Redhawk Caldera But in her eyes, we were saints

He huffed a quiet laugh, the kind that barely lifted his chest.

So much for peace.

As Towhee wrangled the little troublemaker into place, Hotah watched with a soft, amused warmth edging into his tired features. Runt or not, the kid had fire. He shouldn’t have survived those first days… yet here he was, demanding the world’s attention like it was owed to him.

When Towhee signed her joke, he shook his head, lips twitching into a crooked smile.

-Gets it from you,- he murmured, tone light, teasing.

Peregrine latched, Towhee winced, and Hotah gave another low laugh—sympathetic, but undeniably entertained. He leaned in just enough to brush his nose along the boy’s spine in a steadying gesture before settling back at Towhee’s side.

-Peace,- he said dryly, -is overrated anyway.-