Breathing deep, the golden socked stallion took comfort in the mare’s closeness. He closed his own eyes, simply to enjoy the feel of her by his side. Though he roamed in and out of the company of the herd that had grown here. He respected their wishes and maintained a boundary around them. Their loyalty was to Braylen; his family. They were to be protected, for him. And they were to be respected, for him. As much as Pagan loved them, he loved them as siblings, as charges, and as close friends. He would live and die for them. This was different. This was a touch from someone he could come to care about, someone for whom his heart tugged towards in a different way. Whereas the other give him a warm comfort, a blanket over his body against the cold, Amica lit a hot ember in his soul. Their flesh touched and he could feel the heat. His desire for her to be happy, healthy, and safe was more than a noble desire for what was right. It was one of the first times he felt like he had something to fight for that was his, a part of him. His thoughts wandered, his head lowered, resting his chin against her in his absent-minded musings. A deep rumble vibrated in his throat which turned to a chuckle when the meaning behind her words whispered through the happy haze in his mind. His weight shifted and he looked at her sideways, his head pulling from her so he could give her the look. “Always careful?” He laughed good naturedly at her, lipping gently at her damp hair, content to see her eating after her harrowing swim. Another deep sigh steamed from his nose into her mane. “I would have been a fool if I had not offered you a place here. I hope the Inlet comes to embrace you as much as me.” The mild manner in which he uttered the words alluded to meanings deeper than the words themselves. Ears flicked in curiosity and he studied her, eyes narrowing unseen at her. “What made you answer my request now? Of all times, just before winter hits?”