Winter relaxed slowly, eventually letting go of his fears a little and settling against the Phouka with a bit more calm in his bones.

"I love you Phouka. ...We should stay. I just don't know if I will be as joyful as I hoped I'd be. I feel a need to be cautious, Phouka. ...I don't want my pain or my fears to infect the others. That's all."