Sunset Valley don't sweat the technique

The nickname niggled at him—so dainty-sounding, delicate, childish. If it were anyone but Katmai speaking, he would have rebuffed them, turned away.

But this was his brother, and so the young man met his embrace with eyes that teared up slightly, pulling him close before pulling away a bit breathlessly.

Why do you think? Kitimat asked, raising his brow. I lost you once; I won't lose you again.

Instead of voicing that thought aloud, his orange gaze scanned the horizon around them, making a mental map of the landscape. What are you doing here? he echoed, though through emphasis, the question was slightly different.