Life Happens When You Are Awake

Ricin has been hiding. The large island that they now call home has made the lighter blue sibling feel even more alone. Chade has been out getting to know pack mates while the he has retreated into himself. Thoughts of worthlessness and being a burden have hounded him since revealing that he had told Chade’s secret to Manea. Everything felt wrong, strained between the once inseparable siblings. The lighter brother feels like he had messed everything up and that nothing could repair the damage he had done to their relationship. Everything felt hopeless as he had laid down to sleep next to Chade, the lure of dream world slowly pulling him under.

Ricin did not expect to see his father night. But there he was, the tall, muscular form of their dead father, the wounds and gore that had been on the man the last time Ricin had laid eyes on him are gone. He was whole again and the boy had quickly run to give his father a hug. The solid, comforting arms of Theo had wrapped around Ricin and the pup had told the dead wolf everything. When the tears were done and Theo’s arms were still wrapped around him, Ricin tilted his head back to look into his father’s eyes. There is a warmth and love in Theo’s eyes as he gazes back at the pup, reaching down to place a small kiss between dark coated ears.

The touch feels so real and it helps to ground the turbulent boy’s emotions. Then, his father tells him of a way to repair the strained bond with his brother. A smile grows as he listens to every single word Theo says, taking them to heart and back into the waking world. It was the early hours of the morning, darkness still hugging the land firmly, when the lighter brother awoke. Chade was curled next to him and Ricin had worked to leave their den without disturbing his brother. Once out in darkness, the boy had quickly made his way to the place his father had told him about, finding everything exactly like his father had said.

The sun is breaking the horizon when Ricin returns to the cave with a wrapped gift in his maw. Luckily, Chade is still deep in dreamland and the lighter brother is able to take a seat near him and hide the present behind his back. Poking a paw into Chade’s shoulder, Ricin calls out, “Chade? Hey Chade wake up. I have something to tell you.” Scooting back a little, the present moving with him, the light boy allows his brother room to stretch and wake up.



"Ricin"

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