As soon as he left Hana's side, Azure went looking for his brother. It was a terrifying thought that somehow Mortis would steal her loyalty away from him, and he knew enough of the world to understand that when you had a thing for a girl that you had to put it out there to your brother as off-limits. He loped across the plains almost hurriedly, as if should he take too much time finding Mortis that Hana might find him first and then it would be too late. "Mort!" The boy began to call as the winged child's scent grew stronger. Against his better judgement, Azure did not hide the panic in his tone. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

At the panic in his brother's tone, Mortis shot from the woods in a stumbling run. He had been resting in the shade, knowing he had a patrol lined up later in the day. Half asleep, and bleary, he reacted on instinct to his brother's voice. His wings slightly flared, and his teeth already bared. He shot past Azure, and skidded to a stop. “Let me at ‘em, let me at ‘em!” but there was no one chasing his brother. He paused, and turned back to Azure, still waking up. His fur a little messy from sleep, and his eyes blinking in confusion. His brother never called his name in a panic. Never. "Mortis""Azure"

Mortis too his credit looked a little fiercer then Azure expected as he barreled by. Once more he desperately wish he had wings he could flare up to make himself look bigger and scarier, but Azure pushed the thought away as quickly as it came on. This was more important then wings or no wings, it was Az's very first friend and how important it was that she was not stolen away from him. A single brow raised in question as his brother turned back towards him, and he couldn't help the short bark of laughter that bubbled up at Mortis' post-sleep 'radiance'. "You look like crap." He teased with a grin. "Didn't mean to scare you, I just wanted to talk." How exactly did one even start such a conversation? 'Hi Mortis, just wanted to let you know that the new girl is mine forever and please don't make her like you too much?' Probably not. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Mort eyed his brother with a sheepish grin at his words, and gave his head a vigorous shake. It likely didn’t help much with his disarrayed hair. Ah well, he was sure Azure had seen worse as they grew up. “I was trying a new, fierce look” he teased back. Yes he was going to call it ‘just woken up’ he was sure it would dazzle his enemies. “You did?” he asked with some surprise. He could remember the one and only other time his brother had sought out his company. It had frustrated him, how badly he wanted to reach an understanding with his brother. They had agreed to disagree… He steeled his young heart, trying to ignore that part of him that just wanted his beloved brothers approval, and put on a smile. “Alright, i’m all ears. What’s up?” "Mortis""Azure"

Azure's eyes rolled at his brother's response and he lifted an oversized paw to ruffle the crown of his head further. Spending time with Hana was loosening him and helping him to find a more relaxed energy around others too. Plus, if he was doing his best to be friendly with Mortis that would help his case in explaining what he needed from his brother. "I, uh. I heard you met my friend. Hanako." He started, bringing his paw back to him to scratch lightly at his chest with his claws. "I wanted to know what you thought of her." Never before had Az had to actually consider his words so carefully, when you didn't care what people thought or retaliated with there was no reason to be careful with your speech. It was not something he was used to, and he struggled over the awkwardness of it all. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

He blinked in surprise as Azure ruffled his fur. It was a gesture he hadn’t seen from his brother since the good, (very) early days. For just a moment, his mask slipped. Azure might find, blinking up at him, the longing more typically found in a younger brother that just wanted his older to like him. Then he smiled goofily and the mask of easy-going-Mort was back. “You know Hanako?” he asked. Had Hana mentioned that? No, he didn’t think she had, had she? Then, the other part of his brother's sentence brought his thoughts to a grinding halt. ‘Friend’? Someone who was no Asla or Indy or Sirius? That Azure called friend and wanted to know his opinion on? For just a moment, briefly, he felt something in his gut. Something that felt rather like the burn of jealousy. So, his brother was capable of making friends. Just, not with him? But Azure was seeking his opinion, that had to mean something good, right? “She’s quick with a smile, and she’s very friendly. Though I fear she’s a little naive on what her ‘Keepers’ Are. Why do you ask?” "Mortis""Azure"

Azure was so caught up in his own difficulty forming words that he hardly noticed Mortis' surprise. He grit his teeth, huffing as he struggled to figure out what exactly he should say. Why was this so hard? He couldn't put a name to the feeling in his chest when he was around her, and thus he couldn't explain to Mortis what he needed from him without being upfront and potentially offending his brother. Normally he wouldn't care whom he offended, but if Mortis was mad enough he might go make better friends with Hana just to spite Az. He couldn't let that happen. A surge of jealousy bubbled up within him as his brother responded, confirming that he'd not only spoken with Hana but enough to know her smile and even about her history. "She's mine." He snapped suddenly, teeth clacking together into a threatening snarl. It took him a moment to rein himself in, his protective anger fading as quickly as it had come and his shoulders slumping in defeat. "I mean, I-" The bearish boy dipped his head and glared at the dirt to hide the heat in his face. "She's my friend, my only friend, and I want you to not be so... you. Around her." His brows furrowed and his paw waved absently in Mortis' direction to gesture to his entire being. Hopefully Mortis understood what he was saying, because he was finding it more and more difficult to speak once more. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

[/b][/b]

Mortis jumped in surprise as Azure snapped at him, aggressive and angry and possessive. It brought sudden, sharp, unshed tears to Mort’s eyes. right because Azure got to pick and choose his friends as he liked, and leave Mort out in the cold. Azure looked abashed at his temper flare, apologetic. He had never seen Azure regret his words before. He just… didn’t care enough to have a censor. The problem was, Mort did understand. Azure had found something shiny and wonderful, and was afraid Mortis would take it from him. But he was still smarting from the bared teeth and snapped words. Didn’t his brother understand what a slap in the face that was? “Keep you damn friend Azure. The only friend I ever wanted was you”. He had to leave, before the tears leaked free, and Azure’s despise for him grew. He turned away from his brother, and made to go. “Don’t worry. I won’t do anything to jeopardize what you have. I love you too much for that. I’ll try keep my distance.” From both of you -Exit unless stopped.- "Mortis""Azure"

Shame crashed over him hard enough to shake away the jealousy, and Azure's maw fell open in an apology he could not find words for. The feelings that had been crushing him for days now were not anything he was used to, and he wished he could go back to how it was before when he had not a care in the world. It hurt to see the pain in Mortis' eyes and it reminded him of how he'd pushed Asla away. Only with Asla he felt he had reason to say the things he did and to leave her behind, with Mortis he could see that the fault lay with him and not his winged brother. "No, Mortis I'm sorry!" He called after him, sprinting across the grass towards his departing form and attempting to catch him, to knock him to the ground beneath him and force him to stay and listen. Azure had never been a cuddly affectionate type, force was all he knew and it was what he fell back on now. "I didn't mean to snap at you, I'm just so confused!" Regardless of whether his attempt had succeeded or failed, Azure's dam had burst and he needed his brother to understand. His young voice shook and he blinked back his overwhelmed tears. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

With quick, sharp breaths, he sought to leave the space his brother occupied. He didn’t expect Azure to come after him. Azure of the past would have smeared at such weak words, and condemned him for them. He wasn’t sure how they had burst free. Perhaps it was the sudden, undeniable pain Azure’s words had brought him. His brother called out to him, and Mort paused, confused, and then Azure was knocking him to the ground. He rolled, his wings flared on the ground beneath him, as he looked up at Azure in surprise. He didn’t make any move to defend himself, but nor did Azure continue aggressive action. Azure looked as overwhelmed as Mortis. He looked young, and uncertain. Not the bold, pig-headed heir who thought himself above all. The change was so shocking, he felt his jealousy start to melt away. There had been no room in Azure’s heart for friendships. Somehow, Hana had changed him. Maybe this wasn’t a bad thing, wasn’t a reason for more pain for Mortis. Maybe, just maybe… This was how they reconnected. He folded his ings gently up, covering half of Azure’s crouched body over him. The gesture intending to be protective, comforting. “You’ve never felt like this, have you?” he asked Azure softly. "Mortis""Azure"

Azure felt the wings he so deeply coveted reach around him and nearly flinched from the touch. Ever since he was old enough to have an opinion he'd pushed away such physical affection even from his parents, only offering small comforting touches to his family on very rare occasions when he thought they needed it. Never did he think that he would need it - and it felt weak to accept the security of his brother's embrace - but Az allowed the touch, only out of fear that if he recoiled Mortis would run away again. He felt suddenly trapped, the emotions within him almost too big to handle but he'd put himself in a position where he could not hide from them. Not without risking his relationship with his brother. There was so much he wanted to say but no matter how hard he tried, his lips moved and no words came out. It was just too hard. He skittered backwards and off his brother, turning away from Mortis' expressive stare quickly before he could see judgement in his eyes. Upon the ground he sat, twice-torn ears pulling back tight against his skull. His head ducked into his chest, his tail wrapping around himself tightly all in an attempt to make himself look smaller. "No." His sad reply eventually came, his back still turned to his brother. "I don't like this feeling." Was it even worth it? To allow himself to be overjoyed by the presence of another if it meant letting all the pain in, too? "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Azure accepted the embrace, only briefly, and then he backed off. Mort did not try to run again. Instead, he got back to his feet, shaking grass from his coat. He took a seat across from his brother, and offered the other boy a cautious smile. Mort was still afraid he would say the wrong thing, and cause retaliation in his brother. So often, Azure’s words were like barbs to him. Mortis wanted, so badly, to hug his brother. He looked so small, and uncertain. But Mortis knew it was a coundary the other wasn’t ready to push. It might not be one that Mort could push. That, too, might take Hana. No. No, he wouldn’t let himself be jealous. “There are so many types of love. Love of a… brother, love of a parent, love of a friend. Love for something more. It can be scary, to allow another to have a part of yourself. But the love of friendship can bring such joy. Something to look forward to. When you open your eyes, and already feel the excitement of spending time with them.” his voice grew softer, smaller. Mal had been gone for a little while now. He wasn’t sure what type of adventure his friend was on, but he missed her. Hana had been a bright distraction, but one he would give up for even the faintest flicker of hope that Azure might like him again. "Mortis""Azure"

Azure kept his gaze lowered, occasionally flicking upwards towards his brother's small smile and then back downward to his paws where his claws dug furrows in the earth. His brother was speaking from experience, and Azure was not sure if he was unimaginably jealous that Mortis was able to know all this love, or if he should pity him for all the pain that love brought with it. He frowned. "Love makes you weak, Mortis." His soft reply came. "Dad could have been the emperor of Ashen, and he let himself be brought down by mom." There was no argument in his voice and this time he was not attempting to to drag Mortis' opinions in line with his own. A part of him wanted his words to be proven wrong. If he was right, would this 'love of friendship' destroy his dreams? There was little his father would not do for those he loved and the Warlord's passionate fury was something that not many could stand up against. Had Sirius aimed it in the wrong directions for the sake of those whom he wanted to protect? Did his love drive him and make him stronger, or did it weaken him and force upon him mercy? Azure saw argument for both answers, and sighed heavily. "I don't know, Mort. I don't know what it is, she just makes me.. ugh, I don't know." He worked his teeth against his lips, chewing nervously until he could taste blood. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

“And he would have been miserable, and angry, and bitter, and alone. You know he never would have made a pack, he did it to house those he protects” Mortis whispered back. He could think of no fate worse. For anyone. But, he had a feeling Azure was just echoing old sentiments, not saying what he really felt. He was afraid, afraid to be loved. Mortis’s heart ached for him Mortis dared a teasing smile, looking up past lashes at his anguished brother. “Sounds like you got yourself a friend, whether you wanted one or not. Or… is she a crush?” he didn’t know how his words would be taken. He never knew with his brother. He always felt like he was taking a stab in the dark and making things worse. But he had to take a risk sometime. Had to try for friendship with this brother whom he loved. "Mortis""Azure"

Azure shot a halfhearted glare up at his brother before shuffling on his butt to face away from him once more. Under his breath his muttered reply came, sad, combative, and a little whiny. "No." A crush? No way. Not him. What a stupid idea. "She's just my friend. The only person in this pack who even likes me and I want her to like me forever." He thought perhaps Magnus had been warming up to him, but the man had seemed absent lately. Had his gift of the baby bear offended the injured man? Azure never knew what was appropriate and what wasn't. "I don't care if you're friends with her but just, when someone has to pick between me or you they always pick you." He sighed, slumping his shoulders further and tucking his head to glance back at his brother briefly. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

A slight hiss left Mort’s throat. Azure really was an idiot sometimes, wasn’t he? “ I like you Azure. I admire you, and look up to you. I always have.” he shook his head. He was so thrilled to be having this heart-to-heart. He could hear it pounding away in his chest. Nerves and excitement. “I’ve been doing a lot of thinking, and I think I want you to be Alpha. I know you’ll protect these wolves. Fight for them. I don’t want this to be between us anymore. I’m going to tell dad I concede the competition to you” he let out a soft breath, his words coming out in a rush. He knew he didn’t have the fire for this job. He just wanted to love everyone, to be a part of their lives. Maybe he could work up to being Reaper, if he could ever win against Mal in a fight, and support Azure that way. But no more. Azure had given him an inch, and Mortis was going to take it with everything he had. Show all his cards. Azure before heir. That was Mortis’ heart. "Mortis""Azure"

His head jerked back in surprise and he stood, whirling on his brother. Blackened lips parted in an argument, then shut with a click. It was all he ever wanted in life, and to be the sole heir to the Armada would give him all the power he desired without any of the struggle or angst. His response was instantaneous and firm. "No, what's wrong with you? That's not what I want." The boy frowned, though the crinkle in his brow was one of concern rather then actual offense. "Mort, even if I wanted to take you up on it I couldn't. The pack wouldn't follow me, not unless I earned it. They love you. If I became the sole heir Malalia would be the first to leave and others would follow as soon as mother and father stepped down." He knew it in his heart to be true and it hurt to say aloud, though his brother needed to hear it. Did Mortis not know how others had spoken to him? How he'd been called a little shit, never to be a good leader? If he one day wanted to lead the Armada, he knew he'd need to prove to everyone that he deserved it and deserved it more than Mortis. If Mort just gave up and he won by default, Az knew he'd never have the respect he craved. "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

...What? Who was this wolf, and where was his brother? This made no sense. It was everything Azure wanted. He knew how much his brother wanted this. He would just turn it away? What happened to the wolf who said he would be leader and he didn’t care if they liked him? He would make them follow him no matter what. It was such a turn about that Mortis’s heart hurt again. His brother was showing so much maturity, so much understanding. Like he was becoming the wolf Mortis always wished he was, but thought he would never get.

He blinked back tears, lowering his head. This time, he was the wolf to turn away. “They think I'm silly, and I play on that. I be the goofiest I can, and they forget their worries for a time, and smile. But that’s not leadership. Who would promote the pack jester to be Alpha? And besides, with those very words, you're showing me how much you’re changing. That maybe you do care about these wolves.” he gave a soft laugh. “If only we could take the best parts of ourselves, and make one wolf. One that everyone would want as leader.”

Azure's large head shook, his paw slapping the ground as he took one step towards his brother and then another as Mortis turned from him. It was so hard to make him see, to make him understand. It was harder still to think that Mortis saw all this good in him when he was nothing but bad. His ears pinned back once more, his voice insistent and nearly begging. "I'm not changing Mort!" He cried out, a heavy exhale punctuating his words. "I told you, these wolves their hopes and dreams don't matter to me." Except Hana's, but that's different. "I want them to respect me. To obey. That won't happen if I don't win for real, they won't listen to me if I was just handed a crown." It frustrated him, and his frustration was bordering upon tears as he so desperately tried to make his brother understand. "I'm not the good guy, you are! I don't want to be the heart of the pack, I want to be the one that's feared by enemies and who Ashen and the Armada can rely on to crush those same enemies." His gaze tore off the back of his brother's head back down to his paws. It was not easy for him to admit outwardly how different he was to his siblings, how different he was to the father he'd spent his life emulating. His intensity waning, he continued. "I don't want to rescue strays like Dad or nurse people back to confidence and health. I want to hurt things, Mortis. I like the way it feels. You should never look up to me." "Speech" "Thinking" "You."

Azure yelled it out, but Mortis’ wasn’t hearing it. Maybe it was true, maybe it wasn’t, but Azure had shown a different color today. Showed something beneath the surface that made Mort’s heart glow. Maybe he wanted to pretend he didn’t care, but Mortis wasn’t so sure it was true anymore.

“You rescued Hana. You wanted to hunt down the bear that hurt Magnus. You're more like dad then you know. He doesn't give a shit about the people he doesn't love. He can be cruel, and uncaring. But those he decides are his like your Hana, those he protects. He’s just older, and found more to collect than you have.” Mortis pointed out softly. “Besides, I’m not strong enough to be leader, Azure. I don’t think I could make the hard decisions. I don’t think I could turn people away. I would invite trouble to the Armada. I would house more than we could afford to. I would make promises, and not have the strength to back then up. I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about this. I love these people too much. It would get in my way. I would be too busy trying to please them that I wouldn’t be doing what's right to look after them. If I was leader, I would only lead them into ruin. No. I would not and could not do it without you. Therefore, it only makes sense, that you have to be leader.”