He had waited through the meeting, careful not to leap upon any who came too close to his Dragon yet as the night comes to a close he is most impatient and irritable. Halfway through the meeting he had began pacing behind the rock she had perched upon, tail lashing back and forth as he glared at the coagulated blood that clung to her tresses. So many times his tongue had caressed his lips it is a wonder that fur still clung to them, such was the urge to cleanse her. It was a honor, to have won so honourably, and she had every right to display it as she brought her pack together yet he could not stand it. Could not stand to be reminded so vividly the battle, every gasp of pain that left her ebony lips, or least of all the way she had to hold her tail due to the wound there. He wanted so very much to wrap his body around hers, lend her his warmth, as he soothed her worries. He wanted to make up for his absence, wanted to beat into her that he would never leave again.

So first chance he gets he is by her side, gently pressing his side into her, and eyeing her with deep concern. Softly, he will nudge her with his snout, silently urging her to divulge where it hurts the most yet he does not know what he is doing. He does not know if his prodding is hurting her and before long he stops, eyeing her long and hard.

”You did well, my Queen.”

He utters the last part quietly, the last word floating upon a breath of a whisper as he gazes into her dark mahogany eyes.

”Where shall you rest tonight? Shall I dig a den for…you?”

He does not say us, despite the fact that it is on the tip of his tongue. Even if she is the sole occupant he will always be near. He has already decided on forgoing dens instead opting for the hard earth near the opening of hers. That way he can be sure that nothing can get to her without going through him. What he doesn’t want to admit is that he will also be near her. He could rest, ears cocked to catch the soft hums of her breathing like he used to as a pup. He could watch her sleeping, the soft rise of her belly as she inhales to the roundness of her hips as she exhales. Oh yes, he shall be a peeping tom all in the name of protecting her.

”I will help you clean yourself.”

The last words were a command, his dominance peeking through his frantic worry as he stares her down. His colorful eyes harboring a dare for her to refute his demands. If she so much as flinches or attempts to dissuade him, he will somehow haul her onto his back and toss her into the nearest freezing river. Oh that would only make things worse but he did not have a full grasp on first aid and he was ready to take his rough tongue to her tender wounds if someone did not stop him…and fast.