When will I see you again

Having not drunk nearly as much wine as she had, and having built up a tolerance to the alcohol, Artorias wasn't feeling much more besides a pleasant buzz that helped alleviate the aching in his injured foreleg. Lia, however, was very much a lightweight and flopped easily over him with little more than gentle physical maneuvering. As she settled across him with a blissful sigh, Artorias watched her with gentle eyes and a caring smile, his paws still absentmindedly rubbing over her back. She'd needed this, this emotional catharsis. Lia's ember-like eyes didn't open again for the remainder of the time she was conscious, and he watched as the dainty fae gradually drifted off to sleep. Her final whispered statement caused Artorias' ears to prick up, alert and surprised, with a flush of heat moving across his face while he tried not to let his mind wander and entertain fantasies around her words, lest he find himself in a rather uncomfortable and stiff position.

It wasn't long after that before Artorias felt Lia's heavy body go totally limp in his arms, her chest rising and falling steadily with each relaxed breath. Quiet snores soon fell from the servant girl's lips and Artorias had to bite his lip to stifle a snicker. He didn't want to rouse her; best to just let her sleep off the wine. "Sweet dreams, Lia," he whispered to his slumbering wolf before reclining his head back to the furs and gazing at the ceiling, letting his mind wander while Lia snuggled and slept across him. Although not drunk, at some point the dire wolf let his eyelids drift closed as well and eventually he had fallen into a light nap as well.

"Artorias Carpathius"