From the land bridge, the pair of wolves made their way leisurely back towards the castle that her mother had claimed ages ago. Or at least it seemed like ages ago. Having Haiku by her side seemed to make things a little easier. Together, they shared easy conversation and Bowen even laughed a few times. Not once during her walk did she think about how much she needed to get off. Later though... she knew it would all catch up to her.

By the time that Bowen and Haiku arrived at the castle, the sun was mostly set. Someone had already lit the fireplace in the main hall and the golden light flickered off of the stone as the small fae led her large companion  up the stairway to the Carpathius wing. "We each have our own set of rooms," she assured him, her voice a whisper in case any of her family members were already asleep.

With one small paw, Bowen pushed open the doorway to her room. It was a large space with a smaller room off to the side. That small room was completely empty. She didn't exactly bring any belongings with her when she stopped being a slave. The massive bed was positioned just beneath a stone window and from that window she could look out onto the moonlit sea whenever she wished. The bed was more than big enough for both of them to sleep on comfortably.

Turning to Haiku, Bowen smiled. "This is my room." She shrugged a little as though it wasn't much of anything. There were some furs on the bed that had been given to her by family members, but she really had nothing of note here. Nothing except for the glass sphere that Artorias had returned to her. The clear, glass ball was sitting on a stone mantle above an empty fireplace. "Since you're my guest, you can sleep on the bed if you'd like." She would sleep on the floor.  She was small enough that a few furs would be sufficient padding.

"Bowen"

He relaxed as they walked, and he could see her do the same as they talked and he managed a few smiles and a couple good laughs before she was showing him into the cast;e’s gates. By the time they arrived darkness was overtaking the sky and they were quiet on te way towards the sleeping quarters. Haiku thought she would offer him a guest room, he still hadn’t stopped thinking about her affliction. If she wanted to resist temptation he hadn’t expected to be welcomed into her personal room. It was a sparsely decorated but cozy room, unlike anything the Destruction boy had ever really experienced. Nothing near as nice as this incredible castle. Nor had he ever seen such a luxurious place to sleep.

Bowen acted like it wasn’t much to write home about but she had never been in the primitive pack of Abaven, he literally slept in a hole in the ground compared to this.”It’s all so nice,” he said in soft wonder. Prose had already taken her place in the windowsill, and she cracked her beak lightly at him so Haiku picked his jaw up off the floor. She said something about him sleeping in the bed. ”I couldn’t take your bed from you.” He finally managed to say as dark ears fell to his skull. ”What kind of gentleman would I be?” Haiku chuckled lightly as his eyes continued to scan the room. He would have been content with an old pile of rags by the door if it meant being close to her.

Bishop hopped up onto the sill beside Prose and gave a little burble before ruffling his feathers and settling down. Bowen looked to Haiku as he refused to let her sleep on the floor. She was trying to make things easier for both of them, but she understood that his chivalry meant something to him. The girl nodded and shyly motioned to the giant bed. "It's big enough for both of us to share." They could easily sleep on the bed without touching.

Bowen was the first to leap onto the wide bed, the fur covered mattress sinking just a bit beneath her minimal weight. The russet girl gave a few turns and curled up in a little ball in the corner of the bed. Laying there left a ton of space for Haiku to get comfortable. He could curl up, stretch out, sprawl to his hearts content. Bowen had become used to taking up as little room as possible. Ships weren't exactly spacious.

"Bowen"

The two ravens looked incredibly comfortable together a sthey roosted in the window above their wolves. Black and white, just like the opposites that he and Bowen had become. His attention didn’t stray far from Bowen though, his tricolored eyes met her spring green gaze as she clarified, there would be plenty of room on the bed for the both of them and then some. Haiku was probably more hesitant than she was about this arrangement, if only because of his reluctance to cause her heart and distress. He still just didn’t know what the correct behavior was around her, especially when he just wanted the best for his sweet friend.

She wasn’t about to make him sleep on the floor either, and to prove her point curled up into an adorable ball at the corner. She left almost a whole bed for him to make himself comfortable on. Haiku grinned and shook his head as he watched her, but could feel the exhaustion in his limbs. His first instinct and one he had to fight down was to curl up around her, much like he did with his siblings for so long. Haiku wanted so bad to wrap her in his arms and fall asleep together, but he hadn’t tried to touch her since her admittance. He couldn’t.

Haiku followed her carefully, lifting himself into the springy bed and sinking considerably into it. He tried not to disturb Bowen’s comfy spot as he draped his long legs over the bed and sighed heavily as his head sunk into the soft furs. He blinked back sleep as he watched her for a long moment, admiring the way the moonlight slipped in and illuminated her cream and caramel fur. ”Sleep well, Bowen.” He whispered quietly. ”I’ve missed you.” He reminded her quietly as his eyes slid closed.

The big boy soon joined her on the plush bed and Bowen could see the exhaustion on his face. No doubt he would sleep quickly and soundly. It was just as well. Bowen was getting that familiar itch. That burning in her loins that demanded to be dealt with before it consumed her. She tried to ignore it. Still curled in that tight little ball, Bowen had watched the steady rise and fall of Haiku's ribs as he breathed. The sight and sound had been like a lullaby. Soon she was asleep.

Bowen had no idea how long or how short her sleep had been, but she woke to that heat burning her alive. There was no more putting it off. If she did, there was no doubt in her mind that she would be reduced to tears by morning. The small fae unfurled her cream and copper body, leaning her back against the stone wall. One paw worked its way downward and began to move in a familiar rhythm.

The young fae worked and worked but all to no avail. She couldn't do this on her own. Her soft panting gave way to a groan of frustration, lips pulled back to flash teeth for a moment. She couldn't leave Haiku in the middle of the night to seek out some stranger. So she would suffer. By morning her mood would plummet, but what choice did she have? Already tears of frustration were forming in her eyes. What a mess.

"Bowen"

Haiku fell asleep not long after he closed his eyes. He’d had a long day of travel and emotions and the bed Bowen offered him was incredibly comfortable. He probably would have slept deeply until morning, but when Bowen woke up he was between REM cycles and much lighter in his dozing when the soft rhythmic vibration of the bed gently roused the boy. He thought nothing of it for a long moment, the sound of the night was quick to return him to sleep, but the muffled sounds of Bowen’s frustration had his eyes blinking open incoherently.

Bowen was resting against the wall, the moonlight playing on her soft fur as his eyes trailed over her long arm and the delicate paw that rested between her legs. He was naive, but it didn’t take his sleep fogged mind long to realize what he was seeing and what Bowen was going through. He didn’t have the experience to tell him exactly what was wrong, but the moment he agreed to return to the castle with her was the moment he told himself he would do anything to help his sweet broken friend.

He was uncertain and timid, but the boy shifted slightly, a huge white marked paw reaching out to gently brush her thigh. ”Bowen?” He whispered quietly, his deep voice rumbling within his chest. He drew in a steadying breath, nervous and unsure as he spoke. ”Tell me how to help you.” He could see the tears in her eyes, he could feel the frustration and hopelessness. He suddenly had a great desire to wrap her in his embrace. Something he had been struggling with since she pulled away from him. ”I promised,” he reminded her as he lifted himself to his elbows, and only barely resisted reaching forward to nuzzle her cheek.

She could feel the shifting weight upon the bed but wasn't able to give Haiku the attention that he deserved. Not with tears in her eyes. That was... until his massive paw brushed her thigh. Bowen released a soft whimper and turned her head, those water filled, glittering orbs catching the nights light from the window. The words of the chocolate and snow brute made Bowen's throat clench tightly with emotion and a little whine squeaked through. He wanted to help her so badly, but she had been trying to save him from just being an outlet for her. She didn't want to ruin what they had. But when he reminded her of his promise... to never let her go...

Bowen launched herself at Haiku, pushing him back on the bed with the force of her leap. The girl settled herself against his white speckled chest, one graceful paw rising to cup a dark furred cheek. "Do whatever you want to me. Whatever feels natural. Just touch me, Hero. Never stop touching me." Her voice was breathy and full of need right before her lips slid across his once more. This time, she didn't stop there. Bowen pressed her delicate tongue inside of Haiku's mouth, pulling him into the kiss and tasting the flavor of her oldest friend. His hesitancy and lack of experience didn't bother her. Everyone had to start somewhere. Honestly, a part of her liked that he'd never been with another woman. He was fresh to all of this and she knew that she would be able to teach him how to please if he wished to learn.

The feel of Haiku's big, soft body beneath hers felt lovely. Larger wolves were always the best lovers. They filled a need within her. Was it the need for protection? The need to feel small and delicate? She wasn't sure, but she knew that having sex with a dire wolf was significantly different for her than having sex with someone close to her size. Being pressed against Haiku, she already felt better. The need for release was still knocking, but his presence and care was putting her at ease.

"Bowen"

Bowen Arrow Carpathius

Bowen whimpered as he touched her and whined as he tried again to offer his help, the sight of tears in her eyes was far too much to bear. In that moment he would have done anything to replace her tears with the sweet smiles he was given earlier. He knew that she had been hesitant earlier, and he had been so careful not to touch her again to respect what she wanted. Haiku pulled his paw from her caramel tipped fur as she whined softly at his words. For a moment he thought he had made another mistake in his decisions but Bowen only needed a moment to decide.

Her tiny frame collided with his own, it was soft and he didn’t resist as she pushed him back. She pressed herself against him, chest to chest as she lifted a delicate paw to his cheek. Haiku relaxed against the bed, comforted by her closeness. Nothing had really felt right since she pulled away from him on the glittering sands. Her vibrant eyes were all he could see. No matter how much he only wished to help Bowen’s warmth against his body elicited a fiery response that was only intensified by the words she spoke.

Haiku knew what it had meant to agree to return to the castle, to rest in her room and curl up in her bed. He accepted this possibility… eventuality… when he’d agreed to stay with her. When he promised to keep ahold of her. She gently pressed her lips to his and Haiku wrapped his white marked arms around her slender shoulders. He wanted to touch her, he wanted to touch her all over. He wanted her lips, and he groaned lightly from the pleasure of her tongue against his teeth. Her passionate kiss was unlike anything he ever experienced, but he mirrored her actions. He fumbled slightly in his inexperience but Haiku lacked nothing in confidence.

His heart pounded against his chest, fire raced through his veins and he felt desire build in his belly. Bowen asked him to touch her and he did, with his white dipped arm Haiku held her close to his chest. His kisses were a little sloppy as his attention shifted to his dark paws as he trailed his toes over her spine. He followed the curve of her and tightened his grip around her hip. A deep pleasant growl boiled from his chest, he knew there was so much more she needed from him. He had only scratched the very surface of everything she had to show him. Already he was gasping for breath.

Haiku wasn't hesitant at all as she draped her svelte frame across his large body. He wrapped his thick arms around her and held her close. He even opened his mouth to her, learning how to kiss as her tongue expertly fenced with his own. She moved slowly, showing, teaching, instructing. He tasted sweet and untouched. He tasted like her hero.

As Haiku's paws drifted down Bowen's spine and over her hips, the small fae groaned into their kiss, pulling away to pant and grind her hips down against him. Haiku growled low and a fire shot through the fae's core accompanied by a shudder. He gripped her hip with some force and Bo whimpered. Gods, she needed him! Bowen panted, her pink lower lip dropping as her spine arched. "I need you, Hero."

The slender fae slid from Haiku's belly and moved to help him to his paws. She stepped backwards, sliding her smaller frame beneath his bulk until her rump touched the insides of his thighs. "Please," she begged, hoping that instinct would help him figure out what he needed to do. He was almost two, surely he had seen animals mating or something like that. He had to know what to do or Bowen would surely burn alive.

"Bowen"

Bowen Arrow Carpathius

The slow pace didn’t help the quick built that was overtaking his whole body. The evidence was more than obvious as he pressed needlying into her kiss and he held her tightly against his form. His skin burned there, their fur mingled and trailed all the way down his belly. Their actions were slow, but every small movement was laced with need. Murmurs of desire fell from their lips as Bowen pulled away from him, gasping for breath as he did while his paw grabbed her caramel marked hip. The sounds he made her utter urged him on further, ”I.. Need you, Bowen.” He returned to her softly, speaking the truth to her as she pulled away. Bowen pulled him up from the mattress he followed without hesitation.

Despite this being an affliction, a terrible curse that Bowen was forced to live with, her need for him made the boy grin. This was no forced encounter though, she wanted him, and the last thing he felt was used. He was helping her, but that didn’t alleviate the nagging feeling of guilt. Of course it couldn’t overwhelm the feeling of desire. Not when Bowen fitted herself against him.

Her actions were blatant in her desire, the boy needed direction and Bowen would beg now for him to help her. There was no question what to do, and again Haiku found his actions clumsy. He nuzzled into he neck as his hips acted as though on their own accord. Bowen moved against him, helping guide his actions until they were moving together. Haiku lost his breath as he pressed into her, the sensations removing everything from his mind but the girl beneath him.

Both of the young wolves were hot and bothered and it showed in their actions, their sounds, their blatant desire. Haiku assured her that he needed her as well and Bowen melted in his grasp. Lustful speaking was a massive turn on for the young fae. She had always liked hearing that she was desirable, or being told what to do, or any other number of simple little bedroom phrases. Haiku's voice, his sounds of pleasure, it was all music to her auburn ears.

The brute followed her lead, standing so that she could fit herself beneath him. He needed no prompting yet again and his instincts told him what needed to be done. His muzzle slid along her neck and Bowen rolled her head to the side to give him more room to play. One of her paws rose to grasp at his thigh as Haiku finally sank within her, giving her exactly what she needed. Pure fire consumed Bowen as she and her oldest friend took up a rhythm together. The pressure within her built and built and built. By the end, she was calling out for her Hero.

---------Fade and time skip and stuff--------------

The pair had fallen asleep wrapped up in one another's limbs. Bowen, satiated, had pressed her chest against Haiku's, nestled in his strong embrace. She had fallen asleep with the top of her head pressed beneath his chin. Honestly, Bowen couldn't remember ever having slept so well. Having sex was one thing, but it seemed that having sex with someone that you lived was entirely different. Did she say love? Yeah... Part of her had always loved Haiku. From the very first moment when he'd saved her from that killer woodchuck, she had loved him.

"Bowen"

Bowen Arrow Carpathius

Her experience and guidance helped Haiku as the two of them delivered into primal desire. He burned like he had never felt before, but every lick of flame was worth the passion he shared with her. He smiled into Bowen’s fur, nuzzling and carefully kissing her as ripples of residual pleasure raced over his skin. The pair quieted quickly, sinking back into Bowen’s bed tangled in each other’s arms. The experience wasn’t what the boy had expected, and as he held her after, and felt her fall asleep in his arms he knew he’d just given her his heart.

---

Haiku fell asleep quickly, he didn’t move much and slumbered heavily through the rest of the night. He held tightly to Bowen, having not a single care in the world as morning greeted them. Prose hadn’t lingered after being woken in the middle of the night, but she returned as the daylight began to stream into the window above the slumbering yearlings. The ivory raven watched her wolf for a long moment, revealing nothing of her inner emotions as she returned to her guard post.

The young Destruction boy began to blink open his eyes as light roused him. He was still holding Bowen to his chest and she fit perfectly beneath his chin. Haiku had to blink a few times before reality returned. He’d slept with Bowen last night. The guilty voice returned as his grasp tightened around her. He breathed deeply, taking in the scent of her as he closed his eyes again and reveled in holding this girl he was falling in love with.