The young fox was relieved when the man crouched before her, giving her something to lean forward on, something to cling to her as her anxiety raced around her. Her breathing was short, coming in frantic breaths as she fought to steady herself. Later, she'd hate herself for the words that spilled from her lips. That she was scared to lose him? Really? It was true, certainly so, though she hated to admit that to herself. Hated that she voiced it so readily to him. She'd left Yorkshire for a reason, left to avoid the feelings that came with being attached to another person. And just as she'd started to feel as though her home in Sacrosanct could be one that she kept for a long time, she found herself falling for Kato. No, not falling. Crashing. Her feelings were tidal waves threatening to pull her under and destroy her. And yet... and yet his arms around her were hardly unwelcome.

The fox made no effort to resist as he laid back, pulling her tight against his chest with him. In this position, Edie could rest her head against his chest, hearing his steady breathing and even steadier heartbeat. That was soothing enough. His heart seemed to speak out to hers, his breathing offering a basis that Edie could use to make her own breathing match. His voice only seemed to help calm her. Edie's brow furrowed in confusion as he began to talk, soon realizing that no, this wasn't something that happened. This was a story, a fairy tale, something meant entirely to soothe her. For that she was grateful for the tale, it seeming to do it's job as it calmed her down to a normal level. Still, she felt exhausted as she laid against him, the after effects of the panic attack seeming to have drained her entirely. It was only once he was finished with his story did he seem to speak to her. "A cycle..." She repeated numbly, though her brain caught on the rest of his sentence. More losses? What had the man lost?

Edie too, was surprised that this was the result of the training this morning. She had been wanting to avoid this talk as much as possible. Even in the mornings that they spent curled up naked together - more often than not, she woke up to him - or the evenings when he would let himself in to the pack home, she assured herself that they were just hooking up. That this was temporary, that she could stop at any time. Now, no. Now, she couldn't give him up even if she wanted to. Now, it was crucial she keep him near her. But admitting it aloud was hardly something the fox wanted to do. "I am trying to be strong," She assured him, her eyes fluttering shut as she avoided his gaze. No, if she looked at him, she would lose her courage. "What... what happened at the Ark. It was an accident. It was foolish and stupid and I... I would never put myself in that position again. I know I need to learn to fight. I just..." She swallowed. "I can't practice on you."

His touch made her shiver, her eyes fluttering open at his thumb on her lower lip. "I'm not going anywhere," She promised. But no, could she really promise that? She'd likely, at some point, told Beck the same thing. And yet... and yet here she was. But no, if she'd loved Beck, really loved him, she wouldn't have been able to leave, would she? Beck had never made her feel like this, never stolen her breath at the thought of walking away from him. But there was something so vastly different about Kato, something that called her to him. "But you. You told me this was temporary. You told me that you weren't staying in Sacrosanct. I can't..." She paused only long enough to put a hand on his cheek, bringing his gaze to meet hers. "I can't keep doing this if you're going to leave and take my heart with you."

There. There it was, out in the open, and Edie had certainly never felt so exposed as in this moment, admitting that she was falling - no, crashing - hard for the man that held her.