the moment Valko hears you crying, he’s by your side.
it doesn’t matter if he has work, or if his pack needs him, or even if he’s having his own crisis.
nothing is more important than his mate.
“c’mere, short stack,” he says, pulling you into his lap.
he already has his ears and tail out, wrapping his arms around you tightly, his tail landing in your lap so you can run your hands through the fur to calm yourself.
Valko keeps his head buried in the crook of your neck, tracking your scent as he holds you. he doesn’t push for answers, doesn’t ask what’s wrong. he just waits until your tears are under control enough for you to speak again.
“I feel so silly,” you say, still petting his tail. “they’re just pixels. why am I crying this much?”
Valko nuzzles you, readjusting you on his lap so as much of him is pressed against you as possible.
“pixels or not, that doesn’t make them any less real to your brain. or to your heart. not when you’ve loved them as much as you have.”
you sniffle, trying to pull yourself together, but Valko doesn’t move. after a while, he asks you to pull your phone out and show him your favorite game.
“tell me everything about them, short stack. I want to love them just as much as you do. they can even join the pack.”
you don’t know how long the two of you stay on the floor, you in his lap, as you walk Valko through all of your favorite characters and storylines. but it doesn’t matter.
he’s not in a hurry. he’ll be there as long as you need, even if you’re there all night.
you’re his mate, after all. and he’s never going to leave you.