Just Sleep

Ears lifted only slightly to hear his voice. She remained silent, taking in the calm that was slowly filling her. His presence was all she needed, he was all she needed it seemed, especially in these times. For it was not her family nor her non-existent friends that were there for her, no. But this man, this good hearted man with the pure soul, the one with the drive to keep going that was here for her. Even in the short time of meeting, even though she had just walked into a place not knowing he was here, it seemed fate would bring them together. Bring her close to someone who went through the things she had in life. She felt selfish for a moment, because she didn't want him to leave. Didn't want him to go away or disappear. But was that really selfish? Was it selfish to want to keep beside you what your heart craved so much? Perhaps so. But it was in her momentary selfishness she felt...happy. Her eyes would squeeze tightly together, taking comfort and safety within the warmth of his fur as she listened to his heart beat. It was real, it was not a dream. And if it was a dream after all, she hoped to never wake up. This is what she needed...he is what she needed in her life.



Her eyes opened slowly, almost tiredly as he shifted closer to her. His form pressing into hers, it surprised her really. It was not something she had expected, but she did not object nor move away. The rise and fall of his breathing helped to soothe her, the sound of his heart beating within her ears, and as he placed his head upon her own she would press tightly against him. Eyes closing once more as the man gave her everything she had once hoped for. She felt just the smallest drop upon her foreleg, a tear shed by the hardships and everything else he had endured. "We all stand paw in paw. This world's content is what we choose to make it. So we can't ever give up trying to make something better than what we found. That is the proper way to live." All night, his words had never been truer. She had never heard things said the way he had, if at all. She had been alone for so long, abandoned by society and left to be forgotten. Another soul in the world who drifted aimlessly in the void filled by nothing less then darkness. She had been in turmoil for so long, filled with no emotions other then pain, loneliness, regret, rage, self loathing, and self pity. And yet, all of that melted away in the span of a single night...who knew it could have happened. She would have never expected something this good, this divine and serene to happen to her if at all that were a remote possible chance.



Through the warmth of his fur and the soothing sound of his heart beat, she would murmur in agreement to his previous words. He was right. He had been this entire time, and there was no denying it. For what would she gain by remaining in the same dark hole she had been in for almost two years? Nothing. What would she gain by remaining weak? Nothing. And yet, tonight she would feel like she could gain anything and everything. Thanks to him. She could feel a tug at her lips, for the first time in a long time, her soul wanting to smile. And yet, she fought it. Was it right to do so now? Yes. Her mind would answer for her. And yet, before she could he would talk to her again, the voice she found peace in would ask her something she'd never expect from anyone. "Will you stay? Maybe we can walk our common road together for a little while." It sounded simple, and yet her heart managed to skip a beat in that simplicity. There was a reason he asked, and yet she would not question it. Everyone needed another to guide them in this world, to pick them up when they've fallen down. To give company and companionship, and yet there was more. His question had been more then that, and it was in her time of thought that the smile that had begun to appear, would grow without hesitation. Slowly, she lifted her head, trailing her muzzle against him as she did so. Her fiery amber gaze no longer looked dull and defeated, but sparkling bright and strong. Her muzzle was mere inches from his, and as she looked at him she was assured that his question was true. "I will stay, Newol. For as long as you need me to."



Her words were complete truth. And she knew she would do her parents proud by this decision. They had been true and honest to one another, and she felt that the same held true for her and Newol. It wasn't a spur of the moment decision, not something brought on by an act of weakness or the sense to feel like she belonged. But a feeling in her heart, a feeling that this would grow to be something true and selfless. A feeling she would always hold dear, a feeling that would never fade. Her heart pounded loudly it seemed, within her ears. She didn't feel nervous or afraid, her voice had spoken natural words that held no hesitance or insecurity or fear. She was ready to walk down the path of light, to stray away from the darkness that had gripped her for so long. Delicately, she reached out to him. Her muzzle brushing against his own in a sort of "thank you" and yet, it seemed to hold more then that. Of what, she couldn't quite tell. She was grateful to have come across him, and yet there was more then just that. When she looked into his green eyes, her heart seemed to jump, beating almost maniacally within the confines of her chest. His touch brought a fire to her skin, her tummy wriggling with a feeling she'd not felt before. Like a thousand little butterflies fluttered within her. Was this what sudden love felt like? Or was it just a plague of her imagination leading her to believe it? She would immediately discard the latter; this was real. If it wasn't, then hell if she knew what real love was. If it turned out to be no more then a dream, she never wanted to wake. Her answer to him had been simple, but full of much more then what she thought. "We'll walk our path together, Newol. For I believe our paths crossed for a reason, and it is this reason."