Sex: MaleShe had always been the stronger one. When they first met he’d seen her rigidity as prudish, annoyed at her curt, stiff manner and incessant adherence to rules. She’d embodied everything he despised about pack life. Oh how young and foolish he had been then, to think that packs could survive without structure, that wolves like Jessie were tearing them down rather than keeping them up. He’d learned since then, realized, not only the absolute importance of her strength - for without it he would have perished long ago - but also what lay beneath it, and behind it. Once she might have thought like him, acted like him, but then life had shown her how cruel it could be, and she’d learned to counter it with force. Now she was quick to strike, and reluctant to open up to anyone, fearing more of the pain she knew so well. But she’d let him in, and he loved her ever more for that. And he’d failed her. Doubly so, causing her more pain, not only by losing their child, but pushing her to have it in the first place. Without him she would have never been hurt like this. Yet, she reached out, her nose brushing gently over his bowed head as she drew him into her embrace. He trembled again, exhaustion and relief weakening him in equal measure. She spoke softly, chasing off his fear, rather than berating him for it; Always stronger… Even as exhausted and terrified as him, certainly, she kept her head cold. Their plan was fixed in her mind, and she pushed to execute it, to do something where he could only fret, paralyzed by his fear. “Yes,” he mumbled, first into her fur, ashamed of his weakness, and yet clinging to her for just one more moment of support. Then he pulled away, breathing deeply before straightening up to look his wife in the eyes. She might be stronger, but he had to try; For her..! Clearing his throat, he repeated, more adamantly: “Yes.” The sooner they could find them, the sooner they could go and the sooner she’d be back home; Safe! He brushed his shoulder lightly against hers, pushing gently to let her know he was ready. No more fretting, off to find the searchers. Let them know, send them out. They would find her; They’ll have to! FADE Word Count: 396 Thoughts "Speech" |
