Shady

“Then I hope you can find your peace on your own,” Aleth said with a nod. “Sometimes our fathers know nothing at all. And it’s up to us to become ...

(Yeahhh that’s rough… tryna think if Aleth would probe or let it be lol) “I’m sorry,” Aleth said sympathetically. “I do hope your father comes around to learning to accept ...

Aleth glanced at him out of the corner of his eye. Was he-she?- trans? “I’m glad your uncle supports who you are, even though your father may not.”

“And what did he say about that?” Aleth still wasn’t sure what that was, but he’d take any hints he could get.

“Probably a good call,” Aleth agreed. “Has your uncle said anything to you?”

“I’d love to,” Aleth answered, falling into stride next to the boy. “What does your father think of all of this?”

“Ah.” Aleth buried his hands in his pockets. “Must be tough to be caught in the middle.”

“What was she saying?” Aleth asked.

“Do you know where she went?”

“No,” Aleth answered, following him inside. He paused to shut and latch the door, shivering slightly. “I’ve only recently come up this way… still adapting to this cold. Have you ...

(Ah okay!) “Sensible,” Aleth said. He stepped back and pulled the door open for the boy. “It is bitterly cold today.”

(I can’t remember how they fit into all this. Is his dad a lord?) “Who knows what the future may hold?” Aleth mused.

“Okay,” Aleth answered soothingly. “Do you think you might become whoever it is, in the future?”

Aleth eyed him. The lad seemed unwell. “Because you don’t know, or you can’t share?”

“Who do you wish you were?”