Words piled on words and Nate felt himself compress with each new stone Cecil piled upon the rest.

Nate heard condemnations for his arrogance, and an old life Cecil longed for that he could never provide. Cecil talked like their faults in any way compared — but Nate wasn't sure. No one called Cecil chief, they hadn't accepted the burden of all that demanded and —

And the ice. You want me to be mad at you? Nate shook his head, I'm not. He was. I shouldn't have run. I gave you a reason to be scared, to feel like that was the only choice you had.

Nate's head jerked sharply, claws dug into the earth. That's on me. Only reason we're having this conversation at all is 'cause I — I messed it up, alright? Every moment along the way to here, if I did the leading, that's on me.

Somewhere between the words Nate had risen to his feet and stalked the waterline, No one deserves seein' it. Why in the hell would Nate want anyone, ever, to see this! Especially someone he cared about! He didn't have the words for it. Only, Or bein' put through it. From here out I am to be better, so you don't need to worry about me runnin' off or — anything like that.

Nate licked his lip, ears flat, Don't blame yourself, alright? Please.

The impulse to walk away before a fresh wave of tears could ruin bold words was mounting. ...I want you to stay. But I understand if you don't.