I will

rise up

in spite of the ache

Tobias had always been a strange creature, one that Henry had never really understood. In fact, he can't remember a time when he actually tried. Most times, it was just easier to ignore the beta than it was to attempt to understand him. He might not ever understand just how the man came to be Tet's right hand. He was an odd duck, a strange pick. There was a reason, he was sure of it, but he didn't really care (nor desire) to know it.

But even still, the words that came out of the beta's mouth still puzzled him. He had to stop and think if he had asked some sort of strange request. Tobias just stood there, watching his offspring eat his shoelaces. But no words came. He sighed. The only conclusion was that Tobi had taken the words quite literally. Henry should probably remember to be more literal next time, but that would require him to remember to do such an act. Lately, Henry didn't care about much so it was rather unlikely he would remember. He supposed he would just be thrust into another awkward interaction once again in the future.

However, what peaked his interest was the way that Tobias stated, rather matter-of-factly, that he would like if his shoelaces died. He could only assumed that he also would much rather Henry go barefoot. While Henry's feet weren't the softest or most manicured, they were at least clean and relatively free of callouses. Henry was not ready to toughen his feet as if he was going to be some star on Naked and Afraid (though, he must admit, might be fun). "Unlike you, I prefer shoes on my feet." It was then that he removed the laces from the infant's mouth, carefully. After all, he might not be the best or most natural around infants, but he knew enough to be gentile with them.

The child, as expected, began to wail at the sudden removal of his makeshift toy. Henry scowled as the high-pitched cries began. Clearly Tobias felt he same because as Henry looked up at him, he could see the way the beta had his hands over his ears. The way he stumbled back, however, was odd. His kid was crying and he would be asking for a miracle if he expected Henry to stop the child's wailing. Stopping crying babies was definitely not a skillset he had.

Thankfully, however, the bear he handed the child seemed to calm him. Whoever's bear this was, was certainly not going to get it back intact. The child, it seemed, preferred to chew and drool all over the stuffie and honestly, Henry didn't care. Someone had left it in his room and he was going to use it to his advantage.

While Henry's question about how big the child had gotten was more rhetorical than anything, he had forgotten that Tobias might just think it was legitimate question and answer it. In fact, that is exactly what he did. He supposed it was fine that he answered it. Henry could have assumed the child was growing because he was fed well. He supposed he was mostly reflecting on his own absence. He'd been distracted. He'd been so lost in his grief and anger that he really wasn't conscious of other things around him. The child's birth, his growth, none of it Henry remembered.

He watched as Tobias invited himself to sit on the floor next to the toddler. Henry kinda wanted to be left alone to his thoughts, but such a question might be deemed offensive. Clearly the father-son duo was more than content to spend their afternoon with him. He supposed it could be allowed. Tobi's question had him sighing with a shrug. "I guess so...for now at least." He wasn't sure he wanted to stay here in the yacht, but at the same time, he didn't really have anywhere else to go. He had more money than he knew what to do with. It wasn't an unreasonable idea for him to buy his own apartment or mansion. He could afford whatever he wanted. But despite the negative emotions surrounding the new Ark, there was something about being near pack that kept him close. He might not always put pack first or think of them fondly, but he couldn't deny the instinct to be near them.

But it was his next question that hit Henry like a bullet through his heart. He felt the way it the bullet of words seemed to shatter his heart into a million pieces. It was a sensitive topic to the were, one he didn't talk about often. Most people knew what happened with his boyfriend. Tobias, however, was probably naïve to the drama. He didn't seem like the type to care. "My mate does not want me anymore." It was a simple answer that had a much deeper meaning. The answer was like the tip of the iceberg, only a small portion visible from the surface. But deep below, it held a meaning that was far larger than could be discussed with someone of Tobi's level of intelligence. Henry wasn't sure he would understand or hell...care. So simply telling the man that his mare didn't want him anymore was perhaps the easiest answer. It didn't really offer much of an explanation, but it was truthful. "I don't want anyone else." These words, however, were said upon a whisper. Henry hadn't been sure they were even said out loud. And if they were, it was undecided whether or not the other would have heard them. But if he had, they were full of pain...a pain that the other might not understand.

Henry Tudor

I will rise a thousand times again