queen of hearts ;; delilah

[cavalrychoir]

[align=center][div style="border-width:0px; width: 60%; text-align: justify; font-family: verdana; font-size: 8.5pt; line-height: 140%;word-spacing:-1px;"]Ren stared down at the medic, curiosity shone in his otherwise emotionless glare. Head tilted to the side, his ears twitched as he felt eyes shift to them but unlike Delilah, he paid no mind to it. If someone had something to say, they were free to say it. Their opinion would be rewarded with an annoyed growl or hiss and vengeful glare. Aside from Delilah, he wasn't very much a people person if that much wasn't already known. People disappoint him. No, he was kidding- but truthfully, they do like to waste his time. He could be doing much more with said time like making sure the only person he genuinely cares about is taking care of herself. He made sure to remain diligent when doing this. She was his only friend and medic so of course he was going to be even more determined to support her. She has a heavy responsibility on her back: keeping the clan healthy and somehow putting up with the wildcat beside her. Surely she was just putting up with him, right? Who would want to be around him on their own volition? He had more faults that promising traits and if he was being honest, she could have befriended anyone she wanted. She was wasting her time on him.

He hummed in response as she collected herself. "It is cute, though." He said without thinking. Seconds later, he realized his mistake and mentally face-palmed before quickly adding onto it. "It is a cute trait to have." He altered it from only her to in general. Begging his heart to stop beating so fast, he followed after her before falling into step at her side. Noticing the drastic difference in their strides, Ren slowed his walk to match her pace. There was a momentary awkward silence on his part before Delilah spoke up once more, answering his question regarding her tattoo- scar. It was a pretty intricate scar but he kept that bit to himself. And he was happy he did as she disclosed the next part, explaining it was from a dark time in her life. Curiosity and regret mingled in his stomach, wondering if he should apologize for bringing it up. He knew a thing or two about terrible upbringings so he didn't want to press her any more than he already have. He didn't like speaking about his past and unless instigated by that person, he doesn't ask anyone about theirs either. The twinge of happiness and nervousness that came with Delilah referring to their outing as a date was completely overshadowed by the painful thought of having her retell the horrid events in her life. Opening his mouth to apologize, he closed it when she started speaking.

He remained quiet, listening to everything she had to say - soaking in every detail. From the way her whiskers would twitch or the expressions she would make with every word. Nothing got past him. Even if he wanted to speak in that moment, what would he say? He thought it was cool she was related to the queen of faeries, Titania herself and that she was a faerie too. She was valuable and definitely a rarity. Faeries were hard to find, but a pureblood? The odds of that is close to none. As she continued, guilt washed over him in waves for thinking such a thing. That made him no better than the people who ripped her from her family for their own personal gains. As she went on to explain in further detail, Ren began to realize he really wasn't any better than those individuals. He was them. Memories of a passing group who offered faeries in exchange for peace between his tribe and them flooded back into his conscious. Sharing the same ideals, it wasn't long before his tribe integrated themselves with them. Though they lived separately, their bond grew overtime. He remembers seeing such beautiful creatures and so desperately wanting to own one. Own, not befriend. His breathing quickened as he stared at her for a moment before dull red eyes widened.

A branding.

He had to sit down. This was too much to process at once. Too many repressed thoughts being dug up- he felt weak... The emotions stirring inside of him were impossible to pinpoint. Everything was going numb. He caused this. He was one of the factors that was responsible for her pain. Her fears, mentality, emotional state... Everything was his fault. He felt sick. He couldn't tell her he's responsible for her tragic past. She'd hate him and he... He doesn't want to be hated or feared. Not by her. Please... Just not by her. Inhaling slowly, he struggled to steady himself as he rose to his paws. Walking to her side, he lifted a paw to touch her comfortingly but stopped halfway. He's killed people with that same paw. After what she revealed to him, it would be cruel to touch her. Just speaking to her now is cruel. "I did not mean to bring up such terrible memories for you." He apologized, deep voice thick with emotion. Swallowing down the lump that formed in his throat, he held himself back from pressing his face into her coat and instead stared at the patch of chervil. There was a moment of silence before he spoke again, an edge to his voice. "I... I will protect you, no matter what. From everything that intends to do you harm. I will always come to your aid."