Whitebark Stream when my lips say your name

@Kavik?

alsek's practice was finally showing results. standing on shaky legs, he took his first successful walk, this one lasting beyond three steps. he bounced excitedly and looked toward @Grezig, wondering if she had noticed his accomplishment.

regardless, mischievous alsek decided to creep toward the den's mouth. he looked back to see if @Pele was behind him before peeking his head into the sunlight.

He was in his usual spot, keeping an eye on the opening of the den and wondering for the millionth time what his children looked like. Soon, they would be old enough that they started venturing from the den, and then what? Would Grezig still keep him from them? He had no idea what to expect, and honestly, with how mad she was, he had kind of settled on the worst possible outcome. 

As if his thoughts had summoned the pup to the front of the den, his gaze caught the flash of the sun as it beamed off of black fur. A tiny dark child stood there, peaking out to the real world for what he was pretty sure was the first time. He wanted to know more about the pup. He wanted draw in their scent and commit it to memory. He wanted to spend the afternoon playing with them until they fell sleep in the fur of his chest like his other children had done. Without thinking, Kavik trotted forward but immediately halted when he realized how close he now was to the entrance. He sat and watched the pup from his closer vantage point, fighting the urge to coax them out. He didn't want to give their mother more reasons to be angry with him.

suddenly, the sunlight stopped shining. the unfamiliar figure of another wolf slowly stepped into view. alsek stepped apprehensively back into the safety of their den, though his baby-blues remained focused on the shape ahead.

finally, alsek stepped outside. he kept his distance, afraid to come too close to this stranger. ba-la-ba-na, the child whispered as he settled onto his side.

His eyes had been glued to the pup, and so he saw the second they saw him. He stared back, curious about what the child would do next. By the way they moved back a few steps into the den, It seemed they were nervous, understandably so; it didn't make the fact that he was a stranger to his own children hurt any less. Before he could fall too far down that dark hole, the pup was at the entrance once more, and then they stepped out fully. They quietly babbled something and moved to the ground. Kavik reclined on the ground too, hoping to show his child that he meant no harm. He wasn't sure he'd get more than a few minutes to watch the pup, so he studied everything about them—the fluffy mess of dark fur and the lighter shade on the stomach he could now see. He sniffed the air and was able to lock onto the faintest hint of what his child smelled like. They smelled like Grezig and milk and moist earth. He drew in the air again and again. He wanted to remember the scent later when he was alone again, watching the den and wondering about his children.

whoever or whatever this thing was, it wasn't particularly exciting. alsek waited for the stranger to do something, but eventually decided to make that move for himself. he stood back up onto shaky legs and walked directly toward the man's snout. that was where the noises came from, right? 

alsek pressed their noses together, forcing some mixture of air and mucus from his tiny booper. proud of this decision, he sat back and awaited some sort of reaction.

He remained perfectly still as the pup moved closer. It was then that Kavik realized the pup was a boy—his son. He touched his tiny nose to Kavik's giant one and snorted, spraying little droplets of snot on his lips. Kavik cleaned it away with his tongue and a low, quiet laugh rumbled from his chest. You're going to get us both in trouble, he whispered, although he didn't really care at this point. He was going to enjoy the moment while he still could. He gently licked the pup a few times before nuzzling him if allowed. He was adorable and Kavik wished he could speak so that he could say his name. But regardless, he was grateful to finally meet his son.

the stranger could speak! his voice was loud and sonorous, reverberating through alsek's tiny body unlike anything had before. the child shrieked and stumbled backward, surprised by the sudden disturbance.

alsek's throat tightened with fear, quiet weeping sneaking from his maw. kavik's licks brought some comfort, though he was still having trouble composing himself.

Kavik's eyes widened in surprise as the pup cried out and stumbled back. He had scared him somehow, and he felt awful about it. His licks seemed to help but only slightly. Kavik was unsure what to do, so he scooted forward and rubbed his nose gently against the pup. You're safe with me, he quietly assured the boy. He knew he wouldn't be able to understand the words, but he offered them anyway. Anything to calm him down; Kavik couldn't stand to see him so upset.

kavik's subsequent efforts to calm the child proved effective. alsek slowly moved downward onto his belly, then curled into a semi-circle to properly enjoy his father's attention. soon enough, he'd drifted off into a light sleep, lulled by kavik's rhythmic breaths.

The pup eventually settled and then calmed enough to lay down and fall asleep. Kavik slowly scooted closer to keep him warm, careful not to move him in any way. It was a rare moment of peace for him, and he wanted it to last as long as possible. He knew either Grezig would come out and find him going against her wished or he would eventually have to quietly guide the pup back inside the den when he grew hungry. Until either of this things came to be, he was perfectly happy to watch his son sleep. After a a few minutes of just watching, he gave the sleeping pup a gentle nuzzle and settled his own head on the ground beside him to listen to his soft, slumbering breaths.