Otter Creek You would have to be half mad to dream me up

Aventus had expectations about what Arielle might fear. Unfair ones, considering that for all his confusing feelings, he really didn't know her that well. He wanted to change that. He figured her fears would be things she could not control. Things like failing to save a life, maybe being eaten by a bear the way Evien had, or something along those lines. Sensible fears, he thought.

What she told him instead was that she feared being alone again. It was so obvious. Aventus never spared a lot of thought for what came before Ursus. For him, there was no such thing as before Ursus. Arielle had had a whole life somewhere else, though, before coming to join Merrick and his merry band of murderous crazies. Probably a normal life, one she might wish to return to someday. The thought made something writhe in his chest. Possessiveness?

Made only stronger when her yellow eyes met his silver ones and she elaborated more. Aventus' heart did a strange flop in his chest, making his breath hitch. She didn't want to leave this life? Aventus didn't want that either. He reached out for her, very slowly touching the tip of his nose to the tip of her chin. He tilted her face up a little. He very nearly lashed his tongue over her cheek, but held himself in check there.

We are not going anywhere, he said. I am not going anywhere. You will not ever be alone again. It wasn't any sort of vow, but his heart beat rapidly all the same. He became very aware again of their nearness, how easy it would be to wrap his limbs around her, and the wanting heat pooling again in his stomach. He forced his mind elsewhere. I am feeling like my fur might be dry now. Are you ...?

Her truth was out and in the open for the bruin-jaw's own judgement. She had been so sure of her ability to be vulnerable in presence just seconds before but now she worried he might think she was weak. 

No. She had faith that this would only bring them closer. It would allow him a chance to know her on a deeper level—she wanted to know him on that level too, but she felt as though she had to take things slowly when bringing up the things that troubled him. She was patient, especially with the prince.

Aves guided her chin upwards so that she fully met his gaze; it made her heart race. The touch was brief and delicate, but it heated her skin as if he had embraced her. His words were what she had hoped to hear. He promised he would never go anywhere, and she didn't care that deep down, she knew things were not always within their control; warmth filled her heart all the same. She could hear the truth in his words, and she knew that if things were within his control, he would not chose to leave her. 

He had said something else—asked her a question, but she hadn't actually heard the words. She was too overcome with pure joy; it was euphoric, a gift. She could no longer hold herself back, nor did she care to. Arielle closed the small amount of space between them and tucked her head under his chin. There were so many things she wanted to say, but she could not formulate them into actual words; they were just feelings that swirled around in her heart and mind. 

As speechless as she was, she did manage to promise him the same, speaking into his fur. And I am not going anywhere either. She hoped her truth rang in her words as his did when he promised the same.

Life was a funny and fickle thing. In their case, it was a dangerous thing. At any moment, one or the other could be snatched away from Ursus by death or debilitating injury, yet it was so easy to promise they would never leave. How could either of them say for sure? They were planning to delve into the heart of the Saints. No place in the world was more dangerous for them.

He was shocked when she snaked her head under his chin, and beset with a whole host of new confusions. He was certain of her discomfort before, but now she seemed to have no trouble cozying up to him. Likely it was just the comfort of friendship. He wrestled his more physical feelings back under control and reminded himself that they were just friends, and that was all Arielle saw in him.

Once he was back to some semblance of composed, Aventus said, we ought to get back to work. I do not think my father would be amused if we stayed here playing games all day. Part of him wanted to do that, and another part of him wanted to run far, far away from Arielle and all the feelings she made bubble up inside him, feelings he naively felt she did not share.

He was right: they should get back to work. They had an important job to do, no matter how easy it would be to stay hidden here in their own little world, confusing feelings and all. 

Arielle pulled back to look at him, her skin hot with embarrassment that she had just been so affectionate with him. No, he would not, she agreed. And I am dry enough to continue travelling. They had important work to do; they needed to find the saints if it was possible.

She would wait for him to extract himself from the small space and then follow immediately behind him. Even if they were only meant to be friends, she was grateful to have the prince in her life.

We can archive here or with your next post! <3

Part of him hoped she might say “screw Merrick!” but they were both too devoted to Ursus and its success to dare. Finding the Saints, finding Nyra, that was the most important thing. When it was all over, then they could play these games, and by then Aventus hoped he had managed to separate his awakened hormones from his friendship with the mottled medic.

It was more of an ordeal getting out of the hollow than it was getting into it. He had to move carefully to avoid elbowing or kicking Arielle. Eventually, he managed to twist himself and clamber out of the hole, then turned to wait for her to emerge before he turned his eyes on the mountains.

A canyon of red. They would find the Saints there, provided they had never left their original home. Aventus maintained a cautious distance between himself and Arielle as they headed for the mountains; it was not that he didn’t want her contact, but he wished to be proper and respectful.

Now that he was aware of how she made him feel, there was no putting a lid back on it… but he could try to pretend otherwise.