Karlsson’s.

 

“He’s not doing any better, Mr. Karlsson,” the doctor said downheartedly. “If he doesn’t wake up by this time tomorrow… it looks like we’ll have to put him down.”

 

No! Felicie’s heart pounded so hard, it sounded like it was going to burst through her ribcage. She had realized at some point that Aslak may not make it out alive, but hearing it actually come out of someone’s mouth made it all the more real, all the more horrifying. She let out a sob, and leaned against Aslak’s shoulder, sobbing profusely. “Oh, Aslak…” she cried, tears dripping onto his fur. “You can’t die, you just can’t. Please.” Her sobs became more open, and she couldn’t remember ever crying harder in her life. If she lost Aslak, she would lose a piece of herself, and she didn’t know how she could go on without the dog that made her feel whole. “Please, Aslak,” Felicie begged, “I… I love you.”

 

Suddenly, Aslak’s ear began to twitch. Felicie stopped what she was doing and held her breath, and spotted one of his paws beginning to move back and forth. She sat up and watched in pure awe as Aslak began to stir, and miraculously, open his eyes for the first time in days.

 

“Wha… where am I?” Aslak said groggily, trying to get up from where he was laying, only to fall flat on his chest.

 

“Aslak!” Felicie exclaimed breathlessly, licking his face. “You’re okay!” She leapt down from the bed and into the hallway, yapping at the vet and Mr. Karlsson, running towards Aslak’s room as her way of telling them to come in. The two humans exchanged a glance, and then quickly followed Felicie, gasping in shock and joy when they saw Aslak laying on the table, panting and wagging his tail.

 

“Aslak, my boy!” Mr. Karlsson cried, running over and hugging Aslak, who showered him with kisses.

 

“It’s a miracle!” the vet exclaimed, clasping his hands together and laughing.

 

It really is, Felicie thought to herself, feeling like she could fly. She just had to tell the others. As the vet examined Aslak, she ran outside and headed over to her friends, who were all anxiously waiting outside the clinic.

 

“Fel?” Sanak was surprised to see how lively his friend looked for the first time in days.

 

“You guys, Aslak woke up!” Felicie yipped joyfully, hopping up and down. “He’s okay!”

 

“We have to go see him!” Helyana exclaimed as she and the others ran into the vet’s office to see the dog who had saved their lives. Felicie followed them and smiled when she saw Aslak getting fed some doggie treats by the vet, who, by the look on his face, seemed happy with Aslak’s vitals.

 

“Aslak, man, you’re okay!” Hyder said as the humans left the room.

 

“What happened?” Aslak asked, his memory still a tad fuzzy.

 

“Aslak, you saved our lives,” Felicie explained softly. “That fire was just about to get us, until you came in and risked your life just for us.”

 

“Oh, I do remember,” Aslak said to himself more than anyone.

 

“We appreciate you risking your life for us,” Flash said, and his words and sudden kindness caught Aslak by surprise. “Even though we were real mean to you. Especially me. I’m sorry, Aslak. We shouldn’t have teased you. Obviously, there’s a lot more to you than just your accent — you’re a hero.” Flash smiled hopefully. “Can you forgive us?”

 

After this near-death experience, Aslak figured life was too short to not forgive those who had wronged him. “I forgive you all,” he said, his tail swishing back and forth.

 

“Thanks, Aslak,” Sanak said gratefully.

 

“Maybe once you get better, we can all hang out together,” Hyder offered.

 

Aslak beamed. “I would like that.”

 

Felicie, meanwhile was smiling not only on the outside but in her heart as well. The sled dogs finally saw Aslak for who he was, and were finally giving him a chance. And not that it mattered anymore, but she was glad that now she wouldn’t have to worry about what they thought if she started dating him. However, she still wanted to wait a little before confessing her feelings to him; after all, he had just gotten out of a coma, and she didn’t want to dump all this information on him while he needed time to heal.

 

——

 

Aslak remained in the vet’s office for a while, steadily recovering from his injuries. After a week had passed, he was finally cleared to go, as he had almost made a full recovery and could finish the last stages of his healing at home. Felicie remained by his side throughout that entire week, and they were both grateful that Aslak’s life was able to return to normal after all this turmoil.

 

Aslak took a gentle walk back to his home with Mr. Karlsson, Felicie trailing along with them. The sun was shining in the sky, causing the snow on the ground below them to sparkle. Felicie looked up at Aslak, and smiled as she saw his amber eyes shine in the bright sunlight. She then looked at the path ahead, and what she saw in front of her caused her to stop in her tracks.

 

“Long time no see, sis,” said none other than Athos.

 

“Athos!” Felicie gasped, and Aslak’s jaw dropped. “I-I thought you were…!”

 

“Dead?” Athos chuckled. “Nah, not me. I’m as strong as a full-blooded wolf.”

 

 

“What happened!?” Felicie had to shake her head a few times to make sure she wasn’t hallucinating. But sure enough, Athos was truly standing right in front of her.

 

“A bear is what happened,” Athos deadpanned. “My human and I got attacked by a bear, and unfortunately my human got killed, but luckily I was able to escape.” He shook his head as he recalled all the crazy events he had went through. “I got knocked out, though, and next thing I know, I wake up in an igloo and an Inuit man is helping me recover. And, well, obviously it took me a while to get back home, but I got a little help from a new friend of mine, named Luna. I got a few scars, but I’m all okay, and I’m just glad to be home.”

 

“Well, we’re glad to have you back, Athos,” Felicie said sincerely, nuzzling her younger brother.

 

Athos then noticed Aslak standing shyly behind Felicie, and he smiled. “Who’s your friend?”

 

Felicie looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Athos, this is Aslak.”

 

Aslak smiled and stepped forward, a rare sense of confidence busting through him. “I’m her boyfriend,” he said, causing both Athos and Felicie’s eyes to widen.

 

Realizing he said the wrong word, Aslak laughed nervously. “I-I mean, her friend… that is a boy,” Aslak explained. “Sorry, I’m not great at English.”

 

Athos chuckled, clearly understanding Aslak’s situation. “Well, it’s nice to meet you, Aslak,” he said. “I’ll see you two around.” And with that, he ran off to find some of his other family members to surprise.

 

“I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy in my life,” Felicie told Aslak as they started walking again. “First you wake up from your coma, and now my brother is back.” And, though she dared not say it out loud, Aslak calling himself her boyfriend, even if it was by accident, was just the icing on the cake.

 

Eventually, the two dogs and human made it to Aslak’s house. Mr. Karlsson stepped inside and immediately went to the kitchen to prepare a warm meal for his dog, while Felicie and Aslak made their way into the parlor, sitting in comfortable silence. Felicie looked up at her friend, and her heart thumped as she watched his small movements that she had grown to love so much.

 

Now, Felicie, she urged herself. Now is the time.

 

She cleared her throat and leaned in towards her friend, catching his attention. “Hey, Aslak?”

 

“Yes, Fel?”

 

“Um, you know how you said you were my boyfriend out there?” she asked with a giggle.

 

Aslak blushed and flattened his ears. “I didn’t mean to,” he said.

 

“No, it’s okay,” Felicie said, placing her paw on his shoulder. “I liked it, actually.”

 

Aslak tilted his head. “What do you mean?” Suddenly, his eyes widened in realization.

 

“Aslak, I… I like you,” Felicie said. There, she had done it. “Would you… would you like to be my boyfriend? For real?”

 

Aslak was silent for a few moments, and for Felicie it felt like an eternity. But then, Aslak’s lips curved upward into a grin, and he nuzzled Felicie as tightly as he could after hearing the words he was hoping to hear for her for the longest time.

 

“For real.”

 

THE END

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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