And they do -- as much as possible, surrounded by the love and adoration only a werewolf pack can provide. Once the beautiful, brilliant shock of that moment of reunion fades slightly, Corrigan is all business. Kurt fought their way through hell and back home, protected themselves and Holly, did what they had to in order to survive. They're every bit as magnificent and courageous as the wolves had sensed that very first day and even more so. But the effects of those months apart, the horrors waking and sleeping, the depths of Miles's monstrosity -- those won't disappear as easily as the chill, banished by warmth and affection.
Still, the pack can care for the immediate concerns -- Kai and Benji trip over themselves, hurrying to fetch water, to boil it and draw a bath so Kurt can begin to soak away the blood and grime coating every inch of their body. Naseer is given the privilege of holding Holly, cradling her in his arms, only the third person ever to touch her, his own link forging as easily with her as Corrigan's had. He may be Alpha and blood, the first to connect with her aside from Kurt, but each wolf is equally her parent, her protector, her family. Just as Kurt is the pack's mate, not only Corrigan's.
Leo helps Corrigan spread out the furs by the fire, coaxing it from dull embers into soft tongues of flame, so Kurt won't be chilly for even an instant while the bath warms. The Alpha doesn't let go of them for an instant, not then and not during the meal, or that first blissful night back together, the pack clustered close around their beloved, basking in their longed-for presence, keeping them safe. Corrigan doesn't actually let Kurt out of his arms for a good long while, especially once the joy fades for them as well and the nightmares start.
There's one tonight, after Holly's been fed and lulled to sleep in Kai's arms -- they're in the process of making a bed, really, but thus far whichever wolf's on watch has volunteered to hold her, not wanting to miss a single second. Corrigan is half-asleep, nestled into the furs alongside his brothers, Kurt snuggled to his chest, when he feels a soft tremor run through their small body, hears the softest whine of dreaming terror.
He's up in an instant, arms tucking under his mate and lifting them up and away from the others, knowing they'd hate to wake any of the pack. Corrigan presses a kiss to the side of Kurt's neck, over the clean bandages that cover their (horrifically, monstrously) flayed skin. "I'm here, beloved, I'm here. You're safe. You're safe, Kurt."
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Still, the pack can care for the immediate concerns -- Kai and Benji trip over themselves, hurrying to fetch water, to boil it and draw a bath so Kurt can begin to soak away the blood and grime coating every inch of their body. Naseer is given the privilege of holding Holly, cradling her in his arms, only the third person ever to touch her, his own link forging as easily with her as Corrigan's had. He may be Alpha and blood, the first to connect with her aside from Kurt, but each wolf is equally her parent, her protector, her family. Just as Kurt is the pack's mate, not only Corrigan's.
Leo helps Corrigan spread out the furs by the fire, coaxing it from dull embers into soft tongues of flame, so Kurt won't be chilly for even an instant while the bath warms. The Alpha doesn't let go of them for an instant, not then and not during the meal, or that first blissful night back together, the pack clustered close around their beloved, basking in their longed-for presence, keeping them safe. Corrigan doesn't actually let Kurt out of his arms for a good long while, especially once the joy fades for them as well and the nightmares start.
There's one tonight, after Holly's been fed and lulled to sleep in Kai's arms -- they're in the process of making a bed, really, but thus far whichever wolf's on watch has volunteered to hold her, not wanting to miss a single second. Corrigan is half-asleep, nestled into the furs alongside his brothers, Kurt snuggled to his chest, when he feels a soft tremor run through their small body, hears the softest whine of dreaming terror.
He's up in an instant, arms tucking under his mate and lifting them up and away from the others, knowing they'd hate to wake any of the pack. Corrigan presses a kiss to the side of Kurt's neck, over the clean bandages that cover their (horrifically, monstrously) flayed skin. "I'm here, beloved, I'm here. You're safe. You're safe, Kurt."