Since Viper's attack on Dalila and their heated argument on the beach, Chimera had been avoiding the small woman. He'd been doing quite a bit of thinking. She had attacked the slave girl because she was jealous. Jealous that he'd lain with another woman. That part probably wasn't going to change, but it made him realize the lengths that Viper would go to because of him. She was devoted in her own way. He didn't hate her. Quite the opposite. Other than Siren, Viper was the one wolf that he could spend prolonged periods of time around. That deserved to be rewarded, if anything. Chimera had been working hard since their argument. He'd conferred with Siren and his little sister was in agreement with his plan. The black and white giant broke ground a short ways from Siren's den. He'd chosen the location strategically, still placing himself between the bridge and his sisters abode. Ever the protective brother, he put himself as a line of defense between danger and his tiny sibling. The den was spacious. One large main chamber, one large bed chamber and one smaller chamber for the dogs to share. He and Viper never spent too much time in the den anyway. Both were industrious sorts. It had taken him a week to get the den created. It had taken a few more days to smooth down the walls and bring in all of the furs that he'd accumulated, some of them having been acquired with Viper. Only when he was satisfied with his new living space did he move towards the barrel bridge and call for the infuriating little woman. Hopefully she hadn't packed her things and left because of him, but he supposed he'd see soon enough. If she did, hey, he had a new den all to himself. If she didn't, then she couldn't bitch at him ever again. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

Viper may have also been avoiding Chimera, and at some point she did consider leaving Ashen. Chimera didn't seem to want anything to do with her, so why should she sit around just steps from the bridge to his island? She had also considered challenging him, for, nothing really. To prove a point or something. That was typically her thing. Though, she tended not to win most of her battles. It may have hurt her ego, but it never stopped her from the next time she wanted to fight someone. She had an awful lot of confidence for how often she disappointed herself. Viper was less than expecting when Chimera called, and she was less than eager. She made the rest of her lap around her island, finally making it onto the bridge that connected her and Chimera's lives. Facing him she stayed silent, typical. And waited to see what he wanted her for. Her expression was a bit irritated as she looked up at him. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

As time passed, Chimera became more and more irritated. She sure was taking her sweet fucking time... Surely she had heard him if she was still in the territory. Chi had just been about to send Gem and Meg out to fetch the woman when she came across the bridge. Rather than say anything, she just glared at him. Irritation flared anew. He at least figured she might have been happy to see him after a week. She hadn't sought him out and he hadn't sought her out. They were equally guilty of neglecting the other as far as he saw it. With a grumble, Chimera gave a pull of his head and motioned for Viper to follow him. Without seeing if she was following, Chi crossed the island as though he was headed towards the old den. Instead, he cut to the right far before the den that was now Siren's. The giant man stopped before the doorway of the new den and sat, rolling his eyes towards the entrance. He didn't say a word. If she could be silent then so could he. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

Chimera met her with the same expressions, staying silent. She didn’t recognize if he was egging her on or something, she wasn’t necessarily intending to piss him off. She just simply couldn’t control her own emotions. At least she had emotions, Chimera was special to her even if she didn’t say it. He led her into the forests, moving towards the den and suddenly her spirits rose. She was thinking that their week of ignorance was being rewarded. She was getting what she wanted, Chimera was letting her stay in his den. That changed when they went off course and away from his den, her happy spark died in an instant as they moved away. And when they arrived at the den and he motioned to it, she wouldn’t even take the moment to check it out. She raised a brow at him, she had thought of his consideration and wouldn’t go full bitch on him. But she turned her head and lifted her paw, gesturing in the direction of the main den, "I said I want to live with you." Honestly if she had even gone into the den, she wouldn’t have picked up on it being for the both of them. A big den, an area for the dogs, she was pretty dumb after all. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

The sound of Viper's paws crunching across the sand at least let him know that she was following. That was the first step. Hopefully she continued to follow him to the new den. By the time they arrived, he could see the irritation on her face. Her words irritated him in turn. She was such an idiot. "Just get in the fucking den," he growled low, rising and putting a paw on her ass so he could physically push her into the den. He'd worked fucking hard on it, so she'd better appreciate it. Viper pissed him off so much. At times like this, he didn't know why he was even making an effort. She was confrontational and unappreciative. The black and white man moved into the den after her. Gem and Meg were in their chamber and Moccasin went to inspect the space as well. Still, Chimera didn't say anything else. Let her make whatever assumptions she wanted. His surprise was quickly getting ruined by irritation. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

Chimera ended up literally shoving her into the den but she wouldn't fight him back. Her body scooted is she was nearly thrown off balance face first into the den, but she caught her legs under her before that happened. She almost shot around to glare at Chimera again, but she was met with the vision of the den. Gem and Meg, Chimera's armor. Her more aggressive nature simmered as her teeth went back under her jowls and she relaxed. "Oh," She wasn't embarrassed by her behavior, if anything she was more surprised that Chimera had done yet another thing for her. And she was starting to feel short ended on her side of the stick. She unstrapped her armor and placed it down by Chimera's as she looked around the den, he had spent time inside making it fit for them. She was admiring at least silently as she wandered. "For us?" Her eyes went to meet him, she questioned almost like he would tell her no. She had after all lost confidence in whatever relationship they had. "Thank...you." She may have had something for Chimera, but with the week they spent apart she felt like she had nothing. Nothing to repay him for giving her what she wanted. And an added bonus for not sharing their space with Siren or Dalila. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

In time, the realization worked its way past Viper's thick skull. The anger on her face subsided, but Chimera still looked annoyed. She irritated him like no other. He'd gone through all of this trouble to make a den so she wouldn't feel excluded. He'd ripped up his own roots and planted them elsewhere just for her. Had Viper not expressed her wish to live with him, he never would have made this den. Would the little idiot even realize the sacrifices that he'd made for her? Viper questioned him and Chimera breathed deeply, exhaling long and slow. She was frustrating. "Yes," he said in clipped tones. After looking around a bit more and shirking out of her armor, Viper managed to say thank you. Chi didn't answer. Instead, he sat down by the mouth of the den. He needed a minute to cool off. He really wanted to bite something, but Dalila was off somewhere with Siren. The giant man rolled his shoulders, trying to work the tension from them. He stretched his head to either side as well. His claws were digging into the ground beneath him and he made a mental note to loosen all of his muscles. Viper had been getting him so worked up lately. She'd become needy and demanding. Since she hadn't gotten her way with him, she'd attacked the slave girl. The woman needed to get her shit together. Hopefully this was the first step to that. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

Even though he was still irritated, Viper saw past it. Like this was a great wonderful thing because it was. She couldn’t really show her appreciation, she was more like him than he may have thought. Even though she was mostly dumb and illogical. It definitely got her into heaps of trouble. Standing over the pelts, she motioned big with her paws spread on the ground while her back was turned towards him. "I’ll gett’a bear pelt." like it was her contribution, like she could take a black bear down herself. She believed she could at least, she’d do anything for Chimera. Well that was her mind set now. Just this week she was nearly getting ready to leave because of him. Who knew what the next week had to offer. She finally approached him again, standing before the giant always like he wasn’t deadly to her. She probably had more trust in him than she should have. He did give her all these nice things after all. She went to put her paws on his chest if he allowed so she could reach his face. And somewhere, naturally, after her eyes carefully searched his face, her lips wanted to meet to his. Maybe it was some hidden memory of her parents, but somehow this felt like the right thing to do. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

"Why?" It was his first response to her desire to get a bear pelt. They already had one. There was no need for another. Plus they had more than enough pelts in the den already. The sleeping space was quite plush with the volume of furs. There really was no good reason to go out, be in danger and possibly get injured for yet another fur. Viper's formerly angry demeanor had changed back to the dull, even personality that she normally had. It helped Chi's own disposition a bit and it helped more when she came and placed her paws on his chest. The man's eyes narrowed as she stared at him, not out of anger or anything, but out of challenge. It wasn't wise to stare a beast in the eye. The woman pressed her lips against his and electricity zapped up Chimera's spine. It seemed like any sort of sexual contact lately just sent the alpha male in him smashing against the bars of its prison. The giant gave the small woman the kiss that she wanted, but with his other paw he scooped her body against his, walking on three paws into their new bed chamber. Chi threw Viper down upon the furs and stood over her for but a moment before he flipped her onto her stomach. His teeth found her scruff and his body folded as he pulled her against him. Breaking in their new home? Sure. The trio of dogs snuck out of the den, giving the pair of wolves their privacy. They would need it. Chimera was still a little angry, since he was always angry, and this wouldn't be some gentle love making. He was going to push Viper's body to her breaking point. With his teeth still hooked in her scruff, Chimera did what Chimera does. -Fade- "Chimera" -- "Viper"

As their lips touched, Viper didn't quite feel the same way he did. Not that she knew the zapping he was feeling, but she was very inexperienced in this side of things. She was more experienced in finding herself in the ground under him. But she couldn't deny the way it felt as he carried her into their bed. She felt more delicate than she ever had in her life. Looking up at him was something new. But her expression was nowhere near fragile or damsel. She knew what it was like being with Chimera, she was no where near a weak little girl as much as she may have appeared that way physically, in the brute's claws. She looked at him more daring, knowing what came next. She was a little disappointed when he flipped her, though she didn't mind the aggression that was normal. She wouldn't speak out though, this was what she knew. As he went on, her body had to physically adjust to what he was doing to her. She tensed a few times but her usual sounds of pleasure were unmistakable. She wouldn't notice when the dogs left simply because she didn't care. She would fuck Chimera in the middle of the shrine if that's what he wanted, she didn't know that wasn't particularly suitable behavior. -Fade- Viper was easily embraced by sleep next to Chimera, but she wasn't missing sleep usually anyway. Still, staying with him now put her in a new kind of ease she didn't know. Sharing his warmth through the night did something to her heart, something she didn't know she was capable of or even existed. She couldn't be any more thankful for what Chimera did for her, even if it was difficult for her to show it. With her back towards him, she shot up in the middle of the night with a loud bark-whine as she was pulled from a deep sleep, though not from a nightmare. Not really. She wasn't really sure why she nearly screamed from the dream, because it ended subtly and not abruptly. Maybe it was the place she was in and pulling her back into reality. Chimera jumped up as she did ready to thrust into the threat that she woke him for. But there was nothing here on the island but them and the rest that resided here. She turned, lifting her paws to his body as if that would ease him. It probably wasn't that easy. "My-" She paused, though not from the confusion that may have come from Chimera, she couldn't call her that, "mother". "She's dead, she died." "Chimera" -- "Viper"

As always, Viper was receptive to his touches. After all this time, one might think that it would lose its excitement; that her instant submission and acquiescence would be boring. Quite the opposite. Chimera liked that he had been rough with her in the pats and she kept coming back for more. He liked knowing that he had that power over her. That was why he always took her from behind and pushed her small body into the ground beneath him. Call him a sick bastard, but that was what got him off. After breaking in their new den, the pair of wolves gradually fell asleep. It wasn't like they had to talk about their days or anything and silence soon led to tiredness. The massive man curled himself around the much smaller woman akin to a dragon guarding its hoard. His pink speckled nose almost touched the tip of his tail with how tightly he was wrapped around Viper. She didn't seem to mind, however. She didn't complain at least. Some time during the night, a shriek and movement jerked Chimera roughly from sleep. In an instant he was on his paws, hackles raised, teeth bared. His singular gaze adjusted to the dim light of the den and he snarled, looking for the threat. The dogs had jumped up as well, all three of them. They were just as bristled and growling, but it appeared to be all for naught. Viper's struggling tones met his ears and she placed a paw upon his chest to settle him. A low growl of irritation pulled from the brute and he sat back down in the furs. He'd been sleeping so well... Chi processed the words that Viper had spoken and he looked down at the small fae. "Who's dead? What are you even babbling about?" There was clear irritation in his tones, but when wasn't there? Viper irritated him constantly, and yet there they were. Sharing a den. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

Chimera questioned her and she still struggled to get words out. It was rare if she ever showed her true anxiety about what others thought of her, typically she was very carefree and acted as though no one else mattered, no one but Chimera that was. But here in this moment, it shined through while she was at a war with the emotions she usually put behind her so easily. She didn't want to talk about her mother, Aranea had been dead to her for a long time. She was forced into this dream, or this reality with her. She had no choice but to hear what she had to say, even if little went through to her. "She-" Viper started, but went no where which was actually pretty typical for her line of speech. "My... Her." She stated bluntly like that was all he needed to know. Or that he would understand who she was talking about. She didn't wait long before finally giving it out, "Mum." Viper's body left Chimera after she got it out, shuffling to get on her tired feet, "Sorry." She went to exit the den, feeling like it would be better to just leave Chimera at peace and not let him worry about her silly dumb premonitions or whatever. "Go back to sleep." It was the middle of the night and she would leave her armor behind just to go to the beach or maybe walk the island. But she didn't want to bother Chimera anymore. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

After taking a moment to waken further, Chimera could see the expression on Viper's face. She was upset. A moment later she told him why. Her mother was dead. It didn't even cross his mind to doubt her. He'd never told her about the Silent Ones that he often saw, nor had he told her about the aura's that Siren saw. Otherworldly things were easily acceptable for the man. So, when Viper told him that her mother was dead, he believed her. Viper wanted to leave the den, thinking that she was bothering him. Since he was already up, Chimera gave his big body a stretch and a yawn pulled from him. "Come on," he spoke before moving out of the den. Up above, the moonlight was concealed here and there by drifting clouds, casting the beach in darkness. When it did shine though, it illuminated the sand and water brightly. The massive man lowered himself to the sand and with one thick leg, pulled Viper to the sand beside him, pressing her against his chest and stomach. She needed comfort, so he would do the best that he could. The brutes tongue protruded and he began to gently groom her, trying to calm her and chase away the bad dream. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

She came to a halt and waited when Chimera spoke, turning with a following gaze as he exited the den and then went forward after him. She took a second before laying down on the beach with him, she hadn't expected him to come out at all. She thought he would just lay back down and go back to sleep. But here he was, pulling her in, a gesture that she couldn't truly appreciate simply because she didn't understand Chimera's real brutality. She only knew what was given to her, but nothing Chimera did had really ever taken her by surprise. Maybe a fake outlook through his eyes that she could have done such things before, but really it was her own way of adapting to everything. Viper's chin found it's way onto Chimera's legs, one of her own paws gently and slowly moved through the fur of his chest. She was trapped here in his own type of embrace but she didn't feel that way. She trusted Chimera probably more than she should have. A naivety that was certainly unknown to her but who knew to anyone else that was watching, if anyone else was watching. But Chimera was giving her something that she had never known she was missing out on, even in his darker moments. Though that was typically just arguments, not anything like he had done to Dalila. She had nearly frozen for a moment, her own paw stopped in the line she had caressed through his fur and carefully dropped to the ground. She wouldn't stay silent long though before confessing, "I hate her." It was quiet but more blunt than anything, a bit of a fiery emotion behind her tongue but it was no where near sad or upset. He may not have known but this was an incredible step for her. Because she didn't want to believe she ever had parents, and thinking of Aranea and speaking about her had a lot more turmoil than she was showing. "Chimera" -- "Viper"

It took Viper but a moment to calm in his grasp. One thing he could say about the woman was that she accepted anything that he did to her without question. She curled her small form up against him and began to pull her claws through his fur, which resulted in a pleased rumble pulling up from Chimera's chest. He enjoyed it when they were like this. When their relationship was easy and she wasn't being pissy or sassy with him, that was when he could appreciate Viper. She stilled in his grasp and the giant curled his neck to stare at her. Her words brought a soft huff from his speckled nose. "That seems to be the trend. I hate mine as well." His shoulders rolled in a shrug. "It doesn't matter. They have nothing to do with us." Deathbelle had brought him into his world and had promptly abandoned him just like his father did. Just like his brother had. "Siren has been the only constant," he added. That was why his sister was so important. Siren was the most important thing. She was the only family that he had. The only true family. "Forget her. She's not worth your worries." Chimera lay his head back down on his outstretched foreleg and pulled the tiny woman closer to him, his eyes drifting closed once more. He wasn't going to sleep, but he didn't want to keep his eyes open anymore. "Chimera" -- "Viper"