their first venture beyond the Armada’s borders had been such a success that they’d been unable to resist venturing out again, tracing their steps to the waterfall where they’d first met that girl who’d been fishing. it’s a cool morning, an autumnal chill nipping at their toes and turning the falls a babbling grey slurry - completely unappealing, such that Araneae gives it a wide berth as they skirt along the edge. despite this, their eyes are drawn to its depths, searching for a flash of scales or a hint of fin. perhaps, if they were really careful, they could catch something without getting too wet? absorbed as they are in this line of thinking, Araneae doesn’t notice the danger creeping up beyond them, nor do they detect the odd scent lingering on the wind. if they had, however, they’d have noticed the giant grizzly bear staring at them with wet black eyes, disgruntled to find a wolf pup at its usual fishing spot. furthermore, they’d have noticed it moving closer, black lips peeling to reveal yellowed teeth dripping with salvia. “speech”

Basilisk was about as far from a helicopter parent as you could get. He trusted Spider to do their own thing, so long as they were back by dinner time. Pack duties kept him too busy to worry about the kid he and Hazel had adopted, so it came as a complete surprise when his peregrine falcon came careening in, wings smacking his face in the creature's haste to get his attention.

The moment Bas understood the situation, he was off. Shooting through Armada territory as quickly as he could manage. But there was still a lot of ground between him and Spider. His falcon took off ahead, covering that distance with a much greater speed than the earth-stuck wolf.

As she returned to the scene of the pup and the watching grizzly, she let out a battle cry. A sharp shriek that broke the silence as she dived for the bear. Buying the Heir time to arrive.


"Speech"

the warning shriek of Bas’ falcon companion draws their attention from the water’s edge and the possible fish within it. lifting their gaze, Araneae tracks the falcon’s urgent journey across the sky - and the fur along their spine begins to lift in anticipation and dread. it’s only then that the strange scent truly registers, bringing with it a bought of immense terror. moving slowly, they turn to face this horrifying new threat with a mounting sense of helplessness. this feeling only worsens as their eyes skate across a large furred cranium, a pair of broad shoulders and four sets of sharp black claws. shit. Araneae feels the blood drain from their face and pool down in their feet, leaving them cold and numb. the only slither of hope remains in the falcon in the sky, whose swooping distracts the bear enough that it turns its gargantuan head from side to side in an attempt to dislodge the distraction, growling in irritation. taking this chance, Araneae shuffles a few cautious steps to the side, hoping to skirt the bear. unfortunately, the bear catches sight of them out of the corner of its eye, and it snarls in fury and lumbers closer. almost sick with fear, Araneae feels moisture gather hotly in their eyes, but they blink back the tears furiously. “speech”

Basilisk finally arrived, charging his massive frame across the terrain and towards his child. “Mine!” He bellowed in a deep, booming roar that would have done Sirius proud. The bear flinched in surprise, which allowed Bas to close the distance between himself and the pup before the bear could reach them. He snagged Spider by the back of their neck, pulling them off their paws and into the air with the momentum of his dash. His reindeer was behind him, hooves clattering on stones as they manoeuvred themselves for Bas to dump Spider across their back.

He turned back to the bear then. Standing in front of the reindeer and child, and facing off with the bear. He peeled his gums over his fangs as he snarled, his fur bristling as he paced a step forward. Hoping the bear would back down, but willing to fight for what was his if it didn’t.

"Speech"

the thundering of Bas' paws matches their heartbeat, both resounding through Araneae's skull. their gaze swings wildly to their saviour, relief coursing through them with such strength they almost sway with it. "Bas! over here!" they were saved! they had such unerring faith in Bas that there was no doubt in their mind he would rescue them - a faith which is rewarded when they're scooped up and whisked from the bear's grasp. their stomach flips as they're swung through the air, but they quickly find purchase on the large man's back, little claws sinking into his scruff as they hang on for dear life. the bear roars in fury, outraged at the theft of a potential meal. as it faces off against Bas, it rears up on its hind legs and roars, spittle flying from its open maw. it lumbers forward, dragging its heft forward, and swings a clawed paw through the air, attempting to land a blow on Bas' shoulder. Araneae shrieks in terror as they observe this, eyes clenching shut as they tremble all over from fear. for a moment, it occurs to them how mortal Bas is, how fallible despite his large size and impressive skill. it'd never occurred to them until this moment that Bas could actually get hurt. as the bear's paw swings down and attempts to land the blow, a scream wrenches itself from their throat, unbidden and instinctual. "Dad!" “speech”

The scream from his child almost undid him. He stood there, knees bent, position honed and trained as he waited for the moment the bear over extended and he could move and attack. But Spider's cry coming from the reindeer behind him shook him to his core. Dad! Spider had called him dad.

The bear’s attack glanced off his shoulder and he hissed from pain, rolling with the punches as he dove in, aiming to skim his sabre teeth across its chest, striking out with a paw at the same time. Feline-like claws extended as he ripped down its leg, and dove to the side as it brought its paws together in an attempt to crush him. The bear was accustomed to having size on its opponent, but Bas was the size of a bear and fought like a wolf.

His enemy was bleeding profusely now, its thick hide cut by his sharp weapons. He wanted to look at Spider. The urge overtook him, and he fought it over. Later, later.


"Speech"

Bas is hit, and Araneae lets out a truly terrified whimper as they observe the blow landing. every bit of them is absolutely trembling, filling them with fear such that they’ve never experienced before. he was hurt! their Dad was hurt! they don’t even notice the title they’ve unconsciously assigned Bas in the heat of the moment - though certainly it’d be a point of surprise later on. it just feels i]right,[/i] like Bas has always been in their life, protecting them and teaching them and showering them with lo - care. it is a warming sensation in the centre of their chest, spreading through their veins and blocking out the cold. now, though, they are absolutely frozen over, like they’ve been caught in a blizzard. only their beating heart is proof that they are still alive. meanwhile, the bear is hobbling on all fours, snarling as blood drips profusely from the thick hide. for a moment it paces, wobbling back and forth as it tries to find a point of weakness. after a few seconds of this, however, it seems to give up. releasing a final roar of fury, the bear growls low and turns on a large paw, limping away. “speech”

Basilisk stopped in his tracks when the bear turned away. He could kill it, and perhaps he should, for daring to attack a pup of the pack. But in the end, his first concern was Spider. He watched it for a moment to ensure it wasn’t a faint, and then he turned his attention back to the child. His child.

He helped Spider back down from the back of the reindeer, and settled them on the ground. Then he crouched down in front of them. Gently turning his head from side to side, lifting up a paw. Looking them over. “Are you okay?” He asked, even though his eyes could see that Spider was uninjured. He needed to hear it from the kid.

"Speech"

they deflate as the bear trundles away, still shivering with the after effects of adrenaline and terror. when Bas turns to face them, Araneae gives a full-bodied sob, face crinkling up while tears fall down their face. the moment Bas helps them down from reindeer, Araneae throws themselves at him and clings to his neck, burrowing their face in his fur. “D-Dad,” they whimper, tears falling faster while the horror of the day washes over them, “i was s-so s-scared.” every word is a miserable hiccup, shuddering through their body as though it’s physically painful. the tang of blood suddenly hits their nose, and Araneae wrenches away, studying Bas with urgency. “are you hurt really bad?” “speech”

The strong emotions of Spider were unexpected, and he caught them as they sobbed and threw themselves at him. He hugged Spider, wrapping a paw around them and bringing them into the air. Holding onto his neck, and supported by his paw. There was that word again Dad. a thrill brushes through him. “I know kiddo, I know. I’ve got you” He said. He never expected to be a dad, didn’t think he’d wanted the job. And he didn’t, not to anyone else. Only Spider.

He leaned backwards so both his front paws were free, and patted Spider on the back with his other forepaw. At Spider’s words, he glanced back at his shoulder, and grimaced. It was still bleeding. No wonder it stuck a mother trucker. He gently put Spider back down, and placed a paw over his shoulder. “It’s just a scratch, Kiddo. It’ll heal. This scar will have its own story. It says ‘no one touches my kid” He said with a soft chuckle, glancing over at Spider.

"Speech"

they calm the longer Bas holds them, drinking in his comforting scent and the weight and heat of his body. it’s almost adding to think that when they’d first met him they’d been intimidated; now there isn’t anything about the large man that doesn’t bring them a sense of stability, of trust. he’d be here for them, and knowing that overshadows the hurt and fear and anger of the last few months. finally, they feel that crater Ex-Mum had torn open slowly begin to knit closed. as the surreality of the situation fades, however, clarity begins to return to them. heat flares in their cheeks as Araneae untangles themselves, suddenly overcome by sheepishness and embarrassment. what had they been thinking?! they’d called Bas Dad! Araneae recalls the reluctance with which Bas had first regarded them, the hesitation. it’d been Hazel who’d really wanted them, after all - Bas had never asked for this. but then they register what he’d said. my kid. Araneae’s heart thuds harder as they blink up at Bas, eyes still wet with tears. “do you really…am i really your kid?” “speech”

Basilisk looked down at the short kid, and saw tears sprouting in their eyes. He rubbed the back of his paw delicately against their cheek. Having to be very careful, the size of his paw was almost on par with the size of their head, after all. Once he’d managed to get the worst of their tears away, Basilisk gave Spider some serious consideration, before crouching down in front of them. Trying to come down more to their level.

“I don’t want kids. I’m training to be leader of this pack, and I’m trying to find my dad, who’s missing. That doesn't leave a lot of time for raising a family, and I’m not sure I’m father material.” He said. He was being very honest and very straight with Spider, because this was important. “I don’t want kids, I certainly don’t want just any kid. But your not just any kid, Spider. You're brave, and curious, and you have a lot of heart. You're a part of this family now, a part of my family. But this isn’t just my choice, and it isn’t just yours. So, if you're willing to be my kid, I’m willing to be your dad. Okay?”


"Speech"

Araneae listens carefully, nodding along at Bas’ confession. they’d suspected as much, figuring that their presence had been a bit of a spanner in the works for Bas when they’d first arrived. a secret part of them is a little thrilled, too; they don’t have to share Hazel and Bas with any snot-nosed little punks trying to suck up all the attention. but all those thoughts are quickly eclipsed as Bas keeps speaking, bringing a stupefied expression to their face while a pleased blush warms their cheeks. Bas wants them here. they aren’t a burden to him, their presence not a matter of just keeping Hazel happy. Bas is going to be their Dad. it’s like the sun has come out behind the clouds, like it’s bathing them in a warm, wonderful light. tears now drying up, they nod, sniffling, as a huge smile breaks out across their face. they might’ve just been attacked by a bear, but this day totally rules. “okay.” they hesitate, plucking up their courage, then add in a tiny voice, "Dad.” “speech”