[FIN] Meeting Again (Andraste x Yusei)

[NymiiNym]

Andraste still hadn't recovered.

It had been two years since she suddenly ran out on her ex. Two years since she grabbed her things and fled into the night. It wasn't because of him. No. He hadn't hurt her or mistreated her in any way. He had been an outstanding mate, in fact. He was perfect to her. Attentive to all needs to gentle when she flinched away from touch. He was the perfect mate, and that was why she had to leave.

She was, to herself, a freak. A monster, even. She was hideous. Her jaw lacked any skin. She lacked a tongue. Hell, she could communicate with spiders. Despite being mute she always had been able to convey how she felt to spiders, and they always obeyed her wants. He couldn't have loved her forever. Sometime, and through no fault of his own, he would have realized his mistake. That or he would have been miserable. Who wanted a freak for their mate? Who would desire someone the public often recoiled from?

It had been her own choice to leave him, and yet two years later she still was a wreck. She bathed and ate, but she never took the time to pamper herself. She stopped visiting her family. She didn't even care to give food to her spiders. She was simply a destroyed blob of fur, waiting for the day she'd wither away.

Andraste had, for the first time in days, dragged herself out into the moonlight. She was curled against the edge of a pond, a paw drifting through the water at a slow and gentle pace. She watched the ripples, ears flat against her head as she flopped it on her free paw. Oh, what was the point anymore? She might as well just starve away.

X Moon Fighter X

 

[X Moon Fighter X]

With a heavy sigh Yusei looked up toward the moon. He loved it. It reminded him on the only on he could say he loved... that wasn't family of course. He deeply missed her... Even after two years he still had a fire for her. As small and weak as it was. He still wanted her around. She was different, but that did not stop him. No. She was still beautiful... Mutations or not. She didn't scare him and he even became acquainted with the spiders.

After she left he didn't know what to do with himself. He mostly stayed home while his brothers had all the fun. He just couldn't. It didn't feel right. He got up and shook a bit from relaxes muscles not wanting to hold his weight. His stomach gurgled in protest. Might as well go to the lake and get something in his system.

He dragged himself to the lake. Perhaps on the way he would find something. A rabbit. Berries. Something. If not he could fish in the lake. Esay peasy. He looked into the lake, the moon reflected off of it and shimmered. He shook his head and swiped fish from the lake. Not looking up very often. Not noticing what could be on the other side of the lake.








 

[NymiiNym]

Andraste stiffened as the intense feeling of another being near washed over her. Her bones locked in place, refusing to allow her the right to move her own body. Somewhere, deep in her gut, a feeling of dread flipped about, warning her of what was to come. Her throat tightened, silver eyes clenching shut as the feelings tumbled through her like a hurricane. Suddenly, she just knew if she looked up she'd be met with danger.

Her ears stayed pinned back, heart hammering in rhythm with her steadily rising breathing. Why was she so scared of just a mere feeling? Why was her fur standing at end? Her claws dug into the dirt as, slowly, her bones creaked into submission. Just one peek. If it was a predator she could slink back to her den. It was close by, after all. Swallowing thickly, the vixen raised her head at the exact time she heard a paw hit water.

Everything stopped.

Her body shuddered as a cold ripple ran through her, stopping at her toes. She didn't move. Not a sound left her as she locked her eyes onto a familiar male. No. Please be a cruel joke. Please be the result of an impending fever, or perhaps a dream. She had run away so far from home to get away from him. To ensure he was safe from her hideous nature. And yet, here he was. She could not mistake him for anyone else. She would always be able to recognize the man she loved – Yusei.

Once again she chose to get up. It was as if time was repeating itself as she crouched low and began to back away into the bushes, betraying him once more in favor of fleeing. This would be the last time. This time, she'd run far! She would find a new home in an entirely new land! Never again would he be tormented with her.

All she had to do was slink away and hope he didn't see her.

X Moon Fighter X

 

[X Moon Fighter X]

Once he felt he had fished out enough fish he looked up and froze. He felt his heart sank, then rise. Butterflies filled his stomach. I-It couldn't be. His lips quivered and his eyes widened. "An-Andraste?" It was almost a whisper but on a night like this it carried on the breeze.

He strained to see more. He couldn't be mistaken. It was her. The silvery eyes... Deep purple fur and black hair. The little grey spot right under her nose. The moon on her flank. It really was her. After two who years she was there. Across the lake. He took a step into the lake. It was cold but he didn't care. He had to try to get closer.

But... What if she ran. Would he follow? What if she didn't want him back? The thoughts made his heart break but he still trudged through the lake and stopped half way. "P-Please... Don't leave." He plead her. He stayed there waiting... watching.. shivering.  

[NymiiNym]

"An-Andraste?"

She froze in place, stuck to the earth as if it was glue. She didn't dare move, instead blinking back at the male. For a second her breath hitched when he spoke, mind reeling. No. This couldn't be happening. This wasn't happening. Her eyes didn't waver, though she wanted to rip her gaze from his. He captivated her, locking her in place.

And then he came closer.

She instinctually back up, slinking halfway into the nearest bush. He pleaded, and yet she shook her head. 'No', she tried to express with her flicked ears and head shaking. She kept slowly backing up, refraining from bolting only because their eyes were locked into a stare. Surely if he glanced away she would bolt, but for now he had her.

X Moon Fighter X

 

[X Moon Fighter X]

He could see her perfectly in the moonlight... yet... He could see she was in distress. Her ears were flicked back and he could see her head shaking No. She didn't want to see him. The water was rather deep so he stepped back a bit to get a better footing. His ears were back as well, but not in a fear but in sadness. His heart sunk deeper than the lake he was in.

But... What if he could just hold her again. Hold her close. Just for a minute... even a second. With that little shred of hope he pushed himself through the water. Don't leave... Don't Run... He chanted those words in his head. I need you. He wasn't the same without her.

He pushed until he reached the edge. His fur was dripping and he shivered slightly. He stood firm. Looking into her silver eyes. He wanted to give her one more chance. If she ran... He wouldn't know what to do. He just didn't want her to feel trapped. That wasn't him. He didn't want to do anything she would regret... yet he could easily be doing that now. "Please..." It was all he could say. He couldn't say what his heart wanted to in fear she really would flee in a heartbeat.  

[NymiiNym]

Andraste fought every instinct in her body that screamed for her to stay. She stepped backwards, almost fully in the bush and gone from his sight. However, before her head vanished she stopped, paw frozen in midair. A soft and odd whine escaped her, the sound distorted thanks to her mouth. She wanted to flee. All she wanted was to run home and forget this ever happened, but she couldn't. Her body refused to move. Her heart ached. Her instincts screeched and hollered. She was completely torn in half by his gaze.

His voice caused a sea of loathing to churn within her, reminding her yet again of her betrayal. Of how she abandoned him and probably ripped his heart that night. Yet, she had been assured he would have moved on by now. That he wouldn't be looking at her with such hurt and need. Shouldn't he have a mate by now? Kids? Someone to hold him at night?

So why was he here? Why was he pleading to a monster who had scurried away in the middle of the night? Did he enjoy the pain she had inflicted on him? Had he never moved on? Perhaps this was truly a dream and she was only seeing what she subconsciously wanted. That was it. This had to be a dream. How could he have found her so far from home? Why were the deities tormenting her so? Hadn't she already paid the price?

Still, he didn't move. Her body trembled as she realized that he was so close. Closer then he had been in so long. Soon he'd come to his sense... right? He had to.

X Moon Fighter X

 

[X Moon Fighter X]

She didn't run. He knew she wanted to. He slowly stepped out of the water and got closer to her. He spoke softly."I-I've missed you... I really have." He kept his gaze locked onto her. "I don't care if you left. You are here now." His heart was racing and was about to jump right out of his chest.

He lifted his paw and ever so slowly found a strain of hair and tucked it behind her ear. "I really have missed you..." He smiled weakly at her. "... and to see you here now. I... Words can't explain it." Elated. Scared. Worried.. and still in love. She was there in front of him and not a dream with her dancing on the edge of his vision. He withdrew his paw and backed away a bit. "I understand if you'll want to leave." His head lowered. "I would rather you not though... At least for tonight. I'll catch you some fish and nothing needs to be said. I just want you to be here."
 

[NymiiNym]

She flinched as he mentioned her leaving, immediately breaking their gaze and flicking her eyes to look away in shame. Then why was he here? His sudden closeness unnerved her, causing her tail to droop and body to cringe. She wasn't afraid of him. She could never be. Instead, it was the guilt that lurked. While she fully believed she had done what was right, she still felt her heart tighten as she had to face the man she abandoned.

Andraste's head snapped up when his paw lifted to tuck hair away, one ear flicking upwards. Her eyes trailed after him as he spoke, suddenly wishing she could voice back her own thoughts. She never once thought about her muteness negatively. You couldn't miss what you never had. Yet, she had no way to convey what she wanted to say at this particular moment. No way to let him know how she felt. Instead, another whine escaped her throat, twisting as it left her mouth into a morphed high pitched note.

He was right, she did want him to leave. Or, a part of her did. The other wanted him to stay, just for tonight. What harm could it be if she took his offer? He already had undone years of work to avoid him. Maybe... maybe this time she could properly say goodbye. Let him move on for good. Find another vixen to cherish. Someone beautiful, even. Someone better.

Gently, she nodded. Her body trembled still, threatening to send her toppling over onto the man she planned to abandon once more. Could she do it again? Twice? Especially now that her heart screamed in agony at the sight of him? Hell... what if she stayed? Would he forgive her? No. No, that nonsense needed to stop now. She had no place by his side.

X Moon Fighter X

 

[X Moon Fighter X]

He sighed with relief. She had agreed to stay. With that he immediately gathered material to start a fire. He had always kept flint and a piece of metal to spark fires in his bandages. A little something he learned from his parents when he traveled. He set a circle of damp stones so the fire wouldn't go crazy, he set tinder in the middle and a tepee of sticks, lighting it with his supplies. "There." He looked over at her. "I'll be right back." He took a step away then looked at her. He rushed to the other side of the river to scoop the fish he had already caught, no point of them going to waist.

His heart was still pounding. Hoping she didn't turn tail and leave. Once her returned he cleaned the fish, careful not to get scales and guts all over Andraste. Once done he threw them on the fire. He didn't know what else to say to her. He watched her and the fish. Using a stick he spear a filet and offered it to her. "Its hot... so be careful."

He could still see her tremble and hoped the fire would help. He tried to give her space. Not wanting to crows her. Despite every inch of him wanting to hold her again. He would respect her. He knew she couldn't communicate very well be he had a knack for understanding her body language. At least he hoped he still did.  

[NymiiNym]

She watched him work, her other ear flicking up in mild amusement. She didn't quite understand his enthusiasm, nor why he wanted to put in effort for her. For a second a cruel thought hopped into her head when he ran across the river: she could leave right now. However, instead she slowly lowered herself onto her stomach, wrapping her tail tightly around her.

He returned, eagerly working on the fish as if she was a princess awaiting a meal. Her head lowered onto her paws, eyes peeking up at him with a mild touch of interest as she scanned him. He looked fine. Perhaps a bit thin, but fine. Not much had changed, and perhaps she was disappointed. It would be easier to remove herself from a stranger, but this man was almost perfectly the same Yusei she had known. He was far from a stranger, despite the years apart.

Her head lifted as he offered the spear, taking it delicately with her paws. Her spiders cringed from the heat, crawling into her jaw and spinning webs to help firmly keep it attached. She cringed, immediately covering her face from Yusei, afraid to let him see her friends and the exposed bone. Slowly, she raised the fish, taking a painfully long time to rip off a piece and even longer to chew. It was a delicate process. Eating had always been a hassle to her, and one of the main reasons she rarely ate. It was always embarrassing when food escaped her jaw, or worse, her jaw would slip and fall lower than a normal fox could. It always served to remind her of her freakish nature.

Under her dark fur she was red around the cheeks as she ate, ears once again low and body flat against the ground in shame. The years had changed her. She no longer felt comfortable around Yusei. So long apart had only caused a new doubt within her. Had he forgotten her mutations? Was he watching in horror? Disgust? Both? She refused to look at him, intently focusing on the fish with silvery eyes.

X Moon Fighter X

 

[X Moon Fighter X]

"Right.. I almost forgot." He disappeared into the trees and collected a few insects and set them off to the side, away from the heat. "I didn't forget about your friends. It would be rude of me not to get them something to eat." He gave a more sincere smile then the week pathetic ones he has been giving her. He knew the condition of her jaw and the spiders webs that kept her together.

He turned his attention back to the fire and took off the rest of the fish. He set aside more for her if she wanted it and kept a piece for himself. He ate quietly. Watching her and enjoying the heat of the fire. Finally starting to dry off from his swim. As he watched, he notice she adverted his gaze. Not wanting to look at him. He couldn't understand why. Was it something he did? Or did she truly not love him anymore?

The thoughts made him feel sick and almost not want to eat. Yet he needed to and forced himself to eat. He sighed to him self and relaxed a little. The night was silent and the breeze died down. He listened to the fire pop and crackle as he added the thin stick he used to hold the fish. He laid his head on his paws and looked at her from time to time. He didn't want he to feel awkward with him looking at her constantly but he felt like that couldn't be helped.  

[NymiiNym]

She momentarily paused her eating to watch him meander off, briefly flicking her ears back against her head and emitting a gurgled whine. The plan had been to abandon him again, absolutely, but not yet. She deserved it, though. It wasn't like they had broken up on good terms. Or any, really. Vanishing while your mate slept was probably one of the most twisted things a fox could do, him leaving her now was hardly any worse.

Yet, he returned. For some reason he found his way back, holding food for her little spiders. She blinked back at him, flicking her tail once more in-front of her skinless jaw. He was an idiot – that was the only word for it. He not only fed the woman who had soundlessly left him two years ago, but now he was feeding the eight-legged herd she called friends. No, idiot was too harsh. He was just foolish. He was putting trust in her that she wouldn't rip apart his heart again, and she couldn't promise she wouldn't. The plan was to, once more, flee and never come back.

If only she could speak. If only the deities had provided a tongue for her. Instead, she bore the curse of a skinless jaw and the loss of a tongue. Maybe they had seen her future and punished her accordingly. Perhaps she had earned this mutation. All she wanted was, for five minutes, to become "normal". Just so she could tell him everything. Sadly, that wasn't how the real world worked. She was stuck with her handicap, and he was stuck loving a woman who was essentially a monster.

She could feel his glancing at her time to time, refusing to return the glances. When she finished her fish she dropped the stick, extending her tail to her cheek and assisting the spiders onto the fluff. Slowly dropping her tail to the ground, she briefly watched them scuttle to the food pile before, finally, returning her gaze back to him.

Nestling back onto her stomach, the vixen gave a gentle 'thank you' gesture with her paw. Hopefully he still remembered the gestures she used to communicate basic things. Then again, it had been two years. She wouldn't fault him if he didn't.

X Moon Fighter X

 

[X Moon Fighter X]

He was happy as he saw the little spiders skitter to the insects. He looked over her and saw the gesture for 'Thank you.' He nodded at her. "You're welcome." He then realized she was done. His head lowered and his happy heart sank once again. "So.... You are done with your fish." He couldn't look at her as he spoke. "I did ask for you to stay for dinner. If you want to go you can." Who was he to keep her here against her will? He already felt a little guilty for keeping her here this long.

"But.. if you ever want me back. I'll be here." He would be now. He would sit at the lake all day if it meant seeing her again. His ears flicked back and the fire popped on occasion. When her was with her, he didn't mind the silence. Though now... he wished she could talk to him. So he could understand what he did wrong. What he did to make her leave. Shakily he got up and was about to turn to leave but he froze for a moment. He leaned in close to her and pecked her forehead, giving one last look into her eyes. "Thank you for staying for dinner... I- ... " I love you... He couldn't say it out loud. He wanted to. He loved her very much even after the years had past. Yet... He didn't want to scare her off even more. With that he turned with a heavy heart and a lowered head.  

[NymiiNym]

It hadn't dawned on her that he had asked her for only dinner. Glancing at the spear, there was a brief hesitation that followed as she flipped over her options. Stay now, leave later. Leave now, never return. Stay now and... never le- Stop. She needed to stop that! She was about to shake her head and choose to leave later when he stood, walking away. Her ears flicked up in alarm, eyes widening as her heart skipped in fright. Wait, no! She wasn't ready yet! Relief crossed her face when he returned, tail wagging once before she could freeze it in place. Her entire body stiffened when he leaned closer, eyes flicking up and closing when she felt a peck on her forehead, snapping back open when he leaned away. They locked eyes for just a second before he turned. He was leaving now. Of course he was. He had no obligation to her. They weren't mates. They weren't anything.

She watched his back, ears flicking back as her heart sank. She had been prepared for them to part, yet it hurt. Her body tightened around itself as a whine escaped her despite her best efforts. She hadn't meant to emit that sound, yet it seemed her body betrayed her once again. She didn't reach out for him, deciding that perhaps this was for the best. She doubted her strength lately, she might have failed to leave him and once again stuck the male with a woman who couldn't even make him proud.

Hell, wasn't she being egotistical? Who said he even wanted her back? Why did she keep assuming he would stay forever if she allowed him? Maybe he did have a mate. Maybe he just wanted to see her as a friend. She was an idiot to assume.

X Moon Fighter X