Moonsong Glacier sunsister

The panther hung back, giving the seal hunters space. He did not feel prepared to participate without knowing more about seal hunter culture, and he did not want to insert himself into what seemed like a very father-son activity. So he watched from a respectful distance, interest turning to amusement as the lesson unfolded.

He realized — he'd never really watched a father bond like this with his son. His only examples were vague memories of his own father during visits. Dutch loved Aditya with all his heart, but their relationship had not been quite like this. Had not been much like this at all, he didn't think. And while he didn't feel any pang of loss for what could have been — their love was special, just as was the love between Chakliux and Raiyuk — he found himself wishing he knew more about fatherhood. Had seen more of it in action.

He hoped he would, one day. He hoped he might one day have a boy like Raiyuk — one that would look at him like that. One that he could look to with the same incandescent pride as what graced the seal hunter's features.

It was on this day that the panther fell just a little bit in love.