Meadow sighed as she dipped her hooves into the river, the gentle current washing away the aches that had plagued her during the hot afternoon. Wiping away a trickling bead of sweat down her brow the doe sat back on the grass-laden riverbank, closing her eyes and letting the soothing murmur of the tranquil waterfall fill her ears.
The summer had been a scorching one, and today had been especially hot and sticky, making work in the garden a real chore. Knees and hooves dirtied and a headache threatening to ruin her afternoon, Meadow had decided enough was enough and had walked down the path from the little cottage she called home and to the little offshoot of the river way that washed down the mountain and past her house.

Her ear twitched to the sound of heavy hooves making their way through the lush vegetation and down the bank towards her. She smiled at the familiar stride and turned to greet the short stag she loved dearly. "Decided to join me?" she teased.
Buck plopped down heavily beside his wife, scooting closer to the edge of the bank in order for his short legs to reach the water below. "It's too hot in the forge." he sighed, his fur soaked with sweat. "Figured I'd join you."

With a chuckle the doe pushed herself off the bank and slid into the water, her breath catching from the coolness. Letting herself fully submerge, then back up, she shook water from her ears.
"Hey!" Buck laughed, his thick arm raised to deflect the spray.
"Oops." Meadow grinned mischievously, "Sorry." Gulping in a mouthful of water, she then sprayed the stag with a fountain-like stream. Spluttering, Buck glared ruefully at his wife. "I don't want to get wet!"
The doe let herself fall backward into the water, splashing with her back hooves as she did so, further soaking her husband. "Oh you spoil-sport!" she called, "What are you waiting for? Come on in!"
Buck stood up, forcing a frown. "I'd rather stay dry, thank you deer," he said, crossing his arms. "Besides, I've still got plenty of work to do."
Meadow made her way back, resting her arms on the bank as she looked up at her husband. "Oh, you poor hardworking buck, won't you come in?" she cooed softly, batting her long eyelashes at him.
Buck hesitated as if considering.
She lunged forward suddenly, grabbing his hoof and dragging the small stag in. With an undignified squeal, Buck plunged in, gasping for breath as he broke the surface, water dripping from his antlers. shaking water from his ears he shot an accusing hoof at his wife. "You - you fiend!" he spluttered. "The nerve of this doe!"
Meadow took a breath and dove under. For a moment Buck was seemingly alone, the little waterfall and birdsong the only sound to be heard.
Then suddenly he felt himself surge upwards and clear out of the water, his arms flailing about midair for an instant, then crashing down into the water with a tremendous splash.
When he resurfaced, Meadow could be seen wiping either water or tears of mirth from her eyes, her body shaking with laughter. "You should've seen your face!" she hooted, then collapsed back into the water.
Treading water the short stag grinned as his wife's laughter filled his ears. it was a sound that warmed him to the very core. Soon he too was laughing, as he paddled back.
His hooves finally able to reach the river bottom, he stood, a little taller than his wife who was sitting in the water and still laughing.
"You think that's funny, eh?" trying his best to sound upset. "Then take this!" With a mighty swipe, he splashed the laughing doe with as big a wave as he could muster. With a delighted shriek, she returned the splash.
Soon the sound of their battle could be heard above the noise of the river, both no longer dwelling on the hot afternoon.