Venom was beginning to stir into consciousness. For the second time in a row she’d been knocked out of her first round and lost the Empire the raid. Her mind vaguely grasped at these concepts as she began to come to. She didn’t remember the moments leading up to being knocked out nor did she remember Deathbelle grabbing her after her own fight with the brute that scarred Hela.

The princess assumed she was alone now, she didn’t know where her mother brought her. Only barely did she realize she wasn’t on the battlefield anymore. A sigh fell from her lips as her eyelids trembled and were squeezed shut as she refused to open them. Defeat settled over her and she wondered for a moment how she was going to face the world. How could she be Empress if all she did was fail?

She groaned and rolled over, also unaware that Deathbelle had Azure stop in to check on her...

It frustrated Azure beyond belief that he and the others of the Armada were not there to help Ashen through the raid. As soon as he'd been informed he bolted over the border, mostly hoping that he could catch a stray intruder who'd lingered too long so he could rip it's throat out. His for-now Empress intercepted him, explaining that Venom was knocked unconscious and resting within her palace den. Az made good time over the bridges until he reached the doorway, forcing himself to slow and not barge himself inside in a way that might wake her. The titanic boy lay himself down beside her, concern in his eyes as they roamed up and down her still form. He had to reassure himself that Venom would be okay, there was no doubt in his mind that had her injuries be severe enough Deathbelle herself would be at her sick bed. Stupid, stupid, stupid! This was all his fault. Sirius would never have allowed his charge to be hurt like this, Azure blamed himself for not being there to protect her. How badly she'd blame him he did not yet know. Was he spending too much time with Hanako, now enough to ignore his responsibility to be her guard? Was this how his father felt? His thoughts were interrupted as she stirred and immediately his muscled tensed, ready to stand and offer her support if needed. It seemed did not know he was even there, at least not until she rolled nearly into his outstretched paws and he was forced to lift his head to give her room. "Venom?" He whispered, uncertain. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Venom’s pink purple eyes fluttered open as she heard her name spoken and she realized how close Azure was. For a moment she stiffened, uncertain of anything in her world. She blinked back her emotions as she looked up at the boy who lay beside her. With a soft sigh she relaxed against him, there was no judgement in his gaze and he was so warm in the cold of the palace. The princess closed her eyes again and relaxed against his huge form.

”I lost again.” She told him bitterly as she hid her eyes against the thick fur at his chest. She was careful to avoid the long spikes at his joints as she unconsciously searched him for strength. Defeat didn’t suit her well, and her anguish was obvious in her soft voice. She didn’t have anyone to show her weakness to, but having Azure here in her lowest moment felt more comforting than curse.

The defeat in her voice was hard to miss and seeing Venom in pain was enough to prevent him from shimmying away from her touch. It was not often he allowed wolves who did not belong to his family to touch him, historically those comforts were reserved for, well, Asla? He pushed away the thought, not wanting to think about the sister whom he so deeply missed and how lacking in closeness he'd been with others since then. Instead he pushed his nose into the top of her head, a murmur rumbling in his throat. "I'm sorry, I should have been there." He whispered after a moment, his oversized paw lifting to run his claws lightly between the quills in her scruff. "Do you know who it was? I could bring you their toes as a trophy." It was a joke - mostly - though one he was absolutely willing to follow through with should she ask him to. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Venom had only allowed the boy’s father to be this close to her. Sirius had been like a father to her, someone she could rely on fully. There wasnt much of a stretch to bring Azure under that umbrella. For him to become her umbrella. Azure sank lower, pressing his nose to her head as he spoke softly to her in return. He should have been there. Maybe he should have been beside her. If she were his Empress and he was her Warlord they shouldn’t have been so far apart. He was here now though, his presence a silent promise.

”Would you?” She asked hopefully. Venom had no love for the northern pack and if Azure brought her the man’s toes? ”He was tusked, and not a small man. Older. Older even than our parents I’d wager.” She told him just as softly, but her thrist for revenge hinted in her tone. She sighed softly as his claws traced through the fur at her back. The princess further relaxed beside her boy warlord. For a moment she felt right when the whole world felt so wrong.

Her reaction was not what he expected and Azure's brows raised in momentary surprise. He began to consider it more seriously, committing the details to memory and hating that he knew so little about the northern pack. During their war meeting his parents had explained how Winterfell's alpha had once upon a time attacked Sirius and even armed with that information he'd not voted for them as a raiding target, regrettably. Perhaps if another council was brought together he'd have another chance at revenge on behalf of the princess. His thoughts drifted once more to Hana, the wolf who had agreed to spy for him. Winterfell would be a difficult target to send her on for her first try, but perhaps she could find her way into the outskirts of the large pack and collect for him the information he needed. "A tusk, then." His reply was delayed by the consideration, his tone more serious this time. "To wear around your neck. We can hollow it out and make a poison vial out of it or something." To Azure it was plans of revenge that helped him overcome his sadness and defeat. Cruelty was all he knew, so it was what he offered to Venom now even as he gently stroked her scruff. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

He was quiet for a long moment but Venom didn’t care. Beyond being a little loopy from her experience in the raid she felt at ease there in his arms. Azure may have been a pup but he still dwarfed her. He was both mature and showed his age at the same time but as his claw stroked her back Venom didn’t want anything else. He was the least likely of comforts but already the Princess felt herself rising above the low hitting loss.

Azure was more serious when he eventually spoke again, promising her the tusk of the one who had beaten her. Venom felt herself grin as she looked up hesitantly at his determined features. Yes, Azure would act as her hand and smite that which struck her down. The thought returned the flame to her belly and she felt at ease. ”Yes.” She agreed softly. ”One day Winterfell will realize their folly.” Venom growled lightly as she spoke of the future, craving the day. She knew Azure would not let her down.

Despite the excitement their talks brought Venom could feel the heavy burden her body had in its recovery and she relaxed further into Azure’s side. Being this close she could feel his strength and determination, he really would make a great warlord someday. ”You won’t leave now though…” She wasn’t sure if it was a command or a question but all she wanted in those moments was to feel his strength wrapped around her. She felt weak but he was strong.

Her agreement was all Azure needed, he'd do this for her and suffer the wrath of his father later on. Winterfell had harmed the Empire and it was the Armada's job to retaliate in kind, Sirius would understand wouldn't he? "I promise you they will." He agreed, voice low. Whether it was the tusked man or another who suffered for the attack, Azure was confident in his ability to cause twice the pain they had. He pushed thoughts away as she spoke once more, speaking for him that he would remain with her. He murmured an affirming noise into her fur. There would be a time for revenge, Azure needed to resign himself to the here and now and stay where he was needed. Venom relaxed further into his side and the boy found himself lost with how he should reciprocate. His brows furrowed in thought and he began to feel tendrils of nervousness dance inside his chest. It was easier to focus away from where he was. It took no effort to decide exactly how he'd make the tusked man suffer, though it seemed the hardest task in the world to figure out how to help his princess to relax. He swallowed, hesitating before leaning back upon his outside shoulder and opening his arm to her. While Venom was not as small as his mother - and surely his experience watching his parents was the only reference of cuddling he had - he figured she'd still be able to fit against him similarly. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

His voice was low but she could hear the passion and determination in his promise. She felt her dark lips pull back into a dark smile as the thought comforted her as much as Azure’s close proximity. She had to admit he wouldn’t have been the first wolf she would have chosen to wake up to, but having him here was a blessing she would not underappreciate. He was rough around the edges to say the least and his youth was glaringly obvious at times. He knew what he wanted though, he was confident and he held all the strength of his lineage.

Venom didn’t know any more than Azure what she was doing, the boy was close and she was following her instincts. She wanted to be close, to absorb his strength. The Princess didn’t pick up on his hesitation; she was still a bit woozy from her head wound anyway. Venom looked up as he leaned back with a silent invitation. A genuine grin flashed across her features as her forked tongue slipped from her lips in a pleased flick before she scooted closer to his massive chest.

He was even warmer like this, it was a thought she clung to as her stomach swelled into a swarm of butterflies. The feeling was completely foreign and unexpected. She tried not to stiffen as it overtook her and she made herself more comfortable against Azure’s fur. Despite her tall size he was still huge and she fit in beside him like it was meant to be. She chuckled lightly as she wrapped her arms around his neck and settled comfortably against him.

The feel of her arms around his neck was something that was incredibly foreign to him. It was nearly like the combat-grappling that he was used to, though with a softness that he couldn't recognize. He swallowed once more before leaning his head down atop her own, wrapping her in a protective embrace.

His eyes stared out towards the door as he held her, a growing anxiety building within him. What if someone came? Deathbelle? One of his parents? Hanako? Was this what guilt felt like? Surely they'd not be alone here forever and the moment felt just so intimate and personal that he couldn't help but wonder how much trouble he'd be in if he was caught. Like a typical young boy he however did not want the closeness to end, regardless of the potential danger. He pushed away thought of his Empress, of the brightly colored wolf who was his first friend. "Sleep, I'll keep you safe." He whispere, pressing his nose back against her fur. "For as long as it takes."

She felt warm all over as Azure lowered his head around her dainty form and he surrounded her in a protective embrace. Venom never got this feeling when Sirius held her, but with Azure it seemed so much different. He was a little hesitant, but she was too. Venom was the Crown Princess, she held authority above all besides her mother. There was no fear in her for being found out. Even if Sirius was to walk in and find them there, she would defend their actions to the end. She wanted him close to her, like she hadn’t wanted anyone else thus far.

Plague abandoned her. Toxicity was too devoted to Abraxas, but was a valuable ally. Pestilence betrayed her. Calamity was all but lost. Azure was here though, his huge form pressed against her as he whispered his promises into her dark ears. ”I’ll keep you safe.” She felt shame at the words, but with her injury she realized there was no protecting herself. She always hated that her mother hid behind Sirius, but at Azure’s commitment she felt her mind changing. For as long as it takes, Azure would hold tightly to her. As he spoke she wondered if it wasn’t just her physical body she wanted him to protect. Her heart beat wildly and she wondered if she would even be able to sleep.

His warmth lulled her softly though and the thought of having someone she could trust comforted her. Here she was in the weakest state she’d ever been and Azure lay guard over her. When he could most take advantage instead he supported her. For a brief moment Venom’s world felt right and complete like it hadn’t had since her father’s death. ”I know you will.” She murmured softly as long lashes flickered over tired eyes and she fit snugly beside him. Sleep would be easy to find, her body needed healing and she felt safe.