Not Exactly "Glamping"

While she was with Remus Ike didn’t have to think quite so hard about everything going on around her. The princess didn’t have to think about how badly she fit into her role, how bad she felt about Ikigai leaving, she didn’t have to admit how much of a child she felt like. In a bad way. She felt childish, especially considering her second birthday coming up. She was nowhere near the place her mother wanted her to be. She wasn’t graceful or powerful like Venom was. She tripped over her own paws disgraced herself with cowardice. Ike was far too hard on herself, but she didn’t have to be while she was with this boy.

He was too good to her, once he knew she was alright he put the incident from his mind. He didn’t dwell on her trip up, only helping her recover, even when he should have been seeing to himself. Which he would get to after the fur was draped over her to keep the chill away. Remus’ words helped keep her mind away from all of the self doubt within. He spoke of his brother disappearing, and she understood him more than she wanted to. Saying goodbye to her sister and her father leaving before that… Venom whined softly in commiseration and nodded slightly.

He looked up to her, and she met his gaze with her own as he told her he regretted being away from her. She suddenly felt very bashful as her heart fluttered and her cheeks flushed a much more pleasant pink than the red of embarrassment earlier. He wanted to be here with her as much as she wanted to be back with him.

Before she could say much the same he spoke again as he moved closer and offered up his warmth. "Please,” she replied softly as he got more daring as she felt his arm wrap around her shoulders. The relief was almost immediate, and she stopped shivering as she similarly leaned into him. His warmth spread through her, chasing away her fears, insecurities, and sorrows. All she had to focus on right now was getting warm and dry. Which was getting easier, she could feel her ears burning at how close Remus was, how good he smelled, how comfortable his arms were.

"Remus…” She started almost hesitantly, but after hearing about his brother she couldn’t really go anywhere else. "I know you like camping out here but…” She tried to joke instead of bringing up his missing brother, still she hesitated, so afraid this perfect moment wouldn’t be replicated if he joined Ashen. "There’s plenty of room in Ashen… if you wanted to join a pack.”

"Speech"