Redhawk Caldera But I can't fight anymore for you

Woah. What exactly did she want, and what was she asking for? And how could she ever say 'Fuck Killdeer'? What kind of mother would say that about their-

Niamh would. Niamh would've said that about him. Probably about Nellie, too. He felt icy dread, and wondered if his father had had the same trepidation about marrying someone so fiery. 

He balked. 

He had to tread carefully now. With her confessing her insecurities and becoming vulnerable, he knew that every nerve would be raw. One misstep, and he knew he'd get yelled at, chased off, or worse. But it didn't sit right with him to hear her more or less confess that she wanted him more than their son. 

He remembered how she'd been when she'd told him she was pregnant. She hadn't been excited, she hadn't been giddy and proud, not the way he had been. If he was what she wanted most and yet she still treated him this way....

...Killdeer would never have a good life. He'd grow up raised by the same monster that had raised him. 

So for the sake of his son, he had to be for Killdeer what Colt, Phox, and Towhee had been for him. Despite whatever it might cost him someday. 

So he lifted himself to his feet shakily, and drew toward her. Though his throat was still sore and dry, he uttered a soft rumble of a growl- the first show of affection he'd been able to manage thus far. "Of course, Fennec."