the heart wants

He drug a clawed toe through the dirt as Rhythm spoke. It was a good reason to be leaving and he hated it. Why? Because he couldn't argue against family, could he? If anything bad happened to any of his loved ones he'd be there in a heartbeat and there wasn't a person alive who could stop him. So even though he wanted her to stay he couldn't in good conscience argue for it.

...Or could he? Tyrian was quiet for several seconds as he stewed over the problem. Surely there was a solution that let him have his way without him having to stumble all over his stupid conscience. Why did someone have to up and die? That was so terribly inconvenient.

A sigh left his lips as he inwardly admitted defeat. He couldn't think of anything. Anything good, anyway. "I understand," Tyrian said quietly. "I would want to be with my family too." Gently he extricated himself from Rhythm's embrace and stepped back. The cool air on the warm places their fur had meshed chilled him in what was perhaps a taste of what it would be like once she was gone. Tyrian rubbed at one of the spots bitterly. Finally he admitted, "I'll miss you too. And I will visit - you can count on it."