They were a tangle of bones and fur and unspoken words. Instinctively, she wanted to shrink towards him, climb against him, never unwrap herself from his frame. She'd long since convinced herself that he really didn't matter, not anymore, but now, seeing him in the flesh, it was harder to stick by that thought. Once, Rio had meant safety and stability--possibly even love. Cas wasn't exactly sure what he was to her, now. Conflicted emotions played within her and they even showed briefly in her evergreen stare, which was distant and withdrawn as she pulled herself from him, all the while struggling against the voice in her head telling her not to. Cas arched her head back just a bit to look up into his face--he'd always been so tall next to her slight self. Rio seemed confused, and she clenched her jaw.
And then he changed his expression, looking vulnerable and so much younger than she knew he was. Hell, Rio was almost four years older than her and it showed; when they had met, he was already an adult and she was only a juvenile. When he took on a possessive tone, Cas had to avert her eyes, unable to look at him. "No," she responded, pain still evident beneath her heartily sarcastic voice.
It was as though his next words had physically pushed her back as she took a single step, lurching away to stare at his broken face. Rio had always been a strong wolf--stronger than she had ever been or could ever hope to be--but at that moment, he simply looked afraid. He looked like he'd thrown away his pride, standing there. "Rio," his name slipped past Castel's lips as her face became unsure, her lips tugging down and wrinkles appearing slightly on the delicate skin of her forehead. What was she supposed to say? "Please, don't..." Cas trailed off again, ears twisting and eyes blinking slowly. He did not meet her gaze and it hurt, just a little bit. Had she caused this?
The smile curving on his muzzle was a lie. The warmth was forced. Nothing he was doing was genuine--but it was for her benefit. How could she explain to him that the feeling of abandonment wasn't something that affected her anymore? So used to it as she was, resignation had come quickly enough. "I have," she began, pausing briefly. "I have been well." It was too formal, the way she spoke to him. Like there was nothing there. "How about you, Rio?"
CASTEL;