So Much Harder To Leave

The moment he had mentioned Kefka, Alastor saw that bit of struggle within Relm, the internal dilemma that came with considering her deranged father. There was discomfort, but not fear or pain. That pleased Alastor to see; that meant that the trauma he had saved Relm from hadn't been ingrained into her mind or soul. She'd been spared the worst of it by his swift and brutal actions—actions that Alastor did not regret in the slightest. He would have done it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving Relm, even not knowing how they would end up today and knowing the punishments Manea had inflicted upon him for it, he would do it again. Except maybe this time he'd drag it out longer, really let the sick fucker feel every sting until he perished beneath the dire demon's teeth and claws. Ultimately, Alastor was content with the way things had turned out. He'd killed Kefka, saved Relm, and was nurturing this growing relationship between the two of them. Relm had become his lover and Kefka had become a corpse and a bad memory. Not a bad turnout in his opinion.

The two walked in quiet while Relm considered her life, and ironically so too did Alastor. He mused over how far she'd come, how he'd met her as a small pup and was now looking at her as a beautiful and capable young woman. Her life, much like his, had been a disaster of a train wreck, but they had both persevered, adapted, learned and evolved to grow into the wolves they were today. The dire brute 100% intended to do everything within his power to make sure that Relm's life from this point onward only trended upward. Nothing would hurt her again if he had any say in the matter. When he touched her paw and she didn't flinch he felt that swell of pride and a quickening of his pulse. He hadn't expected any sort of retreat from his touch, but there was still cause for celebrating when she didn't recoil into herself like she had done in her earlier days. Instead, Relm slid her paw away to loop her foreleg around his own, holding onto him in a way that left warm tingles on his skin and made his heart miss a beat. She grinned at him and vocalized her love for him again. Alastor opened his mouth to reply—and froze, the words Relm had begged him with the last time they were at this lake ringing in his ears. He hadn't done as she asked last time and it had torn her up. Did he heed her wishes this time? Did he not say the way he felt for her in turn? Was that what she wanted from him?

Ultimately, Alastor decided to say fuck that. They had one life to live and not nearly enough time to spend with one another. He'd be damned if he didn't use every moment to let Relm know how special she was to him. Indecisive hesitation melted into a warm expression, grinning back to his lover. "And I love you, Relm." He reached in closer to brush his muzzle gently against her forehead. "You don't have to. I'm always going to be here for you." Alastor had no intentions of letting Relm leave his life—not unless she wanted to. If she never did, then he would have her always, in all ways he could. He would stand with her, oppose all those who would threaten her, revel with her in her triumphs and lament with her in her losses. He would tangle himself with her every chance they could and he would burn with her until there was nothing left but smoldering ash in their wake. The unspoken gratitude was seen by the perceptive wolf, who replied with a gentle look of affection. Sometimes the greatest way to say something was saying nothing at all. Their expressions, their body language, it spoke for them.

Relm pulled back and Alastor straightened himself up, dark obsidian eyes peering around the lake as he scanned the horizon. All was clear so far, so the two could continue their easily distracted patrol around the perimeter of the lake. Dark clouds began to roll in and the wind was picking up; Alastor could smell the storm starting to brew on the air. Perhaps they'd be lucky and finish their patrol before the bad weather actually hit, but with how rainy Boreas had been this spring, he somehow doubted it. To Relm's question, Alastor gave a pensive "Hmm..." and cocked his head to the side as if in thought. "That depends, are we talking about our work as Genetor and Generalis? Or about loving one another?" The dark dire shot Relm a playful grin, abyssal eyes glinting mischievously though there was a hint of seriousness in his teasing. He certainly wouldn't mind waiting out a storm wrapped up in Relm, after all. Ah, but if they were being good and it was work before play... "Elysium still has a number of fighters that need to hone their skills. We should begin by strengthening our forces in case of any threats coming our way, what with those fucking pirates out and about... It would also put us in a good position to consider raids of our own if Manea wishes it." Al glanced down to his companion and lover again, curious to hear her perspective on the matter. "I haven't come up with any concrete plans yet though. So... thoughts? Suggestions?"

"Alastor"