His sleep had been restless, but still he tried. Thoughts had been swirling around his head ever since he joined within the ranks of the Cavern wolves. So far, this packed worked a lot in the same way his former did. There were the alphas who spent most of their time with the cubs; The subordinates who picked up a lot of the slack, and the puppies, who were going to grow to be strong members of the pack. Due to the recent birth he didn't know much about his superiors, only that they seemed to be much better parents than his ever were.

One icy eye opened to find Minka's sleeping form gone. Panic shook him and he stood to leave the den. Her scent was fresh, which calmed him a bit, but he still needed to find her. It was time they had a talk anyways. Relief touched him as he spotted her up ahead, and his eyes softened. Something about her always made him feel better, like everything was going to be alright, and he was stupid for worrying. He chose not to announce his presence, as she would know he was there. He scent would touch her nose, or his careless padding would catch her ears.

Until this point their relationship was purely chemical. A reaction that happened when one element was put mixed with the next. He wanted more though. He wanted to know her, and about her. Where did she come from? How old was she? He had no idea, but he had a growing desire to learn everything. Maybe now wasn't the time though. She seemed a bit distraught. Was it because of him?

He moved toward her, also finding comfort in her closeness. Although she had a tendency to be unpredictable toward him, this meeting had a different feel to it. There was no angst, or uncertainty. Both parties already knew that there was something between them. There would be no more guessing, and wondering. A small smile played on his lips as he looked into her eyes. Her voice caressed the night sky as she spoke to it. He wasn't sure if she was talking more to him or to herself, but regardless, he listened. Silence filled the air when she finished her brief story. He committed it to memory, holding onto it as though it were the most fragile piece of information. It gave him a bit of hope that one day they would grow to know each other.

Her head made contact with his shoulder, and he only tensed for a split second, before relaxing once more. The touch of another was still something he had to grow used to, but in time he knew he would. Minka brought with her a comfort that made him nervous, but excited all the same. Before her, he had been so against this type of lifestyle. A younger him would have told him to run away, even still there was a part of him that said not to get too close, but he ignored it with all he could. Her words were true, they didn't know each other at all. The fae beside him could have been a murderer for all he knew, but of course she wasn't. He could just look at her and know all of the goodness in her heart. "I want to know you too, but I don't even know where to start." Honestly, he didn't. Asterion had never been in a situation such as this. He had never fallen in love, or even wanted to. Ever since he left his birth pack, the only thing on his mind had been his own survival. All of this was so new to him, and he didn't know how to handle it. Eventually he would have to learn to let go and let the ride take him where it may, but that was a lesson that would come in time.

A chill hit his shoulder where her warmth once radiated through his body. He found himself longing for her to place her head back, but he said nothing. It wasn't like him to ask things of another unless they personally owed him, and even then he had never missed the feel of another's pelt against his. A shiver ran through his body, and he hoped she would think it was the chill of the night air against him rather than the cold he felt from her pulling away. Her words hit him like a brick wall, and for the first time he realized the truth in that statement. He was here with her to stay. They had all night, and possibly the rest of their lives. What a strange concept.

Her gesture had his body moving to follow her without an ounce of protest. Another strange spell she had placed on him. If it were anyone else he might have protested, but he did not want to deny her. The offer of a game was another thing he couldn't refuse, but that stemmed back to his old self. Asterion was never one to reject a challenge, but this was a game without a winner. There would be no prize, or sense of greatness. No first place, or second. It was only the two of them, finally on an equal playing field, trying to figure out what exactly was between them. "I think that sounds fair." Really it was, because neither would ask a question that they themselves wouldn't answer. They were putting themselves up on the table for the other to see, hoping to receive the same frailties of the other.

He watched as she moved through her brain, searching for something to pull out, and he couldn't help but smile. It was so faint, and repressed so quickly that he couldn't be sure she had even saw it, but it had been there. Once again replaced by his calculating features. Her story poured over him, and he promised himself that he would remember every detail of his time with her. He would never be able to forget any of this, because it was important, and for whatever reason, so was she. The first one was easy, just about her siblings, and it was something he wasn't too hesitant to share. "I have only one sibling. A sister named Io. Her and I were the only cubs that I know of who were born of my mother. Netsu," He paused, after spitting a little too much hate into the name. Netsu was the bane of his existence, and a wolf he would surely like to take down a few pegs. Continuing on before she could notice too much, he spoke, "who would have been considered my step father had brought many litters into the world, but I never acknowledged them as family. My mother may have had litters after I left, but I assume none with my father." He too racked his brain for a question, deciding to go with a simple one as well. I have experienced about thirty-eight full moons give or take a few, so my question is, how old are you?" A very basic need to know question, and something he was curious about.

I am sooo sorry this took so long e.e I am back now, and ready for sooo much Minrion!

He took note of her smile, figuring that she must have seen his. He made a mental note not to let it show through the cracks next time. It was a strange game he played with the female next to him. He was constantly trying to make sure he didn't get too close to her, and yet here he was begging to be next to her. Asterion had already decided that there was something seriously wrong in his head, and that was the problem here. If it weren't for his past he would have been an open book toward the female he found so endearing, but he couldn't let that happen. If she found out too much she might look at him differently. The brown male was a love child, who had ended up leaving the only family he ever knew. If her opinion changed then she might leave, or worse, take pity on him. Fortunately though, this was a time of peace for the pair. They weren't playing their usual tug of war, but rather giving as much slack as they were taking.

Assessing her reaction to his words he found shock dance across her soft features. He knew she caught the hitch in his voice, and was more than thankful that she didn't seem to question it. The male could almost sigh in relief as she continued on. One day he would tell her all about it, but only when he was sure she was ready. Maybe he needed to be ready as well. Her delicate voice fluttered through his ear once again, answering his question. The fae was just a bit younger than himself, which didn't come as a shock to him. It was obvious that she had matured, but she wasn't close to her elder years yet. He was unnerved by her tone though. Sadness poured into it, flowing like a river upon him. Why was her birthday a soft spot for her? He wanted to ask, but it wasn't the game. She hadn't asked him, and so he would let sleeping dogs lie. At least for now.

Her pitch changed however, turning into joy and a sense of wonder. Asterion was also surprised to find that they had something in common. The tell tale signs of a coming storm on the horizon, the light sound of thunder rolling upon the earth as everything was washed clean. It was astounding to watch, and something he relished in. He did however catch her sneaking in a second question, but he planned on using it to his advantage this time. "I believe I prefer summer as well, and for the same reason. I've always enjoyed watching a storm pour over the world, bringing new life and sustaining those already existing below." Racking his brain again, he found something that he didn't even think abut before, but it was a very important question. "I.. well.. I.. My mother always told me that some day.." He paused, unsure of how to word it, but he continued on because he needed to know. She needed to know as well. "She always told me that I would.. have pups.. and I never did. So my question to you, is.. Have you ever.. had your own litter?" If they were going to go anywhere he had to know if she had pups of her own somewhere, and if they were going to show back up in her life. He didn't mean to delve the questions too far, and he wouldn't be upset if she opted out of answering but he had to at least try.

The sound of her laughter filled his head, and the air around them. As hard as he tried, he couldn't recall such a simple melody. Sure he'd heard others, even himself laugh before, but it was in the carefree way she did it. It was like she put her whole heart into it. A bird fluttered from a tree, and he felt her step into him. Instinctively he stood a little taller, ready for the bird to bring a whole mass of razor sharp feathers and talons upon them. It was enough to erupt a laugh of his own. Strange that the two predators could get so worked up over a small bird flying from it's nest. "It seems that we also both have a strange fear of small, harmless creatures." He gave her a playful smile, which seemed very out of character for him. Even he knew that it was an oddity.

He watched the sadness creeping into her features as she spoke, and he realized that it probably wasn't the best question to ask. He should have found something else, racked his brain for a question that wasn't important. Anything would have been better than watching her like this. The spirit inhabiting her before seemed a distant memory. Her laugh no longer rang against the wind, or echoed through the trees. Guilt balled up in his chest, and he wanted to tell her he was sorry. It wouldn't happen again. He just wanted her to be happy, and yet he was the one who turned her mood sour. The next shock he endured was due to her decrease in confidence. She was afraid she would never find a mate, or someone who would plan on having a family with her. It was the strange realization that he didn't even know where they stood. What was he supposed to call her, or vise versa? They hadn't defined their 'relationship', if they were even in one. The pair walked a strange line, teetering miles above the ground, unsure of their footing, and both afraid of falling. What would come next?

He tried to combine words, belt out a comforting sentence, but it was all failing him. Instead he moved forward, running his muzzled along her cheek. For the first time he stayed like that, refusing to pull away; not that he wanted to. He hoped that she would take comfort in his affection, but he wasn't sure if it was possible. He couldn't give her the world, and he wasn't sure if he could give her pups. He didn't know if he could have a family, or what it would mean for them. All he was sure of in this moment, was that he wanted to be exactly where he was. Asterion wanted her to be happy, and he needed her to be okay. "Anyone would have to consider themselves lucky just to be near you." In fact he did. She could have shooed him away at any point but she hadn't. Words began flowing then, and whether they made any sense was not up to him. "You're full of spit and fire, with a delicate presence to contrast. You are quite possibly the most insane wolf I have ever met, and I find you getting under my skin all of the time. Yet here we are, and still I feel the need to be here. I.. I like being around you." It was the closest to a confession she was going to get for now.