Raven's Watch raven's watch

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he does not pull back.

not from her words, not from the way she tries to guard herself with them. blackfell has learned every angle of her grief, every way she turns from touch even while craving it, and he knows better than to mistake her warning for rejection.

his gaze stays steady on her. close, yes. closer than anyone else has earned in a long time.

when she says she is not whole, something in him moves; but it is small, quiet, almost nothing. a breath drawn deeper. a softening around the eyes. he hums gently to her, a deep rumbling that begins in his throat and bleeds past parting lips.

his head dips, muzzle touching just beneath her jaw with a tenderness.

i will look at you how i have always. he says to her, and then, tentatively, speaks to her in her own native tongue.

you are my queen. always. nothing has changed. and i will see the strength restored to you.

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