Hika returned to the den, and Mortis grabbed his own to-go bag, slinging it around his neck and tucking it in behind his wings. He settled down outside the den, giving Hika some space to figure out what he wished to bring. He came out with a winter coat, and a bag that smelled of soaps. Mortis grinned - hoping his friend wasn’t going to propose a winter bath!

If Mortis noticed the difference in his friend's coat, he didn’t comment on it, except to open up a wing and offer Hika his usual spot at the heirs' side. He lowered his wing down on Hika, a little umbrella against any elements.

“It’s a bit of a hike, you up for it?” he asked, one last double check, that his friend was comfortable for this adventure. Once his friend assured him - again - that he was happy to go on this adventure, Mortis nodded, and they set out.

His companions trailing silently behind them, and Hika at his side, the two of them left the Armada, heading South. “I was thinking we could do a bit of exploring, escape the winter and wander through Auster for a bit” he explained, as they skirted through Ashen territory. Taking the dry way down to Auster, rather than leaping islands like he occasionally did. “Perhaps spend a night in the Castle, too, if were allowed” he suggested.

"Speech"

x

He had plenty of a winter bath to last a lifetime after the one he and Mort had taken not long after he’d returned with him to the Armada. He didn’t take full baths in the winter, it just wasn’t a good idea. Partial baths were the true winner, and most of the time it was usually just his feet. But the soaps and his bag weren’t really what was on his mind. Mort lowered a heavy wing over his shoulders, shielding him from elements and the world, and bringing Hika closer to him. "I’d hike to the ends of the earth with you,” he reminded Mortis fondly. A nervous stirring rising in his belly as they departed together, a trip just for the two of them.

"You know how I feel about the cold,” He teased lightly as he suggested they were headed into the southern continent. "A bed would be nice, but I don’t mind hoofing it. Avoid the whole world for a week.” He grinned as silver eyes focused on his pale paws as their trail began to narrow.

"Speech"

Mortis, still figuring out how to do the whole romance thing - and was that really what he was doing here? He didn’t even know - chuckled shyly at his friend's words. Mortis gave one last look back at the Armada as they left it behind. It was going to be nice not to have to get up at the crack of dawn and perform patrols, or spend his afternoons hunting, and his middays training. He would still have to get in some training, and likely some hunting too, to keep them fed. But it would be different.

“Just us and the stars?” Mortis teased, his soft voice still shy. The weather held nicely as the two of them finished skirting around Ashen, skirting around the swamp, and making a beeline for the Gambirt Briar. A lot of the day lay behind them now, but that was okay. The two wolves were in decent shape, and the hike kept them warm.

“I forgot how brambly this place was” Mortis admitted as they hit the Briar. He had always elected to take the swimming route. Perhaps it would have been easier to hit the other side of the fjord, but he wasn’t sure if there was a path that would take them there without crossing into that pack nearby.

As the path between the cliff and the brambles thinned, they began to walk single file. Mortis taking the lead. Heights weren’t his thing, and he swallowed, trying not to let his attention stray too close to it. Instead, he glanced behind him. “How are you doing back th--” he squeaked as the ground crumbled under his leading paw. He felt himself start to unbalance, topple to the side - -


"Speech"

x

Hikaru still wasn’t quite convinced he was being romanced, not after the long talk that Mortis gave him. Still, he could feel how special this trip really was, and no matter what happened he knew he would enjoy his time with the winged Fatalis. Alone time, just the two of them and the stars. The thought made butterflies flutter within him, and his pale lips pulled back into a lopsided grin. "Us and the stars.” Hika agreed as he looked up at Mort, finding his green blue gaze with affection and adoration, like he had forgotten to look into his friends eyes for too long. Hikaru tried not to let the fluttering of his heart slow him down as the two of them made their way over the countryside.

The briar was no place to joke about and both young men could plainly see the obstacles before them. Hikaru had faith in their abilities though. "Shocking that’s the name they decided on too.” He chuckled as he teased his friend, easily bumping against his shoulder good naturedly before they were forced into single file. Hikaru found himself unable to complain about his view.

They were very nearly to the other side when Mort turned to check on him, and very suddenly began to tumble forward. Hikaru’s eyes went wide but he reacted on instinct, scrambling wildly to grab Mortis and keep him from the edge. Panic welling in his gut as he watched disaster begin to unfold before him. "Mortis!” He cried before he reached out to grab at his wings.

"Speech"

It was indeed a bit of a gambit - that you would get through this territory without losing a clump of fur or two. Occasionally, Mort could feel the tug of a thorn he’d managed to stray just a little too close to. His wings he kept safely tucked at his side, nice and tight.

When Mortis checked back on his friend and began to slip, it felt like the past was catching up on him. Like Azure, tossing him over. Only, this time it wasn’t Azure with him, it was Hika. Instead of pushing, his friend raced to grab him, digging in and pulling on Mortis. The wolf who had let his wings flare instinctively to catch himself. Hika managed to grab onto one of those wings, and the weight on the right side of the cliff helped Mortis find his balance. He scrambled against Hika, pushing both of them dangerously close to the thorns. His eyes were wide, and he was gasping. He didn’t even notice how one of his wings had taught a few brambles in his flailing, and was bleeding and scratched. “I-I-I always thought it would be a cliff that would take me” he whispered, horrified at what had almost happened.

"Speech"

x

Mortis was a much, much larger wolf than Hikaru was and the slender koi was much more suited to slipping through the branches of thick thorns. His companion was doing rather well for his size, but Kaiyo could easily dodge and avoid the sharp thorns. Of course that thought went right out the window when Mortis suddenly began to fall. Hika’s heart stopped as he watched his friend flail and fall. He thought for too long that this was it, this was their very last moment together.

Then he’d managed to clasp Mort’s wing in his jaws. No care was spent for the brambles behind them, the only focus was keeping his dear friend this side of the cliffs. Mortis’ life had just flashed before his eyes, Hikaru had almost lost the wolf he cared the most about in the world. With much effort, stopped hearts, and gasping breath Mort managed to get his paws back underneath him and returned to the trail.

Adrenaline raced through his veins, the young man gasped for breath as he tried to recover from the intense moment they had just lived through. Realizing he had just saved Mortis. Like he had once saved him. "Mortis,” he said his name with the relief that he felt having the man on solid ground beside him. The koi’s pale paw lifted to his friend’s chest, pressing against his heart. "That cliff won't take you today, not on my watch.” He told him quietly, unbelievable relief washing over him.

"Speech"

Mortis lay quivering on the earth beside the cliff. Blocking the path and bleeding from numerous nicks on his wings. He was a wolf with wings, and a fear of height that had bared its head after his almost-fall. It didn't register for a moment that Hika was speaking. Shame for his fear was crashing through Mortis, along with the dose of adrenaline and the quivering in limbs that still thought death was only a step away.

'...not on my watch' his friend was saying. Mortis knew he was blocking the path, but he just couldn't bring himself to move. To look at his wings, or even to check if Hika had gotten slashed by the brambles. He could only lie there, panting. "Maybe, er. Maybe we coukd camp here?" Not that staying any longer by this cliff appealed to him, but he needed time to work up. he courage to move. This definitrly wasn't going to be the night under the stars he was hoping for with Hika.

Hika placed his paw against Mortis and realized that he was trembling there on the path. His expression became serious as he kneeled beside him, concern written plainly on his features. Mort seemed to zone out and in as he focused ahead and nowhere else. The winged heir was timid in his vocals, and heavy of breath as he struggled to recover from the harrowing event. This was a terrifying event on its own, but after a lifetime of fearing heights?

"We don’t want to camp here,” he returned softly, trying to support and coax his friend to his feet. "We can go back the way we came a little ways, there was a clearing in the brambles.” He offered, despite that option being unappealing to him it might be what was best for Mortis. "Maybe after a break we can keep going.” He wasn’t sure what would be best right now, waiting for him to calm down and heading onwards on their vacation, or turning around, camp for the night, and make the decision to return home or find an alternate route to Auster. Maybe the best decision was just to keep moving. On the journey and in Mort’s mind.

"Speech"

Hika placed a paw against him, and Mortis leaned into the touch. One of these days he would be able to give off the image of strength and reliability. He wished Hika saw more of thay side of him. Instead of watching the winged Heir tremble at the side of a cliff.

He was able to concentrate more on his friends words now, listening as Hika made suggestions. The other boy probably didn't know it, but even his calm vocals helped to sooth Mortis. Hika was crouching beside him, fearless of the cliffs edge. Mortis twitched to pull him closer, to pull him away from the edge. Safe in his arms. He let out a shake breath. He didn't want to look how far they had come, but mo doubt it was a decent distance. Going back would be just as bad as going forward. "No... no, let's continue on. I'm okay" he promised, and then made no move to get up.
After another slow exhale, he turned to look at Hika, and opened his wings in a silent invitation. Seeking the comfort of his friend

Mortis leaned into his supportive affection as he offered one pale paw in comfort. He’d seen many different faces of Mortis in the time that they shared, but this frightened trembling man was not yet revealed. Hika didn’t judge, he just offered his words, his presence, his intentions to speak as he willed his own strength into Mortis. He’d take away all the uncertainty and the pain if he could. The young koi offered his suggestions, knowing staying here for very long would not end well for either of them. Just as Mortis agreed to go forward, victory was short lived. Saying something and doing something were very different. Still, Hikaru wouldn’t judge the small break that his friend very much needed.

He claimed he was okay but as his aquamarine gaze met his own silvery eyes he could see the truth. He needed a minute to compose himself, a minute to share in Hikaru’s strength. Very carefully Mortis lifted his bloodied wing and invited Hikaru closer bashfully. The boy smiled softly and carefully shifted forward to press himself into Mort’s shoulder. He aimed to wrap his slender ivory legs around his neck as he squeezed him lightly. Willing the bad memories away. "We’ve got a whole vacation to look forward to, without cliffs.” He offered humorously as he tried to lighten the mood.

"Speech"

Hika walked into his outstretched wings, and Mortis folded them around the white furred boy. Feeling the softness of his friends fur beneath how feathered appendages. The Winged Heir sighed, and leaned his head against Hikas for a moment. Taking what strength he could from this pillar in his life. "I hope you like swimming, I want to take the islands back..." Mortis whispered dryly. Now he knew why that always appealed to him. Maybe his subconscious had been avoiding these cliffs.

Knowing they couldn't stay here forever, Mortis cautiously pulled away from his friend, eyeing the slight smudge of blood he left on the other boys back. He could mention it later, when they were in a time and place they could deal with it.

Another fortifying breath, and Mort pulled himself to his paws. He didn't look at the cliff, he only looked forward. Stepping awkwardly forward, feeling Hika close behind him. After a little bit, his steps became less stiff and forced ans the end was in sight. Leaving the thorns behind, opened up the incline down to the beach. Much less frightening then a cliff side.

Willing to shed himself from the taint of his fear, he shook out his coat. "Race you to the sandbar!" He howled, and raced down the incline.

He felt Mort lean into him and relax exponentially as his head over his own. Hika gave of himself freely, especially to this sweet man. He held onto him tightly, willing his strength into Mortis as he pressed into his dark fur. Physical affection was no stranger to him or Mortis, they were often cuddling at the end of a long day together anyway. This moment felt different though, there was a different kind of support coming from Hikaru and Mortis needed much more than just simple friendship from him. He needed support of a different kind and Kaiyo would provide as much as he could. He would have given all of himself to Mortis if he needed it of him.

Hika chuckled softly as Mortis prepared early and mentioned they would be swimming their way back home. "Have you ever heard of a koi that doesn’t like water?” He asked in amusement as he pulled back just rough to catch Mort’s vibrant aquamarine gaze with his own liquid silver.

The pale boy was both relieved and reluctant to let Mort’s neck go as he steeled himself for the rest of the journey before them. Hikaru gave the winged boy an encouraging grin as he shook his pelt of the dust and heavy emotions that gripped him. Mortis seemed to do his best to forget his near death experience and almost playfully challenged him to an innocent race.

Hikaru took a moment before he leapt after the winged boy, admiring his tenacity and strength to shed his worries that plagued him so deeply. That Hika was coming to realize went far deeper than a simple fear of heights. For now all they had was joy, the koi boy followed exuberantly, sure he wasn’t about to win but finding the pleasure in racing after his dear friend.

"Speech"

“Good point” Mortis agreed, it did seem that every koi wolf he had met had a love for water. Not that he had met too many of course. The banter was a good distraction until they made it out of the bramble cliff-side. It was harrowing and horrible, and he wasn’t certain he could ever bring himself to take that path again.

Then they left the cliff behind them, and there was freedom of open spaces. Thank goodness for flat plains! Through he cursed how weak-kneed he had let his fear bring him. He was just grateful now to be racing towards the Bifrost on swift paws. His wings spread out on either side of him as he let out a whoop into the wind. His feathers created drag around him, slowing him, but he didn’t care.

They hit the land bridge at a similar time, and Mortis grabbed Hika with a wing as they came to a stop. Determined to put behind him his fears on the cliff, he turned to Hika. wishing to remember not his fear - but Hika’s steadying strength. ‘Welcome, Hika, to your holiday. I thought we could end tonight in Wildberry Grove, you ready?”


"Speech"

x

Hika distracted Mortis enough that getting the rest of the way out of the briar and off of the cliffs faster. He made frequent glances towards the winged heir, meeting his blue gaze frequently to help him through the last few steps. Like he said, Mort could make it through out the other side and the koi silently praised his friend. He faced his life’s fears, and he pulled through to the other side. Hikaru wasn’t sure he had ever felt so proud of his friend, or anyone, before.

Mortis really let himself out of the shell that had been confining him on the cliff. It wasn’t that he had faced his fears and crumbled in the moment, it was everything that he could be so free afterwards. No longer confronted and out in the open the pair of them were truly free. Responsibilities were gone, the fear was long gone, and all that remained was the joy of being together. Mortis spread his wings and let out a light hearted release as the wind raced past them. Hika slowed slightly just so he could watch Mortis move over the sand.

There was no declared winner as they both raced over the sparkling sand and as the pair slowed Mortis collected him with a soft wing. Hikaru let himself be herded against Mort’s side, grinning up at his friend as he placed him right where he belonged. "Thank you,” he started softly. "I’m ready, that sounds like a perfect place for camp.” He leaned further against Mort’s dark shoulder and leaned his head against his neck. Completely comfortable with being close and offering his affection. If this was all the love he ever got, Hika would be happy.

"Speech"