Sunlit Courtship

The dawn painted the forest in hues of gold and pink, tinting Ataahua’s scales a lovely shade of amber. Like a goddess of light and beauty… To F-23 no flower, nor sunset would ever compare to the sheer beauty possessed by Ataahua. Even F-23 looked dim and dull in comparison, not that she cared. Their beloved deserved to shine like the very sun that she resembled.

A slow inhale filled her lungs as powerful legs carried her over the well trodden ground, they had chosen this territory for Ataahua. A large swathe of lush forest centered around a beautiful clearing, perfect for sunning her pale scales… And to show that F-23 could maintain such a large territory.
Fit.
Strong.
Powerful.
A worthy mate.

F-23 lifted her snout to the sky as she strided in front of Ataahua, letting the sun cascade over her thick hide and highlight her numerous scars. They closed their eyes against the sun, simply letting instinct guide their movements. They had done this dance before, deep within the labs where they had both been highlighted by sickly green lights instead of golden sun. Or at least… That's what Ataahua said, and while they didn’t remember… Their heart did. Their heart remembered each step as if it had been carved into the very earth they walked upon. They loved her more than they loved life itself, that they knew.

A low bellow rumbled deep within their chest as they dipped their head down to brush against the earth then lifted it once more, followed by a roar which threatened to shake the very trees. A roar which proclaimed this territory as theirs, but also showed her powerful vocals to Ataahua. Each step had them glancing at her, watching her dark eyes as she observed them in equal measure. However, they found no skepticism in her gaze… Only adoration and amusement…

To finish their display F-23 shook their massive body, showing off all of their finely developed muscles and well filled in fat. A fit, well fed predator which could keep their mate and future hatchlings healthy…
They panted as they stood there, watching nervously as Ataahua rose from her spot among the lush green grass to inspect them. Her eyes roamed every surface of hide until she finally found their face, something soft gracing her eyes as she lowered her muzzle and… Rubbed it sweetly against theirs. A sign of acceptance, of affection… Hope.

“I was wondering when you’d finally do this.” She crooned as F-23 lifted their head to brush their head against her side. They couldn’t help it, they chuckled. A low sound which rumbled in their chest and warmed the air around the pair with affection.

“You could have made the first move.” F-23 grumbled playfully as Ataahua moved her head along their spine, over the ridges and scars that were still new to her. As if memorizing them the same way F-23 had been committed to memorizing her…
“I’ve always known,” The admission was soft in the quiet, soft against her rough hide. She paused as they continued, “I’ve always known that I loved you. From the moment I saw you, I knew. From the way my heart ached at the sight of you so hopeful and then distraught… The way it burned my hide when you pushed me away…” A soft sigh from their great maw as they nuzzled her reverently.

They pulled their head back to look at Ataahua, pausing when they saw something in her eyes. Something… Soft. Wounded. Loving.
Instead of speaking she aggressively shoved herself against F-23, snorting in laughter as both of their massive bodies tumbled to the earth with a powerful thump.

Maybe there was a time when F-23's mind didn’t remember Ataahua, but their heart did. It remembered her in each beat, driving them forward. And this had been the moment her heart had been waiting for, to see her eyes alight with affection and her scales glowing with the light of the sun. Stunning. More beautiful than anything on this earth.

“You’re a sap.” Ataahua chided them affectionately as her teeth gently scraped at her cheek, scraping away any grass or mud that had been smeared there from her pushing them over. They smiled at her in return, one that surely looked loopy and stupid. But they didn’t care- not here when they were in her company. With Ataahua they could be more than a defender, more than a hunter or provider… They could simply be. They could exist as something softer, something which stopped to stare at waterfalls or admired the way water collected upon Ataahua’s scales like small gemstones…
Oh.
They were so doomed.

“And you chose me.” F-23 rumbled a playful challenge in return, nipping at the tip of her muzzle as she went to swing her head at them. A snort of disapproval and a playfully squinted glare as their equally as large mate used her body weight to flop over their side. Trapping them against the soft green grass beneath them, no matter how much they kicked or playfully thrashed.
“Mean.” They grumbled as they craned their head to glare at her playfully.

“You started it.” She snorted in response as her head flopped down against their side, seemingly deciding that F-23 was the perfect place to use as a bed… Not that they minded, it was comfortable like this. The sun and Ataahua warming their scales, the cool green grass beneath them… It was comforting. Cozy. Nothing like the cold concrete and glass that had haunted the lower levels of the lab, nothing like the crushing jaws of enemies-

Ataahua’s nose brushed against their hide to catch their attention, eyes locked on their face. Ah. She had noticed them slipping back into memories and pulled them out… A smile found itself upon their face as they made a contented rumble, oh what had they ever done to deserve her…

Tonight they would construct a nest, built from the bones and hides of Ataahua’s prey and their own numerous trinkets. To signify the joining of two souls…