Solitaire isn't giving ground in this. The wolf had a mask like his, and he remembers the markings enough to know who it is, even half submerged under water. That's enough. Plus, Solitaire didn't think he was soheartless as to let just anyone else die, either, if he could help it without too much self risk. Then again, this was putting himself at risk to a point, wasn't it? He could always lose balance and fall in. Of course when it was Tristan, Solitaire was not going to just let go if he started to slip. Someone else he didn't know.. he might.. but how would he know if not in that situation?

He liked to think better of himself, but survival was a big thing too. He had already done things to regret to stay alive, so what would one more thing to 'slip' on be? Doesn't mean he liked that part about himself, though. He had enough trauma in his life that he hadn't been able to just come back until now. How could he face them all with all he had done? When he wasn't even allowed into the pack he had been born into, because there was a new leader? How many failures was he to endure before he caught a break? This was what he wanted.. to be accepted by family again.. to live amoung them.

At least the thoughts are short lived, because it worked, grabbing Tristan and pulling him out of the river. Solitaire's lungs felt heavy and deflated to a degree from the exertion, but he was glad that Tristan was back on dry land again. And with the furball the male tried to pull out. Dead furball, not even a pup or anything meaningful. Still.. could have been, right? Not that Solitaire thought he would have jumped in for it, but.. he didn't have to tell anyone that fact. No one had to know all of his secrets. It was better that way, though. He wasn't sure what they'd all say. He didn't want to hear it, either.

Yeah, the whole coughing fit was uncomfortable, but Solitaire was quiet and waiting. Looking at Tristan when the male spoke, thanking him. He nodded silently, giving a small smile. Did his brother even recognize him? There was something in his eyes, so maybe.. then blinking, and Solitaire was holding his breath, not sure how to feel in the passing seconds of not knowing. But then Tristan was getting up, wagging his tail.. and finally saying Soli's name. To which Solitaire was nodding rapidly, happily. Half wiggling at the shoulders and hips from how good it felt to be recognized by his brother.

He felt the nudge to his shoulder and made a pleased sound. "Yeah, it's me. I'm here." He responded softly, his own tail swaying slowly behind him. More words, and Solitaire felt all warm inside. At least Tristan wasn't being angry at him for not having been here all this time. Well. At least wasn't being externally that way and verbally -- or otherwise -- attacking him. Good things. Tristan was asking more things and Solitaire waited, letting it all sink in, waiting to say what had happened, what he needed to say. It didn't mean he had a good excuse for it, but for his own emotional state, it felt real.

One thing at a time. One part of the questions and then the next and so forth. "This is the first place I came to, and that's the plan. No, she doesn't know yet." He shrugs a little; that wasn't it, but Solitaire had to take a breath to continue on with what he had in mind to say. "Hopefully I can stick around.. wasn't allowed to last time, with that one alpha.. I fought so hard to come back, and then.. I guess I just crumbled. I wasn't sure who to trust, and being cut off from family was too much after all that." It was all he could do to explain. Then the bit about Tristan's rabbit, and Solitaire can only raise a brow at his brother. Yeah. A rabbit. Solitaire can't help the chuckling that escapes his lips. He just can't.

[ male ] [ six ] [ unmated ] [ unimprinted ] [ loner ]