His paws felt almost as heavy as his heart, and his eyelids were not far behind, as he sought out the backwater itself to still his thirst before finding a place to settle for the night. Kateri had decided to head to the Cove straight away, with doting Archer at her side; So be it…! At least he didn’t have to feel conflicted about letting her travel alone at night; And she’s managed that before… A heavy sigh fell from the Vuesain scion’s lips as he paused, frozen in place. All of a sudden, his family had become very complicated, and he had no idea how to deal with it.

He needed to get back to @Stella, he didn’t want her to be alone for too long, and they both needed rest. But he would take just one more moment, closing his eyes and breathing in the cool night air. Then a voice called out.

Blinking back to reality, Leo looked around until he spotted a familiar, hefty figure approaching. With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he steeled himself against the storm of energy that was Eros Valle. Unable to muster a real smile, Leo could only greet the other yearling with a half-hearted wave of his tail, voice quiet as he answered: “Oh, hey Eros.”

Thoughts ”Speech”

If he hadn’t been so preoccupied, he might have noticed the slight change in Eros at the less than enthusiastic greeting. As it was, he barely even met the other boy’s eyes, the faintest shadow of a smile on his lips. It fell quickly though, as the simple question brought reality crashing back at full force.

A sigh escaped Leo against his best efforts, eyes squeezing shut for a moment as he tried to think of the best way to break the news; yet again. “No, we…” he started, then immediately gave up. Exhausted and worn thin from fighting to keep his exposure all day, his shoulders slumped, back legs giving way as his tail hit the ground with a loud thump. Repressed tears burning in his eyes, he shook his head violently to try and clear them, yet he couldn’t keep his voice from cracking as he gasped: “My dad died!”

Thoughts ”Speech”

Of all the places to finally give in to his grief, Leo would never have guessed it would be on Eros’ shoulder. Nothing against the other boy of course, he was a good friend, but they didn’t know each other all that well, and for Leo, emotion had always been something reserved for his closest relations. But there was something about the empathy of someone who didn’t already share the grief, that finally broke the floodgates he had been holding up for so long.

Burying his muzzle in Eros’ scruff to drown out his sobs, Leo let his tears flow, giving in, just for a moment, to the crushing darkness of his loss. He’d been the older brother all his life, the stoic son born in his father’s very image, always putting his siblings first, holding back his own feelings to protect them. But here, with only Eros to watch, he could let himself grieve openly, and he did.

Once the tears had dried out, lightening the burden just slightly, he pulled out of the embrace, mumbling a hoarse: “Sorry.” He didn’t know what else to say, feeling embarrassed at his lapse – though only a little, he was too exhausted for anything more.

Thoughts ”Speech”

His legs felt shaky, a dull ache thumping in his head, but the hollow pain in his chest was a little less severe – even if that was just due to exhaustion. But Eros’ soft replay actually prompted a pale smile from Leo, though one that didn’t quite reach his eyes.

He shrugged one shoulder, still feeling like it was unfair of him to unload everything on Eros like this; but he didn’t have the words, let alone the energy to explain himself. It was done now anyway. All he wanted to do was sleep – his eyes burned from crying and his lids were heavy – at least rest would bring him a brief peace.

And yet, when his friend offered to leave him alone, Leo answered instinctively; “No p-please… Stay? I don’t… I don’t want to be alone.” There was no point in acting stoic now, he might as well admit his worries: what images might encroach on him if his imagination was allowed to run rampant. “I don’t know i-if I can fall asleep… alone.”

Thoughts ”Speech”