Duskfire Glacier bleak

Kieran frowned, but breathed a sigh of relief when Hawthorn stepped back, away from the edge. With a deep breath, Kieran lay beside the older boy. "I know you don't, Haw. And you don't have to." he murmered, paws shuffling in the thick snow. The prince felt a weight on him - he had to cheer Hawthorn up, make him see that he still had things and people to live for. That was part of being a counselor, wasn't it? That's what Kieran had decided he wanted to be. "I'll have your back, okay? I may not be your favourite person in the world, Haw, but I'm here for you. I don't care what objections you may have about it." The pup was determind - he could do this. He would do this. Much as he had previously disliked Hawthorn, he had come to understand why he was bitter, and Kieran felt a pang of sorrow for the older boy. He had already suffered so much, and here Kieran was, living the good life.

He exhaled again and turned his head to look Hawthorn in the eye. "You aren't a coward. You are probably the bravest, strongest person I know." Kieran believed those words to be true, and he refused to think otherwise. "Certainly braver than I am." he added, tilting his head. "You still have a life to live, Haw, even if it doesn't seem great now, it will get better. I know it will." Well, really, he didn't. But, as long as Hawthorn stayed somewhat positive his life could be great again, could it not?