Northstar Vale Didn't know that I'd fall so hard

With a bundle of wildflowers clutched in his teeth, and his heart matching the speed in which he trotted from the borders, he went to visit with @Viskani and Chandra. Since his lutte with Chaudry, and the aftermath that resulted in his heart’s confession, Noctaryn has been on cloud nine since.

Everything seemed brighter, vivid—the grass, the skies, the sun. His thoughts, his dreams, all were of her. And for the first time, he was truly happy. Nothing could have prepared him for the immense feeling of rightness that settled deep into his bones, or the overwhelming need to protect what was his, to keep them safe from harm.

Finally arriving the her den, he peered inside but soon withdrew, realizing his eyes were adjusting much too slow to his liking; instead, he woofed through the bundle he still clutched, the sound of it muffled, but loud enough. He sat at the mouth, hoping to see the eyes that he dreams about nightly appear from the darkness.

Viskani had gotten pretty good at tuckering Chandra out, finally giving her some time to herself once more. It was strange, with Chandra being so different from her sons she felt like she was learning to parent all over again. But of all the things that made Chandra different, one was far more jarring than the rest.

She had someone to raise Chandra alongside her.

Pulled from her thoughts by Noctaryn's familiar 'whuff' outside her den, Viskani glanced to her sleeping daughter and soon rose to her feet to join him outside the den. Smiling at the sight of flowers clutched in his jaws, Viskani put her muzzle to his cheek in greeting.

Good morning, ma mari. Her words came a purr, tail waving behind her like a proud flag.

Noctaryn’s eyes closed briefly at her touch, the corners of his mouth lifting as an eyebrow quirked at the unfamiliar words. He placed the flowers at her paws and nosed them toward her gently before meeting her eyes. Man, did he love those eyes.

Ma mari, hmm? Tell me, beautiful, what does it mean? He knew that she spoke another language. It was evident in the way her words were colored in an accent he couldn’t quite place.

She smiled at his question, eyes squinting. A term of endearment. She responded. Looking to the flowers now, she could not help but feel happy.

Chandra hasn't woken up yet, should we go for a walk? A chance to spend some time together, without angry babies.

He made a low approving noise deep in his throat. She gifted him a name—a term of endearment, yes, but a name nonetheless—a new identity to shed into as his past melts away. He wanted this new life, this life with her and Chandra, and he would do all in his power to keep it, to help it flourish.

He nodded to her, pressing a kiss to her cheek as he pressed his side into hers. I will forever go where you go, my sun. When you rise, I rise; when you settle into sleep, I will be there to kindle your warmth. You burn so brightly, my darling, it’s a wonder I can see anything at all.

cameo!

Laying flat on her back, Chandra opened a single eye when she felt her mother leave the den. Another walk with Noctaryn.

Maybe tomorrow she would join them, but today she was feeling lazy. Why follow when she could sleep in instead?

She couldn't help but snicker at the words, he was such a charmer! Where did you learn to talk like that? No complaints from her of course; Viskani was loving the attention.

Let's talk, I want you to tell me something. She moved on, heading down the path away from the root den. What do you want from this pack, from us? It was a fair question, they hadn't yet made their relationship crystal clear. They were in love, of course, not even she could deny that; but what would they do about it? She wanted his input, to give him a chance to be her.. equal.

It was all very new, but she wanted to improve. For him.

He shrugged, as nonchalant as he could muster, yet he threw a wink at her in answer. 

It just came to me. He dipped his head to laugh quietly to himself. What a schmuck—yet, he just truly couldn’t help it. When it came to his Viskani, it was all soft and tender, sweet and sticky, like dripping honey.

But, she grew serious, her words laced in questions he had wondered himself. They walked quietly for some time, his thoughts churning in the silence. He glanced at her, his side just barely brushing hers, each step he had taken edged with a side-step to close the distance. 

What would it feel like to caress her? To silence her worries and fears with nothing more than the heat of him, his love for her spilling to wash away all that had warred in her beautiful mind?

Would she even want that? Though she may like the idea of him, did she truly want him? He was not pure, not by any means, despite claiming the wild blood as his primary. Would she ever want to mingle her blood with his, tainted as it were?

He stopped, turning to face her. His voice low, but edged in something vulnerable. 

I have wanted many things for so long. Years spent confined to nothing but brick and mortar, I used to spend days wishing for the sun to burn me away, to rid me of that horrid place I was forced to call home. He let loose a ragged breathe. In all my waiting, I had been blessed with an escape. It seemed the sun did indeed find me here.

His words fell away as he approached her now, silver searching for gold, the sun reflecting in all the right ways as he gazed into her eyes. He was searching, searching for lay in her heart. A paw came up to brush her temple and down her jaw.

My only want, from this pack— he paused, dipping his muzzle to connect with hers, a gentle caress before he finally revealed what his heart bled for, —from us, is your heart tied to mine. I want you to be my wife. My eternal sun. You burn into the deepest core of me whenever you look my way. I want Chandra to be mine in all ways it means to be her father.

He pulled back from her, searching her features for any sign she felt the same. Tell me you want this, Viskani. Tell me that you want me and I am yours. He sighed, a closing of eyes and a shake of his head. I have nothing to offer you but my heart and soul. I come from nothing, but I promise you this: I will never be nothing again. I will be what you need of me, what Chandra needs. What this pack needs.

His words came urgent and loving, each syllable a direct hit to her heart. How had she been so lucky? Did she deserve this at all? Oh, Noctaryn.. For a moment she was lost for words, her only response an awed smile on her face.

If that's what you want, how could I say no? She knew she would regret rejecting him. How could she not? Noctaryn was everything she wanted in a man, and he was so perfectly good to her despite her flaws. It's what I want too, I promise. A partner to walk through life with her - and a father for Chandra. A father for future children too, should Noctaryn wish for it. I love you Noctaryn. I can't deny that, I couldn't even if I tried.

They would build their life together, and love would flourish around them. She could see it already.

But what now? The traditions of those before her left them rather limited.

She certainly had a lot to think about.