Redhawk Caldera no sunlight, no sunlight anymore.

For my lovebug <33333 @Elwood

The healing process was a slow one, but it was also steady.  It had been a few weeks since her return home and the pain in her joints and limbs had finally subsided.  She still felt bruised and battered, but there was no denying that she was getting stronger.  It was not the first time she had hobbled out to get a breath of fresh air - an act that in itself felt more healing than even rest, Fin thought as she sat quietly outside the den she shared with her mate and son. Not that she would have said no to some extra sleep, of course.  But though Fin had been injured far worse before, she had taken a much longer time than usual regaining the energy and fiestiness she had been born with.  It would come back eventually, though it was likely something no amount of sleep and medicine would bring.

Finley heaved a heavy sigh as a chill twisted through the wind and wrapped itself around her.  Eljay was asleep just inside - it was the only way she could have managed to slip outside by herself considering how incredibly clingy he had become since her homecoming.  She still felt the bitter shock of guilt whenever she allowed herself even a second away from him, even though she knew it wasn't wrong for her to want just a moment or two of space from him.  It wasn't like before.  It would never be like before again...

Her mind began to wander and the beta shrunk inside of herself, the world seeming to disappear.  She had spent a great deal of time withdrawn like that since she had come home.  She tried to keep herself from it, not wanting her family to notice and question her about it.  But Elwood was out hunting and Little Jay napping.  So away she went, sinking into her own dark, miserable thoughts.