"Aslatiel Fatalis" The night was long and Asla didn't get much sleep as every little noise from Indigo roused her. She continually checked on him throughout the night just to make sure that he was okay. When morning came, she stayed beside him, letting him sleep for as long as his exhausted body and mind needed. He hadn't eaten the dried venison from the night before, so it was there for breakfast, which she would make him consume. Her boy needed to keep up his strength. After Indigo was up, Asla begged him to come with her on a walk. Getting him off of Hallows lands and out into the wild would be good for him. Perhaps she could perk him up a bit. It would be nice to get a smile out of him. A smile that went all the way to his eyes. That was her goal for today. Just one smile. As the pair moved along through the mangroves, Asla kept close to her giant sibling. She couldn't help but steal glances at him. It seemed like he grew overnight. The mohawk that she had always loved had expanded and had turned into a huge, plush mane. She wanted to bury her face in it, but rather than look like an idiot trying to rub all over him while they were walking, she simply stared instead. Though he was sad and it showed in his entire demeanor, she still found him to be the most handsome creature to ever walk the land. Asla counted herself lucky to have him as hers. They walked and Asla reached up, planting a kiss on Indigo's purple furred cheek. Oh, how she loved him so.

The morning was long, but when his bright blue eyes had finally fluttered open he was well rested. His body was recovering miles ahead of his mind. The proof was in his efforts at consuming the meat from last night. Asla was quite convincing, but Indy was confident his stomach wouldn’t reject the meal. He couldn’t deny her walk either. With little fight in him anyway Indigo had easily walked beside her to wherever she desired to take him. His massive frame remained close and the young Fatalis was slowly realizing that Aslatiel was his will to live.

There was silence between them, but the pair had never truly needed words to be comfortable together. Just having her at his side was enough to get the boy feeling better than the day previous or the day before that. She distracted him too, he didn’t miss the way her eyes seemed to be glued to him. Even through his sorrow he could feel the feelings he had for her bubble up. They were so much more than what he’d felt with Rue. Indy wanted so much to embrace them, but the guilt in the back of his mind wouldn’t release. Enjoying himself here so soon after he’d allowed Rue to be killed was impossible.

He had to stop as he suddenly had Aslatiel’s kiss. His iced over heart melted just a little as he closed his eyes and leaned into the affection. He sighed softly as she pulled away and he found her bright purple gaze as he spoke softly. ”Do we have a destination?” His voice was still soft but it was stronger than any words he’d spoke to her before last night. Her warmth an love were everything he needed, now she just had to chase the rest of his thoughts away. Indy leaned back onto his haunches as he leaned down to return her spontaneous kiss.

Indigo stopped as she kissed him and the girl laughed softly. She loved the reactions that she brought out of him. Always had and probably always would. He asked about destinations and she shrugged. "Nothing at all on the agenda. We'll stop when we want. Or maybe we won't stop at all." She kept her eyes locked with his. "All that matters is that we're together." That was all that she wanted. Just to be with him, to make him better.

When Indigo stole a kiss in return, Aslatiel's eyes glazed over with something other than love. He did things to her like no other wolf did. She was old enough now to know what lust was. Asla knew all about sex. She wanted her first time to be with Indigo for sure. She had promised him when they were two, she would be his. But gods... "You make it so hard to wait..." she muttered under her breath before cupping his cheek with one paw. Asla brought her lips to his, purple eyes fluttering shut as she kissed him thoroughly. Again, she affirmed that Indigo was all that she ever wanted.

Pulling back just a bit, she looked up at him again. Her paw stroked his cheek as she searched his handsome face. "I'm so happy to be with you again. Indy, I missed you so much." She had felt as though she was rotting in the Armada while he was gone. She had been lifeless and empty. Now, here with him again, she felt whole. She felt right. Why couldn't the world understand and let them be happy?

There wasn’t much holding them back, they’d always been under such close watch by authority. Hearing how free her laugh sounded, and the mirth that leapt to her eyes was good for the maned boy’s soul. The horrific end to his friend could be over shadowed by Aslatiel’s bell like laugh and passionate affection. He was still naive in most ways, but he remembered how flustered he’d been when he met Nebula and all the weird feelings that had come from her. They weren’t even the same as what he felt for Asla but they were close.

He pulled away and only just heard her hushed words, but he felt his cheeks go red and he averted his gaze bashfully. Not that he could focus as Aslatiel returned his attention to her. He was putty in her paws as she took his head with her dainty digits. Her kiss was much more than his own had been, but she did manage to reignite some fire in his belly. The reason to continue on, to take his next breath after he’s mourned his failure and loss. Life would continue on without him too if he did not. There was nothing to be done anymore for Rue, and that was why he felt so responsible and helpless. She was gone. It didn’t feel right to enjoy life when she couldn’t but he knew Asla’s words were true. Rue wouldn’t want to have ruined his life, even if he’d have pledged it for her.

She pulled away but he leaned forward to press his forehead against hers as she reminded him of how she felt. How close they really needed to be, and more subtly how much it hurt to be apart. They’d been together since before birth, and while they’d both tried hard to be happy without the other it seemed futile. She had gone and broken herself, and he had too.

”I missed you too.” Indigo admitted, his desperation still evident in his voice but it had shifted. Aslatiel continued to fight forward, lending her strength to his feelings. To the promise of brighter days ahead. ”I forgot how perfect together was.” He would never forget her, but after everything that happened his new normal was askew.

Indigo reciprocated her feelings completely just as she knew he would. He pressed his forehead against hers and she pressed right back. His words warmed her soul and she let her paw drop from his cheek. Instead, she moved forward, placing her chest against him. Forelegs wrapped around as much of him as she could manage. Being out together with no one else around to judge them was so freeing.

Aside from the similar markings over their eyes, Indigo and Aslatiel didn't look alike at all. If they went somewhere where no one knew them, they could more than likely get away with saying that they were a pair instead of siblings. It was a thought that came up often, but where would they go? She knew that they could survive together on their own. To Auster, maybe? From what she'd heard, the southern lands were sparsely inhabited.

"We are perfect together, aren't we?" It wasn't so much a question as it was a statement. Together they achieved utter perfection. They were two halves of a whole, joined together before birth. They would remain as such until after death, she was sure. Giving Indigo one last squeeze, she pulled back, placing a kiss on the closest saber tooth before resuming her walk. The girl stopped by one of the freshwater streams that trailed out into the brackish water. She slated her thirst for water since she wouldn't allow herself to slate her thirst for Indigo.

She wrapped her arms around him in a sweet embrace and Indy wrapped one massive around around her shoulder. He could sit here with her, clinging onto her for whatever he was worth, for forever. He knew that wasn’t possible though. He fully expected to have to keep their affections a secret for the rest of their lives. He didn’t forget their father’s threat. Still, it was worth it if he could steal away moments like this. When he was at his lowest Aslatiel was there to show him how high he could go. The valley reflected the mountains. Indigo had always felt his emotions strongly, and he wasn’t sure that he was harboring a vital weakness.

”Complete.” He answered into her thick fur before she pulled back with one final kiss. Indy followed after her, his gait slower as he heaved his heavy limbs. He walked much like the lion he resembled. Bright blue orbs didn’t leave Asla very often even as she found a fresh place to drink. Indigo sighed heavily as he caught up with her, easily finding his thoughts drifting. ”I’ve heard this place is something special after dark.” He told her almost absently as he leaned down to drink, realizing how thirsty he was after his rough couple of days.

Complete, he said. She felt the same. Exactly the same. When they were apart, she wasn't herself. She put the mask on and was the Aslatiel that she wanted people to see. When she was with Indigo, there would never be a mask. There couldn't be. If she tried, he would see past it. With him, she could be utterly and completely herself. The good parts and the bad.

Indigo mentioned that the mangroves were supposed to be pretty at night and Asla raised her head from the water, flicking her tongue over her lower lip to rid it of clinging droplets. "Well then, I suppose we'd better find a place to rest for the night so that we can see if that's true." The cream colored fae trailed her body along her brother's side as he drank. She moved away from him, her gaze scanning their surroundings. One of the mangroves was on a tiny bit of raised land. Moving forward to inspect it, she noted that the roots were wide on one side, creating a perfect, natural nest. It was as if the world knew that the two of them would be there.

"Over here, Indy," she called out to the purple beast. Stepping into the area between the roots, she pulled fallen leaves into the center, making the space even more like a nest. Casting a glance over her shoulder, she smiled at Indigo. "This should work for us tonight, right?"

Indigo forgot who he was when Aslatiel wasn’t with him, having her beside him made him feel so much more real. When she was beside him it didn’t feel like anything or anyone else mattered. They were together and the world could be in perfect harmony. Indy could recover his wits and realize his potential. He felt his failure weigh heavily on him but he also had his sister beside him to help shoulder the pounds.

Alsa took his comment and started making plans, the two of them would have to prove the ruor false or true together tonight. He leaned against her light before she drifted off, making sure to drink his fill before lifting his head. He turned from the fresh water and followed Asla’s trail and then her voice as she beckoned him forward,

She hadn’t wasted any time in finding a perfect place. The roots were sheltered from rind and most rain, and there looked to be just enough room for two bodies to snuggle up together. ”Looks perfectly cozy.” He told her, the hint of his lips turning up as he enjoyed the sight. He stopped at her shoulder, not hesitating to reach down and nuzzle into her shoulder. ”I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.”

It wasn't anywhere close to night, so it looked like they'd be spending the day out and about together. Maybe they could work on filling their nest with leaves and things to make an extra soft cushion for themselves. Or maybe they could hunt some lunch. Maybe they would just lay down now and take a nap together. Asla would love to sleep curled up in Indigo's embrace. There were so many options out here where no one could see them. They had all the privacy in the world.

Indy came up and nuzzled her shoulder and Asla leaned into him. His words brought a smile to her face as they always did and she kissed his cheek once more. "It's a little early to curl up and wait for night. What do you want to do?" Whatever he felt like doing, she would follow suit. As long as they were together, she didn't care what they did.

The day was still rather young, bedding down for the night wouldn’t be a bad idea but it would be a long time until night fell. Indigo wasn’t the most energetic right now, and he had little desire to do much and curling around Aslatiel was the end goal. He could have lingered in her presence for the rest of his life, but fate had much different ideas.

He nuzzled against her creamy shoulder as she said as much as he was thinking. They could bed down but there was still daylight to be used. With Aslatiel as his distraction Indy’s mind could finally branch into different directions beyond his failures. Like showing his appreciation for Aslatiel. They both knew that she was a much better hunter than he was. Indigo had always been too much wolf to make for a great hunter.

”Lets get ready, what do you say. You find us some dinner and I’ll spruce up our nest.” He chuckled softly, more and more distracted from his sorrows as the corners of his lips began to turn up. Indy offered he cheek another kiss for good luck, but he planned on so much more than just a nicer place to sleep for the night.

Ideas were offered up and Asla shot her brother a sly look. He was up to something, but she wouldn't argue with his plan. If he wanted her to catch them some dinner, then dinner she would catch. He aimed to kiss her cheek but she turned just in time to meet his kiss with her lips. She would leave him with that as she went off to hunt. Turning, Asla loped away from Indigo, already eager to return.

Moving through the mangroves, the young wolf kept her eyes open for any potential meal. Something substantial. More than a bird or a rabbit. Less than a big swamp deer. Then suddenly, dinner popped up right in her path. It was kind of cute for a meal, but it would be a meal all the same. A medium sized capybara lay in a patch of sparse grass, sunning itself and chewing on the greenery around it. Poor, unsuspecting capybara. It was an easy feat to sneak up behind the russet colored creature. One pounce and Aslatiel had her jaws around its throat. She used her weight to pin it down and cut off its air supply until it stopped kicking. All that was left to do now was drag the thing back to her and Indigo's makeshift nest. That might take a while. These things were heavier than they looked.

He was only slightly surprised when Asla turned and gave him her lips. His bright blue eyes widened but he relaxed into her kiss and felt almost cheated when she pulled away. Indy was the one to ask her off though, and he was frozen for a long moment watching her go. He knew he wouldn’t have much time though, and as soon as she slipped behind a tree he got to work.

Indigo had seen more than a few good flowers and plants on their way into the forest of mangroves. Not that he’d been paying huge attention to their surroundings as they went. He was still lucky as his massive paws carried him over the trail they’d walked. He was on a dual mission, to find the perfect bouquet for his dear sister, but also to bring flowers back to his friend’s grave. He wasn’t sure that Rue would ever be far from his thoughts, but already Asla was making it easier. He wasn’t obsessing over his guilt anymore.

Indy hoped he hadn’t taken too long, but by the time he returned to the nest Asla hadn’t returned either so he had time. Two beautiful bouquets in his jaws Indy put the bigger one gently inside, the other was placed off to the side to bring home with them. Then he stalked off in the direction his sister had gone. He found her eventually, dragging a carcass near as big as she was. He withheld his chuckle and snuck in beside her, taking hold and helping her return it to their chosen spot. By now the evening was falling on them.

Ears perked at the sound of approaching paws. Thankfully it was Indigo and not some other creature trying to fight her for their meal. Asla's white tipped tail gave a wag as her brother took up half of the capybara and helped her to carry it back. The pair moved together fairly fluidly once they were able to match their paces. Indigo had to take shorter steps and Asla had to practically prance, but she didn't mind. By the time they got back to their nest and dropped the capybara, her jaws were tired. She worked them a bit before turning her attention to the giant purple wolf. "Thank you. It was harder to drag than it was to kill."

Asla moved forward, pressing her chest to his again as she stood on tiptoe to kiss his chin. "Meal acquired as requested." The girl's tail lashed back and forth behind her in a playful manner. "Now what have you got for me?" Her tones were playful as well, but they were laced with something darker. Gods help the world when she reached sexual maturity...

He caught Asla’s attention as he approached. Indy could see the way she brightened at his reunion, the way her tail wagged and her features lightened. Her reaction caused a natural smile to play on his lips, nowhere near the enthusiasm he might have once had but it was much bigger than anything he’d given her so far. There were no words between them, they weren’t really needed, up until they made their return. Indy would have carried the whole thing but Asla continued on with him. It felt good to work together on something.

She thanked him on their return, and he could tell she was fatigued. ”I knew I could count on you.” He teased her as he leaned against her chest and lowered his features so she could more easily kiss him. He felt a warmth deep within him, and again Asla used her wiles to melt him. Before she could see her flowers Indy grabbed hold of her.

Asla was already against his chest but with one massive paw he lifted her off her paws and held her close as he hobbled back over to the nest with her. It was only a few steps but then he kissed her, finding her lips and giving her all of his love in that sweet affection. He didn’t want to release her, but the bouquet needed to be seen. This was a physical manifestation of what he felt for her, and his flowers would be a gift. They smelled lovely and were almost as beautiful as his sister.

”I gathered some flowers for you.” He whispered in her ear as he let her down to see the mass of flowers he’d gotten for her.

Indigo's words brought a chuckle from the lady. "You can always count on me." She brushed a bit of his mane from his face and smiled. "Always." They exchanged kisses and a moment later he swept her off of her feet. Asla released a hoot of surprise as she was carried over to the nest. When he placed her back on her paws, he gave her a sweet kiss and she felt the immense amount of love within that gentle touch. His whispered words made her head turn and she looked at the bouquet of colorful flowers. Releasing herself from his hold, Asla picked up the bunch of flowers and lowered her nose to them. Inhaling lightly, she absorbed the sweet scent, though it wasn't nearly as sweet as her brother.

Placing the flowers back down, she pressed herself into Indigo, wrapping her arms around his neck as best as she could. "You're very sweet," she whispered. "Thank you for the flowers." She was touched that he'd gone through the effort to collect them for her. He was the real gift though. Indigo always made her feel loved and safe. She wanted to make him feel the same way too.

Giving him a gentle tug, she prompted him to come into the nest with her. The days were shorter at the end of autumn and the sun was already on its way to sleep. They had spent more time on their hunts than she'd realized. "Would you like to eat now or later?" She would leave the choice up to him. In the mean time, Asla seated herself on the lush carpet of leaves and lifted her flowers to her nose once more.

It was easy to lift her tiny form off the ground and Aslatiel didn’t offer any protest as she was carried a few steps. Being out here, letting his focus rest entirely with her, healed his soul. She was freeing. Indigo had a lot of emotions pent up within, memories, promises, experiences, that shaped who he was. Deep down his self was purest with his sister beside him. He wanted her attention as well, but he pointed her towards his gift and she quickly went to admire them.

Indigo lowered himself to his haunches as Asla buried her face in the flowers, he watched her with bright blue eyes and the hint of a smile playing on his dark lips. Adoration was obvious in his expression, and he knew very well that Aslatiel was his happiness. She didn’t hesitate to show her gratitude and with one swift movement she was back in his arms and pressed against his chest.

”You’re welcome, it’s nice having your smile in return.” His words were quiet but there was power behind them. She pulled him forward and Indy didn’t resist, finding his paws again before finding a better place to settled in their divine set place. He curled around her, eager to snuggle in for whatever show they were in for when darkness fell. ”My appetite isn’t great, I can wait.” Indigo muttered as he nuzzled against her cheek. ”You were right to bring me out here, my heart… feels better.” He couldn’t say he was in tip top shape, but he could feel himself recovering. His despair would be fleeting.

Their interactions were so easy. Every touch was freely given and freely received. Being alone together was entirely different than being on pack territory together. She'd had doubts about Indigo being able to leave everything behind but those doubts were slowly fading away. Maybe they could be together. Travel the world together. Just the two of them. Would he regret it? Would she?

As Indigo stepped forward and settled himself on the mattress of leaves, Asla moved forward as well. She made herself comfortable by rolling onto her back, wiggling her body beneath one big, purple limb, and resting her frame against his chest and belly. Both forelegs were draped over his leg. A pretty comfortable resting place, if you asked her.

Indigo's gratitude brought a smile to Asla's striped face. He admitted to feeling better and she reached up to kiss his chin. "That's what I was hoping for. Everything is better when it's just you and me." It was only when she was looking into the darkness of his face that she realized how dark their surroundings had become. It was easy to get so swept up within her brother that she forgot the outside world. Turning her head to the side, Asla looked out over the mangrove swamp and gave a soft little sound of wonder. "Indy look." The darker it became, the more the world around them seemed to glow in a vibrant mixture of luminescent teal, white and blue. "Have you ever seen anything so beautiful?" The shimmering glow had turned the otherwise boring mangroves into something wonderful and breathtaking. She'd never seen anything quite like it and was glad to be sharing it with the one that she loved.

Much was put into perspective over the last few days, his current priorities, his future, and what was really important in his life. If anyone else had tried to be here for him, maybe he’d been recovering differently. Aslatiel was the one to step forward. She was unafraid and kept pushing him forward. He couldn’t dwell on his failures like his mind wished to. The bloody images that plagued him had difficulting conjuring themselves as Asla snuggled into his embrace. Indy sighed heavily as she pressed herself against him.

Maybe everything was better when it was just the two of them. He couldn’t deny that her being so close had done much to revive him. Rue wouldn’t easily be forgotten, she was his best friend. He missed her, but more than that he’d be much more wary of the promises he made in the future. Indy didn’t quite vocalize his agreement before Aslatile’s attention was grabbed by their surroundings. Indigo was only just able to tear his eyes off her to see the gentle glow around them.

She mentioned the beauty they beheld and Indy gave her a little squeeze. ”Only you.” Indy uttered a sweet whisper in her dusty ear before he lovingly kissed her forehead. There wasn’t anyone else who knew him like she did. Even after their time apart he didn’t feel complete without her close by.