He stayed there, looking at her peaceful expression aside from her breaths as they calmed in the after math. It would be a moment before he rolled over, pulling her with him in the grasp he had around her. With her at his chest, the two facing the skies above. It wasn't just the physical bliss he needed from her, but that was true from the beginning.

He laid there as his breath steadied, His head laid back on the now warm grasses from his body occupying them. Eyes closed and opened from time to time to watch the wispy clouds roll over the stars. Occasionally his paw rubbed across her side as he held her tight to him. "I hope I can see you again soon." He spoke out quietly through the silence of the lake. Somewhat somber. He guessed he could have asked her to come to Obscura with him, but he wouldn't make her make that decision. It was less the relationship they had just jumped into, and more the need to protect her and keep her safe as far as they had gone. As far as he was concerned she had family obligations here just like he did in Obscura. His father wouldn't be enough to excuse him coming back time and time again. He had never been with anyone like this other than his sisters and it stirred up something different inside his chest and soul. He wouldn't go as far to say he loved her, but he did care about her. And it jumbled up a mess of confusion the more he would think about it. For now he could just be happy with the moments they shared tonight.

"Cerberus Kline"

She lay still, her ear pressed against his chest, lulled by the rhythmic cadence of his heartbeat. She could feel the tension slowly leaving her body, every muscle relaxing under his gentle, calming touch. As his paw moved rhythmically along her side, she could sense his emotions stirring, resonating with her own. The sky above them was like an infinite canvas painted with hues of night, the stars twinkling in the vast darkness. She traced circles on his chest absent-mindedly. The silence was comforting, enveloping them in its quiet embrace.

Listening to his words, Mariah felt a pang of longing in her chest. She nodded silently against his chest, her gaze fixated on the twinkling constellations above. Their shared moment, as fleeting as it was, was more intimate and profound than she could have expected. A tightness tugged at her heart at the thought of separation. Yet, she knew the truth of his words - they both had their own duties to attend to, loyalties that bound them to their respective paths. “I hope so too," she finally spoke, her voice barely above a whisper. Her words hung in the air between them like dandelion seeds waiting to be carried away by an unseen wind. Silence fell anew, wrapping them up in its comforting embrace once more. Even now, though their bodies were tangled together in this quiet corner of the world. At least, until she could stand it no longer. “Stay with me tonight?” She knew their goodbye was inevitable. She knew it was rapidly approaching- but she just simply wasn’t ready for it. If they stayed in her den, in his guest accommodations, if they didn’t move from where they lay under the stars- she didn’t care. Just as long as he stayed. Just as long as they had a few more hours together, a few more moments of this blissful peace.

"Mariah Mendacium"

In these moments, Cerberus could have felt like he had known Mariah for a lifetime. He may not have known her very well at all, but it didn't stop him from how he felt about her when he held her this close. Like he could keep here safe here like this. Like he would never leave.

A relieved breath he didn't know was there escaped his maw as she had asked him to stay. Maybe just the idea of how he would leave holding up in his chest. "Of course." He promised her, a gentle squeeze by the paw on her back before he went back to brushing over her again. "I'll take you back to your den." He offered, not looking to keep her cold out here despite the warmth he shared with her now. A part of him finding it difficult to shift from where they laid under the stars.

Soon he'd be pulling himself up from her, leaning his chest over her to steal another meaningful kiss before rising from the ground completely. Once they were back on Alias Island, he wouldn't leave her there. He would stay until at least the morning. He very clearly wasn't so quick to abandon her.

"Cerberus Kline"

They lay there for a while, content in the quiet and the shared warmth. Mariah's heart steadily pounded against her ribcage, its rhythm syncing with the distant sounds of the lake around them. The heaviness of her eyelids belied the alertness of her senses - an awareness heightened by Cerberus' presence beside her. But of course, as he would have it, they wouldn’t be falling asleep out here in the cold. When he professed that he would return with her to her den, she offered him a gentle nod and a half-sided grin.

She savored the feeling of his lips on hers, a sensation that was both gentle and demanding. His taste lingered on her tongue as he pulled away, filling her with a warmth that drove away the chilly night air. When he rose to his feet, she followed suit, his strong form a silhouette against the moonlit sky. As they began the trek back to her den, each step was filled with a silence that was anything but uncomfortable. With measured steps, Cerberus guided the way, her silver gaze finding his every so often. Underneath the canopy of shimmering stars and the velvet sky, they moved as one – a dance of shadows and moonlight, whispering promises of the dawn to come. And oh, how she wished it would wait.

All too soon, the familiar entrance to her den loomed before them, looking almost foreign after the intimacy they had shared. Upon passing through the threshold, she moved to the recessed fire pit at the back of the den, setting some kindling alight to dispel the encompassing darkness within.

"Mariah Mendacium"

They had walked back to the island quietly, and that was fine by him. They seemed to communicate well on a level of silence. At least in these very moments. They made it back to her den, Mariah lighting a fire to draw light and warmth from within. Cerberus glanced around briefly in the room, but quickly made a gentle pace to Mariah's bed of furs, how very subtle. When she turned he would either be in the process of laying down or waiting for her gaze to turn back towards his. Raising a paw to invite her, much like the gentleman he was. He wouldn't ask any more of her, wouldn't ask. But he was ready to share what more of the night they had left together. Until he came back again, for her. He was a simple man really. What many would have thought was orthodox of the situation was not to him. Mariah was someone he cared about, they shared a part of themselves with each other. He may have grown protective of her, but he wouldn't be here in her life to tie her down. He just hoped that whenever she needed someone to talk to, to lean on, to understand her, that she would know he was there for her.

"Cerberus Kline"

Entranced by the dance of flickering orange flames, her thoughts were a silent symphony of uncertainty and longing. Turning away from the fire, she was met with Cerberus' steady gaze, an inviting gesture extended towards her. His presence was comforting, his actions speaking louder than any words could express. Hesitation lasted only a moment longer, her body moving almost of its own accord towards the bundle of furs where he lay. A feeling of warmth spread through her as she joined him on the bedding, curling up against his substantial form. She felt safe here, against his steady heartbeat, the gentle rise and fall of his chest a soothing rhythm in the otherwise silent den. The crackle of the fire seemed distant, the world outside forgotten.

Her gaze drifted towards the dancing shadows on the walls, their silent interplay a mesmerizing spectacle. Her body felt heavy against his, the tension of the day slowly seeping away. Her silver eyes moved from the shadows to Cerberus, studying him in the firelight. His mint green eyes held a calm serenity that she had come to associate with him, one that eased the turmoil within her. She traced her paw across the lines of his face, each muscle and contour familiar yet new under the flickering firelight. His fur was warm beneath her touch, a stark contrast to the chill that seemed to perpetually reside in her own body.

She shifted closer, tucking herself under the curve of his body in silent invitation for his warmth. The words remained unspoken, yet their meanings were clear - they were creatures of action and instinct, needing no language to convey the shared comfort. The silence that stretched between them was one filled with contentment- one she accentuated by tilting her chin up, to reach for the kiss she desired. A soft smile graced her lips as the gap closed, their bodies pressed closer, her heart pounding a vivacious rhythm against his calm steadiness.

"Mariah Mendacium"