Love Me or Hate Me

Corvus had never fully understood why Ignis had acted the way he had that day, so long ago now - it'd been nearly two years, if he was remembering correctly. He understood the events that had happened between their packs back then had caused some strain and had hurt both of them. He understood too, even more now, that Ignis confessing his feelings had been painful after Corvus had confessed he had a girlfriend, but he still felt his reaction had been... surprising, to say the least.

He had no idea if time had helped smooth over those feelings or if they still lay simmering just below the surface. Almost as soon as he saw Ignis he felt some of them coming back, though he was careful to keep them reigned in. The past was just that - the past - and dredging up old, painful feelings never did anyone any good. But he couldn't ignore his oldest friend. His paws kept pulling him closer, step by step, though he was careful to keep his distance. Upon further inspection, it was obvious the sort of state his old friend was in. His ear was torn, looking as though it had been freshly maimed, and he smelled of fresh injuries and healers' herbs. He'd definitely seen better days.

Not that Corvus looked exactly the same as he had years ago, though he hadn't changed all that much overall. He was older now, and likely looked a little more tired than he used to, especially since Abaven's dissolution.

"I guess so," Corvus responded somberly. What else could he possibly say? He'd been born in these lands and he wondered sometimes if he'd ever leave, but that wasn't a question for right now. "What.. brings you back here?" Corvus hesitated for a second, choking on words that came out stiffly as if he was talking to a stranger. So much time had passed between them that he wasn't sure how how to talk to him anymore, or if talking to him at all was even the right move.