The shuffling sounds grew closer, and he knew whatever creature created it was just outside their hiding pace. The strange part was that he still could not see what created the noise. The mist seemed to condense in the space right outside their hollow. He could taste the dampness in the air. He squeezed his eyes shut, bracing himself to face… whatever this was.

And then it was gone. The mist lifted like a wind had tossed it aside, the sound of sniffling ceased, and he blinked into the suddenly visible world outside and found it empty. Blinking in shock, Mortis cautiously pulled himself out of the hallows, straightening his bent body with a groan, before he turned back and offered a paw to Hika. “It’s gone… I think” he murmured, his voice still cautious and soft.


"Speech"

x

Hika buried his features in Mort’s shoulder, clinging as close as he could as everything seemed to come to a head. The fog was so dense he could barely see Mort in front of his face. The sound of the hunter beyond the tree’s hollow was upon them, and for a moment Hikaru was convinced he would see the reckoning. Then it was gone. Instead of death there was absolutely nothing.

The koi felt frozen, but Mortis shifted, pulling himself free of the tree as he was convinced there was no more threat. Hikaru wasn’t so sure, but he took Mort’s offered paw and lifted himself into the clear air. Hikaru pressed his small white frame against Mortis’ dark side, finding his way beneath his wing where he belonged. "I hope you’re right.” He didn’t mean to let his voice show just how spooked he really was.

"Speech"

He felt Hikas uncertainty, his fear. He could see it in the boys gentle eyes. Despite that fear, he let Mortis lead him out of the hallow. Out of their little sanctuary, and into Morts arms. The winged boy held tightly to Hika, burying his head in the top of the white boys fur. Breathing in the scent of him. Like leather and ocean and smoke. Like home. "I... I was so sure we were going to die" he admitted, swallowing past the lump in his throat. "I thought thought was going to be it, and I realised there was so much more I wanted to do with my life"

He didn't know how to say the words he wanted to. He didn't know if Hika wanted the same things as him, he didn't know if it was right. What would his father say? He couldn't imagine the Warlord would be impressed. He wanted to be surrounded by grand babies. Little miniature warriors to train up. But in this, Mortis wanted something his father didn't. He couldn't hold back, not after he had almost lost his time with Hika. "Hika..." he said softly, and he pulled back just a little bit, putting enough space between them for Mortis to reach a paw under the other boys chin. "Hika..." he said again, and it was a whisper. He didn't use the words he couldn't find, instead he used something more. He reached forward, slowly, giving Hika plenty of room to pull away, and began to kiss the other boy.

Mortis returned his embrace, his strong arms suddenly around his shoulders as he buried his features into the ivory fur of his scruff. Hikaru closed his eyes and held on tight, knowing right now they should probably be dead. He didn’t know what had been after him, but ot was nothing normal. The whole experience shook both of them, Mortis revealed as he started to speak softly into the koi’s kohl lined ear. "Me too,” he whispered softly. Just as certain these were going to be their last moments together, Mort went on though, eventually losing his ability to put into words exactly what he felt.

Mortis whispered his name, the nickname he had become so familiar with. Hikaru looked up, his cheek caught by a warm dark paw as his own silver eyes met Mort’s deep oceanic gaze. The corners of his lips pulled back in a soft smile as Mort chased the fear away. With his name once more all words were lost as he leaned forward. Hikaru barely mumbled Mort’s name before their lips met. In a way that was unlike anything hed experienced before. A sudden reveal of everything he had rejected for so long. Best friends, but there was so much more beath the surface, beneath the lid that was finally opened.

Hikaru pressed against Mort’s lips with a similar affection, knowing but denying for so long that this was what he had wanted. This sweet kiss from the sweet man he had fallen in love with. Hika wrapped his arms around Mort’s neck and let his lips dance with the other boy’s, hints of the deep passionate feelings he had for him rolling along his affection as he closed his eyes and got lost there in the forest with Mortis.

"Speech"

There was no hesitation from Hika. the white wolf met his kiss, shaking free of any restrictions he had settled on himself, and claiming Mort's mouth with his own. The winged heir pulled Hika closer to him, cradling his wings about his friend's body. Kissing him for a long time, and eventually coming up for air. He broke free, drawing in a ragged breath. “Oh, wow” he whispered, and felt himself blushing. Trying to figure out how this new reality would settle around him.

“We should look at getting some breakfast” he advised, since his plans for a picnic in the grove had been overthrown by ghosts. He grinned then, and kissed Hika again, a quicker kiss this time, just to remind himself that he could.


"Speech"

x

Hikaru hadn’t thought that he would ever get to enjoy this moment, he’d been so careful not to let himself indulge into anything that would negatively affect their relationship. He would never forget Mort’s hesitation and reaction after Hanako stole that kiss from him and he had very nearly lost his friend all together. He was honest when he said he would be content as his best friend, but as their lips met and the emotions were truly let loose Hika knew this was exactly what he wanted. To be Mort’s partner in life, to share this deeper affection.

Mortis pulled him closer, while the gesture was so similar to their everyday the way he held him now felt completely different. The near death experience had been terrifying, but it also revealed those deeper feelings. They had always been there, since they met in that blizzard last winter. Now they were real and surrounding him just as Mort’s wings did as they indulged in each other, ignoring their need for air for a long few moments as they explored each other’s lips and the feeling behind them.

Mortis pulled back as Hika felt his lungs begin begging for air, and they both gasped softly as their eyes met again. The koi blinked back his sudden bashful feelings, astounded, excited, and breathless. Mortis mentioned breakfast but his butterfly filled stomach wouldn’t be able to accept much in the way of breakfast. Before Hika could reply Mort leaned forward with another innocent kiss, as if he was just trying to tell himself it was allowed, but Hikaru welcomed the affection. It was everything that he wanted.

Hika’s grin was wide and bright, he’d already completely forgotten the strife they struggled through in the hollow tree. "We should,” he returned softly, but there was obvious hesitation as silver eyes looked up into Mort’s handsome features. "Mortis…” He started, just as tongue tied as the young man before him had been. Were they just going to move on from something as astounding as that kiss? "You dodn’t have to say it back but…” He hesitated, still uncertain if he said it Mort wouldn’t shut down again. Not after so long holding it in and ignoring it. "I’m in love with you. I have been, for a very long time.”

"Speech"