Northstar Vale Through the Hurt

God, she was so full of joy, and hope for the future. How he wished he could fall right in step with her outlook, turn his face to the sunshine of a new day and away from the shadows of the past. But those shadows still cast a terrible pall over his every waking moment, and until they receded, he couldn't see how he could stomach dragging the girl inside them, anchored by his side.

"You think you want me now," Shale responded, mouth dry. He blinked sadly at her. "You've not known me for very long at all. You know the face I wear. . .but not what's underneath. No one here knows that, not even Day."

He leaned to press a gentle kiss on her forehead, lips lingering for a bit before he pulled away again. "Think about it," Shale murmured. "We can discuss it further when we return to the plateau. Right now, let's just focus on getting home."

Thus, he kept Pema at bay, his fragile, shattered heart continuing to build the fortress so damaged by the deaths of his family. Perhaps once it was built, he could welcome her in, love her with everything he had.

But Lucy and the babes still lived in that broken place, and it wasn't fair for Pema to have to share.