Blacktail Deer Plateau So long, lonesome

The mere thought threatened to crush his soul. Peregrine took a deep breath and stared at Atticus's vacant expression. Perhaps it was better if he simply wasn't there anymore, rather than trapped and unable to reach out to anyone. It was better to live a simple life than one of eternal imprisonment.

Unable to stand the thought much longer, the swarthy male shook his head lightly and focused on his friend's soft, feminine voice. "I don't know why I'm having a tough time thinking of what to say," he admitted when she finished. "I'm glad Ty at least comes by here and talks his ear off," he added with a faint twitch of his lips.

He still wanted to resume his conversation with the medic, though Peregrine did not forget that he'd been doing something else when she'd approached. Positioning himself so that he faced Atticus, Peregrine plucked up a chunk of gopher meat and nudged it into his brother's slightly ajar mouth. Even though Atticus didn't do much, he did begin to chew, as if on some basic level he understood that food was in his mouth and that he required sustenance to live.

While Atticus chewed slowly, Peregrine looked over at Blue Willow. "Thank-you for looking after him. I know it's an enormous sacrifice and that you do it out of love. You are so selfless, Willow," he murmured, his eyes brimming with gratitude. "I'm sorry it turned out this way," he added, turning back to stare at Atticus. "You know, not long ago, I told him that he was welcome to take my spot once you two became mates. It's weird how life never quite goes according to plan." He blinked several times, as if trying to fight off tears.