"So," Mak said slowly as he lowered himself to sit on the path, "how are things?"

Beside him, Felicity raised her eyes to meet his. "Better," she replied, in the same quiet tone. "But my dream was pretty bad last night."

"What was the dream of?" he prompted. She ducked her head again, and he shifted closer, touching his shoulder to hers in comfort. He felt a glimmer of pride when she didn't pull away. Though the process was gradual, she was making progress.

"Speaking it aloud will help," he added at her moment of silence.

"I know, I know," she said, keeping her eyes on the earth. She opened her jaw to speak again, but another voice cut across her.

"You want me to help?" From her other side, Enver leaned over, his violet eyes fixed on her and glowing with concern. At his words, Felicity's head snapped up and fixed on.

"No, I can do it," she replied, her tone a little brighter. Mak couldn't help but smile. At first, he thought that keeping her away from the Shadewylf would be more beneficial, but as she'd grown more talkative she had told him that seeing Enver helped to remind her that not all was bad in the world. The images of him she conjured in her mind were much worse than him in reality.

In fact, Enver's input had been incredibly helpful. Though talking was becoming easier for Felicity, she still found it difficult to voice the pain inside. Fortunately, the Shadewylf had been able to use his power to release a wave of truth over her - only a gentle nudge, but enough to clear her brain of lies and help her to admit what was truly going on in her head.

Knowing that she now felt comfortable speaking without that boost broadened Mak's proud grin.

"It was... it was a dream about Kyra's parents," she said finally, lowering her gaze again. "Covered in blood. Dying." She took a shaky breath before glancing towards Mak. "I know you keep telling me it's getting better. But I can't fix what I did."

His smile fell away as her words hung in the air. He sighed. "That is true. But dwelling on the past never helped anyone. The most important thing now is getting you better." He jabbed a claw at her chest. "Do you want to talk any more about it?"

After a pause, she shook her head. "We talked enough about it last week. I can manage the guilt mostly. But dreams like that... they just bring it all back."

This time, it was Enver that pulled closer, placing his paw over hers. "The dreams will become less frequent," he told her, an unwavering reassurance in his tone. "I dreamt about the war for nearly a moon afterwards. About... wolves like your twin." His snout twitched downwards apologetically. But Felicity only smiled with her own reassurance. More progress.

"But it's got much better," he added more confidently as the two met eyes. "And it will for you."

Mak let them have a little moment of silence. Ever since they'd met, Felicity and Enver had often participated in these unspoken conversations. Every occasion seemed to help them both immensely. They had seen each other's dark side, and now they were each willing the other to stay in the light.

Or maybe it was... something else. But he wasn't going to let himself be the judge of that.

When Felicity glanced back over at him, he cleared his throat hurriedly and offered the daunting question - the one that had been most difficult to answer at the start. "How is the voice?"

The brightness with which she answered both surprised and delighted him immensely. "Good. I've heard it a few times since yesterday, but it's getting easier to ignore." Her gaze darted between them. "I just counteract it with the things that you say."

Smiling again, Mak lightly nudged her shoulder. "That's amazing. Well done, Fliss." Jumping up, he peered backwards, towards a now-familiar glittering pink building. "I think that will do for today. Meet me tomorrow. Same place, same time. You're doing great."

Her tail twitched in a tiny wag. "Thanks, Mak."

He watched her dash towards the spa with his head and tail held high. Every glimmer of joy she showed made him feel wonderful. If he felt this great, he couldn't imagine how much of a difference she would be feeling.

Enver sidestepped over the space where she had been sat. "She really is so much happier."

"Yeah." Mak couldn't tear his eyes away as Felicity and Kyra greeted each other at the door. The Shadewylf had his own gaze trained on them too.

"I know it was... unusual circumstances, but I'm really glad I met you three," he said with a gentle chuckle.

Mak glanced over. "Me too. Sometimes I think you help her more than I ever can."

Pausing, Enver lingered with his jaw open, ready to speak. Then he closed it again, flicking his tongue nervously. "No. You're the miracle worker."

But he shook his head. "I only aid her. She's the one working the miracle. It's her mind, and only she can fix it - I just give her the tools."

Enver released his soft laugh again. "I like that."

They lapsed into silence. After a few minutes, the Shadewylf jogged over to join the others as they slipped inside. Even from a distance, Mak could see the delight shining in his expression as the two Glitterwylves presented him with a sparkling violet jewel, complete with necklace, presumably intended to match his eyes. They draped it over his neck eagerly and tugged him inside. It seemed Enver was finally getting that makeover he'd been subtly avoiding the last few days.

Taking a few steps closer, Mak curved around the building to get a good view of the inside. It was so beautiful. Everything about the decorations perfectly matched Kyra's personality. With a few additions of Sana's too, of course.

His gaze passed over each of them. Sana, his adorable sister. Kyra, his puppyhood friend. And Felicity, who he'd known for barely a moon... and yet he felt the same attachment to her as any of the others. Even Enver seemed like a friend now.

Everything wasn't perfect. He couldn't pretend that it was. There was still a hidden darkness within Felicity, and a guilt lingering with Enver, and a sadness weighing down Kyra. Yet as he watched them play, as if they had no cares in the world, he knew that they had as much perfection as they needed.

Well. There was one thing.

The thing that had been niggling at him all morning.

As if sensing his thoughts, Sana looked up from her work of arranging tail-pieces and shot him a meaningful look. Now, she mouthed. Go for it.

Shifting his paws, he fidgeted, uncomfortable. Her pointed look increased in intensity. He could almost hear her speaking the words shining in her stare.

Just do it, you dolt.

He returned a glare, but it was half-hearted. As much as it terrified him, his sister was right. It had to be done.

Besides, what was there to be scared of? It was only Kyra.

Steeling himself, he rolled his shoulders back, raising his head in an attempt to make himself feel ready. It didn't help a great deal. But he made his way towards the spa's door regardless - even if he did stall by giving the sign above the door a longer study than usual. Kyra's Crystals, spelt out with studded pearls. All their Earthwylf friends had chipped in to help buy the gems. There was no doubt that it had been worth it.

Another glance from Sana urged him inside, his tail flicking a little too frequently to seem natural. He did his best to make it rigid as he crossed to the far corner of the room, where Kyra was examining a shelf stocked with fur dyes alongside Felicity and a reluctant Enver.

"What about an indigo?" she was suggesting, her claw resting on a blue-coloured glass bottle. "It would look kind of regal with the black, I think..." As she glanced backwards, her gaze locked onto him. "Hi Mak!"

"Hey Kyra," he mumbled, a strange sensation drifting over him like the softest fur padding his insides. Internally, he cursed himself. He had seen Kyra nearly every day since he was about five moons old. Why suddenly today did he feel so shy?

Because today is different, his mind supplied.

Flicking his tail yet again, he took a small step towards her before retracting the paw. "Can we talk? Privately?" He was distinctly aware of his folded ears.

"Mak, what's wrong?" Her tone dropped to a whisper as her eyes clouded with worry.

"Nothing's wrong," he assured her. "I just need to ask you about something."

Nodding, she told Felicity to choose a dye for when she got back, and hopped away from the shelves. They started towards the door together. Out of the corner of his eye, Mak saw Enver whisper something to Felicity. She laughed, glancing over at them, and he quickly ducked his head, feeling embarrassed. Clearly Sana hadn't kept his idea to herself.

They slipped outside and halted at the right wall. Spinning around to face him, Kyra narrowed her eyes, a little concern still dancing within them.

"What did you want to ask?"

Of its own accord, his tail twisted, as if trying to tie itself into a knot. "Well... we've been friends for a long time," he began, forcing his voice to stay steady. "And I'd do anything for you. But," he added hurriedly, seeing her open her mouth excitedly, "have you ever felt... you know, something else?"

Her eyes widened as her jaw stayed hinged open, frozen in shock. Surprise. Maybe a little confusion. His heart fell as he watched his worst nightmare come true.

But then she spoke. "Yes." Her tone was certain, even if her stature remained hesitant. His doubts began to fall away, just a little.

"Are you-"

"Yes." Even more surety. His snout curved into a smile as relief flooded his mind. That was the first obstacle. Now came the second.

The one he was even more doubtful about.

"Ok then," he said, shifting his paws. "So... well, you see..."

"Just say it, Mak," she told him playfully, giggling. When he paused to collect himself, she lifted a paw and whacked him, quite hard, in the snout. It hurt.

"You see..."

"Say it."

"Do you want to move in with me?"

As soon as the words had left his snout, he regretted them immensely. Why would she say yes? They should have properly talked about their feelings first, perhaps discussed their future together, and then he could have suggested it in maybe a few moons time. Besides, with all the complications that had occured with Felicity, and the deaths of Kyra's parents, it was far too soon to talk about any of this. He should have left it. What was he thinking? It was just-

"Yes."

All at once, his thoughts ended. He could only stare at her, dumbfounded, trying to make sense of her reply.

"Are you sure?"

"Completely."

He couldn't deny the happiness glowing from her eyes. The excitement. The astounded disbelief.

Slowly, his nervous fluttering faded. As they gazed at each other, he could feel her elation lifting his heart. Happiness truly was contagious. Especially with Kyra.

Stepping closer, he leaned in, a sudden urge overtaking his muscles. She did the same. He could already feel trembles shuddering his spine, as if an earthquake was alive within him.

If Felicity felt even a fraction of this with Enver, he understood why their moments were so effective.

A shout made them both pull away before they could get any closer. Turning, Mak saw Felicity, Sana and Enver, all racing out of the spa with matching grins.

"You did it!" Felicity yelled. It might have been a question. He couldn't tell through his haze of excitement.

"Yes!" Kyra answered before he could. "We're moving in together!"

It was those words that made it the most perfect moment in the world.

The five of them embraced; a huddle of pink, brown and black fur. When they pulled apart, Felicity looked over at him, her eyes shining. And it was then he knew.

It had taken time. Mistakes had been made. But right now, in that second, Felicity was truly happy once more.