i met you in the dark

He was at least happy to hear that he had been on the right track - though he honestly couldn't’ remember if he had cleaned them first or not. Surely he had, but his mind had been too far removed from his current state to know. Indigo’s tongue was gentle as he began to clean his paw pads and he watched as the violet healer showed his careful expertise. The closeness of his large form wrapped around his and the gentle lapping of cleansing licks made his ears fold back shyly against his skull, a flush pulling across his face that was hidden under dark fur and the shadows of the cave.

“Yes… Every day since I left…” His voice was quiet and he did his best to keep a breathiness out of his tone despite the mad tangling of emotions twisting in his stomach. His words trailed off, unsure of what he should say and what he shouldn't. He wondered if Indigo knew what he had done, what he had caused, if he would look at him any differently. The words caught in his throat while he quietly watched Indigro apply a paste to his wounds, sealing up his injured paws so that they could begin to heal. He had never really allowed himself to be cared for like this, but with Indigo it was easy. He had such a calming presence, but it also felt like a kindred spirit. Someone that seemed to understand how he was feeling and what he needed with just a look.

The dampness of his coat and the chill that continued to try to sneak into him anywhere they weren’t touching was forgotten, a different warmth spreading through him as he watched Indigo massage the paste of herbs into his paws. A warmth he hadn’t felt since the last night he had spent with his half brother. He found himself leaning more into the larger male’s frame, nuzzling into the heavy mane around Indigo’s neck, though he wouldn’t pull his paws away until the healer was finished with them. “Thank you,” he mentioned softly again. He knew he wasn’t thinking clearly, his thoughts too twisted by hunger and exhaustion and the first kindness he had experienced in possibly his entire life to fully know what he should be doing, but that didn’t stop him from leaning forward and pressing a grateful kiss to Indigo’s cheek, his ears flicking back as he shared the small bit of affection.