Far From Home

Set reached out and grabbed both of Shuule's hands like he had the first time she showed him her beast fingernails, but this time it was with desperation, and taken by surprise, she didn't retract her claws. As she was still sitting, he had to lean over her, his long red streaked hair falling down in front of his wildly wide eyes.

"I've wanted to be your mate since the first day I met you."

Shuule furrowed her brow in disbelief. "You tried to EAT me Set -"

And as she went to argue her point about their first encounter, for the third or fourth time since they had been living together, she squeaked as Set pulled her up from the ground into his chest, wrapping his arms around her small body as her own limbs hung to her sides, her toes barely touching the ground.

It was in that moment that Shuule became truly aware of how much strength laid in this man, and how little he had not only not used against her, but not even shown her.

Meanwhile, he didn't know if he should tell her the truth or not about that day. That he was a mere coin toss away from violating her and barricading her in the very cave they now both called home - and if she was an ordinary girl, he absolutely would have. If it wasn't for the surprise of her being able to shift, nothing in his brain would have pulled him away from his initial instincts.

"You don't know" he choked back, a low hiss in between his words, "You don't know how hard it is to change the histories." He buried his head into her shoulders, and Shuule's ears twitched back as she felt fangs graze her skin.

She lifted her arms as much as she could in his bear hug, placing them on his taunt sides and pushed back to try and give herself room. He immediately released her, but didn't retreat back like he often did. Catching her own breath, not truly having any clue what he was rambling on about, Shuule placed her small hand on his chest, looking up at him.

"I accept you, Set. I accept you as my spouse. I thought you would have known this, you never asked and -" her voice grew quieter, "You haven't tried to sleep next to me, let alone with me, I-"

All her insecurities hit her like a landslide, her face crumbling, the walls of her own confident attitude down, burrowing her head into his chest to try and stifle a sob. They embraced each other again, this time softer, as she cried.

She hadn't allowed herself to cry since the day she ran away from home. It wasn't about Set. It was about wondering if her parents were dead, losing her horse, yes - almost being eaten by a snake - feeling utterly alone for her entire life, and then the strange turn of events where the snake had become her only friend, and now, her spouse. It was too much to keep inside anymore.

This still not being the reaction he expected, Set just held her, engulfing Shuule quietly crying into his arms. His own heart was ready to explode at the thought that he had been accepted by anyone, but especially the girl he actually set his sights on, this quick witted, fierce, special woman that fate allowed to cross his path.

But now she was suddenly a mess, her whole body weight thrown into him - the most contact she had ever initiated- so he quietly swept her up into his arms. He could feel the searing heat coming off her body, as they had entered the hottest part of the day and they had stayed out too long. Without speaking, he lowered himself softly into the cool water until they were both submerged up to their chests, him still carrying her. He realized too late that she hadn't ever gotten this particular outfit wet before, but she didn't protest.

"Sssshh" He consoled her, running his hand through her hair and moving a few strands out of her face. "Don't cry, ssshh, I'm sorry, I didn't mean to upset you."

Shuule sucked in a few breaths before trying to laugh, though it was strained. "You didn't! I just," She curled into him more, if it was even possible, tears still streaming down her face. "I miss my parents. I don't think they'll be okay. And I'm j-just h-happy to have y-you" She couldn't hold it together any longer, starting to sob again.

As he had expected, there was far more to the story of how a young fox girl came to be wandering through the jungle on her own, and Set sighed, letting his green striped cheek rest on her forehead as they bobbed up and down in the water. There was a stab of guilt, as she was so sad and vulnerable, while he was possibly having the best moment of his life. They were here. Together. She sought comfort. From him. Someone had actually leapt into his arms. Had he died?

Choosing his words carefully, he decided his spouse was too intelligent for hollow comforts.

"This world is dangerous. I don't know what happened in your previous life, Shuule, or to your loved ones in your past. But I can promise you that you're safe with me. And you're cherished with me. All of you."

He let the water lift some of her weight, taking one of his arms away to take one of her hands that she had crossed up near her neck, kissing it, her claws still visible. "Don't hide anymore."