Talk of the Heart- 28

That night they camped out near a spring, Maria was already settled for bed by the time Seb got back from washing his arms off.

Will put more wood on the fire as he looked up as Seb came up.

"Seb."

"Hm?" Seb grunted as he arched a eyebrow at Will as he started to gather some brush for him a place to sleep on.

"T-Thank you, for protecting Maria today." Will muttered as Maria had already drifted to sleep snuggled into the pelts she had.

"Hm? Oh, I suppose it's no problem." Seb said chuckling amused at the bear, but their was a more friendly air about him than usual.

"Besides what kind of male would I be if I let a female get killed by some spine spike." Seb huffed as he thought, Will absent mindedly looked into the flames as he messed with a stick that was laying on the ground.

"I'm thinking about...well not going to the deer tribe." Will said softly as he rubbed his arm looking back at the sleeping Maria.

"And why is that?" Seb said as he settled into his makeshift nest crickets chirped their songs all around them. Frogs also croaked in the dead of night all these sounds were natural for the forest.

"Roy knows we're heading there. It just makes me... nervous." Will admitted as he sighed bringing his knees up to his chest as he looked into the flames.

Seb chuckled before sighing lowly, his honey brown gaze looking at Will amused.

"Why? I mean in rankings of species, bears are at more of a advantage in a fight more so than lions. Surely your bite force is stronger than his, hell probably even mine."

Will looked up at Seb as he thought bears were known to have a extreme force of biting which was no laughing matter, they were ranked one of the higher than even tigers and lions in their bite.

"Yes, but....Lions have stealth I'm afraid he'll snatch Maria when I'm not looking or if I'm away."

Seb thought for a while as he looked at Will.

"Maybe go to a tribe that absolutely hates lions? There's a lot in the desert savannahs." Seb thought as his tail flicked wildly, Seb knew alot about different tribes as since he was in his teens he mostly traveled from place to place like a lost soul seeking harbor.

"For explain, there's a mixed tribe of zebra and wildebeest... or southern Hyena tribe, though they aren't the friendliest." Seb said as he stretched out in his nest as he yawned, even in his human form his canines we're still sharper than his other teeth. It gave his smile a certain charm too it, as he scratched his arm.

"Which of those tribes would you suggest?" Will said softly as he looked at his scarred up arms, the cut from Roy that laid deeply into his chest was almost completely sealed. Males healed quick and recovered from simple things within days but since the gash was so deep it took a while for it to close.

"Honestly, none of them. The herbivores have a hate towards carnivores, but if I were in your shoes.... and had these worries about my female, then I would do it. Besides most tribes are kind towards females no matter what species they originate with." Seb said chuckling as he shrugged and then thought.

"I'd stay away from the Hyena Tribe. I'd probably go with the mixed Tribe, if I were you."

Will thought about Seb's words carefully as a black feather fell from the sky onto Will's hand which caused Will to look up curiously into the dark.

Seb's gaze went up as well but the night sky was silent and untouched.

"I see... Well, I-... I haven't really ever traveled out of my Tribe, so I'm not sure on how I would manage getting there." Will said brushing off the feather, before silently thinking.

"Ah, I can draw you a map once we get to the Mixed Tribe I'm heading too." Seb said as his gaze held to the trees for a moment before looking back at Will.

Will's lips parted as he looked at the tiger male, he nodded.

"Thank you that would be very helpful."

Seb gave a curt nod and smiled as he got comfortable.

"Well, I'm going to head to sleep then."

Silence fell over the makeshift camp, as the soothing sounds of nature echoed around.

Soon Seb fell asleep, Will still was staring blankly into the fire thinking about what would happen if Roy were to steal Maria away.

It would break his heart, and he knew he just couldn't ever let that happen. Will knew he would take Roy's life, or do what ever he could to save Maria.

The Lion was just too dangerous, Will sighed and put his head in his hands before running his thicker fingers through his dark brown hair and looked up into the night sky.

The trees were illuminated by the flicker of the fire before them.

His dark eyes casted down to his bracelet that hung loosely to his wrist. He knew he wasn't good enough to be Maria's male, but if she saw him fit to stay by her side... Maybe it was okay to be a little selfish?

He got up and put more wood on the fire before heading to where Maria slept peacefully.

He plopped down carefully beside her wanting to just be near her while he slept.

He laid down and put his arm underneath his head as he looked at her, she stirred slightly but kept sleeping.

Will's heart was content and warm as a slight pink graced his cheeks. He couldn't believe that this female actually accepted him even though their spouse bond was made on a accident.

Will smiled gently as he reached out and caressed her cheek gently pushing her dark locks from her face. There were so many thoughts that ran through his mind at that moment.

Maria slightly woke up from the touch her eyes sleepily fluttered open as it caught Will off guard.

"Mm? Will?" Maria said in a croaky tone as she whispered rubbing her eye with her hand that she brought out from underneath the pelts.

"A-ah, sorry didn't mean to wake you." Will muttered softly as he retracted his hand quickly his face got redder.

"What are you doing up so late..." Maria said yawning as she sleepily scooted closer to the male which set his heart a flutter.

"I-I-I... uhh well, just overthinking." Will stumbled about his words as he spoke to Maria. He didn't want to tell her he was admiring how stunning she looked as she slept fearing it would make him out to be creepy. Maria looked up at him curiously her hair disheveled as she looked at him.

"About?"

"It's N-nothing, really don't worry about it." Will said as he nervously brought his hand up to move a loose strand of her hair out of her eyes.

"Will, it isn't 'nothing' if it's keeping you up." Maria said worriedly as she caught his hand in hers as it slide past her face, she interlaced her fingers through his as the bracelet buzzed with warmth.

"Really... It's nothing." Will said softly as he squeezed her hand shakily, he hated that she could muster up the courage so easily to be bold. Yet he was shy about almost anything dealing with intimacy it could be as simple as holding hands. He'd still be jittery with nervousness, though he knew it was because his affections for the woman.

"Will... I won't push you to tell me, I just want you to know you can trust me." This made the male smile softly as he sighed, bringing his face slightly closer to hers.

His breath hitched in his throat as he did so but he knew he really wanted to show her how he felt in the moment.

"I know, a-and I do. I trust you with my soul, with my life." Will said as Maria's blue eyes flickered as he said so, one of her eyebrows arched playfully as she smiled softly.

"You don't sound very sure about that." Maria teased in a whispering tone as she laid there holding his hand, he smiled and in a moment of boldness let go of her hand and pulled her closer by her waist which caught her off guard.

"!" She looked up at Will as her face flushed when he leaned down next to her ear and whispered. Not really believing he had the courage to do anything himself, but he wanted to tease back at her so he worked up his own courage.

"Oh, I'm very sure." He whispered as he leaned back away from her face leaving her heart racing, her face flushed which started a chain reaction with her own blushing.

Maria was speechless as she looked up at him.

"I-I am sorry um that was awkward." Will said coughing as he chuckled his face and back of his neck redder than a tomato.

"Ah... no, I." Maria was actually the one stuttering now as she thought of how to put her words. Previously she had been sleepy from being pulled awake, but now after his simple action she was wide awake.

"It... wasn't that bad." She admitted as Will's facial expression got a little more embarrassed, but he smiled.

He wanted to say something a little risky but felt like he may cross a line, so he just chuckled as he kept a nervous hand on her waist.

He was thankful she was letting him hold her, he knew he shouldn't push his luck any further.

Maria on the other hand was wanting more affection and a little more flirty atmosphere here as she still was a little bothered by his previous boldness.

She gazed at his lips silently before sighing, and looking at the sky.

She was happy in this world, happy she found Will. He was a kind man, gentle and sweet. Will always sought for her agreement before he did anything, and being honest it made her swoon over him.

He was attractive, his scars that lined his arms and chest made him even more manly she would say. Yet, she didn't like the pain that came with them. They showed that he was brave, strong and over all a survivor. Which is something very important in this world of beasts.

They laid there silently for a while before Will spoke up.

"...Y-you...you, a-are very beautiful." Will said in a very quiet whisper as he looked at her his eyes seemed a little pained as she brought her gaze back to his. She was a bit shocked at his words but her face lit up happily as a gentle blush colored her cheeks.

"Where did that come from?" She said chuckling as she looked up at him softly, her eyes were bright and happy.

"I... just wanted you t-to know." He said stumbling over his words but he let his hand cup his cheek.

"Maria, I-... Feel like I don't deserve you." Will said honestly as it was something that was on his heart for a while now. Maria was so, sweet, beautiful, charming....Yet he was a coward whenever it came to females, he was covered in scars how could he be someone of worth to such a woman? Someone like Seb, was much more fit for her. He was a handsome male, funny, charming and good at fighting. It hurt his heart thinking all these thoughts that drug himself through the mud.

"Will... don't say that, you are such a sweet guy." Maria said as she cupped his face in her hands softly as she looked into his eyes.

"Being sweet doesn't cut it Maria. I just... I don't know." Will said sighing heavily adverting his eyes feeling that he might should have kept his thoughts to himself.

"Will, look at me." Maria said firmly as her eyebrows furrowed, her tone made Will nervous as he brought his dark eyes back to hers.

"What makes you think you aren't good enough? Will I... I care for you, you've been the only one since I've came here that I can trust." Maria said as her eyes started tearing up as she spoke, Will's eyes widened as her voice quivered.

"Since the beginning of this mess you've done so much for me, went out of your way for a girl who doesn't even know the terms you speak." She said as she brought his face closer to her.

"You have protected me multiple times, from that bear male in the village... Roy, and that monster from today. Will, you are so much more than sweet on me."

"and for that I thank you. Will if anything I don't deserve you, but I'm a selfish woman and I refuse to let you go. So please don't put yourself down, because I think of you a my hero." Maria said as tears spilled softly from her icy blue eyes.

Will's lips parted as he looked down at her, he seemed frozen in suprise as his face was held captive by her tiny hands.

His face tightend into a sad expression as he brought his hands up to her face and wiped her tears.

"I'm... so sorry I made you cry, I-I just think the world of you... Maria I love everything about you, your smile, your laugh when you find something amusing, your curious expression, the sparkle your eyes get when your called beautiful. But I... feel like I pale in comparison to your light th-"

"That's just not true! Your smile makes me melt into a puddle, your kindness eases my worries, your presence makes me feel safe, everytime you get flustered I can't help but grow more attached to you. You don't see yourself how I see you, your the brightest light I have ever seen in my life." She said as she looked at him tears continuing the fall down as he looked like he too would be brought to tears by her words.

"We haven't known eachother long, we still are learning eachother. Will, sometimes love blossoms in a blink of a eye, through the tiniest action someone may do. Please don't quote yourself unworthy until you see yourself how I see you." This made Will's eyes to start to cry, as his heart squeezed her words made him so unbelievably happy yet he was saddened at her tears.

"Maria... I-I don't have the words to tell you exactly what I feel for you. But love is a word I would use for it, Im sorry that I made you cry I j-just felt like I needed to be honest with you." Will said gently as he kissed her forehead softly, Maria wiped her tears as the comforting buzz of the bracelet buzzed around her wrist.

Maria pursed her lips as she looked up at him.

"Please, if you feel sad or down about anything tell me... That's what our bond is for Will, to listen and help eachother when times are hard." Her blue eyes were slightly red from her tears which made Will feel guilty, but he smiled gently.

"Okay, I w-will I promise..." He said placing another kiss to her damp cheek which his own cheeks flushed in response.

He felt a overwhelming sense of wanting to show his sincerity and affection towards her as he pulled her a little closer to him as she rested against his chest, his heart thumped anxiously as he looked down at her.

"C-can I k-kiss you?" He asked as he wiped his own eyes, Maria just gently smiled and arched her brow.

"You don't have to ask anymore, you can kiss me whenever." To her response Will's face flushed a deep shade of crimson as he awkwardly coughed and nodded.

"U-uh, are you s-sure?" He asked in sincerity as he looked at her.

"I'm sure." She said looking at him with gentle eyes feeling a bit shy herself but she could handle it.

"A-anytime?"

"Anytime." She said confirming as he gave a happy smile which made Maria's heart ached.

He took a breath and nervously brought his lips to hers as he kissed her softly.

She closed her eyes as the warmth of the bracelet buzzed gently.

He readjusted his hand on her waist as he deepened the kiss, Maria letting her body relax into his arms as she put her hand on his shoulder.

He felt a urge to go further but he knew that she wouldn't be comfortable with it yet so he continued to kiss her ignoring his own urges.

Will broke the kiss breathing slightly heavier before going in for another one, this one was more passionate and bold than their previous ones.

Which caught Maria by surprise as he kissed her with a fire, Maria feeling more bold bit his lip causing him to flinch in surprise as she slipped her tongue into his mouth.

His eyes opened wide as he was astonished at her, but all that came from him was a smile as his movements got jittery with his nervousness. Yet he closed his eyes and kissed her back.

The kiss lasted a while, before Maria pulled away for air. Almost immediately Will's face was red, he enjoyed the affectionate actions that seemed to progress between the two.

Maria looked up at him and smiled as she threw one of her pelts over him and snuggled into his chest.

"It's v-very late we should sleep so we are well rested for traveling tomorrow." Maria said quietly as she yawned. Will nodded as he adverted his gaze slightly stiffening at her snuggling into him but he relaxed and wrapped his arm around her and rested his head on his other one.

The night passed by quickly and soon the chirps of birds singing to the morning sun filled the air.