Blacktail Deer Plateau o father (in law) where art thou

he did his best to remain stoic, but he could not halt the tears that sprang suddenly to his eyes, blurring his vision momentarily, as grayday spoke. though the words had been relatively neutral, he caught the happiness and pride in grayday's expression, his tone, and was more than grateful for the response.

blinking back the emotion, aditya swallowed and smiled. "i. . .thank you," he said haltingly, the corners of his mouth trembling. "it means so much to hear that. from anyone, but especially you."

he had never had a father. his mother had lain with a man who had run off shortly thereafter; rekha had gone the rest of her short-lived existence not knowing whether he had been killed or had simply vanished, abandoning her in her time of need. even throughout his life, he had gone without any sort of father figure. mothers, uncles, siblings--of a sort--and friends. but never a father.

thinking of all this, aditya continued, "i grew up with no father. i don't even know whether the man is dead or alive. i wasn't given a home or a name." he looked down, feeling overwhelmed once more. "dawn is lucky to have you--and so am i." his voice was the barest murmur, breath stirring the ruff of his neck.