It seems that he's gotten through to Sunjata, causing Koa to breathe no small sigh of relief. What he would have done if the demigod truly broke is beyond him; there is only so much support he can imagine offering a man a decade his senior with a life three times as complex. At least the kitten seems oblivious to the adrenaline now subsiding from both men's hearts, evidently more than content to snuggle against Sunjata's chest. It makes Koa's own chest tighten in recognition, his grip on the dragonling - both physical and emotional - strengthening in response.
He stands up alongside the Flood, Pip now purring against his neck. "I think so," Koa answers softly, fingers stroking that oil-slick fur. "Shaken, mostly. Gods, I don't know what I would have done if--"
But he can't even bring himself to say it, throat closing tight around the words. All he can do is cough to clear it, copper eyes blinking rapidly against tears that threaten to be shed.
"What about... her? And you?"
He stands up alongside the Flood, Pip now purring against his neck. "I think so," Koa answers softly, fingers stroking that oil-slick fur. "Shaken, mostly. Gods, I don't know what I would have done if--"
But he can't even bring himself to say it, throat closing tight around the words. All he can do is cough to clear it, copper eyes blinking rapidly against tears that threaten to be shed.
"What about... her? And you?"
be love in its disrepute,
scorches the hillside and salts every root
