Edge Stone Pool with my back against the wall.

For my lovely @Askan -- backdated to 5/22.  Presumably sunny and warmish.
RE: Reyes, you hear the bizarre croak of a blue heron.

It had taken some deal of effort to convince Askan to come with him outside of Wild Rye Fields.  In fact, the older of the pair was a bit surprised his mate had agree to come along at all – but he had, and Reyes withheld his silent sigh of relief as they struck out from the pack territory for a bit of a jaunt in the early morning.  He had no intention of staying out past sundown, and as such, did not see a need to inform the alphas of anything.  Instead, he enjoyed Askan’s quiet company at his shoulder as they loped through the growing grasses due east, stopping only when they came to the shores of Edge Stone Pool.

Reyes leaned down for a drink, enjoying the cool drink immensely.  After a few moments of consideration, the swarthy wolf waded forward, rumbling his pleasure as the chilly water rose up over his legs and washed gently against his sides.  He glanced over at Askan, raising his brows in a silent invitation before he continued to wade out further into the pool.  He opened his mouth, about to speak, when a bizarre croaking filled the air – what came out instead could be described as nothing less than a startled yelp as Reyes jolted, the water splashing around him as he searched for the source of the odd noise.

REYES | Dead man walking.

At first Askan wasn't sure why Reyes wanted to leave the field, or even where his sense of urgency was coming from. But it soon dawned on him that he was trying to 'help', that he thought a trip out of the den might lighten Askan's mood and in turn assist his recovery. It was a nice sentiment and all, but he couldn't help but feel a sharp pang of bitterness at the thought. After all, like a nice walk was going to do him any good, not in the long run away. His problems were still going to hound him, day and night, constant reminders of just how alone and fucked he really was.

But of course, try as he might Askan couldn't say no to that handsome face. And honestly, it had been worth it just to see him smile.

So there they were, out in the Lowlands on a nice warm day by a pond. Reyes seemed more than happy to jump-or rather wade- right on in and get himself wet, but the same couldn't be said for Askan, who remained firmly on dry land. With a frown, he eyed water, the memories of the last time he'd last taken a dip still fresh in his mind. He wasn't scared of water per se, he was just...cautious. And no matter what anyone said, there wasn't anything wrong with that.

He was content to watch his mate enjoy himself when a strange sound cut through the air. Reyes might have yelped-if Askan had been in better shape he would have no doubt teased him later- but his own reaction wasn't any better. If anything, it was much worse. His tail, quick as lightning, curled between his legs as his ears pressed firmly to his forehead. His eyes widened, almost manically wide, and he ducked down till his belly was almost touching the floor. It was far from cold that day but Askan was shivering nonetheless.

Even in hindsight he wouldn't have been able to explain why he got so spooked. All he knew was that there were good and bad things, things he could deal with and things he couldn't. And as of there and then, a loud unknown noise was the latter, in both instances. /p>

Rather than deal with this shit alone, Askan slunk along till he reached the poolside. He wanted to go in, to be closer to his mate but what if he drowned? What if someone shoved his face underwater and held him there? Grinning manically all the while whilst they boasted about what they'd done, who they'd hurt.

Like a kicked dog, Askan whimpered. He didn't like this, he wanted to go home.

Reyes too thought he was at risk of immediate insult – even he knew he was deserving at this point. But his mate was silent, and the gamma was free to tip his ears back as his hackles rose. Narrowed eyes swept the edge of the water for the perpetrator; who the hell thought it was funny to startle to grown wolves? The bizarre croak happened again, and this time, he didn’t try to jump clear out of his own skin. He whirled around, but instead of finding the source, he found…Askan.

Curled up on the very edge of the water like he might be dying.

Immediately, the male’s thoughts jumped to the worst, and the strange call fell from mind. He awkwardly loped through the water as quickly as he could, splashing his lover as he emerged with all the grace of David Hasselhoff. “What’s wrong?” he rumbled, leaning down to press his nose into Askan’s scruff – but he couldn’t smell anything. It wasn’t sickness. But had he taken his mate out too far? Did his injuries flare up from exertion? “I’m here, mi amor. Tell me what hurts.”

He would do whatever was in his power to make it well again.

REYES | Dead man walking.

It all happened so fast. Askan was struggling to untangle the hideous thoughts in his head when he felt-a soggy- Reyes push up against him. He heard him speak but the meaning of his words didn't register. They were just a deep rumble, like a distant thunderstorm, and somehow soothing in a way he couldn't describe. He wasn't in pain, or at least that wasn't what had caused him to collapse, and yet it hurt, deep in his chest , as though something was squeezing his heart and filling his lungs with tar.His breaths were quick and shallow, and panted as though he'd just ran for miles on end.

Was he dying? Was history repeating itself all over again? Why couldn't he escape, why did he have to suffer this fate again? He'd thought, hoped, he was getting better but this pathetic mess served as proof that he wasn't. That he was just as fucked up as he had been that day on top of that hill.

He curled up tighter and squeezed his eyes shut, willing the world away. But when he opened his eyes he was met with deep silver and a look of unquestionable concern. Reyes. He was here, he might have been there all along but Askan couldn't remember. The southerner was a grounding presence, like a lighthouse in a storm. Concrete and tangible and most important of all, safe.

Askan swallowed thickly and uncurled just a little.

"I'm okay." That was an exaggeration for sure, but he didn't hurt quite as much as he had before. The pain was fading, waning as he concentrated on Reyes instead of the noise in his head. But still he panted, desperate for air."Just...Caught me by surprise, is all."

With a huff and a grunt, Askan pushed himself to his feet and shook himself off in attempt to regain what little dignity he had left. Which, if he was being honest he would have admitted it was in tatters by now. Just breathe and keep it going in and out, in and out. Reyes was here, his unwilling hero.

Stepping forward, Askan booped his head against Reyes' shoulder and sighed.

"I ruined it. Sorry." This was supposed to be a good day, a nice trip out. And look what he'd done.

“Huh.”

Reyes was pretty sure he’d startled Askan before without such a violent reaction. His brows twitched, but he was able to otherwise withhold the frown he felt clawing at his features. (Such a struggle when his expression was almost always described as ‘resting bitch face’.) His tail lashed behind him as he studied his mate, mouth twisting in a knot – but what was he supposed to do besides take his lover’s word for it?

But if Askan had no dignity left, neither did the gamma. He’d yelped, after all. To put it behind them would be the best course of action, though not likely the path they’d get to take. The southerner huffed as he shook out his drenched pelt, spraying the surrounding area with water droplets. “Ruined what, cabrón? I was wadin’ around until that damn thing squawked. Wasn’t you.” If anyone, it was that damn bird. Or wolf. Or whatever it was that could make such a wretched noise. “You wanna go look for it? Maybe we could eat it.”

As long as he didn’t swim after it, Reyes didn’t see why not. A hunt was a hunt, and he was always game for one of those.

REYES | Dead man walking.

Squinting, Askan leaned away from the incoming spray of water. How charming, but then again he was still Reyes. He had always been more than a little rough around the edges. And the fact that he still was, especially even after that embarrassment, was like a breath of fresh air. Which was all he needed, considering he'd been gasping for breaths mere moments ago. By no means was Reyes the cure-wouldn't that be easy?- but he was a balm. He was here to help, and help he did.

His point still stood, he'd been a fucking pussy and freaked out over nothing, but he wasn't going to argue about it. If his mate wanted to pin the blame on whatever the hell it had been then fine, he could go ahead and do that and Askan would follow suit. As for his latter suggestion, well it didn't take long for Askan to come to a conclusion. He honestly couldn't have cared less as to what it was and so had little interest in hunting it down. If anything, he just wanted to slink back home to the safety of the fields, where they were safe from squawks and other strange noises but he couldn't just go ahead and suggest that, now could he? He'd agreed to this trip and honestly, it was nice to get out. Or at least it had been until he'd screwed up and caved in to fear.

But he could be brave, or at least Reyes made him feel as though he could, that it was worth the effort to try.

Swallowing thickly, Askan nodded."Yeah, sure. Should kick it's arse, or something." He squinted, his contempt clear. It felt better, to feel anger rather than fear. As though he was slipping into an old routine, how he used to be. And yet, it didn't feel quite the same, nor as natural. It used to come so easily to him, but now? What had he become? Was he still the same man that Reyes had come to like? Gods he hoped so.

He huffed and kicked a stone by his paw. If it hadn't been so devastating it would have been funny how much one event could dictate his life. How it had brought everything else to a standstill. It was all so awful and yet...It just occurred to Askan that Reyes had no idea. That in his eyes it was probably an unprovoked attack that had come out from nowhere, or the fact that his uncle was just an evil bastard.

"Reyes," he began as a frown pulled at his lips. This wasn't right. None of it was and yet, he pushed on, ignoring the tightening of his throat."Do...Why were you there that day? What did you hear?"

Kick its ass? That seemed a little excessive for something Reyes was pretty sure he could eat, but he kept his mouth shut. He studied his mate instead, watching him move, kick an unoffending stone into the pond. The corner of his mouth ticked upwards as he watched it sink into the water, trailing after it. About to stick his muzzle in and retrieve the pebble for Askan to kick again, he paused with an open mouth at the query. “I was there because you didn’t come home. You said it wouldn’t be long.” He shrugged. Did it really matter? He was there just in time – that was the important part, wasn’t it?

Abandoning the stone, he started to move along the edge of the small lake, more interested in finding the source of the strange noises. Since they had started talking, the culprit had gone silent – but Reyes was pretty certain he’d know it when he heard it. His ears flattened out to the side as he hunkered closer to the earth, only pausing long enough to answer the second question.

“Not much. Talkin’ to himself. Thought you were dead.” The wolf blew out a harsh snort and continued in a steady, sliding trot around the pond. “He got what he paid for.”

REYES | Dead man walking.

There are several fresh rabbit tracks in the mud. Hunt Opportunity

Askan supposed that was true. He hadn't intended to be long and had said as much before he left, after all, it wasn't as though he had missed his uncle. They'd never been that close, so it's not like he'd jumped at the chance to see him again. He'd merely gone there to sate his curiosity, that's all. At the time he just assumed they'd have a quick catch up, talk about whatever it was that Deron needed-as he no doubt would have wanted something- before they split up and went on their merry way. But seeing Savion there truly had been a shock and the events that followed....Well, the same could be said for them too.

With a forlorn sigh, Askan stepped forward till the water pooled around his ankles. It was cold, a nice reprieve from the warmth of the sun and yet as relaxing as this place should have been, it was clear that the two of them were anything but. Reyes seemed more interested in finding whatever had spooked them and Askan was lost in thought as he watched ripples expand across the ponds surface, like shock waves created by an explosion.

"Mmm." Askan agreed with a hum. Savion was dead- a fact he had to remind himself of more often than he'd want to admit- and so he had nothing to fear. Not when Reyes was here, nearby and in the sunshine.

But things weren't all well and good. The Selwyn had hoped that Reyes had heard something, or at the very least had an inkling as to why things unfolded the way they did. But it was clear he had no idea, none whatsoever. Which meant that Askan would have to explain it all, or rather that he should, as it was least Reyes deserved.

Knowing that he should do something and actually doing it where leagues apart in terms of difficulty. How was he supposed to explain? Should he start from the beginning or keep it simple and short? Askan wouldn't admit it, but he was scared. And that was almost laughable to him, because come on! Askan Selwyn scared of speaking his own mind? Pah, like that would ever happen. And yet, he stood there in the water, swishing his foot this way and that as he frowned and bit down on his bottom lip.

What would his Father said? Something wise and gruff, no doubt. Terrell had never been the sort of man to stand by idle whilst wracked with fears, so surely his son should follow in his footsteps. It was what he was meant to do, who he was meant to be. After all, everyone had always said how alike they looked, that Askan was almost an exact copy of his Father. And yet, in terms of temperament they couldn't have been more different.

Terrell was strong and Askan was not.

"He killed them, Reyes. Killed them all." Askan looked to the horizon, unable to bear looking at his reflection."Came for me and Everly, wanted to finish the job, I guess. My Father, Mother and...sisters they're all gone now.I'm all that's left."He sniffed and raised a paw to swipe at his face, only to realise it'd just been in water. Great.

Reyes continued to stalk his way around the pond edges, tail swishing idly as he stepped across the mud. One ear flicked backwards as he listened to his mate wade around in the water; if that was all he wanted to do, that was fine. He could eat, though. If Askan didn’t, they could bring the remains back to Wild Rye Fields and call it good. Something rustled in the grass and the wolf hunkered down, muscles coiling as a large bird came into view. One niggling corner of his mind wondered if he could pounce on it without getting an eye stabbed out, but he’d have to manage. At least Askan liked his scars. If he didn’t, then—

His mate’s confession caught him by surprise, and he froze in place as the gears screeched to a halt. It took a moment or two for Reyes to properly process the statement; everything made so much sense now. It wasn’t moping, it was grieving that the beta had been doing before – and now, if not before, he was incredibly grateful he’d been practicing his patience, especially with his lover.

Reyes stood, forgetting about the heron until it lurched out of the tall grasses, massive wings carrying it away to safety with ease. He only jumped a little (just a little!) as he trotted over to his mate, pressing kisses to the water dripping down his face. “Lo siento, mi amor,” he crooned, pressing their faces together. “Lo siento mucho. You’re not alone. You have Everly still, and me. And…Drestig, too. Says you’re like his son. And Lachesis. Would have run all the way to the Fields if he had to, if that’s what you needed. You aren’t alone, amado, not by a long shot.”

REYES | Dead man walking.