Broken Boulder or without your smile

archiving!

He fractured further with the arrival of each packmate; something raw shifted desperately in his chest, as if searching for relief and finding none. It was Lanawyn who came first to help him— then Lily, as the others gathered around. Alarian did not pause. Around him he heard the movement of his packmates, someone crying, but he could not bring himself to look up.
It was Delight's arrival that drew his attention, selfishly. He felt no guilt; he was too empty to feel guilty. His gaze swept across his friend's features, and he paused for the barest moment— half a beat, perhaps. Alarian moved to brush his nose gently against the other's shoulder, quick enough that the movement would not draw much attention outside Delight's. He said nothing, and did not meet his eyes whether the gesture was accepted or not.
He lingered only long enough to finish burying Ioa— to tell Lanawyn he would hold a vigil come sundown, to offer comfort whether she accepted it or not (he expected she would not), to see to the crying Korei— and then, the Governor fled to his den.