You came back to me

Mortis watched the exchange for a moment, and used a wing to wave as Lia left the two of them to it. He knew she would stop and help fetch buckets if he asked, but he never felt comfortable making requests of low ranking wolves. He waited until she was gone, before crouching down in front of Hika. “Eat, i’ll get the tub sorted” he said, and, with another blush coating his dark cheeks - thank goodness for the darkness of his coat - he bent down and gave the other boy a gentle kiss. Brushing his paw under Hika’s chin. Lingering, for just a moment. Remembering how he had looked, still and feverish.

He released Hika, offered him a shy grin, and went to start the fire under the tub, before grabbing an empty bucket. It took a few runs to get the rub at a good level, and would need a little time to heat. He dipped a paw in the cool water, and then returned to Hika’s side, leaning against the other boy as he waited for the water to warm. He didn't stay there for long however, before he straightened with a thought. "I'll grab some soaps - about half our stores?" he teased, brushing a paw through the fur between Hika's ears. They had much sickness to scrub away.

"Speech"