Douse This Fire

Syanna had expected some sort of extreme reaction from Ezra given the extremeness of her story—but she hadn't been expecting rage. The look in Ezra's eyes was almost homicidal were it not for empathy softening the fire somewhat, and at first she felt a real thrill of panic that maybe it was directed at her, until she reminded herself that this was Ezra and he would never hurt her. It was that reminding that kept her still while he came up to her again and wrapped her up in his arms. Syanna's heart began to race as all avenues of escape were cut off. She was completely and totally under Ezra's power now. She squeezed her eyes shut, trying to focus on counting her breaths while she waited for something to happen.

And then Ezra squeezed her tighter to his chest, enveloping her in the warmth and safety of his embrace. Syanna's body had gone tense the moment he touched her, but as soon as his larger head bent down to cover her and shield her, every muscle in her body went from rock solid to mush, melting against him while she just collapsed under the mental and emotional fatigue she'd carried for half her lifetime. Hot tears cut down her cheeks against her will as he held her, giving her the love and security she had desperately sought that terrible night. His words whispered into her ear, the only sound she heard outside of her racing heartbeat in her head. She wanted to protest, to argue against his kindness, to say that she was a failure and a fraud for making him believe she was this strong wolf when it had all been a front. But the words never left her mouth. They died on her tongue while Ezra squeezed all of the pain and sorrow out of her.

She felt him nuzzle the top of her head just before he pulled back, and when their eyes met again, Syanna saw nothing but affection and caring in those sky blue jewels. Her heart leaped in her chest while she held his gaze, giving him the smallest smile while he wiped the tears from her face. She wanted to tell him he was being silly caring about her like this, that she wasn't worth all this trouble he put himself through, that he was so much better than her. But more than anything, she wanted to tell him how thankful she was to know him. Her words failed her time and time again with Ezra though, so she relied on the one language she knew he understood.

She didn't resist him when he held her, instead slipping a small paw up to beckon him to come closer. Once he did, Syanna gently caught his cheek with her paw and guided his lips to hers in a slow, gentle kiss. It wasn't much more than a lingering peck, but it said all the things she wanted to say to him that her words never could. Words like "thank you", and "you're too good for me", but most importantly "I think I'm falling for you".

"Syanna Alluráin"