#i researched animal behaviour and mating cycles purely for accuracy purposes and

[rustic-oak-mori]

the forest can be scary sometimes !! can we get Anna comforting her s/o who can’t sleep because of spooky noises outside ??

i love your work sm <3 seeing it on the tl always brightens my day :)

(Eight months down the line, here you go <3)

Anna, You and Disconcerting Forest Noises

Howling, screeching, roaring... Every creature roaming the forest at night sounds unbelievably hostile. The day seems so tranquil in comparison, the little squirrels scurrying atop the trees, cubs and kits sleeping peacefully by the trunks, play-fighting and curled up by their mothers. Now, it sounds like a bestial warzone.

You had hoped the beating of the rain outside the cottage would drown out the violent cacophony, only for your ears to be greeted with the crackling of lighting and thunder.

Anna is sound asleep beside you, a strong arm draped around your waist loosely, gentle breaths fanning the back of your head. Careful not to stir her, you slither out from underneath her hold and tip-toe to the kitchen, pouring a glass of water, knowing you won’t be joining her in slumber any time soon.

To pass the time, you fidget with the various trinkets dotted about the cottage. You straighten the masks hanging proudly from the pegs above Anna’s workstation, changing the murky pot of water she uses to rinse her paintbrushes. You re-organise the kitchen drawers. You pick up your lover’s Russian dictionary, hoping to test your knowledge of the language. Just as you find a word you recognise, the book is plucked from your grasp, scaring the daylight out of you.

“What’re you doing up?” Anna murmurs from behind you, voice slurring with sleep. She tosses the leather-bound book onto the sofa before effortlessly lifting you into a bridal carry.

You rest your head against her shoulder with a sigh. “Too loud to sleep,” you mutter, head heavy from exhaustion even if your mind won’t allow you to rest.

A ferocious roar echoes through the cottage windows, evoking a shiver from you, which Anna notices.

“Scared?” she chuckles. Groaning, you weakly slap her chest, making her grin. Anna sweetly kisses your forehead. “Definitely scared.”

“Forgive me for not revelling in the angry sounds of creatures that can kill me,” you complain, allowing her to carry you back to the bedroom.

“You know you are perfectly safe here, милашка.” She lays you down on the bed, rolling onto the other side. Within seconds you’re nestled in her arms, legs tangled and chest-to-chest. “I will protect,” she whispers.

Smiling, you run your fingers through her bedhead; she began to grow the top of her buzzcut since you started cutting her hair, leaving the short dark hair adorably tousled. “I know, Anna. It’s just unsettling.” Her large hands trace soothing patterns on your back through your nightshirt - her shirt - and you relax slightly.

“It is Mother Nature,” she hums. “Without ecosystem, there would be no rabbits. No squirrels. Too many predators, not enough prey.” Listening intently, you bury your face in the crook of her neck. “This is sound of balance.”

You hum pensively. “Why are they so loud tonight, though?”

Anna tugs the thick woolly blanket over your shoulders, keeping you snug and warm. “Boar mating season,” she explains. “Boar must attract sow, fight for mate. Wakes up all the other animals in the process. A wolf hears, thinks there is predator, howls to his pack to safeguard.”

Her absentminded caresses gradually lull your eyelids shut. “That’s pretty interesting.” You half-yawn, half-chuckle, “So I won’t get mauled in my sleep?”

“Not unless you leave me for pig, no,” Anna laughs, kissing the top of your head.

The soft vibrations of her laughter rumble against you. Slowly, slowly, the chorus of beasts meddles with the steady rainfall, a haze sweeping over your mind.

“Сладких снов¹,” Anna whispers at some point during your descent. With a soft smile, you finally slip away into slumber.

.

Translations: (1 - Sweet dreams)