Stubborn Love

Shaye's scent was heavy in the air, he tried not to realize where he'd put himself. Curled up close to her in the warmth of her den, he mentally shook the thoughts from his mind. "Does it hurt too bad?" He asked, wondering what kid of pain management might be best to use with her being pregnant. Rhyme continued to see to her wounds as he avoided taking in her gaze. That particular action still caused a pain in his chest.

Of course he'd finished with his work much too soon, but he continued to play with the fur around her wound absentmindedly. He was careful not to aggravate it and cause her discomfort as she returned his scolding. He should have been paying more attention to his surroundings.

"It's not that fluffy is it?" He asked in mock concern as he looked back playfully at his rear. Had she been looking? He really shouldn't have been entertaining the thoughts. Rhyme was also trying to lighten the mood. They were literally talking about life and death. He could have been seriously injured and she could have lost the babies. "I've got our highest ranking members doing double duty, an even the apprentices have stepped up. We should really put some thought into graduating a couple of them. Ignis fought that tiger with me." He told her proudly, realizing how long it had been since he and Shaye had really caught up on things. Their one drunken night had really thrown a wrench in how close they had been.

He felt frustrated with the distance that had grown, and despite being only inches away he felt like it was miles. He put the blame for it on himself. His lack of self restraint had caused all of this. The rift, the pups... He sighed internally at his mistakes but held the memory close. He had to since he couldn't hold her close to him.