The male was tired. The adrenaline of witnessing what he had along with the trek to and from Iromar had almost entirely worn him out. He had managed a few words with Halcyon after receiving his rank, but, with Mugen in such terrible shape he could hardly celebrate. He had seen the male back to his den with a promise to check in on him later, wearily putting up with every sarcastic quip before turning tail and hurrying home. Little Xerxes had remained wide-eyed nearly the whole trip, shuffling close up against Viserys' paws, wanting to go home and forget all about what he had seen. He thought it only right he follow in his father's footsteps but perhaps he should have started with something a bit less traumatizing. To his credit, though, he walked with his head up, only diving to cower within the den once they returned home.

Viserys glanced at the entrance to the den, wanting to lay down and sleep desperately but knowing that it wasn't yet a possibility when he saw Ankh approaching. He huffed softly, lowering himself into a sit, hind legs sprawled out across the grass. Her quiet words earned her a curious glance before she continued. She had always been rash, selfish, even immature at times, he couldn't fault her for characteristics that couldn't be changed. "It's okay, Ankh." He said softly, voice gentle as if he were talking to one of their children. In truth he had been so weary that he hadn't paid much thought to Ankh's shameful avoidance, but it was in the past now.

"You cannot change the past. There's no use in wondering what you could have done differently. Mugen will pull through, the worst for him is over, I believe." His voice was still quiet, though in a more contemplative way. His brother was truly a hellion, and although he wanted to scorn him for what he had said in Iromar, Viserys knew that his personal philosophy wouldn't allow it. He could never let somebody die when he could potentially save them. That didn't mean he would make it easy, however. "I am most upset that you would rush in so haphazardly, I know you are rash my dear, but you do not have just yourself to worry about anymore." He sighed softly.

Viserys did not want her to think that he was angry, nor that he was more upset than his tiredness made him seem. "You are okay, though, and Mugen is likely going to be just fine. The bastard is too stubborn to die, I think... either that or even Hell doesn't want him." He gave Ankh a wry grin, shuffling forward and pressing his nose into her cheek, closing his eyes and breathing in her scent. "In all honesty," he murmured, moving his muzzle towards her ear. "Even if Mugen hadn't made it, I would feel okay knowing that you had."