Handle with Care

Hotaru

It had taken a few days at the spa to get it up to her standards before she had considered venturing out into the Citadel. While the workers she’d hired to run it while she lived in the Greatwood were impeccable - Ru had high standards when interviewing after all - the spa was her baby, and deserved her personal attentions.

Or maybe she can admit to herself that she wants to take this slow. That being back in Halo is hard, and she needs time to adjust.

Given Tal’s reaction to her absence during Deepfrost, Ru knows she owes the people in Halo whom she cares for (a precious, selective few) the decency of a visit. Sah is the first on her list, and as she stands on his stoop kicking snow off her boots, her chest tightens with the realization of how long it has been since she’s seen his face. Knocking, she gives a brief moment before opening the door, recalling his assurances that she was always welcome. Making sure not to let the cold in, the Valkyrie slips inside and takes her boots off as she calls into the empty entryway. “Sah, are you home?”

Now you can quit, you can cave in
but just know you're not beyond saving

Sah

Sah looks up when he hears the knock on the door, Lilly already perking up when a familiar scent hits. Between teh voice and his own companion's rush of information through their bond, the Outlander knows exactly who's behind the door even before she comes in.

"Hotaru!" The Thunder shoots to his feet and meets her at the door, sweeping her up into a bear hug the second she's done with her boots. "You're here!" Sah holds her close, just breathing in her scent and relaxing into her warmth. "Gods, I've missed you so much." He tilts his head slightly and kisses her temple gently as he murmers, "I'm so glad that you're here."

Having Ru appear at his door is the best surprise he's had in a long time. Just being around her and seeing that she's ok soothes something raw and jagged in him. Losing Aino had been devastating. If Sah lost his other big sister-ish figure, he really wasn't sure what he'd do.

Sah pulls back slightly so that he can let Hotaru back on her feet, but he keeps his arms around her still, refusing to let her go just yet. "What's the occasion? Is everything ok?" As he speaks, he scans her once more for any sign of injury or distress. It's a relief that his search comes up empty. Lilly meanwhile wags with her whole body as she circles the two Abandoned, giving a small yip of excitement. The amount of overwhelming joy radiating from her bonded is almost more than her canine form can contain, and she taps her feet on the ground as the effort of remaining still is too great.

The commotion would surely wake the pups soon enough. But they were due to wake up from their nap soon anyway.

To lead is to love,
To rule is to serve

Hotaru

Her name is a shout of so many emotions that she can’t parse them in the time it takes to form the syllables. She hears his steps thundering through the house, and she doesn’t even bother trying to remove her coat in the time it will take for him to get to her. He ensures it’s brief. His arms are warm and strong, and she wraps her own around the tops of his shoulders as she laughs fondly - and perhaps a little wetly - into his neck where she buries her face. “Not as much as I missed you,” she argues playfully, fingers twisting in the back of his shirt as if terrified he’ll pull away. His kiss touches against her temple and warmth spreads like ink in water down through her veins all the way to her toes, filling the empty aching spaces with the shape of his love. “It’s so good to see you, Gods.” How many seasons had passed with only letters to keep in touch? Too many. She doesn’t even want to count.

Even their height difference can’t force them to fully part even once he has lowered her back to her feet. One of her hands cradles the back of his nape, something primordial that sings in both their souls. Lilly’s excitement distracts her from his question, and she drops her other hand to reach for the wolf, sharing the love and physicality. Then she peers up at Sah, smiling almost like she’s sharing a secret. Her hand gently squeezes his neck. “Everything’s okay. More than okay, actually. I moved back two days ago - and I’m staying.” And there’s a story there, a hurt that shows in her eyes, but there’s a certainty and relief in her posture that balances the scales.

Now you can quit, you can cave in
but just know you're not beyond saving

Sah

"Not possible." Sah counters as he nuzzles his head against hers. Halo had felt more like home again, once the others returned. But the hole left by Hotaru was undeniable. Having her back was an absolute blessing. Things finally felt right again.

As her hand cradles the back of his neck, Sah lets out a pleased rumble as he gently knocks her forehead against his affectionately. A bizarre series of actions for some, but for an Attuned and a former magical beast, it's natural. Lilly meanwhile leans against the legs of the two Abandoned, simply soaking up the love and joy in the room.

Sah's eyes widen before he grins ferally, "You're back?" The rumble returns and he nuzzles her temple, "Finally. Welcome home." He'd had a feeling that Hotaru would find her way home eventually. But it's still such a relief. He can hear the hidden pain in her voice and although it worries him, he refrains from asking. They can have difficult conversations later. For now, he just wants to enjoy the moment.

The Outlander's grin turns mischievous, "Want to meet your god-pups?" Sah already knows the answer of course. "They're due to wake up from their nap now.

To lead is to love,
To rule is to serve

Soleil

As if summoned on cue, Soleil sleepily pads down the hallway on socked feet, rubbing her eye to expel the sleepy grit that lingers on dark lashes. Her hair is neatly plaited to take its coils, or it likely would have exploded across her crown given her pancake-like sleeping habits, always flipping about.

Company isn’t a surprise necessarily, but her dad doesn’t often allow people inside when her and Luka are napping, so she creeps to the top of the stairs to try and steal a peek. Whoever it is, she’s unfamiliar, but clearly only to Soleil. Hopping down the stairs, Sol hustles to her father’s side and reaches with one hand to cling to his pants; not shy necessarily, just needing the touchstone still even after seasons reunited. “Daddy who’s this?” she asks curiously, only to flush and remember her (minimal) manners. Luckily her disposition usually makes up for any gaps, and she waves with a small smile at the blonde woman. “Hi, I’m Soleil.”

the day will be whatever you make it
so rise like the sun and shine

Sah

Sah turns before Soleil even appears, some part of him already picking up on her presence. Perhaps it's the wolf in him, or maybe it's just him being well... him. Still when he reaches over to hold onto his side, the Abandoned melts inside. Knowing that he can provide his pup comfort just by being close to her, it's an incredible feeling.

Smiling gently, he picks up Soleil with one arm as she introduces herself and holds her against his chest. Sah can't help but nuzzle his daughter's temple briefly now that she's in reach. As much as she needs the reassurance of contact, he does as well. "This is Hotaru, pup. Remember when I mentioned her? She's pack."

To lead is to love,
To rule is to serve

Hotaru

Her laughter at his stubborn rebuttal is muffled into his skin, and despite the clinging cold from the world beyond his door, she feels warmer than she has all summer. “Thank you,” she breathes to his welcome back. Withdrawing is nearly painful, but a balm is swift to cover the ache, eyes brightening at the mere mention of her godchildren. The letter he’d written her asking her to be such a figure is carefully folded and lovingly placed in a safe box full of precious items in her home. “Of course I do!” she laughs softly, feeling every wall and defense crack and crumble until even elegance is forsaken, leaving her soft and homely in his den.

Neither of them gets the chance, as Ru’s sharp eyes catch the amber eyes glinting from the top of the stairs. Her breath catches in her throat, thick with emotion, as the little girl comes scampering down them to find her father’s side. “Oh Sah,” she whispers, “she’s beautiful.” Maternal heart stolen within moments as the sweet thing is plucked from the ground, waving shyly and introducing herself.

Now that she is closer to Ru’s height in her father’s arms, the Valkyrie gently takes the girl’s hand in a jubilant little shake to try and get a laugh out of her before bending to press a gentle kiss to Soleil’s knuckles. “It’s very nice to meet you Soleil. You can call me Ru if you’d like.” Her demeanor transforms entirely, warm and welcoming, voice crooning. Oh, how her own children had grown too soon. It makes her heart melt to see her goddaughter for the first time, and she can barely find the strength to force her eyes back to Sah, allowing him to see the emotion in them as she smiles. Grateful for this immensely meaningful gift. “Unless your daddy has told you a different name for me?” she teases slightly. Auntie, godmom, it could be anything. Her relationship with Sah is fluid and as of yet unlabeled, but deep all the same.

Now you can quit, you can cave in
but just know you're not beyond saving

Soleil

She is picked up as if she weighs nothing - and indeed she nearly does, rather reedlike in her youth instead of plump cheeked - and she wraps her legs around Sah’s hips to better support herself so she might view Hotaru better. The name is very familiar - her dad had impressed the importance of knowing each name should any trouble arise, so amber eyes alight with realization swiftly. “Oh! Yes!” Hotaru - or Ru, as she offers shortly - takes over the introductions, making Soleil giggle shyly as her hand is taken and kissed like the princes (and sometimes princesses too) do in the storybooks she owns.

“Daddy just calls you pack,” she assures, the teasing going a little over her head, but she smiled sunnily. “You can call me Sol if I can call you Ru! Are you daddy’s Beta?” The terms aren’t used here as far as she has heard, but in her mind her father is still the leader, and any others must surely fall below him. It would make sense for Ru to be his right hand, then.

the day will be whatever you make it
so rise like the sun and shine

Sah

Sah smiles softly at Hotaru's reaction. It's just as he expected and he's remined yet again just why he'd chosen her to be the pup's godmother. The interaction between the two of them is endearing. But before the Abandoned can tell Ru that he was planning to let the pups call her what they were most comfortable with, Soleil cuts in.

The Outlander has to close his eyes for a second, internally screaming. How did he even answer that question? It was partially why he just called Ru 'pack'. She was family. A sister, a friend, a mentor at times. All rolled into one. Calling her 'pack' was just easier. But of course, that would make his daughter wonder about rank.

"Ru is... she's whatever she wants to be honestly. Pack rank for family units is looser for humans." There. That was decent explanation. Sah was a little proud that he'd managed to come up with it on the spot.  Hopefully it made sense to his daughter.

To lead is to love,
To rule is to serve

Hotaru

Ru is pleased by Soleil's memory of her name, if nothing else. Oh, how she wishes she could have seen the pups before she moved to the Greatwood. Seen them younger, been more present. There are many things she regrets, but she does not allow them space in this interaction, so precious and long-awaited as it is.

The Valkyrie laughs, bright and happy, at the girl's misunderstanding of human relationships - but mostly Sah's ill-hidden grimace. He does wonderfully at explaining however, and though she had not seen him as a family man the first time or so they had met, it is so blatantly obvious now that it stifles her laughter to make room for a soft, affectionate look. Fatherhood is a good look on Sah, and she is honored to see it so plainly. Taking a moment to watch the man for a moment, Ru then turns her attention to adding her own explanation for Soleil's benefit. "I am more of a cat than a wolf anyway, my love. But your father means very much to me, regardless of what we call each other." Here she glances quickly at the Wild Thunder, and that love is plain in her gaze, before she turns it back to Soleil. "Is your brother still sleeping?"

Now you can quit, you can cave in
but just know you're not beyond saving

Sah

Sah's grimace softens slightly at the clear affection Hotaru is sending his way as he speaks to Soleil. Her reaction and following addition make him feel like his explanation wasn't too lacking, despite how on the spot it was.

When Hotaru turns to regard Soliel again, Sah is given the perfect opportunity to act on the rush of affection her explanation had brought. He leans slightly and places a gentle kiss to her temple before glancing down at his daughter. "Luka's still sleeping, isn't he? And you snuck past him without waking him? My little sun is so stealthy." He nuzzled his daughter's head and let out a pleased rumble.

The words are a partial tease but mostly praise. Stealth was good, stealth meant safety and successful hunts. It was deeply satisfying to know that even in their new forms, his pups had still inherited the traits that had always been valuable to their bloodline.

Nodding towards the stairs, Sah addressed both Hotaru and Soleil. "Come on, let's go wake him." He sent a quick wink at Hotaru, "I should probably do it. He bites." And it would be a life if the Outlander said he wasn't proud of that fact.

After a careful awakening of Luka, the small pack spent the day simply bonding, playing and sharing stories. It warmed Sah's heart to see the last member of his pack return to Halo and find comfort in his den. He had no doubt that Hotaru would win both of his pups over with time, and he was reminded for nearly the hundredth time that day, why he had chosen her to care for them should he fall in the coming days.

-{FIN}

To lead is to love,
To rule is to serve