birthrightgreen | AU for _deadlydance_, set immediately after "The Price"

She wasn't nervous. She had nothing to be nervous about. It wasn't like it was a romantic evening. They'd just worked so hard on the case, working to catch the rabid witch who'd been slaughtering innocent males. And they had, with Jaenelle's help. Now Jaenelle and Daemon were back on their honeymoon and she...

She was here in Amdarh, back how she had been, nursing the bruises Falonar had left. So, why, exactly was she changing her dress? The one she had on was perfectly acceptable. She was going out dancing with a friend. She could use a friend right now. What she couldn't use was a male thinking he was just going to sweep in and carry her off.

Not that he was probably thinking that, but she was suspicious.

He was a male, and years of seeing them abused by her own sex still hadn't made her trust them as a gender. Then again, she didn't trust most people.

With a growl at herself, she finally settled on a black dress with enough slink to impress and a enough swirl to make a statement on the dance floor, no matter how elegant and formal. Hair pinned half up, the rest left down. If people stared at her ears, so be it.

She was ready. It was going to be fun. She kept repeating that. Fun. With a friend.

Just a friend. He wasn't expecting anything. He wouldn't be that foolish.

She just wished she knew what he wanted.

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He brushed as many of tears away as he could.

*What else?*

She sniffed a little.

*I have sex?*

Granted, she'd done both of those today, and she was still sobbing.

*You are very, very good sex.*

He tried running one hand through her tangled hair, soothing and straightening what he could. There was a kiss to her forehead.

*What else?*

She gave a watery chuckle. *I should hope so after...* But she didn't want to go there.

She pressed a kiss to his chest, trying to think.

*I...don't know. Train? I don't...feel the need to cry often*

His hand continued to move through Surreal's hair, as he decided he might be able to help.

*You train. You dance. You like your steaks. You're a good friend.*

These were just some of the observations.

She wasn't so sure about that last part. Friends beyond Daemon were still to rare. But she settled a bit against his chest, the tears slowing.

*I read a lot. For study and pleasure. Play with Graysfang* Silly wolf that he was.

Hands, still there. In her hair.

And he followed every word except one.

*Graysfang?*

She smiled a little.

*He's Kindred. A wolf. Seems to be under the impression I'm his human*

Her smile eased the tension in his back and chest.

*A Kindred wolf that has claimed you as its human? He can't be far away then.*

Especially if he sensed her distress.

Her smile was a touch sad. *He's not overly fond of the city, but he checks in as often as he can stand it* She rested her head back down on his chest. *At the Hall he insists on sleeping on the bed every night. I pointed out that if he was getting that used to civilization, Amdarh wasn't that big of a stretch. He wasn't convinced.*

His hands started to work down her back, pressure evenly applied to ease away the tension she still seemed to carry.

*Well, here or not. The Kindred still have a way of keeping close to their loved ones.*

She closed her eyes and gave the softest moan, more of a tiny grunt, as he hit sore spots.

*He can walk through shields. You can't keep him out of a room if he wants in*

He continued to work through Surreal's back. Until she showed signs of not enjoying it, he would keep doing so.

*That is a very talented friend you have.*

And it sounded like a bit of a troublemaker as well.

"Mmm..." She started to relax again.

*He learned it from Kaelas. Kaelas is an 800 pound cat who hunts with a sight shield. Graysfang is much preferable*

*I haven't had the pleasure. I've heard about other's pleasure. But we have never crossed paths.*

She chuckled, half with a hiccup from the crying.

*Count yourself lucky*

*I do.*

Rainier left it open for debate, exactly what he was talking about.

She pressed another kiss lightly into his chest.

He simply tugged her that much closer, and wrapped the coverlet that much tighter.

*Pillow?*

She nodded a little. *Please...*

There was no need for Craft, enough of them were piled on the bed already. Rainier reached for one, tucking it under Surreal's head, and smoothing her here over its surface.

*There you go.*

She shifted just a little, snuggling into his warmth, eyes closing again. Shouldn't feel safe, but she did. Exhausted enough that she started to truly drift.

*Thank you*

*Attending the festival, remember?*

He couldn't help but brush his lips over her forhead again.

*That is thanks enough.*

*I remember*

She smiled at the kiss.

*Every performance*

*Exactly*

Assured that she was content, and warm, Rainier finally closed his eyes.

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