Blood’s Thicker

pp permission granted!

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 He woke to the smell of his brother in the air. Rising, the Harbinger grimaced through the twinging ache in his bones. The cold weather did nothing of benefit to his joints, and his reincarnation hadn’t done him the decency of aging his body backward as it did Nym.

 He wasn’t willing to die again to try.

 Cresting the shallow hill out of the Roots, his tail flagged high and waving behind him, seeing his brother with a fox in his mouth. “Welcome home, Melchior.”

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The man dangled the fox from his jaws, content with his kill. Not only did he love hunting, but a fox nonetheless. It was the best case scenario for him. Plus, it was a good gift to his brother. Sure enough there he was, causing the brute to chuckle slightly, dropping the prey at his brothers feet. ”Miss me that much?” He teased his brother, though raised an eyebrow to ask what he needed.

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 “Yes.” He replied with sincere ease. “We are blood. The vein strains when apart.”

 Dipping his head, he sniffed the fox with hungry anticipation, admiring the gift. “Come, enjoy this with me and tell me of your most recent travels.”

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Mad was one of the two wolves in his life that saw his tender side, one that wasn’t hidden behind his anger and aggression. And so, he would chuckle low and relaxed before aiming to bump his shoulder against his brothers before finding a spot to rest, laying besides his sibling.

”The travel up north was interesting. There’s several packs that line the mountains up to the snows of the tundra, though I had no interest lingering there. I think two packs ended up going at each others neck. That should have been fun to watch. I certainly wish I was there. Oh, and I do have a child at least, though the mother wasn’t keen on telling me more information.

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 Melchior gave his report, rattling off details like coins flipped into a courtyard fount.

 It pained him to think of wolves losing lives to war, to conflict. But without the full knowledge of what had transpired between the two butting packs, he remained silent. If they’d been a pack of mongrel mixed-breeds he would have gone to war, too.

 “That’s a shame, but it is good to know the Marsyas line lives in the mountains, regardless of recognition.” The brother’s ate, scattering russet fluff as they ripped the small predator open.

 “Our numbers have dwindled as of late.” The Harbinger admitted. “That is why I’ve decided to accept a marriage proposal.”

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They had their conversation, one that Mel enjoyed. And he didn’t like talking much. However, as the conversation moved to something else entirely, he would let out a low growl. ”No.” He said simply, with little room for discussion. Sure, his brother had final say, but he certainly could voice his issues.

”Who even is it? You’re only getting married if you fall in love.” Mel didn’t mind forced marriages, but he was also torn with his protectiveness of his siblings.

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 “No.” Madmortigan barked back through a chuffing chuckle, knocking his head into the man’s shoulder. It was a gesture of pure affection, one he followed with a quick lash of his tongue to the side of Melchior’s cheek. His brother looked out for him in more ways than one.

 “If I remember correctly you didn’t seem to like my natural choices.” Thinking back to Daighre and whatever they had been. Not together, but certainly not apart - at least then. “I’m ready. I just turned six, brother. I’ve avoided this long enough.” For now, not answering his question.

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He huffed and growled but made no move to attack his brother, simply letting him put a kiss to his cheek. Though he was still grumbling about it. Turning to look at him, the brute would raise an eyebrow, shrugging slightly. "Not my fault you have poor taste." He said teasingly before shaking his head. "You just have much more responsibility to deal with other than a forced marriage." He would think for a moment before speaking again.

"If you need to marry someone for pack relations, theres got to be someone else in the pack that can do it, that way you can focus on the pack. I'd much rather you go back to whoever the fuck than a forced relationship." He narrowed his eyes slightly in a slight pout, clearly disliking all of this. "But if you insist, I'm meeting her."

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 Madmortigan was grateful for his brother’s concern, but he did not have the freedom that came with being born second in line.

 “Of course you’ll meet her, and I’m sure there will be more matches to come, should participants be willing. But know this Melchior - I do not do anything I do not want to do. If I find her disagreeable, then the marriage won’t happen.”

 He nudged his brother. “Fair enough?”

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He huffed and snorted to show his displeasure, but nodded nonetheless. It wasn't like he could force his brother to do anything anyway. 

"Fine, I'll deal with that." He would move to stretch. "Give me a few days to rest and then I'll meet her." He would aim a lick to his brother's cheek, with a simply nudge of the head before heading back to his den. "Oh and just remember, don't add me to your matches, I don't get along well with others."

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 At that he laughed, watching his brother head deeper into the Roots. “Oh, I know.”

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and fade <3

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