Chapter Text
Snow crunched under heavy boots as they pressed a familiar path through the landscape. Years of travel carved the way by memory, yet every visit always felt lighter in his chest. This one was no different, and wolf howls and barks creased his ears as Wildberry found the kennel outside the citadel. Light bathed the rare cloudless day, and the wolf riders were busy cleaning and training.
Five years; it felt so much more.
"Finish up the kennels and we'll head back!" The command’s yell made the steps increase in pace, and before he knew it bright gold met his bright pink.
"WILDBERRY!!" The joyous scream crackled through the mountain tops as they collided in a hug. They were both laughing, and kisses followed soon after. Their arms felt good around one another, and it made warmth seep back into frozen tan dough.
"You seem surprised, my love." The knight smiled down at the flush cheeks.
"I forgot what day it was!" Crunchy snickered before tiny yapping made him turn away. From the kennel a barrage of wolf pups bolted toward the fenced in field, and behind them a child bounded behind. She stopped as she noticed the embraced pair, and a wide toothy smile overtook her face.
"DADDY!!"
The girl ran toward them with so much force it made Wildberry Cookie's sturdy stand stumble. Her large ice cream scoop braid trailed behind and bounced with each foot fall, and Crunchy laughed at the action. She was tall for her age, and her strength and speed were clearly very well off. The Hollyberrian smiled as he scooped her up and she practically vibrated in his hold; fangs gleaming as she beamed.
“I have so much to show you!" Fudge Berry said, barely holding in her excitement, and she hugged his neck tight, "Papa showed me how to use his claws!"
"Oh, did he now?" Wild side eyed his husband, and Chip scratched the back of his neck.
"She begged me, alright? Besides, I was taught how to use them when I was young."
"Mmhmm," Wildberry pressed a kiss to her cheek, and Fudge laughed. "as long as you're careful." Crunchy smiled at the two, chest buzzing with completeness, and he could feel the golden band under his glove.
"Have you been to the citadel yet?"
"No, this was my first stop." Wildberry followed his betrothed as he headed to finish up.
"Dad," Fudge tapped his shoulder, "Papa says I should be getting my markings soon.”
"Your....markings?" He tilted his head, and Chip snorted.
"These, bub." The wolf tapped a finger to his cheek, referencing the slender marks, "Cream wolves get their fudge markings as they get older; I got mine around nine or ten after the king found me."
"She's five?" A dark brow was raised, but it was waved off.
"They don't appear overnight; they become solid with time." He took a quick look around the kennel before locking up, "I'm beat, and you gotta be starving. Let's go get some grub and tell His Majesty you're here."
"And grandmother Hollyberry?" Fudge Berry asked, and Wild shook his head.
She whined a bit in disappointed, but Crunchy ruffled her braid.
"Oh chin up! We'll be visiting the Hollyberry Kingdom next month, and then you can see her and aunt Raspberry." That brought a smile back to her face, and the knight chuckled.
"I have plenty of gifts from them in my bag," Wildberry adjusted the strap over his shoulder, "but we should go find your grandfather first."
"Yay!"
The family continued their catching up as they walked to the grand gates, and even further as they greeted the king. Life felt whole with the three of them at each other’s sides once again, and despite the trials and where they began, would only grow stronger as they raised their daughter and loved one another.