Phoenix Maplewood well, now what

fuck. she had gone for the latter.

"oh, god, please don't cry, easy," he pleaded, feeling utterly helpless as she dissolved into sobs. he didn't know what to do. move closer? what if she thought he was trying to hit on her, too? say something to cheer her up? god, it was clear he didn't know what to say to her; not now, not ever. he was trapped, and there was nothing he could do.

"easy, it's--i'm sorr--it's okay, i'm sorry, don't cry, plea--"

i want to go home!

her words cut through him like claws and fangs, outstretched in battle, and a sob rose in his own throat. hastily swallowing it back, he nodded, responding thickly, "so do i."

he did. he missed the plateau, his familiar stomping ground, and his packmates. the streiter siblings, heads bent in quiet conversation, and lavender learning about medicine from pema. grayday's wise words; shale's quiet strength.

and dawn. the dawn he'd met all those moons ago. maybe they'd left her behind, forever, when they'd began this voyage. maybe he'd never get her back.

"so do i," aditya repeated, drawing a shuddering breath and unable to summon anything more.