Watch your step

When Lillith admitted that she had beaten Romulus twice in a spar a huge, proud grin pulled across his features and he laughed as his tail wagged. "That's my girl!" he exclaimed among his laughter, absolutely thrilled to hear that not only was Lillith training and getting stronger, but she was doing well at it to boot. Even though only two of the four siblings from their litter had taken to fighting the two that had seemed to excel in it. He was proud of all of the things his children did - knowing there was just as much value in healing and hunting as there was fighting - but deep down he was extra proud that Lillith and Ezra were proving themselves to be strong fighters either way.

As he gave her their typical light affection he fully was not expecting anything in return and even just a little bump of her nose on his cheek would have been a surprise, but she blew him away as she settled back and lifted her pale legs to reach up around his neck. His silver gaze went wide with surprise, but he automatically leaned down some to make it easier for her to each. His expression softened with pure love as she leaned into him and told him that she loved him, a sheen of tears making him blink his eyes to clear them as he lifted a foreleg to gently wrap her in an embrace. Affection like this had always been rare and special from his Lil and no matter how much she grew or shed her former insecurities it would never stop stunning him when he did occasionally get moments like this from her.

"I love you too, Lil," he said after he cleared his throat, not quite able to shake the emotion that was thick on his voice before he spoke. He did his best to not be overbearing with his children since he was aware of himself enough to know that was something he could fall into very easily, but if he had his way he'd keep them all close and in as many hugs as he could manage all the time. When he felt her legs loosen around his neck he did the same, letting her step back as he gave her a warm smile, blinking his eyes clear again. "Well... I won't keep you," he said, the text book case of a dad that doesn't know how to do emotions with his daughter. "Have fun with whatever you have planned today, okay? And be careful out there. I know you will be, but I always worry about you. Just part of being a dad."

Ulric Adravendi