Another part of the woods, Saturday early evening

[banikslaveboy]

There had been cupcakes and talking. Mostly talking. Zhaan had said she wanted to know what had happened with him and so Stark had tried to tell her all of it. And there was a lot to tell. And there was so much to say that wasn't just retelling what had happened since last he saw Zhaan. So much to do. More than could possibly have fit into the all-

Comments

[bluefrombeyond]

"You continue to say such things," Zhaan said, in her calm soothing voice. "Surely there are a few friends in this wide universe for you."

She knew what he meant, but she also knew that she wanted him to be happy and not to wallow in the sorrow.

[banikslaveboy]

"Friends," Stark replied, "are not the same thing as you. They never could be. You know that. There are no replacements. No one even close. Ever."