I promised I'd protect you, he said again, and that meant from anything. Even the demons in her own mind, if he could. Soup and sandwiches will be fine. With effort, since he was loathe to do so in the first place, he vacated her lap and the couch, padding over to their packs and picking up his in his teeth. While he wasn't overly concerned with human nudity, he had better manners than to just gallivant about naked, and it was still chilly enough to need at least a layer between his skin and the air.
So he slipped into the single bedroom, quietly pushed the door closed, and swirled into the familiar human guise once more, nearly collapsing after shedding fur and fangs. Gods, but he was starving! It took him nearly half an hour to get into a set of clothes - black jeans and dark blue long-sleeve - and by the time he managed to emerge back into the cabin proper, he was staggering, nearly caroming off of the door and falling to his knees.
She missed him in her lap. She missed his warm weight immediately. She was almost on her feet to help him with his pack, but he was a determined wolf. He dragged it to the bedroom. She wasn't sure what all entailed when it came to his transformation, so she gave him some privacy. Sighing, she got to her feet to walk to the kitchen.
She found a several cans of soup, so she picked two chicken noodle to heat. She opened it with can opener then poured it into a pot over a low medium heat. She knew how bland the soups were, so she added spices to dress it up. Some garlic and onion powder and pepper as well. While that heated, she found ham, turkey and cheese in the fridge along with condiments. It went well into a stacked sandwich made with Aleksander in mind. She packed it thick with meats and made him three sandwiches. Her own sandwich had much less in it.
She heard him shuffling from the bedroom. The moment she heard him fall, she was rushing to his side. "Easy," she said as she took his arms and helped him. "Did you hurt yourself?"
Instinct lifted his lip in a reflexive snarl, but when her face swam into his unfocused vision, he indeed eased, slumping back with a huffed sigh. Shaking his head, he just muttered, "...hungry," before levering himself back to his feet. He'd expended so many calories over the last thirty-six hours and ingested almost no fuel to replenish them.
It was blazingly obvious in hindsight that he should have left her to hunt on his own; human food was bland to his constitution and his body required so much more of it than raw prey. But the storm would have kept him in the trees until it passed, and that simply hadn't been an option.
Thankfully Genya guided him into the kitchen and helped him fold into a chair at the small table, and this time he didn't wait - couldn't - before immediately falling into the glass of milk, then the juice, then the cold water that she'd set on the table in preparation for the meal. But if he didn't get something solid in his gut, he knew he'd be absolutely useless.
"Hungry wolf," she said fondly. When she had him settled in the chair, her fingers ran through his hair as if it were his fur. She brought the plate with his sandwiches. She'd cut them diagonally, so he had several triangles of stacked sandwiches before him. She doled out the soup with one last stir into two bowls, but she brought his first. "There's some chips too if you'd like."
Simple fare. Potato chips. She brought the bag along just in case. She brought her food over and sat down with him. "I hope you like it. I should be able to do better once the meat thaws," she said as she sipped at her water.
She ate slowly as to not overwhelm herself. Her hunger returned to her as she ate. She figured he was just as hungry.
The sandwiches disappeared in minutes. The soup he simply drank straight from the bowl, feeling it warm him all the way down. The chips were new, but a brief inspection proved them to be nothing more than very thinly sliced potatoes fried in peanut oil, seasoned with some mild smoky spice. Delectable.
He knew he was ravening, but by all the great and little gods he simply couldn't help it. After draining the soup bowl, he managed to pause for a breath, a bit abashedly catching her gaze and feeling his human ears turn suspiciously hot. Along with two spots high on his sharp cheekbones.
The wolf hastily lowered his eyes, sat back with a submissive hunch. "...I'm sorry," he managed to offer, forcing his hands down into his lap.
Genya didn't mind his appetite in the least. She knew his true form. He needed to eat a lot more. Changing between the two forms had to be exhausting and calorie burning as well. She was still working on her soup. The sandwich was fun, but a little overwhelming. She gave him one half and told herself she'd eat at least half.
"Do you want more? I don't mind making you more," she offered to him. Her appetite was really tiny compared to his. He'd probably want to sleep once he was full.
He wasn't used to having more. Of anything. Freedom was still such an alien concept. "...I don't know," he replied honestly. "It's...still strange, not being behind bars." Taking the offered sandwich half, he gestured with it. "Having things." He bit into it, this time chewing slowly. But still polished it off in mere minutes.
To her offer, however, he shook his head. "I shouldn't. This...this will suffice." When the storm passed, he'd hunt for himself, bring back anything that he could. At least now he wasn't so rawly starving, on the very verge of collapse. "Thank you," he remembered to say a few moments later.
"You're welcome. I'm happy to be able to take care of you too," she easily replied. He protected her. He comforted her. Of course she was happy to feed him. She finished her sandwich and most of her soup. She considered it a victory. Maybe tomorrow she'd be back to her normal self. She got up to take their dirty dishes to wash.
She was looking forward to a hot shower. She could finally wash everything off of her. "The bed should be big enough for the both of us if you don't mind sharing," she said over her shoulder. She set the dishes to dry on the rack then dried her hands. She hadn't made much of a mess cooking.
She turned to him and gave his shoulder a soft squeeze. "I'm going to take a quick shower," she told him. She didn't want him to worry. "I won't be long."
He watched curiously as she gathered the dishes and took them to the sink, still feeling hot around the ears at hearing her say that she liked taking care of him. But he paused, blinked, and just stared at her at the mention of sleeping arrangements. He'd planned to sleep on the floor, or at best, the couch, near the fire. It was wildly inappropriate for him to sleep in a bed; he couldn't ever, in his impossibly long memory, remember doing so.
But Genya finished at the sink and breezed by him on the way to the washroom before he could point this out, and the wolf simply sat frozen for several minutes after she left the kitchen. He heard the water in the tub turn on, the unused pipes beneath the house groaning a bit. Then cold logic kicked him back into motion, and he went to the main room to stoke the fire for the night, opting to use the natural heat instead of any fuel-generated heat.
He had the cabin locked down and set against the night and the coming storm well before Genya finished in the bathroom, which left him standing silently and a little awkwardly at the front window, staring out into the darkness. He'd doused all of the lights, leaving only the firelight for illumination. He heard her in the other room, smelled her on the air, and was desperately trying to figure out why the thought of simply sleeping beside her was making his gut clench itself into knots.
Genya thought it the most logical thing for them to share a bed. It was big enough for the both of them. They would need to be warm. He was so tall that he couldn't possibly sleep comfortably on the couch. If he'd told her he planned to sleep on the floor in front of the fire, she'd be horrified. Not on her watch. Aleksander was free now. He could have all the creature comforts she could give him.
It took a minute or so before the cold water was hot enough to wash it. She let the steaming spray of the shower cleanse her hair and body of the stink and grime. She scrubbed herself clean with the bar of soap, but not matter how hard she scrubbed, she still felt dirty and disgusting. Lantsov had ruined her. She knew it.
She worked shampoo then conditioner through her long hair until only the floral scent lingered all over her. She turned off the water and grabbed a fluffy towel to dry off. She had to use another to dry her hair and soak up all the excess moisture. Thankfully, all it took was a dance of her fingers for it to be completely dry. She changed into a long sleeved shirt that hung down her thighs. She didn't have proper pajamas. She hung the wet towels up and padded out in search for the wolf.
"Aleksander?" she said when she saw him staring out the window. Genya came up behind him and pressed a soft hand to the middle of his back. Her eyes gazed out the window worriedly. "Is there something out there?"
He heard the door open, felt the warm moisture from the hot water as it swirled into the cooler room, then felt a gentle touch right in the middle of his back. It nearly made him tense on reflex, but her soothing scent eased him. He sidled aside so she might also see out of the window, but shook his head in answer.
"Just the coming storm. All else is bedded down for the night."
The completely insane thought of just how warm and soft she would be against his side if he dared slip an arm around her shoulders and invite her close threaded through his mind, but he huffed a silent snort and dismissed it just as quickly as it'd come. Yet the phantom memory of her small hand against his back insisted otherwise.
Nevertheless, he remained still, hooded gaze turning once more to the window and the black night beyond it.
"I've banked the fire," he reported, voice low, hushed. "It should last until the morning."
The fire glowed in the darkness. It was like he'd coated them with his Shadows. She saw the snow swirling in the darkness just outside the window. Her hand slipped into his to draw him away from it. He needed to rest too. All that changing had to be draining. Not to mention their great escape.
"Do you want to wash before bed? I can help you with the bath," she offered to him. A good wash always made her feel better. She couldn't wash her completely clean of the filth inside of her soul, but at least she'll go to bed soft and sweet in a fresh bed.
There was a gorgeous quilt on the bed and two downy pillows. There were more blankets and quilts in the linens closet should they need it. Tomorrow, she'd unpack their bags and put it all away. Tonight, they'd rest.
Unconsciously he went where she led, his feet following without direction. Though again he shook his head to her question. "...I can manage." He knew enough about indoor plumbing and human ablutions to figure out the proper process. So he sent her off to bed before ducking into the washroom himself, the mirror still damp from Genya's earlier shower.
While he didn't strip down completely for a true human bath, the wolf did wash off enough to count, splashing cold water on his heated face afterwards and growling softly at himself for truly being an idiot. But he knew she'd be waiting for him to emerge - he knew better than to believe she'd have fallen asleep this quickly - so he returned to the main room, took the quilt from the couch and padded silently into the bedroom.
All of the lights were off; the fire giving off the only light in the entire cabin. But the wolf's eyes were preternaturally sharp; his night vision was sharper than a feline's. Thus he didn't miss the small figure bundled up on one side of the large human bed, the rhythm of her breathing stating she wasn't anywhere close to slumber just yet. At least she was safe. So he pulled the quilt over his shoulders and knelt at the foot of the bed, preparing to roll in the blanket and settle between her resting place and the door.
She pulled back the quilt and covers and slipped inside. The bed was comfortable. It wasn't too soft, nor too hard. It supported her lithe body. She hoped it was comfortable for him as well. The other side of the bed was waiting for him. She was curled up on her side and facing inward. She felt some of the drowsiness return to her now that she was clean and cozy. She didn't fall asleep just yet.
She forced herself to stay awake until he returned to her. Genya smiled when she heard his footsteps, but she frowned when she didn't see him join her on the other side.
"Aleksander?" she murmured in confusion. "You don't have to sleep down there. You can come under the covers with me."
No, not asleep yet. It'd been too much to hope. He swallowed a sigh, rising to his knees to peer up the bed at her, clear to his eyes in the darkness. And it - she - was tempting. So tempting. But for what, he wasn't entirely sure.
Despite knowing that she couldn't readily see him, he shook his head. "I don't...I don't belong in a human bed. I've...never slept in one." Cold stone had been his cradle for countless years, that or the hard floor of some manufactured kennel.
"Go to sleep," he urged, voice quietly soothing. "Please."
He was a shadowy in the darkness. She could barely make out the shape of him. Her eyes were still adjusting. Her lips dipped into a frown. She didn't want to pressure him to do something he wasn't comfortable with. He was already so out of his comfort zone with everything they'd done this last twenty four hours.
"You belong wherever you'd like to be," she replied gently. Genya's hand still sought him in the darkness. She found his hand and gave a soft squeeze. Her thumb brushed along the back of his hand. "You can sleep in bed next to me. It's okay. I'd like for you to, so you can see how nice it is. If you don't like it, you can sleep wherever you'd like. How about that?"
All she wanted was for him to at least give it a try.
He moved enough so she could reach him, letting her take his hand and coax him a bit closer. He sensed her gentle sincerity; she had no hidden agenda, meant him no harm, and was just as much of a victim as he had been. Yet instinct, and programmed responses, were hard habits to break.
Nevertheless...
"...all right." It was a grudging answer, given not because he believed her, but because...it would make her happy. After releasing her hand, the wolf silently moved to the opposite side of the bed, gingerly sitting on its edge before hesitantly stretching out on his back, each and every muscle taut as a bowstring. He honestly felt as though the mattress might actually toss him off, but of course nothing of the sort occurred.
He still lay ramrod-stiff, tense and ready to react should it be necessary.
He was so tense. She didn't think he'd be able to sleep like that. Genya tucked them both in then scooted a little closer, so they could share warmth. She was on her side while he was ramrod straight on his back. She drew one of his hands against her heart to feel that steady rhythm to focus on. Her other hand rested lightly on his chest to rub gentle circles to try and soothe him into a state of relaxation.
"You're okay," she murmured to him. Her voice was low and placating like she was talking to a wild animal. In a way, she was. "We're together. We're safe. You're welcome in this bed. Your spot is right here next to me, see?"
Sleep was without a doubt the last thing on his mind. Memories of whips, chains, collars, and steel bars kept flashing before his eyes, some of the images so sharp and clear that he could still feel the pain from the lash. His breath quickened; his body twitched. Ready to flee. Or fight.
But then Genya was there, her sweet scent once more washing over him like a soothing wave, and though he nearly leapt out from beneath her touch, it grounded him, right along with the quiet sound of her lovely voice, caressing his ears. She pressed his hand to her chest and he felt the steady beat of her heart, and bless all the Saints but her own hand on his chest kept him from falling into those hated memories.
He abruptly shifted, turning to face her and bringing their noses close enough to touch. He saw her so clearly in the darkness, eyes wide and lips slightly parted. "...don't leave," he whispered, quietly pleading. "I don't--I can't...don't leave." The wolf closed the distance between them, forehead pressing to hers. "Please...please don't leave..."
"I'm not going anywhere. You said it yourself, we're alike," she crooned to him. Her heart ached for the poor wolf and all the suffering he'd endured. He'd never known a kind touch or softness. Her nose brushed against his. They were pressed close as they curved into one another. "We're together, Aleksander. I'm not going to change that."
It felt right. It felt like they belonged. There had to be a reason why she'd felt compelled to go downstairs to free him. Maybe everything had always been leading up to this.
They shared the same breath. Their hearts felt as though they were falling into sync with one another. She reached up to cup his face and trace along the shape of his bottom lip with her thumb. "I'm not leaving you."
He sighed in relief, hearing that, and slowly began to relax into her hands. Only to nearly jump right out of his skin when the wind drug a branch across the cabin's roof; the storm had finally arrived. He heard the trees creaking as they swayed with the incoming gale, and the snow made sharp staccato notes as it was flung against the cabin's windows and walls.
But there was no danger; Genya was beside him, stroking him, comforting him, assuring him that they were safe, exactly as he'd done earlier for her. The branch's noise had made him snatch hold of the woman beside him, large hands gripping her firmly, nearly hard enough to bruise; a reflexive response. He forced his fingers to lessen, not squeeze quite so tight, but he didn't pull away. Despite the flagrant breach of his programmed training.
Genya flinched too at the sound of the branch against the window. She burrowed into Aleksander's embrace to hide from the danger until her mind realized belatedly there was no danger at all. They were both trauma inflicted. Neither were good with loud, sudden noises. They'd made it to the cabin in the mountains, but that didn't mean that the threat was gone completely. The need for vigilance would always be there.
Her face buried against his neck. She trembled slightly until she calmed. She was grateful that he held onto her so fiercely. It made her feel protected. She managed a weak laugh. "We're okay. We're safe," she whispered against him. "As long as we're together. We're safe."
It seemed they were bulwarks for each other. Feral and terrified on their own, but comforted and stronger together. It finally made sense to him now. Survival alone simply...wasn't possible, for either of them. Not yet. They had both suffered the worst nightmares at the hands of humans, and healing those wounds was going to take time. If they even could heal.
Both of his arms went around her when Genya gasped and dove into him, and he held her close, protected, as she clung. Nodding to her whispered assurance, he nevertheless directed a silent snarl at the intruding storm, irrationally peeved at the weather for upsetting her. The fit of temper passed quickly, though, as his attention was resolutely tugged back to the trembling human in his arms.
"...we're safe," he reiterated, daring to nuzzle at her temple, nose filled with her sweet, sweet scent. Warm cedar. Summer rain. Spring apples after the last frost. "It's just the storm," he told her, words murmured against her hair. "Announcing itself."
"It's just the storm," she agreed. Her voice was muffled. She hadn't lifted her face from the nook of his shoulder. He was warm. He smelled so good. Evergreen and fresh snow and something a little smoky too. Like the first curls from a fire. She felt safe here with him. They gave comfort to one another in equal measures. They took turns effortlessly. She never thought she'd find anything like this.
Her eyes remained closed against him. Breathing him in and feeling his heartbeat thrumming at her lips lulled her to sleep. She prayed to all the Saints, alive and dead, that she wouldn't have nightmares.
To his surprise, Genya remained where she was even after the storm settled in and got down to the business of blanketing the world with cold, white snow. Even though it was...strange, having her snuggled against him, fitting just right against the hard planes of this, he now realized, very compatible human form, he didn't pull away. She was warm, soft, and fragrant, and...innocent, in a certain way. A survivor, without question, but so young to be so broken inside.
A second silent snarl curled his lip as he envisioned that disgusting old man...doing things to the woman cradled so trustingly in his arms. But he quickly dismissed those thoughts, too; letting them wander about would only see his temper cresting and his teeth itch to shed the miserable bastard's black blood.
So instead he focused on Genya's quiet breaths, the fragrance of her hair that blended so perfectly with her natural scent, and how her small fingers curled just so in the front of his shirt, as if wanting him close even in her dreams. For just a moment, the barest breath, Aleksander let himself believe that, and, lulled by Genya's warmth and the sound of pinging ice on the roof, slowly drifted off.
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ninetydegrees
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on 2023-11-12 01:27 am (UTC)So he slipped into the single bedroom, quietly pushed the door closed, and swirled into the familiar human guise once more, nearly collapsing after shedding fur and fangs. Gods, but he was starving! It took him nearly half an hour to get into a set of clothes - black jeans and dark blue long-sleeve - and by the time he managed to emerge back into the cabin proper, he was staggering, nearly caroming off of the door and falling to his knees.
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on 2023-11-12 01:57 am (UTC)She found a several cans of soup, so she picked two chicken noodle to heat. She opened it with can opener then poured it into a pot over a low medium heat. She knew how bland the soups were, so she added spices to dress it up. Some garlic and onion powder and pepper as well. While that heated, she found ham, turkey and cheese in the fridge along with condiments. It went well into a stacked sandwich made with Aleksander in mind. She packed it thick with meats and made him three sandwiches. Her own sandwich had much less in it.
She heard him shuffling from the bedroom. The moment she heard him fall, she was rushing to his side. "Easy," she said as she took his arms and helped him. "Did you hurt yourself?"
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on 2023-11-12 02:04 am (UTC)It was blazingly obvious in hindsight that he should have left her to hunt on his own; human food was bland to his constitution and his body required so much more of it than raw prey. But the storm would have kept him in the trees until it passed, and that simply hadn't been an option.
Thankfully Genya guided him into the kitchen and helped him fold into a chair at the small table, and this time he didn't wait - couldn't - before immediately falling into the glass of milk, then the juice, then the cold water that she'd set on the table in preparation for the meal. But if he didn't get something solid in his gut, he knew he'd be absolutely useless.
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on 2023-11-12 02:25 am (UTC)Simple fare. Potato chips. She brought the bag along just in case. She brought her food over and sat down with him. "I hope you like it. I should be able to do better once the meat thaws," she said as she sipped at her water.
She ate slowly as to not overwhelm herself. Her hunger returned to her as she ate. She figured he was just as hungry.
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on 2023-11-12 02:32 am (UTC)He knew he was ravening, but by all the great and little gods he simply couldn't help it. After draining the soup bowl, he managed to pause for a breath, a bit abashedly catching her gaze and feeling his human ears turn suspiciously hot. Along with two spots high on his sharp cheekbones.
The wolf hastily lowered his eyes, sat back with a submissive hunch. "...I'm sorry," he managed to offer, forcing his hands down into his lap.
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on 2023-11-12 02:54 am (UTC)Genya didn't mind his appetite in the least. She knew his true form. He needed to eat a lot more. Changing between the two forms had to be exhausting and calorie burning as well. She was still working on her soup. The sandwich was fun, but a little overwhelming. She gave him one half and told herself she'd eat at least half.
"Do you want more? I don't mind making you more," she offered to him. Her appetite was really tiny compared to his. He'd probably want to sleep once he was full.
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on 2023-11-12 03:03 am (UTC)To her offer, however, he shook his head. "I shouldn't. This...this will suffice." When the storm passed, he'd hunt for himself, bring back anything that he could. At least now he wasn't so rawly starving, on the very verge of collapse. "Thank you," he remembered to say a few moments later.
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on 2023-11-12 03:13 am (UTC)She was looking forward to a hot shower. She could finally wash everything off of her. "The bed should be big enough for the both of us if you don't mind sharing," she said over her shoulder. She set the dishes to dry on the rack then dried her hands. She hadn't made much of a mess cooking.
She turned to him and gave his shoulder a soft squeeze. "I'm going to take a quick shower," she told him. She didn't want him to worry. "I won't be long."
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on 2023-11-12 03:23 am (UTC)But Genya finished at the sink and breezed by him on the way to the washroom before he could point this out, and the wolf simply sat frozen for several minutes after she left the kitchen. He heard the water in the tub turn on, the unused pipes beneath the house groaning a bit. Then cold logic kicked him back into motion, and he went to the main room to stoke the fire for the night, opting to use the natural heat instead of any fuel-generated heat.
He had the cabin locked down and set against the night and the coming storm well before Genya finished in the bathroom, which left him standing silently and a little awkwardly at the front window, staring out into the darkness. He'd doused all of the lights, leaving only the firelight for illumination. He heard her in the other room, smelled her on the air, and was desperately trying to figure out why the thought of simply sleeping beside her was making his gut clench itself into knots.
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on 2023-11-12 04:04 am (UTC)It took a minute or so before the cold water was hot enough to wash it. She let the steaming spray of the shower cleanse her hair and body of the stink and grime. She scrubbed herself clean with the bar of soap, but not matter how hard she scrubbed, she still felt dirty and disgusting. Lantsov had ruined her. She knew it.
She worked shampoo then conditioner through her long hair until only the floral scent lingered all over her. She turned off the water and grabbed a fluffy towel to dry off. She had to use another to dry her hair and soak up all the excess moisture. Thankfully, all it took was a dance of her fingers for it to be completely dry. She changed into a long sleeved shirt that hung down her thighs. She didn't have proper pajamas. She hung the wet towels up and padded out in search for the wolf.
"Aleksander?" she said when she saw him staring out the window. Genya came up behind him and pressed a soft hand to the middle of his back. Her eyes gazed out the window worriedly. "Is there something out there?"
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on 2023-11-12 04:18 am (UTC)"Just the coming storm. All else is bedded down for the night."
The completely insane thought of just how warm and soft she would be against his side if he dared slip an arm around her shoulders and invite her close threaded through his mind, but he huffed a silent snort and dismissed it just as quickly as it'd come. Yet the phantom memory of her small hand against his back insisted otherwise.
Nevertheless, he remained still, hooded gaze turning once more to the window and the black night beyond it.
"I've banked the fire," he reported, voice low, hushed. "It should last until the morning."
no subject
on 2023-11-12 04:37 am (UTC)"Do you want to wash before bed? I can help you with the bath," she offered to him. A good wash always made her feel better. She couldn't wash her completely clean of the filth inside of her soul, but at least she'll go to bed soft and sweet in a fresh bed.
There was a gorgeous quilt on the bed and two downy pillows. There were more blankets and quilts in the linens closet should they need it. Tomorrow, she'd unpack their bags and put it all away. Tonight, they'd rest.
no subject
on 2023-11-12 04:51 am (UTC)While he didn't strip down completely for a true human bath, the wolf did wash off enough to count, splashing cold water on his heated face afterwards and growling softly at himself for truly being an idiot. But he knew she'd be waiting for him to emerge - he knew better than to believe she'd have fallen asleep this quickly - so he returned to the main room, took the quilt from the couch and padded silently into the bedroom.
All of the lights were off; the fire giving off the only light in the entire cabin. But the wolf's eyes were preternaturally sharp; his night vision was sharper than a feline's. Thus he didn't miss the small figure bundled up on one side of the large human bed, the rhythm of her breathing stating she wasn't anywhere close to slumber just yet. At least she was safe. So he pulled the quilt over his shoulders and knelt at the foot of the bed, preparing to roll in the blanket and settle between her resting place and the door.
Security above all else.
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on 2023-11-12 05:14 pm (UTC)She forced herself to stay awake until he returned to her. Genya smiled when she heard his footsteps, but she frowned when she didn't see him join her on the other side.
"Aleksander?" she murmured in confusion. "You don't have to sleep down there. You can come under the covers with me."
Her hand reached out for him to seek his touch.
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on 2023-11-12 05:21 pm (UTC)Despite knowing that she couldn't readily see him, he shook his head. "I don't...I don't belong in a human bed. I've...never slept in one." Cold stone had been his cradle for countless years, that or the hard floor of some manufactured kennel.
"Go to sleep," he urged, voice quietly soothing. "Please."
no subject
on 2023-11-12 06:07 pm (UTC)"You belong wherever you'd like to be," she replied gently. Genya's hand still sought him in the darkness. She found his hand and gave a soft squeeze. Her thumb brushed along the back of his hand. "You can sleep in bed next to me. It's okay. I'd like for you to, so you can see how nice it is. If you don't like it, you can sleep wherever you'd like. How about that?"
All she wanted was for him to at least give it a try.
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on 2023-11-12 06:27 pm (UTC)Nevertheless...
"...all right." It was a grudging answer, given not because he believed her, but because...it would make her happy. After releasing her hand, the wolf silently moved to the opposite side of the bed, gingerly sitting on its edge before hesitantly stretching out on his back, each and every muscle taut as a bowstring. He honestly felt as though the mattress might actually toss him off, but of course nothing of the sort occurred.
He still lay ramrod-stiff, tense and ready to react should it be necessary.
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on 2023-11-12 06:42 pm (UTC)"You're okay," she murmured to him. Her voice was low and placating like she was talking to a wild animal. In a way, she was. "We're together. We're safe. You're welcome in this bed. Your spot is right here next to me, see?"
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on 2023-11-12 06:54 pm (UTC)But then Genya was there, her sweet scent once more washing over him like a soothing wave, and though he nearly leapt out from beneath her touch, it grounded him, right along with the quiet sound of her lovely voice, caressing his ears. She pressed his hand to her chest and he felt the steady beat of her heart, and bless all the Saints but her own hand on his chest kept him from falling into those hated memories.
He abruptly shifted, turning to face her and bringing their noses close enough to touch. He saw her so clearly in the darkness, eyes wide and lips slightly parted. "...don't leave," he whispered, quietly pleading. "I don't--I can't...don't leave." The wolf closed the distance between them, forehead pressing to hers. "Please...please don't leave..."
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on 2023-11-12 07:18 pm (UTC)It felt right. It felt like they belonged. There had to be a reason why she'd felt compelled to go downstairs to free him. Maybe everything had always been leading up to this.
They shared the same breath. Their hearts felt as though they were falling into sync with one another. She reached up to cup his face and trace along the shape of his bottom lip with her thumb. "I'm not leaving you."
no subject
on 2023-11-12 07:36 pm (UTC)But there was no danger; Genya was beside him, stroking him, comforting him, assuring him that they were safe, exactly as he'd done earlier for her. The branch's noise had made him snatch hold of the woman beside him, large hands gripping her firmly, nearly hard enough to bruise; a reflexive response. He forced his fingers to lessen, not squeeze quite so tight, but he didn't pull away. Despite the flagrant breach of his programmed training.
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on 2023-11-12 07:51 pm (UTC)Her face buried against his neck. She trembled slightly until she calmed. She was grateful that he held onto her so fiercely. It made her feel protected. She managed a weak laugh. "We're okay. We're safe," she whispered against him. "As long as we're together. We're safe."
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on 2023-11-12 08:01 pm (UTC)Both of his arms went around her when Genya gasped and dove into him, and he held her close, protected, as she clung. Nodding to her whispered assurance, he nevertheless directed a silent snarl at the intruding storm, irrationally peeved at the weather for upsetting her. The fit of temper passed quickly, though, as his attention was resolutely tugged back to the trembling human in his arms.
"...we're safe," he reiterated, daring to nuzzle at her temple, nose filled with her sweet, sweet scent. Warm cedar. Summer rain. Spring apples after the last frost. "It's just the storm," he told her, words murmured against her hair. "Announcing itself."
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on 2023-11-12 08:08 pm (UTC)Her eyes remained closed against him. Breathing him in and feeling his heartbeat thrumming at her lips lulled her to sleep. She prayed to all the Saints, alive and dead, that she wouldn't have nightmares.
"Thank you," she murmured sleepily. "Aleksander."
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on 2023-11-12 08:27 pm (UTC)A second silent snarl curled his lip as he envisioned that disgusting old man...doing things to the woman cradled so trustingly in his arms. But he quickly dismissed those thoughts, too; letting them wander about would only see his temper cresting and his teeth itch to shed the miserable bastard's black blood.
So instead he focused on Genya's quiet breaths, the fragrance of her hair that blended so perfectly with her natural scent, and how her small fingers curled just so in the front of his shirt, as if wanting him close even in her dreams. For just a moment, the barest breath, Aleksander let himself believe that, and, lulled by Genya's warmth and the sound of pinging ice on the roof, slowly drifted off.
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