what tomorrow could bring

A response came very quickly, which was pretty much as he’d expected. She was on her way. The excitement was almost impossible to contain. The ghost smiled to himself, and it felt like his heart was going to burst right out of his chest, so he took a few deep breaths to calm it. Hawk felt like he had been waiting so long for this moment, and in a way, he had. To find a mate and have a family had always been a dream of his, albeit one that had been pushed aside more often than not, in favor of focusing on his job or his duties.

Not a good excuse, in the grand scheme of things. Being a father and partaking in raising the next generation was easily the most important task of all in life, for every creature that walked the earth. Or at least, that was what he’d been raised to believe. The events of this night had the capacity to shift life for himself and Athena in a very different direction in the future. Provided it was a future she wanted for herself and wished to share with him.

He wasn’t sure how long he’d waited. It didn’t feel like very long before he heard her paws skidding across the rough rocks, sounding as though she were going at a rapid pace. Only as they made eye contact did she slow. Briefly, the knight was struck by how pretty she was, in the waning light of day, but his thoughts did not linger there long. Hawk frowned to himself a little, hoping she hadn’t thought his summons was urgent, or that he’d been in some sort of trouble.

Athena arrived before him clearly out of breath, and at once he stood, making his way to her side, a small smile upon his countenance. ”You didn’t have to run…” he teased softly, going for a slight head bump. ”But thank you, for coming. I have something for you, in here. It isn’t as nice as I’d like to give you, because of this drought.. so, I’m sorry about that,” he added on, gesturing with his nose toward the cave, before making his way toward it, trusting his companion to follow.

Padding a few steps into the cave, the ghost leaned over and gently nudged the small collection of flowers out from behind a rock and into the moonlight. Then, he moved back a pace or two, so the other could inspect the gift. The flowers had taken ages to find and it had taken even more care to preserve them, something he was sure Athena would understand. Hawk was more curious, however, to observe how she’d interpret the gift.

She had, it seemed, been worried about him initially. A confession that warmed the knight’s heart, especially given what he was about to confess, himself. It was the second part, though, that Hawk chose to focus on, given the faltering of her smile and the genuinely curious nature of the inquiry. What had she done to deserve a gift?

”You’ve been a wonderful, supportive blessing in my life. One that I.. appreciate, and that hope I never take for granted,” he answered, sitting back to observe. The wry grin he wore broadened as she stepped forth to study the gift.

A smile he thought was brighter than the sun, the moon, and all the stars was dancing across Athena’s countenance then. But before he could really appreciate it, she was pressing into his neck. The touch creating a wonderful warmth, something the ghost cherished and leant into, and he brought up a front limb to tentatively rest it across her shoulders.

”I know there’s a lot we don’t know about one another, Athena. I’d like to know more about you, whatever you want to share. These last weeks, though.. I’ve been thinkin’ a lot about the future. There are things I want. Like peace and prosperity for the pack, for my friends, and maybe someday, a family..” He paused for a breath, and to let the words sink in, especially the last one. Internally, the knight’s heart raced against his chest, so quickly he almost thought it was going to burst out. He'd thought and dreamt a lot about a moment like this, often. Of finding love, and having a family. That dream was now nearly a reality. 

But he had to remind himself that Athena might not want the same things, and to be ready for that, if it were true. As such, he moved back and away from the embrace, as much as he didn’t want to, so that Athena could read his eyes and make a decision on what was to come next. ”I’d like to, and I want to share that life and future, with you, Athena. As partners.. mates. I offer myself to you, and only you, for the remainder of our lives. If you will have me.”

It was maybe the most consequential and potentially life-altering statement he’d ever spoken. Every single word of it was meant, and expressed with a sense hope. A part of him wished to continue, though, to assure his companion that she didn’t need to accept it. But, he told himself, she would know that. As he’d learned early on, Athena was not one to act without thought. Whatever choice she made, he trusted it to be what she wanted, too.

Not for the first time, the ghost found himself wishing he had the ability if even for only a few moments, to look into Athena’s mind and know what she was thinking. The pretty, stony woman tended to mask her expressions and thoughts rather well. And while he was indeed curious, that mysterious aura about the smoky knight was also the part of her that’d drawn him in so much, initially.

Pragmatically, Hawk didn’t doubt that she’d be a good, devoted, strong parent, and a faithful partner. Those things were important, to a degree, but there was so much more to it than that. For as distant and reserved as Athena tended to portray herself to others, he’d been fortunate enough to see that different side of her. The fun, thoughtful, clever, caring side.. and that was equally as encapsulating. He’d genuinely enjoyed the time he’d spent with her, no matter the circumstances.. and wanted more of that.

And.. the feeling, it seemed, was mutual. Looking into her eyes just then, he could see the sincerity, the mutual desire there, too. Momentarily, the ghost found himself at a loss for words, and so chose to move forth and return to the embrace he’d broken a few moments ago.

”I love you, Athena.” Words he’d never thought he’d speak to anyone, in this way. All of those same, confusing, warm feelings came back with that touch, and the expression he spoke. Excitement, awe, incredulity. A part of him couldn’t believe the dream had come true. But here they were.

I love you too, she spoke, and in that brief moment, all felt right with the world. Everything seemed so far away - the pack, the drought, any worries about jobs and things not being done. He might’ve been content to stay like that forever, too, if it were possible. But it was not, and of course, it was Athena that reminded him of that.

The mention of their friend brought a wry grin to the ghost’s face, and he nodded in agreement. ”He did, for which I’ll be forever grateful. He helped with the flowers, too. Couldn’t have done it without him,” Hawk admitted, glancing to them. ”And I hope.. someday, I can do something like that for him, in return.”

There had to be something he could do, for the man who had not only introduced him to the treasure that was Athena, but also helped with this very moment. Though it certainly wasn’t the same, Hawk cared greatly for Maxem as well. Loved the other man, even, but more like a sibling, like the younger brother he’d always wanted. Hopefully, one day, he could repay their friend for all of the good he’d brought.

The status and state of their mutual friend was not something Hawk would ever not be a little bit concerned about, he thought. At least, not until things went through some drastic changes. Athena’s dislike for the situation as well was evident. ”He does deserve better. Many in this pack do.” The closer he looked, the more common a situation like Maxem’s seemed. Athena had experienced similar, and there were other loners as well. If only there were a way to change that…

Thankfully, though, the next two questions Athena asked broke that train of thought, reminding Hawk that this was supposed to be a happy moment. The ghost laughed a little as she more or less guessed what’d happened, and nodded. ”He did spot some of them from a tree, yeah. But I don’t think he meant to. And he did try to teach me, but in fairness, I did ask.”

Although.. he hadn’t meant for this to end up with them speaking more about their friend than themselves, it did provide an opportunity to bring up something else. Something the Knight had been considering, and that Athena - if she planned to be with him, should know. ”There’s something else I’ve been.. considering. And that is.. if the opportunity arises, I think I might try to be nominated, and run for one of the leadership roles. Maybe that way, we could change things for those in this pack, like Maxem, who feel forgotten and ignored.”

Their leaders were good, and maybe they could change things without him ever needing to do that. But in the event they couldn’t.. well. It was a call the ghost felt he wouldn’t be able to ignore forever. ”I.. wouldn’t expect you to run with me, if you didn’t want to. But.. I’d like to know you’re okay with me doing it. If you’re not, I wouldn’t. My first duty will always be to you and any family we may be blessed to have in the future.”

That was a hearty ask, but one that seemed better brought up now than later. Now, after all, was a time of discussion, to figure these things out.

The ghost couldn’t help a soft laugh escaping him, as Athena inquired as to how their tree climbing lesson had gone. He also couldn’t help wondering if Maxem had said anything, but in case he hadn’t, decided to spare a few of the details. ”Ah. Not too bad, I suppose. I mean, I made it out fine but it’s not something I’ll be doing regularly. I’m definitely not built for those things, as you know.” He managed a little smile with the joke at his own expense, but it was fine, and it was true.

That skill was better left to Maxem, or other, more agile wolves, anyway. Maybe someday he’d try it again on his own, because he could still see there being a certain tactical advantage to having developed the skill at least a little bit. Such a thing would not come any time soon.

It was perhaps just a little bit of a disappointment to hear Athena wouldn’t want to share the leadership role, but not unexpected. And if he was being completely honest, it wasn’t something he really wanted to do either. He’d have rather just been able to carry on as a Knight, and focus on other things. But he couldn’t deny the calling.

What mattered was her support, though. If he chose to pursue this, he had that, at least. The ghost bowed his head, accepting the gesture of affirmation, taking the next few spoken words to heart. ”Thank you, Athena. That… that means a lot. Coming from you.”

Now, more than ever. ”How did I get so lucky, with you?” the ghost mused aloud. ”You’re everything I could’ve ever hoped for, and then some..”