Fox's Glade Conflict

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Once again, Frederick found himself wandering from Swiftcurrent Creek. Perhaps he was looking for Adrian, or perhaps he was seeking out @Milan. He felt torn between the two, wanting to stay by the woman's side--her face engraved in his memory--but feeling that, although his place was temporary, he had a duty to the Creek. A loyalty, somewhat. He recalled he and @Lestan's first conversation, by the river.

For a moment, as if guilty, he looked back behind him, the mountain that stood tall beyond the creek almost scolding his behaviour. Beckoning his return.

Now, though, as he scanned his surroundings, he realised that he had wandered far, almost back to the meadow where he'd hunted that deer for the gifter of the necklace that hung around his neck. Frederick sighed, conflicted. A minute, two minutes passed where he stood in silent, thoughts turning like cogs in the back of his mind, before he continued strolling forwards, hopping up onto a boulder where he'd posture himself in a seated position. Then, he tilted his head back, calling for anyone around.

Someone, he thought. But Milan was who he hoped for.

A howl sounded out. A delightfully familiar voice, one she could not help but bound towards. Frederick, her dearest companion, the only wolf she truly longed for.

She saw the ivory hulk in the distance, tilted her head back and let out a long howl to alert him to her presence.

Her tail was high and waving, an unfamiliar confidence beginning to shine through.

A call rung out. The familiarity of it made Fredericks tail start to sway back and forth, almost as if it had a mind of its own. A little brown dot was approaching at a speed that he easily translated to enthusiasm, and the sight of her was almost enough to quell his worries. Almost. His face was weary, seemingly comfortable on the rock as he awaited the womans presence.

He wondered if she still wore the flower he picked for her. He hoped that she'd notice that he wore the necklace with pride--forever and always, until the flowers wilted and the hide became weathered, it would sit around his neck like a trophy.

Even now the forget-me-not was tucked behind her ear. It had lost a petal or two from the constant movement in her work, but it appeared that she was keeping it in good condition.

Slowing as she approached the boulder, her two front paws were placed onto the side. "I hadn't expected to see you again so soon!" A grin spreading on her face, her tail waved. It brought her some pride to see that he too still wore the gift she had exchanged.

Frederick was always a welcome sight. She missed him when he was gone, yet the joy she felt upon his return made it worth it - but never before had she waited upon someone with such longing.

He watched, now, as she approached, eyes softening, looking almost as if the conflict within him had dipped into his toes, through the boulder he sat upon and pooled into the ground, spreading for miles as it dissipated. Milan found herself with both forepaws on the rock, marking her fairly close to the goliath.

Wordlessly, he slinked down from the boulder, circling her before he sat. Checking her for any injures. Noticing that she still had the flower tucked behind her ear, and being flooded with a warm feeling that he could not name. Once Frederick was satisfied, seeing that she was well-fed, untouched, he came forwards, towards her, rubbing his cheek against her shoulder and placing his chin against her back, if she'd allow.

Frederick would stay like that for a while before murmuring a soft: Hi. And he'd sound exhausted. She was a comfort that he wished to savour.

He came up and laid his head on her back as she put her paws on the ground. He appeared worn out. It made her question what the hulking man had been up to before coming here.

"Have the creek wolves been working you hard? It looks like it." Although her words were teasing, her gentle tone revealed some level of worry. She hoped he had been eating and getting the rest he needed, that the creek wolves were keeping him healthy. Seeing Frederick wither would be painful for her.

Frederick let out a light grumble as he rested his eyes, taking in her scent, her warmth. Her question met his ears and he chuckled, a soft breath out of his nose. No, he sighed. His tiredness was his own fault. They're good. I'm just... Frederick stood up then, opening his eyes as he hummed. He scanned Milan's face for a moment, peering into that sapphire gaze, before sitting back on his rump with a huff.

...Conflicted.

She listened to Frederick, her gaze calm but knowing. Milan understood such a feeling all too well.

"Is it something you would like to talk about?" Looking into seaglass eyes she gave a slight tilt of her head. She was admittedly curious, but you cannot force out harsh truths.

Frederick did not seem to be one to voice his complaints - she could see that much. If he was willing to share with her, she longed for the new understanding of the man that it would provide to her.

The face staring back at him was the face of a woman who would not leave his mind, however hard he tried to focus on pack-life, to keep searching for Adrian. No matter how far he wished to wander, he always came back. And, deep in the recesses of his mind, he knew it was for Milan. His maw opened, closed, the words trying to come out before they could even form. He could analyze others' emotions, yes, but never his own.

Yes... he started, carefully; tentatively. Approaching the topic as if it were a wounded buck, like it could attack at any moment. Frederick tested his tongue for a moment, two moments. He looked at Milan and sighed. I've never been good at this, he said with a shake of his head. Talking about these kind of... emotional things.

Clearing his throat, Federick shut his eyes, trying to envision what he had felt. Again, he opened them. I need to find my brother, he started. New information--had he told her about his brother, yet? He didn't think so. Adrian, his name is. And I have a loyalty to the Creek, he wasn't sure how long it'd last, but it was a loyalty nonetheless. But... and now, his tone was careful, guarded, as he studied Milan's expression.

I also want to be with you, he finally said. It felt like the world had been lifted off of his shoulders. But he closed his eyes again, not yet wanting to see how she would react. I want to keep up my duty to you all-- and a sigh escaped him. --but it's... difficult. Blue-green eyes opened, trying to decipher what Milan was feeling from appearance alone. But he wasn't sure.

As Frederick spoke she felt her heart flutter, yet it was covered with guilt a moment later. "Oh Frederick.." She paused, shaking her head. "You've put so much pressure on yourself."

Her expression carried sympathy, her brow furrowed in worry. "You said the Creek wolves have information on your brother, yes? That was why you stayed with them?" She did not wait for an answer. "You owe them no loyalty. Respect, yes - but if you have the information you need do not let them hold you there."

"Find your brother. I will still be here when you return." Frederick was slowly but surely becoming a vital part of her world. She would not allow herself to hold back someone who was so dear to her.

She wished to be somewhere safe for him to return to - not a chain binding him to the Rising Sun Valley.

Listening quietly as the woman spoke, he blinked slowly, head somewhat tilted so that he could look down at the woman. He flicked his tongue out to wet his lips, his nose, and his tail flicked as she continued. I hate leaving you, he murmured. Sure, the return to her was worth the departure, but part of him wish he never had to go at all.

And the creek--he felt he did owe them something. Perhaps out of honour, an important attribute in his youth. He felt that respecting them meant being of use to them until he got a solid lead on his brother. And the community, the people he could meet, be around... he knew that, while he was close with Milan, there'd always be someone for him at Bearclaw Valley, but...

I don't know how to explain it, a slow shake of his head. I feel like I owe it to them, my loyalty. It's what my father would want. Perhaps he was just going to spill everything today, like water trickling from a crack in a dam. If Milan said the right trigger-words, his life could come tumbling out of his already tired maw.

He looked at Milan, gaze soft, warm. Loyalty is important to me. His charming, nonchalant self almost a ghost. He was raw. Tender. Longing for the companionship that he never quite had; not after the death of his father, the disappearance of his brother.

Frederick sighed.

"And I hate to see you leave." She responded with the slightest of smiles. "But it's a part of life - and I find comfort in the fact that I know we will be reunited." She could understand how he felt - she once felt the same way about her birth pack.

The meaning of loyalty was a harsh lesson to learn.

She moved closer, lapping at the sides of his muzzle so long as he would allow it. "I'm sure the creek wolves will understand if you cannot stay Frederick." She stated ever-so carefully. "If you commit to them, it will only raise their expectations. They will expect you to stay."

It would be easy, had she not committed herself to the wolves of Bearclaw Valley. She would follow Frederick to the ends of the Teekons and back.

"It is good to have loyalty to other's, but you need to have loyalty to your heart. Do what is best for you."

Frederick allowed her to lap at his muzzle, closing his eyes and savouring the affection. You're right, he sighed. He couldn't stay forever. But, for now, he wanted to. For Lestan, he could say. When she said to have loyalty to his heart, part of him felt that such a thing belonged to Milan. He hummed, the thought fleeting just as quickly as it had arrived. His gaze creeped open once more, and he would touch his nose to her own should she permit.

Then, he pulled away. Thank you, Milan, his tone was jesterly when he said next: --for listening to me complain. A new light shone within his eyes, and he knew, then, that he would be back for Milan. Soon. Always. Finally, he drew a breath. I'm going to stay there, for now, Frederick said. For a moon. That seemed like a good amount of time, in his opinion. He'd know it'd be time to leave once the snow had blanketed the ground, thick and white.

I'll visit you, his voice was gentle when he spoke to her. Full of pride, admiration, compassion. And I hope, one day, that you will visit the creek with me. And I could say hello to you, in the valley, if your leaderes would allow.

He sighed; But I still need to find my brother, and I'm afraid that I may not find him anytime soon. What would he even do? If he did find him, would they go back to their natal pack? His gaze remain locked on the cobalt eyes of the woman in front of him. He couldn't leave her now. What was he to do? Perhaps he had matured. Maybe he was no longer the rambunctious boy he had been.

Part of him hoped that Adrian's travelled had hardened his spirit. Maybe, then, he wouldn't embarrass Frederick in front of the lass, should they eventually meet.

Frederick blinked back into the current time, back from his thoughts. Stay with me for a little while, will you? He asked, moving to lay by the boulder, inviting the woman to lie with him—or would that be strange? Too affectionate? For a moment, his tail flicked, before he spoke again: Lie or sit, I don't mind.

Milan was glad to join him. Settling down next to the ivory wall of a man she rested her head on the boulder, eyes looking upwards to settle on his. The creek was not far - they would see each other. She knew that. The thought of him living so close by brought her comfort.

"You're a good man, Frederick. One of the better one's I know." Milan knew plenty of bad men. Men that had made her cautious, scared - and Frederick was not one of them. He was like a refreshing breeze after the hot, burning hellfire she had come from.

Some fear had been felt upon their first meeting, fear that was quick to melt and dissipate as he spoke to her. He had been kind, generous. She wished to treat him the same.

If Frederick was feline, he would be purring with such great intensity that the ground beneath them would, too, start vibrating. He watched as she settled down next to him, his tail flicking against her pelt, swaying slowly, a testament to just how relaxed he was. How calm he was, being with Milan.

Thank you, he smiled. Though part of him twinged in both curiosity, as well as protectiveness. Frederick being one of the better ones. To him, he was just an average man. His heart ached for Milan, should she have experienced anything other than respect and common decency. You are an even better woman.

For a moment, he surveyed the glade, ears perked, watchful, before he rested his head against the ground, grasping for this moment and holding onto it. Keeping it within his grasp for as long as possible. Maybe we can just stay here for a while, he chuckled, turning his head to angle his sight towards Milan. Just us.

Just us. He would savour this; both now, and when it became but a memory--he would keep this moment in the back of his mind. A comfort. A reminder that, no matter where he was, someone was waiting for him.

happy to end here if you are!!