Otter Creek Does it hurt to feel so high?

While Etienne acknowledged that he deserved better, Dusty Rose was not wholly pleased with his answer. Sure, it was his cross to bear. It was also his cross to set the fuck down, and maybe Dusty just didn't understand when it came to romance — but it seemed to him that Etienne had some options that were much better than... Y'know. This, even if he really couldn't make himself leave.

The coywolf was frustrated with the false complexity of the situation. And he was frustrated with himself, just a little, but having been yet unable to experience the special brand of insanity that was romantic love.

"My dad liked to say that sometimes people just need to be given the chance to treat each other gently," he said after a long moment. "The problem is that you've got to show them right where they can hurt you most deeply to do it. And sometimes you're wrong, and they hurt you. But don't it hurt well enough already?"

He dipped his chin.

"It's a mean fucken world out here," he said quietly. "I don't guess I gotta tell ya. But I never hurt anyone 'cause I was angry, or 'cause I just plain wanted to. It's always been on account of me being scared, or hurt, or scared to get hurt, one."