Shadow Mountain Wire

winter's wake was gracious, though lestan felt naked beneath his inability to take such a step. what was more, he was not certain he wished to be away. his life had been adventure, a never-ending climb of agonizing chaos, and he was not eager to return to so unfounded an existence.
but what he knew was best for himself and what he wanted were, in fact, two disparate desires. "i sh-should like to be here, winter," the mayfair murmured, at once both confident and deeply, sweetly unsettled.
the creek was his home: solid. consistent. familial, the things which lestan had always craved.
wake offered a firebrand song to a quiet sky.
hesitant steps, searching eyes. "if i d-don't go now, i'll —" and finally, a shy grin during which he could not maintain the connection of their gazes. "i will return to your mountain."