Sunset Valley II

"i can't believe it," ego whined softly -- too low to carry in the distance between them -- and he took a compulsory step forward. in that moment, he forgot he had been afraid to face his family for his wrongs; forgot every single hurt and unseen wound inflicted on his psyche. he was suddenly just a boy, seeing his brother for the first time in a long time. more than half their lives. and all he wanted was to be close again -- lost in the memory of his childhood. "STAG!!"

the yearling erupted into a giddy gallop, tail whipping and tongue lolling as he went. the last few lengths, ego bounded



right up to his stilt-legged littermate and paused for a single beat to receive him, prepared to do so either very gently or very roughly.