Lillith was recovering from her last episode quickly, the next morning she was chipper and bright. A good sleep, Gwyn’s herbs, and probably more than anything Roman next to her brought her to good spirits and good health. The year was progressing the long march of time never stopping. She felt like she had only just become a yearling and started to act like a real adult. She had her little responsibilities but her main priority was to recover, to get better, to train. She couldn’t remain the little vulnerable girl she was. Most days she couldn’t do too much physical activity so she spent time with Gwynevere, learning from the master healer. She didn’t have to be too active, but she was still learning and bettering herself.

Romulus had become a source of infinite encouragement, she didn’t want to say he refused to hear her speak about her weaknesses. She could say whatever she wanted around him, but he definitely discouraged the way she put herself down. He encouraged all things that brightened her though, he told her she could do anything and she very much believed him. Today she was a little tired, maybe she could take a little trip to gather some herbs, but she didn’t feel like she could do much practice in fighting today. A sit down lesson about the theory would work but even doing a small patrol had her struggling for breath.

She usually didn’t have to look very hard for the young warrior, he usually had the same idea as she did. Wanting to linger in his presence, train with him, talk to him… he was easily her best friend. She didn’t forget what he did for her the first day they met, nor everyday after. The tiger had knocked him a good one, and she hadn’t been able to help soothe his wound while she was struggling to get her breath. She wanted to revisit his wounds now. She knew he had the skill to look after himself, but she wanted the satisfaction of helping him instead of the other way around all the time.

The girl’s silver paws carried her over the stone, her claws clicking against the hard surface as she looked for Roman. It was early in the day, she was in high spirits even if her energy wasn’t at a great level today. She found it harder and harder to feel sorry for herself now that Romulus entered her life. He was brightness and encouragement and even if he hadn’t been here for very long she didn’t want to think of returning to a life without him in it.

"Roman?” She called out into the halls, not entirely sure where she might find him right now, but it wasn’t out of the ordinary for he rto seek him out like this.

Wc: 478/1500

"Speech"

In the days that had followed Romulus' appearance and his meeting with Lillith, the young Armada lad had spent most of his time either with Lillith while she recovered or exploring his new temporary home. Ulric had very graciously offered him indefinite lodging while he got healed and got his life plan sorted out, something of a thank you gift for saving his daughter from the sabertooth tiger. It had really been no big deal; he would have helped Lil regardless of what the end result was. After that first night in the infirmary, Roman had felt the watchful gaze of Ulric on him. Thankfully he had gotten up early enough to move their cots apart before Gwyn or Ulric discovered the two wolves virtually snuggling in bed together after their first day. Not that he really would have cared much, but that was a fight he wasn't itching to start. Lillith had needed support and he'd offered it. Nothing untoward had happened. If Ulric got upset over that, then he could go fuck himself.

Following that day, Romulus made himself useful where he could: helping to train with Lil when she needed a partner, gathering herbs from the greenhouse or the plains when Gwyn needed them, and just generally being a presence around the castle to hang out with his new Adravendi best friend. Lillith had fast become a staple in his life, a point of stability in this unknown world he'd come to. Though he still fully intended to eventually branch back out and explore Boreas and Auster to find where to bring the Armada family back to power and glory, nobody said he couldn't take his time doing it and enjoy the trip along the way. The Hallows was nice, the castle a spectacle in its own right, and it made for a great launchpad for his plans.

It was still early morning when Romulus rose, heading out into the cool autumn morning to begin his day with stretches as he always did. His shoulder had scabbed over, the wounds no longer in danger of becoming infected, but still sore and tender to the touch all the same. Roman gave a long, languid stretch of his back and hind legs while he swallowed deep breaths of the cool air. He wondered what today would bring, what new tasks and adventures awaited him. Naturally, they would all hinge on Lillith's condition today. If she was feeling bold and energetic, perhaps they could take a trip down to the beach. If not, maybe they'd just spend the day relaxing in the courtyard gardens and talking. He didn't mind either option honestly, so long as he got to spend more time with the pretty Adravendi girl. He stretched his forelegs—then winced and sucked in a sharp breath as pain lanced through his shoulder.

Ow! Too much stretch... He cringed while rubbing a tender paw over the healing wounds. Roman had just been considering going to find some pain relief ointments from the castle's pharmacy when he heard the faint call of his name. Silver eyes peered up and around, ears perked to figure out where the sound had come from. He spotted Lillith through one of the windows to the corridor, pacing around like she was looking for something. Him; she was looking for him. Rising too is paws, Roman padded slowly over to the windows where he saw Lil, a wicked and playful grin on his face while he hopped up and slapped his paws against the windowpanes, rattling them while grinning at her from the outside. "Looking for me, gorgeous?" he said through the glass with a teasing wink, then motioned for her to join him outside. "C'mon, come get some fresh air! I'm all alone out here." He put on a dramatic pouty face, complete with lip quiver, before snickering and hopping away from the window, waiting for her to come join him in the courtyard.

WC: 659
Total: 1137 / 1500

"Speech"

Garnet gaze peered around the corridor towards the infirmary, wondering if she would find him there this early in the morning. Just as she did his aws hit the pain of glass and she jumped slightly. Her heartbeat increased and she flinched as her attention was demanded behind her. Roman’s mischievous grin greeted her along with his complimentary words. She felt her face flush as she thought about her dad’s words about growing up and relationships. They were friends, Lilith was sure. She didn’t want to grow up yet, and didn’t want to think about all of that. She just wanted to spend time with Roman. He gestured and asked for her to join him, making a point to mention his loneliness in the courtyard.

Dainty silver paws carried her forward at a quick trot as she raced for the door to meet him. Her ivory tail wagged at her hips and she grinned at him brightly as she approached. "Not alone anymore,” She commented quite clearly, hardly even puffing after rushing out to him. "I.. Wanted to check on your injuries. I’ve been training with Gwyn and…” Lilith blushed again but pressed through her hesitance. "”I wondered if you would be my first real patient?” She asked with a tilt of her pale features as her ruby gaze looked up to his. He didn’t give her any reason to believe he would deny her but she still felt a thrill of nervousness in her belly.

258
1395/1500

"Speech"

It didn't take long before Romulus saw the silvery form of Lillith come trotting out into the courtyard with a brisk bounce in her step and ivory tail swaying about her hips. He grinned, flashing a wide smile as she approached. She looked so lively whenever he saw her, more energetic and happy with each passing day. And she wasn't out of breath either! Good, he had been somewhat afraid that his spook might have winded her, but she was getting stronger with each day. They still had a long way to go, but there could be no doubt that Lillith was on the upswing right now. He sat up straight and attentive while she approached, silver irises shining with mirth, happy to have his friend at his side again.

He gave a short laugh when she commented on him not being alone anymore, a wry grin on his face. "No, not alone anymore," he agreed with a happy wag of his tail against the cobblestone terrace. Lillith got right into an explanation of what she had been looking for him for, and Roman's expression brightened with understanding. She blushed, looking mortified to be asking him to be her patient—her first patient at that—and then looking to him for approval. Well of course he was going to let her play doctor with him! The corner of his lips turned up in a crooked smile, holding those garnet eyes with his.

"Hmmm, I do suppose my shoulder could use some tending to," he said while glancing to his healing wound, giving the joint a slow roll for emphasis. "And how could I ever say no to such a cute doctor?" Roman shot her another teasing grin, knowing just how much those little compliments embarrassed Lil and made her squirm. "One condition though: I want a full annual checkup. If I'm getting a free physical, I'm getting my money's worth." He chuckled and glanced around the courtyard, from the terrace they were on right now to the flowering gardens and fountains. "Where would you like to do this? Out here, back in the infirmary, or somewhere else...?"

WC: 355
Total: 1750 / 1500

"Speech"

Seeing his expression light up and brighten as she appeared had become the highlight of her day. She knew some of it was just trying to keep her in good spirits, which he did very well. Lilith kept thinking back to her father’s words a few days ago and how he had suggested where this friendship might go. He was much more perceptive than she was, but he’d opened her eyes. Helped explain the world a little better. Warned her what that nervous little flutter in her belly was when Roman smiled at her like that.

His expression grew more sly, he held her gaze as she asked her question of him and answered kindly. Again he added a compliment about how cute of a medic she was. He easily created the blush he sought on her features, her pale fur showed the rosey skin beneath easily. He gave her condition though, if she was going to check she needed to go over everything and not just the shoulder he stretched. She would have giggled at his joke if she weren’t so nervous about messing something up.

"If you think that’s a good idea…” she trailed off as he asked where they should be performing this check up. "Right here if you want but I’d prefer the infirmary.” She wasn’t sure when all Gwyn was there or when she wasn’t, but this early in the morning it was a toss up. If she was there Lillith would have help. "Let's go.” She decided softly and turned to lead the way towards the medical rooms.

Gwynevere hadn’t made it in that morning so it was just herself and Romulus. She gestured for him to step up before her, reminding herself to start at the nose and end with his tail. "So how have you been feeling?” She started, trying to put him at ease but her nerves showed through more obviously than she realized. Carefully she examined his cute nose, vibrant eyes, and soft ears. Working down his neck to his chest where she would again press her paw to his heart. She paused there and let the silence fall over them as she felt the strong vibrant beats beneath.


"Speech"

He would have had to be blind to miss the way Lillith blushed and became more nervous at the prospect of doing a full physical exam on him. He might have felt bad, if making her blush hadn't been his objective all along. It was just too much fun to tease the sweet, innocent girl and see her face go hot! Besides, pink cheeks looked so lovely against alabaster and silver fur. Lillith stated she'd prefer the infirmary, so at her direction, he got to his paws and followed her back into the castle. The two walked the quiet hall close together until they arrived at the medical ward. It was also quiet and empty there as well; Gwynevere was probably out gathering herbs from the greenhouse or stowing supplies in the pharmacy. That was fine, it just meant more privacy for the two of them to allow Lillith to focus on her work.

The smaller silvery fae directed him to stand before her and so he did, easily standing a foot above her, so he craned his neck down just enough for her to reach him without needing to stretch or stand on her tiptoes. "Physically or emotionally?" he quipped back, giving her a cheeky grin. Yes, he was a jokester, and yes he was terrible and he knew it. "I feel fine. My shoulder still aches if I stretch or move it too much. And my grandfather always said my head was too hollow, but I don't think medicine can fix that." He snickered to himself while Lillith's delicate paws moved about his face, checking his wet black nose, holding his eyelids to inspect his steel-toned eyes, looking over his ears that he had to reeeeeeally try to sit still for and not squirm when her paws touched them. His ears were pretty sensitive.

Roman lifted his head to give her free access to his throat, a true show of trust to give her unrestricted freedom of his most vital area. As her paws moved down to his chest, over his lungs and his heart, Romulus took several long, deep breaths to allow her to feel the expansion and retraction of his lungs. His heart hammered strong and robust beneath her paws. He didn't say anything for a while, letting the silence take them in case she was keeping a mental count of his heartbeats. As the time ticked on though, he gave her a sly smirk and chuckled beneath his breath. "Noticing something with my heart?" he asked, knowing full well there was nothing wrong and that Lil was just getting lost in him, but he couldn't bring himself to stop her. She was just too damn adorable, and he liked making her happy.

"Speech"

He was sweet a leaned down to allow her to better see to his features, being a good sport about it all as she went over the important parts of his head and neck. The more she focused the easier it was to ignore the nervousness in her belly. For being alone his coat had a lustrous sheen, his eyes were clear and bright and were even more incredible up close. They truly were made of liquid silver. She chuckled alongside of him as he joked softly. Joking aside he was fine if not a little stiff where he’d been wounded. "I don’t think your head is hollow.” Lilith defended him with a smile as her ruby gaze lowered from his features to his chest.

She lingered there for a long time, counting for a minute but she kept on losing track, she was surprised her frustration did now show on her features. Maybe they were there as Roman finally spoke and she realized she had just been letting the feeling of his heart against her toes pull her away. "No, I’m sorry.” She pulled her paw away and tried to focus on the scabs over his shoulder. "I lost count and…” she tried to explain herself but the truth was she was getting lost in her own thoughts.

Lilith pulled away again and looked up to him with a satisfied scarlett gaze. "I think I can deem you healthy, just don’t stretch too much.” She told him with a grin. Her alabaster tail wagged at the stone beneath her paws as she sat back on her haunches.

"Speech"

Lillith finished her checkup and declared him healthy after fumbling through a half-hearted apology for just feeling on his chest (not that he'd minded a bit). He gave her a wide, tooth-filled smile and began wagging his tail like a metronome mirroring hers. "Good, now I'll live forever," he jested. "You did a good job, Doctor Lil. I'll be sure to keep my stretching and physical exercise to a minimum for now." Yeah, as if. Roman was a highly active spirit; he couldn't be slowed down by something like a cat scratch. "So... does this mean I get to give you a physical now?" He shot her a playful grin and a suggestive raise of his eyebrows just to try and bring some of that blush back to her cheeks.

"Speech"

He mostly ignored her little apology, but it seemed like he hadn’t really minded her scattered mind all that much. Lil could have blamed him anyway, he was the one with such a transfixing heartbeat. Of course she was also reminded of their first night, in this room and as friends. It was a day she would never forget. The thought kept a smile on her features as easily as his little joke but not as much as his praise. She had done well, much better than she thought she would. She hadn’t poked out his eye or pulled his fur. He promised to follow her orders but she kind of doubted his resolve. Roman was the last wolf she expected to take it easy. It seemed like he was up and moving even when they were taking it easy together.

She couldn’t help but blink back in surprise as he turned her own question abc against him. Being in such close proximity would have been a little too thrilling if she didn’t have her job to do. Allowing him so close? "Yes, of course!” He was a healer in training too, arguably much better than she was. Still she couldn’t help but wonder what kind of second opinion she might get from Roman. Guinevere had given her an honest opinion, it could be true it could not. Still, what would this wonderful boy say to make her feel better today?

Lilith stood for him, lifting her head so he didn’t have to crane his neck so far, she presented herself to be checked up on. Silly little grin on her maw and her garnet gaze glistening as she looked up expectantly into steely silver eyes.

"Speech"

It came as a little delight to the Armada lad when Lillith so readily accepted his offer to give her a physical checkup in turn. He hadn't been really expecting her to agree, especially not after the degree of embarrassing he'd done to her, but now that he'd offered he couldn't rightly change his mind. Besides, it would be good paws on experience for him. He blinked in surprise, but the smile on his face grew all the same. "Okay, great! Assume the position, stand up straight, don't stretch or strain. Just be comfy." Lillith did as he directed, lifting her head up to him with vibrant, lively red eyes and this adorable little dopey grin on her face. Damn, she was too cute!

Roman chuckled as he held her gaze for a moment, then came closer to begin his examination. He did as she had, starting with her cute little nose, ending the first part of the exam with a playful boop to the end of her snoot. He gently lifted her lips and jowls, inspecting the color of her gums and her fangs, giving a quiet hum of appraisal before moving to her gorgeous eyes. As he checked them, he sighed and shook his head. "You really have the best eyes, y'know that, Lil? I'm so envious. They're like my great-uncle Bacchus' and mine are just... gray." Content with how her eyes looked and responded, Roman gave her silky soft ears a feel, running the delicate skin through his paws ever so slowly.

With their height difference, he was practically leaning over her, their bodies scant inches apart with her standing perfectly level with his chest. When he finished, he moved his paws down the sides of her face to cup her cheeks, giving them a gentle pat and a playful smirk before letting those paw pads drift down over her jaw to her neck. "Chin up, please," he said, and once she complied, he slowly ran his paws down the sides of her neck, then brought one back ti run down her throat, feeling the muscles for any strain and noting her pulse in her veins.

He smiled at her as his paws moved to rest over her chest, giving simple instructions of, "Breathe in. Hold... Breathe out." He felt the rise and fall of her chest, then replaced his paws with his head, pressing an ear to her chest. "Breathe in. Hold... Breathe out." Her lungs sounded weaker than they should be for a wolf her age, still clearly ravaged by whatever disease she had contracted. Roman placed a paw over her heart to count her pulse and feel the strength of it. "How've you been feeling in general? Any symptoms beyond the usual? How has the fatigue and breathlessness been the last few days?"

"Speech"

Roman was a little surprised as her confirming answer but he recovered quickly and got right into it. Lilith tried not to focus on how close he was or the way he playfully poked her nose and grinned down at her. She giggled lightly but held her breath as he inspected her lips and teeth before turning to her bright eyes. He spoke more about how pretty her eyes were than the state of them so she assumed they were healthy but also blushed at his compliment and argued against his point. "Just gray? No, yours are like silver in liquid form. They shine so vividly…” She quieted shyly as she got away with herself and his paws traced the soft fur of her ears.

They instantly warmed, and she felt like her skin was red all over now. He was so close, every breath brought a fresh bresh of his coat. Lilith could very nearly feel the warmth of him before he gave her another grin and lifted her chin. He felt over her throat, a sensation that sent a shiver down her spine. Gwynevere checked her pulse before but it had never felt so… personal. She did as he asked. Breathing in and out as he placed his silvery ear against her and listened to her chest. He paid much closer attention to that part of her anatomy than she had spent on his.

"I feel fine,” she told him honestly. After resting and recovering that first night she felt great. Maybe it was the deep sleep she had gotten after Roman slept so close. He chased her nightmares away and brought a healing sleep. He really was everything that she needed. "Nothing unusual, and maybe even better than normal.” She chuckled lightly with a smile as his paw rested against her chest, much like hers had on his. He could feel every heavy beat. "Maybe a little fluttering though.” Especially when I’m around you.

"Speech"

A light scoff came from the steel blue wolf when Lillith eloquently described his eyes as liquid silver, giving her a little incredulous shake of his head. Sometimes she was far too sweet to him. He'd never tell her to stop though; he liked the attention as much as he liked giving her attention back. Romulus had felt the trace of a quiver run through her when he'd checked her throat and felt her pulse, but he didn't call her out on it. No, that would be his little secret to enjoy knowing he could make her react like that. It was terribly intoxicating and Roman silently wondered what other sorts of reactions he could get from the silvery Adravendi girl. He didn't want to embarrass her too much though—but when was he going to get another chance like this, the two of them alone with the freedom to put paws anywhere on her?

"That's good! You look better every day," he remarked with a proud smile, deliberately leaving his double entendre unaddressed and open to her interpretation. Lillith was a very pretty wolf, from dazzling ruby eyes to pristine alabaster and silver fur, wearing the dappled spotty marks he had noticed the rest of her family as well. "Maybe a little fluttering though.” Romulus gave a husky chuckle and glanced up at her from beneath his lashes with sparkling silver eyes and a crooked grin. Oh is that so...? "Hmm, we should probably keep an eye on that, just in case. Your heart feels good now, strong and steady." He slowly trailed his paw down her chest, letting it drop of her back to the stone floor. "But maybe we should just make sure that fluttering's nothing too serious."

Rising to his paws, Romulus got up and moved around to Lillith's side. He nudged at her side with his muzzle to urge her to stand straight and still while he came to sit alongside her. Wearing the most innocuous smile he could muster, Roman lifted his paws to place one along her back and slowly trail it down along her spine, feeling her posture while his other ran along her side, giving gentle presses along the way to feel at her insides with tender pressure. "Let me know if I touch anything tender or painful, or if that fluttering comes back," he said in his low timbre, his paws moving from her chest down her sides with a slow glide, running his digits through her soft fur and along warm skin, tracing the way her body curved naturally while he felt for any abnormalities along her torso and abdomen.

"Speech"

He didn’t argue with her anymore, but he chuckled and shook his head almost defeated. Lil smirked lightly, the expression sweet and innocent as she defended his pretty eyes. She felt the opposite to him, she wished she had her father’s silvery eyes instead of the rubies she sported. He was too caught up in her pulse to comment again before assessing her further. They were very much alone, and very close, and her father’s warning wasn’t far from her mind. Roman was her friend, but being close like this brought the thought of having more than that back around.

Lillith blushed again with his compliment, she was feeling better everyday but she hadn’t noticed any change in appearance. Some days were just better than others but Roman saw past all of that. She smiled and shyly averted her gaze as she confessed her fluttering heart. Romulus pondered about what the ailment could be, right now it was beating fine, steady and strong. They’d just have to keep an eye on anything out of the ordinary. "I don’t think it is.” Not to her physical detriment at least.

Roman wasn’t finished yet and shifted to the side of her, she stood straight as he silently directed. He pressed hi spaws into her soft fur and familiarized himself with her form. When his paw trailed over her ribs she squirmed a little because she was ticklish but mostly held her composure. When the one down her back reached her lower back her heart fluttered everywhere and more as he traced over her belly.

"Tickly, but not painful.” She started with a soft chuckle as she moved unintentionally as he brushed over sensitive skin. Lilith didn’t usually let anyone this close to begin with, he was being allowed many privileges as he took the role of her physician. "And some fluttering.” She confessed, uncertain if he could feel the way he made her heart skip.

"Speech"

Romulus didn't think he'd ever get tired of seeing how many times he could get Lillith to blush and get all shy and embarrassed around him. It was way too much fun seeing how he could get her to react, and besides, he was a shameless flirt so it was even more entertaining to the Armada lad! As his paw poked over her ribs, he saw the way her body jerked and squirmed, glancing up at her face to catch the glimpse of a tickled smile before it faded. He raised a curious brow while a wicked grin spread across his lips. So Lillith was ticklish, was she? Romulus would remember this. This close to her, with his paws roaming oh so "innocently" over her body while he gave her a full physical, Roman could surreptitiously take in her scent, sweet and feminine and so distinctly her. Her warmth beneath his paw and the softness of her fur between his digits were tactile sensations he burned into his memory. He might have been young, but the adolescent wolf would be turning into an adult next season, and it was becoming quite obvious as his interests advanced with his maturing what his love language would be.

Roman gave an intrigued "aah" when Lillith mentioned his paws felt tickly, but hadn't found anything painful. "Good, very good," he said with a slow nod of his head. His tail wagged excitedly behind him, betraying just how much he was enjoying this while his paws reached her lower back and belly. He paused for a moment, silvery eyes lingering on her feminine form, from perfectly pointed ears to lithe body and slender waist, shapely legs, and well-defined curves in all the right places. Even knowing she was only just going through adolescence now a couple seasons behind him, Lillith was a beautiful wolf, and he suspected she'd only look better as she finished growing into her adult self.

Lillith mentioned how the fluttering in her heart was coming back and a smug grin came over the young wolf's face while he prided himself on being able to get those reactions from her again. Easy there, Roman... Don't overwhelm her. He could only imagine the optics of what it'd look like for someone to walk in, see him with his paws around her as she passed out from overeagerness, especially if that someone was her father. Despite feeling a growing aching in his belly, Romulus let out a slow sigh and brought his paws down around her waist and just in front of her hips, moving back up her body in a facade of checking her out until he reached her ribs, which he gave a few quick brushes of his paws over those spots that had made her squirm earlier.

"Well, from what I can see, you're perfectly healthy, Lillith!" he said while bringing himself to sit in front of her with a warm smile and shining eyes. "Unless I missed something you wanted me to look at. I definitely don't want you to feel like I didn't give you a thorough exam." He left the option open to her. He quite enjoyed playing her physician, for reasons even beyond just getting to have his paws on her and make her smile.

"Speech"

Lillith didn’t have to worry about being tickled as a child, she was safe from her siblings who had been scared to even touch her while she was sick. Then her need to have distance from those around her kept her from getting tickled from Ulric. Her garnet gaze caught Roman’s wicked smile as he accidentally tickled her, now that he knew she had a feeling it would quickly come back to haunt her. She stood much more still as his paws traced down her curves and checked over her lithe body. Lillith was thin compared to her family and other girls her age. Her muscle mass was anything but impressive, dainty would have been the best way to describe her small form. She put on a good front, she had much more bravery than her body would let on, but there was still a long way to go.

Thankfully she had Romulus here beside her for this journey to recovery and health. She knew that she could rely on him to help her learn and grow. They had formed a fast friendship and she knew she could rely on him. Lil tried not to squirm as his paws moved from her hips back towards her ribs. The fluttering sensation building with the ticklish feeling as he mischievously ran his toes over her ribs.

She giggled suddenly, squirming as she tried to get away from his paws. "Ah! Roman!” She giggled. He didn’t force his tickles, as she pulled away he moved to sit back in front of her, keeping his paws to himself after giving into temptation and tickling slightly. She settled as well, her tail nervously brushing at her hips as she recovered from his actions with a big smile. Lilith felt quite inspected, he knew her even better now that he had been allowed a physical exam. She felt like it was a little more than just an innocent exam. "I think you know everything about me now.” She chuckled lightly, having learned something about herself too. "I guess we’ll just have to keep an eye on heart flutters.” She added with a good natured smile.

"Speech"

Listening to Lillith's squealing giggles and laughs while he tickled her brought a wide, humored smile to Romulus' face, his eyes twinkling mischievously. Oh, he was going to have fun with this new knowledge! His tail wagged excitedly, having far too much fun teasing and playing with his new friend. Coming from a large family, Roman had always been used to having lots of wolves to hang out with, play games with, tease and joke around with and just have company. Since he'd left his home, the solitude had been stark and deafening. Lillith helped to fill that void in his life that he craved. Family was the most important aspect to the Armada family, and he already considered Lil as part of his new family he was building here in Auster.

He enjoyed the way she sounded when she was giggling his name out—probably more than he should—but he respected when she began to squirm away from his tickling paws, letting her relax and recover as he declared her healthy. Sure, she was lighter than a wolf her age should probably be, and her muscle mass had some growing to do, but those were things they had both known already and were working on. He saw Lil for all the splendor she was now, and he could already see how she could become when he envisioned her a month, a season, a year from now. He was determined to help get his friend to where she wanted to be, damned be the diagnoses of the doctors and the overprotectiveness of her helicopter father!

He gave an airy laugh and shook his head when she spoke. "Oh, there's no way I could learn everything about you in a few minutes, Lil. But I'm eager to learn more about you every day," he remarked with his usual dashing, crooked grin that showed just a flash of his teeth and that rakish gleam in his eyes. Her kind heart and good nature was so endearing, and even though she was so innocent to the world, she had this thirst for knowledge and experience that he found alluring. "I guess we will. You'll have to let me know if they start getting too out of control." As if to tempt the fates just a little more, Roman leaned forward to close the space between them until his nose booped against hers with a light tap. He motioned with a flick of his head toward the door, deciding he'd probably sent the poor girl's heart into a tizzy enough for now. "C'mon, wanna get out of here?"

"Speech"

She could easily see how much joy Roman gained from teasing and tickling her, but he didn’t press her too far. He released her soon enough that even if she squirmed Lil enjoyed his actions. She had never really had a chance as a child to play, roughhouse, and tickle her siblings. She was far too sick as a child to participate even if she had the desire to. Lilith didn’t mourne her lost childhood, she was living life to the fullest now, and she had to be at peace with what was in the past. That included her mother and sister leaving her. Roman was swiftly making his place in her life, as her best friends but there was a hint of something more than just that. Lil would eagerly accept him into her circle of family, she just wasn’t aware of how far that fact would go.

Lil had a long way to go to bring her body to full health, she was doing well but there were relapses. She had her bad days, but she was improving. There was a light at the end of the tunnel, she was blossoming into the healthy wolf she was supposed to be, slowly but surely, and with all the love and help of those surrounding her. Roman had reignited her desire to live, to recover, and to be better. There was a whole world to conquer, and she had the Armada boy to help her through. He was her best friend, and even more than her family’s protective and loving presence he encouraged her like no one else. He understood her almost instinctively and even if he wasn’t sure that he knew her fully, she really felt he was in tune with her and her moods.

He assured her there was much more to learn, but Lil felt the same way. Like she had known Roman her whole life instead of only weeks. He grinned and she returned the expression, her smile bright and innocent. "Everyday.” She agreed. They really were fast friends, it didn’t take long for her to want to spend all her time with him. They shared the same interests and were roughly the same skill level even if she wouldn’t admit that. Roman went on, making sure she would let him know if her fluttering heart got to be too much. Her eyes widened slightly as he leaned forward. As though he knew exactly what to do to make her nervous.

His nose touched hers in an innocent affection, but it was definitely enough to send her insides into a tizzy. The fluttering moved to her belly and her heart settled in her throat. Lilith’s grin brightened even more, surprised at the nose bump, but oh so giddy for it. "Yeah, let's go.” She smiled brightly, her tail wagged, and her heart hammered against her chest. Her paws were suddenly restless and she was ready for whatever adventure Roman might have in mind.

"Speech"