Moonsong Glacier Lost in the Shadows

He was sorry for the way the question seemed to affect the other man, but after a moment, when Alaric's shoulders had relaxed, Dutch was glad to have asked. The answer settled between them, easily accepted by the panther.

"I am beginning to see that I do the same," he admitted to the other man. And it was so at odds with all that he believed in, and all that he wanted his life and the world at large to be. He'd tried for years to get Valiant to open up his heart, but in reality, Dutch hadn't done much better.

He turned a small, wan smile on the other man.

"It is not the way I wish to remain," he said to Alaric, "but if my spirit is in any way kindred with yours, I find I must appreciate the fact."