we swam the evening away

Indigo was becoming more talented with shutting everything out but the present moment. He felt better when the past and the future didn’t exist, just the beauty and wonder of the moment. Living in the moment was more exciting as he explored the island with Duchess, and explored Duchess on the island. She met him in the kiss, as he leaned down she lifted up and their lips met easily. He fell into her affection, blissful and pure as the clear sky above them. They kissed for a long moment but neither really pressed any deeper than that. Duchess pulled away slightly so she could rest her head on his arm. Her dual toned gaze sought the depths of his own, like she could see through him and deeper into his mind and soul.

She uttered his name and lowered her eyes to where her paw was placed over his physical heart. Had he not lived the past he had Indigo should have felt intense pulsations of excitement and wonder as he guessed at her next words. Instead he was suddenly confronted with the vast empty space he always hid. Especially from himself. Indy held back a real gasp of surprise at the sudden emotional bottoming out after enjoying such intense emotions with the girl in his arms.

”Duchess,” he returned softly as she uttered those three words he’d wondered for so long now if she felt. ”Naiche told me he loved me.” Indigo closed his eyes and willed himself back to moments ago when everything was perfect. Before he realized what he was really doing. His selfish ways were swiftly catching up with him. There was nothing he could say to her words that would satisfy what she wanted to hear in return. He was never good at hiding the truth.

”I... love you too,” he did, in his own way. There was only one that held to his heart though. ”But, you know there is no heart inside my chest to give you.” He felt guilty suddenly, he’d been leading her on when he’d been so negligent. ”Do you want the full truth?” He asked her quietly, after long averting his gaze ashamedly. He’d told Segin so easily, now he was cursing himself for holding back so long from Duchess.