Sunbeam Lair Never Be Broken

She drew her cheek across his shoulder, listening as he divulged more of his past to her. The Reyson she had grown to know was different this night—willing to share. Hoping to share?

A past lover—the father of two separate litters. It seemed as if he had not known the pups he had produced with them, and she wondered if that was by his intent or the solider mothers.

She would not pry. Could not. Only now realizing just how murky her own emotions were becoming over the past few days as she considered everything that had occurred since her joining of Epoch.

“I met another healer there… her name was Ash Paw. I need to return to her soon, for she offered me certain herbs that we bartered and I need to finalize my end of the bargain.” She paused, lithe shoulders lifting in a gentle shrug as she felt the fatigue of their run and the late night finally begin to settle her. “A pack of religious and non—it’s all I truly know of them. She seemed sweet.”

Reyson was growing unsure. He felt as if perhaps he had shared too much, but it was if he couldn't stop. Perhaps it was what he needed, to just speak. And be listened too. Though the nightmares were growing worse.

My daughter Amity was under my command. I buried her before i came here. Her and Rook and Renaud. They wouldn't leave me and then i was spared and they were not.


She was beginning to lag it seemed. He studied her. Would you like to go back to Epoch or stay here? I'll walk you back or watch over you here. I won't be sleepong this night.

He made another soft noise. If I can i will escort you to basilica if you'd like?

She stilled—he spoke of a daughter. He had buried her, and two others. She circled tighter to him, burying her nose more to the soft gold fur, breathing in sharply as she tried to come with words that would make sense. But this was a world that made no sense, and so she was quiet for a moment.

“I’m sorry,” she offered. Not because it was what was socially acceptable to say when one heard of such devastating news, but because she truly felt the heartache—and it suddenly clicked why Reyson was a creature who held himself steadfast. Who did not divulge.

The stalwart soldier that only offered facets of himself, from time to time. And soon he would be gone to a land called Akashingo, because that was what was expected of him from his higher chain. “Stay,” she determined, unmoving from his warmth, her gaze upon him almost as if she dared him to try to move from her now.

And when the silence stretched, she dared the question: “What is it you want in life, Reyson? Expectations aside and wants only…”

shes adorable and i love her.

She grew tighter against him and for a moment he wasn't entirely certain where she began and he ended. But he didn't mind.

It is alright. They knew their duties as i did. Sometimes soldiers die. No matter how paonful for those left behind.

That didn't mean it was easy or that they wanted too. But it was their job. Though, reyson now wanted more and he didn't know why.

He chuckled and brushed a muzzle along her head. Tickling the corner of her ear.

Reyson blinked and spoke without hesitation. Peace. And i have found i like to teach. I want to be alive long enough to teach someone. And though children scare me shitless. I think id like them too, perhaps. I saw Maxim grow in his love for his children. I'm jealous.

she's such a naive little shit, tho

His response almost seemed on autopilot—as if that was what was expected to be said. Reyson, Germanicus… they were a different type of soldier than what she had come to know in life. Disciplined. Different from the feral warriors she held time with in the past.

Her chest rose and fell close to his—his touch warm, soothing. The very reality of his words hit too close to home—soldiers died. It was just what they did. And somehow, in a matter of weeks, she had allowed this one right beside her to become so very important to her. The stern walls she had meant to put in place when joining Epoch had crumbled.

Meadow wore her heart on her sleeve and she had come to accept that no matter how much she wished she didn’t, she craved the family she had never been able to have… the solidarity of friendship, and warmth, and love. The tragic tale of the poor little orphan girl.

Her own eyes welled and she ducked her head down, as if it were no more than a caress along the back of the large man as she hid the tears away, a reaction as if all were fine. It was always fine.

“So teach. Screw the tour. Would your Imperator not put you in a place to extend your knowledge to others? You would be invaluable to him. And spring is coming… you deserve happiness.” And there was the brunt of it—did he not believe he deserved his own happy ending?

those are my favorite kinds of charies.

Reyson had been taught to be a soldier was to be separate from all others. And he was realizing it was wrong.

Reyson smiled and gave a soft sigh. Honestly mosy of Mereo is teaching. I am ready if needed, but thus far there have been no threats. If i can get through the tour there. I will be in a place and position to ask of things. Though were i too want family the femme would, must become official it is the imperators rules. No pups from those unwedded. And i would need to rind someone interested in me, Meadow. Of which I'mnot very good at reading between the lines. Preferring to be told plainly.


He thought of renaud then telling him, and the absolute surprise that had colored his mind. B3cause who could love someone so brusque as he.

Quiet befell her—a stillness, pressed against a man tattered and torn both internally and externally. She squirmed slightly then, surprise crossing her features at the ruling of the Imperator—marriage.

She had wished for such a thing once upon a time. Had saved herself for years with the belief that one would come along, sweep her off her feet, and make her theirs… Raise a family, and she could be everything to her family that she had missed growing up.

It had never played out that way. Uprooting every few months, everyone she chose to trust would leave… and when she had finally begun to believe her feelings for another were pure—shattered with a reality that sickened her still.

Her suneater, her Solpallur, her home. The very base needs of nature coming above all else when he had come home one day after impregnating another he had come upon in heat.

Promises were never truly real—couldn’t be. And so her heart began to thrum in her chest when he spoke of settling down, of it needing to be spelled out for him. The topic had a dangerous feel to it—one she could not compute in this very moment, and so she tried to remain light. “Spring is a time away…”

It sounded as if he had drawn the conclusion he would indeed do his tour. Gone for a month—in a land where the servants were offered for pleasure and debauchery. And then he could return home with a title with enough merit to make certain demands of what he would like to do… and who he would like to wed.

She suddenly felt sick.

Reyson had never fully given into the need that he would need that title upon him of marriage. If he cared for someone. It didnt matter to him one way or the other if they were official in the scheme of things. True to each other certainly.

Reyson nodded. That it is.

Reyson had meant no demands by his words. He wouldn't demand anything. He'd probably continue much as he always had. Doing his duty. Sacrificing mind, body, soul for commanders that demanded it of him.

But it is not my choice of these things. I'd have no right to demand anything. Were a wolf to find they cared and the feeling was mutual. It would be at their pace. It is how I am. And i would not take the title of husband lightly. I would prefer an established relationship to a tryst in spring. I have offered that in past and i dont wish to do that anymore. I want it to mean something to the both of us.

He shrugged a muscled shoulder. And shifted to allow her more comfort whilst still watching over her.

She smiled softly against him as he spoke, her nose pressed to his back, every so often stroking her chin or cheek against him, hoping the pressure and warmth helped ease his inner ailments from before. “You needn’t tell me how good of a husband you would be. I knew that the moment you took the time from your day to offer Tamar the beginnings of a rather hefty cache…”

Stilling, she curled her tail to her haunch, pressing closer to him against the cold night air. Autumn, crisp as it was, would soon give way to winter. “It would be nice if you went with me to Basilica,” she noted, wondering if it was selfish of her to keep his time to herself.

The gentle pressure upon his scars caused his body to ripple in goose pimples as his mind went elsewhere. Though brought back with each stroke. It did more for him than anything had in recent memory, to cancel out the noise.

He chuckled. She needed sustenance.


He looked down at her and nodded. Then I'll go with you. When do you wish to go?

He hoped it was before his two weeks were up. He thought about asking her to visit but the thought of her anywhere near Akashingo made his stomach angry.

“And she appreciates the sustenance provided—as do her little ones, who probably reaped the most benefit of it.” She smiled at the thought, proud of how far the woman had come.

She rumbled softly, considering his question. “Sooner than later—I have what I need for the other healer. I just need to check on Keyni’s little one before I go… and then I need to get back to her quickly.” Somber—the young pup was not doing well, and the outcome seemed less favorable each day.

]

Reyson smiled. Alright in a few then. he curled tighter around her.

She isn't doing well this little one?

He furrowed his brow. I know that is probably hard for you to bear. I'm sorry. I hope she rallies.

Reyson looked upwards again. Go ahead and get somw sleep Meadow.

;-; these two

He pulled her in further, encompassing her in protection, warmth and everything that was purely Reyson. The rumble of his question stirred her cheek to press against him once more, a final resting place for the night as she refused to leave his embrace—something she told herself was for his benefit, though she knew it was a white lie to herself.

“She’s not. And I don’t know what else to do but to try to help and pray she comes around.”

She wanted to be petulant at his request for her to sleep—insist that she would sleep when he did as well, but she would not push the soldier’s buttons more tonight—his stress was great enough, and she couldn’t blame him for finding his night sleepless.

And so within moments she settled, finding herself into a sleep that perhaps was the most restful she had in awhile, wrapped in the arms of the Mereo wolf.

they are adorable

She settled and he eased into protective wakefulness. She was too sweet and he would be sad to leave her in thr morning. However he also knew he'd see her soon enough.

He would watch over her in the starry night. Thankful for her help and everything.