everything you touch turns to dust

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.