I'm not at your orders

homecoming

#HOT SCENE

In the evening, they sat around the fire, eating and commemorating their fallen companion.

"His watch has ended, now rest may rise in the night." Nori found Avis' voice comforting, like a father about to tell a story to his children. As a symbolic gesture, the beta had busied himself gathering Blue Cotton flowers to throw into the fire, so that a strong, aromatic scent would fill the air and accompany their prayer.

Sandor remained silent during the ritual, his gaze wandering respectfully among those present before finally resting on Filip, who was next to him. The alpha's eyes seemed to be directed at the fire in front of them, but Sandor realized he was actually watching Nori perform the spiritual act with the flowers, following his every move as if intrigued. The movement of the hands, the fire, the scented air, the starry night, and the bitterness on their faces over the unjust death of a comrade seemed to invoke another dimension, free from the worries of daily life.

"Filip, do you perhaps have something to say?" Avis asked, but the alpha was too distracted to respond.

"Filip?" Still no answer, so Sandor gave him a small nudge, and he quickly reconnected with the surrounding atmosphere.

"Huh?"
"Some words?" Avis patiently repeated, and Filip gathered his thoughts to give a short speech, though Sandor paid no attention to its content. Each day, he grew more certain of the bond forming between Filip and Nori, or that it had already formed, wondering if he was the only one noticing.
When the ceremony ended, they organized guard shifts, and Filip took watch over one side of their camp, accompanied by Sandor and a sparkleap to light their way.

"Do you think Avis is helping us with no ulterior motive?"
"I have no doubt," Filip replied. "He knew my parents; he practically saw Marcus and me grow up, so I know exactly what his priorities are." Sandor was silent, prompting Filip to continue:
"Are you not convinced?"
"I don't know. He's certainly a sharp old man to do what he does."
"You're calling the alpha of a pack an old man?" Filip said, amused.
"Yeah, same thing. Anyway, if he came to find you himself and not his daughter, there must be a reason."

Filip watched the sparkleap hopping around near them, reflecting on Sandor's words.
"He cares a lot about her, just like Marcus cares for Arya. After all, every parent has a protective instinct toward their children, no matter their age."
"That Shina didn't seem to have it. Tsk, if it weren't for the resemblance, I'd never have believed Nori was her son."
"Yeah... anyone can become a parent, but not everyone can be one." Filip thought about how Nori must have suffered from his mother's abandonment, and how it had made him more mature mentally compared to himself at that age. At that moment, the beta was sleeping in the tent, and Filip longed to lie next to him and hold him close, proving to him that he would never leave him alone.

"That woman would have been intimidated raising a son who was better than her in every way, which is why I'm glad Nori is part of our pack. Is that what you wanted to know?"

"What do you mean?"
"Come on, I know you've had your suspicions about us two, and besides, you're terrible at lying. I'd have them too if I found you half-naked in some other warrior's room."
"Wait, wait, avoid those comparisons. I'm already taken. And besides, I wasn't trying to pry, I wasn't even sure."

"It's okay." The fact that Filip didn't contest it further confirmed Sandor's suspicions, and he began to laugh to himself.
"To think you used to hate him."
"I never hated Nori. Maybe I got some enjoyment from tormenting him as a kid, which makes me a jerk, it's true. He probably hated me, but... things are different now."
"Good for you, Fil. You'll have to tell Avis sooner or later, or he'll stick you with his daughter as a mate."
"I know I'll have to tell everyone, but I also know Nori won't like it. He's never liked being the center of attention, and I don't want to rush him."