Bitterroot Valley space is about to fold

Kratos approaches, and fear sends sharp pinpricks along his spine for a few moments. It fades quickly, though, and he relaxes under his mate's touch. Even when he starts cleaning his wounds, a painful process, Zephyr takes comfort in it. His eyes open slowly, and he leans forward to gently clean Kratos's bloody ear — gashed, but not torn through again, to his relief. He wouldn't want Kratos to end up like that weirdo with the shredded ears.