Become The Same

With the issue of taking him away from his family for the night settled, he followed her back to her den, happy to be able to spend more time with her. He always hated when they had to leave one another at the end of the day and at least for tonight they wouldn't have to. They were quiet as they made the trip, but comfortable silence had always been easy for them. He walked at her side, looking down to her with a smile from time to time until they reached the den in question. It was a simple but effective home of a dug out den near the river and the sound of the rushing water filled the air along with the quiet chirps of crickets. It was peaceful and they were most definitely alone out here which gave him a level of privacy he had never really had since he had been with his family all this time.

Arcturus caught her gaze as she looked back at him before slipping into the den and his heart fluttered in his chest as a goofy, happy grin tugged at his lips. He no longer wondered or questioned why she needed to come back here, he just accepted that this was her home and that's why it was important. He was sure if they had remained in the Armada he would have the same kind of attachment to a place, but since he had spent the large majority of his life up until this point traveling and moving from place to place he didn't. Regardless, he was more than happy to follow her into the den as she led the way. The space was tight for a wolf his size so he was a bit hunched over until he could get settled down with her, curling around her to fit comfortably in the small den. Even though they had just been snuggling together by the lake he still felt a small twinge of awkward shyness as he slipped his forelegs around her to pull her to his chest, the feeling only disappearing when he saw that she was comfortable and wanted that too. All of this was still so new and he felt like he was just figuring it out as he went along, but it made him feel like nothing else and he loved every moment of it.

Holding her tightly like this in the darkness of the small den, she had his mane as a pillow and his warmth surrounding her and he quietly hoped that soon they would get to sleep like this every night. He didn't have to worry if she made it home okay, he didn't have to wonder if she was sleeping alright. He could see all of that for himself and rest easier knowing that she was here with him. He tipped his head down and tenderly kissed her forehead again as he gave her a gentle squeeze. "I'm happy I'm here with you, Vanille," he whispered as he nuzzled her ear, his claws lightly trailing through the fur on her back as he eased her to sleep, staying awake until he felt her breathing deepen and slow and the weight of her starting to fully relax into him. For a little while he laid awake with Vanille tucked into him and he just an awe and a happiness that he couldn't really describe until he finally drifted to sleep himself, fully relaxed and happy with her in his arms.

"Arcturus Indarra"