Hello there.  I know now it seems like forever ago but just remember Avery just recently woke back up and we all know neither of our lovable bears really know how to share their feelings so really harsh emotions are just bubbling under the surface waiting for a sharp pin to burst the bubble.Please comment!, I want to hear from you guys there's nothing better than to hear from you guys!

        P.S. oh and just quickly if you already haven't seen I uploaded a short story last week that's finished. The name is "the Choices We Made" I really want some feedback on it and to know if you guys like it :)

        please enjoy

'Keep up or you'll be left behind!'

Jakob roared victoriously as his paws scattered the snow every which way across the forest. Not a care in the world of where he was going. Greg chuffed as he swung his head gaining easily on our youngest brother and I simply smiled as I watched the two of them slam their massive bodies into each other trying to knock the other off balance.

I felt a great warmth course through my veins at being able to spend a week with my family, and my mate. Although sadly with Avery's injuries he couldn't come and run with us. I knew when my brothers were talking about it earlier at breakfast Avery had wanted to come. I could see the longing in his eyes and I knew that it had been a very long time since he had been able to run and play with his own species.

But thankfully mom had intervened and asked Avery to help her make lunch instead. This had seemed to abate his longing and he agreed with a soft smile. Even though I was having immense fun with my brothers after such a long absence I couldn't help but feel an aching in my chest wishing that I was running after the translucent white fur of my mate instead of the mahogany brown of my brothers.

This thought was quickly scattered to the wind as I felt a large hulking form ram into my side and send us both toppling through the snow until I easily used my large size to land on top; roaring victoriously into Jakob's face. His chest vibrated with a growl but I knew it was only him grumbling and not malicious.

As I began to gloat at my victory I felt Greg jump onto my back and push me off of Jakob as Greg nipped at my scruff and paws trying to get me off balance. I swatted him on the head and shot off into the trees as my two younger brothers followed. We were like small cubs playing once again in the soft silence of the forest. It was just like old times as we tussled and rolled about coating ourselves in snow and dirt.

I don't know how long we had run about but we finally plopped down to rest near a small lake that had already frozen over.

Jakob laid sprawled out on his back with his large paws flailing about above him and his tongue hanging out. Greg had a bit more decorum as he folded his paws and laid his head down panting softly. I laid comfortably on my side looking out on the calm scene of the frozen lake.

'So how's the mated life goin' for you?'

I turned my gaze to Jakob who lolled his tongue at me and quirked a thick eyebrow. I chuffed and shrugged the best I could, 'Avery and I aren't... mated...'

Jakob's tongue pulled back into his mouth as his eyes went wide. I turned to see Greg had a similar expression tilting his head to the side like a dog.

'What do you mean 'not mated'? How? I mean... What?'

I rolled my eyes tiredly at Jakob and sat up shaking off my thick coat of some of the snow that had clung to me, 'It's not unheard of. Avery just needs... time... He's been through a lot and I don't want to rush him...'

Greg huffed and I stared at him as he shook his head, 'I can see what you mean but I have a feeling you haven't even brought it up to him yet.'

I softly growled at him as they both stared back at me. Not fazed in the least.

Bastards...

But, he wasn't exactly off. Avery and I hadn't spoken of mating since he had awoken and confessed. He hadn't even acknowledged his confession since then which makes me wonder if he even remembers.

I felt caught. If I brought it up and he didn't remember, it would bring to surface the fact that I hadn't told him we were mates and we would fight. If I brought it up and he did remember we would have to confront this and I knew somewhere deep down he didn't want to so we would fight over it. And finally if I didn't bring it up and we went on like this pretending neither of us knew I know I would go insane and do something stupid and we would end up fighting.

My ears folded back flat against my head as I felt that empty longing dig into my chest. These past few weeks hadn't gone well on either end. Avery seemed to be accepting of me yet at the same time distancing himself from me as if afraid to get to close. Sometimes he seems fine with me being close and others he slightly pushes me away.

But, I admit lately I've been overly possessive and protective, I couldn't stop it. I felt paranoid, anxious, and stressed. Everytime someone came near him I felt myself grow stiff and angry. There were times where I felt my hands burn with the need to simply grab Avery and take him somewhere no one would find us. I wanted him to be safe.

I never wanted to feel that anguish of losing him again...

'Rick?'

I looked up to find Jakob and Greg looking at me with their ears laid back. I titled my head in question as Greg said softly, '...you okay bro?...'

I huffed angrily as I shoved my face down into the snow and ran my paws roughly against my eyes, trying to clear my head of these stupid depressing thoughts. As I came back up to look at my brothers I saw them standing and coming to lay at either side of me. Their heat soaked into my chilled fur and their thick, hard muscles felt comforting.

I gently nuzzled both of their heads in a show of love and huffed softly, 'I'm just so... afraid of losing him. I was so close and now I just feel like the only thing keeping us connected is that he's injured. But once he heals he... he won't need me anymore...'

Greg growled reassuringly next to me, 'He loves you Rick. A blind man can see it.'

Jakob barked his agreement, 'He's just as afraid as you. I think all he needs is a bit of a shove. You aren't one for subtlety Rick so don't try to be. Be as blatant as possible.'

I snorted and cuffed my youngest brother in the head as he whined looking up at me with a confused look.

Greg chuckled beside me and shook his head, 'You are such an idiot.'

Jakob growled and leapt over my back landing on Greg full force as the two rolled about growling and snapping at each other. I simply chuckled and decided to show them who the big brother was. And so I pounced onto the pile and tussled with my brothers.

About an hour later we came padding up to my cabin and I couldn't help the bear grin spreading across my face as I saw Avery sitting out on the front patio sipping on a mug that sent steam up into his face. Jakob chuffed bringing Avery's eyes up to notice us for the first time. His eyes widened slightly taking the three of us in until he nodded at us and gave a soft smile. He stood up and grabbed a large tote from under his chair and slowly brought it out to us.

Standing on all fours I was about eye level with Avery and I couldn't help but to stare.

Avery was wearing a thick sweater that was cream with a light blue Scandinavian pattern running along the neck and chest as well as a bear stitched onto the front. He wore worn jeans and the hiking boots I had gotten him. On his head was an adorable crocheted stocking hat and a matching scarf wrapped snuggly around his neck. He had a sturdy sling on his left arm keeping it mostly immobile. Although he was bundled up in thick, warm layers I knew under his sweater his chest was carefully dressed in secure bandages.

But I shook these thoughts aside and looked at him as a whole. All in all he looked amazing and the longer I stared I noticed the harsher his cheeks turned red. I chuckled thinking that it wasn't from the cold.

Seeing that I wasn't going to stop staring Avery suddenly shoved the tote in my face, "Your mother prepared you guys some clothes. She said she didn't want you muddying up the cabin."

Greg huffed beside me and Jakob chuckled as I carefully took the tote from Avery's grasp in my jaw. After a moment of making sure I had the bag securely in my jaws we all went behind the cabin to change. I was tempted to stay out front and give Avery a bit of a show but I felt the flare of possessiveness in my chest thinking that my brothers would do the same.

As we changed back we all laughed at our mother's clothes choice.

Jakob quickly snatched a pair of khakis, a white undershirt, and a thick maroon cardigan. Greg simply grabbed black slacks and a cream button up long sleeved shirt with a dark green knitted vest. What was left was a thick cream sweater with a red bear stitched on it surrounded by Scandinavian patterns and a pair of nice dark dress jeans. I smiled broadly looking down at the sweater, it matched Avery's.

I had to remember to thank mom later this.

We quickly pulled on our choices with the chill biting into our naked flesh and pulled on our boots that we had left in the back. We all traipsed back up to the front to find Avery snuggled back in his chair sipping on what I now could smell was home-made hot chocolate.

"That smells Soooo good."

Avery chuckled at Jakob's round cub eyes as he looked longingly at Avery's warm cup of heaven.

"There's a whole pot inside waiting for you. Help yourself."

Jakob barked in happiness as he rushed through the front door and went crashing to the kitchen. Greg was a bit more controlled but none the less enthusiastic as he followed swiftly after our youngest brother.

I just smiled and went up onto the porch and sat down on the other seat next to Avery. He eyed me for a moment with a quirked eyebrow, "Don't want any?"

I chuckled and leaned forward, smiling at Avery until I gently laid my hand over his on the mug and took a long sip. The deliciously hot liquid ran down my throat and I hummed feeling its heat warm my stomach.

As I leaned back I couldn't help but laugh at Avery's incredulous look as he stared down at his mug then up at me as if I had just killed a man. I just smiled my hundred watt smile and licked my lips of the residue, "Thanks for the drink."

Avery growled and turned pointedly away from me.

I smiled at his pouting form and went to move my arm around him to apologize, even if I wasn't sorry, when I felt a cold 'smack' connect with my face. I opened my stunned eyes to feel ice and water drip down my face as I saw Avery smiling wickedly with the residue of the snow he just threw at me in his hand.

"You looked like you needed to cool off a bit."

My shock was quickly abated when I realized something... Avery was flirting...

"Oh you little..." I stood from my seat and lunged playfully as Avery squeaked and leapt from his seat quickly running down the patio steps and stood chuckling in the snow. I smirked evilly as I followed after him and was quickly met with another snowball to the face as Avery shrieked in laughter and ran away hiding behind a tree. I growled as I wiped the snow off and looked out to see where he was hiding.

I softly crept through the snow sniffing as I went to find my mischievous polar bear when I smelled the potent scent of chocolate from behind a rather tall pine. I smiled as I crept to the tree staying on the opposite side leaning down to grab a large ball of snow. As I lifted the large ball high I jumped around and immediately my face was pummeled with more snow.

I could hear Avery laughing between words of slight apology as I smiled back and dropped the large ball of snow onto his unsuspecting head. He yelped in surprise and stared up at me in shock as snow dripped down his face.

I smiled sweetly at him but he growled with a grin and shoved his body into mine catching me off guard and sending us both into a deep snow pile. As we landed I made sure I stayed on bottom and shielded Avery from any hard impact.

"Are you alright?"

I was a little worried that he had opened his wounds as Avery's head laid against my chest his face kept in shadow. But soon his shoulders began to shake as he leaned back, holding his hands against my chest as leverage, looking down at me laughing.

It was a beautiful sound.

It wasn't the tinkling of bells or some such crap. It was rough, loud, barking, it came from his chest in spasms and the only word to describe it would be 'guffaw'. His cheeks were bright red and his eyes squinted so much they almost seemed closed. I couldn't help but to laugh right along with him.

His un-casted hand clutched at his chest as water began to collect in his eyes and he coughed through his laughter. I slowed my laughter and gently rubbed his back trying to soothe his coughing. He winced when his laughter abated and for a moment he was silent as he clutched at his chest.

I was about to ask if he was alright but I was beaten when the front door opened and Jakob happily called out, "Lunch is ready!"