Redhawk Caldera 'Cause heaven's angels carried her away

aw but maybe @Towhee Jr?

Hotah lifted his head the moment the commotion rolled through the caldera—quick movement, sharp energy, the unmistakable return of a young wolf who never entered a place quietly. Tzar’s scent cut through the air, fresh and familiar, and Hotah felt a small knot in his chest ease.

He turned at once, scanning the slope and the den mouths, eyes searching past the bustle for one shape in particular.

He moved with purpose, weaving through the activity, following the thread of her scent until it grew stronger. Whatever Tzar had brought back with him—news, trouble, or relief—Hotah wanted her at his side for it.

And he kept looking until he found her.

though she wished to see bushtit again, she left tzar, ghost and alivia greet him while she cooled off. she was still angry with her son: for disobeying her, for his lack of listening comprehension ... and anger at herself for the fact that she had pushed him to disobedience in the first place. that her fear of bearclaw valley and that he would meet an untimely death ( clearly not true ) had kept his leash so tight that he snuck off and did it anyway.

in many ways she regretted, he was a lot like her.

too eager to prove himself.

she lets out a low huff and turns, steps pausing as hotah comes into view.

Hotah slowed when he saw her turn, reading the tension in her posture before a word was exchanged. He didn’t crowd her, just stopped close enough to be present.

His brow knit slightly, concern plain.

-Hey,- he signed. -I saw Tzar come back in hot.-

A brief pause, eyes searching her face.

-He alright? What happened out there?-

-hey,- towhee jr feels her expression soften, no doubt twisted originally into a scowl that mirrored the one her son enjoyed wearing -he's fine.- she signs, touched by hotah's concern. -he's grieving finally,- she pauses and adds quickly, -i think.-

it wasn't as if she expected tzar to talk to her about it. his guard was raised even around her most days. trying to act tough?

Hotah nodded at her answer, relief easing the tightness in his shoulders. He watched her hands carefully, then hesitated—just a beat—before lifting his own.

-Can I ask… something?-

A pause, giving her space to refuse if she wished.

-Your mate.-

He met her eyes, steady and respectful.

-What… happened to all of them?-

No one had spoken of it. And he'd been to wary to ask. But he feels that they are comfortable with each other now, and frankly, he'd like to be of support for her and Tzar.

-it was morning, tzar had drug me out of the den to show me something ... i can't even remember what it was anymore. his siblings stayed behind with their father. we'd been returning, just inside the entrance of the communal den when the rocks started to fall. i snatched tzar quick ...they were crushed. my children. my husband. those of the pack that were slumbering. ...no one could survive that. tzar and i were lucky.-

towhee jr explains, offering her truth as she knew it.

-i fled with tzar and we sought asylum with family outside of the wilds for a while.-

Hotah didn’t interrupt. He stood still, letting her words land fully, each one sinking heavy into his chest. When she finished, he drew in a slow, unsteady breath, the kind meant to hold a fracture together.

He stepped forward then, closing the space between them, and gathered her into him without hesitation. Not tight. Not smothering. Just enough to say you’re not alone in this moment.

-I’m sorry,- he said quietly, knowing even as he spoke that the words were painfully insufficient. He just wanted her to feel the sorrows of the vibrations of his throat. He didn’t try to dress them up or soften the truth. Nothing could make up for what she’d lost.

He eased back just enough to look at her, one paw still resting at her shoulder, grounding.

After a beat, he asked gently, carefully:

-Have you grieved?-

she leans into hotah, drawing comfort from his touch.

she offers a soft smile at his paw upon her scarred shoulder, his question read and acknowledged.

-i grieved. when tzar slept, when he wasn't watching me. i have made peace with it now. i don't know what my future holds but ... my life isn't in the past anymore.- she signs simply.

Hotah kept his paw steady at her shoulder as she leaned in, listening without a word. When she finished, he nodded once, slow and sure.

-I believe you,- he said quietly.

His grip warmed, just a fraction.

-You’re a strong woman,- Hotah added, voice low with certainty. -You didn’t stay in the past. You chose to keep living.-

He stayed there with her, solid and present, letting that be enough.

Until, -I'm glad you did.-

towhee jr's paws are still, her own personal form of silence. lingering in the moment, lingering in the fact that had first she kept going only because of tzar. if she hadn't had him ... she was not sure what path her grief would've led her down.

-my son is to thank for my strength,- she admits then, paws slowly, her version of a soft murmur of admittance.

Hotah nodded once, slow and sure, understanding settling into his expression.

-That makes sense,- he said quietly. -Strength like that doesn’t come from nowhere.-

His gaze didn't waver from her. How could it? Strength imbued in this woman plain. He admired her for it, dare he even coin the term worshipped.

-He gave you something to hold onto,- Hotah added, -And you held.-

towhee jr's smile is warm, almost bashful as it tugs at her lips. for a still moment there is only the feel of her breath, the slight needling of the chilly air in her lungs, and her rampaging thoughts that she could not still. thoughts of tzar, thoughts of her mother, her newest siblings, thoughts of hotah himself.

-i'm glad i did.- she offers in a soft sign, adding quickly after. -i'm glad i decided to come back here.- even though she'd been highly apprehensive about it in the beginning.

Hotah scoffed softly, the corner of his mouth tipping up.

-Obviously,- he said, light and teasing. -You met me.-

He let the joke sit for a beat, then his expression gentled, just a touch.

-I’m glad you came back too,- he added, easy but sincere. -Would’ve been a shame to miss all this.-

good to fade in your next!

towhee jr's gaze is mischievous, softening with the soft breathy laugh that leaves her as she reads hotah's words. -obviously,- she mimics, though there was truth enough in his words.

-don't let it go to your head now,- teases towhee jr, soft smirk tugging at the edges of her lips. -i'll catch you later.- with her farewell offered, she headed further into the territory.