Eden had patched him up. Fresh wounds littered his body from the raid on Habari, followed by the bloody fight he had with his son. His coat smelled strongly of herbs, his left ear soaked with poultice earlier that he had shaken off. Eden probably wouldn't be happy about that, but oh well. He wasn't really one to care much about what others thought or felt these days. He was still processing the fact that she was pregnant with his puppies, and was endlessly worried that any one of them might come out like him. Plagued by the Praetor demon. In his aimless wandering to nowhere, he looked up and found himself in Abaven's old hunting grounds. The pack's scent had disappeared and there was not a scent left. The rain and coastal winds and hurricanes that had been ravaging Boreas this season had seemingly washed away all traces of the pack. He had been surprised when they disbanded, but also...part of him was glad for it. He wondered if Corvus had moved on somewhere, or if he was doing better or worse these days. While he still held some hatred in his heart for the earthen male, part of him still longed for him. And honestly, he hated that. Not only was he a captive in his own mind, but it seemed his heart as well. The evening sky shifted, dark clouds looming over the lands, heavy with rain. He could smell it in the air, but not a single drop had fallen yet. He just...needed to get away for a bit. Since he had stolen Eden's freedom and joined the pirates, his mind had been nothing but a muddled mess. Even more after the violent attack on his own son. Blödhgarm had been a constant whisper in the back of his mind since the raid, and Ignis never knew these days when he would choose to emerge to destroy even more of his life. "Ignis"||"Blödhgarm"

Life after Abaven was quiet. So many of the wolves that had once called those lands their home had since dispersed, some most likely still staying close to where he and Twig still called home while others were yet to be accounted for. Unfortunately he hadn't been able to find Theory yet, though he wouldn't stop trying as long as he was able to. Balancing his life with Twig and wanting to stay close to where they'd lived for so long now was a priority though, despite his semi-frequent trips away from home to try to catch wind of where Theory had headed, though it'd been awhile since he'd encountered her scent.

Still, he had hope. Though he tended to be a cynic even on his best days, generally preparing himself for the worst, he knew he had to try to be optimistic about his future a a whole. He still had Twig, and he knew Theory was out there somewhere. He just had to hope he'd find answers once he finally reunited with her. The alternative - not finding her or knowing her eventual whereabouts - was too much for him to consider as a possibility.

Today it felt particularly hard to keep his chin up though, especially as the day drew to a close and the clouds darkened overhead. Rain seemed to be on the horizon but it was hard to tell how soon it was due to begin. Corvus drew his attention to the sky and spent a long moment deliberating on his next move. Perhaps it was time to make his way back to his den. He'd planned on doing some fishing but daylight was rapidly fading and he wasn't sure nighttime fishing was on his agenda.

Neither was running into someone he hadn't seen in years, though as soon as his ex-friend's familiar scent reached his nose he had to give pause. Him being here was no longer a threat like he'd once feared it had been; there were so many things he found his mind straying to in his past, especially these days, but he'd kept Ignis at a safe distance in his memories. At least until now. The emotions that suddenly flooded back to him had dulled over time but they were still present and very real - all the hurt and betrayal and confusing longing hadn't fully gone away, it'd only grown quieter.

A sigh fell from his lips as he moved to gross the plains, overtaken by a curiosity he knew better than to try to sate. But as he drew closer he swore he smelled what could only be fresh injuries, and though he knew better he couldn't help but feel worry, even after the years that had passed. He was slow to approach when he finally saw him, keeping a safe distance but very much making his presence known, though he was silent as he fought to get a better look at Ignis from a distance, the sun sinking and casting both of their shadows across the grass.

He surveyed the plains, walking slowly as he crossed the creek, and remained careful and aware since he knew various types of serpents frequented the area. Would it...be so bad though? If he just...let one of the venomous ones take hold of him? To let them end the neverending suffering? Would their venom end the pain he longed to escape? He almost considered it enough to just fall here today. Ironic, no? To die in the lands where he had met his first crush. The first one he ever had feelings for. But he couldn't bring himself to make the decision. While he was not romantically involved with Eden, she carried his pups. He needed to keep himself alive long enough to at least determine which of those pups would be safe...and which would need to be destroyed if they turned out like him. It was a future he didn't look forward to in the slightest. And yet, he knew that if he tried to end the pain and suffering before his time, Blödhgarm would not let him do it. Ignis would forever be a prisoner. Mind, body, and soul. So what then? What kind of control over his own life did he truly have? He took a deep breath, and at that moment he caught it. He froze, surprise tensing his muscles as he inhaled that familiar scent. How long had it been? How long ago had he tried desperately to seal away those memories only for them to emerge when Blödhgarm came for him? He didn't know if the remnants of these particular memories were the only thing that kept bringing him back. Kept him alive and surviving Blödhgarm's wrath each and everytime. Would he have succumbed and completely disappeared without them? To forever be buried by the sinister presence that had chained him long ago? He didn't know. He wanted desperately not to look up. To keep his gaze on whatever path lay ahead. To forget anything and everything that had to do with his past. And yet...he just couldn't simply forget. Couldn't forget the happiness. The feelings he had during the times he spent with him. But also couldn't forget the pain that the one he had fallen in love with had chosen someone else. A stranger. Someone that Ignis knew absolutely nothing about. Someone that didn't deserve what Ignis craved. The feelings threatened to surface, prickling his fur. But he forced them down. At least for now. His head lifted at last. And the scarred and bloodied creature that was a shell of his past self searched for the one he simply couldn't seem to ignore. He...looked the same. Seemingly untouched by the ravages of life, unlike himself. The only thing he was touched by was age. Ignis observed him for a heartbeat or two before finally speaking. "I see you're still hanging around here." He made no move to get closer. Afraid of what might happen if he did. "Ignis"||"Blödhgarm"

Corvus had never fully understood why Ignis had acted the way he had that day, so long ago now - it'd been nearly two years, if he was remembering correctly. He understood the events that had happened between their packs back then had caused some strain and had hurt both of them. He understood too, even more now, that Ignis confessing his feelings had been painful after Corvus had confessed he had a girlfriend, but he still felt his reaction had been... surprising, to say the least.

He had no idea if time had helped smooth over those feelings or if they still lay simmering just below the surface. Almost as soon as he saw Ignis he felt some of them coming back, though he was careful to keep them reigned in. The past was just that - the past - and dredging up old, painful feelings never did anyone any good. But he couldn't ignore his oldest friend. His paws kept pulling him closer, step by step, though he was careful to keep his distance. Upon further inspection, it was obvious the sort of state his old friend was in. His ear was torn, looking as though it had been freshly maimed, and he smelled of fresh injuries and healers' herbs. He'd definitely seen better days.

Not that Corvus looked exactly the same as he had years ago, though he hadn't changed all that much overall. He was older now, and likely looked a little more tired than he used to, especially since Abaven's dissolution.

"I guess so," Corvus responded somberly. What else could he possibly say? He'd been born in these lands and he wondered sometimes if he'd ever leave, but that wasn't a question for right now. "What.. brings you back here?" Corvus hesitated for a second, choking on words that came out stiffly as if he was talking to a stranger. So much time had passed between them that he wasn't sure how how to talk to him anymore, or if talking to him at all was even the right move.

Corvus drew closer. But not close enough. The earthen male stopped a safe distance, which didn't surprise him. Considering what happened the last time they had seen each other all that time ago, Ignis was still surprised he had come out mostly unscathed after falling off the cliff. He had hoped the waves would've consumed him. That the ocean would swallow him, or at the very least, leave him broken against the rocks. But no. Somehow, he had managed to survive that. Much to his dismay. He wasn't sure how to feel or think in the face of this anymore. Not after everything that had happened. For a long time, practically the whole time since he had last seen Corvus, he had felt nothing but anger and hatred and regret towards him. But now, as they stood mere feet from each other...he wasn't so sure anymore. Those emotions he had felt way back when threatened to engulf him. Threatened to sweep him off his feet and bring him down. Was Corvus still with the unknown girl? Probably. He could smell traces of her on his fur. And it caused his nose to wrinkle and his fur to prickle subtly once more. "I guess so," His words simple. Somber. "What.. brings you back here?" He didn't miss how those words came out. After all the time they had known each other...they were practically like strangers. Two creatures set back in time. Unsure of one another. Hesitant. Wary. Unsure. Distrust had been sown between them. And Ignis didn't know if they'd be able to break past that... "I...just trying to clear my head...I guess..." It was probably the most honest thing he'd said these days. Between feeling like his life had been falling apart piece by piece, and the torment he felt in the core of his soul...something had dragged him back here, he was sure. After all...running into his old friend and longed-for heart couldn't just be a coincidence, right? Something had led him here. But now he didn't know how to proceed. "I'm...sorry...about your pack." Was he thought? He doubted it. "Ignis"||"Blödhgarm"

The thoughts that rolled over in his head only seemed to grow more turbulent with each second that passed. If part of him hoped to find answers from this reunion with Ignis, he kept those hopes carefully tucked away; it seemed more likely that he'd just be left with more questions, but still he couldn't bring himself to just walk away. There were too many questions left unanswered. Still, he was glad to see his former friend alive, even if he didn't really look well. It wasn't a surprise he was still kicking around though, apparently against all odds. He'd always been a survivor, a fighter, and Corvus found himself feeling glad for that now more than ever.

The relief was palpable, even though the rest of his emotions were too numerous and complex to begin to rifle through at this moment. "I haven't gone far. Still feels like home, even with everyone gone." He thought to mention Theory's disappearance but decided against it. He didn't know Ignis the way he once had; it was hard to tell what might be too much information to divulge. If Theory was already in danger - he had no clue if she was or not - he wanted to avoid anything that even had the slightest chance of making things worse. It was hard to say what Ignis knew or not.

He seemed to realize Abaven was no longer, if nothing else. "I'm doing the same. Not sure where I'm going next." He meant that in a much grander sense of what he was doing in the immediate future. He had no idea where he and Twig were meant to be, where they might settle down - but the thought of living his days out with her alone here, in these vacant lands, didn't settle well with him. He knew he'd be content wherever he was as long as she was at his side, but he wanted more for them than just this. They deserved so much more. "Thank you for saying that." The apology sounded sincere, or so he thought, and he did appreciate it. "I do hope life has been kind to you," he offered after a moment. His words were somber; admittedly Ignis didn't look all that well but he hoped he'd found some kind of silver lining in everything he'd gone through. That much was important.

"I haven't gone far. Still feels like home, even with everyone gone." Part of him felt...envious. He couldn't say he knew what that felt like. Ruina had fallen when he was young. Abaven was short-lived, and Winterfell had crumbled to ruins thanks to him. As for the Plunder? He felt neutral about it. It was the more stable home so far, yes. But he'd only been there less than a year, and only time would tell how long it would stand for. His earthen heartache mentioned he was doing the same. Clearing his head, too. He didn't blame him after all that had happened in their lives. Perhaps Corvus felt stuck in a similar way that he did. "Not sure where I'm going next." His ear perked up. He was...unsure how to respond to that. He didn't know if Corvus was alone, or if he was still with that girl. He could smell her, but didn't know if it was fresher or older. The herb stench that clung to his pelt made it difficult for him to determine that for sure. He had to stop himself from just blurting out that he should come live with him. The thought alone caused his heart to hammer painfully against his chest. Why did he still feel like this? After everything, shouldn't he be angry still and want Corvus to suffer for not loving him back? In the end, Ignis sighed and hung his head in defeat. There was no way he could ask him to come with him...not after their last encounter...and he was trying his best to avoid a repeat. To deter the demon that so far, continued to remain silent. But he was afraid that it would suddenly awaken, so he kept his distance...for now. Corvus thanked him, and Ignis looked up with sad, hopeless eyes. He must look pathetic now...at least, compared to how he used to look. Pining over someone who chose someone else. How much more pathetic could he get? "I do hope life has been kind to you," He sighed again, shaking his head, suddenly he felt and looked years older than he was. Tired. Exhausted. "I wish I could say it has been, but it's clear it's been the opposite of kind." He lifted his head again, taking a step forward as he shifted his body a bit to reveal many new scars, the docked tail, his missing ear. Not a single scar could hide beneath his crimson fur. No, he laid it all out for Corvus to see just how kind life had been. "My first litter of kids hates me. One of them ripped off my ear after I tried to rip off his tail over insignificant shit. The others I haven't seen in ages, and my latest litter's mother ran away, stealing one of them. I tore Winterfell to the ground, destroyed Acere's life, and he died without the honor he deserved, while I ruined his legacy. I killed a friendship with the only wolf I've trusted with everything that I have, spilled my heart to him, and I still pine after him like a lovestruck pup despite him choosing someone else. Karma has been getting me back each and every day for all that I've done. So in a way, I suppose life has been kind in the sense that it's inching me closer to death, but leaving me hanging at the edge each and every time." He swore it had all come out in a single breath, things he hadn't meant to say at all. Not so suddenly, anyway. He could feel his stress and tension rising, heart slamming against his chest as he steeled himself, claws digging into the ground. Desperation clawed at him, something he hadn't felt in a long time, and he had no clue how to deal with it without showing weakness. Why the hell did Corvus have to be here!? "Ignis"||"Blödhgarm"

Corvus had never been the most eloquent of wolves, speaking plainly more often than not, but his words always held an air of truth to them. He didn't say things he didn't mean, and he meant exactly what he'd said. This place felt like home, and likely always would, even as he and Twig moved on and made a new home elsewhere. He knew that was the direction they were headed but he hadn't quite brought himself to make that step. Soon, though.

It was hard for him to gauge just what Ignis was thinking or feeling, and he watched him - not too carefully, not wanting him to feel like he was being scrutinized like some kind of puzzle, though Corvus found himself longing for the smallest glimpse inside his head. Did he regret what had happened the last time they had met? Did he even fully remember just how he'd acted? Corvus didn't know much about mental illness but it was clear, to him at least, that Ignis hadn't been himself that day. Today he seemed much more like the man he remembered, the most faithful friend he'd had through all his youth - until that one day.

It was obvious life hadn't treated him well but still Corvus had to hope it had, despite the outward signs. But his hopes were crushed quickly as Ignis admitted it hadn't been well, not only revealing the scars he'd accrued over the years but going on to explain more about how his life had gone. He'd had kids, but his relationship with them wasn't good. He continued to explain more about things that had gone wrong - but then suddenly Ignis was talking about none other than himself, and their relationship. The ache in his chest, a feeling for Ignis that had never fully disappeared, only grew as he spoke. His words were genuine, at least as far as he could tell, and Corvus fell silent for a long moment.

His discomfort was clear - his eyebrows pulled together tightly, his eyes closing briefly as he took in his old friend's words and tried to mull over them. "I'm sorry," Corvus spoke softly, his voice betraying that he still very much cared about Ignis, even after everything. "You had to know I loved you too, right? I don't think I had the words for it then, but… then the way everything went…" he trailed off, a slight waver audible in his voice, like he just might start to cry if he wasn't careful.

He'd picked Twig, and he'd pick her time and time again, but that didn't lessen the way he'd felt back then - nor the way he still felt - about Ignis, even after the pain he'd caused him. He'd been his closest companion in his youth and no amount of pain could lessen those memories, at least for him. "I don't think ruining things with all those people is a death sentence though. There's always a way up and through, you just have to find it," he offered, feeling like his words were lame but he meant them completely. This wasn't it for Ignis - it couldn't be. The way he said it, it was like he was telling himself that as much as he was Ignis. He was cautious as he took a few small steps closer, wanting badly to close the distance between them finally, but far too wary to move too quickly.

He was laying everything out. The old wounds that he thought would someday heal...they hadn't. The heartache he thought he'd someday get over. Still ached. He didn't know what the hell it was about Corvus, but no matter what he tried to do in order to forget, no matter how hard he tried to get rid of the way he felt, nothing seemed to work. Eden. His children. The pirates. Getting into fight after fight after fight, accumulating scar after scar after scar...the physical pain was only temporary, and though they left lasting scars, nothing seemed to be working. Hell, he hadn't even known what to think of the relationship he and Eden had. He swore that at one point, she was actually starting to help him get over this...but then it all spiraled when she disappeared, and then...well...here he was, right back to square one. He swore he'd been through everything and had nothing but pain and regret to show for it. Sure, he loved his kids, but his vices seemed to be getting in the way of them, too. "I'm sorry." Ig sighed deeply, head hanging just a little lower as he drew in those words. "You had to know I loved you too, right? I don't think I had the words for it then, but… then the way everything went…" Yes...he knew...he couldn't remember everything that happened the last time they saw each other, but he had gotten a picture of it. It was why he had avoided looking for Corvus all this time...he knew something bad had happened, he just couldn't clearly remember what. "I know..." Did he still love him? Or had Corvus managed to move on, unlike himself? He half-heartedly smiled as Corvus tried to cheer him up, but he knew that it simply wouldn't be. He was a destroyer. At least, he was pretty sure of it, anyway. Nothing in his life had ever gone right, even in his earlier years before all of this. And when he saw Corvus take a few small steps toward him and stop, the look in his eyes, the waver he had previously heard in his voice...Ig wanted nothing more than to feel the comfort of the only one in his life he truly trusted and loved. He swallowed past the lump that had formed in his own throat and stepped forward. Slow at first, then his paws ached to simply get him to the earthen male as quickly as possible, but he restrained himself. He didn't want to look like a desperate fool, but perhaps he'd already been showing that from the get-go. He approached Corvus, head still down as he sought to press his head into the warmth of his chest if he let him. "Ignis"||"Blödhgarm"

Ignis knew that he'd loved him. In the moment, that was all that Corvus felt really mattered. His old friend knowing that bit of information seemed important, even if it wouldn't change how things had gone between them, and even if it wouldn't change how things were going forward. He breathed a heavy sigh as Ignis spoke, the distance between them slowly closing until it was nonexistent, Ignis's head pressing into his chest.

He'd be lying if he said he wasn't wary, not after their last meeting had gone so terribly - but no matter how bad it had been it didn't completely erase everything they'd once shared. Still he didn't quite trust Ignis in the way he once had but his touch was comforting and Corvus found himself leaning into it. "I'm sorry," he breathed quietly, though he knew he had nothing to be sorry for. Still he couldn't help but feel empathy for Ignis. Life had not been easy for him either, but it seemed Ignis had gotten more than his share of hardship - he could tell that just by looking at him, and he felt for him.

He knew he couldn't stay like this forever though, even if it felt right in the moment, to be reunited with his childhood best friend. He practically cradled Ignis against his chest for a long moment, happy to let the moment linger for as long as possible. But eventually he had to pull away, giving the top of his head a light nuzzle as he finally did. "I should be going," he said finally, wondering how many minutes had passed as they stood there and held each other. "If you need me, you know where to find me." He couldn't imagine permanently straying far from the lands he'd grown up in, no matter where life took him. For now though… he couldn't linger here much longer, not when being so close to Ignis for so long felt a little like drowning. He managed a weak smile as he finally broke contact completely, aiming to head back the way he'd came.

-exit Corvus-