Chapter 10. Soft touch

"I just wanna be with you, right here with you, just like this. I just wanna hold you close, and feel your heart so close to mine. And just stay here in this moment for all the rest of time".
-Aerosmith, "I Don't Wanna Miss A Thing"

Canis woke again and was surprised she hadn't shifted back. What was going on? There was something around her neck. It was loose fitting, but wouldn't slip off. It was a collar! Growling, she shook, trying to get it off, but it wouldn't move. Snarling, she heard Bane's amused laugh.

"I think it suits you personally".
Shut up. She replied, scratching at it.
"I like it on you".
I don't! Take it off!
"Can't and won't do that, Pequeña Lupa"

She growled and got into an attack position, fangs and claws out. Bane gave her a simple "I dare you" look and Canis lunged for his throat. Terrible move choice, as Bane caught her just as she was going down on him, which sent the two rolling. When they were still again, she was on top of him, her golden eyes meeting his brown. Bane put his hand on her head and began to pet her.

"You got some soft fur you know that?"
Stop touching me, please…
"Awww why? You don't like it?"
It makes me…uneasy…
She could see the smirk in his eyes as he brushed his hand down her neck and back. "Uneasy how?"
It doesn't feel right to me.
"Why?"
It just doesn't, okay?
"No need to get snappy. It was just a question. God, you're so defensive".

Canis got off of him and moved to a corner. She lowered her head and the tip of her tail was between her legs. She looked in a defensive position and Bane gave her a questioning look. Canis just simply sat down and looked away from him, avoiding his eyes.

"What is it?" Bane asked as he moved closer to her, "What's wrong?"
Don't…please…just don't…
"Don't what?"
You realize you're only gonna make things harder on yourself come the full moon? We should be wanting to kill each other…This is wrong.
"Would you rather us be killing each other?"
Somewhat.
"Well I like this…somewhat. Come the full moon though, there won't be any hesitation on my part".
Right…Just you wait…
"What makes you think otherwise?"
Do you not realize what's going on? This…you petting me…it shouldn't be happening…
Realization hit him like a ton of bricks. "You liked it, didn't you?"
NO!
"Denial is to be expected when one truly enjoys something they know they shouldn't. Canis…Don't tell me I've already won in the taming of you"
Not quite…
"What is it you're afraid of, Pequeña Lupa? Can't you swallow your pride for just one little thing? A wolf you may be, but a she wolf who's never...experienced a man's touch. It's only natural you'd be drawn to it".
She looked disgusted even as a wolf. What? No! And what about you? You're the one who touched me! Have you grown soft on me, Bane?
"Far from it, my Lupinotuum. I just feel like it's something perhaps you'd like to talk about".
It's the last thing I'll ever wish to discuss with you.
"I'll bet I can have you growling in pleasure in just a few touches. Just let me try, Lupa".
No…
"You don't trust me?"
And rightfully so…
"I won't hurt you. That's not my intention".
I don't care, I have no reason to trust you.
"If I was going to do you harm I would've when you attacked me".

Canis still didn't budge, but watched him carefully as he moved closer to her. When he extended his hand, she snapped at it, threatening to bite it if it came any closer. Bane ignored her warning and she was surprised when she felt his hand touch the hairs on her head. She never took her eyes off of him, and he didn't stop looking at her, but remained mindful of her expressions and his movements. He didn't want her to be uncomfortable. Being a pet wasn't so bad.

His hand trailed down her head, a finger traced the delicate curl at the base of her ear, making it flick in response. It went away from her head, to her neck, petting at first above the collar, letting her get familiar with his touch. For a brief moment, he touched her face softly and Canis closed her eyes out of instinct. Bane kept his hand there on her cheek, caressing it almost like a lover would. Feeling some sort of pull to it, Canis moved her head in the direction of his hand, as if to return the touch.

"There we go, Lupa. You're getting the hang of this".
Am I?
"Yes".

Canis found something different in his touch. For someone so large, his touch was soft, gentle, and careful. It was like she was made of glass and he was fearful of breaking her. She opened her eyes again and was surprised to find that his own gaze had gone as soft as his touch. His hand went down her face to her neck, gingerly touching a spike on the collar, and then petting her chest. She went awfully still then, her eyes widening slightly. Bane pulled his hand away.

"I made you uncomfortable, didn't I?"
A…a little…
"Sorry".
You're…apologizing?
"I didn't wish to make you uncomfortable. Perhaps I went a little too far. It's easy to forget you're still human under there".
It's okay I guess…
"Did you enjoy it?"
I think so…
"See? That wasn't so bad now was it?"
Bane…
"Yes?"
I…I don't know what to do or say or think…I think I'm losing it…
"Losing it?"
Something feels different, Canis admitted, But I can't explain it.
"Where? Where does it feel different?"

She held a paw up to her chest and his hand followed suit. There he rested it on her heart, feeling its strong beat. He counted at least five beats before looking in her eyes and she looked back up at him. Just that one look was enough to confirm something was changing in him as well. He was losing something too: His own heart.

Bane removed his hand as she moved closer. It was her turn now to show him how her kind showed affection. Canis put her head on his chest, hearing his heart slamming against his ribcage. She rested her head there in perfect contentment as slowly, almost hesitantly, Bane wrapped his arms around her, holding the black wolf in place. There in his arms, she felt safe and in her heart he found his paradise.

As if things couldn't get anymore complicated…