Novacaine

Mariah's touch and reassurance enveloped Caedes as she held him close, her presence offering solace to the beaten-down man. She acknowledged both his strength and his regrets, affirming that they were signs of his deep love and loyalty. It was hard for the brute to see the hope she saw in his convictions, impossible even at the moment. Each word, while comforting, also echoed in his head like a reminder of all he couldn’t quite believe about himself. He trembled slightly, the weight of his own doubts pressing heavily on his chest.

As Mariah guided him back down to her bed to rest, her actions spoke of a deep care and understanding. It had been so long since Caedes had allowed himself to truly relax, to be vulnerable and unguarded with someone other than his sister. Her warmth and proximity offered a comfort so rare, encouraging him to lower his defenses and accept the much-needed reprieve. Yet, as he lay down, a tension remained in his shoulders, a physical manifestation of his reluctance to fully let go, his muscles tight and coiled, ready to spring into action if needed. The way he accused himself of being useless for.

Nestled against her, Caedes felt the contrast between his own hardened form and her gentle softness. They fit together perfectly, her slight figure complementing his sturdy one. Her fingers gently traced patterns across his fur, each touch soothing his ragged nerves, yet part of him resisted the calm, his mind racing with thoughts of all that had gone wrong, all that he could have done differently.

Lying there, with the rhythm of her breathing and the steady beat of her heart against his ear, Caedes found a moment of peace. A slice of heaven within her embrace. He whispered his love and gratitude to Mariah, his words raw with emotion. He expressed how her perception of him—as someone strong and capable—fueled his desire to live up to that image, despite the shadows of his past. Still, an inner voice nagged at him, whispering of failures and weaknesses, making him flinch internally with every beat of his heart that seemed too loud, too alive in the silence.

In the quiet of the morning, with Mariah's reassurance still lingering in the air, Caedes allowed himself to drift into sleep. His breathing finally slowed, though his brows furrowed occasionally, a sign of the struggles within even as he sought refuge in rest. His hand unconsciously gripped her flesh, seeking reassurance even in sleep, a lifeline to tether him to the present, to the peace she offered amidst the turmoil that haunted him.


[exit caedes via sleep]