It was almost unnerving, the feeling of being watched, of being followed. Still Stark pressed on, following the scent that Banner had left behind. Finding his sister was his first priority - with everything going on in the pack he wanted to have her nearby. Selfishly, he wanted her close too, he'd missed Banner way too much. He'd done his best to stay away for a bit, refusing to box her in and lock her down. It only lasted a couple days naturally, and he was after her to see how she was doing and what her thoughts were about things so far.

When he finally found her she was almost submerged, a little grin forming on his face at the sight of her. Without hesitation Stark crawled into the river too, his nose bumping fondly against her cheek.  The dark male took a deep breath, submerging himself entirely so that he could cool off too. The heat was becoming even more oppressive, and this was a time when he felt he needed his strength more than ever. 

"How're you settling?" Stark tested, curious about if Banner might be interested in pack life or not. 

He tensed as Banner pressed against his chest, a breath drawn in as she nosed against his old wound. She was one of the few to know about it, he was so careful to not let it be seen, to not let anyone know that he had such a huge achilles heel. She didn't hurt him, not that she would, and Stark draped his head across hers and for a moment just let the whole world be. If Octavia stumbled upon them it would probably be a terrible sight but for the moment there wasn't even a though in him about it - instead, just focusing on enjoying the moment with her. 

"I - yeah - I have." He said with a small smile. "You should come see sometime. It's hidden, this nice little secret the rest of the world doesn't seem to have found yet." Except his brash sister, of course, but Captain was always like that. She just...did. She had no subtly. "I want you to meet my Alpha." This was said just a little more coyly, a little grin on his face. Alpha - yes, but there was a lot more to the situation than he knew how to name just then. 

Stark screwed up. Oh god his mouth had done it again. He bit his lip as Banner pulled away from him, starting to say something and then stopping repeatedly. "Shit," He muttered under his breath, his blue eyes flashing as he looked at green eyes. "Yeah. Octavia." He said quickly - god he was awkward at this. He was used to be more smooth, more suave, thinking of something else entirely. 

He shook his coat, grinning at her for a moment before he splashed some water at her. "What, y'jealous?" He asked with a little grin, tail swaying behind him. He could only imagine it though, how the two might conspire against him. Maybe it wasn't the best idea ever. Still, he wanted her in the Keep. Possessive as he was, Stark needed Banner around. He just felt better when she was there. 

Looking at Banner, Stark narrowed his eyes a bit - just trying to read her properly. He was a bit more tempered since they had seen each other, between the growth he'd experienced on his own. Still, Stark wasn't quite sure where he stood with Octavia, if this was something more real or if this was just a momentary fling for the two of them as they enjoyed their own lives. Anything was possible after all. There was always the chance that she was just using him to blow off steam, although he didn't think it was that. He hoped not anyways. 

Stark followed after her, flopping unceremoniously down onto the ground next to her. "I don't know many guys named Octavia." Stark said with a grin. "She's got a kid - Tambourine. She had him right before I joined Marauder's Keep." He explained quickly - not wanting the question of 'is it yours' that would follow. Tambourine had a father he'd never met, he already had that family, but if they were honest he and Octavia were probably the biggest staples in the boy's life.

"The pack founder vanished on us. She's been running everything on her own." Stark was still upset about that. "There are still some in the pack that complain about that. Don't get why though - he's gone. Without her stepping up to the plate even with her newborn we would have been shot in the foot."

True. Cap got stuck with a rather masculine name and Banner wasn't much better. Stark was fine with his name, although sometimes it seemed more likely as a last name than his first, but, it was his only as far as the male was concerned. Stark offered Banner a little smile, shrugging his shoulders as his tail thrummed behind him. He expected Banner's surprise, the look on his face almost sheepish - like he was caught doing something he wasn't supposed to let people see. And in a way, it was. Being sweet to a kid wasn't exactly in his wheelhouse, but, he liked Tambourine. He made an exception for the little ankle biter. 

Stark had always been in tune with Banner's emotions, the two had worked well that way. Seeing her getting a little worked up, Stark moved closer, nudging gently against her shoulder. "I've got you,' He promised - trying to give her an out if she felt she was getting worked up. Stark could handle her. He always had. He never took it personally either, which was a plus. She could blow off some steam if she needed and he'd let her do so. 

"It's such a small margin of the pack but they bitch and moan. I don't get it. We're surviving the famine, only one of us has fallen - but still. They're ungrateful, disloyal - it disgusts me." Stark admitted. He hadn't been so vehemently outspoken before but this was Banner...if he could trust anyone it was her.

Banner took a moment and Stark didn't hesitate, letting her do as she pleased. She could work herself however she needed or wanted to, knowing sometimes trying to cage herself just made things worse. "They would be dead."  Stark said matter of factly. There was no doubt about it. Considering the culprits of the uneasy culture of the pack, there would be nothing but death to greet them. 

Stark stood as she set to pacing, guiding Banner gently into an actual walk. They'd come back to the river, but, it might do him sole good  to be moving too. It might help work her thoughts out, and he always found that moving made it a little easier. "Her priority is her son. I think were  he older, she might have already sent them packing. Famine or no. She's a good woman, but, there's only so much one person can take. " Stark knew that. He understood that. He couldn't change her will. 

"There is another leader as well, Harlyn. The pack is equally uneasy about her - her family had been offered refuge by the founder. She's got little ones too. Older, though."  Good kids, it seemed, but he hadn't expected the progression from solitary Bachelor  to someone somewhat involved and actually tolerant of children. It wasn't bad. He couldn't even say that. 

As they walked, Stark still occasionally leaned his bulk against hers, silently supportive as he let Banner work through her feelings."Yeah, one of them - I helped him with his first kill the other day." He said with a smile. He leaned in, pressing his nose to her cheek. "Do you want to stay there, maybe?"   He asked hopefully. If he introduced them, let Banner feel things out, maybe she'd want to stay there with him. 

He could almost feel her anxiety rising, could almost sense the worry in her. He offered a little sigh, smiling over at her. "You'll be fine, I know you will." Stark said with a grin. "If they put up with Cap, they're gonna love you."  He said and smiled. "What if I talk to Octavia, let you two meet, she can answer any questions and you two can feel each other out."  He offered. 

Stark chuckled at her words, giving a little shrug. "Well, yeah. I like you, but I  tolerate Cap." Stark teased. He'd never say he disliked his sister (openly at least) but he couldn't hide who was his favorite sibling. The chocolate female was his equal, the yin to his yang. "None of that now." Stark countered, looking over at Banner and leveling her with a little twitch of a smile. 

"You're going to do a lot of good. You ARE good, even if you don't see it sometimes." the male had limitless faith in her, and no matter what happened he'd stand next to her and support her. "How about I go talk to her, bring her back here?" Especially if Banner was comfortable here then Stark wanted to offer her to stay relaxed and comfortable. It might help her more, and he was all about keeping her as calm as possible. 

Stark smiled warmly, watching Banner and considering (perhaps prematurely) what it would be like to have her in the pack again. He didn't see any reason for her to not be comfortable among the wolves of the Keep. Even with her anger issues, over all, Banner was an asset; she was strong, loyal, and above all trustworthy. If Stark didn't know her already she'd be the sort of wolf he would want in his ranks. 

He halted when she moved to press her nose into him, giving a soft sigh and nuzzling into her. He rested his head across hers, not even breaking away to answer her. "Always," He murmured quietly. He'd always be there for her. "I'm just...I'm sorry I didn't take you with me." No matter everything that he had seen and all that he had experienced, he was sad that it wasn't with Banner at his side. 

It was idealistic to wish that they'd never part again. It was too hopeful and too much to suggest such a thing. It didn't mean he didn't wish feverently for it. "You relax for a bit. I'll go and talk to Octavia, bring her to meet you." Stark said gently, eager to have the two meet one another because he was so eager to have Banner safe and sound and have her belong again.

Stark offered her a reassuring grin, nodding. "It's not too far. I'll show you after you meet Octavia." He said, tail swaying behind him. Her unease and occasional awkwardness didn't bother him in the slightest bit, he was acquainted to her particular charms and find himself more relaxed when she was relaxed. This was just a different sort of way. She'd be just fine, and he'd go pave the way to having her in the Keep.

It was harder to part with her each time, the instinct in him to stay and to not leave - or to take her with him. But they'd get there. It wouldn't be too long, and Banner would join him as a Marauder. He had no doubts about that. The dark male left with a lingering look back at Banner before finally ducking his head and making his way along to find Octavia. His first goal would be the crook, and after that, he'd just set to the borders.