Jade Fern Grove slender capes of red and chrome

The silence became bearable within time, but perhaps only because Pasha let his gaze and thoughts wander a bit. He pushed himself away from thinking about how things would be now and instead thought more of himself — specifically how things would be once he was truly grown up.

It was the sound of Swift's voice that stirred him from those thoughts and probably romanticized dreams; his attention snapped back not unlike a rubber band returning to its original shape. His voice was quiet again, as though he had been hurt for more deeply than the wounds that crossed his visage. Pasha almost wondered if it was because he had been so quiet, but withheld asking what he had done wrong. The possibility stood very firmly in his mind that yes, perhaps Swift was really just tired.

"Okay," Pasha said as his brother began to retreat towards the comfort of the den. "I'll come by later." And he almost said to see you again but this time the words managed to stay firmly lodged in his mouth. They were promptly swallowed into nothingness and he too rose and ventured off. Once he was some distance away from the den, he found himself surprised at the lighter feeling that consumed him, and a shaky sigh escaped him. Things were tricky, very tricky indeed.