Never Too Late

Unable

Mastace didn't hear anyone walking in. He saw a shadow before he saw the one that cast it. He jolted right up, his eyes becoming wider than quarters. For a moment, complete terror ran through his entire body. Guard hairs rose and his first instinct was to lash out and attack the one who snuck up on him. It took only a split-second for him to see who it was that intruded his space and assess the level of danger this person was.

"Hey... Dad..." he said, unenthused.

"C'mon Mastace, be fair." the larger lion said.

"I know. You don't have to pretend like it didn't happen. I'm not six years old anymore. I can think for myself."

The elder lion's gaze fell to the floor, ashamed. "I'm sorry, son..."

"Sorry doesn't cut it anymore, Dad. Hasn't for a long time and you know this. We both saw that this was coming, and don't tell me you thought it was going to be different this time. I know how much I can trust your 'promises', and I know that you know, too. You can't hide from it any longer."

"Mastace..."

"No." Mastace crossed his arms and his ears laid flat against his head. "No, Dad. Enough. I have had enough. I won't let you make my life anymore difficult than you have already. I don't know how much longer it will be this time, but when the time does in fact come... You'll be going through the cycle again on your own this time. I'm not going to be there. I'm settling here. For good."

"Son..."

"This very well may be good-bye, Daniel. I hope that someday, down the road, you'll be able to kick this in the tail for good. You're just not in the right place at the moment, and as long as you stay this way... I am unable to help you."

Mastace walked out of the room and left his father there to ruminate properly on all he said... and that was assuming that he was clean during the discussion. He just needed to get out of there, and be alone with his own thoughts.