Shadow held Maria against him for a while giving soft whimpers now and then from being afraid for her. She reached up a hand and gently placed it on his cheek, he paused a moment before leaning into it lightly closing his eyes. She smiles softly as watched him and rubbed her thumb against his cheek.
After a few moments he relaxed around her and loosened his hold. Raising a large hand up to her carefully and lightly brushed one of his clawed fingers along her cheek and through her hair. She leaned into his open palm and rested her head there. She seemed so delicate in his clawed hands he thought, running a free claw lightly through her hair as they sat there in silence.