“Ah, not exactly. The gift giving is done a little differently and the decorations are different too. It's more about familial love than romantic love.”
“Oh.” Axon got quiet as he looked at a crystal. I could tell he wasn’t really looking at it though. He was thinking about something.
“If I were to give you a Christmas gift, would you prefer something different from your Day of Valentine gift, or did you like that one?”
Oh right, I’d forgotten about that. He’s probably wondering if I received his gift at all.
“I thought your Valentine’s Day gift was amazing. Thank you, by the way. The basket of hair dyes was very thoughtful.”
Axon’s tail thumped the floor and he looked up from the crystal and smiled.
“Good. I’m glad.”
His tail wrapped around my leg as he smiled at me, which took me by surprise. I thought that would be too much for him, but he didn’t even seem to notice.
“Does that not bother you?” I pointed to his tail.
His eyes grew wide with surprise and he let out a small laugh. “I guess not.”
He looked back up at me, but didn’t pull his tail away.
“Does it bother you?” he gave me a sheepish look as if he were a child caught with his hand in the cookie jar and was now asking if he could keep all thecookies.
“No, it doesn’t bother me.”
“Do you mind if I keep it there? For desensitization purposes.” He quickly added that last part.
“I don’t mind,” my cheeks flushed red as visions of Axon and I cuddling together by the fire filled my head.
I suspect, if our hand-holding were any indication, he’d never want to let go if we ever got to the point of cuddling.
That image brought a smile to my face. Cuddling with Axon to “desensitize him” would be a very chill and cozy activity indeed. One I wouldn’t mind at all.
After our adventuring around the cave tunnels had ended, we headed back to the main cave where we ate more meat, nuts, and berries. All one handed, of course.
“When we wake up tomorrow, we’ll have to see if our efforts paid off by holding hands again.” I commented in between bites.
Axon looked down at our joined hands and gave me a little squeeze. “What if we didn’t let go?”
“What do you mean?”
“Like, what if we slept holding hands?”
The tips of his ears had turned a dark blue as his gaze met mine and I saw the longing in his eyes. This was really important to him. Of course it is, he wantsto be able to touch his mate one day. Who wouldn’t?
There was still a problem with that plan though.
“Wouldn’t that mean that we’d share a bed?
He ran a hand through his shaggy white hair. “Yeah, if you’re okay with that.”
“I’m fine with that.” I said, maybe a little too quickly. Maybe we could fold up a few blankets between us, so I won’t accidentally touch you during the night.”
Axon nodded his head and looked slightly disappointed. “That sounds like a good plan.”
After dinner, we laid down with the blankets between us, him holding tightly to my hand, and I holding tightly to his.
It was nice to share a bed together. It felt right somehow. I liked looking over and seeing his face, his short ruffled hair, pointed blue ears, and the dark blue freckles that dotted his cheeks. It was a sight I could get used to.
