The words his wife spoke were of great comfort to the soldier. These were as much firsts for him as they were for her. Sarge was stumbling around in the dark, stubbing his toes, hitting his head, just making a right fool of himself. And yet she looked at him as if he hung the world, as though he could do no wrong.

Pulling her closer, golden eyes drifted shut as she showered him with affection. His tail, usually very still, thumped happily behind him as he let out a quiet chuckle.

I’m glad you approve. You… mean so much to me. I don’t think I show that as well as I should. Things have been so chaotic. Distant.

Trailing off, he leaned back a bit so he could gaze down at her. Scarred or not, she was beautiful. Otherworldly. A true Wisp, if he had ever seen one.

Raising a paw, he gently brushed it along her marred cheek, not to draw attention to the wounds, but simply out of pure adoration for the little gray rat before him.

Keep looking at me with those gems and we may just have to skip the meal.

The gruff teasing slipped from him with a flirty wink before he reached out and pulled their refreshments closer. Collecting a few berries in his mouth, he tilted her face upward before pressing his mouth to hers. The motion split the fermented fruit against her lips, the juice dribbling into their kiss and along their chins.

His tongue lapped languidly along her jaw, each stroke tender and deliberate.

God, you are exceptional, he murmured into the fur of her neck, inhaling her ever-comforting charcoal and smoke scent.