Atonement

Many of his views changed drastically when he witnessed the birth and death of his puppies. No moment had been so profound as that, however close some moments could be counted. Nothing had hit him so hard, and he had thought for a moment he was going to die after Aslatiel left him. Losing them had put a lot of things in perspective, and as Aslatiel spoke another depreciating word he knew that she had learned a lot as well. What she had to do to Naiche… They’d both been through too much. "Shh,” he tried to brush away her worries but he knew from experience and his own struggle forgiveness from herself would come much more slowly than his.

She seemed soothed slightly, as he held her Indigo could feel her relax further into his chest. Aslatiel snuggled into the thick fur of his chest. His mane seemed to extend with every year he lived. By now it was beginning to thicken down his belly. He felt her stir again, and his deep blue eyes lowered to find her brilliant violet sky gaze. Almost hesitantly she looked up and sweetly kissed his chin. Then her delicate toes reached up to take his cheeks, and slowly to savor every second she leaned in to press her lips to his.

All at once the world was as it should be again. There were still challenges, there was still sorrow, but the subtle shift back to true brought relief he hadn’t felt in a very long time. Aslatiel gave him his fire back, she brought the spark and reignited the flames within. He’d been hollow for too long. Feeling the heat again Indigo could pour his affection into their kiss. Deep and as essential as the air he breathed. She pulled away eventually when the both of them needed a breath.

Aslatiel spoke words he felt keenly. He had missed her, he’d had to face a future where she wasn’t in it. He’d been torn apart because of it. He smiled into her sweet kisses, she spoke in between, nearly pleading he’d remain with her. "I will.” He promised her quietly. They could be together, they didn’t have to avoid each other, they didn’t have to hide. They spent far too much time apart. "I never want to let you go again.” Indigo whispered to her as he held her tighter in his arms and wrapped hie neck around hers, burning his muzzle in her scruff.

He breathed her in, remembering just what he had lost. She returned to him, and patched up the massive hole that had been festering through his chest. So much had happened, he was so different now, but still she fit against him like she had since birth. "I always knew you belonged right here.” The soft whisper fell from his lips, as he nuzzled against her fur. He pulled back reluctantly, if only so he could claim her lips again. He loved truly and deeply and the love he had for her outshone everything else.

"Speech"