A Rekindled Heart
This story is of course dedicated to you two. I love you Nankil and I love you too Fatman.
The hybrid didn't entirely look forward to lounging around the beach, waiting, wishing, and wondering if someone he knew would once again leave a pawprint in the sand, to be left on it's own, much like his heart. He could recall every print, from who they belonged to, to what they represented. Some just graced the surface, some passers by who he felt a slight pull from, others deep and lasting, from souls who truly captivated him and gave him the honor of calling them his mate...though, like pawprints, they were similar to shadows, only around for as long as the sun shone and disappearing into darkness with the night.
The last belonged to someone he cared about enough, that the pawprints on his heart had a lasting impression that kept him from opening his heart enough to truly care for others. On top of how shy and reserved he was before the matter, now he felt as if he was alone, for he knew almost no one else within the community. Many would pass him by and give the occasional "hello" or even request him to leave so they could enjoy themselves privately with another.
This continued on until a short while ago, where he crossed the path of another soul, one that was confused and upset. The hybrid saw this, and having known this individual slightly beforehand, he grew concerned. He padded over and sat down next to the orange-and-black striped feline, looking into his bright blue eyes, pausing for a moment.
"What's the matter hon?" Asked Aragh, and the hybrid tilted his head slightly, something he grew into habit that subconsciously showed interest, curiosity, or concern. His ears showed the last on that list, lowered and slightly splayed out. He heard the tiger explain what was bringing him down and gradually felt his sympathy grow...along with something he couldn't quite place his finger on.
His left ear perked up slightly when it registered that the feline was going through a difficult time because he was caught between a few furs that desired to become his mate. His brow furrowed a little bit as some of the dormant pawprints deepened as memories rose up to the surface of his mind.
He let out a silent sigh, still listening to the tiger named Nankil. He knew what it felt like to have his heart torn in different ways...for he had been in a similar predicament. The memories stirred inside him and struck a nerve within him as the scenario replayed itself in front of him. There he was, caught between the mate he rarely saw anymore, and a truly kind, if extremely shy soul who recently revealed his feelings for the husky/wolf mix.
He was struck, wanting to show as much compassion and do his best to comfort the distressed tiger. Nankil turned towards him, and asked for what he thought he should do. Aragh took a dep breath, and quietly sighed, the air ruffling the white-ish fur on his chest, his tail still and curled a little.
He lifted his head and looked into the feline's eyes, worried somewhat about what he ought to say. He thought for a moment, opened his muzzle, and said what came from his heart, just as a reddish-furred fox entered the room they were in, likely just passing by like so many others.
"I'm not going to be able to say "Choose this one"," the husky shook his head and gestured with his paw as if he was pointing to someone. "Because this is a choice you have to make for yourself hon...You need to listen to your heart."
He folded his paws in his lap, took another breath, and continued speaking quietly in his soft tone. "And if it tells you more than one thing, you need to choose what path is best for you." Memories of the issue the husky himself went through flashed before him, and he thought about what he could tell Nankil in the hopes that somehow he could help the tiger in some way. He opened his muzzle, unsure of what to say, but the words must have came from his heart, for words formed from his muzzle. "If...If you're having a huge amount of trouble with it, you can tell them that you aren't ready to make a decision, they'll understand. And once you do, you'll be able to tell who really cares for you because they will still be there when you are ready...".
The husky let out a silent sigh, catching himself holding a simple statement. He wanted to say "I'll be there for you..." But on the inside, he was questioning himself why he felt he needed to help this tiger he hardly even knew so badly. He was holding back from admitting these feelings, keeping a close guard on his emotions. He knew that he felt drawn towards this beautiful creature with his beautiful soul, but one of the main things why he kept his distance was because of his past, as well as his previous mate.
He feared growing too attached too soon. Also since the feline was going through a rough time, Aragh wished to respect him and his feelings as much as he could, so the toll on Nankil's heart wouldn't increase by having yet another fur become attracted to him.
The husky wondered if he ought to say more, but decided to let the tiger think things over. He hesitated slightly before shuffling closer and placing his arms around Nankil, more for the sake of comforting him, even though a portion of him just wanted to be near the tiger.
"That's beautiful man..." The hybrid's ear flicked and turned his head to view the fox, showing him a little smile. "Hm...thank you hon." Nankil wrapped his arms around Aragh as well, hugging him back.
That night, the three of them grew to know each other a little better, and they soon learned that the name of the fox was Fatman. The fox didn't exactly live up to his name, although his body's size was a little larger, it complemented his frame wonderfully. The fox had the traditional markings, socks over his paws and feet, and a thick, bushy tail much like Aragh's own.
Aragh loosened up his arms, but kept them around Nankil as he looked over the feline as well, admiring the characteristic stripes and his long, slender tail. But perhaps what first caught his eyes were the pretty light blue ones that Nankil possessed. He found he could easily lose himself within them.
Over the next few nights, the trio gradually, but quickly became friends, spending what time they could together. After a short while, they even became cuddle buddies and would enjoy their nights, and their friendship, in each other's embraces.
Aragh grew quite fond of both Nankil and Fatman...but other feelings began to well up inside him over the course of a few weeks, and it was becoming more difficult to suppress them, both for the sake of his heart...as well as others...And that is left for the next chapter, in which Aragh reveals a few secrets about his past, and his future...lifting up his footpaw to take another step, one in the sand, the other in his heart...
Leaving his pawprint behind.
The End.