Think of brighter days ahead

It took a lot of effort to keep his expression neutral and relaxed as Eska stepped toward the light and her current state with the glowing ooze dripping from every opening on her face. It made worry grip at him and made him want to reach out to her even when he knew he shouldn't. She reminded him of such, telling him he shouldn't be here and that she didn't want to make him sick. "A risk I'm willing to take to be with you," he told her just as softly, giving her a slight smile. Nothing would keep him from seeing her, from being with her, from helping to ease her mind even for just a moment. He was careful to keep any of his worries off of his face though. She was already plenty aware of how serious this could be without him worrying and fretting over her. She didn't like it when he did that anyway.

"When you make it through this," he corrected her firmly. There was no room for doubts or second guessing for him right now, not without completely breaking down. She had to be okay. She just did. He smiled again as she described where she would want to take him—a warm beach or a sunny lake, somewhere they could swim. "I love the sound of that. I can't wait to see you laid out on the beach," he replied, a little sly grin pulling at his lips. Thinking of her with her fur wet and clinging to her body after a swim, stretched out on the beach... Gods, what he wouldn't give to be living that right now. He hummed softly when she turned the question back on him, replying, "There's a cliff near where Resin founded the pack in Boreas that has an amazing view of the ocean, especially at sunset. Maybe a trip through the north after that to see the mountains and this forest of crazy, twisty trees that you just won't believe."

"Ulric"