He felt more than heard her hum as he settled down around her. She was so small his entire body engulfed her, and he was afraid that if he fell asleep, he would crush her. What would Deathbelle think then, if he had accidentally suffocated her favourite slave in his sleep.
He settled back down fully, to the sound of the rain and the breathing of the girl beside him. He was accustomed to sleeping with another like this, he had always kept a respectful distance between himself and Deathbelle. It seemed strangely intimate, and he wasn’t sure if he wanted to press closer, or backpedal entirely, and perhaps even slink out into the rain.
Her nose touched his leg, and he almost grunted at the coldness of it. He was glad he had put a blanket around her, elsewise she was sure to catch a chill, as wet as the rain had left her. He was somewhat cold himself, but he could feel her warm breath against his leg, and felt oddly soothed by it.
Somewhere along the way Zee had become his friend, a person he loved outside of Deathbelle, and he was feeling strangely protective of her, with the sound of the storm beyond them, and her against him. He knew he could shelter her from very little in Ashen, the outside world, perhaps, but in Ashen? He could only hope that her favouritism with Deathbelle protected her.
He yawned, and closed his eyes with his head upon his paws, and breathed softly. “At this point, it’s enough that you are here and safe.” he said, voice sleepy and gentle. He would have to be especially macho and rough with her in the morrow to make up for this night.
Bloodletter
