[ P ] I Would Walk Five Hundred Miles

Setting foot in Aberdeen once more felt refreshing. Diaval had branched out to different areas of Rionnach, learning of other regions and meeting other wolves along the way. He had the freedom now to do so after all. That was what he held onto, knowing he had the freedom to choose who he wanted to be now, instead of monarchy already being set in stone.

There had been a festival of colors called Eleanor's Day taking place in Redwood that he was able to enjoy. Sparring was his preferred event, even though he did not win that one, he was particularly fond of it. It was exhilarating and left him craving for more, but he was also able to find satisfaction in a plethora of other activities there. That and he did learn more about Mainland culture.

Traveling back he'd even stumbled upon a school, a college hidden away in the woods of Melrose. He would have never known about it had he not explored the area further and met a professor there. Khepri was his name and an interesting gentleman at that, especially when it came to his interest in herbs that put one in a state of relaxation.

Those were the highlights of his journey and his tail was held up confidently behind him, waving back and forth in a swift wag as he thought about sharing his ventures with Sage. Diaval owed everything to the small healer of Aberdeen. He'd taken him in off he streets and simply welcomed him, a complete stranger, into his home. He'd spent that time restoring his strength and helping the man as he could with whatever he needed done around his homestead or with his herbs.

It only made sense to return to the place where he could rest a while in good company. It truly felt like returning home. Diaval began to recognize the area within the woods that meant he was closer to Sage's home and he quickened his pace, excited to be in the other's presence again.

When it was in sight, he practically broke into a run, peering about between the trees to see if he could spot the familiar silvered coat or even the bright, azure eyes of the healer. "Sage!" He called as he came to a halt just outside the den, panting slightly. "Sage! Are you home?" Diaval called out again, lifting his nose to try to catch the smoky-citrus scent of his savior nearby.

@Sage

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.

THREAD TITLE MUSE

T

he days had seemed long, though Sage himself had traveled to the festival for a time, he had returned days before Diaval, who had stayed to take part in the further festivities. Each day he had passed in his garden felt grey, like a shadow of what they used to be. The day dreams no longer felt so innocent to him, for they often involved the man who he could hear working not too many steps from where the healer had such impure thoughts. The guilt he felt, for seeing the ex Prince in such a dirty, depraved way ate away at his insides. He felt just as dirty as he had always viewed his brother as being. While he had yet to encounter another intimately, he felt like he had violated the man who shared his home entirely against his will. The worst part was, a part of him liked it. It was thrilling to come out of a dream, only to hear the rough breath of the man in the next room. All Sage had to do was slide through the doorway and with quiet paws, lay himself beside the man. Perhaps he was a deep sleeper, and would reciprocate the gentle kisses Sage would place upon his shoulders...

The healer shivered, as if washed over by a chilly wind. He swallowed the lump in his throat, returning his gaze to the garden bed before him, readying the soil for the small clump of herbs that he had stored in a woven pouch. The trip south had afforded him access to many herbs he had not seen before, and his excitement over it would have made Valerian shake his head in disdain.

A warm, smoky scent drifted to him on the breeze, mere seconds before he heard the familiar voice. Sage waited a moment, not answering purely to hear his name called in that silky voice again. As the tone honeyed his ears once more, he stepped out, showing himself to be just a ways around the corner of the hut, grinning ear to ear at the panting black male. "Welcome home, Dia!" Sage cried, bounding forward to bump the man's shoulder with his snout. "I've missed your strength in the gardens." He said, gesturing over his shoulder at small pile of logs that he had dragged towards the clearing. Of course, they weren't too heavy for the male but he enjoyed watching Diaval working. The way his brow creased whenever he strained to move the logs, the charming smile that would be flashed at the healer when the logs were placed so perfectly in line. "Did you participate in any other contests?" Sage asked, stepping inside the hut to escape the summer sun. He was eager to hear anything Diaval had to say to him. Anything at all.

@Diaval

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

The sight of the smaller wolf brought him instant joy and peace of mind. And the sound of the nickname Sage had bestowed upon him tickled the fur about his ears pleasantly. No one had ever thought to shorten his name this way and he rather liked it. As the smaller male met him and gifted him with an affectionate bump on the shoulder he smiled. "The warm welcome I'd much appreciated." And it was, and he did note the sentiment that he had not only returned, but that he had returned home.

At mention of the garden he peered over in the direction of the area he would find himself doing the harder labor. "Oh, yes, it looks like you have." Diaval returned his gaze to look downward at the silvered healer. "Forgive me for not coming back sooner." His brow furrowed upward and he gave Sage a boyish pout, his golden orbs round and apologetic.

He then brightened at the mention of contests and as Sage moved back into his hut, Diaval followed closely behind him. He brushed by the smaller male once he crossed the threshold and then reclined to lay upon the the ground in a noble fashion, one paw crossed over the other as it was habit. "The fighting tournament was the major contest I participated in. I nearly won it too! I've learned from the other competitors, though, so they will surely see my face again."

He nodded matter-of-factly and then hummed as he thought about anything else he'd gotten up to. "Ah, I was able to bid on the hunters' catches and got to have a lunch with one of them. Truth be told, I was more focused on the meal." Diaval sighed and then rolled over onto his side slightly, stretching out and releasing a long sigh. "I wish you could have stayed longer."

He met Sage's eyes with a gentle smile that transformed into a more mischievous one. "Perhaps at next year's festival, I might find a way to coerce you into staying with me." Diaval's nose twitched as he rolled over and stared up at the ceiling. "I might even be better off come next Spring. Finding stability...and holding down an income...then I could truly repay you for everything you've done for me." He turned to look Sage in eye, a hopeful grin tugging at his lips.

@Sage

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.

B

utterflies caused chaos within his belly as Diaval looked down at him, his golden eyes wide, the wordless apology dripping like honey, a pout forming on his maw. Somewhere at the base of his skull he felt a strange pull. If he just stretched his neck, lifted his chin...

Sometimes, Sage wondered if the former prince knew how he felt, knew about the way his ears tingled with every word, how his stomach dropped helplessly into the abyss whenever their eyes met. The healers paws clenched momentarily, feeling the warmth of the other man as he brushed past him to lounge in the main room of the hut. Worry creased Sage's brow as Diaval told him of the fighting tournament, and cerulean eyes traveled the length of the larger male, scanning for injuries. Finding none, he lay next to him, careful to not get too close.

Eyes watched the regal figure as he rolled over, mulling over the thought of Diaval sharing a meal with someone that wasn't himself. He wouldn't call it jealousy, that meant he felt a lot more strongly about the prince than he had ever let himself think about. Mesmerized by the soft fur covering Diaval's shoulder, Sage almost missed it. The moment their eyes met, the way Diaval's smile curled into something more. The healer's stomach bubbled excitedly as he smiled back. He chuckled slightly. "I dunno Dia. Whatever the barkeep put in those glasses was hideous! I swear I slept for two days after that and still woke up with a headache! And to think, I wasn't even the worst off!" Bragging... That was not something Sage was used to hearing in his own voice, but that was what the company of the black furred male did to him. Somehow, he was not entirely himself.

He mimicked Diaval, rolling until his belly was up, his paws hanging idly above his chest. "I've told you before. You have nothing to repay me for." His voice was low, like it was a secret to be kept between the two of them. Once more Sage's eyes met the sweet honeyed orbs and he couldn't help but smile back. In an effort to lighten the blanket that had fell on his heart, the one that felt like hope, Sage kicked Diaval in the hindquarters playfully. "So... How many people kicked your sorry ass into submission?" He cackled. "It wasn't that long ago that I had to help you walk, I doubt you fared well in a fight!" The healer kept his eyes solidly on the ceiling above them. Sometimes, it was easier that way.

@Diaval

art and code by Yahtzee-Penguiduck

A chuckle rumbled in his throat to match Sage's as he regrettably recalled his experience with the barkeep at the local tavern. He'd stayed away from those drinking contests, knowing alcohol would've only gotten him into trouble. His eyes glittered with amusement, however, to hear of the time his friend had, even if it resulted in a gruesome hangover.

Diaval watched as the smaller male joined him on the ground, rolling over comfortably next to him. He scoffed and shook his head in defiance as once again the healer dismissed the sentiment of being repaid for being a Good Samaritan. He did try to move on to another subject, wanting to hear about him getting his ass beat while sparring the other wolves in the tournament. "Agh, I took second place at least. The winner surely deserved it. She was a formidable opponent and I learned from that battle. Now, I'll hear no more of your teasing, Mister DeSoto." He laughed, but then his brows began to furrow while he grew serious.

"Twenty-four...that's how many others passed by me without so much as a glance...until you." Golden eyes settled on him in a meaningful gaze. "You did not even have to offer me food that day and yet, you not only fed me...you took me into your home...practically rehabilitated my pitiful hide..." He reminisced on every moment leading to this one as he spoke. "You could have kept walking...been on your merry way without the burden of a vagrant, but you saved me, Sage."


He swallowed, his lips parting as he briefly hesitated in what he was going to say next. This question had nagged at him from the back of his mind for months now, eating him alive. He simply had to know the truth. "Why?" Diaval asked, searching for the vibrant cerulean orbs that cast a glow against the dark, ashen fur of Sage's brow. "Why did you stop to help me that day?"

@Sage

table by Yahtzee-Penguiduck [da]. click for attributions.