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“A pack?” he echoed, “Obviously no one could replace you, but the idea of having so many people able to back you up is foreign to me. Like I’ve got some people I’m close to, but we’re not great enough to be called a ‘pack.’”
Aurelius thought this over for a minute.
“Half-wolves are very fascinating. Us plain old humans have a lot to learn from you guys. About life and coexistence mainly.”
Silver shrugged, "It's not so much as co-existence, it's just a promise, and a bond. A promise that we can always rely on one another, and that if one is in trouble, the other's are there to back them up, and if one can't do their job, other's will step in until they return, and if one needs support, they'll always have it."
“I’ve seen it in small numbers among people, but it’s difficult to maintain, as most people seem to be much more self-interested. Being in a pack seems so much more advantageous. Because like you said, even when you fail, others will help. And it’s just like you never failed,” Aurelius mused, “That type of trust would save us all a lot of trouble.”
Silver nodded, "Trust is a big part, that's why treason is such a biggie in Wolf territories, because it goes against the necessary fundamentals of their way of life…"
“As it should be,” Aurelius agreed.
His mind wandered for a minute.
“I just remembered something. I’d kind of forgotten since it’s been a while, but um… I have this book that was my mother’s work in progress. One of the characters is a half-wolf too. Of course, last I read through it, I’d never actually met one before. The way she wrote about packs and loyalty seemed almost legendary, but I suppose it’s all true, huh?”
Silver smiled, "Pretty much" he said softly.
“I hope I do gather up the motivation to finish it for her one day,” Aurelius muttered, mostly to himself. “Makes me wonder if my mum knew some of the people in your pack. It’s interesting to imagine if nothing else.”
"I doubt she knew my pack…" said Silver, "A rogue maybe…"`
“Just entertaining some thoughts, is all,” Aurelius said, “No telling who she met on her travels, though.”
"What was her name?" asked Silver.
“Cassia,” he said, “Cassia Runesong.”
It was his first time saying her name in a while. She became more and more like a figment of his imagination, even though she had raised him.
"Cant say Ive ever heard it…. though you could ask the others…" he said softly.
"Probably not," Aurelius sighed, "In fact, if I looked through her old notes some, I'd probably find the answer to that, so it's not really worth bothering anyone else in your pack at the moment."
Sliver nodded, "Alright"
Aurelius shifted his wandering gaze back to Silver.
"I know you said you're… inexperienced when it comes to relationships, but how much so? Have you- have you ever kissed anyone or held hands or…?"
"Never really been in a relationship, not one that lasted very long anyway," he said softly, "Kissing yes, but never really anything that meant much…"
"I had figured not even that with how you talked about inexperience," Aurelius said, "but that's still more than I can say I've done."
Silver huffed, "Believe me, it was only once, and neither person was suited." He said softly, "One kiss, is all I have on you.
Aurelius laughed. "I suppose so."
His tone softened. "It seems so nice, yet… I don't know. I'm kind of scared. As much as I want physical affection, sometimes I really do fear it."
"No one said you had to," he said softly, "besides, it could just be that you need cuddles."
Aurelius nodded. "I do like that a lot. But uhhh… I don't know, it's just bizarre being both touch-starved and afraid to have anyone lay their hands on you. Still sorting things out in my head."
Silver nodded, "I would certainly think so…" he said softly.
“Wait, that actually makes sense?” Aurelius whispered, “I was thinking there was something wrong with me, being all strangely conflicted like that.”
"You might want to be touched, but not feel safe about it.." he said, "or some other combination…"
“I don’t feel unsafe,” Aurelius clarified, “I just sometimes feel a little awkward about it. Perhaps I’d go as far as saying averse to it.”