Bitterroot Valley subterranean homesick blues

eeek i am so very sorry for the wait on this. call this wrapped up with last posts from us?

she gave him an apology of her own, and he mirrored the shake of her head. there was no need to apologize. this boy was her brother, and she had lost—they had lost a father. family stuck together. he knew if he found kin of his out in the wild, adrift, bereft, he would fight for them just as fiercely.

it's good to meet you, polaris, surya said cordially, his voice warming. i understand. i think you're more than capable of caring for him. just— his mouth curled in a wry smile, a chuckle caught in his throat, as he remembered their misadventure in the thicket. just don't let him get into too much trouble.

he would not return home with chhotu in tow, and he would have to accept that. he hadn't wandered out here looking for the boy in particular, anyway. but no good news would be brought back to whitebark stream today, except perhaps that they had found an ally in the fierce young polaris.

surya padded over to where alsek sat, giving a gentle whuff in greeting and pressing his muzzle against the crown of the boy's head, if he allowed. take care, chubu, he murmured, feeling strangely, overwhelmingly emotional. he took in chhotu's scent for safe-keeping and then turned to his caretaker, hoping the love in his eyes would hide any misgivings to be found there.

then he left. they had their journey, and he had his. he just hoped they could both find a happy ending in finding each other.