Hearing that makes him both sad and glad - well, it's a sad story, but with a happy ending, and there are precious few of those.

He wishes he could give Winter that kind of ending.

"That's - beyond wise," he admits, finally, smiling up at Rue. "I don't think a lot of people would realize that kind of thing for themselves.

He nods toward Winter. "He always put up with me, even when I was being a pain in the ass. I could always count on him. I let him down, badly, but I will spend the rest of my life trying to make it up to him, if he'll let me."