Lift Me Up, Let Me Go

They both knew Indigo would have wrapped her up in his arms and not let go had Aslatiel not been staying, but that was part of the problem wasn’t it. Aslatiel owned his heart, and Duchess wanted it for herself. He tried to ignore it, just act like the whole thing didn’t exist when he was apart from Asla, but now that he had both of them it was obvious who would always be the one he needed the most. She looked up at him and Indigo could feel the tension between them. Words unsaid and emotions suppressed. Still they were silent until Duch spoke about her upsets.

He could see the tears in her eyes, but she pressed on and spoke clearly. Indigo could hardly hear her past the first few words as everything clicked when she said nauseous. He froze there on the shore line, unable to move or breath as he processed what his brain was telling him, what Duchess was saying without saying. Had the herbs failed? Indigo wouldn’t believe that she had not taken them after they’d talked.

"Duchess…?” He whispered carefully, his heart barely beating and his lungs struggling for air. He wasn’t ready for this, the band wasn’t ready for this. They were heading into Winter, how were they supposed to raise pups on the road and in the snow? These panicked thoughts raced through his mind but the warmer ones, excitement, fulfillment, love.. Sank deeper and surrounded him. "”Duchess.” His voice was a bit more steady as he accepted his assumptions but the words didn’t fall from his lips. He was still holding out hope he was wrong.

"Speech"