Redhawk Caldera breaking the habit

Between his self-loathing and his sudden neediness for a warm touch, Peregrine was a bit too preoccupied to address the information Pan offered about Reek. But even as he pressed closer to his pale companion, letting the tears flow freely, he thought back on the male's soft-spoken words. Did he even know a Reek? The name didn't ring any bells. He also didn't recollect attacking anyone recently, aside from Junior. He winced, eyes pinching shut, only to reopen a second later as he thought, Oh.

Now a righteous anger joined the already overwhelming cocktail of emotions. But he was too exhausted to humor it for long. All Peregrine said was, "I didn't attack your friend. I had no idea what he was doing with Wifi, so I was defensive at first. The instant I realized what was actually happening, I eased up... but he was already cussing me out. He called me a self-important douche-canoe." For some reason, that made him laugh. He drew in a breath, the crying ceasing as he sat up straighter.

"I put him in his place," he said a bit more steadily a few beats later. Peregrine fell silent for a long moment, then eventually added, "No one seems to think I have a right to act protective around my young. That's why it's necessary to keep this all a secret... because no one outside the caldera would see my side of the story. What the fuck is up with that?" he asked quietly, his tone rhetorical as he began to lean toward Pan again.