Work Text:
It wasn't often you got time off for yourself. Having to use your holidays for errands, intel gathering, missions etc, really ate into your allocated hours. A necessity sure but it took its toll on you. Drained and overworked you decided to take one day off. The association and the world would not implode in just one day you reminded yourself as you booked it off.
So here you were. On annual leave. Laying on your sofa, in your most comfortable loungewear, scrolling on your phone while a certain red head worked on clear the chocolate milk you had stocked not too long ago.
"Check it out." Valko said. He crushed the empty carton effortlessly in his hand and posed. Arms up, eyes focused forward.
"There's 60 seconds on the clock, defence is crowding in. He sees his shot. Will he take it?"
The carton was tossed through the air before landing right into the waste bin. His accuracy was no joke. If he wasn't such a great scientist, you would have suggested he played professionally.
"He shoots, he scores!" He cheered.
You let out a laughter. His playful demeanour had the been the perfect break from the seriousness of everyday life. It wasn't like he didn't have his own struggles and workload, yet Valko never failed to cheer you up. You called him your mood-booster. Your personal red ray of sunshine.
"And the crowd goes wild."
He picked you up and twirled you in his arms, eliciting a louder laugh out of you. He gently placed you down, still embraced in his arms. Valko's golden eyes twinkled softly as he looked into yours. And you felt it. The bond, the pull, the yearning ache. The centre of your universe shifting and suddenly it's him. It was always him.
"My..." You murmur. Transfixed on the feeling.
"Laying claim to me already? I'm your what? Your prey? Your wolf? Your soulmate?"
Valko's smile curved into a self assured smirk. He loved to play and tease with you. It was his favourite pastime for he knew only he could see your playful side when he was like this. Only he could draw out your genuine laughter with his antics. The laughter that made his heart race and reaffirmed that he was made for you and you for him. Two halves joined together as whole.
Tears pricked at your corner of your eyes. Your nose tingled and your bottom lip quivered a little. This past week had been too much. Too much, too fast and you hadn't had time to emotionally process. The endless work, the petitions, the protests to get your voice heard and to fight for your rights against the corporation. It had all taken a toll on you. There were times you want to give up, feeling dejected, like your screams were falling on deaf ears, but there were also times were you were uplifted by your fellow Hunters, pushing you on to fight. Louder and harder. You knew what was at risk. What you would lose. It was almost too much to bear.
Yet here he was, stood right before you. His tall looming stature was wrapped around you as he refused to let you out of his arms. His warmth engulfed you. The heady scent of pinewood, grass and fresh rain that clung to him now wrapped around you. As though marking you with the scent. You inhaled. And again. And again. It was comforting. Like a cool summer rain after a long drought.
"You don't have to say it. I think I know what's bothering you so much." He said.
Valko looked directly at you.
"No matter what happens, no matter what they decide. I will always be here." He kissed your forehead then nuzzled his nose against it.
"I feel your love for me and I see the great lengths you have gone for me. I am so grateful to have been made for you."
"We are bonded together. My heart and soul belongs to you."
His voice cracked a little, the love and adoration poured into his words, his eyes softened.
"My little Hunter, I love you with my entire being and no one can take that away from you." Valko promised as he gently kissed your lips.