book 2: ghosts

He sees the tears that brim around her eyes. Listens to the whimpers that elevate her ribs in a quick fashion. Concern laces his expression as he curls tighter around her. Gil knows not to wake someone in the middle of something such as this. His own experience of night terrors had been harrowing. It was not something he wished upon even his greatest enemy.

Thankfully, she awakes soon. Clutching to him as she buries her face into his neck fur. A soothing rumble leaves him as he encircles her and places his muzzle over the small of her back. "Do not apologize," he mumbles as he stares at the fire that crackled quietly beside them. "You are safe now," the whisper is breathless as he allows his eyes to close.

"speech"