[i]Wow this was literally page 13. This page is so old, but it would have occurred sometime around recent destiny events, probably last dawning or something. I have a lot to be grateful for this holiday season. Thank you guys so much for supporting my work. It means more than you’ll ever know. I hope you all have a wonderful holiday! —much love, Shadow[/i]      "It's... It's for the dawning."      The Kell of Judgement curiously takes the emerald cloak from the hunter's arms. He pauses, letting the silence drag out, amused at the color flushed across her skin. The way she shifts from foot to foot, avoiding his gaze. He is not surprised that this cloak doesn't feel the same. He wouldn't have expected it to, though he knew she tried her best. Variks runs thin fingers over the fabric and through the fur— no, not the same but comfortable and warm nonetheless. Before he can thank her, she's tugging him over by the heater. The hunter sits, willing him to do the same. He grunts with the effort of joining her on the floor.      He doesn't have to say a word- she reads him like a book. Soft, warm hands are already hard at work rubbing his aching shoulders. Tilting his head back against her chest, he purrs delightedly. "Two gifts?” he chuckles. "You have been very useful here..."      The hurt in her eyes is evident, though he had meant to be kind. She wants to be more than useful- she wants him to return the love she feels for him.      "I thank you... this cloak is very nice, yes? You have done a wonderful job, reminds me of old robes of Judgement."      She smiles. "You're welcome, my Kell." She sits beside him again, only for a moment before he pulls her onto his lap. The hunter falls silent as he holds her against him. Variks closes his eyes... feeling her own fur cloak brushing up against his mandibles ... feeling the warmth and listening to the ticking sounds of the heater... It was so easy to imagine things were the way they used to be. So easy to get lost in such a moment. "Variks?" Startled, he blinks his eyes open to see, not an eliksni. But a guardian, an awoken. A woman. Emotion swells in Variks' chest, realizing for the first time, he felt genuinely afraid. Afraid to lose... this. Whatever [i]this[/i] was. "Yes...?" "I'm glad you like it. I know the dawning isn't your holiday, but I wanted to share it with you, anyways." He realizes she must have meant for him to be reminded of a better time. She stares back, captivated by him. Would he ever look at [i]her[/i] that way? He was staring... was he doing it right now? "I love you," she adds. An odd, unfamiliar anxiety makes him pause. Hardly a moment passes before he recollects himself. Variks purrs, holding her head to his chest. He knows she doesn't expect any words in return, happily falling asleep against him. The Kell sighs softly, staring into the glow of the heater. Thinking. His claws rake through soft black hair. He wonders how much happier she may be if she had known just how close he was to saying it back. He holds her a little tighter. "Happy dawning, Shadow."