Private Truth in Your Eyes (Aston)

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Soundtrack: When You Say Nothing At all by Alison Krauss Tag: Aston Hawk​

Katrine kept herself perfectly poised as Curupira exited the room with Larentia, exhaling a breath when her daughter was finally gone. She didn't want her to see that her mother was terrified deep down over the fact that she had almost lost her. When the doors finally shut, her sapphire gaze moved between Alwine and Pebble.

"We'll be right back," she said, taking Aston's hand.

All day today, Katrine hadn't had a chance to be alone with her mate, not since encountering Wulfram. The danger was still very much present; the spirit had merely retreated after his army fled from her. She knew he would be back, and there wasn't time to rest before the wolf was banished for what he had done to their daughter.

They wouldn't go too far, her hand holding his, as they moved to the opposite end of the chamber. The spacious room was big enough to give them some privacy. What was revealed today was primarily a secret to Larentia, but it was something they had never discussed either. Aston knew her past; she assumed he had deduced and never asked her about Ren's origins, and she preferred it that way. But now, Ren was burdened by that truth because of Larentia's revelation. For the first time since Aston entered her daughter's life, their daughter was beginning to see a different side to herself.

Coupled with the truth that Ren wasn't all Lupine, as they had always believed, it was now a big revelation to them all. It was an impossible truth that Katrine couldn't imagine.

Secluded from the other two females, Katrine turned and buried her head into Aston's chest, taking in his calming scent. She never could have imagined Nona's words would ring true to her, but she couldn't imagine her life without Aston anymore. It was a love deeply rooted in friendship and a connection that spanned through the years. The boy who had saved her once became the man she wanted to spend her short life with. She wouldn't live to be hundreds the way Nona and Nono would, but whatever time she had in this galaxy, Katrine felt blessed to spend it with her mate.

The Lupine didn't speak now, content to be in his arms until he spoke up. It was only now that Katrine felt a shiver run down her spine, letting the fear that she held buried out. They could have lost Ren today. The thought terrified her.​

 

[Aston Hawk]

Aston followed right beside his great love, his one true person. For everything he was, and all he could be. He would be it for her, and no one else. They moved to the other side of the chamber, giving her a reassuring squeeze of the hand before she turned into him and her head leaned into his chest.

"Oh, my love." Aston said, his hands coming to either side of her face as he kissed her forehead. He rose her face gently to meet his as he gave her a soft, yet passionate kiss. Afterwards he wrapped his arms around her, holding her close. "You are the strongest person that I know. I know this was difficult. But it had to be done, you have to become who you area meant to be. Larentia will be okay, we are all here."

He held her close, their bond was unmistakable like they had been in love for generations. A story that would become a part of history and would take its place among the stars.

"I will be beside you, for as long as you want me to be." He said as he leaned back to look at her, a small hint of tease in his voice.

Katrine Van-Derveld

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Soundtrack: When You Say Nothing At all by Allison Krauss​

A tiny smile formed on her face at the sound of Aston's voice, letting him guide her head up for a kiss to her forehead and one more intent on her lips. Prompting herself slightly higher, Katrine kissed her mate back for a brief moment. Aston hugged her next, holding her closer as she spoke.

He called her the strongest person he knew.

Katrine could be that for anyone else, but she knew she didn't have to for Aston.

The man gave her his strength, whether he was aware of it or not.

Larentia would be okay. "Pinkie promise?" The woman whispered, raising her hand to her arm, looking for that reassuring tradition. It was their little thing, something Katrine introduced as a teenager. Aston never complained about it, simply taking her behaviour with ease.

She was looking up at him now, hearing him tell her he would be beside her as long as she wanted me to. "Always and forever," the Lupine reminded him of their vow. Katrine accepted her Lupine gene would keep her from turning a hundred even, and their love in this life wouldn't be as long as it might have been if her father weren't Ket Van-Derveld, but Katrine would have never changed who she was, for anything in this galaxy. With that came the acceptance of the years to come.

There was always the afterlife, though.

Katrine had seen beyond the veil; she knew there was something there, and as such, she had to believe they would meet again, even past that time.

"No matter what Ren learned today, you're still her father."

It was her private vow to Aston. He had been the man who raised their daughter, the one who picked her up when she fell, held her when she cried, comforted her when she didn't see eye to eye with her Katrine. While she couldn't think of anyone else being her father, even when Ket wasn't always with her, Kat knew well enough to recognise that Aston had very much been the best father Ren could have asked for.
​

Aston Hawk​

 

[Aston Hawk]

Aston's arms tightened instinctively at her words, his heart catching in his chest. She had a way of making truths sound so simple, so absolute, and he often wondered if she realized how much power she carried in her quiet vows. Her head against his chest, her breath warm through his shirt—it was the kind of closeness he never took for granted.


He had spent years trying to be steady for her, for Ren, for the family they had built together. But hearing Katrine speak it aloud—that he was Ren's father it anchored something in him he hadn't even realized needed grounding.

His lips found her hairline again, a gentle press, before he whispered, "Then I'll keep being that. For her. For you. Always." His hand sought hers, searching until their fingers aligned, his pinkie hooking around hers in the familiar promise. A small smile broke through his solemnness as he glanced down at her.


She reminded him of forever, and he believed her. Even if fate tried to shorten their years, he'd cling to each one, wring every drop of meaning from them. And when the time came to step beyond the veil, if she believed there was something waiting, then he would trust her word, as he always had.

"You've given me more than I ever dreamed of, Kat," Aston murmured, brushing his thumb over her knuckles. "So whether it's here, or there, or in whatever comes after—I'll find you. Always and forever."

Katrine Van-Derveld

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Soundtrack: When You Say Nothing At all by Allison Krauss​

She never wanted to let go, even when she was aware of the danger somewhere in the back of her mind. This moment, this very second, was one Katrine wanted to keep for eternity. It was simple and easy, being held in his arms and taking in his scent. She felt like she needed nothing else in this moment.

The galaxy had already forgotten them, and they had secluded themselves in their little kingdom. It was the way Katrine preferred it in this age. Once upon a time, she loved the adventure and craved the fun that it provided, but this was paradise now. This, here, now, with Aston, their daughter, on the moon of her ancestors. Deep down, Katrine knew she wouldn't want to live a different life anymore.​

For her. For you. Always.​

His kiss, his words, his pinkie swear, as many times before. Katrine believed in the sanctity of their pinkie promises as much as she trusted the vows they made years ago. Her own finger pressed a little tighter over his. "Forever." She completed the vow he had given.

Aston claimed he'd given her more than he ever dreamed of. They would face together whatever came their way. Katrine smiled at the touch of his finger against her knuckles and sighed. "And you as well, Aston." This wasn't the future she thought she would have in the past, all those years ago when she crossed over. She was a child on a mission, searching for her older sister.

Katrine had never completed that mission; she had never found Chloe, but instead, the Lupine had found a life beyond that, here and now. "You're my best friend as much as you are my mate. No matter what happens, we can face it together." The woman truly believed that.

She believed in him, in them.
​

Aston Hawk​

 

[Aston Hawk]

Aston's chest rose and fell in a steady rhythm, though inside it felt like his heart could barely keep pace with her words. Best friend. Mate. Partner in every storm. He hadn't known, when their paths first crossed, that his life would come to feel so full. Katrine had a way of turning even the smallest vows into unshakable truths, and each time she said together, he believed it more fiercely than the last.


He shifted just enough to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing along her jaw as he studied her face. The years they had shared since they first met it was carved by laughter, by hardship, by joy. she looked exactly as she had the first time she set his world alight. "You've carried me through more than I like to admit," he whispered, voice low, intimate. "More times than not, my love it's you who's kept me standing."


His forehead touched hers, closing the distance until all he could see was her. He breathed her in, letting the quiet of their little kingdom fold around them. It didn't matter that the galaxy had forgotten them, or that their names would fade into the dust of history. What mattered was here. her warmth in his arms, their daughter safe beneath the same roof, and the promise that no matter what trials came, they wouldn't face them alone.


"Then together it'll be," Aston said, his lips curving into a small, certain smile. "Always. Forever. Whatever time we're given."

Katrine Van-Derveld

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Soundtrack: When You Say Nothing At all by Allison Krauss​

Katrine allowed herself to feel safe in his embrace, in the moment forgetting they were not alone as Aston cupped her cheek. He made his confession as a sense of time running out filled her. She wanted to stay like this forever, protected and loved in his embrace. The Witch wished she could make time stop just for them.

Her mate shared the same truths as she did. They were each other's rocks, their safe harbours, anchors in the storm. She wanted nothing more than to grow old with the love of her life and enjoy the ever after that followed. Yet, it was today that had to be survived, and the night had to be won to make those plans.

"Jaa'mae." The words in Paecean came quietly and softly as his forehead met hers; their eyes connected in the private moment. Aston gave his own vow. She heard him draw breath; her gaze was fixed on him. It was here and now that Katrine found her strength and straightened her resolve.

Taking in air into her lungs, Katrine wrapped her arms around his waist. She knew she had to end this, had to begin, but in Aston's arms, she didn't want to. "I need you to be strong for me now," the Lupine requested, knowing that this embrace had to be paused for what was to come.

Aston Hawk​

Jaa'mae—I love you

 

[Aston Hawk]

The word cut through him—Jaa'mae—like a tether pulling him back to the heart of everything that mattered. Her arms around his waist, her warmth pressed against him, and then that quiet plea. He felt her strength even as she asked for his; it humbled him, sharpened him.

Aston lowered his hand from her cheek, slipping it around her back so that both arms enclosed her, a circle she could lean into. "You have it." he promised, steady and resolute. His voice carried the same unshakable tone he had used many time to prove to her, what strength was in him.

He drew in a slow breath, letting the scent of her hair and the calm of the moment anchor him.

Then he drew back just enough to meet her eyes, gaze steady, a storm of love and resolve behind it.

"Tell me when, Kat. And I'll be ready."

Katrine Van-Derveld

 

[Katrine Van-Derveld]

Soundtrack: When You Say Nothing At all by Allison Krauss​

They were here in the now, like two souls belonging to each other for thousands of years, condensed into a decade of love. Katrine had always felt like she could trust Aston, as if he were somehow connected to her. She knew him by name but recognised him as someone important to her the moment they met. They were fast friends, making their pinkie promises with an ease the Lupine only shared with family.

And Aston had always been family, her soulmate.

He kept her close, his embrace warming her soul and giving her the strength she was asking for. Aston never denied her, even now, when she knew the challenge was greater than it had ever been faced. Katrine had combated the dead before; she had been victorious, but she wasn't just going to fight some souls. The Lupine had to not only defeat the spirit who wanted her daughter dead but also win over the others who were under his thrall. She needed to show her ancestors she wasn't just an option; she was the only path they had – the future of the bloodline.

You have it, Aston promised her, making the woman smile.

And it would be his strength that would lift her, help her in this battle.

He leaned back, their eyes meeting. Katrine smiled as he spoke again, making her nod. The Lupine didn't want the moment to end, but it had to. This battle had to be won before dawn; the ancestor had been banished from their plane of existence.

"We have to go," Katrine whispered.​

Aston Hawk​