Heron Lake Plateau Krigsgaldr.

Tegan didn't protest, though he didn't exactly return her embrace. Towhee didn't care about that. She held him tightly for a moment longer, then released him. He pulled back in time for her to catch the words that fell off his lips: "It's all right."

Her brow furrowed. "No," she countered, "it isn't." She didn't add anything else; it would've felt like platitudes. Blinking away the rain that suddenly fell harder and faster, she added, "It sucks donkey balls. And I know it's not really consolation but..." Towhee let out a blustering breath before repeating, "I'm here. I'm always gonna be here."

Not wanting to force her company on him any further—he could seek her out if he needed or wanted her—the Beta offered a parting pat and then began to move away.