#maxia

The winds only seemed to howl harder in response, a particular gust sending that hood of his flying backward and scattering violet and white into the air behind him like a frosted banner. Yet, there it was... only a few feet before him lie a tree with splintered branches and a trunk scored all the way down it's length by bestial claws. A sight that both flooded him with great relief, and brought a faint tint of a rose hued blush that even reached the tips of his ears. Why did that of all things, make such a good landmark... "Thank you, my fury..." the words were softly muttered as he reached back his hand to snap up the flapping hood and jerk it back over his head without a second thought. The cottage wasn't far now, a mere turn to the right and a few steps forward brought it's dark half buried walls finally into view. Moving a bit quicker at the promise of warmth and shelter, the distance between himself and the door was closed in the matter of a few short, small leaps. Though a few curt curses were uttered as his numbed fingers fussed with the lever until the door finally caved and swung open with a welcomed kiss of warm heat.

A swift click of heels marked his entry, before he spun and closed the door behind him with a click. The sheer cut of sound from the howling snowstorm, to the calm silence of the interior still took some getting used to, but spoke well of the bard's skill in it's construction. Still, a sigh of releif fell heavily from his lips and seemingly a bit louder then he'd thought as a dark Shilluete shifted near the hearth. Against the burning amber of the fire itself, the celestial beast seemed a black pitch in comparison, yet as the dragoon's eyes adjusted he returned those perked up ears and staring eyes with a gentle smile. "Thank you Fen, it's good to be home as well..." he didn't need to check the chair for the figure he knew to be within it, the wolf's presence on the floor alongside it was proof enough.    "Has he been there long?" the words, were kept gentle in their volume as he worked the cloak free, as well as his coat beneath it. Both then set upon the hooks by the door as he set to the task of unpacking his satchel - up until the wolf's soft whines pulled his attention back towards the fire. Backward pinned ears and a nosing nuzzle into the bard's arm did enough to convey his concern. It pulled a frown to his lips, and leaving the satchel as it was he instead drew closer to the familiar and his love until hsi fingertips could sink into the plush star dusted fur of the beast and calmly knead into the base of his ears. "Ease..." he murmured fondly, only to raise his eyes and take in the wight's form for himself. Positioned as if he'd collapsed, the bard's head was sank in against the upper corner of the chair. His face, concealed by his hat which had been pushed forward in the process. While the rest of him simply rested where it'd fallen as if he'd lacked the strength to move even an inch in his slumber. Thankfully that half open shirt showed his chest, and the ease in which he breathed set any immediate concerns to rest. Still the frown that formed was a heavy one, as the dragoon softly ran the lengths of his fingers down the wolf's snout in reassurance. Though be it for him, or the beast, was debatable... as he shifted to the hunter's side and moved to gently trail the backs of his finger's along the scar cut cheek. "What aren't you telling me?" the words were whispered, and echoed mentally across their connection as he gazed into the bard's closed eyes. His expression seemed so peaceful, and yet...

'Kilrae, you can't keep doing this. I'm not -like- you!'

The words came into his mind like a distant echo, and before he could even take in a sharp breath of air, his vision clouded and faded beneath the feedback.

A chapel's walls, illuminated by blue flame and flooded with black robed figures. Their chanting, seeming to burn the very blood within one's veins as a bestial snarl of pained agony tried and failed to roar over the chorus of voices. The fall of a knight's sword, glinting silver in the moonlight as it carved through the wight's face with ease... and the subsequent swipe of transitioned claws which tore out the ishgardian's throat with just as little effort. The burning sorrow as the werewolf's form sank to it's knees, ears pinned backward and releasing a howling cry of shame and despair...

'No, you are not. That is why we both must change, for him, and for us. We can be mindless weapons no longer...'

A sharp gasp signaled his return to reality, and were it not for the warm wrap of the wight's arms around his figure - he never would have noticed he'd collapsed.

"..Maxia?"

The warmth in which it flowed from the bard's lips, had him sinking in against his chest and wrapping his own arms around the man's neck in kind. "...I'm alright, just some flashes... I think I might have been out in the cold too long." Half-truths, but genuine enough as he lifted his head and set his cheek to the wight's own as a hand rose to thread his fingers into the soft silver of the other's hair.

"You should come to bed, sleeping out here isn't doing you any good. Besides, I'd rather have you wrapped around me then Fenrir when it comes to warming me back up again..." He didn't need to look to feel the wight's smile curve into place against his cheek, and it brought one of his own to form in kind as he nuzzled into the base of the hunter's ear. A short lived affection, as he felt the larger man shift beneath him. Only to feel those arms tuck beneath his legs, and pull them out from under him as he was hefted up bridal style with a sigh of contentment.

"Then who am I to deny you?" the silvered words, fond as they were only made his smile warmer as he tilted his head to rest against the hunter's shoulder. Content to be carried, until the sudden toss onto the silken soft of the bed earned a surprised yelp and a blush in equal measure.