Blacktail Deer Plateau Professional griefers

Atticus too found solace in his brother's touch, and made no effort to move away from him or break their contact. It had been so long since he'd felt a caring touch. It wasn't even a weird or romantic thing for him. Just the simple power of another's touch, the contact of someone that cared about you and wanted you to be happy, could have such a calming and soothing effect.

But Peregrine's words were ice water on his heart, and he felt a lance of terror shoot through him at the thought that Junior might be mortally wounded or already dead. He closed his eyes and winced as if he'd been struck, and felt the prickly sensation of his own eyes welling with tears. Blinking them away and forcing himself to be the strong one here, he simply said, "We have to believe that isn't the case, Perry." He swallowed, not wholly believing his own words but forcing his strength and will into them anyway. "These lands are ridiculously well-guarded. Someone will find her." A brief glimmer of humor entered his voice as he added, "Shit, she's such a hellion she's probably out there beating up bears 'n' shit for fun. We're probably all worrying for nothing." The grin that crossed his weary face didn't reach his eyes, though, as he gently licked his brother's head.