifted, snuggling closer to the ink blotted form of his mate, content to share this moment enclosed in a private space.

code by corvus