look at the stars

He welcomed the opportunity to enjoy some fresh meat, and always cherished the chance to enjoy more time with his children. He knew his time left was short, and moments like these were all that he cared to spend energy on in his remaining hours, days, weeks, months- whatever remained. So he pulled down a few bottles of the good stuff and waited for whatever Valerian had brought for them to eat tonight. The velvet covered antlers of the young buck that his son dragged into the cave were still small, the early days of spring triggering them to start growing in again. He wondered if he could use them to carve a handle for a blade that his children might use. It would be better to get a hold of old antlers, from after the velvet was shed. They were easier to handle.

The pair ate in relative silence, enjoying the warm meat as it sat close to the small fire. Congealed blood began to flow like a river of wine from parted veins and arteries as the body remained by the flickering flames. This may have been one of the best meals he'd enjoyed in quite some time, so he greedily devoured whatever he could manage. His appetite had waned somewhat in his twilight years, but tonight he found himself tearing great chunks of flesh from the carcass with youthful abandon. He was only given pause by the small, tremulous voice of his son at his side. He lifted his attention from their meal, and saw the glassy eyes of his son pinning him in place over the shared banquet. The backwards tilt of his verdant ears, the tightness around his bloodied jowls. That was a familiar face, though one he hadn't seen in many seasons. A frightened young boy, who needed his father. He remained silent, waiting for Valerian to speak up again. A few simple words, but they were enough. I love you. He smiled at his boy, reaching across the meagre space between them to wrap a heavy foreleg around Val's neck and pull him close. To press a kiss to his cheek, leaving a smear of fresh blood across the dark violet fur from cheekbone to jaw where his tongue swiped over the broad planes of the boy's face. "I love you too, Valerian." he replied quietly. Then, he released his loose grip upon the boy's neck, settled back down in his place. The corners of his eyes crinkled as he gestured towards the remains of the buck. "Let's finish eating, and we can share a few drinks. You can tell me where you have visited since I last saw you." and their quiet dinner resumed, the tension in the air vanishing with each bite of fresh meat.