I whirled around. Ashe wasn't there.
My heart sank.
Oh, no. No, no...
A whimper of fear escaped me. I was too frightened to even feel pathetic.
If Ashe wasn't here, then I was all alone.
Just like when I was a cub.
All the progress I'd made vanished in the blink of an eye. My knees shook and I crumpled to the ground, hugging my knees against my chest. I clenched my eyes shut tight.
This isn't happening...
Closing my eyes didn't help. All it did was make me re-live my nightmares, except this time I was wide awake.
I opened them to darkness. The silence roared in my ears. Was I making up that crashing sound, or was it real? Was the mushrooms' light dimming or was it my imagination?
If there was another cave-in, would I escape this time?
Would I ever see Ashe again?
Right now, it felt hopeless. I buried my face in my arms.
"Bear! Bear, where are you?"
I jolted. That was Ashe's voice. He sounded worried. He was alive, and he was calling for me.
A powerful surge of ferocity made me shoot up to my feet. What the fuck was I doing sitting here whimpering to myself? I don't know how we got separated but I didn't mean to lose Ashe. I should've been more careful. He already told me he was scared of the dark. He needed me.
The protective urge burned in my veins like fire, melting away the fear. I ran towards the sound of Ashe's voice.
What was this feeling? My body felt powerful beyond measure, like I could fight the whole world. If something stood between me and Ashe, they wouldn't be able to stop me. I would do anything for him.
We both turned a corner at the same time and crashed into each other. I grunted, unable to regain my balance, and landed on top of him.
"Oof!" Ashe coughed, winded because of my weight. But he didn't care. When he saw me, his face lit up. "Bear! Thank the gods, I was so worried."
Relief flooded me. Knowing he was safe and well and here with me was all I needed. Affection swelled in my chest and I kissed him again.
He made a small sound of surprise, then relaxed and put his arms around my neck. The longer he held me, the brighter my love for him burned.
I really do love him, don't I?
The realization was slow and hesitant, like it could be snuffed away at any moment. I'd never loved anyone the way I loved Ashe. It was scary how vulnerable it made me.
But it also made me stronger. All my fear vanished when I heard Ashe calling my name. My need to protect him was more powerful than despair.
When we broke apart, gasping for air, Ashe started talking a mile a minute. "I'm sorry, it was my fault we got separated. I was overthinking, like I always freaking do, and then I looked and you weren't there anymore—"
I shook my head vehemently, signing over his last few words. "Not your fault, it was mine. I should have checked to see if you were behind me."
He laughed in exasperation and ran a gentle hand down my cheek. "Okay, how about we agree it was nobody's fault?"
I shivered pleasantly at his touch. "Deal."
I stood and pulled Ashe up.
