Roan limped along beside Ioaire, his guit both assuaged and intensified. He would never forget that he’d almost caused Resin’s death as well. She thought him foolish and that was what he was. Too foolish to keep his comrades safe. He tried not to think on it too heavily, the bear was dead and Dapple’s death was avenged. He could begin to let go. Io led the way towards the quiet little clearing where Dapple found her final place of rest. This was the second kindness that Iolaire did for him, the first moment that he fet like he could continue on in this world when Io returned to the cottage that night.

He’d smelled death and dirth upon her and had known instantly what she had done. Now they made their way back and Roan struggled with his emotions. He kept them inside and brewed darkly despite the source of happiness at his side. When his verdant gaze fell on the grave marker though everything spilled over.

The hardened warrior felt tears well up in his eyes as he yearned for his sister and felt the guilt of her death hard upon him.

There was still a bit of dirt on her fur and a bit of blood on her paws, but other things needed to be tended to. With her mother's wounds seen to, Iolaire led her bruised man to the place where she had buried his sisters remains. While Roan had caught his breath, Io had come to the grave and placed the bouquet of Heather, Celosia and Goldenrod upon the earth. After she had buried Dapple, the small woman had used leverage to push a nice sized rock onto the grave. That rock was still there, thankfully. Nothing had tried to unearth the woman.

Having shown Roan to the grave of his sister, Iolaire took a step back, letting him do what he needed to do. It wasn't long before tears flowed from her lovers eyes. Only then did Iolaire step forward once more. She leaned against his back, placing her cheek upon him. Iolaire said nothing, but she let him know that she was there. He wasn't dealing with this alone.

Roan paid the dirt, blood, and grime that covered them no mind, his focus was on the past and on the present. Dapple was gone, it was his fault but now that the creature was dead some of his guilt was assuaged. Still, even with his hard work he couldn’t bring her back he could only get even with the monster that took her. Tear slipped over his silver marked cheeks, he didn’t miss the fresh flowers that decorated the grave and he felt Io’s presence clearly beside him.

He leaned against his mate’s touch, craving her closeness and her support. She offered both as he inched closer to where his sister was laid. Carefully he took one massive black paw and placed it against the rounded stone. He lowered his head and sobbed softly. ”Thank you, Io.” He whispered as his legs gave out and he lowered himself to the ground beside his sister and he wept for her.

As Roan collapsed into sobs upon his sisters grave, Iolaire curled her body over his back, embracing him as best as she could. He thanked her and she merely nodded with her cheek against his ruff. She knew that he missed his sister. He would always miss her. Hopefully ending the life of the beast that had killed her would ease some of the guilt that she knew he still felt.

She held him as he cried. It didn't matter how long it took. Everything else had been seen to and she had nothing but time for him. Iolaire nuzzled into the back of his neck and give him a squeeze. "You've done what you needed to do. That bear will never harm another." She slid her muzzle along the back of one ear. "Dapple is avenged and probably laughing at the mess you boys made of things." From her place atop him, she wiped the tears from his cheeks and kissed him between the ears.

Iolaire held him tightly and pressed herself to him in support. Dapple would have enjoyed Iolaire very much, and he hated the thought of purpose in Dapple’s death. Were she still here the man wouldn’t have met up with Iolaire. She wouldn’t have nursed him back to health and they wouldn’t have fallen in love. Roan grit his teeth painfully and worked to gain control of his breath. No matter the reasons or what ifs. This was reality. Dapple was no longer beside him, but he had his beloved Iolaire.

They hadn’t known each other long but the connection was real and he felt love for her deeper than anything before in his troubled life. Roan clung to the knowledge that he could reply on the woman that held him, she showed her support of him from the moment they had met in that cave. If he had to give up his sister at least he could grab hold of his soon to be wife. He cried away his guilt but he would never be relieved of the pain he felt at losing Dapple.

He dragged in a ragged breath as Iolaire nuzzled into him and told him that he had seen through a job well done. The bear was dead, it would never do to another what had been done to his sister. He could take comfort in that. The image she painted of Dapple gave him comfort because she was completely right, the woman would have teased him to the end of time at his poor performance.

Roan managed a sad smile as he let her take away his tears. He returned her kisses as best he could with the awkward angle. He felt good having Io beside him, She saved him in more ways than one. ”You’re right,” He shook his head as he returned his forest gaze to the earth Dapple had been returned to. ”I think she would have adored you. Maybe not as much as I do..” He craned his neck and aimed to nuzzle Io’s cheek and kiss her slate lips. He sighed heavily, it seemed like life could go on now.

The silver marked man shifted beneath the dainty healer so that he could hold her to his chest. He was overwhelmed with emotion, but the most vibrant was his love for her.

She knew what it was like to lose a sibling and so she felt Roan's pain with him. That was why she tried to be there, but silent. She would allow him to work through his grief, but she would be there when she was needed. Before Roan arrived, she had tried her best to clean the weeds from the grave and get it looking presentable. There was one thing missing though and she would retrieve it shortly.

When Roan moved her against his chest, she went willingly, returning the kiss that he gave her. "If she was anything like you, I'm sure I would have adored her too." Again she kissed him. "I certainly adore you." Peeling herself from his embrace, she nuzzled between his ears after standing. "I have to go grab something. I'll be right back." It would give the man a little privacy with his deceased sibling.

Iolaire made her way back to the dead bear, it's pelt already removed and its head missing. She cut into the chest and removed the giant heart. It was bloody work and by the time she took the thing in her mouth and went back to where Roan lay, she was a mess. The dark woman lay the heart at her loves paws. "You wanted to give this to her." She took a step back, allowing him to do so.

He felt free. Killing the massive bear had relieved his burden, despite Resin’s injuries the mission had been successful. His last debt to his sister was finally repaid and he could move on to the much anticipated next step of his life. Iolaire was supportive through his whole ordeal, saving him from certain death, rehabilitating him afterwards, seeing to Dapple’s remains. He couldn’t have asked for a better partner to share his life with.

Io pulled away from him, but gave him a comforting nuzzle before promising to make her return. Roan wasn’t sure he wanted her to go, but he took the moments alone with his sister. One massive black paw was placed delicately over the newly cleared grave and the huge man sighed heavily. ”I’m sorry I couldn’t protect you.” His voice was small and uncertain in his tones of apology. ”I promise I’ll be better. I’ll keep Iolaire safe.” There was little else he could do. Roan mourned quietly alone, before his fiancee returned.

He turned to see Iolaire return to him, verdant gaze widening at the sight of her. She was covered in blood, but she held his prize up proudly before depositing his chosen gift at his feet. He felt himself fall in love with her all over again. He didn’t hesitate in stealing another passionate kiss from her. He resisted the urge to wrap his arms around her as his attention was called to the deep red heart on the ground.

Finding an adequate steak shaped branch Roan drove the wood through the heart and then pushed the steak into the ground. Likely it would get picked off by scavengers, but it would be a fitting end. He sat back, his expression serious but content as he put an end to a difficult chapter of his life.