Being a Father
#1
(here's the thread I promised)


Today Saluce road atop his high horse, followed by the ever persistent creaking and clattering of the cart being pulled behind him, above and beyond he was Dahlia’s handyman, blacksmith, and ever present stone faced male who seemed to find his job fulfilling. He was a proud man, and sometimes it meant he was unable to do a most basic thing. His pride and arrogance sometimes hung about him so thickly that he couldn’t see through the fog but today, he was different. Sure his hopes for winning Amata’s heart had been smashed, and sure it just seemed like the harder he tried to find some happiness in his personal life he failed all the more. But there was one thing he could change, since the last time he had saw Saul their relationship had almost been severed. Saluce never spoke verbally what he felt, it was a major no no to how he operated, but if he was to accept his son’s track into the medical field then he would do his best to support him. For the past week and a half he had been working on a house warming gift for him.

The sturdy oak cabinet was cushioned in his cart, to keep it from banging around and nicking it up. The drawers where spaced so that he could store all kinds of different medicines and dried herbs. Along the bottom a glass door sat leaving plenty of room for other bigger items as well. The Cabinet was quite tall and built by hand by him. Saluce just only hoped it wasn’t too tall, he couldn’t remember how tall his ceilings where going to be.

Finally he arrived at the finished cabin, his eyes looking over it with a practiced eye. Saluce worked more with metal, the handles and metal work on the Cabinet where quite ornate while the wood work was just above average. But his eyes gazed at his son’s handiwork and he could see how all that hard work he had put in at the shop had paid off. The mountain couldn’t help but smile as he dismounted and walked up to the door hoping he was home. The last thing he wanted to do was go find him. His knuckles rasped on the door several times and waited.
#2
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<33


The sun was hot on his arms, tickling his face as the shade of his back porch threatened to take away the afternoon sun. The burning ball of light had moved across the sky quickly today, although it was making it appearance for longer now that summer was on their doorstep. The agouti male had started his day like any other day in the so many months he had been a resident of the Dahlia de Mai pack. And more recently, with Siku by his side. Although both parties still referred to the other as 'best friend' it was clear something else was going on. And neither of them understood it. Wretch was getting better, her leg healing and her jaw completely healed. She was still attached primarily to him and Saul was okay with that. Most days he sat out here in the evening with the pale puppy playing in the grass by the river. They didnt speak- they didnt need to. She was peaceful and he was glad he'd saved her. She had been so broken.


His hands were occupied with a new creation, although its final shape wasnt going to reveal itself until the final stages of his creation. In the other, a small whittling knife he had picked up a while ago from the wastelands around Dahlia. There were so many lost treasures there that Saul tried to at least have a look around once a week at the least. He had built the chair he sat in and now he was working on his carving skills. They werent perfect yet, and his earlier experiments were rudimentary at best. But he was working on it, and the more he practised the better he got. He didnt hear the horse approaching, nor the heavy laden cart as they both came to a stop by his front door. The cabin was large, but the back door was also open and Saul heard the four hard knocks clearly. He placed the hunk of wood and the knife down, brushing off the wood shavings until he was satisfied they were gone from his coat. He moved quickly towards the door and opened it.


"Saluce!"


His lips widened in a grin as he looked at the man he thought of as a second father. His mind niggled at him, throwing images of their last meeting in his face. But he really couldnt care right now. Saluce had come to see him, and that was a better apology than if the grey man had even said the words. Of course, Saul wasnt sure if a hug was appropriate in this situation as he stood awkwardly in his door for the moment, before remembering his manners


"Would you like to come in?"


He asked, green eyes wide as he took in the horse and cart. There was a cart behind the massive horse, but Saul couldnt see what was in it. Curiosity alight, he tried to stay where he was, while all he wanted to do was snoop around in Saluce's cart. Typical child behaviour.


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#3
And there he was, the door opened to his eyes and the young male smiled brightly through it. He should have come sooner, shouldn’t have put it off so long but he had, thinking he had needed something to say he was sorry with. But the smile and welcome he received told him that all was forgiven. For a moment Saluce fought the urge to take the boy in his arms in a hug, such an odd urge to him, why was it he could show affection on four legs and not two, the thought almost threatened to irritate him. But the behemoth stepped forward and massive arms swung wide and around the smaller male in an embrace. It was awkward, he didn’t quite know how this was supposed to be done, and his hands idly patted his back before deciding to much time had passed and it became more awkward but he did it none the less.

Saluce did indeed want to come in but his knowing eyes did catch his looks around his form. He shook his head absently before smiling. “Just can’t wait can you?” he said in a mocking tone before stepping to the side.

“It’s your house warming gift, hope it fits, go and see it!” he exclaimed at him. He’d wait for now and let him get his excitement out before tackling the task of getting it into the house.
#4
He had thought Saluce far above ordinary emotion that Saul or Siku felt. He had thought the warrior was above emotion at all. But as Saul opened the door and allowed the grin to flash over his lips, the grey male almost returned the expression. Of course, that would have been asking too much. Saul was happy with that. However, as he stepped forward, thickly muscled arms came out and his smaller form was caught in a hug that almost cracked his ribs. But his smaller arms came awkwardly round the males back, squeezing him back and for just a moment, Saul felt peace. This was what it should have been like when Saluce had retuned. Saul shouldnt have tried to hit him. The great male put him down and Saul filled his lungs, mentally checking off his organs and bones. He was fine. Of course, nothing got past the males blue eyes. Saul chuckled as Saluce teased him.

"Always have been impatient."

He shrugged before he moved to the side. He still couldnt see what it was, but as he walked closer, Saluce's voice behind him made him pause. A house warming present? He turned back, green eyes alight. A present at all from the man was something Saul hadnt anticipated, but it was a brilliant surprise. Green eyes grew wide with excitement and for just a moment, he was transported back to a small pup again. Although in all honesty, he'd never really received a present as a child, he imagined this was what it would be like. Creamy paws clasped together as he started towards Saluce.

"What did you get me? You shouldnt have done Saluce... not after our last meeting..."

He said, eyes and ears dipping in embarrassment. He was sure it was all forgiven, else Saluce wouldnt have been here. But still, the male wanted to apologise.


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