Dragoncrest Cliffs My jumpsuit is on steady

It was dark, and the cold air clung to his hair as he moved along the borders on his nightly patrol, white puffs air leaving his mouth every time he released a breath. Occasionally, East stopped to rub against a tree or a bush, making sure to leave his scent near the borders as a warning to any potential intruders or loners that wandered too close. Trained eyes scanned the area around him, searching for anything out of place as he continued his silent, quick pace along the edge of the territory. His mind wandered occasionally to one thing or another until some sound or movement briefly caught his attention, always bringing him back to the present. 

Once in the forest, he moved through the giant redwoods, leaving his scent there too as he continued his patrol, searching for anything to distract his busy mind.

Helix has given her eldest son plenty of time on his own since joining. They’ve crossed paths every so often but they hardly say a few words to each other. Eventually, she tells herself, he’ll come around. He came all the way to Drageda when he didn’t have to. That alone means he wants to talk to her at some point, surely? But when? Now that Lava had gone off again (this time with purpose), all she has left is Eastwood. The other wolves are okay but they aren’t family and likely won’t feel that way any time soon.
 
Eastwood is all she has left.
 
The mother takes a deep breath when she finds his scent, moving slightly so that she comes across him, interrupting his path through the redwoods.
 
“Hei,” she calls out, slowing to a stop in hopes he’ll do the same.

For a while, it seemed like he was alone among the trees aside from the occasional forest creature scurrying across the forest floor. The voice surprised him, and he halted his steps as the form of his mother became visible up ahead. It was probably the last packmate he wanted to run into right now, but it was bound to happen at some point; he couldn't exactly avoid her forever, no matter how tempting it sounded. In truth, he had come here with the hope that he could find some way to forgive her so they could be close again, but it had been so much harder than he had originally thought. That kind of resentment didn't just disappear overnight, and it seemed that being around her only brought up painful memories he'd rather not deal with.

But, now she was standing in front of him, and it just didn't seem right to ignore her and continue on his way; he was angry with her, but he wasn't going to be cruel. He finally dipped his head in greeting but no words accompanied his gesture. He instead waited to see what she would say next, his face impassive.

Eastwood stops and nods and she waits, expecting him to say something. When he doesn’t, it’s a few seconds into awkwardness and she stiffens, tightening her jaw. Helix understands his frustration and angry, but how long is he going to hold onto it? Has she not carried enough guilt and grief?
 
“Did you come to Drageda just to ignore me?” she tells him, lifting her nose slightly. No, she’s had enough. She straightens her shoulders and her footing is firmly in place. “It would been easier to do in Trigeda,” she pauses and sucks in a breath, “make your peace or go home.”

His ears flattened at her words, scowl forming on his face. He wasn't sure if he was more angry with what she said or that she was kind of right. He he hadn't come here to ignore her, really, but she brought up so much resentment inside him that it had been hard to move past it. But, it was destroying him to be so angry with someone he loved; he wasn't sure how to fix it. Her last words deepened his scowl, indignation momentarily overshadowing any feelings that might lead him towards a resolution. You say that like we had some disagreement, he started. He's dead and--it's your fault. His jaw tightened and his stomach churned at the intensity of his emotions. How exactly am I supposed to make peace with that? He seriously wanted to know, because it wasn't exactly like he enjoyed feeling this way, but how does someone move past something like that?

He wouldn’t be her son if he doesn’t protest but he throws the same thing back into her face as he’s done time and time again. She’s done her best to move on, finding a new purpose and new place in life. It isn’t where she expected to be but she takes it with relative ease. If Eastwood has only come to Drageda to make everyone miserable, she’d send him back with orders.
 
“That’s right, it’s my fault. Not yours. It is my guilt I have to live with. You act like I did not lose him too.” she starts, struggling to keep a steady voice. Normally a stoic woman, able to dictate what emotions she wants to convey, has a hard time hiding the pain of his sword deeper into her wound. “You make peace with it by grieving the loss of your father, honoring his memory. Do you really think he would want it to be this way?”

He stared at her, unsure what to say at first. He had been so consumed by his own grief and anger that it honestly hadn't occurred to him to consider how his mom might feel about it all. At first he thought she deserved to feel that way, but he didn't really believe that; he wasn't cruel--just blindingly angry. His expression turned pained as he tried to process what she said, but he was still unable to find the words to reply. 

He sighed in frustration when she offered him ways to make peace. Did she not think he was already grieving? That's all he had done since his father's death. Her suggestions only served to further his discontent, and her last statement earned her a glare. That's not fair, he replied with quiet anger. The thought of him being here now was too much; it was all too much. He looked away, seriously considering bolting, but he already been enough of a coward every time he avoided Helix, and he wouldn't be one now.

“Neither is what you’re doing to me,” she firmly tells him. She has to root her feet to the ground to keep from leaving. They have to fix this. He’s had a chance to sort this out on his own and deal with the pain and she’s stood by, taking everything he wants to throw at her. Or not throw at her. It doesn’t really matter. She’s offered to be there for him but he’s only shoved her away, dwelling over everything by himself, and she’s done nothing but give him space. She’s gone as far as leaving Trigeda entirely only to be followed and tormented and at his mercy. Without Lava or Neon by her side, she’s left out in the cold.

He released a strained breath through his nose, forcing himself to look at his mom again. He felt like he was going to explode and almost wished it would happen; it would be preferable to facing the ugly thing between them. But why else had he come here? He had been miserable when she left, which lead him to seek her out in the first place only to find that he was just as miserable sharing a pack with her once more. She was right--he needed to either figure this out or leave. His expression turned defeated and tired. Not sure what else to do and suddenly realizing he just wanted her comfort, he closed the distance between them, burying his face in her neck. He currently had no words for her, the crushing weight of everything he had been carrying making it so that all he could do was silently seek her her forgiveness and affection.

Helix’s ears slip back on her head, watching as the tension increases and they don’t really get anywhere. Eastwood doesn’t have anything to say. Maybe they’ll never get over it.
 
She opens her mouth to say something but he steps forward, dejectedly slinking in her direction. Her teeth click together and she stiffens, closing her eyes as he buries into her chest. It takes a second to register what’s happening but she cleans into it, curving her neck over him. Slowly, a heavy handed breath escapes her lips, noticeably releasing the tension born between them.

He felt her tense and wondered if there was too much damage done between them to expect any kind comfort from her, but eventually he felt her around him. He didn't move for he wasn't sure how long, but finally he moved back a step so that he could look at his mom once more. I'm not sure how to fix things, he finally said, looking to her for reassurance and guidance, son to mother. It was hard to let go of long-standing emotions, even when they threatened to tear you apart from the inside. He was never good with this kind of stuff, and so he didn't know how to go forward from here and attempt to repair their relationship.

want to fade up here? <3

she does not know how long to give him for comfort. they’ve never really needed it before now. they’ve been relatively independent, strong children. loyal soldiers of trigeda and drageda alike but she can feel the stress shared between them. since the death of her mate, anxiety and tension has only built and finally eastwood can let it go, can understand she has suffered too and it is more than time will heal but he does not have to carry the same weights as she.
 
“that’s okay,” she says, quietly, nudging his cheek. “we’ll figure it out.”

Sounds good!

He closed his eyes at the reassuring words, exhaling through his nose. Okay, was all he could say, the word heavy with emotions as he looked to his mother again with resolve in his eyes. It wasn't as if all the anger would disappear now, but it already felt different somehow--like it was more bearable knowing that he hopefully wouldn't feel it forever. Like she said, they would figure it out. They had to.