After the emotional confession between herself and Artorias, Bowen had come to a decision. The Hallows Aegis had, with sheer perseverance and determination, taken the entirety of the woman's heart. Bowen was a slave to Artorias' will and whim, especially after their time together on the ship. She had been thoroughly dominated and had attained heights of pleasure that she had never imagined. Artorias had met her action for action; word for dirty word. Their lewd actions had been so taboo yet so refreshing. No one else would ever be able to compare, and that wasn't fair to one wolf in particular.

Haiku had been a constant. He was her friend from childhood and continued to be her friend now. Initially, Bowen had believed that she and the chocolate wolf would end up together. They would become mates, settle down, maybe have a family eventually if that's something that he wanted. Personally, she had no desire for pups, but would have made a concession for him. Now, that would never come to be. On her travels back, she'd thought long and hard about it. About their situation. It wasn't fair to him that he would never be first in her heart. He deserved to belong to someone that had eyes only for him. Bowen... she only had eyes for Artorias.

Coming into the castle, the young woman made her way up the stone stairs, pushing into the room that she shared with Haiku. Copper ears tucked against her skull and she had trouble meeting his gaze. It wasn't that she was ashamed for the relationship that she'd culminated with her brother. She wasn't ashamed of that at all. She couldn't meet his gaze, because what she was about to do would hurt him. It would hurt him both. No matter their relationship, Bowen would always love Haiku. She would always come when he needed her. But... she had to be true to herself too.

"Hey Hero," she spoke softly, still standing in the doorway. "Do you have a minute?"

"Bowen"

He hadn’t seen Bowen in a few days now, and her absence made him realize just how long he had been away from Abaven. He was sure his mother was worried about him, but Rhyme would know he could take care of himself. Haiku had to be here for Bowen, and as the days stretched on he realized just how much he missed her. He’d come to enjoy living with her, curling up beside her almost every night. She made him feel complete, and he was beginning to believe the story his heart told him. He belonged with Bowen.

Already he planned to ask her to come back to Abaven with him, to at least tell his family what happened. To let them know that he was alive and okay, and then they’d come back to the Hallows and really start their lives. He didn’t know if they would ever have a family of their own, but as long as she was in his arms it wouldn’t matter. The two of them could make up their own little family and he would have been the happiest man in the world.

Haiku was relaxing in bed, he’d done some chores that morning while he waited for Bowen to return. He was well aware of her relationship with Artorias and he would never interfere with that. As long as she was happy he would be, no matter what, he told himself. Eventually she did find her way back to him, just like she always had.

Blue and lavender eyes shifted from daydreaming up at the ceiling to gazing at the beautiful caramel form that was always on his mind. Haiku’s features brightened at the sight of her, and he was halfway off the bed before he really read her. Her vibrant verdant gaze did not lift to meet his, and she didn’t come running towards him like their reunion would call for. She called out to him, but in a way that was unfamiliar and off putting

"Of course, Bowen.” He answered softly, approaching much more slowly. His head tilted curiously as dark ears fell to his skull. "You have all of my minutes.” He chuckled softly and smiled gently despite the stiff atmosphere as he aimed to place a kiss on her pale forehead.

"Bowen & Haiku"

I have a white raven companion named Prose if she isn't mentioned assume she is nearby

Haiku graced her with his typical, 'good ol' boy' smile and moved towards her. The woman's throat clenched tightly and she shook her head, trying to set her thoughts in line. Panic was beginning to grip her and suddenly this seemed like a bad idea. They could continue going on like this, right? She would continue to sleep with Haiku at night and would go off with Artorias when she pleased. It had worked so far, so why couldn't it continue? Internally, the copper and snow fae answered her own question. Artorias had the entirety of her heart. She loved Haiku, but she wasn't in love with him. Pretending that everything was the same... well... it was too close to a lie.

Tears had filled emerald eyes the moment that he looked at her and they spilled over, running down the fae's snowy cheeks. Then he kissed her forehead and it was all over. A strangled sob pulled from Bowen and she pressed her small body against his wide, comforting chest. "I'm sorry," she choked out, unable to form other words just yet. It simply seemed right to start with an apology. Bowen continued to cry into Haiku's chest, sobs and gasps wracking her slender frame as she got it all out. Well, not all of it out, but some of it. Enough to let her speak.

"You never should have found me," she whispered against the man's soaked fur, giving a sniffle after. "It would have been easier and I wouldn't have to hurt you." Words were difficult to find for a situation such as this. Truly, she had no right to cry to him. Though she hurt, she would be the one spreading that pain to him. He should hate her for it. Perhaps he would once she was able to give him reason.

"Bowen"

Haiku didn’t miss the tears that filled her eyes as he approached, but they didn’t stop him. Concern overtook his features as he lowered his haunches to the floor. He was close enough to touch but she was the one who closed the rest of the distance between them when he kissed her. One of his speckled arms lifted to wrap around her shoulder and hold her closer as she cried. "Shh..” He tried to soothe her as she apologized and cried into his chest. "It’s okay,” Haiku continued softly as he wrapped his neck around her and shielded her from everything outside.

She whispered into his chest, her words only barely audible and he had trouble deciphering her. He knew what she said but he didn’t know what she was talking about. "Don’t say that.” He told her as she went on. He would never regret saving her from that… groundhog? His memory was fuzzy from so long ago. He didn’t realize she meant their second reunion. "It’s alright,” Haiku tried to convince her. She hadn’t been gone that long, he missed her but not to the degree he’d need an apology like this.

He nuzzled into her ear and breathed her in, he really had missed her. There was just something about holding her like this. He closed his eyes and squeezed her lightly, offering his physical comfort like he always did. Being close to her had become second nature. "I’m just glad you’re back.” The words were a soft whisper on his white marked lips as he kissed her ear.

"Bowen & Haiku"

I have a white raven companion named Prose if she isn't mentioned assume she is nearby