“You know,” He could see her nervousness, the apprehensive fear in which she waited for him to deny her, but Ramiel was doing everything he could to not agree with too much enthusiasm. He didn’t want to scare her off, if she thought he was too happy she wanted to stay with him, but Ramiel’s heart was racing with excitement in his chest and it was hard to keep from expressing that. His white tail gave a flick at his hind and he smiled. “I’ve actually never seen a Prairie either.”

That wasn’t exactly an answer, but the gold, black, and white stallion wasn’t going to keep her waiting long. “I would be very, very happy if you would stay with me. However long you…” He was going to say however long she needed, but he reached tentatively across the space between them to kindly tap her neck. His velvet, whiskered nose bumped her dark brown and white mane. Her scent flowed over him and he felt his head spin with delirious delight.

No one had ever affected Ramiel like this.

“However long you want to. I would be very happy to explore the Prairie for the first time with you.” Ramiel took a step nearer her, slow and tentative as if to sense whether or not she wanted him close again. When she gave him no indication that she would be shy, Ramiel gently tapped his muzzle to her cheek, then brushed his whiskered lips down her painted neck. It was a kind touch, not overly affectionate, just a slow brush down to her shoulder as he placed his chin on her back, breathed a warm, happy breath, then tucked back. His pale hooves pulled his body a few steps away from her, though not too far.

Ramiel needed to remain close to her, but he didn’t want to smother her.

His dark blue eyes regarded her brightly with glee. “For the record, I don’t think it’s weird at all.”

— ☼ —