300+
Haven understood the need for physical comfort in situations like this. You needed to know that someone understood, that you weren't being judged even when you were harshly judging yourself. He had done that for about a month straight, wallowing in self pity and booze alone in the city. He had been so mixed up, trying to run away from it in all the wrong ways. He was so thankful that Ruri and then Jac had come along to give him a purpose. It was being a knight that kept him going, kept him striving and working to be a better person. His pack depended on him. They looked to him for protection and he couldn't let them down. They weren't the only people who needed his protection either. Mati needed it, even though he apparently failed so often at doing that for her, he thought with a wince. After this he wanted to go and try to make things right with her, but he had a feeling that he wouldn't find her so soon. No doubt she was avoiding him. But now he also felt he had to protect Princess. He had told he would that night, and while it had been induced by his drunken stupor, he wanted to fulfill those words. Behind her confidence and strength she was fragile too.
As she leaned into him he couldn't help but let a small smile come to his lips. This all had gone better than he had hoped it could. As painful as each of their respective pasts and heritages were, they were able to connect on that level. They both knew what it was like to be afraid of the blood that you came from and that ran through your veins. Maybe they could help each other stay strong and not become what they had come from. Haven felt a weight lift from his chest as she spoke again. If anyone had cause to worry about him being like his father, it was her after what they had done together. But she didn't, she believed that he was good and hearing her say it meant more to him than he expected. "Thank you, it's good to hear that. It really is." It was not something that he could hear too many times. Each uttering gave him the strength to stay the path and work hard. "I can't believe that you'll be like your mother. You're kind and understanding...and forgiving," he said with a wry smile. At her thanks he leaned forward and planted a soft kiss on the top of her head. No matter how this had started, he couldn't help but have a good feeling of where it could go.