'No, no, no... it's okay, my love. No more pain,' Akira's lips curled into a soft smile, and she nodded slowly. Y-yeah, she whispered, I've found you, now... and so help me, I'll never let you go. She slotted her head against the crook of his neck. Amber eyes fluttered shut whilst her nose, nestled between the tresses of unruly fur, inhaled his scent.

She'd been afraid that she might forget the smell of her lover—but it was so clear, now, that such an outcome would hardly be possible. He was engraved to her mind, every bit of him—his appearance, his smell, the soft sound of his voice. Whatever sacred presence which oversaw them could try their damned hardest to take him away from her—and deep down she knew that they could not.

'We're home now. I wish this wasn't what it would take to bring us back, but...' For a moment, she cracked open her eyes. What did he mean...? Before she could contemplate a question, he continued— 'We have all the time in the world now, to explore the Creek, just like you wanted. And my heart won't hurt anymore.' No. No, he wasn't implying that... was he?

She snapped her eyes open. Distantly, she heard him mention Alpha, but she didn't care about that—not now. W-what're you talking about, Lod? She tried to keep the waver out of her voice. Take... what? To bring us back? She smiled weakly. No. No, he's not dead. He's an apparition. He's real. She's touching him, feeling him—so palpably.

The gods couldn't tease her like this.

Wh- we... nevermind, she breathed quickly, lets... lets go, explore the creek. I won't splash you with water this time... probably. She chuckled softly, returning her exuberant façade that masked over the visceral fear she felt deep-seated in her body. 'He can't be dead. I can't be dead.'