Hushed Willows sad humming all the time

When the declaration of war did not garner a response of equal violence and determination, Valiant rocked back on his heels to study the other boy. Why? Well, he'd never thought about it that way before. Why not? was reason enough, wasn't it?

"You can bite mine," he told the other boy, stepping back to allow room for Atwood to take advantage of this magnanimous offer. It was no fun to tussle if everyone wasn't enjoying themselves, because then Dad would step in and tell them No, and Valiant hated more than anything to be told he was being bad. "It's fun," he added doubtfully, in case he'd misread the other boy's hesitation and he really didn't understand what face biting was all about.