Blacktail Deer Plateau Check my vital signs

He walked at the other's side, glad to follow the suggestion and too avoiding laying eyes on him just yet.  Though he wished to gauge his thoughts, he also needed to gather his own courage, a thing that was rapidly failing the closer they came.

When they finally paused, he looked off for a beat, wavering.  Then, locking in, he turned to face Lasher.  He knew Lasher was aware of why he was there (how could he not be?) but explained anyway, mouth dry.  "I have an answer.  I am sorry I witheld so long, but I needed to be sure that when I came to you, it was with the truth.  Much has happened."

"I do have great affection for you, but I do not in the sense that you do for me.  At least not now."  As the words left his mouth, he despised himself for them. He could not lie, however, and as much as he wished he could give the beautiful creature before him what he wanted, he knew he could not.  At least not yet, though if after so long no, he doubted things would change.

He forced himself to look at Lasher though he wanted nothing more than to turn aside in shame.  He owed it to him to face what he had said, though his ears twisted as a result of the ache resounding in him.  

;.;