Heartleaf Creek [m] heavy in your arms

Content Warning: this thread revolves around suicidal intent, and a very cruel reaction to it.

There was a kind of hurt in the older wolf's eyes that wasn't physical. It did nothing to quell the flames raging inside of Asmund. He did not feel sorry for Eros, and now faced with the true extent of the leader's deficiencies, he did not care for him either. What had been done for him in childhood was completely eclipsed by the apparent willingness to abandon him, and everyone else, now.

"You better get your head out of your ass, and fast. I shouldn't have to tell you what would really happen if you got yourself maimed by some half-asleep bear. You would kill our father, too, and that's just for starters."

It was the worst part though. How many children did Eros think Viorel could survive losing? Asmund would not lose the only family he had, certainly not for such a worthless reason. Things always sucked, but you never gave up. You never willingly became a part of the problem, adding to the avalanche that was crushing everyone you claimed to love.

"Then what's left, what's keeping the whole damn pack together? What's keeping Ally safe then? Gods, what would she think if she knew-?"

(This post was last modified: Dec 27, 2024, 02:47 AM by Eros.)

Eros continued to be stunned by the amount of venom that came from Asmund in this moment. There was no comfort or reassurance. Az gouged, seeking to deal as much damage as he could manage with his accusations. Of course Eros knew he wouldn't go unmourned, but— they'd gotten through losses so much more tragic, and without him... without his influence, and his drama and his... stupidity, just like his sibling was pointing out!

Asmund was right. This wasn't the way. His insides started to harden, the emotion dying off again as the other ranted on, until his niece's name left the orphan's dark lips.

What would she think if she knew?

"ENOUGH," he thundered back all at once, forehead connecting hard with Asmund's to force his head down and away.

"You've made your point!"

Asmund had wanted to lash out, to put others in their place like this, many, many times throughout his life. He'd never had both the opportunity and the courage to do so, before now. So thoroughly inexperienced with confrontation, he genuinely did not expect Eros' own latent rage to rear itself abruptly. While it didn't have the violence of a true headbutt, it still caused his snout to sting and tears to spring to his eyes. He tried to push back, to keep his own posture in place, but he wasn't strong enough. Eros moved him almost effortlessly.

Az backpedaled swiftly. He wasn't doused however, he was combusting in full now. If he couldn't have physical intimidation, he would maintain emotional control. There was a kind of craze in his features, taut yet skittering with desperation. He would not lose this battle, he would not let Eros destroy everything.

"I'll tell them. If you don't prove to me you're turning this shit around, I will tell everyone exactly how deep your cowardice runs."

Maybe he should tell Viorel anyways, but if he could keep this from hurting his adoptive father at all... at least for now. It was too soon after everything else. This was the best he could manage.

Eros had always known Asmund to be scared, but he hadn't known he possessed so much anger as well. It made sense, though, didn't it? The threat was delivered more frigidly than any other words he'd ever heard, but they didn't sting the way ice typically did. He had known from the moment he'd slipped that he was at risk of being completely exposed.

What would she think if she knew?

It played over and over in his head. His dulled gaze slid away, deferring to the terms. Whatever.

Eros didn't argue or otherwise show dissent. Still Az waited for him to speak, to give a real confirmation. It didn't come, and he considered pushing again. Instead, he forced himself to breathe out heavily, smooth the malice and vitriol from his features, and concede to moving on.

"Let's go. You need to be in the infirmary."

He moved past Eros without a further glance, leading the way back toward the Backwater. For a moment, he didn't think the leader was going to follow. To his relief, just as he was about to slow, he heard the other's paws move and fall into step behind him.