Page 72 of Primal Bond

“You know,” Finn murmured, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on Zanik’s chest, “I never thought I’d end up here. Under the stars, with a big, grumpy Borraq warrior.”

Zanik’s rumbling chuckle vibrated through Finn’s body. “Grumpy, huh? I think you’re confusing me with someone else.”

Finn grinned, tilting his head to look up at Zanik. “Oh, no. You’re definitely the grumpy one. Always growling and glaring. It’s a wonder you didn’t scare me off.”

Zanik’s fingers brushed through Finn’s hair, a tender gesture that made Finn’s heart ache with love. “You? Scared off? I’ve seen you face down slavers without flinching. You’re not afraid of anything.”

Finn’s smile softened, his thoughts drifting to the journey that had brought them here. The pain, the fear, the fight for survival — it all seemed distant now, like a bad dream fading in the morning light. “Maybe not,” he admitted, his voice quieter. “But I was afraid of losing myself. Of not having anything to hold on to.”

Zanik’s arms tightened around him, pulling him closer. “You’ve got me now,” he said simply, his voice a comforting rumble. “And I’m not going anywhere.”

Finn closed his eyes, savoring the warmth of Zanik’s embrace. “Good,” he whispered. “Because I’m not letting you go either.”

They lay in silence for a while, the only sounds the soft rustling of leaves and their shared breaths. Finn’s thoughts wandered, a sense of peace settling over him. He had found more than just a protector in Zanik. He had found a partner, a lover, someone who saw him for who he was, what he'd gone through — and loved him anyway.

Under the stars, Finn felt truly at home. His journey had been long and hard, but in Zanik’s arms, he had found a love that made it all worthwhile.

And for the first time in a long time, he felt perfectly content.