"Aslatiel Fatalis" Having reunited with her children after her journey, Aslatiel had fallen into her natural rhythm of hunter, caregiver, provider. That now extended to the two wolves that she had tucked away in the forest nearby. Back and forth she went, taking food and other supplies to Ocean and Chrystelle and she'd come to thoroughly enjoy them both. Today though... Asla felt the need for Ocean alone. After she'd run her patrols, the cream and grey fae delivered the children to their respective fathers. She'd then made a beeline for the den where Chrys and Ocean were staying. With an apologetic smile to the black and grey fae, Asla had peeled Ocean away and had led him out into the wilds. The two wolves were still so new to one another. They'd experienced heavy emotions in one another's arms, but there was still so much that Asla didn't know about him, and so much that he didn't know about her. Already she felt protective of the man and his sister and wanted to keep both of them in her lives. Ocean would never replace Indigo, but he would soothe the sore spot left behind where her heart had once been. Asla was determined not to use him, however. She would give all of herself to him that she was able to give, if he was able to accept that. Today, she would broach the subject. Leading the black and grey brute to a long stretch of glittering black beach, Asla's timing had been just right. Evening was shifting into night and the various colors of sunset reflecting upon the reflective granules. For a time it would look as though they rested upon flames, but as darkness took over and the moon rose, they would be left to rest upon shimmering black and blue sand. The woman chose a spot of beach and lowered herself upon her belly. The obsidian was still warm and she could feel that warmth through her fur. Casting her galactic gaze towards the handsome man, she beckoned him to join her in the sand.

He had chores to be done, but most every other minute of his day was spent with Chrystelle. They were all they had left and he clung to her, but life felt much easier out here. He tried ot assure Aslatiel that she didn’t have to work so hard for them, but he couldn’t help but come to appreciate how thoughtful and kind she was to he and his sister. The Reaper had no reason to be, but that was what made her all the more special to him. She owed them nothing and yet continued to return and care for them. That same woman led him away from Chrys now, and he followed without hesitation. He didn’t have to worry so much about his sister anymore.

They didn’t really know each other, still practically strangers. They knew one another’s bodies, showing her the love and passion he’d never be able to show Motif. They didn’t know each other’s past or what made them the wolves they were today. He didn’t care what lay there, he knew who she was right now, selfless when it came to him and his sister, sweet, and caring. She was wise too, beyond her years like she had already seen so much in her life. Like he had. She loved and lost, just like he had and that was the original connection they shared, their bond had only grown since then, more and more connections formed between them until now, he wasn’t sure he wanted to live his life without her in it. In any capacity.

Ocean followed her with ease, slipping into an easy pace alongside her as she showed him the way. Eventually the two of them were greeted with the sunset over black glittering sand beaches. Silence lay over them, but it was a comfortable silence, like they didn’t actually have to say anything to feel the natural connection between them. Silver eyes took in the beauty of their surroundings, but what he enjoyed most of all was the warm light and how it mixed into Aslatiel’s fur like magic.

He would never forget Motif, she was his first and true love, he would miss her every day for the rest of his life. Aslatiel made it easier though, and everyday he was given with her made it easier to smile. Ocean grinned as she looked back at him over her shoulder curled comfortably on the dark sand. Her galaxy like purple eyes beckoned him to join her, as though there were any other option. Ocean smiled at her, an expression that seemed so sparse from his features wince he’d lost everything. Everything but Chrystelle.

There was no hesitation and he closed the short distance that had grown between them and lowered himself to her side. The breeze was warm from the south and the sand beneath them retained its heat from the day, but still he leaned against her. Cream and silver fur mixed as he relaxed into her, shoulder to shoulder. His smile had settled into a soft grin, he knew he should be admiring the sunset, but couldn’t shift his mercury eyes from Aslatiel’s features.

"Aslatiel Fatalis" With a smile on his face, Ocean joined her, laying upon the warm sand and leaning into her side. Asla smiled in turn, her plum colored gaze meeting his momentarily before she looked back out to the shimmering sea. The small fae leaned back against him, her head rested upon his shoulder. She stayed silent, watching as day turned to night and the brilliantly lit sands were eaten up by the pale glow of the moon. "Did you ever think you'd leave the north?" Aslatiel asked softly, her cheek still resting against Ocean's shoulder. So much had changed between their first chance meeting and today. Aslatiel always expected change, but it was still startling when it happened. Alas, she didn't bring him here to have a pleasant evening. She brought him here to lay herself bare. To talk to him frankly and openly. "Do you remember our night together?" Of course he did. She hadn't forgotten it either. "You were mourning a loss and I was as well." The true test came now and Aslatiel pulled her cheek away from Ocean just in case he balked and was disgusted by her after this. "I am in love, Ocean. From before I was born, I was in love. My brother, Indigo... he holds my heart." Reflexively, she was leaning away, putting distance between them. Such acts were met with revulsion by so many, why would she expect a different reaction from the black and silver man?

Silence fell over them as he settled next to Aslatiel comfortably and she leaned her sweet head against him. He wrapped his own over her features, resting on her forehead and as he thought about how thankful he was for her. His life had been an absolute mess when she had arrived. Chrystelle was on the verge of total decline and he was a shell walking. Everything was so much different now with Asla, their home was different, their family, their spirits.

”No, I didn’t.” He believed the northern reaches would be his home forever, it was where his parents were buried, where his family was. Yet here he was, rescued from the cold reaches by this lovely woman. She continued, asking if he remembered their first night together. It wasn’t a real question because how could he ever forget that night? ”I’ll never forget.” He added softly as she went on, they were both morning a loss. Oce listened quietly as she told him of her love. She pulled away and he released her, his silvery gaze falling to her vibrant violet.

She loved her brother. Ocean hadn’t been expecting to hear those words fall from her lips. Nor did he quite understand why that had brought them together. He obviously wasn’t in the picture really. Maybe while he was yearning for Motif she had been doing the same for her lost love. Was he dead, or just gone? ”Does that change anything between us?” He asked hesitantly. He wanted to build what he felt kindled between them. She kept him from being overwhelmed by the sadness in his heart. Maybe it was only a bandaid to the grief within, but he wanted Aslatiel. Her full heart or not.

They leaned against one another and it felt natural. Asla liked the strength that she took from Ocean. The comfort. When they began to speak, that comfort ended, but the strength was still there. He knew what it was like to feel the pain that love could bring. Hopefully he could understand what it felt like for her and wouldn't hold it against her. Ocean said that he could never forget their night together and Asla chuckled lightly, a small smile on her face. It was rather memorable for her as well.

After she had shared her truth with Ocean, Asla waited. Ocean's first question surprised her a bit. He didn't admonish her or pull away in disgust. He simply wanted to know what the effect would be on their relationship. "You would never be first in my heart, but I could love you in my own way. I will never be happy with just one partner, but I would honor you and care for you while we are together." Asla turned her head, looking away from the black and silver man beside her. "I understand if this is too much to ask and if you wish to remain friends, I'm happy to do so." How he chose to proceed would be entirely up to him. Whatever his decision, she wouldn't hold it against him.

"Aslatiel"

There wasn’t anyone else in the world that he felt so comfortable with, Aslatiel knew him better than any other wolf. She experienced the sorrow within him along with the deep sorrowful love he held for sweet Motif. The woman that he would never be able to tell how very much he loved her. They were brought together because of their shared sorrow and now she finally revealed her part of the story, why she felt the same thing. It was because she loved her own brother. Ocean didn’t judge anyone, there were no real taboos that he would shy away from. If she felt a deep love and gave her heart to the one she felt she loved then he would never try and change that.

Surprisingly, she went on and told him that even if he would never hold her whole heart that she could love him in his own special way. She would treat him with the honor he deserved, but he would never be her exclusive love. Like her, Ocean would never be able to truly give him the whole of his heart, Motif was gone but she had taken a huge part of him with her.

”You know it would be the same for me.” He would very well have been satisfied having her as his only partner, she was so far the only one to elicit such a lusty reaction from him. But he appreciated how honest she was. ”Thank you, for being so truthful.” He whispered as he aimed to tighten his grip around her shoulders. To bring her closer to his chest as he rested his head over top of hers. ”Chrys is all I have in the world. Knowing that I have you to look after us, knowing you still want to be here in my arms, I could be comfortable only ever having a small piece of you.” He nuzzled her ear. ”I’m just sorry I can’t be enough for you, but you can have whatever I have left.”