Pure Moonlight (closed)

[heartofcourage]

"That's what you're worried about?" Telma asked as he held her tightly, his face buried against her throat. "Ru, we live in a world that is dangerous but getting better. I know that you would protect me and our cubs just as the rest of the family would when that time comes. We shouldn't be afraid of growing our family just because of that, love."

Telma ducked her head and nuzzled against his cheek, her wolf seeking to comfort his own as he held her so tightly. She knew that he was afraid and she knew that he had seen some things during the search for Luna that no one should have seen. She couldn't take those memories away but she could try to make it better for the both of them.

"We can wait on starting a family until you talk this through with someone, love. I'm in no rush."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I didn't want to wait until I saw for myself what people can be like away from our little haven here... And when Luna was taken, I realized we're not completely safe. I don't know why I was ever naïve enough to think we were." He pressed a kiss to Telma's cheek after a long moment. "When a baby does come along... I'm going to do everything in my power to make sure they're never in chains." He would go in a loved one's place if it meant keeping them free.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I think you need to talk to your uncle, love." Telma said softly. "Taqu'un can give you advice on how to get through all of what you're feeling."

Telma wanted a family with Ruben and they had discussed the possibility many times of having cubs of their own, but she wanted him to be able to enjoy children without fear. He needed to discuss his fears with someone that would listen and give him advice. Someone that loved him but wasn't so close to him as his mother, father, or herself.

 

[KieranSoares]

Ruben nodded slightly and finally let her go. He followed her into the kitchen for tea and sat quietly by while waiting for the kettle. He was usually very sure of what he wanted in life, so being scared out of something he'd wanted for almost ten years was new and very disturbing to him when less than ten months before, he'd been adamant about it.

 

[heartofcourage]

"We're still young, Ruben. We don't have to be in a rush for cubs." Telma said softly as she poured them both a helping of the calming tea that Ruben seemed to like so much. "it's most definitely a goal but it isn't going to break us."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I was so ready... For a long time after we knew we wanted to be together, I was ready. Now I just see danger everywhere. Our children will never be able to explore the world freely if they wanted. I wouldn't even risk letting them leave the isles without being absolutely sure they would be safe."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Oh, Ru..." Telma murmured softly as she pressed her forehead against Ruben's, listening to him talk about his fears for their children. "It might be hard out there for were to explore how they truly wish to, but it's not all gloom and doom. There are still places that we can go where we are safe. We can't let that fear rule us completely."

 

[KieranSoares]

Ruben nodded slowly and sighed, beginning to relax. He managed to get to sleep when they went back to bed, and ended up sleeping a bit late.

The next morning just after breakfast, a knock sounded on Selena and Kreston's front door. Kreston went to answer it, and there stood Jan. "Hello Jan," Kreston said softly.

"Hi, uh... I was wondering if..."

"Come in." Kreston welcomed him inside and brought him to sit at the table. Kreston looked to Selena. "I think you two have some things to talk about." With that, he went outside to tend their garden.

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena took a seat across from Jan as he sat at her kitchen table. Luna had gone to visit Ghell's family to check on Arin and Norr. She would be back in time for lunch and Selena knew that if Jan were still there, he very well might be staying forever.

"Why should I trust you?" She asked him bluntly. "Luna tells me that you're a thief. I know you've been around the village and Inverness with other women. Do you really think that I will let my daughter be involved with a man like that?"

 

[KieranSoares]

"I wouldn't trust me either if it was my own daughter's heart on the line." Jan wanted to lower his gaze, but he forced himself to keep Selena's gaze. "And I deserve every bit of scrutiny you have for me. All I can tell you is that I've never wanted anyone but Luna. Other women... Sure, it was fun to flirt, but I never wanted them. And stealing... I know it's not a good excuse, but I was just trying to get enough money to go home so I don't get thrown in jail for desertion."

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena was quiet as he tried to explain himself to her. She didn't want to trust him. There had to be another out there for Luna that was honest and loving, but it was becoming very clear that her dear daughter and the man sitting across from her were truly meant to be. She had only just gotten use to the idea that Ruben had been mated for a while. Now she was going to lose Luna as well.

"If you are truly serious about Luna, you must meet some conditions. You must have a good job that can support her in lean times as well as the good. You must be able to build a house that will make her happy. You cannot flirt with those other women any longer. It bruises her heart each time she hears or sees you doing it." Selena said in a firm voice. "When you can prove that you can do all of those things, then I will consider letting you pursue my daughter."

 

[KieranSoares]

"But he'll never have the chance to do any of that if he's tried for desertion or sent back to Sweden," Kreston spoke as he returned to fetch a couple things for the garden. Jan didn't say anything about that, though it was true that he wouldn't have that chance for the next ten years if he went back.

 

[heartofcourage]

"I know what it's like to be away from your mate for ten years." Selena said as Kreston reentered and tried to smooth over the situation. "And this is something that I will not compromise on. He has to prove that he's good enough for Luna."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Then give me the chance and help me stay here. The king won't ask for my release from the navy unless you and Luna ask him. If it turns out I'm not good enough... I'll go. I'll find a ship and go off to some new country. But I need the chance first."

"He's obviously thinks Luna's more than a pretty face, love. Give him the benefit of the doubt, and if he fails, I'll run him off myself if Karn and Petu don't do it for us."

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena looked first to Jan and then to Kreston, letting out a long and tired sigh. She didn't want to fight. She didn't want to see her little girl with a broken heart either. It was a hard position to be in.

"I will talk to my brother then." She said as she stood, looking between the two men again. "And you best start thinking of ways to support her."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I already had a job before we went to find Luna. I just hope Ruben and the others will have me back. I can take on more work if I need to," Jan told her with absolute confidence. He wasn't the sort for the same grinding work every day, and he felt it was crushing his spirit. But considering it was for Luna, he could make it until a better job suited to his energy came along.

 

[heartofcourage]

Selena soon left their home, making her way to Inverness to have a talk with her brother over Jan. When she got to the keep, it was apparent that she was in a foul mood. In the past, she might have taken out that anger on one of her brothers, but that day, she simply wanted to curl up in a corner and cry. She didn't want to be talking about her daughter's heart, especially if she was about to give it to a criminal.

 

[KieranSoares]

Brogan was in the main hall as usual, overseeing everything and reading over letters and reports. Since they'd been gone to find Luna, Inverness had gotten a few more trade routes and new settlers so Brogan was busy settling everything down and making things efficient. When he looked up to see Selena, he laid his papers aside. "Hiya, love," he said softly when she approached.

 

[heartofcourage]

"Hi." Selena said as she took a seat next to her brother and let out a long, tired sigh. "Remind me why I chose to have children again. All they do lately is break my heart and make life difficult."

 

[KieranSoares]

"Because despite all th'heartache, it's worth it to see them find happiness fer themselves, an' when they do, you know you succeeded." Brogan leaned over and kissed her cheek. "I'm guessin' this is about Jan an' Luna."

 

[heartofcourage]

"I told him that if he wanted a chance with Luna, he had to have a job that could support her, a home where they could live comfortably, and he had to stop messing around with other women." Selena said as Brogan kissed her cheek. "Despite my heart telling me that he'll just hurt her in the end, I know that I have to give them a chance."

 

[KieranSoares]

"You and I both thought th' same thing about David. But 'e loves Annie so much tha' he buckled down to make a future for them. There's no sayin' Jan isn't capable of the same."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Having a mate is different, Brogan. If he pulls away from her after the mating has happened, she might lose her mind. I refuse to lose my daughter again after everything that we've already been through." Selena said in a soft murmur as she looked to her younger brother. "Watching someone go through the madness is terrifying and heartbreaking."

 

[KieranSoares]

"I've seen it plenty of times since the werefolk came here. I know." Brogan sighed. "But it's a risk even with th'most honest people. I think Jan'll surprise you if you give 'im the chance. Don' make th' mistake I did tryin' t'drive yer daughter's love away. Ye'll lose, I promise."

 

[heartofcourage]

"Send your letter to Sweden then." Selena said as Brogan promised that she would regret not giving the two of them a chance. "And Gods help Jan if he does hurt Luna. There is nowhere on this earth that he can hide from me if that happens."