Fur and Scales

Warning: I'm going to rate this T+ near the bottom. I don't think it quite reaches M, but warning ahead, if you'd like to skip it scroll past after the phrase, 'then we won't.' :)

"You know you didn't have to wait for me," Keaton murmured as Corrin reached up to smooth down his shirt.

"I was recovering too, Keaton," she replied tersely. "So don't think it's just you that delayed everything." His eyes widened and he glanced at Kaden behind her.

"You were injured too?" She laughed then, stepping back to admire her wolfskin partner.

"I didn't get hurt as badly as you. I had someone taking a hit for me, if I recall…" He flushed under her scrutinizing yet met her gaze firmly.

"I would have taken all of them." Now it was her turn to blush, but her words were stalled as Kaden whined behind them, throwing his arms over their shoulders and pulling them close.

"Don't be taking all the blows or what will I have to show off with?" He pressed his head against both of theirs and his voice softened. "I don't want to ever see either of you look like that again… Do you know how it felt not being able to do anything and praying I wouldn't lose both of you?" Keaton and Corrin were quiet, burrowing close to him. Actions always spoke louder than words for all three of the shifters. A knock came at the door and the three stepped away as Azura opened the door, Silas close on her heels. Her cousin offered her a warm smile, eyes glittering as she took in the scene.

"Everything is prepared, Corrin. Are you ready?" A shock of nervous energy suddenly washed over her and she fidgeted with her hands, fingers twitching against the fabric of her dress. She wished more than anything for the familiar feel of her armor. Kaden and Keaton pressed close to her sides briefly and she took strength from their warmth. Breathing deeply, she turned and met Azura's eye with what she hoped was a confident smile.

"Yes. Lead the way."

The throne room hadn't been touched by what she could tell. There was still a gaping hole where once the mask had lain, blood splatters on the floor where her army had fought. Part of the wall had crumbled where Anankos had blasted his way out, revealing a cloudy sky and the land behind the castle. Far in the distance, she could spot the odd flying islands. There was a smattering of people gathered she didn't recognize and released with surprise this must be the original Vallites. Her heart twisted painfully in her chest as she remembered a little boy who hadn't been given the chance to stand with them. Anthony's transformation would always haunt her and as she caught the eye of some trembling children hiding behind weary parents, she vowed another scene like that would not darken her dreams. Azura stood before her, the throne standing proudly behind her with her siblings lined up on either side. They offered their own expressions of pride and joy. Takumi and Leo's faces were similar in their small smiles and brief nods. Hinoka was prideful, grinning widely next to Camilla who cooed and dabbed at her eyes. Elise bounced happily beside Takumi while Sakura was more reserved, smiling shyly, yet brightly, near Leo. Ryoma and Xander stood proudly, the firm structure of a king's already on their shoulders yet each offered her a smile that betrayed more happiness than their positions might have been allowed.

She left Kaden and Keaton with the rest of her army, spread out before her on the opposite side of the gathered Vallites. Corrin approached Azura nervously and gathered up her skirts to kneel in front of her cousin, head bowed.

"We are gathered today for the coronation of Corrin, the new queen of Valla," Xander's voice was almost booming in this empty place and she nearly flinched at the volume of it.

"Starting today, Corrin shall be the ruler of Valla," Ryoma continued. His voice was no less loud or regal than Xander's and yet it sent a bolt of trepidation through her. She had fully accepted this role, as Azura had been firm in her dismissal about it. She had never been groomed for this position, and it frightened her to her core. However… she couldn't let this country fall apart. It would mean that all they did to free this place was for naught, and that Anankos had still won.

"Should anyone object, please speak now." Xander's voice was quieter now and a silence settled over the place. If the Vallites had any objections, fear from their previous ruler had silenced them. Or perhaps at this point they believed anything, or anyone, was better than who they previously had. Her fear only deepened. How was she to ever heal this place? So covered in old scars and fresh wounds…

"Then as the heir of Queen Arete of Valla," there was a quiet stirring here among the people as Azura spoke. Perhaps they had thought she was related yet having her heritage revealed herself had brought somewhat of a peace settled over them. "I now crown you Queen of Valla." The crown set on her head heavily and she swallowed thickly before standing and turning to face the crowd. Applause had started among her army and now spread to the Vallites which she gave a warm smile. She caught the eye of Keaton and Kaden and tears bit at her eyes at the blindingly bright grins they were giving her. Their faces were full of love and pride and it made accepting this so much harder. She hadn't said anything to them, but this would be their last day together. The moment she had accepted the role of queen, it had sealed their fate. She would not force them to stay when both were respective chief and leader of their clan and pack. How selfish would that be?

No, tonight… tonight she would bid her shifters goodbye.

"I pledge to be a queen worthy of this crown," Corrin spoke to the crowd once the applause had settled. "Thanks to both the generous gifts of Nohr and Hoshido, we will rebuild Valla into a kingdom worth being proud of. I know it will be a hard and long process, but I promise I will give everything to work towards the betterment of both the kingdom and people of Valla." The applause this time was louder, firmer, more joyful and actually started from the side of the Vallites which this time did cause her tears to fall. Today, she started her first step as Queen.

There was a small party where finally her army and the Vallites could properly meet and she was met with warm wishes and timid introductions. Her siblings came up to her one at a time to bid her their happy congratulations along with promises for help should they ever need it. Seeing her siblings all together, laughing and smiling, was a sight she thought she would never see and her heart was fit to burst from the happiness she felt. However, while she was delighted to meet them, it was tiring, and the two people she most wanted to see were lost in a sea of people. A cloud of sorrow hung over her, dampening the joy she felt as she dreaded the night to come once all the congratulations were said and done. A hand touched her arm and she glanced over to see Azura smiling at her.

"Corrin, I can see you are nearing the end of your energy. Why do you not retire early?"

"I can't possibly do that," she murmured back. "A new queen leaving the coronation early?" Azura laughed lightly.

"It would only speak of how devoted you are that, rather than enjoy the party, you get started on your duties." Azura squeezed her arm to stop any further flow of protests. "They will not know where you have gone, and you can see everything is already beginning to wind down. I believe you have others who would wish to congratulate you on your crown." The dragon looked past her shoulder to see Keaton and Kaden in the distance, her cheeks reddening at the suggestive tone Azura's voice had taken. She hadn't come out fully with her relationship with the shifters so how had Azura deduced it so quickly? Her cousin's eyes glittered mischievously as she pushed her in their direction. "Go. I will cover for you, but you need to rest. With those you cherish." Corrin gave her a brief, but crushing hug, hoping to convey all her emotions with the embrace.

"Thank you," she whispered. With a grin, she picked up her skirts and carefully maneuvered her way back to the shifters who glowed as she approached. They swept her away and no one was the wiser as the queen of Valla disappeared from the throne room.

Kaden shut the door behind them while Keaton immediately drew her close. His face nuzzled against hers, arms wrapping tight around her waist.

"I thought we'd never get you out of there," he growled against her hair. "You have so many scents on you it's making my nose itch!"

"Is that why you're rubbing my head so hard my ties are coming undone?" She teased. His growling only deepened and she laughed as Kaden joined in on the other side, copying the Wolfssenger's movements. "You'll suffocate me at this point!"

"You're upset." Kaden's simple statement made her stiffen and the two pulled back to look at her. "What's wrong? A part of me almost thinks you've been avoiding us." That wasn't entirely false… She had wanted to see them yet at the same time wanted to drag out the conversation due to come as long as possible.

"Did one of those people say something to you?" Keaton growled, ears pinning tight to his skull. "Because if they said one negative thing about you being queen then I swear-"

"It's not that," she quickly cut in. "They were all very kind and welcoming to me. I suspect anyone other than Anankos is acceptable to them. Though I shudder to think of the day they realize I'm also a dragon… Perhaps I might hold off on that bit of information for awhile longer yet." They stared at her expectedly and she took a deep breath to steady her nerves. "I just… didn't want to say goodbye so soon."

"Goodbye?" Kaden asked, his ear twitching with confusion. "To us?"

"Yes." Keaton shook his head, frown dipping his lips down. Confusion mirrored the kitsune beside him.

"Why would you say goodbye to us?"

"Do you really need me to say it?" She cried. "You're leaders of your own people! I'm not going to pull you away from them just so I can keep you by me! Besides, you know how this world works… there's… doors. Certain times that can be opened. Even if you stayed with me, there will be months, maybe even years, between when you see your own people. They need you."

"I travel anyway!" Kaden protested.

"I get lost so much it's like I'm traveling," Keaton added more quietly, scratching his cheek sheepishly.

"I don't know when you'll go back," she continued, undeterred. "Before you could at least send letters or notes to them so they know you're safe. Now… you'll be stuck in some invisible kingdom with no way of checking on them! You've said before you miss home, both of you, and I won't pull you away from that."

"So you're just telling us to leave? Leave you alone?" Kaden hissed. His anger surprised her and she clenched her fists by her sides.

"Yes. I am telling you to leave. I will not be the reason you abandon your people."

"We can make our own decisions!" Keaton snarled and she started at his volume. "I love my pack, and I'll do everything to protect them, but you are part of that! I won't leave you here with no help in some, some weird floaty kingdom place! We didn't follow you here this entire way, stay by your side only to be cast out now when you need us most!"

"What would you have me do?" She snapped. "I can't abandon this place either! But I won't let you stay and possibly condemn your people to the hunters all because of your devotion to me!"

"Devotion?" Kaden repeated quietly. His tone was dangerous and her eyes widened as he stepped towards her. "Is that all you think we have for you? Devotion? We followed you here like loyal pets because we're devoted to your cause? Do you really think that's all we feel for you? Did we not tell each other what we felt that night?" Corrin averted her eyes as the memory surfaced. It was edged with bittersweet emotions now. He took one of her hands, Keaton doing the same, and she forced her head to raise and meet their eyes.

"We love you," they repeated together and her breath caught in her throat.

"We'll figure out a way to be with you, but we won't leave," Keaton growled. His hand tightened possessively around hers.

"What if we brought our people here?"

"What?" Corrin and Keaton exclaimed as they looked at the thoughtful kitsune.

"They would be safe here! There's no hunters, and the people of Valla are few. There's not many resources here and we could bring what we know to help! Our people know how to farm the land. We're not total barbarians after all! Besides, these people could learn some grooming tips… I was telling Keaton earlier that their fur is in a terrible state! I know they were being oppressed by an evil dragon but still!"

"We could bring some of the animals here…" Keaton murmured as he latched onto the kitsune's idea. "Teach them how to hunt for their food. They could stand getting more meat on their bones. I think I could have blown some of those Vallites over…"

"A-are you serious?" Corrin gasped. "You would bring your people here? You have seen the state that it's in haven't you?" They laughed then, grinning impishly down at her.

"Who's the one that's dragged us all over this kingdom chasing invisible warriors?" Kaden teased. A childish urge hit her then and she stuck her tongue out at them, causing the shifters to laugh all the more. "I don't know if it'll work," Kaden suddenly stated. "But we should try it! You need all the help you can get and I promise my clan will help turn this kingdom into something beautiful!"

"My pack will make this land the fiercest of all the kingdoms!" Keaton interjected, not one to be bested. "I'd like to see some evil dragon take it over after we're finished with it!" Corrin blinked up at them as they continued throwing out ideas at each other, snipping and snapping at each other at times and laughing the next. She sniffed before the tears came spilling out, her hands reaching up to cup her mouth.

"Corrin?"

"Princess?"

"It's queen now, Keaton."

"Shut up! I'll call her whatever I want!" The dragon laughed, startling the two shifters who eased forward with concern.

"I can't believe it… I try and tell you to leave and you're both so stubborn! I guess I shouldn't be surprised I can't get you out of my kingdom when I couldn't even get you to leave my bed!" To think this all started with Kaden curled up in her bed… It seemed like entire lifetimes ago.

"Did you want us to leave?" Keaton suddenly asked quietly. She shook her head vigorously, reaching up to slid her hands behind their necks and draw them close until she could press their foreheads together.

"Never."

"Then we won't," Kaden promised vehemently. Keaton growled his agreement and Corrin giggled quietly between them. The two of them took turns kissing and licking the tears from her face and she felt herself be directed backwards towards the bed. Her Wolfssenger moved away to allow her to sit while Kaden climbed up beside her. She stiffened as Keaton's warm breath ghosted over her neck and then his teeth were brushing against her skin as he pulled the ties loose from her dress. Kaden lavished her skin with kisses, his lips lowering as her dress loosened to reveal more of her flesh. Their teeth scraped at her skin and she shivered at the feeling of their fangs so dangerously close to her. It was something invigorating in a sense to be surrounded by their warmth, and yet also fully aware of the danger they posed should they ever wish it upon her. Her thoughts were turned from that dark alley to one of pleasure as Kaden's lips pressed to her breasts and Keaton's fingers slipped into the now open back of her dress, his gloved fingers dipping and dancing across her ribs. To think she had almost let this go. Keaton's ears brushed her cheek as his mouth dipped down to bite her shoulder and she let out a gasp. Kaden pulled the dress down to her waist and proceeded to lavish her nipples with tongue and teeth. She was lost then to the pleasure her two shifters endeavored to write along every inch of her skin.

A/N: I only have the epilogue and then this story is officially over! Thank you for the reviews, favorites, and follows, and sorry this has taken so dangum long to complete! x^x;

Until we meet again~

- Zehava