“Can I hold you? Do you want that, or—?” “Please,” Velasin whispered, and as Cae pulled him close, he clung to him and sobbed, his shoulders shaking violently. Cae soothed him as he might a grieving soldier, by breathing in deep and out again, the rhythm steadying both of them. Later, he could be angry, but right now, he was calm, calm, calm, and little by little, Velasin came back to himself, until his sobs were nothing but breath, and the only tears left were cold.
