Marla and Nelson have always been a more gentle couple, together they really were just two sweethearts and when their third partner joined the relationship that only proved to be even more true. Marla was practically always fussing over her two boyfriends- always making sure they've eaten, worrying if they're working too hard on her farm. The scent of hay and fresh earth always clung to her clothes when she worked outside, and her hands were perpetually calloused but gentle when she brushed hair from their foreheads or adjusted their collars.

Nelson is more of a worrywort of the protective kind. Even though he's a scaredy-cat himself, if he feels either partner needs protection, he'll press himself against their back and hunch over them almost like a protective dome. Usually his size is enough to deter any trouble, which is good because his partners can feel him shaking like a leaf against their back when he does this, his warm cow-like nose occasionally nuzzling the back of their neck in a nervous habit.

When Valentine's Day arrived, their third partner had made reservations at a really nice restaurant with soft lighting and the faint sound of a piano playing in the background. Marla was so excited Nelson couldn't ruin their plans. The dinner was amazing, with the rich aroma of garlic and fine wine lingering on their clothes as they returned home. As soon as they got back, Nelson scampered to their bedroom to set everything up, leaving his partners confused.

"What on earth..?" Marla whispered, her southern accent becoming more pronounced with her confusion as she looked in the direction Nelson went. Usually after they went out Nelson couldn't stop praising their partner's efforts, so this was odd. Marla looked at their third partner before walking to their bedroom, gently tugging them along. The wooden floorboards creaked slightly under their footsteps as they approached.

Marla stood in front of their shared bedroom door, hearing Nelson fumbling around inside. Without thinking, she opened the door to an interesting sight. Nelson sat with his legs criss crossed, fumbling with a pretty gold box he was struggling to wrap with red ribbon. Beside him was another gold box with ribbon laid haphazardly on top. The room had rose petals scattered across the floor - not there before they left - and Nelson had removed his shirt, revealing his broad, muscular torso with a small patch of soft fur leading down from his neck.

Nelson whined as he realized his lovers were there and he hadn't finished wrapping the lingerie he'd bought. At least the boxes hid the contents, but he'd wanted perfect bows. He looked up at them with a defeated expression, placing the poorly tied box beside the unwrapped one.

"Happy Valentine's Day.." Nelson said, attempting to look sexy by straightening up and puffing out his chest. His tail flicked nervously behind him as he tried to calm his anxiety, the tips of his cow-like ears turning pink with embarrassment. He'd never done anything like this before, but he was determined to do something special for his lovely partners.