Redhawk Caldera If the whole wide world stops spinning

Eljay nodded into Maia's fur as she said her father used to play that game with them, too. Eljay wondered if her parents were still alive and out there, but honestly, he was a little afraid to ask. This day had been filled with emotion and Eljay was not too sure he dared to tread further into either of their mental trash cans. He put a pin in it for now. It was to make him less afraid. I... I saw a lot of myself in him, I guess, because he was scared at first. And I tried to be the big brother I didn't have. Growing up as an only child had meant Eljay received a lot of doting, but he'd also not learned as well about being brave -- the adults around him had been, but they were big and he was small.

When she stopped grooming his face, Eljay breathed out a long, drawn out breath. I like this, he said. Not that you got hurt, or.. or that things are... Eljay sighed as he tried to find the right words. He was so tired suddenly; the crying and grief that had suddenly overcame him had done that. But I like that you're here. He lifted his head so that he could look at Maia's face -- Maia's beautiful face -- and he suddenly found himself wishing that he could look at her every day, every morning he woke up.