Damaged Oddity

Shock held Xairo in its icy grip, numbing his senses and clouding his thoughts. It was a small mercy in the face of what he had endured, isolating him from the reality of his situation. Yet, as Absinth's familiar voice reached him, it cut through the fog encasing his mind. The gentle warmth in her tone brought a surge of emotions that threatened to spill over. He wanted to rush to her, bury himself in her warmth, and forget about the horrors of the day. But he couldn't. Not yet. He had to prove his worth. To show Sultan ... no, show himself that he was strong.

Drawing a shaky breath, he managed to lift his head, his piercing green eyes meeting Absinth's gentle gaze. His body protested the sudden movement, sending waves of pain radiating from the deep gashes on his flanks. But he ignored it, pushing himself to his legs and staggering forward, every step a defiant proclamation of his resilience. His fluffy cerulean coat was smeared with the dark red of his blood, creating a macabre contrast against their muted surroundings.

His eyes never left Absinth's as he limped towards her, each painful stride chipping away at the icy walls he'd erected around himself. The distance between them seemed to stretch on endlessly, an insurmountable gulf he had to bridge. But he would not falter. Not now. His gaze took in the straightness of her posture, the unflinching look in her eyes. “I’m sorry.” The words slipped out in a raw whisper before he could stop them, the pain in his eyes betraying the depth of his regret. His gaze flickered away from hers in that moment, stricken by a sudden, profound sense of shame.

"Xairo Saxe"