Jake and Sam walked side by side along the shoreline, their bare feet sinking into the soft sand, feeling the warmth of the sun wrapping around them like a final embrace. The ocean stretched out endlessly ahead, its waves a quiet backdrop to the deep silence between them. For the past week, they had shared so much — laughter that had come easily, stories they had told each other from places deep within, and moments of vulnerability that had made them feel like they were not just partners, but true companions. They had spent the days getting to know each other in ways they hadn’t anticipated — mentally, spiritually, even intimately.

Conversations had flowed like the tides, from lighthearted musings about the world to deeper talks about dreams, fears, and everything in between. It felt like every moment had been building to this one, a connection that was no longer just surface-deep but something richer, more exciting, more real.

Sam glanced over at Jake, his eyes softened by the fading light. “I never thought a week could feel like a lifetime,” he said, his voice almost reverent. 

Jake looked back at him, his smile warm and steady. “I feel that, too,” he murmured. “It’s like we’ve crossed some line together… like this is just the beginning of something even more incredible.”

The gentle sea breeze comforted them, but it was the closeness between them — that quiet understanding — that was the most palpable. The laughter, the shared stories, the moments of quiet comfort in each other's presence had all woven their hearts closer. They weren’t just sharing a vacation; they were building a life together, one step, one conversation at a time.

Tonight, they had planned to make the most of their last evening — a night they would never forget, filled with love and memory. Tomorrow, they would return to the city, to the routine and responsibilities that awaited them, but nothing would ever feel the same. They had found something new, something deep.

Sam stopped walking and turned to face Jake, his expression serious but filled with affection. “Let’s make tonight unforgettable,” he said softly. “Let’s seal this… this thing we’ve started. So we’ll have it, always.”

Jake nodded, his heart full. He reached out and gently brushed his thumb across Sam’s cheek, feeling the warmth of his skin. “I already know it will be,” he whispered. “You’ve already made it unforgettable.”

They lingered on the beach until the stars dusted the sky silver. Then, hand in hand, they made their way to a small beachside restaurant — a cozy, lantern-lit place perched above the dunes. They ate fresh seafood and toasted each other with glasses of wine, their laughter carrying into the night air. Beneath the soft hum of conversation and clinking glasses, an undercurrent of something deeper stirred between them — an electricity, a yearning that neither wanted to put into words.

As the sun finally dipped below the horizon and the stars took command of the sky, they wandered back to the cabin — a small, weathered place tucked behind dunes and sea grass — feeling the kind of closeness that didn't need words.

Inside, they moved without speaking. Jake touched Sam’s arm lightly, guiding him closer, and Sam came willingly, resting his forehead against Jake’s. For a moment, they simply breathed together, the night air cool on their skin, their hearts beating in unspoken rhythm.

Slowly, carefully, they undressed each other — not with urgency, but with reverence. Jake slid his fingers beneath Sam’s shirt, feeling the warmth of him, the strength and tenderness all at once. Sam answered by tracing his hands along Jake’s ribs, his touch feather-light but leaving shivers in its wake.

When they finally lay down together, the world outside fell away.

Jake cradled Sam against him, their legs tangled under the thin blanket. He ran his hand along Sam’s back, feeling every curve and dip, the steady rise and fall of his breathing. Sam stroked Jake’s hair, his fingertips moving in slow, loving circles against his scalp, like memorizing him by touch.

Their kisses were deep and soft, mouths finding each other again and again, never in a rush. Sometimes their lips barely brushed; other times, they pressed harder, tasting, exploring. It wasn’t about hunger. It was about being known — fully, fearlessly, tenderly.

In the quiet hours of the night, they shifted, curled closer, fitting together like they had always belonged this way. Fingers drifted along arms, along spines, over heartbeats. The soft creak of the bed, the whisper of their skin meeting, and the deep, contented sighs were the only sounds.

They held each other until sleep took them — not separately, but as one.

Outside, the ocean sang them a lullaby, and the stars kept watch.

Dawn crept through the curtained windows, painting the cabin in soft pink and gold. Sam stirred first, his eyelashes fluttering open as he felt the warmth of Jake’s arms around him. They lay tangled together on the bed, limbs intertwined, hearts still beating in that slow, whisper-soft rhythm they had discovered. Sam tilted his head, brushing a strand of hair across Jake’s forehead, and Jake smiled sleepily, eyes still half-closed.

The scent of salt and pine drifted in on the gentle breeze through a cracked window. Sam slid out from beneath the blanket and padded across the wooden floor to a small coffee maker on the counter. He poured two mugs of steaming coffee and carried them back to the bed like a gift. Jake sat up, pulling Sam close, and pressed his lips to Sam’s temple as he accepted a mug.

They sipped the coffee together, shoulders touching, gazing out at the rising sun just visible above the dunes. Neither spoke; words felt unnecessary in the golden hush of the morning. Instead, they shared quiet smiles and soft kisses—first on lips, then drifting to the neck and collarbone. Fingers traced familiar paths on bare skin, memorizing again in the gentle light what they had learned in the night’s embrace.
​
When they finally rose, still wrapped in the glow of dawn, they dressed slowly, sharing jokes and laughter as sunlight pooled around them. The world awaited beyond the cabin door, but right then, it was just Jake and Sam, the echoes of the night still warm in their blood and the promise of today waiting in every ray of morning light.

~Wylddane

Nutty & Whiskers’ Easter Surprise

It was the night before Easter in the heart of the forest, and twilight had begun to sprinkle a soft lavender haze across the sky. Nutty & Whiskers were lounging on their favorite mossy stump outside their cozy home in the ancient oak tree, gazing up at the stars just beginning to twinkle.

Suddenly, Nutty sat up with a start.

“Oh no! We forgot Easter baskets for our friends!”

Whiskers gasped. “How could we forget? The red squirrels, the flying squirrels, the otters, the rabbits, the chipmunks… We have so many friends!”

Without another word, the two best friends sprang into action. They scampered through the twilight forest, collecting the largest acorns they could find. Whiskers cleverly twisted off the caps, revealing smooth, egg-shaped treasures beneath. “They look just like Easter eggs!” he beamed.

Back in their little kitchen nook, with bowls of natural berry and beet dyes, flower petal paints, and a few secret recipes passed down from Great Aunt Willowtail, they dipped and decorated the acorns in splendid hues—turquoise, rose, goldenrod, and lavender, each one shining with love.

They lined tiny woven twig baskets with soft moss and filled them with their rainbow-colored acorns. They added gourmet seeds, dried wild strawberries, and just a sprinkle of crushed hazelnut—because what’s Easter without a treat?

By the time the moon had arched high above the treetops, they had assembled beautiful baskets for every friend in the forest. Exhausted but giggling, Nutty & Whiskers curled up in their leafy bed, dreaming of dawn.

At first light, they were up again, full of cheer. The forest was quiet and kissed with dew as they tiptoed from burrow to hollow, from den to nest, gently setting each basket at their friends’ front doors.

They had just delivered the last basket to the rabbit family when a rustling sound caught their ears.

“Surprise!” cried a familiar voice.

Nutty & Whiskers turned—and there, wearing a flower crown and hopping with glee, was one of the young bunnies from the rabbit family… dressed as the Easter Bunny!

Everyone burst into laughter. The bunny's long ears flopped playfully as she handed them each a tiny pastel-colored pebble candy wrapped in petals. Hugs were shared, and giggles echoed among the trees. It was a magical, joyful moment—the kind that fills the heart and makes you forget all your worries.

After their morning adventure, Nutty & Whiskers returned home to their tree in the sky. They settled into their squirrel-sized outdoor chairs, tails curled and noses twitching with contentment. The sun was beginning to set, casting golden light through the treetops.

“Do you think they liked them?” Nutty asked, watching a robin sail overhead.

Whiskers smiled softly. “I think they felt loved.”

As the sky deepened into dusky pink and stars blinked to life once more, a gentle peace settled over the ancient oak. They sat in silence, wrapped in the stillness, reflecting on the beauty of the day.

They had remembered something important—that joy multiplies when shared, that kindness ripples outward, and that sometimes the most meaningful moments come from unexpected last-minute ideas.

“Loving your neighbor as yourself,” murmured Nutty.

“Compassion,” whispered Whiskers.

“Humility... grace... forgiveness,” Nutty added.

“And knowing we’re all part of something bigger,” Whiskers finished, gazing up at the starlit sky.

The forest held its breath in stillness, as if the very trees agreed.
​
And so ended their Easter Sunday—not with fireworks or grand fanfare, but with soft smiles, grateful hearts, and the comforting knowledge that love, indeed, is the truest gift of all.

~Wylddane

(Text & Image Copyright Wylddane Productions, LLC)

"The Grave-Marker River"

The St. Croix River—so named by the white men who charted their maps and named what had already been named—was far older than any settler could have imagined. Long before logging saws pierced the silence, before canoe paddles dipped into its dark, reflective waters, before even the first moccasin brushed its mossy banks, the river had already lived a thousand lifetimes. The Ojibwe called it Jiibayaatigo-ziibi--The Grave Marker River. To them, it wasn’t just water carving through land; it was spirit, memory, and witness.

By the time Doug, Wayne, and John arrived with their sleeping bags, hot dogs, and the careless joy of being fourteen, the moon was already rising. It was full and round, casting silver light upon the black, mirror-like water. They had hiked in half a mile from the trailhead, finding a soft bend where the trees leaned in as though to whisper secrets to the river.

The boys gathered wood and lit a fire. Sparks drifted into the sky like tiny spirits returning home. They laughed—loudly—over half-burned marshmallows, teased each other about who might snore the loudest, and traded stories about friends, families, teachers, and summer plans. None of them noticed how the trees had grown quieter around them, how the wind had settled into something heavier, almost watchful.

The fire crackled as sleep took them one by one. The moon climbed higher.

Doug was the first to stir. Not from noise—but from a knowing. He blinked at the sky, then at the fire still alive with embers. Something was… off.

A whisper in the trees.

Wayne awoke next, then John. All three sat up, their laughter long gone. They huddled close, instinctively drawing together, their eyes scanning the woods around them.

Then they began to see them.

At first, the figures were shadows at the edge of the trees. But as the boys stared—really looked, with something deeper than just their eyes—the shadows took form. There were women in deerskin dresses, braided hair catching moonlight like strands of silver. Children, barefoot, running silently between the trunks. Warriors with stern, unreadable faces. White men in long coats and wide-brimmed hats. Lumbermen with axes on their shoulders. A trapper crouched beside the river, tending to something unseen.

The boys said nothing, but their eyes were wide. They didn’t need to speak. The fire held them like an island, flickering, alive.

The ghosts moved not like intruders, but like memories caught in a loop. Their lips moved without sound, yet the boys heard. Not with ears—but deep inside, like feelings given shape.

The Ojibwe warriors told of battles fought not for conquest, but for survival. Of dances and births and sacred trees. The settlers told of long winters, lost children, and fleeting joys. The lumbermen, drunk on industry, spoke of clearcut hillsides, rivers choked with sawdust, and regrets that came too late.

All night, the forest shared its stories. The river glimmered with reflected faces, some stern, some sorrowful, some content.

Doug, Wayne, and John listened—silent, wide-eyed, reverent. None of them knew why they were seeing this, only that it was real. And that it was meant for them.

As dawn broke, the ghosts faded like mist, one by one dissolving into trees, into river, into air.

When the sun rose above the pines, the woods looked the same as they had the evening before. Birds chirped. The river flowed. The campfire, now just ashes, let out a soft curl of smoke.

But the boys were changed.

They packed in silence. Not out of fear—but respect. They didn't speak of what they saw, not then. Not for years. But they would all remember. They would carry it.

Because some people are blind to the old world. Not by fault—but by forgetting.

But some... some still see.
​
And Jiibayaatigo-ziibi, the Grave Marker River, remembers them all.

~Wylddane

Nutty stretched and yawned, feeling the warmth of their cozy home in the mighty oak tree. He blinked his eyes open, expecting to see golden morning light streaming through the window. Today was going to be a fine spring day—perfect for working on their garden. He could already picture himself and Whiskers digging in the soft earth, planting rows of delicious treats for the coming season.

But when he glanced out the window, his heart sank. Snow! Fat, fluffy snowflakes drifted down, covering the ground in a fresh, white blanket.

"Oh, whiskers and tails!" Nutty groaned, flopping dramatically onto his chair. "I was all ready to work on the garden today! Why does spring always play tricks on us?"

Whiskers, who had just tumbled out of bed, padded over and peered outside. "Well, it is beautiful," he said with a smile. "Maybe it’s not the day we expected, but let’s at least go take a look around."

Still grumbling, Nutty tugged on his scarf and followed Whiskers out the door. The cold air nipped at their noses, and their paws crunched through the fresh snow as they stepped outside. Everything was covered in a glistening layer of white—so much for digging in the dirt today!

Just as Nutty was about to lament their ruined plans again, something soft and cold smacked Whiskers right on the head.

PLOP!

He gasped in surprise, shaking off the snow. "What in the—"

A mischievous chuckle echoed from behind a tree. Mr. Otter peeked out, a playful glint in his eye. "Oops! My aim must be off!"

Before Whiskers could respond, another snowball came flying through the air, landing right at Nutty’s feet. A chorus of giggles rang out from behind the bushes. The Rabbits!

Nutty narrowed his eyes, then grinned. "Oh, it’s on!"

He scooped up a handful of snow, quickly forming a snowball, and hurled it toward Mr. Otter, who barely dodged in time. Within moments, snowballs were flying in all directions as the whole neighborhood joined in. The Otters, the Rabbits, the Chipmunks, and the Snow Geese—everyone scampered, dodged, and flung snow, filling the air with laughter and happy shrieks.

Nutty forgot all about his garden as he and Whiskers dove behind a log, breathless from running and throwing. "I think we’ve been ambushed!" Whiskers giggled, shaking the snow from his fur. "Time to rally!"

The battle raged on until, at last, everyone collapsed in the snow, panting and laughing. As Nutty caught his breath, something small and purple caught his eye. He scrambled up and brushed the snow aside, revealing a delicate crocus pushing its way through the snow.

"Whiskers, look!" he called. "A sign that spring really is coming!"

Whiskers knelt beside him, his eyes shining. "It’s beautiful. And you know what? Today turned out to be just as wonderful as we hoped—even without the garden."

That evening, Nutty and Whiskers curled up in their comfy chairs, acorn tea warming their paws, as a fire crackled in their little acorn-shaped wood stove. The scent of burning oak filled their home, wrapping them in a snug cocoon.

Nutty sighed, a happy smile on his face. "You were right, Whiskers. We lived in the moment today. And even though it wasn’t what we planned, it was still the best day ever."

Whiskers clinked his teacup against his. "To unexpected joys and snowball fights."

Outside, the crocus stood tall amidst the snow, a promise that spring was on its way.

~Wylddane

(Text and Image Copyright Wylddane Productions, LLC)