Every step filled him with dread as he traveled further and further from Aslatiel and the graves of his loved ones. His heart had bottomed out the moment he departed and left it behind with the one that he loved. He knew what he was returning to, more heartache and loss. His grandmother slowly dying in the dungeon beneath their feet. Indigo’s massive violet frame fully tensed as he crossed into Hallowed lands. He grit his teeth at the frustration he felt at the world. Like a hard drug he had drowned out everything for a time but now he was having withdrawals as reality returned and weighed fully on his broad shoulders.

Indigo was exhausted as he nearly stumbled into the castle and made his way to the room he’d claimed with Duchess and Colette. Only one was present when he finally returned, and Indy wasn’t sure he’d ever felt as grateful to see Duchess before. He needed his band aid for the sorrow that seemed to flow forever.

The young man had no words as he shuffled forward and collapsed against her smaller form. He felt like he had lost so much in the last week that there was little he could cling to. He was afraid and eager to wrap Duchess into his embrace. Suddenly scared that he would lose her as well. Everyone he loved was dropping around him and Indigo couldn’t stand it. Indy pushed past his hesitance and pulled the dainty girl to his chest and buried his features into her soft fur as he felt renewed grief now that he was allowed to show it.

Location: Amron's Castle Duchess had been napping as she found herself doing for most of the time Indigo was gone. She wasn't quite feeling herself even surrounded by the rest of the pack. Maybe that was why she wasn't quite feeling herself, or at least part of it. She was missing him, more than she should, maybe, not that she thought so. They hadn't known each other all that much or for that long but she found herself attached to him at an unhealthy degree. Sure it was probably nice at times, but now would come to show a not so great outcome of how much she cared for him. Maybe she was finding herself a bit depressed but she didn't really notice it. She was sleeping most of the day, not really finding a moment to think happy or spend time with others in the pack. Not wanting to be around the others wasn't really out of character for, but there was just something off about her for now. She hadn't noticed when the familiar steps entered the room while she was nearly stuck in a deep sleep. His massive form would come around her, and she carefully rolled with her chest facing into him. Her eyes fluttered while she was struggling to fully wake, "Indigo?" She muffled lightly, but internally she was incredibly happy to see him. He had some kind of aurora around him, a look on his face or a tone in his body, she couldn't really put her finger on it though. Or maybe it was just from not seeing him for so long, she really didn't know. She pressed her cheek into his, almost trying to hug around his face with her own face and scruff the best she could, it wasn't easy given their size differences. She took in his scent like they hadn't seen each other in ages, what he had done while he was away was hidden from her senses. She didn't notice an odd scent other than faint ones from being around his home pack and family. "What's wrong?" She whispered as she again gently pushed her cheek into his, closing her own eyes wishing she could pull the strange and unnerving feeling from him and on to her. Walk "Talk" Think

He hadn’t even noticed that he’d disturbed her sleep, the thought never crossed his mind, selfishly. She didn’t resist his grasp however, and as he pulled her out of sleep she curled against his chest. She uttered his name sleepily, her dreamy innocence only further caused his chest to ache. She had been here waiting for him, only aware of the looming loss of his grandmother. After he had left her here so abruptly she still remained diligent, waiting the long days until this moment of his return. He held her, and he held her too much like Aslatiel. He was reminded further of the distance he was from her, and the poor substitute he was making of Duchess. His tired mind didn’t let him dwell on his folly, he wasn’t strong enough. He needed her, maybe more than she needed him.

Being together, finally, was supposed to make everything better but Indigo had only felt even worse when he tore himself apart from Aslatiel. He’d pulled himself in two again, but the hurt intensified. He hadn’t had Duchess for very long, they hardly knew one another in the larger scope of their lives. Still, she could sense the difference in him as he held her. She knew that he was carrying more than his usual share.

Indigo hadn’t realized it but tears began to fall from his blue eyes and he tried to blink them back even as they fell. So much had happened in those few short days away. ”My father found the bodies of my mother and one of my brothers.” He told her first, their loss was heavy on his heart. Especially the guilt and feeling of abandoning them in their last days. Mostly though, he felt the missing presence of Aslatiel. ”I didn’t want to leave my sister.” That was as close to the truth as he wished to skirt. He was secretive of the crippling love he had for Aslatiel, and scared that if he told her exactly what happened that Duchess would slip between his toes as well.

Her face came back gently to meet his gaze only to find him fighting through the tears. She really couldn't relate. She did know her parents for a short time and their abandonment was a loss in itself, but Indigo was feeling something much different, she understood that. These were wolves he cared about, true family. Not even the same as if Draco had died. And she knew she couldn't compare. She didn't shy from his brokenness, his insecurities, or anything he may have felt. Her paw rose up to gently brush the tears away one side of his cheek, they didn't go far with the amount. She let her paw rest gently there on his cheek a little until she went to wrap her legs into his mane for a hug, "I'm sorry." She couldn't imagine all he was going through. Resin was not doing well. A mother who was meant to nurture had been found dead, and sure he had other siblings but even the loss of one she knew had to be painful. She wouldn't really pick apart the mention of his sister specifically, if she was the only sister she felt there would have been some sort of protective feeling, especially from Indigo. Her head gently rolled into his mane as she still wanted to pull his emotions from him and onto her. She would have taken any burden from him. "I'll be here for you." She wasn't sure exactly what she could say, she was certain that there was nothing to say. Nothing could bring back who he had lost, and now there was a matter of waiting around for Resin on his shoulders. Walk "Talk" Think

There was nothing that could take Duchess from him in that moment, despite the emotions that filled him and spilled over. Duchess pressed herself closer to him, and gently lifted a paw to his dampened cheek. His bright blue eyes blinked back his tears as he gazed into her dual toned eyes. Her innocent smile soothed him, but the way she pressed against him and pulled him into a deeper embrace only further his yearning for Aslatiel. Duchess was sweet and warm. She tried so hard to sooth the festering emotions, her gentle voice coaxing him to relax.

Her embrace was loving, unconditionally so. Even after everything he’d done already. After Aslatiel told him about Naiche he realized he was doing the same with Duchess. He was making her fall in love with him when he couldn’t say the same in return. Indigo loved Aslatiel with every fiber of his being, but he couldn’t have her. She felt the same in return, but neither could live an empty life alone either. Indy did truly care about Duchess, all he wanted was to see her smile after her own rough start to life. ”It’s not your fault.” He reassured her in turn, despite the emotions within.

Duchess held him tighter, wrapping her arms around his neck and curling her head beneath his chin. ”You’re too good to me.” He whispered back but squeezed her lightly, clinging as he struggled through. Maybe he was wrong about how she really felt. He couldn’t keep the thought of Aslatiel and Naiche together. An echo of these moments with Duchess. ”But don’t let go.” He whined quietly while the wound in his chest throbbed.

She wouldn't feel as he said, you're too good for me. She may have even felt the opposite. But if anything, the way she treated Indigo was just a way of life for her. Maybe it was a side effect of Draco's abuse though she would never admit that. She only wanted Indigo to feel love, by her or whoever. Definitely by her. And she could care less about her end of the stick. She too made an advance to hug him tighter as he did to her, keeping their embrace tight in an effort to drown what he was feeling. They hadn't been apart as long as Indigo and his sister had, not that she had known any extent of their relationship. But she felt like it had been so long since she had been with Indigo, inside she quivered from missing him so much. She still kept her silent promise as he asked for her to not let go. At first she just stayed there holding him tight with her head locked under his. Then she slowly pulled her neck back, her nose trailing the length of his jaw just so they wouldn't lose connection. Her lips moved gently across his whiskers and her eyes fluttered lightly as she went to look at his. She wouldn't go in to kiss him though, she wanted him to make that kind of decision. It didn't really feel right for her to bombard him when he was feeling this kind of loss in him. Walk "Talk" Think

She tried so hard to chase away the sorrow that held onto him so tight. He truly knew loss, and he hadn’t wished to do so any better. Seeing Rue ripped to pieces in front of him, being forced to confront the remains of his mother and brother, he had to stay strong with his grandmother slowly deteriorated into certain death. Being apart from the only wolf who truly knew and completed him. He didn’t have to focus on those hard truths and memories while he had Duchess here to comfort and chase it all away. There was no real solution to the empty cavity in his chest but she helped to soothe him and at least cover the gaping hole.

She held onto his neck tighter as he spoke and for a long moment, a moment that he desperately needed, she just held onto him like that. Pressed close and holding onto him like she would never let go. He very nearly pulled her back against him as she trailed her muzzle up his jaw line. She still held her arms around him, but she moved so their muzzles might touch and their eyes could meet. Duchess offered him everything she could, all of her love and affection silently given as she brushed against his muzzle and gazed up at him.

Still exhausted and near delirious Indigo let himself get wrapped up in her, the corners of his lips pulled back in the hint of a grin. There were no words to be said or actions to be done that could save him from the strife that haunted him. All she had to offer was her affection. Normally he wouldn't hesitate to accept and return her kisses, but as she paused he was grateful for the respect she had for him and the loss he felt. He was weak and couldn’t help himself as he closed the distance between them and brushed his lips against hers.

She easily let Indigo take what he needed, their lips danced together as they had many times before but there was that strange emotion behind Indigo that followed him in this moment. Duchess only assumed it was related to the loss he felt and the patch she was giving him for now. She would have gladly given anything he needed, anything he wanted. Even with her own demons there to haunt her. She continued to let Indigo indulge in their kisses as passionately as he wanted. She missed this. She needed the affections just as he did. She felt an emptiness almost the same as when Draco left her, but Indigo came back. She did pull her mouth gently from his, trailing a few nibbles into his cheek before whispering, "I'll always be here for you Indigo, whatever you need." She had no intent with her words, but she felt like it was meant to be heard. Because it was true. Duchess may not have been ready for the next step if Indigo showed that interest, but she would have chocked down the anxiety for him. She wasn't expecting to him to turn in that direction, but she also wasn't aware of what else he had lost, or gained, while he was back home with family. And Duchess knew there would be a day they had to break down the barrier. She clung on to him, the top of her head pushing back at his throat, "I missed you." She admitted, but didn't let herself get too emotional. She wanted this to stay his moment, for the loss of his family members. Walk "Talk" Think

Kissing her was relieving and harmful at the same time. Indigo wasn’t sure why he expected to taste Aslatiel’s lips when he leaned forward, but the difference was certainly present in his mind. He didn’t react outwardly but he felt the pulse of loss inside all the same. Duchess had no hesitation, she easily fell into the gentle need Indigo had. Her mirroring of his slow but passionate affection urged him onwards. When he found himself at his lowest low Duch helped him to realize there was only one way to go and that was upward.


She caused a now familiar jolt to race over his skin as her gentle nibbles caressed his cheek. The shock sent a strange wave of desire through his whole body, but even as he held her all he wanted was Asla. Duchess spoke softly, a sweet promise assuring him that she was his, she would do absolutely anything , whatever he needed. She couldn’t become his sister though. Indigo cared for Duchess and about her, he wanted her wrapped up in him like this. He needed her curled up beside him like this. ”Thank you, Duchess.” Indy told her softly as he rested his head against the plush furs beneath him.

There was excitement in their reunion, but Indigo felt his exhaustion pulling at his mind and body. The young man had been through too much in too short of a time. He was still processing everything and trying to wade through his difficult emotions. Duchess pressed into him affectionately and confessed to him softly. He felt the corners of his lips pull back into a slight smile. She wasn’t Aslatiel but she cared about him too, and she was warm and affectionate. Everything he needed. ”I missed you too,” maybe not near as much as the inverse though. He’d hardly let Asla away from his side the whole time he had been gone, there wasn’t much time to think about the girl he’d left here.

Indy hugged her again, and settled further into the bed beneath them. He was too tired to think much more. ”Stay with me here? Until I fall asleep?” He asked her almost hesitantly as his eyes blinked closed. He hoped with her beside him that his nightmares wouldn’t harass his wounded mind.

His own reassurance meant maybe little to her. She expected him to feel the same way, the same way as her. And she expected him to voice it back too. She was entirely oblivious to what his heart truly desired. She looked past his instinct to pull in the wounded hearts, the other young woman that shared their den she looked over greatly. She may have been naive to the thought, and especially to what was coming to her. Indigo asked her to stay with him, she would not reject. She wanted his hold as much as he did. She needed to make up for the time they had apart. "Always." She insisted and meant it. She didn't ever want to think of a day that she wouldn't be there for Indigo. She understood the reasons of him going back home even beyond the importance of the funeral. She wouldn't mind if it was simply to visit his family, but she was wishing that one day he would take her with him. Maybe she expected that too, not that she would beg to do so. She understood his boundaries no matter how deeply she felt for him. She placed a meaningful kiss under his chin while he had made himself comfortable to go to sleep, and then her cheek rested gently on his chest while she continued to hold him and comfort him. She wouldn't remove herself until he was ready. Whether that was minutes or hours, or tomorrow. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo was collecting lost souls because he was one himself, maybe physically stronger than some of those brought into the fold. He felt like mentally he was falling apart, right here and right now in Duch’s soft arms. She promised him always, always here to hold him while he suffered through life’s twists and turns. The highs and the lows, especially the lows. Indigo hadn’t felt so lowly in his entire life, not through anything he’d been through so far. All of it piled on now and he wasn’t sure he could find his strength to make a stand again.

Duchess curled under his chin and held him more tightly, another reassurance she was going to be there. He’d have her presence to count on. Always. He knew that she couldn’t have been comfortable while he was away, but he’d been rushed to the point he hadn’t even thought to bring the girls along with him. Indigo sighed contentedly as she pressed her cheek to his and settled in with him. Her grasp still around his neck and her adoration comforted him. He ignored what he might do to her once or if, the truth was ever revealed. Especially when she realized his devotion to Asla.

The thoughts were quickly chased away as his senses filled with her. Duch’s scent, the sound of her breathing in his ear, the warmth of her and the feeling of her small form in his massive arms. There was no cure for the sickness inside of him but Duchess alleviate his symptoms enough to lull him into a deep and dreamless sleep.