Sunset Valley and leave you like they left me here

Honestly, part of him had wanted to hate Aditya at first; only a small part, and he supposed he had never truly given in to it. Even with his worst break down, only hours after the fact, he had not considered taking any action against him— had not considered viewing him as an enemy, even if he wished he could. Because ultimately, Aditya was a good man.
Better than Alarian could ever be.
His chest tightened again, this time at the golden wolf's distress. Ignoring the way the word friend prickled oddly at him (he knew he had no right to feel this way, but it almost felt as if he did after having Aditya atop him), he softened under the other's remorse. He did not forget what had happened between them— how could he?— but for a moment, it seemed less important.
Somehow he was even more hesitant than he had been the first time, quicker to move away when he reached to press his nose comfortingly to Aditya's cheek if allowed. It's okay, He offered with his retreat, soft and warm; his own hurt was easy to swallow in that moment. You were hurting. Everyone does things they regret when they're hurt— it's okay.
And he meant it, right then. Maybe he wouldn't, later— maybe he'd leave this encounter and find himself crumbling again. But that would be okay, too; Alarian was always broken. At least one of them could walk away okay, maybe.