Blacktail Deer Plateau We're gonna build a wall

Thankfully, Minori let him speak, and her words came out as a murmur now. It was such a sharp contrast from before, and he was surprised that her attitude shifted so quickly. Still, that was much preferred to her screaming in pain, though the quiver in her voice did not escape him. ... Yes, Corvus reluctantly confirmed. He'd danced with death many times in his life, but that was easily the closest call yet. He'd be damned if a bear took his life the same as one did his mother.

She continued to speak and gently pressed her nose to his neck. Surprising himself now, Corvus leaned into her touch as if starved for it. Such touches were something foreign to him now, as they were something he only experienced from his mother as a child. It was never something Corvus pined for, yet such a simple act filled him with... well, he didn't know what, but it felt incredible. He'd describe the feeling as "warm", if he had to, and it was very welcome.

It's good to be back... I missed you, Corvus said, finally rising to a sit. Apparently, he was also full of surprises. But what he said was true, and he wanted Minori to know that he felt that way. She encouraged him to be more open about how he felt because he believed it would allow her to trust him more. In doing this, though, Corvus was discovering how relieving it was to not keep his feelings behind a mask. When they separated, it was as if the warmth disappeared, leaving only the cold behind. He missed it but quickly dashed the feeling away.