Porcupine Ridge auntblood

dutch's eyes appeared lit with a strange expression. it did not perturb chakliux; he held the other's gaze in confident unblinking interest, seeking the root of where the emotion originated.
"without them i am nothing. without them this is worth nothing." he did not glance away. "i earn the right to return to the arms of my wives. i earn my son's respect. and i am happy to do both, for this is how i am fulfilled. it is how i love."
the berrybright eyes gleamed. "i know it is the same for you, dutch."