Noctisardor Bypass seda

he was displeased slightly, yes, but not without understanding and not in any way that would be visible to her, for on a deeper level he understood her plight. heda was not shaba. to bear another's name beside his instead of his little goldfinch — he had never even thought of it this way until now, and he softens.
but he had years to grieve shaba, years that he'd spent committing her memory and the taste of her flesh to his heart. heda had not. anselm and caracal both were fresh wounds.
he plants a kiss atop her head. god will tell us when the time is right, he whispers to her, dark lips pressed against the feathersoft curve of her ear. it will be hard for me, too, a phrase gone unspoken.
until then, we will be father and mother, a reassuring grin touches his muzzle as he peels back to gaze upon her lovely face. and you and i will get through it together.