A song-like voice infuses his brain with consciousness. He realizes the cold, wet substance cakes his skin as reality comes shuttering back. Rain pours against his face, causing blinking as golden orbs search – and find. Erupting after her words – a deep chuckle sounds in the night. Lightning calls back in answering challenge. Chocolate maw reaches and happily runs muddied lips up a front leg. "There – now we can be dirty together.” He teases before rolling away to get back on strong limbs.

Covered in mud, perhaps a disgrace for a king, but for him it feels right.

Reveling in her touch, he stays still. Before she can pull away, neck wraps around her and rubs violently, covering her with more muck. Happily he lips at her withers. Rain begins to wash away the dirt. "Remember when we were young?” The smile cannot remove itself. Her skin feels wet and slick – soaked. He remembers those early years – their witty banter, their careless whims. Nothing and no one to think about save what they wanted.

Youth really is wasted on the young.

Creating a new love story from a story of old is not possible. The knight realizes this with revelation. Some pieces – like innuendo – will feel like it always has. "You said to fall in love again tonight…” He sighs, drinking in her earthy, salty scent. " Funny, That’s not possible for me…I never stopped. Let’s not pretend like we can pick back up where we started, but let’s not start over. Let’s make a new chapter.” He doesn’t want to forget; he doesn’t want to lose their past. It’s part of them both, it’s why they grew the way they did. Yes he is darker now, but so is she. The carefree jump-head-first mare is gone. In its place is a cautious creature trying to open up again. And to the one man who had hurt her the most. The only man who had ever mattered.

With that weight in his heart, the knight knows he will not break her this time. He will painstakingly glue the pieces back together, and though the pearl may have cracks, it will always be perfect for him.

The playful mood continues. The perlino bumps against his rough cheek. A sharp exhale comes from resting lips. Wordlessly, he nods, and returns the nudge. "We will explore together.” He turns, feeling her near him as they walk uphill into the jungle.