Shifting Worlds

Artorias was dumbstruck. He'd come up here with a head full of self-doubt and confusion and a cart loaded with supplies, but it looked like he was leaving with a restructured relationship and even more confusion. It had never been his intention to have this conversation with Briar, yet now that they'd had it and their words had been said, Artorias was just left astounded by what had occurred. Briar had taken everything he'd said in stride, and though he still saw uncertainty and concern in her eyes, his affirmation of his undying love for her did make her posture relax and some of that apprehension in her eyes melt away. There was still some lingering tension in the air, but it was to be expected. Their relationship had jus gone through a major shift and change, and there would no doubt be some growing pains as they both got used to the new aspects of it.

He had asked why she was doing this, and Briar's answer was so genuine and direct that it took him aback. Briar did this because she wanted to spend her entire life with him as well, and she didn't want to keep him trapped trying to hide parts of himself or struggle with his own morality and desires. She didn't want to live without him, and he knew he couldn't live without her. Briar told him that she knew what it felt like to live under the expectations of who you were supposed to be, and he realized that she really could empathize with him. She not only had the pressures of being a Fatalis, but being a princess of the Armada as well. He'd known she'd struggled with her own identity for a long time and was only now finally beginning to embrace who she was. It was a metamorphosis that brought a proud smile to Art's face every time, watching her grow more and more into the confident and beautiful young woman she deserved to be.

Artorias didn't speak while Briar explained herself, his eyes watching her paw as it trailed up and down his foreleg and traced the gray slashes of fur that stood out against the azure blue. He lifted his gaze back to hold hers, some of that nervousness and anxiousness gone from his eyes. Briar concluded by saying that neither of them were perfect, and they'd be able to figure things out together. Then she said he was worth everything, and Artorias nearly broke. He loved Briar; oh, how he loved Briar. This wonderful fae understood him better than anyone else, connected with him on a level that deities would be envious of. She made him feel like the most important wolf alive with her sweet love. It was why he was confident in his knowledge that no one would ever be able to come close to her in his heart.

Briar leaned closer, and then he felt the soft brush of her lips against his own. Amber eyes slowly slid closed as he returned her kiss, and then the next one, and the one after that, returning every kiss she gave him, each one lingering a little bit longer. Every time her lips met his, Artorias felt his inner turmoil fade away, replaced by the familiar tug of desire deep in his belly, the fire that never truly died for her flaring to life once more. "I love you too," he replied in an equally low, husky voice. "You're worth everything to me as well." Briar would always mean everything to him. She was his first love, his true love. She would be his mate and his wife, the mother of his children, his queen to stand beside him to guide and reign with. She was his, just as he was hers. Nothing in the world of gods and wolves would ever change that.

Artorias kept his mouth pressed to hers as he kissed her back with the same fervor, a deep, needy passion pouring from his lips into hers. The embers inside him flared into a wildfire, wanting to show Briar just how much he loved her, and why she never had to fear him ever loving anyone else the way he loved her. As their kiss continued, he gently slipped his tongue into her maw, tasting her and deepening their kiss as much as he could. He only broke their lips apart once the need to breathe became overwhelming, gasping softly for breath while he gazed at her through lidded eyes smoldering with desire. "Y'know... I think the Hallows can survive without me for a little while," he suggested in that same husky tone, a little grin on his lips, wondering what Briar would make of his suggestion, especially after the conversation they'd had. Would she want him the way he wanted her, to stake her claim now and forever? Or would she deny him to recover from the unexpected events of the day?

"Artorias Carpathius" | "Corbin" | "Argent"