Everything settled down after the party and the Armada grew quiet, during a lull in activity Indigo had sought out his dear sister to steal her away for the evening. Hopefully no one would notice their escape but he had a line prepared. They were going to watch the stars, over the last few days he’d noticed more and more shooting stars. He couldn’t help but think that they would make their grand finale tonight. What better activity than to share the meteor shower with his stargazing sister?

He brought along a pack filled with anything they might need. A sip to drink, a little honey, some of aunt Io’s famous dried venison. He was ready to go out and just spend some alone time with his sister, they always had to be so far away. Without the possibility of being seen they could be as close as they wanted. He hated keeping a secret like this, especially with feeling so strongly for Aslatiel. She was literally his other half, being forbidden to show the affection he had for her was stifling.

The violet boy grinned as he bumped his sister’s shoulder lightly in the fading light. They hadn't made it too far from the Armada, but far enough that he felt they wouldn’t be observed. He hadn’t seen any of their parents companions, he was almost certain they’d escaped without detection. They were free. The sun was setting when the pair arrived at the falls, Indigo hadn’t intended to stop so close but they’d gotten a late start. ”I think we should stop here.” He decided, speaking softly in her close proximity.

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Aslatiel was more than a little intrigued when Indigo decided to steal her away for the evening. Of course she said yes and was more than happy to slink away from the Armada for a time. She was outgrowing the place. It didn't make her happy anymore. Getting out into the world for a while would be just what she needed. Indy brought a pack, but she had no idea what was inside it. The suspense was torture, but she appreciated his efforts. He didn't even have to bring anything. Simply being with him would be enough. The further they moved away from Armada lands, the more Asla found herself unable to stay away from Indigo. She pressed herself against his side and often leaned up to kiss his soft, purple cheek as they walked. Though the falls were fairly close to home, Asla had never been there. She migrated to darker places. Hidden places. Deep woods and such. This place though was incredibly pretty. Taking a step away from her brother, she looked up at the falls. The setting sun was making the falls looks as though they were filled with a shimmering fire. "Woooooow," she said breathily before turning to Indy with a smile. "Stopping here sounds perfect." She then tilted her head, giving him a questioning look. "What's all of this about?" "Speech"

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<3
Indy couldn’t help but grin lightly as they walked, his stoic features stained with the joy of her closeness. The Armada was far away when she offered him a quick kiss and he beamed down at her as they went. By the time the sun was beginning to set he was starting to feel the miles under his paws. Indigo was glad when his decision went uncountered. Seeing Aslatiel light up at the sight made it all worth it.

He couldn’t deny the beauty either, Indigo hadn’’t ever seen anything like it, Short Round had scouted to find this place. The clearing in the canopy above would make for a perfect place to watch the starry showers. Which Indy had been keeping secret from his sister so far. He felt his heart beat fast as she turned back to smile at him and Indigo closed the distance between them. They didnt have much alone time, and he wanted every moment beside her.

”There’s going to be a meteor shower.” His deepening voice rumbled softly in explenation. His heart nearly stopped as he wondered for a moment if she still felt that special connection with the stars. He could so clearly relive the memory of the two of them and Asla naming stars after him. ”I.. I thought you’d like to see it.” He swallowed nervously. ”With me.” With all of his love and affection Indy aimed to nuzzle into the soft fur of her neck.

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Truth be told, Asla had neglected the stars for quite some time. She'd been so busy trying to prove herself as a warrior that she just hadn't had time for them. She chalked it up to being a part of her childhood that had withered and died, but she never lost that sense of wonder when she looked up at them. It was very sweet of Indy to think that she might like some time away to see them.

Indigo nuzzled into her neck and Asla closed her eyes for a moment, basking in his affection. She had come to realize that the love she felt for Indigo was different than the love she felt for the rest of her family. She imagined that was what her father had freaked out over in the past. How could you fight your feelings though? And for Indigo they were such deep feelings. They had been once since before they were born. She had come out of her mother's womb grasping Indigo's paw. How could her father deny the signs? They were destined.

Since her mischievous side was such a large part of her character, of course Aslatiel couldn't help being a bit of a brat. "Fight me." The girl stepped away from her brother. "Fight me here, under the moonlight. If you win, I'll give you a surprise." She tilted her head slightly, a little smile playing on her dark lips. "Deal?" Even if he lost, she'd give him the surprise, but he didn't need to know that, now did he?

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Indigo was very aware of Aslatiel’s neglect of her star love, she hadn’t frequented the telescope by the greenhouse for a long time. Everytime he looked at the device he thought of his sister, that warmed his heart. Knowing that the sky was no longer her passion saddened him. That was one reason he’d wanted to bring her out here, to reconnect with something they could bot appreciate. To return them to a time that was much more simple.

For a moment they were quiet, Asla leaned into him and everything was perfect. He wrapped his head around her neck as she nuzzled against him and the boy wore a sweet smile. His love for Aslatiel wasn’t like the love he had for everyone else. Even Meadow’s affection was different from how Aslatiel made him feel. He adored his sandy furred sister with his whole heart, she was a part of him as he was a part of her.

His attention was on her as she pulled away, his big blue eyes curious when she finally told him to fight with her. Dark brows perked curiously as she took a battle stance and explained further, and offered a prize. Indigo would never deny her, even in this. The sky was darkening, the falling stars would begin soon. ”Deal.” But he didn’t have any surprise for her beyond the snack he’d brought in his pack. He’d figure something out right? He didn’t even notice that Asla hadn’t brought a thing with her.

Indy took up a defensive stance, his joints bending as he pulled back his lips into a mock snarl. His saber like fangs were fully grown, and even if his man was not as he raised his hackles the long stiff fur raised all along his neck and spine. He growled at her playfully, inviting the first move.

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The sky was darkening up above, but it wasn't yet dark enough to enjoy the full effect of a meteor shower. This would kill the time, give them something to do, and she wouldn't feel guilty about skipping her training today to be here. Indigo agreed, of course. The big boy moved a few feet away and put himself into a battle stance. Good.

Aslatiel's purple eyes scanned the area. The deepening shadows would provide the perfect cover. With a grin, the girl sidestepped into the shadow of one of the large boulders that littered the area. The dark shadow swallowed her up and she disappeared quickly. She skirted around the rock, using other shadows to make her way behind where Indigo had been standing.

It wasn't their typical spar. She didn't want it to be easy for him. She didn't want it to be easy for herself either. By the time she made her way around to attack her sibling from behind, he very well could have been gone. Aslatiel peered out from the shadows, scanning for Indigo.

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He grinned through his snarl as his eyes danced watching Aslatiel as she took in the lands before them. A brow lifted in curiosity as she slipped behind the vibrant rocks and disappeared into the scenery. The crickets and frogs were too loud for him to pick out her foot steps but he wasn’t completely blind. His bright blue eyes watched where she disappeared as well as the other end of the rock.

He backed up again to get a better scope of the land, his vibrant tail swayed at his hips as he waited. For Aslatiel to slip up for for her to attack him. He rolled his shoulders and tucked his chin, ready to do the same with his tail to protect his sensitive bits. She still managed to get behind him as Indy looked around for her pale form in the shadow. Asla was much better at disappearing than he would have though.

”Aslatiel?” He asked quietly, not sure what was going on. Were they still sparring? He thought he saw her and leapt towards the shadow, but he was greeted with nothing but a thorny bush. ”Ouch!” He spat quietly as the thorns dug into his flesh.

As she used the shadows, Indigo seemed to realize what she was doing. As he pounced a particular shadow, she used that opportunity to attack. Darting from her hiding place, she leaped onto her opponents wide purple back. Claws held her firm while she sank her teeth into the back of his neck, right below his skull. She got a lot of fur in her mouth, but she could still feel her teeth touching skin. Though careful not to hurt him, she shook her jaws back and forth, showing him how much she potentially could hurt him.

Then she dropped from his back and melted into the shadows again. The next time, she came around from the side, waiting for the opportunity to strike again. This time she'd try to bite his leg and throw him off balance. Up above, a few rogue clouds had drifted over the moon, making the area even darker than before. She couldn't help but grin. Fighting at night was enjoyable.

While he was distracted by the thorns in his paws Aslatiel took her chance to vault up his back from the shadows. He’d obviously missed her and should have known that she was coming. They were fighting after all. He felt her teeth against his skin but they were barely there through his thick mane. Her claws were sharp, they clung to him and held her in place like a kitten might. He growled deeply as she shook herself but he shook himself too. Maybe he would end up with more lacerations from her claws but that would be fine. He aimed to shake her off and wasn’t sure if it was of her own accord or his movements that shook her from his back.

Darkness descended again as the clouds covered the moon and Indy knew if he remained here that she would just attack him again. Indigo aimed to kick out at her when he felt her by his leg, enough to keep her from touching him but not enough to hurt her if he connected. He copied her tactic and shifted in the opposite direction. He tried to use his dark colors to his advantage as he tried to melt into the trees. He could sense himself but he didn’t know if Asla realized where he was. He was quiet on his paws, much like the big cats they most looked like. He was alert and ready for Asla to come at him again in the darkness.

He kicked out at her, fending off her bite to his leg. That was fine. Rather than run into the shadows again, Aslatiel stayed out in the open, sticking close to her brother while it was dark. The small wolf dove forward in an attempt to wind herself between his legs and trip him up. She hoped that he fell. If he did, he'd get his surprise a lot sooner.

There had been such a buildup in Aslatiel of late. Kissing helped that buildup a little, but in some ways it made it a whole lot worse. There was some sort of release that she needed, but she didn't know how to achieve it. It was all very frustrating. She had a mind to ask one of her parents about it, but at the same time to the prospect of admitting that she didn't know something to them was embarrassing. Already she felt as though she was looked down upon. Admitting weakness of any sort would just make her feel more worthless. Maybe she would figure it out on her own. Maybe she'd figure it out with Indigo.

As he tried to escape Asla changed her tactic and went for his legs. As she slipped between his feet Indy did indeed trip, but he really made the attempt to grab his sister up in his arms as he tumbled down to the ground. The earth came up to hit him rather hard, but he’d make sure that he didn’t fall on or let Aslatiel touch the ground. If he was successful she’d be wrapped in his arms as his shoulder hit the ground.

Unlike his sister he was still holding more tightly to his innocence, he enjoyed her affection and her kisses but he hadn’t been any further or hinted at it yet. He knew he liked to be close to her, and he knew how strong his emotions were, but he hadn’t experienced much in the way of physical desire yet.

”Umph.” He growled as he fell, and didn’t make an attempt to get back up. If everything worked out he’d be looking up at Aslatiel’s sweet face framed by a darkened sky and the start of the meteor shower.

Everything worked out in her favor. It would work out in his favor too, though he didn't know it quite yet. As Indigo toppled and took her with him, she was deposited upon his stomach. His arms wrapped around her and she looked down into his big blue eyes. "You win. Ready for that surprise?" Up above the spattering of clouds had cleared away. The moon had shifted off a bit and the meteor shower was beginning. She didn't even pay it any mind. There was something more important to do.

The cream colored girl tilted her brothers muzzle upwards with one gentle movement of her paw. Eyes closing to half mast, she pressed her lips against his in a sweet kiss. She didn't stop there, however. Asla's tongue protruded and flicked lightly over Indy's lower lip. And it got better. Her tongue slid past his lips and touched on his own. She tasted Indigo and released a little groan as she did so.

There it was again, that strange ache that she didn't understand. It burned within her but she didn't know how to put the fire out. Kissing Indigo just made the flames hotter, but she didn't want to stop. She never wanted to stop. A soft purr on her lips, she pulled back just enough to whisper. "I love you, Indy."

Aslatiel did indeed land on his chest, nestled safely as he took the brunt of force. He grinned up at her brightly as she declared him the winner and presented his surprise. No doubt she would have given it to him if she had been the one to win, but he didn’t or couldn’t give it much thought as she lowered her muzzle to his. The meteor shower, the moon, everything seemed to disappear as she leaned down and pressed her lips to his. Indigo closed his eyes, expecting a sweet kiss like the other day but his skin suddenly seemed to combust as she flicked her tongue over his lip. He opened his eyes in slight surprise as he wrapped his arms more tightly around her shoulders.

Her groan made his heart flutter as she introduced him to the exciting ways to kiss. He had no doubt that this would be on their father’s short list of forbidden affections. His stomach fluttered uncontrollably, his skin grew hot and he wasn’t sure what was going on between his legs but he was afraid to explore that feeling. He felt disappointed as she lifted away, but he warmed again with the sound of her words at his ears. ”Mmm..” he purred back, squeezing her lightly. ”I love you too, Asla.” He confessed softly as he closed the distance between them and put his lips to hers. mimicking her motions as he teased her lip with his tongue.

Indigo expressed his love for her as well before kissing her back in the same way that she had, his tongue touching her lips and tongue in turn. "I don't understand," she spoke in between kisses. "Why dad thinks this is wrong." Heat filled her lower abdomen and she groaned again, giving her body a little wiggle. Everything that they were doing felt so absolutely right. Arms wrapped around his neck, pulling him close so that she could invade more of his mouth. She slid her tongue over his teeth and tongue, absorbing the taste of him.

"What do we do?" That buildup was threatening to flow over and she didn't understand it one bit. She loved the feeling of her body laying atop his. She loved the feel of his fur and her own melding as she ground her body against his in frustration. Maybe he would know better than she would, so she looked to him for guidance, her galaxy gaze filled with what neither of them knew was lust.

Indigo could have been happy laying with her the whole rest of the night just discovering what their tongues could do exactly. His heart beat like mad and his whole body was filled with electricity and excitement. Nothing made him feel like Aslatiel did, so when her words brushed his ear he felt similarly. Being with her felt right, like he was complete. Like there was no other wolf in the whole world that could ever mean as much to him as she did.

”I don’t either,” he told her as she pulled him closer and the personal space between them disappeared completely. ”I didn’t know I could love someone so much…” he purred deep in his chest. What did they do? They couldn’t ever show their affection in public, he didn’t forget the threat his father bestowed on them. He lost his train of thought as Asla wiggled her tiny form on top of him. A rush of feeling washed over his whole body, but he didn’t miss that it had started between his legs.

”I don’t know.” He whispered softly, feeling defeated despite the excitement that built between the two of them. Their father was convinced that this was wrong, that their love couldn’t be expressed because they were born of the same womb. How was any of it fair? He couldn’t even express how much he loved her, and yet it was forbbiden to him. ”We could run away.” But what would that do? They would have to sever all ties with their family and pack, and he wasn’t sure that path would be any easier than the one they travelled now.

Again and again she kissed him using tongue and teeth. She couldn't get enough of touching him. Asla continued to press her body hard into her brother's and groaned again, this time in frustration. She slid off of him and ran a paw over her face. None of it made any sense.

Indy suggested that they run away and Asla scoffed lightly. "I could sever ties, but I don't think you would be able to. Nor should you have to." She wouldn't take Indigo away from the family. Asla was a colder sort. She loved her family, but she could leave and never look back if it meant living her own life. Indigo... he would mourn their loss. She wouldn't want to put him through that.

Leaning against him, she sighed, pressing her cheek against his chest. She listened to the steady beating of his heart and closed her eyes. Indigo was more magical than some meteor shower. He enthralled her. Pulled her in. Their love was completely forbidden and that made it all the more enticing. "I've been trying to stay away from you when we're at home so I don't get you in trouble. I don't like it."

She kissed him, but Indigo could feel her frustration building. He could feel it just as easily in himself as she released him and seated herself on the ground. Darkness had fallen, and despite their beautiful surroundings they both felt the helplessness of the situation they were in. What did you did when your heart wanted one thing, but everything else told you no?

Aslatiel didn’t believe that he could run away, the massive yearling shifted himself so he sprawled out on the grass. He felt a little better with the cool of the earth pressed against him. Though Asla believed correctly he’d mourne their family he would be less likely to be able to live without her. Losing her from his life would be the greatest punishment.

Indigo wrapped his massive arms around her as she leaned back against him. Her confession earning her a tight squeeze as her buried his muzzle into the soft sandy fur of her neck. ”I noticed.” He said softly, not hiding his displeasure in it. ”It’s not fair.” Her not being able to be around him, not being able to embrace the emotions within. Being forced to deny what felt most natural.

"I'm sorry," she murmured against him. "I don't like it any more than you do." She'd gotten really good at turning her emotions off though. Their grandmother had taught her about the power of wearing a mask. Aslatiel was still crafting her mask, but it was coming along well.

A flux in the night sky brought Aslas gaze upwards. She gasped softly and her eyes opened in wonder. "Indy, look." She patted his arm to get his attention. Up above the meteor shower had come in full force. Streak after streak of light filled the sky, illuminating the fall's around them.

Asla lay her cheek against Indigo as she watched the event unfold. It was lovely. Spending the time with Indy made everything perfect. Though the meteor shower raged on, the young wolf shut her eyes, committing this moment to memory.

He felt her similar misery as she was quick to apologize, and confessing that she didn’t enjoy being apart from him either. Hiding the way they truly felt was hard on the both of them, and Indy could feel the callous in his heart from the effort. Thankfully thisnight wasn’t supposed to be about how much they were apart but how much they were together. Aslatiel distracted him with a return to the night sky, a return to their innocence as he was reminded of the moments when they were still pups just barely out of the den.

Indigo held her close and watched the brilliant shooting stars above. Having her so close and enjoying a scene that they could both appreciate. He wasn’t sure he’d grinned so much since before his father had interrupted their first kiss.. Indi tried to block the memory from his mind. This was their time, they were alone and they could be as close as they wanted. He’d hold tightly to this moment for as long as possible. Indy sighed heavily and lowered his head to place a kiss on Aslatiel’s forehead. He was content, there was nothing else in the world he would rather be doing.

She didn't know what to do. If only the world would allow her to be with Indigo, then everything would be okay. He had her heart. She still didn't understand, other than the problems with children, why it was so bad. She didn't want children and could easily avoid having them, so why couldn't they be together? It wasn't fair. She had been told that even her father's empress had been in a relationship with her brother. It was good enough for the empress, but it wasn't good enough for them? It was all so confusing.

Indigo kissed her forehead and Asla's eyes drifted closed. She curled herself into his side and sighed. She didn't want to say it, but she felt that she had to. "I think..." it was so hard and there was a lump in her throat as she said it. "I think we need to try and love other people." Within the girls chest, her heart screamed in anguish. "We're never going to be free to be together, so it might save us both in the long run." She didn't want to see Indigo with another girl, but if he could move away from her and learn to love someone else, she might be relieved. She didn't want him to be in pain all the time. Not like they were now.