Silvertip Mountain Your face-saving promises, whispered like prayers

The adult male made no real comment at first. He did, however confirm that (whilst apparently not always the case) he would not tell FitzDutiful about this. Mason breathed a sigh of relief. Whilst it was probably a bit obvious, by now, just what had happened, they could still put Mason’s hurt down to it being a replacement of his mother. (Or himself if they had puppies – this would likely push him even further away.)

Steady spoke some more, soothing sense-filled words. His deep voice worked wonders on Masons’ frayed nerves. Even though he couldn’t really imagine this hurt subsiding completely, he supposed that it must do eventually. Was this how much it had hurt when Mum had left? No… her disappearance had mainly been factual, as he had been too young to comprehend such feelings as this. 

Still, he took great comfort in the thought that, one day, someone would pick him. “I know Dad loves me.” He admitted out loud, but internally added but does he love her more? Or love her at all? His hurting heard throbbed again in his chest as he managed to still his tears. 

“Do you have a mate?” Mason enquired quietly, managing to peer up at Steady with bleary eyes this time as he felt a teensy bit better. He was interested in how Steady knew so much about these things. Maybe it was knowledge deposited on you when you became of age.