;; For Paddeh and Doppel Zar'roc <3

The season had changed and the coal coloured pup had grown, his legs were stronger and his body tougher. Though his face was still one of a child and his pink tongue rolled out of his mouth to one side as he ran. Paws found purchase on the grassy floor as he chased after his prey, golden eyes keen and curled ears were firmly forward whilst his pointed tail whipped behind him. The odd yap accompanied his ravaging pace and the excitement he felt effected his bonded, who trotted briskly across the Thistle Meadow to finally join his bonded in the heart. His cloven hooves took him to the dusty edges of the fiery hole, standing on the gems that littered the ground below whilst he slowed to a halt to look upon the hot pit.

It had been a long time since d'Artagnan had ventured back here, the last time he had fought off a boggart and claimed the egg that housed his crimson marked bonded. The Mender's gaze turned thoughtful and he looked to the dog with a rare smile, a proud arch to his neck as he spoke. "I fought for you here, Aramis. Not even that blight of a boggart could stop me." He morbidly chuckled. Remembering himself and Crowley working hard to bring the beast down. He had been happy when the Weaver was gifted a pup of his own, the brindled stud more than deserved the honour of such a companion.

d'Artagnan knew, as Aramis grew, they would make a formidable team. For now, he let the child enjoy his youthful days and grow in strength. In a few more seasons, the shade would finally be happy for the hound to join him in battle.

Hooves brushed the earth once again and he turned away from the hole, walking a few paces back with another thoughtful expression. It had been some time since he had been with Mesec, had his son gone missing again? Maybe Aviya would know where he had gone, or Nao. His youngest daughter could only venture out during the night as the daytime hurt her physically. The irony of that often made him laugh bitterly, he had sired two children so far that purely belonged to the night. He thought of Kou and her snowy perfection, the last time he had seen her was-

Quickly the shade turned downwards when he felt embarrassment filter through his body and silently cursed himself for the weakness. The Nightshade did not know why he always felt this way, it seemed no matter how he handled those situations that he always found himself lost for words. It wasn't that he didn't enjoy himself, he did more than he could describe. Gently, he sighed. Kou was his love and his greatest strength as well as his weakness. The children she had bore were all strong and all unique in their own way. d'Artagnan would always be proud of his pale Nurse.

His gaze shifted and he started to look for Aramis as the day reached late afternoon and rain clouds began to bank up from the south.