Canines' Autumn Ch. 8: Music in the Forest
Well, this is embarrassing. Took a while to upload the last chapter.
Last chapter for Canines' Autumn. Kouya and the two Kodoris spend the evening in the forest as the husky plays his guitar.
The moon was full once again, its bluish-white light illuminating the entire forest that night as Kouya rested his back on one of the trees that surrounded an open field, him playing a melody with his guitar. The calmness of it all was nice, he thought, but being alone there felt a bit lonesome for him. Even though he invited Shun that night, he wasn't sure if the little wolf would come, given the time. He stopped playing and was about to leave when he heard footsteps from behind the trees.
He stood up and turned around. "Who's there?"
Not too long after, he saw Shun coming out from the trees, running towards him and holding him in a forceful hug as the little wolf got closer. He turned back to the trees, hearing more footsteps and saw Ten going towards them. Shun coming there was something he expected, but the bigger wolf also being there wasn't something that came to his mind.
"Why are you here?" Kouya asked.
"Shun-sama invited me here," Ten said.
The husky turned to Shun and saw the little wolf winking back at him with a smile while letting go. With the three of them already there, they sat down with Kouya in the middle of the two wolves. He played another slow melody while they enjoyed the cool winds and the full moon. Around fifteen minutes passed and he stopped playing as he saw the little wolf fast asleep, head tilted to the side.
Kouya chucked. "Still can't stay up late yet, eh?"
"The mood is rather relaxing," Ten said. "It's natural if someone would fall asleep in here."
The husky looked up to the moon. "Hey, Ten..."
"What is it?"
"A lot happened this autumn. We met, got to be friends, and even hung out so many times. Those moments with you were actually one of the things I enjoyed the most, even if it was just me dropping by the dojo to say 'Hi.'" He turned to the wolf and smiled. "All I'd like to say now is, thanks. Every day this autumn's been fun with you and Shun around."
After he said all of this, Kouya saw Ten smiling back at him. As rare as a moment like this was, it was made even more special with the moonlight reflecting against the wolf's fur.
"You're welcome," Ten said. "I enjoyed them as much as you did."
With their exchange over, Kouya picked the guitar up again and played once more. Ten listened to the melody as he felt the cold wind chilling his entire body, him breathing deeper as he got more relaxed. Minutes later, he started nodding his head while blinking his eyes, drifting off into sleep a moment after.
Kouya took notice of the sleeping Ten and went closer, resting his guitar on his place. He took a look at the wolf's face and chuckled. "You look cute when you're asleep," he said with a soft voice. Focusing his eyes on the scar above Ten's muzzle, he raised a hand and tried to touch it, only to wake him up when his fingertip made contact with it.
"Sorry about that," Kouya said.
"Don't be," Ten said, closing his eyes. "Please, go on."
"You sure?"
Ten kept silent.
Gaining the wolf's approval, he tried touching the scar again, tracing along it while feeling the uneven bumps. "It's warm," he said to him. When his finger reached the other end, he moved his hand and caressed Ten's cheek, all the while feeling his own heart beat even faster.
Ten opened his eyes in surprise. "Kouya?"
Kouya gazed at the wolf as he smiled at him. "You're really cute, you know that?"
Ten relaxed himself, feeling the warmth of Kouya's hand on his face. He returned the favour and touched the husky's cheek with his hand. In that moment, words weren't needed, both of them understanding what the other meant by the gesture. It was clear; both of them liked each other.
"The same to you," Ten said before pulling Kouya closer and holding him in his arms, the husky's head resting on his shoulder.
Kouya put his arms around Ten and pulled closer, nuzzling on the wolf's shoulder as he felt their warmth combine. His eyes started to tear up, him unable to control the joy he had that moment.
Just then, they broke their embrace as they heard a chuckle. They turned to Shun and saw that the little wolf was awake, looking at them with a smile on his face. Unable to speak that moment, their faces turned red in embarrassment. Shun went near them and called for them to come closer. When the two went closer, the little wolf gave the two of them a hug as he said something.
"Be happy, okay?"
Touched by his words, the two gave the wolf a hug in return, thanking him for everything that happened this autumn.