Stay Alive

Artorias had no idea by what twist of fate Bowen had been the wolf Corbin had found to come save him, his auburn and ivory savior arriving in the nick of time like divine intervention. He was grateful that it had been someone from his family, but felt shame twisting up his insides that it was Bowen of all wolves to see him like this. Laid low, a broken knight left to die on some forgotten shore, an empty scabbard lying near him where his sword had once been, now taken as the spoils of war by the bastard that had done this to him. He must have been such a pitiful sight and it killed him that his little sister had to see him this way instead of the strong and confident protector she knew him as.

Bowen's paw stroking over his side felt good. So very, very good... It soothed him and let him know he wasn't alone and he was going to pull through this. Bowen gave him the strength he needed. He would not die on her today. The pain and deep aches began to appear again as his body thawed out, drawing quiet grunts from Artorias whenever he tried to shift himself or Bowen's paw wandered a little too close to where a blow had landed. She asked what he was talking about and who did this. Vivid memories of shark teeth and dead eyes flashed through his brain. Of all of his siblings, he felt Bowen would handle the nightmare that Oxx was the best. He wished to protect her, but she was also strong enough to not need protecting. She was equal to, if not stronger in spirit, than even he was.

"His name is Oxx," he said after a moment. "He's Mom's son, from before us. He attacked Gwyn." He hoped that would be enough of an explanation for her to get the gist of what happened and why he was out here, still getting her beautiful fur all smeared with his blood. He looked back at her again, seeing where her lighter toned fur blended with his dark hues. It was almost ironic to him that the two wolves in the litter most different from their monochromatic littermates somehow always found their way back to one another.

A stronger smile touched his face when Bowen's eyes held his and her petite paw moved to stroke his cheek. Her touch was so soft, so warm, it seared away the cold both inside and out. She spoke to him using the nickname she had given him as a pup, and Artorias' heart flipped in his chest. It ached in just the right way, and the kiss she pressed upon his cheek turned his blood to liquid fire. He wanted to turn to face her, to bring their bellies together so he could wrap his paws around her and hold her close so she might never be taken from him again. He wanted to touch her face the way she was stroking his, to follow the streaks of autumnal auburn that painted her cheeks, to bring his lips to hers and show her just how much he loved her and how he felt for her. Unfortunately for Artorias, his body protested any movements, and even trying to shift onto his back to face her better felt impossible. "I'm sorry, I'm making you a mess," he said after a moment, eyes spotting the splotches of deep scarlet on her chest and neck left behind by him.

"Artorias" | "Corbin" | "Argent"