"Run, you idiot!" Thunder growled, trying to keep the buck down with a hoof.

When he was sure Tidings was far enough, he called off the dog, and sent it after its true owner, hoof still heavy.

He looked down, and shook his head.

"You remind me of myself, as a young buck," he griped, "but you're turning out terribly. Reconsider your life's decisions."

With that, he followed the dog's trail, hooves like distant thunder.

"Yes, that will definitely make me reconsider my life's decisions!" Down called pettily and sarcastically from the ground, rolling over to lick his wounds.

"Tidings!"
Indeed, he had caught up, breathing heavily - the most important chase of his life, and he had kept quite a good pace, eyes wild.

"Anything to tell me, before I say my piece?"

"You little twerp," he said, head high and somewhat disdainful, not betraying the faint stirrings in his heart, "I'll pound you into the ground."

He listened, carefully, concentratedly, until he was sure he had ended his spiel, and felt much more at ease.

Thunder lowered himself, resting on his knees and peering at Tidings.

"I'm glad you had that in you, I can't say I truly expected it."

He smiled with some relief.

"Now, it is my turn. I...am sorry, also," indeed, it was difficult, "to have had such expectations upon you, my soulmate, whom I'd never met, and never known. I would rather you not have deceived me, no, but ultimately, it shouldn't have mattered."

He sat back.

"What the Swamp deigns to give me, I will take. Now that the Swamp has given me my mate, I will take you in your entirety. Now, promise me you won't lie to me, ever again.

".....about anything so important."

It was almost wry, but it certainly was accepting.

"No, but don't try me."

He laughed, and it rang.

"Come, we can walk. Let me see what you really are."

END