We Fight Together

Rich amber eyes slowly flickered open as muted sunlight began to pour into the bedroom. Artorias took a deep breath, holding it for a moment before letting it slowly go. As his mind began to rouse itself from the haze of sleep, the young wolf looked groggily down at the warm body still wrapped up in his paws. Briar was sound asleep and pressed snuggly up against him, her weight bringing him a peace and comfort that nothing else could. A small smile touched his lips while he watched her sleep peacefully, content to listen to each breath she took while her chest rose and fell. He could have stayed in that moment forever, in the quiet stillness of the early morning, with nothing to disturb them or pull them from their perfect little world. He listened to the ocean waves just outside his bedroom windows, the rhythmic sounds almost lulling him back to slumber.

In the days that had followed his mother's death and her funeral, Artorias had been dour and melancholy, barely eating and unable to sleep without nightmares of Resin's gristly demise. Briar's presence had helped soothe most of the worst of it and brought him somewhat back to life, keeping him from tailspinning into full-on depression. He would always be grateful for her presence in his life, and he would never be able to convey just how important she was to him. Artorias ran a slow paw up and down Briar's back, following the ridge of her spine up between her shoulder blades and back down again, feeling the softness of her fur and the warmth of her skin underneath his touch. Leaning down, he placed a slow, tender kiss on her forehead, trying to gently rouse her from sleep. He didn't really want to wake her, but he didn't think he'd be able to slip out of their entanglement to begin his morning patrol without waking her anyway, so might as well make it pleasant.

He continued his little shows of affection between stroking her back and kissing her forehead until she began to wake up. He would then wait for her to come to and wake up before giving her a warm smile and whispering, "Good morning," and bending his neck to go to place another slow kiss on her lips.

WC: 388 / 1500


"Artorias" | Thoughts | "Corbin"