She was dancing.

Yes, dancing. With the pendulum swing of flanks and tail, the rhythmic tap of paws on the sickly grey-green carpeting, she swung herself around the room in a rare moment of playful whimsy.

Falling forward and tipping back, he saw every movement. He was tempted to join in, guide her wonder-whirl a little, but he stayed where he was, unseen by her darkened door. His ears flinched every time he was certain she’d trip and falter, but she never did, her paws catching her readily, steadily, every time only to fling herself back around again, whirling and darting in irrepressible joy. His spines quivered as he tried to keep himself from laughing; her happiness was both infectious and intoxicating.

The music had a strong, quick rhythm, and the vocals themselves were quiver-calm and distorted to create a shudder-wonderful feeling, echoing within the twang of her muscles and the marrow of her skeleton.

Taking a half-step into the room, his claws just barely gracing the edge of the dim circle of light from the small hanging light, he waited for her to notice him, to come down from her ecstasy-cloud and chase him away.

No sooner had she caught sight of him, than she jumped back, ears swiveling and teeth sent up in a defensive snarl as she clenched her paws, trying to push out claws that weren’t there.

His ears bent back, and he lowered his head; he’d have to try a new tactic. Stretching out, his front paws almost touching hers now, he laid down completely, before rolling over in a submissive manner, looking up at her from upside-down (and quite liking the view).

There was a moment as languid silence laid over both of them, and she stared down at him, clearly immensely startled. Her tail twitched in disconcertion. She’d never seen him do this, even with the Creator.

Curious, she leaned closer, her ears churning before settling back again, and she inspected him closely, not breaking eye-contact for a moment. His grin widened, and he arched his back a little, ears flat against the floor. A little shudder down his stomach alerted him to the fact that his spines were starting to retract, and he hastily pulled himself to his paws.

She took a step back as he pulled himself up again, looking a little disappointed.

At least, until he gave her a quick lick on the cheek and darted out the door before she could hit him.