Blacktail Deer Plateau sick love is my modern cliche

she managed to rip another laugh from his throat, and he lashed his tail in mock frustration, eyes watering with mirth. "well, if you say so," aditya rumbled, giving her a friendly nudge with his shoulder. maybe at full strength, he could have bowled her over; as it was, his touch was featherlight.

they padded along in silence for a little while, before aditya spoke again. "i've got lots of stories to tell you while we're laid up," he promised in a sparkling tone, feeling better for speaking to the vibrant young girl.

perhaps it was his own childhood that he both reveled in and was leery of interactions with young wolves. he was the sole survivor of his litter, and thus hadn't had any brothers or sisters to grow up with. the wolves he had run with his whole life weren't parents, at least not when he knew them. his experience with pups was slim to none. . .but he was willing to try to improve, at least.