Swiftcurrent Creek Narrow streets of Cobblestone

You're perfect the way you are.

Horribly, Ashlar felt himself growing choked up as Arric insisted this in a number of ways. He’d felt so far from it the last few months. The other wolf moving to press his head to the bard’s comfortingly was the final crack, and Ashlar stepped forward too, keeping his head down (despite Arric’s request) as the tears came.

For a little bit he couldn’t speak. He just cried, and the shame of that warred with how good it felt to let the feelings out finally.

I’m s-sorry. He managed finally, haltingly, trying to swallow some of the tears and stop. Just… I’m…. He didn’t have words. So he pressed his head into the man’s shoulder instead, mortified and grateful. He didn’t need to be this nice. Ashlar didn’t think himself brave at all. But he didn’t have the heart to argue either.