Emberflame Ridge She appears in his dreams

Reek felt Tavi tense in the wake of his touch, yet he thought little of it. It was obvious she had been though some sort of trauma, and just as Tavi imagined he would, Reek believed her response was in direct relation to whatever she had faced out on her own. She pulled away, yet Reek remained rooted to the spot— a statue, etched with an expression of bittersweet sadness. A soft sigh passed his lips. She was right in her muttered response: whatever happened, it no longer mattered. Still, Reek felt it his fault that he had not been able to keep his partner, his companion, safe.

He would do so now— he was sure of it.

Next came the muttered apologies. Reek hung his head, casting his gaze low. Tavi pulled in close and Reek reveled in the comfort of their contact. She breathed in deep, yet, all she would find was the scent of the road -- the scent of solitude. "Shhhhhhhhhhhh," he whispered, allowing his teeth to lightly pull through Tavi's neck fur. If anyone was to apologize, Reek felt it should have been himself. "Everything's going to be ok— we're going to be ok." In a way, it probably served as more of a comforting mantra to himself than Tavi.

"I never stopped looking for you Tav," he continued. Though - in its literal meaning - it was a lie, Reek felt as if his search had been all encompacing. Despite having set out beyond the border only twice, Tavi had been on his mind the entire time, and that, Reek felt was enough.