Shake out your boots

His expression… simply put, shut down at the mention of his mate. The faint comfort in his expression that came from being around his wolf faded behind the blank lines of his face. He had come here to distract himself from the steady reminder the storm already gave him. Of the ways she used to curl against his side when the wind lashed and thunder roared. It had been during a storm that she had called him her best friend. Expressed her need for him. It had been for a storm that they had discovered a bond between them. He had loved storms, though he hadn’t liked the way they had frightened Zee. he had always enjoyed the fizz of power on his tongue and the static in his coat when a good one got going.

Now storms were pain. Pain, as Keahi’s words where. He looked away from her. Facing the sky, in whatever direction ensured his face was tilted away from Keahi’s. He would have kept their talk to the weather, patrols, and warm food. But perhaps he had no one but himself to blame. He had asked, not understanding the meaning behind her words. He couldn’t help the way he flinched when her name rolled off the tongues of others. He thought it might be a long time before he could say it without the hurt that accompanied it. A long time, like the rest of his life.

“It would be a kindness if we spoke of other things” He said gruffly. “Crux had expressed an interest in navigation. Would you speak to him, and shore up what little knowledge I could give him?”


"Sirius Fatalis"