Wild Rye Fields Be who you are

The timing couldn't be any worse. With the birth of his second litter, Askan didn't want to pull Drestig away from his family. His pups and mate deserved his attention, required it even, and yet he was all the Selwyn had left. In terms of a father figure that is. Wasn't he so pathetic? That he wanted to cling on so tightly to him, just in case something happened? Because Gods above, if something happened to him he wouldn't be able to stand it. And that was only taking himself-rather selfishly- into consideration. What of his newborn children? Didn't they deserve him just as much, if not more so then Askan?

Askan was such an awful person, he knew that Jessie would no doubt want to twist his ear for this, but he continued forward, trudging along the old path towards the communal den.

He didn't frequent this part of the territory as much as he used to, but ever since the incident he'd been avoiding it like the plaque. He knew they all meant well, that they simply wanted to help but honestly, he didn't want to have to deal with apologetic stares and offers of help. They didn't know what had happened, only Reyes did at this point, but they knew something bad had occurred. Something so awful that it transformed the gruff bastard with a heart of gold into a flighty, feeble mutt who was more to prone to outbursts of tears rather than aggression.

Stepping into the forest opening, Askan glanced about and his tail curled inward between his legs.

"Drestig?" He called, his voice still a little raspy and sore, but far stronger than it had been days before. If he wasn't here, well he knew there were other places to check, but he didn't really want to. He just wanted...What was out of reach, for what it was worth he might as well try and drag the clouds to the ground.

There was still little for him to do. He would bring Jessie food, and watch over the puppies whenever she needed to go relieve herself. But most of the time, she was with them, and she was what they needed. Such tiny things, wiggling and mewling, demanding attention even with their feeble, blind stumbling and wailing. He was happy that he could spend more time around them than he had Percy at that age, safe in the knowledge that his pack protected the borders while he tended to his mate and their young. Still, he couldn't leave everything up to them, there were duties a leader needed to attend to, and despite their strength, he knew his pack mates needed down time too. They were healing, all of them.

What had happened to Askan had shaken them to their core. It was brutal and it was wrong, and yet they could do nothing, all had already been done. The rest of the pack might not know the grisly details, but they had been assured the threat was neutralized and the patient attended to, now he needed time and space. The king tried to give him that. He would check in on him at the secluded den he shared with his mate, bringing food and sometimes exchanging words with Reyes, prodding to see how things were going. But he never stayed long, and when Askan did not react to his voice near the opening, he accepted it, shaking himself and leaving quietly; Time… It was all he had to offer the lad; Hopefully it will be enough..!

But today, as he was stopping by the main den on his way from Jessie's birthing den to the borders, an unexpected voice quietly called his name. Grayed ears perking, Drestig stopped in his tracks, scanning the forest edge until his eyes landed on the dark figure. A pang went through his chest, looking at the scraggly, crumbled figure; This was not his Askan! But he pushed away his anger, and swallowed back his pity, knowing that neither was what the young man wanted right now. Instead he approached him with a soft smile, greeting him in a low, warm voice: "Askan, it's good to see you out and about."

Word count: 376

Thoughts ”Speech”

Dawnthieves.de

The Old Man really did have an impeccable sense of timing. Usually, Askan would have commended him for it or at the very least made some sort of teasing remark, suggested that Drestig had been waiting for him all along. Instead, Askan simply stared at the Rye King as he approached, as though he doubly had to make sure it was him and not someone else who might try and do him harm. But of course, it was Drestig, the Selwyn would have recognised that warm rumble anywhere.

His words were kind, too kind really and Askan dipped his head, feeling more than a little sheepish.

Of course he would have noticed his absence, hell he popped by the den more times then Askan could count, but foolishly he'd just assumed that it would have slipped his mind. That he would have been too busy with his new litter to even realise. As much as a relief it was to know that Drestig had missed him-in his own way- he knew he wasn't worthy. Not really.

And yet, it wasn't fair to keep his King, his leader in the dark. He'd always tried to be an honest man and considering everything that happened, he deserved to know. By no means did he intend on telling each and every Rye wolf, but Reyes and Drestig were exceptions to that rule. They were different from the others, in their own special way.

He'd made his choice and yet the task was no less daunting. He'd never been the sort to admit that he was afraid, in the past he would have adamantly claimed that he was without fear, that nothing could break his stride. And yet the mere thought of recounting what had happened....Askan was scared.

"Yeah...Thanks."He cleared his throat and winched at the aching sensation that followed."I just...Wondered how your family were doing? Should have checked in sooner. Sorry."

He was a shadow, a tattered and rangy version of his former self. His eyes looked too large and too pale as they stared, with an indecipherable expression, so far from the usual, sun-like smolder. It made the kings chest feel too tight, seeing that change, but he kept the shock from his face, sticking with faint, tilted smirk. Askan was subdued, giving no answer to the comment beyond a small move of his head, but Drestig pretended not to notice, coming to a halt in front of his second. Waiting silently, he fought against his eyes’ wish to wander along the scraggly body, keeping them fixed on the boy’s crown, letting his tail swish pleasantly. He couldn’t keep his worry completely at bay, but he didn’t want to smother the guardian either; Coddling must be about the last thing he wants right now! So he refrained, simply keeping still where he was while he waited.

When he finally spoke, his voice was hoarse, and it was clear his throat still ached. Drestig felt a stab of sympathy pain himself, wishing he could do something to ease the remaining soreness. But he was no healer, and he was assured Lachesis had done everything possible, now it was up to time to heal the remaining wounds. Time… Hopefully they would have plenty of that. A bright smile curved the leader’s lips at the question, eyes sparkling warmly at the mere thought of his pups. He would have none of the apology though, shaking his head lightly. “Our family,” he corrected, reaching out to rub his muzzle over the young man’s scruff, but stopping himself, restricting the touch to a faint bump of his nose against a tan shoulder, before pulling back to meet the dandelion eyes; “And they are doing just fine, Jessie’s keeping them close.” The comment was a veiled assurance - There’s nothing more you could have done – but he kept it to that, not wanting to insult Askan or his intelligence.

Instead he did what any father did best, bragging about his children with a proud grin: “They’re gorgeous, so different already! And a proper pawful, little rascals, the boys especially, they’re really giving us the workaround!” But he kept beaming despite the complaints, grey chest puffed out in his pride. It was a lot more work, three pups instead of one, but it would be worth it tenfold in the end. The king chuckled softly, shaking his head at himself now as he turned his eyes back to his second, mouth twisting into a mischievous; “But you’ll get to meet them soon enough, then they’ll be your headache as much as mine!” Or at least the burden would be shared a little more, heaven knew those three would be a force to be reckoned with once they could run around the territory. But the father was happy, surrounded by his family and a secure home for all of them; They’ll have a good life here..!

Word count: 498

Thoughts ”Speech”

Dawnthieves.de

Askan should have known that the Old Man wouldn't want his apology, but even if he could have taken his words back he wouldn't have.He meant what he said, he truly did feel bad and knew that he should have been stronger, tried harder. But no, all he'd done was hide and cry. Like that made any difference. Even now, when he was doing his best to fight against the weight baring down on him, he just wanted to slink away, to live on the fringes of their society like a miserable ghost.

They all deserved better than that.

The Selwyn would have been a liar if he claimed that it didn't hurt to hear that. Our family. He knew that- or at the very least wouldn't be surprised to learn that- Drestig saw him as a son, of sorts. And it wasn't as though he didn't like it, because of course Askan did. It was simply that...that word carried a lot of weight these days, especially since he'd had his own cruelly snatched away from him. It wasn't the same. Their family, his fellow Rye wolves...They all meant a lot to Askan, more than he could say.

It wasn't all doom and gloom as Drestig seemed to have good news. Askan felt a tug at his lips and then it dawned on him, he was smiling. Just a little. The Old Man really was a pest wasn't he? He hadn't changed at all and for that the Yukon was endlessly grateful. He didn't know what he'd do without this old oaf. His old oaf, he supposed.

"Oh no no, not again. Your pups, your job."

It wasn't as though he minded looking after Percy, but three puppies sounded like a lot to handle and as he was, he wasn't sure if he even could yet. Whether he would be a good role model for them. But again, he had to remind himself this was good news. They were doing well, as was Jessie, this was all they could ask for.