The past keeps coming back to haunt me

Perhaps he wasn't that surprised that she didn't have an issue with him uncovering a daughter he hadn't known about. He remembered her reaction to finding out about Aranea and her pregnancy, how she had easily forgiven something that had happened before their time together, but he had lost so much that anything that might threaten his chances at a future with her scared him to death. He clung on to the few good things that remained in his life with a tight grip that he was afraid to loosen. What he hadn't been expecting was for Eska to bring up Azariah and the possibility of her return.

Surprise showed in his silver gaze as her striking golden gaze found his, boring into him as she questioned him over what he would do if she suddenly returned. Would he leave Eska in favor of returning to the relationship he had with Azariah. He thought that question would be harder to answer, but as even after just a moment of looking into Eska's gaze he already knew who he would chose. He got to his paws and walked across the small space between them, his expression resolute with an unshakable certainty. "No," he told her quietly with a small shake of his head, looking down into her gaze. "No, I wouldn't push you away. I thought I loved Azariah and if she hadn't disappeared I'm sure I would have made myself content in our relationship, but... I never felt for her the way I do for you."

He settled back onto his haunches again, one paw lifting to gently brush her cheek, his ears flicking back as the emotion that pulled at his chest mixed with the relief he felt that Eska was as understanding as she was. "Eska... I don't want to be with anyone else. You're more than I could ever deserve, but... If you don't mind settling for a broken man that makes terrible decisions from time to time and is often an emotional mess..." A little lopsided grin pulled across his lips at his own self deprecating humor, feeling his heart beating harder against his chest.

His question wasn't planned, but it was something he knew he wanted to do - he just didn't know when. He was tired of waiting for the right time and waiting for life to slow down to a point where he wouldn't feel like he was sacrificing something to take time for himself. A large majority of their time together had been in stolen moments like this or time that was carved out for a date at the end of their days. As long as he led this pack there would be no changing that, but she didn't seem to mind. If anything she seemed more than willing to help him and had been more supportive than he could have ever asked for. "Will you be in a relationship with me?"

Ulric Adravendi