Aibrean was quite young when he began training under Icetail. Pupsitting was something he'd always wanted to do. There was just something about the carefree nature of the pups that made him want to protect them at all costs. He never let a single pup wander too far, and he always made sure they were as happy as they could be, often playing games with them and telling bizarre stories of his mother in order to keep them entertained. She may have left him to be with another pack, but he always tried to look at her in the best light possible. Usually, Icetail was at his side for all of this. However, one fateful day, Icetail announced that he would be retiring. He left Aibrean as the new lead pupsitter. The new title was definitely a lot of stress for a wolf who was a mere year and 6.5 months old, but he coped surprisingly well. Of course, Icetail still sat around with the pups sometimes, but Aibrean could see he was growing old. The blue-tinted wolf had always been like the father he'd never had, and it made him unbearably sad to even think about losing him. But, it was not something that could be avoided. He could only hope he'd have the strength to take the pain.
When Icetail died, Aibrean sat at his grave and grieved for days, leaving Kalix to watch the young. He couldn't believe the old wolf was gone. He knew it had been coming, he knew Icetail wouldn't live forever, but he hadn't been ready for the blow it would deal to him. He'd never imagined that he would have to wake up one morning to find the blue-tinted canine's body cold and stiff. Icetail seemed peaceful in his eternal rest, but while he had not suffered, he had caused much suffering for poor Aibrean. This life was not kind to him. He was forced to grow up before he should have, and now here he was, watching the only one he could confide in as he lay at rest for good. Why was everything so, so cruel? Why did Icetail have to die?
Years passed, the sharp pain of Icetail's passing gradually reducing to a dull ache in his heart, and Aibrean watched many generations of pups come and go. At 5 years 8 months, he became a mentor, following in old Icetail's footsteps. It saddened him, knowing that his time would come soon just like his old mentor's had, but not all was bad. He had been a crucial part in so many of the next generation's chances of survival, and now he could help them to learn new skills as they grew.
Then, at 6 years and 7 1/2 months, he finally decided to tell a particular wolf how he felt. Kalio, the pack's herbalist. They grew up together, but Aibrean never really knew how to tell him how he felt. Aware that they didn't have long left to live, he decided to finally say something. One beautiful, moonlit night, he trotted over to Kalio who was humming a quiet tune as he mashed together the parts needed for some medication. "Hey," he started off, sitting down beside the dark wolf. "Hm?" Kalio replied, snapping out of his little trance as he looked over to Aibrean. Those eyes, always so strange yet so beautiful to him, gleamed in the moonlight. Aibrean hesitated, unsure of whether or not he could do this. What if Kalio didn't share the feeling? What if he wanted nothing to do with him, or saw them as friends and nothing more? "So, I was wondering… how do you see me?" The dark wolf seemed understandably confused, tilting his head at the question. "How do I see you?" Kalio repeated, "What do you mean?" "Er…" Aibrean averted his gaze for a moment, struggling to find the words, "well, do you just think of me as a friend?" Kalio tilted his head, seemingly thoughtful. "I mean, you are my friend," he ventured carefully, those eyes scanning Aibrean as though trying to decipher what he really meant. The hint of a blush on his face, the anxious posture, and the wide-eyed, hopeful expression adorning that black-and-brown face gave Kalio a few hints. "Do… uh… do you think we could be more?" The dark wolf seemed a little startled by how he went straight to the point, a blush coming over his face now as well. "I-I guess I haven't really thought about it," he replied somewhat nervously, but both of them knew he was lying. "What would the pack say?" Kalio seemed worried. "It doesn't matter what they say," Aibrean consoled, giving the dark wolf a soft nuzzle on the cheek, "because they don't get to say how we can and can't feel."
