With each step Indigo took he knew that he was coming closer to when he was going to have to say goodbye to Aslatiel. He bumped her shoulder as they walked and he helped to pull the massive sled behind him. The whole pack was up and moving, and maybe they would have been able ot make it in one go but the younger wolves would need a rest. Right about half way to their destination the call was made to rest for the night. Tomorrow the Hallows would continue on to their new home and his sister would be heading back towards the Armada.

Once everyone was settled into the camp Indy was released from his duties and the young lion like wolf was quick to find Aslatiel once more. His bright blue eyes lit up when he found her, but he couldn’t forget what was looming ahead of them. Indy was going to be alone. He thrust the thought aside, he had to live in the present or surely his whole world would come crashing down around him. He had to say goodbye to Asla, his balm to the terrors of life. He’d have to sleep on his own, and deal with his memories alone.

Indy tried to ignore the facts as he closed the distance between himself and his sister, and without hesitation aimed to embrace her. He sighed heavily and buried his features into the soft fur of her neck. He didn’t want to let go, now or ever.

Their time together was bittersweet. Each step that Aslatiel took was one step closer to the time that they would have to part. Being together these past few weeks had been absolutely perfect. She felt whole when she was with Indigo. She understood why her grandmother was moving the pack but gods did she curse her for it. Her massive plum colored sibling helped to pull the sleigh and Asla kept pace beside him. More than once she considered just going with him. Joining The Hallows and being done with the Armada. Ah, but she'd made a promise to support Azure and Mortis as well. She couldn't just abandon them. No, she had to return. There were too many things left unfinished in the Armada. She had things to look forward to, however. Big things. Once the pack settled down for their final night together, Asla stood off to the side in the snow, watching the scene unfold. The wolves settled down for the night in two's and threes, sharing warmth and huddling close against the cold. She could feel the chill of winter creep up under her fur. The journey back alone was going to be a cold, lonely one. For now though, she tried not to think about it. Suddenly, Indigo was there. He wrapped his big body around her, burying his face in her fur. She embraced him in return, pressing her cheek against his soft purple coat. "Let's get away from eyes and ears. If this is to be our final goodbye, there are things that I need to say." And do, but she left that part out. He would learn soon enough. "Aslatiel"

Neither sibling would enjoy the journey once they had to go their separate ways. Indy thought for a moment she might follow them, join the Hallows as well to be with him, but deep down they both knew that wasn’t the right decision. No matter how much both of them wanted to be together. For now Indigo could focus on the soft feeling of her fur and the warmth of her embrace. He would have just held her right there all night but her voice was in his ear and she coaxed him away from the main gathering of the pack. Indy barely pulled away, just enough to find her brilliant lilac eyes. He took her in for a long moment before looking around for the best direction to take. ”How far do you want to go?” He asked softly so as not to disturb the other wolves. He managed to make eye contact with Resin and he gestured where he’d be going before focusing fully on Asla and leading the way. He pushed foliage out of her path and cleared snowed drifts for her as he pushed forward to find more privacy. There was a small offshoot ravine with a comfortable amount of underbrush. What looked to be a once deer thicket. It wasn’t incredibly roomy but Indigo was able to make himself comfortable and there would be plenty of room left for Aslatiel. "If you promise not to let me sleep in we can stay here tonight." "Speech"

As Indigo cast his blue eyes towards their grandmother, Aslatiel cast hers as well. The pair smiled at the older wolf and went about their way. Asla followed as her giant brother forged a path for her to follow. She had no problem letting him break through the drifts. It took a lot of effort to get her small frame through some of them. In time, they found a place that wasn't too far off. He had a knack for finding special places, it seemed. First the little nest in the mangroves, now this little thicket. It was going to be a tight squeeze, but she didn't mind that at all. The closer she could get to Indigo, the better. Settling herself into the space against Indigo's side, Asla weaseled herself under one of his hefty forelegs so that she was pressed against his chest and stomach. The cream and grey girl wiggled onto her back so that she could look up at the purple brute. Equally purple eyes searched his face, running over each red eye marking, each lighter purple fleck, each dark curve. She loved him so, so much. Lifting one paw, she caressed Indigo's cheek. "I'm going to miss you so much." Already tears were forming in the corners of her eyes though she tried to fight them. "Aslatiel"

Aslatiel followed after him, allowing him to clear a path to wherever it was they were going. He was kind of surprised he’d found such a perfect little spot just in time. Darkness was falling and it didn’t look like they would have much if any moonlight to help them tonight. Indigo quickly made himself comfortable against the back of their nest and Asla followed after. Indigo was attentive to her movements and as she squirmed underneath his arm he lifted and wrapped a massive paw around her shoulders. Belly to belly they settled in and warmth began to accumulate. They were snuggled tight and for a moment Indigo forgot about the future facing them. They were quiet for a long while, both of them just taking in the other. Indy let himself stare into her endless purple gaze, and he could lose himself there as though he was looking into the endless night sky. This was where they belonged. Together and wrapped up tightly with hardly a care in the world… But their strife was not so far away and as Aslatiel looked up into his own vibrant blue eyes she reminded him softly of what they’d have to do. There would be uncountable miles in between them tomorrow. ”I don’t know what I’m going to do without you." He whispered back as he leaned down to kiss away the tears that tried to escape from her beautiful eyes. He squeezed her lightly, know this would be one of the last times for a long time. "Speech"

Of course Indigo shifted, allowing her to get as close as she wanted. She knew that he wanted it too. The young woman gently stroked his cheek with her liver colored pads, only stopping when he moved forward to kiss away her tears. It was a sweet gesture but it didn't assuage the hurt that settled in her chest like a spear. Indigo's words twisted the spear in her chest and she brought her other paw up to gently guide his lips to her own. Asla kissed him thoroughly and deeply. Savoring every touch and taste. She would make all of their last moments together count. It would be months before they saw one another again. After ending their kiss, Asla wrapped her legs around Indigo's neck, her grey legs practically disappearing in the thick plum mane. She finally began to comment on his previous words."You'll grow and you'll get stronger. You'll learn and you'll live." A soft kiss was bestowed upon the tip of his nose. "You'll look forward to our birthday." All of the implications of that last statement drifted forward in her innuendo-laced tones. "And I'll do the same." It was only a few months, but a lot could happen in a few months. Asla tried to push it away, but she felt fear that Indigo would find some Southern woman and fall in love. Maybe he would... maybe he wouldn't. As long as she was the only one that he truly loved, she would be okay. To be fair, she had developed feelings towards a wolf or two, but they paled against the love and affection that she felt for Indigo. "Aslatiel"

Indigo did want her close, as close as she could get. He’d bask in and return her sweet affections as they took advantage of every moment they had left with each other. Her strong but thin arms wrapped around his neck and got lost in the thick fur there. His mohawk was becoming less and less noticeable as the fur continued to lengthen into a true lion’s mane. He could guess with the growth so far that he wasn’t done yet. Aslatiel wouldn’t need any blankets tonight as long as she snuggled into his warm fur. He could almost forget about the ticking of the clock as she pulled him into a sweet kiss. Indy could easily forget everything as their lips pressed together. He was surrounded by her sweet scent and had the taste of her on his tongue. These were moments he would keep close to his heart during the cold and lonely days ahead. All too soon she pulled away and spoke again, but he would have been happier to forget how much distance and time would be between them. He held back his own emotions, if only to prove his strength to the dear one in his arms. "It certainly doesn’t feel like it now." Not that he truly doubted his sister. She was right, but none of it would be easy. He grinned as she mentioned the next time they would see each other. He could hardly imagine how far away the day was. The winter was long, but once the rains of spring slowed.. They would be together, in more ways than one. There wouldn’t be a day that went by that he wouldn’t miss her and he would count down the days. "Waiting will be the hardest part. I.. it’s just going to be hard knowing how much space will be between us." He leaned in to kiss her again, his heart pounding as his chest tightened and he tried to suppress the thought. It was hard not to obsess when their time was so short. "I love you so much, Aslatiel." They’d make it through, but the journey would be difficult. "Speech"

Their affections were freely given to one, especially out in the middle of nowhere with no prying eyes to judge. They stroked, they kissed, they embraced. They loved. It would be a long time before they would be able to do this again and so Asla soaked up every single moment. She committed them all to memory because that's all that she would have for the next few months. Indigo confessed how difficult the time would be and Asla nuzzled into him. "I know, but we have to do it." They didn't really have a choice. Though they acted it, neither of them were fully grown yet. They couldn't really go off and live on their own. Nor could Asla go with Indigo or vice versa. This separation was a necessity, though an unfortunate one. Her brother mentioned the distance between them and Asla chuckled. "It's a good thing that I'm small and fast, because I'll be running like the wind to get back to you on our birthday." Anticipation fluttered in the girl's belly. If she could, she would have him now. They'd decided on their birthday though, and so she would wait. More kisses were bestowed upon her, as were the sweets words of the purple brute. Asla's lips brushed his and she spoke softly, pouring every ounce of the love that she felt for him into her words. "And I love you. More than a brother, more than anyone, Indigo. I love you more than anyone." "Aslatiel"

Indigo held tightly to Aslatiel, feeling more at home with her in his arms than he even felt when they were in the Armada. This was all he wanted, holding her close to feel like he was whole. Aslatiel was his other half, they were very different from one another but in that way completed each other as well. These moments would be treasured over the next half a year, he’d hold tightly to the memories as he held tightly to her now. She was right though, they had to go through this. They had their own responsibilities at home and they weren’t near ready to set off on their own. Not that Indigo thought they couldn’t make it on their own, but for now this was the way. Secret.. ish meetings while they waited to come of age.

”Should we meet back here?” He whispered into her ear as he nuzzled against her cheek. She was small and fast but he was massive and could cover miles easily with his long gait. If they met in the middle there would be less time between when they saw one another again. They already knew the privacy they could have here. Their actions could be done in secrecy with no worry about who would know or see them together.

Indy was still uncertain of the future, but he was slowly realizing the idea. He felt the excitement and temptation with each touch and kiss, but the young boy wasn’t ready even if his sister was. Her words returned his affections, and hinted again at the intimacy they would one day share, but for now Indigo just wanted her here, beside him. Forever. ”More than anyone.” He returned and squeezed her lightly, feeling the time slip through his paws.

They touched. They kissed. They absorbed one another. They formed the memories that would get them through the next few seasons. Aslatiel buried her face in Indigo's thick, purple pelt, soaking in the scent of him; the feel of him. Seasons. It would be seasons before they saw one another again. Asla could flip a switch in her mind, but could Indy? No. Hopefully their time apart would be used wisely. She hoped that he would grow stronger both in body and mind. Aslatiel loved her brother, but he felt so hard. His feelings were the deepest of the four of them. He felt like no other and it scared Asla. More than anything, she wanted him to be okay. She wanted him to live. She didn't want to worry about him and she didn't want him to worry about her. They would both be perfectly fine and in half a years time, they would be together again. Indigo's query brought Asla out of her thoughts and she nodded. "Yes, right here. This will be our place." She nibbled his jaw lightly before sliding her cheek along his. She spread her scent on him like a cat. She claimed him. Indigo was hers. He belonged to her and she belonged to him. Her sentiment was echoed and Asla smiled into Indy's chest. They truly were perfect together, blood be damned. The young woman's purple eyes closed and she sighed. The long walk had made her rather tired and the heightened emotions were making her feel that exhaustion. One last night curled up in each other's arms. Then loneliness and a world of distractions. That's what lay before them both. "Just hold me, Indy. Hold me through the night." --Time skip-- And in the morning, she would be gone. Before he even woke, she would extract herself from his grasp as gently as possible and send one of the pups to wake him. Asla just couldn't bring herself to say goodbye again. She would leave Indigo with the memories of their final night. Not with a tearful goodbye. Though, as soon as she was out of earshot, Aslatiel Fatalis began to cry. Her legs pumped and she flew over the snow covered land, but after a few miles, she had no choice but to stop, collapse in the snow, and sob. "Aslatiel"

Right now, with her in his arms and everything right in the world, it was hard to imagine his life without her in it. He felt the pain of the time coming up but he had her for now. Aslatiel was snuggled into his chest, wrapped in his arms and Indy wasn’t sure he’d ever wanted anything else. He was the most complete when he had her beside him, and knowing they had to part in the morning only made him hold tighter. This would be their place. When summer came around it would be vibrant and green. Even more perfect than the place they lingered now. They had a long way to go, but these little moments would keep him going. He’d fall asleep to the memory of her in his arms. Indigo would make it through, he had to.

He snuggled into her neck as she rubbed against him, her scent would linger for a while but it wouldn’t last until they saw each other again. He was going to miss this, he was going to miss her. Indigo sighed into her fur as she settled into a more comfortable position. The both of them feeling exhausted as they cuddled up. Asla sighed softly and uttered sweet but tired words and requested this, all night. Indy couldn’t think of any other way he’d want to spend the rest of their time together. ”I will.” He promised her quietly as he curled his head into his chest. Cuddled up perfectly he wouldn’t scarcely move all night. ”I love you.” His words barely a whisper as sleep took his conscious and he was lulled into uneasy dreams.

--

He was cold when he woke up, the sound of Bowen’s voice in his ear. Indy was alone. He almost stood up and raced after her trail, but Aslatiel had left without waking him for a reason. Bright blue eyes followed her trail back towards the Armada, and he felt the hole in his chest. Endless and gaping. Swallowing back his emotions Indy reluctantly followed the girl back to camp, he had many miles of pulling to get his mind off how much goodbye hurt.