The young koi followed Mortis into the territory, his new home, and the excitement of it all was enough to keep him warm. Eventually they would get to exploring the lands so Hikaru knew where and what to expect, but first they had other matters to attend to. Like cleaning up, filling their bellies, and getting some deep sleep. The first was probably the worst on the whole list. Hikaru both wanted the dirt from his fur and to avoid dipping himself into the frigid water. He couldn’t have both, but at least he had the promise of Mortis keeping him warm.

Kaiyo loped along beside the winged heir, stormy eyes taking in the sights as he was led to a slow moving part of the river. He carried a couple furs to help get them dry when they were through, and impressively enough Mort brought along some soap. Hopefully the luxurious item would keep them from having to spend too much time here.

The closer they got the more he wanted to hesitate, the dirt wasn’t so bad was it? ”What I wouldn’t give for the hot spring baths in Nippon.” Hikaru sighed wistfully as he looked balefully at the water. Was that ice on the edges? Internally Hika pumped himself up, he needed every ounce of self discipline. Deep breath in deep breath out, he tried to summon willpower from within, but found himself looking to Mortis for support. His silver storm eyes glanced up towards Mort’s dark features, they’d braved a blizzard together surely they could make it through a cold bath.

Mortis had the soaps, and his friend the furs. They reached the water, and Kaiyos words brought him up short. He made a note to take him to Resins hot springs when they next had a chance. He was sure his Grandmother would welcome them both in for a day trip. But, for the moment the hike over there seemed beyond him. That meant a dip into the cold stream. He had done worse, hiding himself half submerged in water to win a game of tag against an old friend.

Chasing away the memories, he grinned at Kaiyo. "My grandmother owns land that oversees some hot springs, ill take you there some time this winter, yeah?" He saw the deep hesitation in the man's eyes. He did not like to be cold. "Hop in and I'll start soaping your back legs, you start on the front, and you'll be out before you know it." He promised. His own dirt he would deal with after, and just as quick on his own. Perhaps Mortis was under estimating how cold the water would be, but he found it easy to psyche himself up. He had his fears, but pain and cold weren't among them.

"Lets jump on the counter of three, okay? One..."

Kaiyo did not like the cold, Mortis assumed correctly. Winter was never his favorite season and he’d lost count how many hours he spent in the baths whenever he hadn’t been training during the cold months. Maybe that was part of the reason he would get called soft.. Hika did his own shedding of memories as he felt himself focus easily on his winged friend. Mort always seemed to manage a grin for him, a gift that Kaiyo tried to return. A soft smile played over his own pale features, turning more into a smile as Mortis promised him hotsprings one day soon. ”Is that a promise?” He asked all too eagerly for how tired he was.

Attention returning to the cold water as he dreamed about hot baths. He exhaled sharply, he’d stopped moving and the cold was all to quick to remind him of the temperature. ”Just that easy.” He took in another breath as Mortis started the countdown and he joined in. ”Two. Three.” And very gingerly Hikaru stepped into the slow moving water. Instantly it felt like all the warmth drained from him but he forced himself forward. He’d endured worse, and at least he was semi warm from the quick lope out here.

He made himself move into deeper water that nearly came up to his knees and elbows. He shivered heavily and felt miserable, but already the dirt was leaving his coat. With chattering teeth he scrambled for the soaps to start washing his white fur clean. All the while gasping in short breaths and shaking all over.

"Its a date." Holyohmywhat how did thay come out of his mouth? He turned crimson right to his roots. He didn't mean it how it sounded, it wasn't... Kaiyo was a boy, and here he was getting his paws in a twist. In fact, and ice bath sounded really good right about now. The countdown ended with the sound of Kaiyos voice, and Mortis was jumping, leaping into the water before the word 'three' was dully finished.

His splash likely got his white-coated friend, who had NOT jumped into the water like Mortis has expected. Oops. A striking difference between the two of them, as Hikaru took the plunge with careful precision. Mortis stood up, his height taller then this portion of the stream, and fought the urge to shake himself. No doubt Hikaru wouldn't appreciate it. "Brrr!" He said. It was brisk enough to make him forget his embarrassment.

His poor friend was taking the ice bath far worse then Mortis. Perhaps the fires coat offered better insulation, and the added bonus of wings helped keep his sides warm. He grabbed the soaps and got to work, scrubbing soft but fast, the taste of bubbles in his mouth. First his friends left back leg, then his right. He ran the soap over the white tail, to its black ends. He got his friends back, letting him concentrate in his front parts. Mortis forgot about his own dirt, it was secondary to Hikarus discomfort.

He nudged his friend out of the water, and grabbed the first coat in his teeth, tossing it over thr other man. He grabbed the second coat, and added the second layer to him. He stepped back, shaking out his coat vicariously, before leaning hard against the other man, holding a wing over the shorter wolf. "Leta get you to the fire" maybe a winter bath hadnt been his brightest idea. Baths would be had only at Resins over winter. He wasnt going to have Hikaru catching a cold.

A date? Hikaru’s brows lifted at Mort’s choice of words and felt his own face go flush as his friend covered his blush and reaction. Had he only misspoke? Surprised, and just as flustered with a sudden flutter in his chest Hikaru walked forward into the water, not expecting to welcome it. Still, it was just as icy and uncomfortable as he expected, but what the Armada heir had said was long forgotten as he was splashed with the cold water.

”So. cold.” His brain must have frozen up as he muttered in his native tongue. Thankfully Mort was just as eager to be clean and done as he was, and with all haste the dirt was washed from his own pale pelt and Mort’s thick dark fur. Hika was forced to dunk himself a couple of times before the soap was fully rinsed away, but he was never so happy as when he made his way to shore.

He tried to angle away from Mortis as he shook out his coat. Of course the wing would start to blow as they exited the freezing water. Kaiyo shook even more as a dry fur was draped over him. Thankfully the winged boy was there beside him. Still chattering his teeth and shivering he leaned against Mortis and nodded at his words. ”Yes. Lets.” His breathing came in little gasps as he tried not to suck in the cold air. The wind was blowing and night was falling and it was only going to get colder. The young koi leaned further against Mortis, wet or not he was like a furnace himself and Kaiyo couldn’t get close enough.

Mortis shivered in the wind, but also felt electric with the cold in his veins. Alive and alert, he felt like prancing to keep himself warm. He fought the urge, and kept himself close to the smaller wolf's side. He didn’t like the chittering soft breaths the other made. Warmth, they needed warmth.

He started a brisk pace, leading Hikaru towards his dug out home. Feeling oddly aware of how shabby it was. It was big enough to accommodate a few wolves snuggled together. Mortis like to share there were coats, and the things needed to start a fire outside the den. He liked to huddle there with Hana whenever she could spare the chance to den with him. Eating seafood by the fire, and chatting about the pack and happy nothings.

He stopped by the little fire pit, and quickly got to work with the kit Io had given him to start it. After a few moments, soft flames licked up to greet them with its warmth. "Did you want to sit outside by the fire, or in, out of the wind?"

Kaiyo could keep up well enough, even if his joints were stiff from the cold and his fur was freezing in place. The cold sent a chill and invigoration down his body, but he was still ready to get warm. Mortis led him to the den he called home, it was no palace by any standard but it was shelter and would be warm. The young heir began making a fire and Hikaru moved to sit inside the entrance of the den to watch.

He was mostly guarded from the wind and he could only just begin to feel the warmth from the fire. Hika was still wet though, so when the question was presented his decision was practically made for him. ”Maybe inside until I’ve dried better.” He shivered again at the thought of their harrowing bath, but he could boast that his teeth didn’t chatter anymore. ”The fire is nice though, impressive.” The young koi ignored how much enjoyment he received from complimenting the winged boy. ”I’m going to sleep like the dead tonight.” He told Mortis assuredly as he rubbed his paws together before pressing them towards the flame.

The winged boy had to smile, just a little, at seeing his new friend huddled in the entrance of his den. Seeing cold and uncomfortable wasn’t nice, but seeing himself settle in without hesitation was nice. Hanako didn’t stay with him too often, and he got lonely in his den.

He trotted over to Hikaru, settling himself in besides the wet boy, leaning against the thick fur coats he had draped over the other’s side. “Thanks. My Auntie Io taught me how to do it” he explained. He nestled himself against Kai’s side, and laid his head gently against his paws. After a few moments his eyes had slipped close, and a large yawn split his muzzle. “Me, too” he agreed sleepily. It had been a bit of an adventure, and now he was home, warm, and not alone. What more could he want from the world?

Hikaru was so at ease because Mortis easily put him there, the winged heir was kind and sweet. Kaiyo was able to get comfortable very fast, if not half frozen he was at least settled. Mortis gave him a smile as his massive frame shifted closer once the fire was blazing. Hikaru easily leaned against the young heir, soaking in the natural heat that radiated off his dark body. The koi boy sighed heavily in contentment and leaned against Mort’s shoulder. Only a few moments passed before he stopped shivering. He was still wet, but the now clean pale fur was slowly drying.

Mortis settled in, lowering his head to his paws before yawning and agreeing. They had a very long day, battling a snow storm, traversing the lands, him joining a pack, and swimming in a frozen river. With his head against Mort’s shoulder he could feel the exhaustion now that his body stopped moving. He was cozy and warm and for what seemed like the first moment in his life Kaiyo felt safe. ”Thanks, Mortis.” He mumbled softly as his stormy eyes fluttered closed. ”For making me feel at home.” Hika sighed softly again as sleep pulled and tugged him away.

He felt the warmth of Hikaru’s head on his shoulder, sinking into the warmth and familiarity of not being alone in his den. He would have given a lot to go back to the days when all his siblings and his parents snuggled together in one large pile of bodies in the family den. Now of course, Indigo was so far away he no longer caught his sweet healer-brothers scent. Asla was gone as often as she was here, and Azure wouldn’t be seen dead with him. The absence of his siblings left a large hole in his heart, but Hikaru’s presence went a ways in filling in.

Tilting his head into the other’s fur, he closed his eyes and let out a soft sigh that was half yawn. Already feeling himself spiraling towards sleep. “It’s because you are home, Kaiyo” his half asleep voice whispered. This was where his friend belonged.

He could feel as much of the relief in the easing of tension in Mort’s limbs as he did his own. Both of them easily finding their way to relaxation, the task wasn’t very difficult with the day they had endured. They really should have found better shelter before losing themselves to sleep but the blankets and fire would likely keep them warm as they dried. Mortis need into Kaiyo’s damp white fur and further shielded him from the cold. Hika felt his heart warm as well, especially as those sweet welcoming words fell from dark sleepy lips. This was home, the Armada certainly but Kaiyo felt like the winged boy really meant in his arms.

He was too tired to give the fluttering feelings Mortis caused in him much thought, but in the next few days he might begin to dwell on them and what they might mean. For now he was snuggled up and warm here next to Mort and sleep as all too tempting to embrace. He curled in more tightly, swiftly growing used to the affectionate ways they’d adopted. Hikaru was content and perhaps truly happy for the first time.

-slep-

The day came slowly, considering how Mortis found himself lying wide awake in the entrance of his shabby den. The embers of the fire he had stoked a few times in the night were a spot of light against the very early dawn. He found that he could not sleep, through the warmth of his companion was a comfort at his side.

His den was a fine place to hole up for a night, but in the company of his new friend, he found it just didn’t hold up. The Armada was littered with wonderful dens. From the well-crafted home by the ocean his father had made their mother, to the cottage made with stones dragged by his father and Auntie both.

What would it take to build himself something as wonderful? He had never wanted it before, and he did not know how long Hikaru intended to bed down with him before. So why the sudden interest? He foundself imaging it, with a little door, and a deck, with a fire pit and lanterns for light and warmth. Filled with furs of all the great beasts he had hunted. He would need to take down a polar bear. Like his father had. Their coats were the best. He waited for Hikaru to awaken, and he simply imagined.

Hikaru slept soundly through the night, like the dead as he’d mentioned. The pale not quite shinobi koi didn’t even stir when Mortis had to move to stoke the flames that kept them warm. The boy slept soundly like he hadn’t since he was a very young pup. His body was exhausted and took advantage of the warmth and safety that Mortis and the pack provided. It wasn’t until closer to dawn that he finally began to lighten in his sleep. The subtle shifting Mortis did as he daydreamed beside him gently woke the boy. He blinked back his sleep but snuggled closer into the thick hide blankets and Mort’s dark fur.

Kaiyo was practically a blank slate, he’d said goodbye to any hopes and dreams he once had when he left Nippon, his family, and everything he ever knew. He didn’t know what he wanted here in these strange new lands. The Fatalis heir was swiftly showing him how easy a friendship going forward would be. Hika could be whatever the winged boy needed of him.

A yawn opened his pale jaws wide and he again leaned against Mort’s shoulder. ”Good morning,” He nubbed one kohl lined eye with his paw. ”I don’t remember falling asleep.” Hika knew he was tired, but it was already dawn and he was sure it had been daylight when they settled down.

They had dried off in the night, and looking over at Hikaru, he realised he had frizzed as he dried. He grinned, and glanced back at his wings, which fluffed as he stretched them gently. They both represented dandelions, and Hikaru more so, with his base-white coat.

The winged Fatalis reached over and smoothed down the very top of Hikaru’s forehead. “You were tired, you must have done a lot of travelling, even before I found you.” to leave everything behind was no small feat. Now, what to do with their day? “So, your a part of Armada now. Every wolf is offered the choice of a piece of land here to call their own. If you want your own den, I can help you build it.” Is that what Hikaru would want? Was it selfish to hope he wouldn’t?

His stormy eyes slowly focused as Mortis looked from him back to his wings and Hika realized how fluffy the frozen bath made his friend now that he was dry. The sudden natural motion of Mortis smoothing the fluffy fur brought an innocent grin to Hikaru’s pale features. Being looked after like this was nothing near how he’d been treated or expected to be treated at home. He liked being this close to Mortis, more than anyone else who’d shown him this level of affection.

Mort reminded him how much he’d traveled yesterday and everything they had been through. Hika was half surprised he didn’t sleep longer. He was also ready to get Kaiyo even further established and settled into the Armada. He could have his choice of land and if he wanted his own den Mort would help provide. The way he framed the offer was important though. Hikaru raised one pale brow as he looked up at his winged friend. ”What’s the other option besides my own den?” The boy asked carefully, wondering if Mortis was inviting him to stay here. There were countless positives to having a companion so close. Beyond his warmth Hikaru felt like he still needed Mort’s guidance here. ”I kinda liked it here.” But he’d take his own space if that’s what his friend desired.