Bit by bit, Bellamy was growing comfortable in her den once more. What had once become a place of anxiety had become a home once more. Items were left in memory of her mate and her bed, which had once felt empty without the presence of the tiny man, had become a place of comfort once more. Bellamy adored the pillow given to her by her daughters, and her companions had begun sleeping beside her just as they had once done when it was only the three of them. Bit by bit, Bellamy found some peace. It had been a rocky road to recovery, but the fire the femme had was rekindled once more. Hope brought to her by Ace, and the love of her family encouraging her onward. No matter where she was Bellamy had come to realize that she had wolves in her corner. Wolves who wanted her to be happy, to feel safe. And that was what helped her fall asleep easier at night.

And that night, as Bellamy’s green gaze flickered open, she realized that she wasn’t in her den. The cold, wind, and rain that had pestered Auster were nowhere to be found. Instead, at the base of a pine, Bellamy had woken to green gaze, gentle sunshine, and brilliant blue sky. Bellamy knew where she was immediately. Another place of comfort. Another home where a dear friend awaited her. The woman rose, tilting her head back to call for him. Acere… this was the Sparse Pines. His home. Their place of memories. She wanted to see him again, to let him know she was doing better. To let him know she was home. And honestly… just to see him again. She had missed him.

"Speech," 'Thought.'

He was wandering the pines as he usually did, drifting in and out of a state of...well...he wasn't sure. Wanting? He couldn't quite name the feeling. He was definitely missing those that he had left behind. Waiting for the days they'd visit again. Though time was a rough concept here. He couldn't exactly determine how much time had passed in between visits since he entered Somnium's plane. But did it matter anymore? It's not like he could do anything about it... Sighing, he suddenly heard a call for him, and immediately his entire demeanor changed. He smiled as he changed his course and headed to her. Excitement. Happiness. The feeling that someone needed him. Bellamy. He threw back his head and answered her call with his own as he raced through the trees to meet her. And before long, he found her. "Bellamy!" He called out as she came into view. He couldn't help the smile nor the happily wagging tail as he approached, slowing his pace until he was in front of her, seeking to gently butt his head against hers...or as close to it as he could. He couldn't really physically touch her here...but he imagined he could, and it was good enough for him.

Was it their bond that allowed her to come back to this place to meet with him time and time again? Bellamy found happiness every time she saw these pines, in their perfect age, the best temperature, and as she saw Ace moving towards her a smile came to Bellamy’s lips. “Acere…” Warmth honeys her tones as she moves to him. They do not touch in the same way they had in the living world and yet, at the same time, Bellamy mimics his action of pressing her head to his. The last time he had seen her she had still been recovering, in the Hallows. It felt like so much time had passed since then.

“Great Divinities be praised… I’ve missed you so much.” Acere had been a large part of her recovery. That light of hope she had needed to start seeing the truth about what Gavroche had become. He helped her find peace, and the Hallows had given her comfort and safety while she recovered and worked through her grief. She drew back, her eyes shining with light once more. “It feels like so much time has passed since I last saw you… It is winter in Auster now. And… And I’m home in Ethne again. Me and Gavroche II both.” She moved to brush against his side. Though his fur felt little more than a cool breath, it still gave her a happy feeling within her heart.

“Hay has done so well holding everyone together. I couldn’t be prouder of her.” She turned again, facing Acere once more. “I just wish that our visits weren’t so few and far between. To think I may not be able to walk with you like this until I eventually pass… saddens me.” Her smile fell. “I wish there was a way for you to be with me, with us… I know Ethne was not your home, but I’m sure you would love it there Ace. It is so beautiful.”

"Speech," 'Thought.'

“Great Divinities be praised… I’ve missed you so much.” A lighthearted chuckle left him as he drank in the sight of her. "And I've missed you as well. I must admit, it sometimes gets lonely here..." Which was why he enjoyed these visits so much, especially when Bellamy visited. Bellamy visits were the most special to him. She motioned to press her head to his, and while the feeling wasn't what it used to be, he imagined it was, and he could remember the feeling of touch and warmth. She told him of what had transpired since their last visit, and his brows raised in surprise. "It's been that long, hm? Time is...a strange concept here. Sometimes I feel like time is at a standstill here, but I am glad to hear that you are doing well, and happier to hear that young Gavroche is doing well, too." He breathed in a big sigh as he closed his eyes, imagining her touch against his side. It did little for his yearning desire to feel it, unfortunately, but his heart was happy nonetheless. “Hay has done so well holding everyone together. I couldn’t be prouder of her.” His lips twitched up into a smile. "I am glad to hear that, it seems she has her mother's spirit." He winked. "I wish I could meet them. I am sure each of your children has a strong part of you within them, too." Wishful thinking, of course. At her next words, he felt a longing he hadn't felt in a long time. A strong desire to want to be there for her more than he could be here. "I know...I often wish I could walk with you again beyond your dreams..." He smiled still, though it was touched with sadness, as was his voice. " Although the Pines were my home once, it wasn't always. Home is often where the heart is...and..." He looked at her, gaze brimming with warmth. "I have to admit...I believe my heart lies with you, Bellamy."

His confession that Somnium got lonely made Bellamy’s heart ache. If only she could make these visits more frequent. If only… if only they never had to be apart again. A sad smile touched her lips. “It felt like such a long period of time passed in the Hallows… and yet… like time was fake too. I don’t know how to explain it.” Maybe they were just more in tune than they realized. Drawing comfort from one another regardless of if both were there together or not. Acere had renewed her faith that the end would still have meaning… and maybe she gave him faith that someday he would not have to be alone either. He never deserved that fate… and her heart ached for all the time he’d been alone thus far.

“I wouldn’t say that. More of her father’s heart, if anything.” Bellamy had always considered Gavroche responsible for the good in her children. It was hard to see the positives in herself, or just how much she truly cared for her family. She drew back to look upon Acere’s face. “You will meet them one day, Ace, I’m sure of it.” It was the most confident her words had been in a long time. “...and maybe you can’t walk with me beyond this place… but this is where we can meet… and knowing you are here, and that we can still meet… If I never woke back up… I wouldn’t regret a thing.” Not that she longed to die, but Bellamy had accepted that what waited after wouldn’t be bad. She would find peace… company…

But the last of his words brought heat to her face. A flustered feeling in her heart and chest. Bellamy closed her eyes, feeling each beat of her heart in those next seconds. “...and I believe that is something both of our hearts could agree on, Acere.” When she opened her eyes again there was warmth within them, but tears too. “I’d often wondered how things would have been different if I had been able to stay in Winterfell… you were the first to really give me a chance… and even then… I…” Her gaze slipped to her paws. “I didn’t know how to process those feelings then. I was still learning to trust others, to believe in the good in the world. …and I feared if I told you… you might not feel the same way…”

She lifted her gaze again, a bright smile on her maw.

“Seems I was just overthinking things…” Her paw moved toward his. Divinities how she longed to touch him. “I want to be where you are…” Her voice softened. “...That is where I feel happiest now.”

"Speech," 'Thought.'