"I know," he whispers again. The hand on Cullen's back rubs a slow, gentle circle. "It's absurd. It isn't fair. This entire trend can drop straight into the Void."

He kisses Cullen's temple.

"But you don't have to endure it alone." Striving for lightness, "And this gives us even more reason to get a mabari or two: should it happen again, we can yell, 'Barkspawn! Attack!' and know the situation's in good hands. Or paws, I suppose."