Ouroboros Spine momentum

The line of his mouth firmed, but Valiant didn't correct her. Finding her like this — he hadn't known it ought to be one of his nightmares. He should have, though. She wasn't invincible, no matter how easy she made it to believe.

He lifted his own paw to cover hers.

"I'll be right as rain in no time," he promised her, hoping she would not press. The truth was that he was still in terrible pain, and that he likely would be for some time, if not for the rest of his life. He was of the opinion, however, that none of that had to matter just yet. "I saw Nantahala and Nasamiituuq," he went on, trying to distract her. "They're both lookin' so grown and strong."

He ached to see Lightfoot and Lariat again, and Ipiktok and Salaksartok if they were around, and where were Akmaaksi and Tautukpik? He had so many questions, and he was starting to wonder if Vairë might have them, too.

"Can I go get you some water?" he asked her, his own claws digging gently into the back of her paw. He didn't want to leave her side for a moment, but he wanted her to drink. "You need it."