[His tail, really, has a mind of its own. And Ben will wait for her to get her own beer ready -- not out of obligation or training now, but because it's polite. His tongue runs out, and he licks his nose in anticipation.]
Hear, hear. [Except it comes out as "wuff, wuff," and Ben's tail speeds up at the humor. He dips his head and slurps up a couple of tonguefuls of beer.
[He flumps down again with the bowl between his paws and leans on her, tail still going. The moon is starting to peek out from behind the Earth's shadow, and he could start going back to human if he wanted, but he's just going to enjoy the night and the outdoors as a wolf for the moment.]
[As far as Maria's concerned, he can stay a wolf all night if it makes him happy. She doesn't mind a bit -- and more than one person has seemed more than a bit shocked, even a little scandalized by that, because it's rare for people to let their wolves Change and roam free like this. Something might go wrong.]
[Oh, something most assuredly would go wrong if she were like every other Master he's had besides Wynter. But she isn't, he loves her, and the only way anything could go wrong while he was like this would be for an outsider to threaten her.
No one's that stupid. And, while Ben never lets his guard down all the way because their life is what it is, he can relax out here.]
[Maria drags one of the bags over and lies back, using the bag to pillow her neck and shoulders while she watches the stars. One arm stays draped over Ben's back, fingers tangled idly in his fur, while she traces constellations.]
Would you believe I can remember almost none of the names of those up there? I learned them all when I was a little girl at school. But it's all slipped my mind, now.
[Ben huffs out an amused snort. He knows a very few. Hydrus. Gemini. Corona, Orion, and Cassiopeia. The Big and Little Dippers, of course, because everyone knows those. He'll point them out to her, and tell her why, when he's back to human.
But it's been very long time since he's been able to see them like this, and he's going to enjoy it.]
[And Maria is just going to enjoy the hell out of laying here like this with him, under the stars, feeling him warm and solid and alive next to her.
If some of her nightmares now involve exactly what happens when her enemies decide to use what she loves against her, well. No need to dwell on that tonight.]
[He's healed in any case; if it weren't for his own nightmares jerking him out of slumber -- with a helping of "oh, God, what if she'd come alone," because his meaner-than-shit subconscious loves playing out that scenario in technicolor -- he wouldn't even know it happened. It does him all kinds of good to know that the angels are still watching out for him, even after everything.
Of course, Maria has a less-than-favorable opinion about Ereziel, but he's not sure that can be helped. In any case, he's going to finish his beer, lick his chops, and flop onto his back.
[Ben scratches his back happily on the blanket and makes a contented noise. Considering his circumstances, he's as happy as it's possible to be. He could spend the rest of his life like this.]
[She shifts so she can rest her head on his chest. Something about hearing his heart beat, whether he's man-shaped or wolf-shaped, is instantly and deeply soothing to her.]
[He bends his neck and licks her hair, which is what he can reach. Yep, the tail is still going. He's going to want to go back to human fairly soon, because he likes being able to talk to her too.
But for now, he's just pleased as punch to be with Maria like this.]
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To life, and to love, and to a beautiful night.
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The night cannot get any better than this.]
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I am so very happy, Volchok.
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No one's that stupid. And, while Ben never lets his guard down all the way because their life is what it is, he can relax out here.]
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Would you believe I can remember almost none of the names of those up there? I learned them all when I was a little girl at school. But it's all slipped my mind, now.
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But it's been very long time since he's been able to see them like this, and he's going to enjoy it.]
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If some of her nightmares now involve exactly what happens when her enemies decide to use what she loves against her, well. No need to dwell on that tonight.]
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Of course, Maria has a less-than-favorable opinion about Ereziel, but he's not sure that can be helped. In any case, he's going to finish his beer, lick his chops, and flop onto his back.
Yes, his tail is still going.]
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Good and comfortable, old man?
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Oh, but I do love you so. My heart.
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But for now, he's just pleased as punch to be with Maria like this.]
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