and the veil was lifted

He felt Hikas uncertainty, his fear. He could see it in the boys gentle eyes. Despite that fear, he let Mortis lead him out of the hallow. Out of their little sanctuary, and into Morts arms. The winged boy held tightly to Hika, burying his head in the top of the white boys fur. Breathing in the scent of him. Like leather and ocean and smoke. Like home. "I... I was so sure we were going to die" he admitted, swallowing past the lump in his throat. "I thought thought was going to be it, and I realised there was so much more I wanted to do with my life"

He didn't know how to say the words he wanted to. He didn't know if Hika wanted the same things as him, he didn't know if it was right. What would his father say? He couldn't imagine the Warlord would be impressed. He wanted to be surrounded by grand babies. Little miniature warriors to train up. But in this, Mortis wanted something his father didn't. He couldn't hold back, not after he had almost lost his time with Hika. "Hika..." he said softly, and he pulled back just a little bit, putting enough space between them for Mortis to reach a paw under the other boys chin. "Hika..." he said again, and it was a whisper. He didn't use the words he couldn't find, instead he used something more. He reached forward, slowly, giving Hika plenty of room to pull away, and began to kiss the other boy.