h.ow }{ about another R O U N D

"For the record my balls are functioning properly, its the head atop my shoulders that knows better than to let myself tag every female that wants a piece."He smirked languorously, like some golden maned feline who lived by unknown laws that were obeyed when it so suited them. Tail curled in an acceptable fashion, neither conveying interest or aggression nor looking to appease with a placating wave it was self-assured and confident in his actions thus far. She was conniving and cheeky, her blatant disregard for her physical disadvantage made this game unendingly interesting.

"Ah, so your saying that I'm too small but would've let me be a hound out of what, pity?" Lazily his scrutinizing eyes fell on the female as her resonating vocals lost their teasing lilt, slipping into a guttral ruckus that he presumed was supposed to serve a purpose. Thoroughly unimpressed by her displayed aggression there was no indication that she was a daunting aspect to be reckoned with. Instead he shook his head and chuckled before his chin touched his grayed digits.

"Say what you will but dawn isn't going to be late and I'd rather like some shut eye before then. So kill the death threats and I'll chill my raging hormones long enough for us to get comfy and quite." he muttered decidedly.

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The bitch looked at him. "Touche..." She courled into a ball, laying her muzzle upon her tail. He might be able to keep his hormones under control, but she was another story. To make it easy for him, she hid her scent of the season. Now she had to figure out how to hide her own needs. She was four, so it wasn't like she hadn't had this experience before. Just, she wasn't used to being near a male during heat. She took a deep breath and tried to settle herself. It was going to be a long night.

The femme had two choices. She could either go to sleep or she could lay with him. She was tired. She was finally bored with the games. Yes, they'd start up again soon, but not tonight. If she went to sleep, she'd wake up the next morning, kick him out, and they'd go separate ways. She took another deep breath. Then again, if she moved over next to him, what would happen? He' probably look at her like she was crazy and he'd move.

She looked up at him. "Ok...games and bitchiness aside." She tried to smile. "You can join me if you want." She definitely wasn't going to join him, but he had the ability to join her now. She was still far enough over in the divot for him to have room. "But you're not getting laid tonight." Her head went back to lay on her tail, her blue pools closing once more.

It would seem that the focal point of his last remark was going to be heeded, the need for sleep blunting his attentive state or perhaps he was merely learning how to tune out the female all together. Whatever the case may have been he would take this respite and endure whatever dilemma's that arose between them on the next day. Lethargically he began to meticulously situate himself, arranging his forepaws to cross one another and pillow his head while he allowed his hind legs to rest splayed as they were. He could feel his weariness now, haggard from travel and his facetious roommate.

And then she started talking again....

The blonde wolf withheld the moan of dismay as sleep escaped him for the second time, the disturbance never changing. Was it her intention to make him miserable from sleep deprivation or was he just the unlucky bastard to run into the female with the most emotional bullshit?

Esper's prudent stare held practiced patience, despite being such a surly, fastidious creature that he was he felt no general urge to tease her for offering the space. Esper took it into consideration, weighing the pros and cons of the offered closeness and berating himself for the unwarranted flutter of joy that chased his heartstrings. If he did move than there was the off chance that she'd actually go to sleep and let him do the same. If he didn't...

Expelling a grunt as his muscles fought against his urge to move he walked that short distance between them and nosed her roughly to indicate he would accept her offer. Exhausted he half fell into place and didn't bother to get as comfortable as he could have beside the black and white female. "Go to sleep." he commanded moodily as he adjusted himself to fit in her little divot. He was a sloppy sleeper and so as not to kick her while he slept he pressed his back alongside hers and let his head fall to the floor.

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Sky had already drifted into slumber by the time he had even stood up. Since he was closer to the entrance, it was automatically his watch. For this reason, and this reason only did she allow herself into a deep enough sleep to dream. She had just started a nice dream that consisted of herself with a litter of pups and a large male wolf standing over her in complete happiness. This was the dream she always had if she allowed herself to dream.

Needless to say, she didn't allow herself the beauty of dreams very often. Suddenly she was up again. He had nudged her roughly. She sent him a scathing look and grudgingly moved over. One look though, changed her mind. He was exhausted. She automatically felt sorry for the blond male. He was completely alone. She was too, but it was a chosen lifestyle becuase it was easier than being around others. His command stirred her a little more.

She laid her head back down and took watch, not allowing herself to fall asleep. His breathing finally slowed and he relaxed. Sky slowly and gently raised her head and looked at him. He was peaceful. The dame had to stiffle a laugh. She reached over and licked between his ears. It wasn't the kind of 'caress' that was given between mates. It was more of a sign of friendship. Something that was given between packmates. It was designed only to comfort him. Sky smiled as her gaze went back to the mouth of the cave.

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Staying conscious was become more difficult as the seconds ticked by in their shared silence that he expected to be shattered with more chatter from the she-wolf at his back. Motionless beside her, he felt the stirring of her muscles as she shifted comfortably against him. The sensation of another body was extremely foreign due to the fact that lone wolves very rarely became so congenial upon a first encounter. The entire scenario would make the traditional vagabond balk at the notion of sharing such a space with another who wasn’t at least on a name basis. Mentally Esper kicked himself for humoring the female all so he could rest for the coming turmoil of tomorrow. Since when had be digressed to such a weak-willed individual that he could be manipulated into such a vulnerable disposition.

He moaned hoarsely as the thoughts were driven off as he tentatively fell into a comfortable slumber, breathing reduced in tempo until the rhythmic inhale and exhale was no more than a mild wheeze. Occasionally his muscles would spasm, an ear or a brief shift of paws but nothing to imply that he was even somewhat conscious at this point. If Sky’s intentions had truly been to end him this night the time was no better to do so. Even still with that warning lurking in the depths of his forgotten thoughts Esper had either decided to embrace whatever fate had in mind for him. Either trusting Sky enough not to murder him or simply refusing to care anymore. Knowing the cantankerous blonde wolf the latter was much more probable. Or perhaps he felt safe? As farfetched as that may seem Esper could feel himself loosening and not because of a lack of awareness.

His dreams enveloped him, cradled his mind and allowing it to recall pleasant things. Loved ones no longer present to the realm of the living. Those who he trusted or was fond of also circled in his head. He took pause on a particular recollection, one that even as he slept made him warm. His youth, how he had been nothing but a frightened whelp and the reassurance his mother provided routinely. Her tongue would play atop his head and smooth the fur between his ears at the same time that the action was performed by Sky.

Instinctively he raised his head toward that comforting sensation, craving it like an addict who’d kicked the habit but was once more re-introduced to the drug that had hooked him. "Safe." He muttered this aloud and tried to get closer to the warmth beside him.

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Sky could only smile down at the male. She was completely torn. The dame had been a loner most of her life and suddenly there was a wolf laying with her. On the inside, she was flipping out. But, deep down, she was completely content. This was normal. She was supposed to have someone she trusted laying near her. Mentally, she kicked herself. I have a wolf...wo hold up! Her head snapped toward him so fast it popped her neck. He was moving closer to her. At first, she wanted to get up and move away, but intinct won out, and Sky found herself oddly comforted by the odd movement.

The femme smiled at him again. His blonde fur so light compaired to her own dark pelt. Her gaze travelled back to the small bit of sky. A sigh was emmitted from her maw. It was her namesake, the one think that had her attention no matter her situation. It was beautiful, intrigueing, mysterious, and unpredictable: everything she wasn't. Her dome slowly lowered to her paws, directly in front of her. Her thoughts found their way back to Esper. It was funny, she had yet to tell him her name. Hmm...I think I'll keep it to myself.

There was a line of yellow on the horizon. Morning was much closer than she thought it had been. She must've been laying there for most of the night, completely unaware that time was passing. Having not gone to sleep yet was going to catch up with her in a few hours, but for now she was fine. Maybe it was becuase of the body beside her, maybe it was adrenaline about having another so close, and maybe it was just that she was able to keep watch all night. Afterall, she was used to being sleep deprived.

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