just follow your instinct

Rhyme never really kept a den until his children were born. He’d helped Tana to create a den near the rapids, a place that was destroyed now. The location was bittersweet, and at this point he just wanted to forget it. The den he’d taken during his recovery was not as impressive, but there was room enough for his huge form along with Rara’s smaller one. It was secluded and well dug, and they were kept warm and snug within.

He convinced her from her slumber with gentle movements and for a moment she seemed to resist him. Rhyme held his breath as she stirred lightly and hummed softly in his dark ear. He could feel her smile as she lifted her features and rested on his cheek. His own dark lips pulled back into a sweet grin as he reveled in her closeness. The self named man rejected the sorrow hanging over him, it was time to move forward. To do as he was bid.

She woke up slowly in his arms, and as she spoke her morning greeting he felt himself relax further. He let his mind rest and his body ease beside her. Rhyme found himself wondering what it would take to call her “mrs. Cavaliere” in return. She beamed up at him, and he could hear the affection in her voice and his heart lifted. Samara did something to him, being there for him in his darkest moments and staying by his side when things turned for the worse. He still wasn’t convinced he deserved her.

”Good morning.” He whispered in return, ”I hope you slept well.” Confessing himself to her while she had been asleep was easy. Could he do it again now that she was awake. Did he tell her about his dream? ”Samara…” he started quietly, blue and lavender eyes lingering on her bright sapphire eyes as he made an attempt to put his thoughts into words. Rhyme wanted to let go and adore her like she deserved. ”It took me too long to realize.” His words were almost an apology, ”I’m falling in love with you.”