what have i found

Duchess leaned into him easily as he pulled her closer, unknowingly seeking out her comfort as she pressed herself against him. There was a chill wind from the ocean that played with their fur, but all the boy could focus on was the warmth he felt from Duchess, surface deep was easiest to feel. Where their fur mingled and they shared heat, but also deeper. Like the hole in his chest was woven over with delicate silk. Woven expertly by the dainty woman he held onto. As much as his own mind was reeling he could tell that Duchess felt the same way, just trying to comprehend the girl he found left him speechless.

They were silent for a long moment after Indigo initiated the conversation, Duchess gathered her thoughts and Indigo tried to settle his mind. He just wished that Gypsy could open up and realize she was safe now, but Indigo was also aware of how much damage they needed to heal before that was possible. They were on the right path, she actually looked peaceful when she finally fell asleep. One good night was far from adequate though, there was much more progress to be made.

Indigo knew that he could be open with Duchess about the emotions he had building inside, but he hid his secrets even from her. The longer he hid himself the harder it was to tell her everything. She deserved to know about Aslatiel and his heart after everything they had been through together, and yet he still hadn’t said a word. There was so much on his mind, so much loss he was trying to process and deal with. It was all just easier to focus on someone else’s pain, in a twisted way knowing someone suffered more than him helped buoy the young Fatalis.

Dark ears fell back against his skull as Duchess spoke up, her own observations aligning exactly with Indigo’s suspicions. Gypsy lived a terrible life, worse even than could be first guessed. ”Are they?” He whispered softly as he focused on her gentle reassurances. His calm demeanor no indication of the whirlwind of emotions that consumed his insides. Duch went on hesitantly, she captured his whole attention. Unable to hide that which was beneath any longer Indigo averted his head and huge cat like claws extended into the sand. Looking like he had been physically struck by the idea put in his head. Abused like Duch, but undoubtedly worse. Indigo grit his teeth as he growled involuntarily. ”No one will ever touch her again.” It was all he could do was change the course of the future but never change the past.