So far, they were travelling along the foot of the mountains, a sturdy line guiding them north as Nash had wanted. Yet, with every step, they got further and further from the cove, the only home Leo had ever known. Between that, and the sheer struggle of taking those steps, the guardian’s mind was well occupied, and he’d keep to the back of the group, walking in silence for the most part. He did his best to walk on his own most of the time, knowing that everyone would be busy looking after the pups, but now and then he’d have to lean on another’s shoulder, much to his personal chagrin.

Still, he rarely talked, too exhausted to carry a conversation while he limped along, let alone after a long day of doing so. He tried to show a brave face, and was quick to reassure @Nash and @Aquene whenever they asked about his wellbeing, but in truth he was thankful for the slow pace set for the sake of the pups, struggling plenty to follow along. And yet, as evening came, when he should be grateful to bed down and get some rest, his mind kept relentlessly whirring, fears, worries and other negative thoughts bombarding him long into the night.

I shouldn’t even be here… He’d berate himself darkly; I’m just a burden! A ‘guardian’ unable to protect anyone, not even himself, with a leg that might never be able to carry him again. All his life he had striven to follow in his father’s footsteps and fallen short at every turn. He’d seen his family slowly disappear around him, either leaving, dying or vanishing into thin air, always assuming that he was in the right to stay behind; Maybe I should have left too… It wasn’t as if his presence had prevented the disaster.

Finaly giving up on sleep, Leo shifted awkwardly, grimacing at the jolt of pain running through his leg when he got up. With agonizing slowness, he staggered towards the falls to at least quell his thirst if not his mind. Clearing the tree-cover, the mountains came into view, silhouetted against the starry sky. Dual-colored eyes instantly lifted, passing over the tallest peak to instead focus on the southern ridges, hiding the Lost Lake valley. A deep sigh fell from his lips, brows furrowed with mixed emotions as he thought of the home he was leaving behind – he knew this was the only way forwards, there was no life left for them on the mountain – but it still hurt, thinking of the loved ones who couldn’t come with them, buried up there all alone in the cold; Sorry dad.

He didn’t notice Nori until his gaze returned to the ground, her tawny fur shining like bronze in the moonlight, only a few lengths from him. Watching silently for a moment, he wondered what was keeping her up tonight, and whether she would appreciate a distraction from it. In the end he chose, perhaps selfishly, to approach her, voice a low hum as he asked: “Mind some company?”

Thoughts ”Speech”

The summer night was warm, the humid air around the falls wrapping him tightly, like a second fur; Suffocating… At least it was a little better out here in the open, but Leo still felt surrounded on all sides, even the ground beneath his feet seemed to close, like it might rise up and swallow him at any moment. And so what? Maybe that would be better, no more pain – physical and mental – grief, anger, regret, all of it buried with him, finally quiet.

And yet here he was, breathing that same air, however stifling, looking at the faint smile on Nori’s face and feeling his own lips curve in response. It came naturally, his body language copying hers subconsciously, tail waving softly about his hocks. He cocked his head a little, raising a brow for a moment at her gesture, but then quickly stepped forwards to sit himself down gingerly in the cleared spot, deliberately ignoring the miles of open space in all directions.

A soft sigh escaped him, gaze drifting to look out over the water, breathing the scents of damp earth and rocks. For a moment his thoughts quieted, a soothing calm settling over him as his breath fell into step with hers. To the point that he found himself blinking back awake at the sound of her voice, head turning languidly to meet her eyes. He had to blink a few more times before the question fully connected, a simple answer instantly popping into his head: You. But of course he couldn’t say that out loud, the mere thought made him feel flush, and besides, he doubted very much that she wanted to hear that.

Her isolation hadn’t gone without notice from Leo, even in his own seclusion – now and then, he’d catch a glimpse of her face when she thought no one was watching, and the look in her eyes was pained. He had no way of knowing everything that haunted her, her visits had mostly been spend on lighter topics and filling each other in on what had happened in the time since she’d last been part of Sanguine Cove. But that initial, kindred feeling had lingered, that they shared something deep down, impossible for either of them to voice, at least just yet.

Leo swallowed, bringing back that small, soft smile before answering: “Thoughts.” His voice was hushed, little more than a whisper, and hoarse from little use, but the tone was earnest, not dismissive; “Lots of thoughts.” He would hold her gaze for a moment more, if she’d let him, feeling a pleasant warmth spreading in his body, seemingly drawn from those honey depths. Then he turned his eyes back to the silhouette of the mountain, clearing his throat before continuing: “I lived all my life up there… It’s all I know.” It probably seemed silly to her, having travelled as she had from a young age, yet he didn’t feel embarrassed in the least, admitting his anxiety to her; for some reason….

Thoughts ”Speech”

Leo had never been the sociable type, spending his life mostly secluded from his peers, with few close friends. The only true confidant he’d ever had was Stella, the hole she’d left behind was far from healed – he wasn’t sure it ever would – and he feared it had caused him to subconsciously distance himself from his younger and step-siblings. But Nori had slipped past those defenses, managing to connect with the Vuesain heir in a way unlike anyone else he’d met.

Looking into her eyes now, he felt that kinship, like a string between them, slowly growing thicker. Of course, he had no way of knowing just how similar they were, but somehow her spirit resonated with his, making him breathe a little easier just being near her. It made it easier to admit his weaknesses, to say things he would never tell anyone else, trusting her not to judge.

And she didn’t, speaking softly and empathetically, her voice wrapping around him like a warm hug in the chilly night air. Leo’s eyes slipped from the mountain peak, glancing briefly at her before focusing down on the water, though his ears remained perked in her direction. She was too kind, making his plight sound so much bigger than hers; At least I’ve got my family… Her words seemed to echo that thought, making him look up in surprise, meeting her honey gaze. Heat spread in his cheeks as he considered the multiple meanings of what she’d said, a strange, bubbling feeling in his chest.

He had to clear his throat before he could answer, a shy smile on his lips as he did; “Thank you.” He shuffled a little in place, to better face her, before continuing: “But you’ve had to leave too, your family I mean… That must have been hard.” He didn’t know all that much about her past, nor did he expect her to tell him, but he wanted to point out the weight of her own hardships, make it clear that she didn’t need to minimize them for his sake; You’re not alone either…

Thoughts ”Speech”