Jealousy was perhaps not the right word to describe how Sleekwing felt towards the relationship Rogue got to have with Malina. To be jealous would mean that some part of him was not happy for her, and he was so glad for the life she was given to lead. So long as she was glad with her life, he was content. But that did not mean that he did not desire such a life for himself. He just struggled to picture such happiness with anyone other than she who completed his soul. His parents had been fortunate in the sense that their hearts and souls had agreed, complimented one another. For Sleekwing and Malina, such was not the case. Her heart belonged to someone else, and the heather painted brute’s heart seemed to flounder uselessly within his chest, lacking a true purpose beyond caring for his home and pack.

Daenerys had given him true purpose once more. In the coming months he would become a leader, a trainer of young warriors. In the meantime, he was the primary force of strength within the pack. It was a different sense of duty, of purpose, but he had let it consume him in hopes of distracting his heart from other notions.

Side by side they made their way, speaking colloquially of the trials each of their leaders had faced. He chuckled at her comment. “It is nothing short of the truth, I assure you that.” His sister was adjusting to her role as Protector of the Realm quite nicely. Truly that was an understatement. She really had been born for leadership.

For a short time, they moved along in silence, until Sleekwing spoke of their children, of her life raising them. The change in his features quickly transformed at her words. His eyes lit up and his ears seemed to prick even higher; his tail wagged behind him, displaying the joy that alighted in his heart. They had asked after him? When her step faltered, Sleekwing turned himself in the path and stopped, his pure elation written plainly all over his face. “Of course they may stay here. Whenever they want; whenever you want.” His grin had split wide open by now, and perhaps he looked a bit of the fool, but this was his children they were talking about. She wanted them to stay here, for how long it mattered not. A day, a week, a season? He didn’t care, so long as they came. So long as she came. Her words about his sprints and keeping up with the trio bid forth another laugh. “Perhaps you will have to stick around for a while, get to know the mountain?” The invitation was open, and he could hardly contain himself.

Some part of him knew he would only be playing at family, that maybe Rogue might insist on tagging along as well and spoil the illusion. But they were not a traditional family, and Sleekwing would have to learn to deal with that. All that really mattered was that they wanted to meet him, that they would run and play on the mountains as he had when he was a child.