Whitefish River the hamiltons move uptown

It was customary for Dragomir to pull away from touch, being strangely averse to it as he was, but he didn't even flinch when Vercingetorix's cool nose touched his brow. He let his eyes flutter closed, breathing out a hitched sob. He didn't blame his parents for what happened, not really. Deep inside he was certain that if they never left Diaspora, this never would have happened, but the reality was he could just as easily have been out exploring on his own and been tricked, whether or not they had stayed. It was no one's fault but his own, and despite all the hurt and fear and anger, Dragomir wasn't looking for a place to point fingers. If he was, then his father wasn't likely his first candidate.

Yet there was someone at fault, Dragomir realized. As Vercingetorix revealed his plan, the boy's mouth went dry. His heart beat hard in his chest and his hackles lifted of their own volition. Despite being Aurëwen's relatively gentle son, nurtured primarily by her, Dragomir housed his father's flame within him and he agreed with the sentiment that protecting your own was one of the most important things. But he was terrified, too; for Vercingetorix to leave again and not come back like the other times, or for him to get hurt pursuing vengeance against two wolves who were as immoral as his tormenters. He wanted to protest but his mouth felt like it was glued shut.

Until, at last, in a very tiny and cracked voice, Dragomir revealed, it's mom's friend. Th... th-the r-redback one. The effort to say that was monumental and he was immediately hit by a wave of regret and horror both, and with a shuddering breath he said, please, but he didn't know what he meant to ask for.