Moonspear And into the fire we go

Liffey's question piqued his interest, and for the first time, he somewhat understood why she was concerned. It wasn't that he was staying; it was that he was staying, in her eyes, out of necessity. He remembered Charon's words, 'a life for a life', and he knew what she said was wrong. He wasn't leaving, not until Charon said he could. That was what he'd agreed to.

He'd forgotten Charon's call didn't include that.

He turned to Liffey and lowered his tail, knowing she likely would be unhappy with what he was going to say. Hydra's answer gave a prickle if discomfort as well; he didn't like the way their exchange was going, nor did he like being in the middle of it. He hadn't asked her to speak for him.

"I promised to stay. However long they want me. I don't want to go back." He was surprised to find that this was the truth. He took a step closer. He didn't want to leave Hydra hanging, but he sensed that Liffey needed reassurance, and he intended to give it. But he did look back at Hydra, and he gave her a genuine smile this time. "I'm happy."

Liffey might not understand it but when they had come after him, even then, they'd come after him as one. He'd been traveling so long, and kept apart so long by distance and by habit, that he'd forgotten how good it felt to run with a pack and have friends his age who were going to stick around. He wanted in, and now he had a chance to be in. And now he and Liffey could hang out all they wanted, without fear of her looking bad because of it.