Two Wolf Moon (Silver/Vilkas)

Vilkas didn't know how long he ran, but eventually he found his way to the top of a pile of worn boulders in a clearing. The moon was easily visible overhead, and from his vantage point the panting wolf could see much of the surrounding forest. He'd gotten the initial need to run out of his system and was content to take in the world around him for the moment.

When Silver caught up, he slowed to a walk, shaking each paw as he lifted it to get off debris that had clung to him. There were bits of leaves, grass, dirt, bark, and who knew what else stuck in his fur. He gave a rough shake, then started to make his way up the pile of rock, panting from exertion. It was a strange experience having run so much without sweating.

Vilkas turned to see Silver, what passed for a grin shining brightly on his face. He could smell a small animal to the right, a hare quivering anxiously at being close to predators. An owl gave a low hoot and watched them with wide orange eyes from a high branch. But he only cared for his companion. For now, the rest of the animals could watch and live their lives.

He nudged his companion's head gently with his nose. Could Silver sense how thrilled he was to just have someone else again? Years of being alone, hiding, getting what companionship he could from mindless animals. It didn't matter that Silver was used to staying in.

Silver wouldn't have associated the happiness Vilkas radiated with himself if not for that companionable, almost loving, nudge. He looked aside at Vilkas, flicked his tail, then sat at curled it around himself. It was beautiful here. His ears twitched, rotated to pick up tiny sounds, and he pulled slow breaths, inhaling the scents of the nighttime forest. He'd only ever done this as a human, as it had neared the full moon, never in form, and it was an entirely different experience. He'd never been in this particular forest, but it felt like home.

He looked aside at Vilkas and nodded his head. Yes, I understand. And yes, it felt good having someone with him who also understood. Maybe he didn't get the running, not just yet, but he got the connection with nature.

Vilkas still had copious amounts of energy, but was finally relaxed enough to sit and take everything in. Familiar scents wafted close from the surrounding woods. There was a hint of Ares, who he saw some months, a fox he'd met a few months back who enjoyed the thrill of running with a larger animal, the scent of water from a spring to the north. It was almost like having family again.