What hurts the most

He slowly but inevitably regained control of himself, and the tears stilled. He didn’t like to cry in front of his children, but he treasured this moment with Charlie. This closeness, and the way parts of his scent held markers of Zee. He was family, and there was nothing the Warlord wouldn’t do for him. “Thank you, Charlie. For hearing me out. But this isn’t your burden to carry, and it’s important that you remember that your brother loves you. What transpired was between me and him. At the end of the day, you have full rights to seek him out, to hear his side of things. If that brings you near the Raiders Hollow, so be it. Just know that I will come and get you if they decide to keep you” He removed his head from his son’s shoulder and kissed somewhere around his forehead.

Talk of Zee threatened to send him over again, but he swallowed it back. Once was enough, or he feared he would fall apart completely. “You do enough, Charlie. You ease my pain simply by being you, and I’m so proud of who you’ve become” He said, meaning every word. The Warlord was an old man, and soon this last litter of his would be without both their parents. How would his children fare? He worried how much time he had left, and if he would ever get the chance to fix this rift between himself and Dread.


"Speech"