Redhawk Caldera kabhi alvida naa kehna

it was time, and the longest night had come and gone. he knew past it were some of the bleakest days of winter, and so he must go, lest he get mired in the snow and cold.

he sat in the rendezvous and howled for @Shenanigans, stomach low as dirt.

he'd return. . .maybe. he ought to stay with one of his children. but if waxwing was happy with tytonidae, and ani happy here—was it even worth it? should he continue to roam, needed by none?

he gazed across the frozen caldera lake, feeling awful.

maybe he'd return.

if he survived it.

She was just thinking about finding Chickadee and heading out to visit Stratos when her Babadi called. Ani immediately redirected her attention, attending his call. As she strode toward the rendezvous site, she wondered if he might enjoy hearing about her romantic capers.

When she arrived, there was a heaviness about him. Ani paused, blinking, head cocked. It slowly dawned on her why he’d summoned her, what it must mean.

Is it time, Babadi? Are you leaving to visit my mother?

haa, beti, adi murmured, hoping to gather her against his chest. his throat was tight and he struggled for words; his time here had been so nice, but tytonidae must worry. and he'd promised he'd bring word—alive or dead.

well, their daughter was alive and well. and he must tell his erstwhile mate.

i promise i will come back to see you, he continued, gaze burning gimlet into her own. i promise, ani. as long as i have breath left, i'll come back to see you.

for once, he gave a child a goodbye.

it was more than could be said for any of his other exoduses.

He reached for her and Ani didn’t hesitate to melt into his embrace. Her cheek rested against the slope of his rib cage, so she could hear his heartbeat. It seemed steady, strong. She felt his voice rumble through her as he spoke.

I know, she told him breezily, letting go and leaning back so they could look into one another’s faces. Tell them I said ‘hello!’ and to visit if they can. Travel safe, Babadi, she added, hugging him once more.

We can keep this short if it makes the most sense!

i will. . .shararat, he whispered, then pulled back, the tears glimmering across the orbs of his golden eyes. that's your name, beti. in my family's tongue. shenanigans. it's not so far off.

like it was meant to be. 

he nuzzled the crown of her head, then began to head toward the border, forcing himself not to look back.

or. . .perhaps just once.

i love you, ani, he intoned, head craned over his shoulder.

their gazes met like a force-field.

The strange word made her ears splay in mild confusion, though Aditya quickly explained what it meant. Ani felt as though he’d hugged her heart. Her smile was warm as his nose trailed over the crest of her head.

Soon, he was padding away toward the borders. Ani stayed put, waving at his back. And when he paused one last time and turned to catch her eye even from a distance, she could hear the rumble of his words on the wintry breeze.

Take care, Babadi! I’ll miss you! she called, cupping her forepaws around her mouth so her own voice would carry.

She then began blowing him kisses with both paws, continuing until her Babadi disappeared into the distance.