As soon as the challenge was over and he had said what needed to be said to Venom, Hattori, and Hela, he dismissed himself and ushered his companions back to the den to rest. He would need to rest as well, but there was something he needed to do first. There was only one wolf that he wanted to celebrate with and he wanted to waste no time telling the Destruction man the news. He had come out of the fight mostly unscathed, just a slight limp to his walk from where his aunt had caught his toes under her paw and a few scratches here and there to show for it. Not that thee was anything really that would keep him from going to find Void, he was glad that there wasn't much to impede him making the short trip to where the siblings had set up their camp. It was difficult to keep the grin off of his features as he slipped through the brush of the Gambit Briar and neared the camp he had left not that long ago, the excitement bubbling in him keeping away any lingering aches or pains from the fight. It was all worth it. He had finally succeeded in something that he had set out to do. It felt like the first real step in the right direction. It was dark by the time he made it to where Void and the others were staying so he didn't want to bother his siblings if they were already asleep, but he just couldn't keep himself from coming to see the one he loved. He couldn't possibly wait till morning - he had to see him now. "Void?" he called softly as he neared the den, quietly trying to peek inside to try and catch the starry man's attention. Plague | Viridis | Procella

They still hadn’t found anything. Not with Plague’s help, not on their own, Void was very nearly ready to call off the search and return to Abaven. He felt like he;d reached his lowest point in the search, and they weren’t going to be successful liked he had hoped and prayed for. The fact further broke his heart, but he hadn’t said anything official yet. He still planned to go out and search tomorrow. He sat sphynx like over the remnants of the fire from earlier, he’d already sent Gloom and Spirit to bed. Void was half keeping watch, half stewing over his own thoughts as he debated about what they should do going forward.

The winter stretched on and no matter how much he wanted to cling to hope the reality continued to slap him in the face. Their mother was dead, and they would never see her again. He didn’t let the tears flow yet, that would come when he called the search to his siblings. For now he shouldered the weight on his own. He sighed heavily, but before he was getting up to go to bed the sound of paws in the snow caught his attention. Blue and lavender gaze narrowed before a familiar form appeared in the clearing. Plague went right to the den, but Void stood up behind him.

”Plague, over here.” He offered softly, wanting to keep a distance so they didn’t disturb the sleeping wolves within. Again he felt an overwhelming relief wash over him even as Plague’s simple presence soothed him. The feeling of guilt remained, but now it was because of his failure. Eulogy was dead, and the fact would weigh heavily on his shoulders even as he relaxed before Plague.

Void did his best to hide his inner emotions, he could see the glint in Plague’s eye and see the bounce in his step. He’d won the challenge, and Void wanted anything but to distract from those feelings.

The voice he had been waiting to hear caught his attention and immediately had him turning to face Void who stood a short distance away. Plague grinned and immediately went over to the handsome man, unable to avoid the slight limp to his step in his hurry to close the distance between them. It never failed - as soon as his gaze landed on the star spangled man he always felt drawn to him like there was a magnetic force pulling them together. This was the last thing he needed to make this successful day complete, being able to share it with Void and fill that space that was always there when they weren't together. As he drew closer he could sense the darkness that Void attempted to hide, but he wouldn't bring it up right away. Instead, he caught Void's lips in a kiss as soon as he was close enough to do so, satisfying that craving right away. Every time they were away from each other - no matter if it was for several weeks or a few days - it was always such a relief to be with him again. After a lingering in that affection for a moment he let their lips part and offered Void a grin. "I won," he breathed softly, just in case that fact wasn't abundantly clear. He knew full well that he could be challenged for this same position again sooner rather than later, but he didn't care. He had at least succeeded in what he had set out to do and, perhaps even more importantly than that, he had proven to himself and to his sister that he truly meant it when he said that he was dedicated to her and to their pack. He leaned his cheek into Void's, his emerald eyes closing as he just enjoyed his love's presence for a moment and let his scent fill his nose. He was still riding the high of his win and he wanted nothing more than to just sweep Void off of his feet and steal him away, but the siblings that laid sleeping in the den a short distance away kept him from doing so. "No sign of her yet?" he asked quietly against Void's neck after a few moments of silence, already knowing the answer before he asked it. He couldn't allow himself to fully rejoice and celebrate when he knew Void was still hurting. Plague | Viridis | Procella

He barely withheld the urge to run to Plague’s side, but Gloom and Spirit sleeping in the den kept him still as the ivory man paced closer. Void took a couple of steps, unable to prevent himself, as Plague was finally in his embrace again. They hadn’t been separated for all that long but every moment apart was a small eternity. The Destruction man didn’t miss the limp in Plague’s stride, but beyond that he couldn’t see any glaringly obvious wounds. His attention was swiftly shifted from glancing for injury to completely enraptured in Plague’s kiss. In that moment everything disappeared and he was alone in the world with the one he loved. Shiver raced over his skin as he felt the natural pull towards Plague.

Void returned the man’s affection tenfold, wanting nothing more than the sweet release Plague brought. He didn't have to feel guilty or sad, there was a simple perfection between them that transcended all other emotions. Blue and lavender eyes easily slid shut as he blocked out everything but the feeling of Plague’s lips against his own. All too soon the man pulled back, but Void just as easily got lost in his grin as he spoke the words Void had expected. ”I knew you would.” He returned just as softly as he leaned into Plague’s cheek and aimed to get even closer by pressing his chest to his.

The star spangled man breathed the ivory man in as silence overtook them and they simply enjoyed being in each other’s presence. Void was reaching the end of his rope, he couldn’t stay out here looking for his lost kin who by now were likely dead or worse. The toll it was taking on his heart and not to mention his relationship with Plague, he couldn’t continue on like this. Plague spoke again, much like Void had already realized his victory Plague knew of Void’s defeat. There was very little they could hide from one another so deep was the bond they shared.

”No,” he told him just as softly, but the hurt was obvious in his voice. Void hated to detract from Plague’s victory but he went on softly. ”I think it’s time to call off the search.” He hadn’t said the words out loud quite yet, and they cut him deeply as he did. He leaned more heavily into Plague at the confession and struggled to restrain the emotions inside.

A pang of disappointment twisted at his stomach as soon as he heard Void confirm that their family members hadn't been found. It was mostly because he was nearly as invested in his search as Void was and every day that went by without finding them only worsened their chances more and more. Void was his and he was Void's - they shared each others pain and victories in equal amounts. But there was another part of him, a far more selfish part, that knew that as long as this search continued he couldn't bring Void home. Now that he had completed his challenge, this man had nearly his full and undivided attention and his new fixation was completing the life that he had been dreaming of for so long. However, a moment later, he heard Void tell him that he thought it was time to call off the search. Surprise showed on Plague's face, though Void wouldn't be able to see it. He let Void lean more heavily into him and brought a foreleg up to wrap it around Void's neck, pulling his darling man into an embrace. He knew how difficult that decision was and wasn't one that was made lightly. Each of them had put so much time and effort into finding these missing wolves and perhaps that made this even worse. To have done so much to come up empty handed... "I'm so sorry," he rumbled into Void's fur as he continued to hold him tightly, hoping perhaps that he could give Void even a little bit of comfort. He wasn't apologizing in the way that this had been his fault, but just out of sympathy for the loss and pain that he was having to face. "It's not your fault," he softly added after a moment, knowing full well how much blame Void was going to put on himself. Plague lifted his head away from Void's neck so that he could turn his head and place gentle, loving licks around Void's ears. "You've gone so above and beyond for them... You've done everything you possibly could." Of course Void would probably disagree with him, but he had to do what he could to reassure him that it was the right decision. He hated seeing the strain all of this was putting on him day in and day out. It was time to let go. He loosened his hold on Void enough to be able to gently cup Void's cheek with his paw and lift his head till their muzzles could meet again, his heart skipping a beat as he pressed his lips to Void's and allowed himself to be lost in another tender kiss. The shockwave it sent through his body each time was so intoxicating and addictive that he only craved them more after each kiss they shared. When he broke their kiss he didn't really pull away, their muzzle still gently brushing together as they found comfort and pleasure in each other's presence. "I've started building a home for us," he whispered quietly against void's lips, a smile pulling at the corners of his mouth. "Just outside of Ashen's lands, between the shrine and the hot springs... so it'll be easier for you to be with your siblings, but we'll still have a place to call our own." Plague | Viridis | Procella

Plague held him tight, and that was enough to ward off the heavy emotions that threatened to crush him. Void struggled with the fact for a long time now, and especially after having Plague beside him searching. The hope he was holding out seemed to slip between his toes. His mother and siblings were likely lost long before this moment and all that was left to find was grief. He hadn’t made it in time, they hadn’t searched thoroughly enough… Void could find a million reasons to blame himself for an outcome like this. Focusing on what he lost was easy, and he couldn’t permit himself the relief that should come along with a decision like this. What it would mean for the future between him and the ivory man that held so tightly to him.

He knew Plague wouldn’t be expecting the words from his lips, Void wanted so badly to bring his family home. His heart felt like it was breaking, accepting the reality was so hard. Plague’s words made him grit his teeth as his chest tightened. He pressed his features further into Plague’s soft white fur as the emotions burned beneath the surface, he comforted him with his quiet words but there wasn’t anything to be done about the grief that gripped him. His brows furrowed as Plague denied him the guilt of it all.

He lost his breath as Plague offered him gentle reassurances, reminding him that he had truly done everything in his power to return those wolves he held so dear. That didn’t help ease the difficulty of finally saying goodbye and admitting defeat. He was glad he didn’t have to say anything, Plague shifted slightly, pulling away enough he could easily see the emotions on his face, not that he didn’t feel them just the same.

The heightened emotion leant to the intensity he felt the affection. That gentle kiss meant so much more under such pressured conditions. Void tried to let everything go, blue and lavender eyes slid shut and he let Plague lead him. After admitting the decision he felt even more lost than he had before. The ivory pelted Abraxas tried to lead him forward, he whispered about the future. What they had to look forward to with a new page turned.

Void didn’t open his eyes for a long moment as he tried to settle his mind from his decision and focus on the good news Plague brought him. They had a place for themselves. Plague was making a home for them. No more long nights and days apart, he could really devote himself to Plague just as much as he had devoted himself to his family. That was what all the work he had done was for, so he could take those next steps into the future with the one he loved. Tears began to slide down his cheeks, burdened by grief but lifted by Plague’s priceless gifts. He opened his mouth to say something but he was rendered speechless by it all. Instead he fell back against Plague’s chest, overwhelmed.

Plague could feel how overwhelmed Void was by it all without him saying a word and was more than willing to let him fall back into his chest, his forelegs wrapping around him tightly and protectively. He just wanted to hide this man away from everything that hurt him and make sure that he felt nothing but joy for the rest of his days. He knew that dream was unrealistic and he acknowledged how it was impossible, but that didn't make him want it any less. In a way it made him momentarily feel resentful toward their families that continued to pull them away from one another, keeping them tied up in responsibilities and worries. The flash of emotion came and went quickly, shoving it away for being incredibly ridiculous. Family came first. He knew that to be true, no matter how much it hurt at times.

He gently stroked Void's back when he felt his love's tears dampening the fur on his chest, tucking his head down over Void's to hold him tighter. "Whenever you're ready," he told him gently, speaking quietly into the man's ear, "I'll be waiting for you in our new home. Go back and forth to Abaven as much as you need. Stay there when you have to. Don't abandon your siblings on my account. But... when you're ready... I'll be there." He squeezed Void again in his embrace, giving his ears gentle licks as he groomed them, holding his precious Milky Way wolf against him as if he might drift away if he didn't. "I love you," he whispered softly, his claws gently running through his fur, soothing the man who made him whole.

Plague | Viridis | Procella

Plague always felt like he understood exactly what Void was thinking or feeling, it was a quality that pulled the star spangled man even closer to him. Strong alabaster arms wrapped around him tighter, and held him close, an assurance that he could feel whatever emotion overtook him and Plague would be there to hold and comfort him. Void could be weak in front of the man, something he never allowed himself in front of his siblings. He had to be strong for them and he always pushed down his fear and resistance so they would be comforted and soothed. He wondered still if he was making a mistake.

Void knew how he felt about Plague, there was a deep love that transcended more than just this easy physical affection. He felt like it was deeper, if there was a soul theirs were tied. He knew it deep in his bones, and yet they both had their vows to uphold to their family. They shared a strong sense of honor that wouldn’t allow them any path but the one that most benefited their kin. Even to the point of suffering between them.

The tears fell more heavily as Plague caressed and comforted. Holding onto him and assuring him as Void felt like he reached a breaking point. Plague’s soothing voice whispered into his dark ears, giving him a promise. He would be there, no matter what he needed Plague would be there. Waiting. Void grit his teeth, disappointed in himself and guilty that now he was denying Plague everything he deserved. He deserved all of him, but so much of him had to be reserved for his family. Void held onto Plague like he would lose him if he didn’t. ”I love you too.” His words were a soft whine, more than ever he needed those words. He needed Plague’s love and his reassurance to get through this hell.