Redhawk Caldera out of feathers out of bones.

we can pretend it happens just before he finds Eljay and Hedda? Like. Immediately before?? Lol

The moment she noticed her mate approaching, Finley had tried to settle her sobs. She succeeded somewhat, but there was no hiding the dampness of her cheeks or the softest of whimpers that slipped passed her clenched throat. She sank into him as he surrounded her, tucking her muzzle against his chest as her ears fell flat against his ministrations. She tried to focus on their closeness; on how nice it was, the feel of his touches. But the thoughts could not be kept at bay for too long before she was thinking them again, and the tears began to thicken as she trembled against him.

Silence passed between them, though the length of it was lost on Fin. When finally she spoke, it was with a steadier voice than she'd thought herself capable of, but for it she was thankful. "Can I say something to you that I don't want to say," Fin said softly, not moving her head from its resting place in Elwood's arms, "...and that you won't want to hear?"