Fool's Gold Chasm I would walk 500 miles

For @Leo and anybody else involved in the sitch :) but no random loners arriving please. Shoutout to @Enera and @Luca
Dated to 1/11

Upon hearing of Leo's situation Nash had wasted no time. He got Armand food and explained to @Aquene and immediately headed down the mountain to retrieve his guardian. He would carry the boy back up on his back if he needed to - he would not abandon him beyond their home. Leo had become like a son to him, even more so after Aleister's death. Nash hadn't expressed this to anybody as of yet; he didn't want them to feel he was replacing Al. he'd already taken over leadership of the pack, already sired two litters, and many of their founder's family had gone from their lands for unknown reasons - while Nash's own family remained.

Yet Leo had proven loyal and hardworking and had continued to care for the pack's younger members with fervor. It was something one did not stumble upon every day. Leo was hardy and proud and Nash would do everything he could to make sure he knew exactly how valued he was.

Nash hadn't been down this side of the mountain in some time, but somehow he managed to find his way to the former Chasm territory. He tilted back his head and called, hoping desperately that Leo was still here.

(This post was last modified: Jan 15, 2024, 03:47 AM by Nash.)

 

Leo was miserable! His leg was not getting any better, still numb and useless, he couldn’t even help hunt to sustain himself as he waited for help to arrive. It was horrible! He hated being helpless, hated having to wait, knowing how badly he had messed up, and how disappointed Nash was sure to be. Meanwhile, he was reliant on the kindness of Enera and her friend, aid he might never be able to repay – and that he wasn’t sure he really deserved.

At this point, he wasn’t even sure he wanted anyone from the Cove to come for him, his thoughts having spiraled into dark depths of guilt and self-loathing over the past weeks. Perhaps they would all be better off if he stayed here, away from the pack on the mountain; I can’t protect them anyway…! At least this would have been the last time he let them all down.

Despite this abject despair, the sound of a familiar voice made Leo’s ears perk, head jolting up as his heart clenched. As hurriedly as he could, the young man lurched to his feet, limping out of the darkness of the den to meet his alpha. He was fully prepared for any judgement the dark man may deign to pass, expecting disdain, if not outright dismissal. But that didn’t change the feeling of comfort in his heart as he laid eyes on the man who had become as a second father to him. Moisture glistened in the corners of his eyes, voice hoarse as he spoke: “Nash! I’m sorry.”

(This post was last modified: Jan 29, 2024, 07:31 AM by Leo.)

He could smell them here, Leo and two others, and it did not take long for his packmate to appear. Nash was not prepared for the poor shape Leo was in - was not prepared for the tears in his eyes and the apology that immediately fell from his lips. The leader strode quickly to the young man and sniffed him. He wasn't sure exactly what to look for, but he was reasonably sure infection had set in. Aquene would know for sure.

"Leo," Nash said, relief evident in his voice. "I've got you. I'm here to bring you home, you're going to be okay." He stepped to his side, offering himself for Leo to lean his weight against. He brushed his nose over Leo's head, offering a couple licks of comfort, just as he would with any of his own children should he find them in distress. He looked around, sniffing the air again. Armand had said he didn't notice Magg, but that didn't stop the leader from hoping his daughter had simply lagged behind. "Where's Magg?" he asked.

 

He’d never felt so pathetic in his life. Even when his mom left, despite being just a pup, he had put on a brave face. But standing here now, weak and miserable, all he wanted was collapse against Nash’s chest and hear the adult tell him that everything was going to be alright. Just for a moment, he wanted to be a kid, free of responsibilities.

Briefly indulging that pathetic impulse, Leo leaned heavily against Nash’s offered shoulder, closing his eyes as he accepted the man’s comfort. If only he could have stayed like this, a child in his father’s embrace, but alas, he wasn’t.

The question sent a jolt through the boy, making his body stiffen. He’d been hoping so hard, wishing with all his being, yet those two words shattered all his faith. Pulling free of the protecting hold, he looked up at his leader with sagging ears, voice very small as he asked: “She… She’s not at home?” It had been a desperate prayer, he knew that, a last chance that she had found her own way back, unharmed, and he wouldn’t have failed completely; But I have…!

Leo seemed to relish his presence, leaning into him, and it was easy to forget that Leo hadn't been born of him. The last thing Nash wanted was to replace Aleister, but he would be proud to call Leo his son should the boy ever permit it. Man, now. It was hard to believe how quickly they grew up.

But then he was pulling away and looking at Nash with... almost grief, the leader thought, and his stomach sank. He shook his head, then moved in to help support his guardian again. "Not yet," he said. "You can tell me what happened later; what's important right now is that I've got you, and you're going to be okay. We just gotta get you back home. @Aquene will have you right as rain in no time." He had absolute confidence in his wife to fix any ailment that came to their doorstep, especially when it was one of their own.

Nash hooked his head over Leo's neck, tugging him into an embrace. "I'm so glad you're okay," he said, the relief saturating his voice. He was still worried about Magg, of course, but now they at least had one of the kids back and could focus on her once Leo was safely returned to the territory and under their shaman's watch.