Invidie

Once Ulric and Eska had arrived to help bring him back home, Artorias had known death would not be taking him today. Bowen had saved his life, kept him alive long enough for the cavalry to arrive and bring him back home, and then Gwyn had gone to work. His sister was so talented, it really was no surprise she was the lead healer of the pack. He was thankful for the powerful painkillers she'd given him as soon as they'd dragged his sorry ass into the infirmary, and a few precise stitches and copious amounts of bandages later, he was no longer in jeopardy of dying. Under the blankets and furs, he warmed up quickly, and with Bowen at his side, he always had the motivation to stay alive only a reach away.

Bowen had become his de facto guardian, looking after him far better than he deserved. She made sure he ate and remained hydrated. She kept him company and talked to him so he wasn't bored or alone. Every time his eyes drifted closed she was the last thing he saw, and whenever they opened again she was always there. His sister was so dedicated to his recovery, walking every step of it with him, it made his heart do crazy things inside his chest. Those urges, the cravings and need for her, they only grew stronger with every passing day they spent together, seemingly inseparable. Even when he insisted she go to care for herself, Bowen was never gone longer than she needed to get food or relieve herself. Sweet, devoted Bowen... He'd never deserve her. Not that it mattered, since this desire and love for her was a one way street anyway.

Artorias had been snoozing peacefully to allow his body to recover, so he never noticed Bowen slipping away to greet Briar. He didn't hear the door open or the two sets of paws coming to his bed. He slept soundly, dreamless sleep keeping him out cold, chest rising and falling with slow and rhythmic breathing. He did, however, feel when a weight appeared on the bed next to him. With a little snore, Artorias blinked open groggy eyes and spotted Briar resting her head on the bed beside his paw. She was staring at him with tears of worry and helplessness in her turquoise eyes.

"Hey, you," he said, his voice low and husky from sleep as he managed a little grin to her. He was still coming to and his brain wasn't fully responsive yet, so his responses were pretty rudimentary. With a careful stretch and yawn, Artorias lifted his head just enough to glance around the room for Bowen, spotting her at the foot of his bed instead of her usual place beside him. He gave her a little smile, glancing between the two faes around him. "Well damn, you both look like I'm already dead." He chuckled softly, trying to keep his movements to a minimum until the stitches had done their job of helping his wounds close.

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