Black Sheep Wall
"Oh, I'd love to hold you close,
but I play it cool
and keep my thoughts in a jar
marked 'dangerous.'
And everyone says, 'Never fear ... '
But my eyes want to close you out.
I'll close you out.
Why do you keep coming back
over Black Sheep Wall?
"There's a shepherd out in every storm,
and he's not afraid of a little rain.
Why am I?
Why do I keep building up
this Black Sheep Wall?
Oh, I love you so!
Do you really know how much,
how deep?
"This is how I love you:
with closed eyes,
with turned back,
with distance."
The Innocence Mission
"You're tense."
"I was not aware," was the snow leopard's quiet, detached response. A smooth, feline whisper. They were both sitting at the kitchen table (after supper, the table cleared, the dishes having been washed and dried by paw), all the lights off. Allowing for a still, soothing dimness, which was being fed by the pale evening-light that was coming (in a glow) through the dusty, glass windows. The sun was very close to setting over the Hoosier prairie, over the countryside, the green fields. Where the Eastern meadowlarks sang so cheerily, so verily.
"Well," the squirrel answered slowly, patiently, "your claws are extended from your pads, for one." His eyes darted to her big paws. She was the femme here, true, but her paws were definitely bigger than his own. And, oh, her sharp, black claws, built for slicing, dicing. Built for hurting. Prey, as a rule, blunted and filed-down their claws. Predators did not. "Looks like you've been scratchin' something," Azure continued, noticing the lingering traces of wood-dust on her paws and forearms. A breath. "If I had to guess, I'd say, uh ... that pin oak, yeah? Behind the house?"
Assumpta didn't respond at first. And, slightly turning her powerful, rounded head, half-meeting his eyes, she gave a simple, "Yes." There was such command in her posture. In her tone. Her pelt was rich, beautiful, a soft grey, with darker, blacker spots. While her breasts and belly were a snowy-white. Her long, thick-furred tail served as a solid balance, and it moved with a slick, steel-like precision, back and forth in the air behind her chair. As if having a mind of its own. Her angular ears, black-furred, swivelled atop her head.
"Poor tree," was Azure's whisper, eying her. Drinking her in. She was better than alcohol. She was like one of those ancient marble statues. Of such art, such power, such classical grace. Perfect muscles, perfect frame. And, like those statues: stoic. "It bears the scars of your stresses ... you know, I'm, uh ... I've a thing for trees, you know."
"Yes."
"I don't want you to kill that tree," Azure whispered, with his delicate voice. The squirrel was physically smaller than the snow leopard. Was thinner, less muscular. Was an agile creature, able to bend and squirm, able to climb. His fur was a regular bark-brown, and his tail was luxurious, arched proudly behind him, draped over the back of his chair. That tail he spent so much time grooming. And those twitching whiskers. Those twitches, that energy. He had more vitality in him than the snow leopard did. He was brighter, more emotional. And a faithful creature. Assumpta, too, had Christian faith. But there was no denying that the squirrel's faith was purer, somehow.
"Is that a plea?" Assumpta asked, directly.
"A request," was the returned whisper, his tail giving a few flickers. His whiskers twitching.
The snow leopard's ice-blue eyes darted. She swallowed, taking a deep breath. "My scratching at the bark," she declared, sighing out, "will not kill it."
"No, but it doesn't help."
"I need to scratch at something."
"We bought that wood-block."
"Scratching at wood-blocks," she began, raising her voice. But she caught herself. And took a few cooling breaths. And finished, more quietly, " ... scratching at wood-blocks is too civilized." A pause. "I need something more natural." A pause. "The tree understands," she insisted. "And, after all, it is only a tree. It does not a have a soul. It is not aware."
"No, it's not," Azure agreed. "But ... "
" ... you are a 'tree-hugger'."
"Well, when you put it like that ... "
" ... is it not the truth?"
"It is. I'm a squirrel," he reminded.
"Then why do you object to me saying you are a 'tree-hugger'?"
"It's not what you're saying." Azure assured, pausing briefly. "It's your tone." A pause, and a breath through his nose, which twitched. And sniffed. Whiskers quivering a bit. "It's like I said: you're tense, is all, and ... I just wanna help." A breath. He held it, and then sighed. "I'm your husband. It's just ... sometimes, you almost forget how intimate we really are. I share your bed. I share you body. We're close. You know? Sometimes, it's like you ... you realize just how close we are, and you sort of panic. Like you think you've gotten yourself into a trap or something."
"Panic? Felines do not ... "
" ... panic? You might not call it that. You might not admit it. But, on some level, you ... realize how vulnerable you've made yourself. With all this love, and all this ... you know?" A sigh. "And then, realizing that, you sort of clamp down on yourself. Instinctively. You withdrawal, and ... and then you won't talk to me, and then you go out and claw trees." A slight smile at that last statement, tilting his head a bit. "I guess that's better than you clawing me, though. Isn't it?"
Assumpta turned her powerful head, meeting Azure's gaze. Her ice-blue eyes locking with his deep, azure-blue irises. "I would never claw you," she swore, very seriously. "No matter what my mood, or ... despite any character flaws of mine," she promised, "I would never claw you." A swallow. "I would readily kill to protect you," she stated, meaning it. "You are under my care. I am the dominant partner in this relationship, am I not?"
"You are," was the very quiet whisper. A submissive nod. "You are," was the repeat, "and I know ... that you take that role very seriously."
Assumpta swallowed and looked away.
"I'm not questioning your commitment," he whispered back, barely audible. "It was just a joke, you know ... about you clawing the tree instead of me. Was just trying to lighten the mood."
Her eyes moved. Slightly. And she gave a tiny nod. "You were right," was her response.
He raised a brow. "About?"
"I am tense."
"Why?" Azure asked.
Assumpta hesitated. Full disclosure. It was something, after all this time, that she still wasn't used to. Predators didn't spill their feelings. They controlled them. Strictly. But Azure was prey. Was wired differently. He wore his emotions on his fur. And he spoke of them constantly. And gently needled her to do the same. And she did so. Always, in the context of their romance, their intimacy, their marriage. She did so. But, while doing so, she had to fight that instinct. That voice inside her head that was telling her to stay aloof. To make sure that she remained an enigma. To not compromise her role as a huntress.
You are no longer a huntress, she told herself. You gave that up. You left home. Years ago.
They made you leave.
I left under my own volition, she countered.
You were banished.
That is not true. You ...
" ... wanna talk about it? Darling?" Azure asked, his whiskers twitching.
"I am a black sheep," Assumpta replied, after a moment. She hung her head, slightly, closing her eyes. "I am a black sheep," she whispered, "and I have built a wall around myself ... to protect others," she said, "from me." Eyes opening, head raising, she looked to the squirrel. "I am sorry if I build walls to keep you out. I am sorry if it ever seems that I am loving you from a distance, with my back turned to you. That is not my intention. That is not how I want to behave. I just ... I ... " She was having much trouble trying to say this. She dug her claws into the table. And then eased them up. "I am just afraid that someday," she whispered, "I am going to forget that you are prey. Forget how fragile you are, and ... that I will be too rough. That I will hurt you. Physically, emotionally, or ... that I ... I just want to protect you from myself." A pause. Adding, "You do not know what I am capable of." There was a darkness in that statement. So many things hinted at but remaining in shadow.
"We've been married well over a year. I think I know you better than you give me credit for," the squirrel tried to tell her.
But Assumpta wasn't so sure about that. She didn't say anything further, though. She didn't want him to worry. She knew how bad his anxiety could get. Simply put, there were things about her past that he didn't need to know.
He would only worry, Assumpta told herself. He would only get sick with worry. He scares so easily. If he knew what you were truly capable of, as a huntress, as a feline of the snow. If he knew? He might start to fear you. And then you might lose his love. And Assumpta had come to find that Azure's love was not something she could live without. She was too addicted to it. She blasted herself, constantly, for having allowed that to happen. For having allowed herself to become so dependent on another soul.
But such was the case.
And she couldn't change it.
No, she would do everything in her power to protect Azure. From outside threats. And from herself.
The squirrel was quiet for a moment. He took a deep breath, letting it out. And his whiskers twitched. Swallowing, biting his lip, he replied, "I know you're capable of great love, darling ... and that's enough for me to go on. No matter what you may think."
The snow leopard was touched, as she consistently was. As she daily was. Touched by his trust, his understanding. His constant patience. His everlasting love. "But your love is stronger than mine," she insisted.
"I don't think so, and ... I really, honestly," he said, sighing, "don't think you should say such things. I don't know why you hold yourself to these impossible standards, but ... "
" ... I hold myself to impossible standards," she told him, "because I am a predator. My body, my mind ... my sense of being is honed to handle the impossible. I am honed to handle anything that comes my way."
"And what of love? You've handled that. I know you have ... when we make love, or when we talk, or ... I see you handling it. And handling it well. So, what's love, then? Is love impossible, too?"
"No," she whispered. "It is all too possible, and ... that is what makes it scary."
A small shake of the head. The squirrel didn't really understand what she was trying to say. His whiskers twitched.
Assumpta didn't try to explain it. She just swallowed. And repeated, "I am tense, yes."
"Well, why? What happened?"
"It is just a mood. Sometimes, I am just in a mood. You know that."
"Well, what, uh ... anything trigger it, maybe? Anything happen at work? Is it the weather? I know it's hot, and you're not built for the heat, but ... you know, it's summer. We can go swimming somewhere, if you want, and ... "
" ... it is not the weather. I can tolerate the heat."
"Then what is it?"
"Just a mood," she repeated.
Azure sighed a bit, looking around the kitchen. Before looking back to her. And offering her a gentle, little smile. "Well, uh ... let me help? Please?"
Assumpta took a deep breath. And then nodded, relenting.
"Good." A smile. "Good. Uh ... how 'bout the couch? I'll massage your shoulders," he explained, "for a start."
The snow leopard didn't meet his eyes.
"Assumpta?"
She was staring at her own paws. Wanting to retract her claws. But part of her wanted them out. Wanted them shown. Wanted those weapons at the ready. Part of her fought the notion of vulnerability.
"You trust me, right?" Azure asked, gently.
She hesitated for another second or two. And then, finally, her claws retracted. And she looked to him. "I do," she whispered. And she scooted her chair back. It squeaked on the linoleum.
Azure smiled widely, now, leaving his chair, too.
Both of them going to the living room, where they sat on the soft couch-cushions, on the sofa.
The sun, by this point, was mere minutes from setting. And with all the lights in the house still off, everything was in deep shadow. Bold, lulling shadows.
The snow leopard sighed. Heavily.
"Gotta, uh ... get your shirt off," the squirrel whispered, "here ... "
She wordlessly, obediently raised her arms.
A slight giggle-squeak. "Alright ... " He tugged at her short-sleeve shirt, peeling it up, up, off her shoulders, off her head. And he gently tossed it aside. "There. Uh ... we'll leave your bra on," he decided, "for now."
"Very well." Her whiskers, unlike his, never twitched. Never seemed to move. She was so serene when she wanted to be.
"Turn a bit, um ... this way? No, a little bit more. So I can get behind you and, uh ... that's it," Azure said, his paws going to her bare, furry shoulders. So soft, her pelt. And so hot, her body heat. "You're so beautiful," he breathed, kissing the nape of her neck. He buried his nose in her neck-fur for just a moment. Just a moment. Savoring her scent. "Oh ... I love you," he continued.
Assumpta closed her eyes, swallowing. Responding with a slow, "I love you, too. And ... thank you," she said, "for those words."
"Saying you're beautiful, you mean?"
A slight nod.
"Well, you are."
The snow leopard, as she often did when complimented in such intimate ways, flushed beneath her fur. "Well, I ... " She trailed.
"How about you tell me about your day?" Azure asked, pulling back a bit. Staring to massage her pelt, as well as the skin beneath.
"Such as?"
"How it went?"
"It went fine."
"Yeah?" he pressed, fingers splaying, stroking through her fur. And then coming back together, pressing, kneading.
A slight nod, her eyes closed, her ears cocked. Azure had a gentle, delicate touch. He worked at a plant nursery in Westfield, tending the flowers and such. He loved flowers. Had a great interest in plants. He had a great interest in life, and in things that grew. And, always, he planted such notions in his wife. Made her think such things. He was constantly trying to bring her to full flower.
"Well, uh ... anything happen?" the squirrel asked, still massaging her shoulders. Gently, gently, with both paws. His belly against her back. Though he still had a shirt on and she did not. But the contact, all the same, was still pleasant. And still so nicely familiar.
"Things always happen."
"You're bein' difficult again." A fond, patient smile. "Darling, come on," he urged, whiskers twitching. His handsome bushy-tail flagging about.
A sigh (of release, and of growing ease). "I re-stocked the meat section. None of the prey will do it, so I always have to. They get sick. Or so they claim."
"You don't believe them?"
"Meat makes them uncomfortable. I can understand that. I understand why. But predators such as myself ... we need to eat it." A pause. "But the prey, anything that makes them uncomfortable ... there are many things," she declared, "that make me uncomfortable. And yet I am forced to deal with them." A pause. "It is a symptom of a larger problem: prey using their weaknesses as excuses ... where, if a predator were to do the same?" She let the question hang. "Society, at times, gives prey a free pass. Which, in turn, heightens the expectations set upon us," she said, referring to predators. "It is frustrating. And yet so rooted in our cultural make-up ... that I do not see it changing anytime soon."
Azure, still massaging her shoulders, softly pressing, stopping. Pressing. Squeezing very tenderly. He said, "Uh ... never really thought about it like that. To be honest."
"Most furs don't."
"I mean ... it makes sense. I know what you're saying." A pause. "But you're running under the assumption that prey have it easy, somehow. You know? And ... my anxiety," he said, "makes it very hard for me to handle things that you take for granted ... and vice versa. I know there are some things that I can easily face, and you, uh ... you find them very difficult to face. It's ... it goes both ways."
"Yes, but ... "
" ... can I say something, though?"
A slight nod, as if giving him permission. As if he needed her permission to talk.
"In that scenario you just brought up ... well ... I don't know. You kind of paint out predators to be the victims. And maybe they are. But prey? Prey have been victimized, oppressed, abused, hunted for blood, you know, for thousands of years ... and even today. Even with all the 'prey laws,' it doesn't stop us being from being hunted in some places. So, the psychology of prey is a consequence of ... "
" ... predatory treatment? In other words, predators are the root of all of prey's problems?"
"No, no, I'm ... "
" ... sounding like that is what you are implying. I strongly disagree."
"Darling, I'm not saying that. But it's a factor. It has to be a factor ... "
The snow leopard took a deep breath. "You are leaving out the part where God specifically made us, designed us ... to hunt you. We were made to be the dominant force among furry species."
"Dominant, yes. That's hard to refute. But superior?"
"I did not claim superiority." A breath. "I am simply saying that the predator/prey dynamic is of God's design, His doing ... and to wish it away is not only pointless, but I would say blasphemous to His plans."
"Well ... " A breath. Unable to counter that. " ... alright, look: predators and prey, that dynamic, yes. God's design. But the tension? The hatred, the lack of trust, the lack of understanding, you know, so often prevalent between the two sides? That's not God's doing. That tension only entered the picture with sin. With the Fall. It's ... I think predators were originally designed to protect prey. Not hunt them."
Assumpta considered this.
And Azure kept going, saying, "But, when sin came, and ... you know, we got turned against each other. We made choices. Wrong choices, and ... "
" ... and?"
"Prey stayed closer to the path. And predators stormed away from it."
"What you say has ... many truths to it," she allowed, "but who," she posed, "is claiming superiority, now?" She turned her head, squinting her golden, feline-colored eyes at him. Probing him.
Azure sighed, whiskers twitching. He wasn't sure how to respond to that. Only, "I didn't mean to start a debate. I just ... you know, you're one thing, I'm another, and I love you. I really do. I just ... I'm sorry," he blurted out, shaking his head, flushing beneath his fur.
After a moment, the snow leopard whispered, "There is nothing to be sorry for."
"Darling, I don't think I'm better than ... "
" ... I know you don't. Nor do I think I am better than you." A pause. "Now, calm down. Please. I started us onto this topic, anyhow. It was stewing in my head. I should have left it alone."
"No. No. You ... it's not good to keep things bottled up," the squirrel whispered, honestly.
"It may not be good. But, sometimes, it is for the best," was Assumpta's non-debatable response. For she proceeded to change turn the conversation back to its starting point. "Anyway, I was stocking the meat shelves."
"Well ... sounds like fun," Azure said, not knowing how else to comment on that..
"It is monotonous."
An apologetic smile as his paws went to her neck, now, resuming their rub-touching. "Sorry."
"It is not important that I like my job. Just that I have one." They couldn't survive on one salary alone. They both needed to work, therefore. Azure rather liked his job, in the nursery at the garden store. Assumpta's job, working at Sheridan's only grocery (a small grocery, at that) was tolerable, but it was hardly stimulating for her. But, then, she didn't know that she had any discernable talents. She was nearly twenty-three, had never gone to college. Lived in the countryside outside a small farming town. And she was a snow leopard (and there weren't many snow leopards in Indiana, to be sure). That being the case, what opportunities did she have?
Azure was easy to please, though.Was gentle, easygoing.
I am difficult to satisfy, Assumpta knew. Why are prey so easily fulfilled? Especially when it comes to spiritual matters? Why can't I be like that? What is truly, ultimately keeping me from that inner peace? I believe in Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord.
Yes, you do, she told herself. You believe it.
But how strongly do you FEEL it?
I feel it well enough, she assured.
Then why are you having this conversation with yourself?
"I think it is important," Azure insisted, ever the optimist. Ever the idealist. Ever faithful. And unknowingly breaking up his wife's internal monologue.
Assumpta gave no response to his cheery words. There was no point, in her mind. She simply continued telling of her day. "Later, I was working the cash register. I saw several furs that we know, as usual. I saw Field. He had Akira with him. Adelaide was at the library, and Field was watching their child for the day."
"Yeah?" The squirrel smiled, his paws straying back to her shoulders, resuming their full-on massaging.
"Yes." A pause. "He loves that girl so much ... even when she squirms and cries. Even when she's difficult. I would not have the patience to deal with a baby."
"Well ... " Azure trailed.
And Assumpta adjusted her position a bit, looking to her husband. "You realize that, if we ever have a child ... it would have to be feline. If we opted for a natural birth. I could only be impregnated by feline sperm. A feline donor."
"I know that," was the very quiet whisper.
"Felines, growing up, are ... they scratch. They bite. They are more than a paw-ful. And a teenage feline? I would not feel comfortable raising one."
"Because I'm just a rodent?" he asked, simply. "You mean ... you mean," he whispered, "you wouldn't feel comfortable with me raising one?"
She hesitated to nod. But she did so. "Yes. I do not think you could handle it. I would fear for your safety."
The squirrel's eyes darted. A flush, a sigh. "Well ... well, we could, um ... you know, we can adopt. A rodent baby. It's just waiting lists for interspecies couples, you know, who want to adopt ... it could take ... " He trailed. " ... that's a long process. Some couples have to wait a few years, even, when ... "
"I know. But ... that would probably be a much better option. If," she added, "we ever decide we wish to become parents. And, right now, I do not wish to."
Azure just nodded. But said nothing further.
Assumpta cleared her throat, continuing with her story. "Akira," she stated. "She called me ... the mouse-bat, she called me ... " A pause. " ... a kitty. Though perhaps her pronunciation wasn't so proper."
A giggle-squeak. "Aw. That's ... "
" ... cute?"
"And sweet." A mirthful nod, resting his chin on her shoulder, leaning his head against hers. How was it that the squirrel could go from sad to happy in a matter of seconds? How was it that he dripped of such emotion? "Don't you think?" he whispered, happily.
"I am not sure. I am not a good judge of 'cute' and 'sweet'."
"Well, I often call you 'kitten' ... yeah? You seem to like it when I do that. Isn't that cute?"
"I honestly have no opinion on cuteness," she insisted, quietly.
"I'm sure you do. You're just afraid to say."
"Predators do not fear."
"They don't, huh?" A smile. "I really think you're contradicting yourself there ... "
No response. She shifted a bit, trying to get more comfortable. "If you are bent on knowing ... my opinion on 'cuteness' is that ... it is very silly. 'Cuteness' is beauty brought down to an immature level."
"Well, you are just chock full o' unique insights, aren't you?" was the tender tease. "Come on, darling. You don't have to be so serious."
"You asked," she responded. "What is the phrase? Be careful what you wish for?" A slight eye-smile actually appeared. Her eyes sparkling just a tiny bit.
Which made Azure brighten. "You already know all my wishes. I think you know most everything about me."
"Probably."
"And yet," he continued, a yearning in his tone, "earlier, you said I don't know what you're capable of ... implying I don't know you as well as you know me." A pause. "I want to," he whispered, his voice raw with emotion. "I'm your husband," he reminded.
She turned her head, meeting his gaze. "I take our marriage vows very seriously," she assured.
"I know. I know, but ... don't be so ... "
" ... aloof?"
A slight nod.
"I am a feline. To remove my aloofness is ... impossible. You will just have to decipher me."
A slow, dawning smile. "Decipher you, huh? You're that big a puzzle?"
A gentle nuzzle from her, now. "I often feel like it."
"Darling," the squirrel whispered, sitting beside her now, nuzzling back at her. "You told me ... you build walls, yeah? Around you? But you forget: I'm a squirrel. I can climb trees, and I can scale," he promised her, "all walls, no matter how tall they might be."
For the first time today (since this morning, when she'd kissed him goodbye for the day), Assumpta began to purr.
Azure sighed. He loved that sound. And said so, in a whisper. "I love it ... your purrs." Oh, the vibration of purring! The contentment it represented. A living rumble, better than any motor could conceivably sound. An unmatchable cadence.
"Then I shall endeavor," she whispered back, her strong form leaning into his slender one. "I shall endeavor ... to purr louder, and," she added, "with more frequency."
A giggle-chitter. "The way you put it," he teased, "it sounds so romantic ... "
" ... are you saying?" she asked, nipping at his neck with her sharp teeth. Carefully, gently nipping. "Are you saying," she breathed, "I cannot be romantic?" Her paws were now tugging at his shirt.
"You, uh ... " The squirrel raised his arms.
She tossed his shirt aside, paws pressing to his bare, trim chest, paw-pads caressing his fur, fingers stroking. She pressed at his little, male nipples, fishing for them beneath his fur. With enough force to make him sigh. And then she moved on. Paws just moving up and down (and all around). "I never get tired of you," she told him. "I never tire of your scent, your twitches ... you scamper through my head, even when I'm not with you, and your voice is better than the best of bird-songs to my ears." Her paws slid down his belly, down. To his jean shorts. She began to unbutton them. "I long to chase you, pounce you ... for you are delicious to my raspy tongue. The taste of your muzzle locked, tilted, pressed against mine? Is something I long for. You ... " The sound of his zipper being undone. " ... your love? It is straight and narrow. And I am a wild, uncaged beast, but your love," she assured, sticking a paw beneath the band of his white briefs. " ... your love," she panted, her lips pressed against his cheek, "is keeping me in line." Her paw was now securely wrapped around his five-inch, circumcised squirrel-hood. And she squeezed.
Azure shivered, his head tilting back. His eyes hooding. He swallowed, letting out a breath.
"How is that," Assumpta purred, showing her teeth, mirth shining in her eyes. "How is that," she breathed, "for romance?"
"Uh ... um, uh ... " Another swallow. Overwhelmed, squeaking out, "Pretty good."
A rumble-purr from her. Loud, vibrating. He could feel the vibration of it, like the motor from a massage chair. Something soothing, something that put all your muscles, all your thoughts, everything at ease.
"Oh," the squirrel sighed, chitering. Chitter-chit.
"Let me take care of you," the big cat whispered. "You take care of me in so many other ways ... let me take care of you here, now. With this," she went, purring consistently. Her big paw sliding up and down his firming member. Completely enveloping him in her grasp. "Let us breed."
"Well, I ... I, uh ... um ... "
" ... don't worry," she whispered into his ear. "I won't let you finish. That will happen inside of me ... just relax, though, for now. Let me tease you," she said, nipping at his neck-fur again. Her other paw (the one not in his pants) working to pull those jean shorts down, down. The briefs, too. "Whatever you may say, I know you enjoy being teased ... "
Azure just squeaked, obediently lifted his hips, knowing she was trying to get him naked.
And she did so. In just a few more seconds. Eventually letting go of his squirrel-hood, purring, pupils dilated. "Help me undress," she demanded, her long, thick-furred tail wavering about like it was conducting this entire act. Like it was overseeing the various notes of foreplay.
A swallow, and a nod. He never argued with her when they got intimate. He couldn't, really, even if he wanted to. Cause he wanted the same thing she wanted. And she had him under that purring spell. Oh, so hypnotizing, purrs. So nice, so nice. "It's nice," he said aloud. "Your purrs ... purr into my muzzle," he whispered. Wanting to kiss her. Wanting to lock lips, and to feel that rumble go into his mouth, his throat.
"I was going to purr around your squirrel-hood first ... " A teasing squint, as her bra came off. As it was flung aside. As she wriggled out of her shorts and panties. As, finally, they were both bare, in the fur, on their couch in the living room. Setting about to do what God had blessed (oh, thank you, Lord, for all of this, for life and love, everything around us, and everything above). Setting about to make some joy.
Oh, intimacy, what a thing you are, burning brighter than any single star.
And, by now, the sun had set.
By now, it was getting dark.
Their bodies seemed to be mere silhouettes, mere shadows. And it made the gentle bump-and-grind that was brewing even more sensual, even softer. Like velvet.
And she was kissing him, now. As he'd asked. As she loved to do. Her lips moist and sweet, pressed to his.
His head at a tilt, and his arms going around her back. He was holding onto her for support. Feeling so much weaker than she did.
Oh, her strength only grew with the length of each sustained, sucking kiss. Each smack-smacking pull-back. Each sigh. Each caress of his body, and each returned caress he gave her. They made out in savoring, succulent fashion. For several more minutes. After all, what was the hurry?
So it was that, for the next hour, hisses, purrs, squeaks, and chitters echoed about the twilight-addled farm-house. The sounds growing with burning, fevered intensity, expressing the ever-heightening pleasure coursing through their bodies. As they segued from kissing to giving muzzle to Assumpta dominantly pinning Azure beneath her on the couch, hunching over him and raising, lowering her hips. Raising, lowering, grinding. In sweet, spiritual union. In physical intercourse.
The squirrel squeaked, clutching weakly to her hips.
And the snow leopard purred.
Oh, she did purr.
Oh, purr.
Purr.