Indigo paced along beside Duchess, he felt for once like his heart was light and his sorrows were far away as he gently bumped against her smaller form during the walk. They had a long way to go but Indigo knew that Duchess would enjoy the place he sought to take her. They were walking a lot longer than he wanted, but at least he was in good company. A smile played on his features and his step was light as he allowed the spirit of vacation take hold of him. Indigo truly did want to bring the whole band this way eventually, but a dangerous island wasn’t somewhere he wanted to bring Gypsy without putting an eye to the area. He wanted everyone to have fun, especially the dainty woman.

So, he took Duchess along, an extra bonus for himself, and her, as they were allowed time alone together. The most difficult part of the trip was swimming across the channel to the beach on the other side. Indigo made sure Duchess was alright as they swam along, but as soon as he lifted himself up onto the sand he viciously shook his massive frame to rid himself of as much sea water as he could. He offered Duchess an apologetic glance if she hadn’t quite made it out of the way on time.

”Alright, this is it. What do you think?” He asked her quietly, pacing over to her side and nuzzling against her cheek affectionately. He was feeling the lack of alone time with her as much as the inverse was true. First he figured they would explore a bit, but there was that lingering desire that had been burning and snuffed for far too long. He’d only recently been given the all clear, and he was just as eager to show Duch how much he missed her.

Indigo had been all healed up now, but Duchess was still filled with worry that he wasn't. It was at the forefront of her mind the entire travel over to the island. A vacation and much needed alone time with him they had planned, maybe before he was completely healed up. She had known that Indigo had gone out with Segin during his healing, maybe Emersyn, but Duchess had spent more time with him at night than during the day.

They exited the ocean waters, Duchess shook quick which was easy with her small frame. But she was instantly hit with the spray of Indigo's massive shake. She wouldn't be mad, instead looking at him with a silly smirk as he looked at her, and then shaking again herself.

She moved into him when he approached her, taking in his affections that weren't much different than they were at the castle but they felt different while they hadn't been out together in so long. Her eyes opened, looking forward to the strong structures she couldn't quite see through the foliage and vegetation of the forests. She could see the different sizes of ships along the coast, some that had nearly sank and filled with the ocean entirely. She moved forward, her expression with a slight bit of awe, "It's beautiful Indigo."

She kept going on, she only eyed the ships from the sea. She had no interest in really jumping onboard, they didn't seem entirely safe to do so. But still, she admired them from the sands, looking up at one particular massive one with broken windows and a rusted hull.

She turned and moved towards the forest, starting her journey towards the buildings that had been taken over by nature, stopping a far distance with it just in her view, "I've never seen anything like this." It reminded her of the castle, but somehow it was much different. And with the wolves occupying the castle, it was being kept clean and maintained. These buildings looked like no one had lived here in centuries.

"Duchess"

Duchess is an !M rated! character for themes of Depression. Please Discord me if you have concerns.

He grinned as Duchess was forced to shake the water from her fur a second time, he hadn’t done it on purpose but there was a bit of amusement between them. She didn’t resist his affections though, not that they were any different than the every day. The setting made all the difference, however brief they were. The pair of them had much to explore, almost immediately Duchess followed her eyes, curiously and thoroughly with every step. He stayed close behind, his shoulders aligned with her hips as she inspected the mostly sunken vessels. A rare few still floated though, and that was intriguing enough.

”Like you are,” he mumbled softly, risking a touch at her hip, he buried his nose into the soft fur there. They walked onwards towards the forest and the structures beyond. They didn't seem near as sound as the castle was, but he wanted to look anyway. Duchess seemed to be of a similar mind. Walking would help dry his fur too. ”Lets get a closer look.” Indigo took a quick step forward, carefully aiming a kiss on her cheek before he tempted her forward after him. Long legs carried him up the beach and towards the entrance of the overgrown forest.

Duchess hadn't noticed as Indigo nearly stalked her, his mind clearly on other things, better things. Duchess had the same idea maybe, but as eager as she was to be with Indigo again, she still had that bit of worry in her. That he wasn't entirely better, that what they would do would hurt him again. And she did love Indigo for who he was, not just the sex. Maybe all this waiting was the testament of that. Almost everything she saw in Indigo was good and admirable. Well, except...

Duchess' lashes fell, looking at his frame up and down as he touched her hip and gave her a gentle kiss before moving forward, perhaps a dare to keep after him. She obliged with a gentle smile, a quiet exaggerated exhale when she moved forward.

Her neck craned as they stood before one of the buildings, vines and roots grew through the broken windows and along the side of the outside walls. Duchess didn't stand there long, going on through a set of doors off the hinges, broken and inoperable. It was dark when she first entered, and she felt a creeping unsettling feeling over her. She tried to work past it though, she knew there was a lot of things she was scared of but she wanted to be better for Indigo, and for the rest of the misfits. She moved through a giant open hall, covered with greenery that grew inside on the ground and up the supporting beams. She turned to Indigo, her face turning another small smile before moving into a stairwell ahead of them, climbing a few flights to another area that was open for them to explore.

This floor was a lot more divided, a small open area with a hallway which she followed. Some of the rooms were either empty with a few unique items along the floor, or some of the doors were caved in so they couldn't enter. When they came to the end of the hall, she turned into a room that actually had no roof, instead vines and foliage grew over the blown out part of the building. Sunlight still seeped through the cracks, it was a lot brighter than it was in the first hall they entered. And here, small multicolored flowers grew along the thick roots and vines.

"Duchess"

Duchess is an !M rated! character for themes of Depression. Please Discord me if you have concerns.

Maybe it was easier to discern where Indigo’s mind really was compared to what he was showing, his subtle affections not so subtle as Duchess watched after him. Now that he was healed there was a lot on his mind, like he told her not so long ago, his imagination was running away with him. The thought of how incredible their time together would be after withholding for so long. He tried to wrangle his desires, but having her snuggled against him every night, the temptation they both teased each other with, and the long journey here had Indigo strung tight. He behaved himself, but now that they were here Indigo just wanted to take hold of Duchess and refuse to let her go.

Indigo tossed his head back, catching Duchess out of the corner of his eye as he let her take the lead instead. He followed after her, only barely holding back teasing her some more as they entered the dark hallway and moved forward into the old structure. It was a whole different material to the stone castle they were used to. Bright blue eyes watched their surroundings, more looking for signs of threat than the landscape, even distracted his main goal was to keep Duchess safe. So far, it seemed like they were truly alone on this island.

Ducking theirs head in each room they could the couple were finally greeted with a beautiful place. The sunlight streamed into the room, the building had deteriorated enough to make the room seem like a garden. Beautiful flowers surrounded them, the greenery of the trees beyond made the room just as private as its fully protected brethren. That pesky thought remained at the back of his mind as he imagined all the fun he could have with Duchess in a beautiful place like this.

He slowly lowered his head and nuzzled into her ear, the simple affection slowly shifted from innocent as he nibbled suggestively at her jaw before trying to steal a deep kiss from her vibrant lips. With a lidded gaze and his shoulder leaning against her lightly, he thought himself quite smooth. He’d waited for so long while he was recovering, at the moment his focus was entirely on the beautiful woman beside him.

She turned to Indigo as they entered the room, but it seemed he was less interested in the beauty of the strange room and instead his focus was on her, at least from the moment she turned to look at him. She leaned into the suggestive nibbles, her head tilted up slightly allowing him the freedom to do as he pleased. Though, it was probably still apparent how much she was holding back.

He met her lips that were a little less tense as they shared the emotions they had locked inside them maybe not for really all that long but it did feel like an eternity to her. Indigo gently pushed at her, and he couldn’t be any more clear with what he wanted, she wanted it too.

Her paws rose up to his chest seeking for the kiss where they had left off and allowing him to slowly move over her while she clung to his mane. Her breaths were deep as they moved on, it was normal for them to take it slow and enjoy the moments before and more rare if they were ever in a hurry or too excited to just get it over with. It had to be one of those great things she admired about Indigo, he wanted to feel. And not in this moment but it had reminded her of what she was willing to give Draco and when she was uncomfortable he didn’t stop.

Duchess pulled away from him only for a quick second, revealing what had her set back from their time together if he had noticed, "Are you sure you’re okay?" Her fluttered lashes looking toward him with that bit of worry, but also begging him for more.

"Duchess"

Duchess is an !M rated! character for themes of Depression. Please Discord me if you have concerns.

The room was indeed beautiful, the flowers and the sunshine streaming through, but Indigo was easily distracted by the way the light played through Duch’s fur. Dapples and bright spotlights highlighted the gentle curves of her body and brightened the colors of her eyes. Despite his relative eagerness the dappled girl was receptive to his touch. She leaned into him and lifted her head in a silent offering of herself. Indigo grinned through his affection as he kissed her throat softly, but he could feel the tension beneath. He wasn’t sure if she was keeping to habit or continued to hold back to be certain he was fully healed before he was faced with too much excitement.

She kissed him back, again her hesitancy shone through but was overwhelmed by the deeper feeling of need. Indigo felt it too, he fed the flames and sparked the electricity that raced over his skin where her delicate paws wove through his mane. He leaned back onto his heels so he could better balance himself as he lifted his arm to wrap around her shoulders and hold her against his chest. The feeling of desire was finally one he no longer would be forced to resist. He was fully healed and he could finally yield to the building pressure the both of them felt. The feeling of her fur beneath his toes, and her lips on his changed so much from here compared to his time in bed. He remained slow and careful, well aware of her past, not wanting to make her feel discomfort anymore.

She pulled away from him only slightly, bringing her lidded gaze to meet his own, the last vestibules of reluctance were made known fully. She hesitated for his sake. ”Completely.” Knowing she didn’t hold back because of her heart Indigo pressed forward again. Ridding himself of inhibition as he squeezed tightly and pressed his dark lips to hers once more, passion and fire in every movement as he savored her and gave in to the craving denied for too long.

Indy aimed to lean her back against the cascading roots around them as the dappled light pained them. He watched her gaze, certain he wouldn’t see anymore of the hesitation that held them back. The feeling of being wanted, of being adored, was one of life’s great joys. Seeing the way Duchess basked beneath his touch and craved him as much as he yearned for her drove him onwards. His paws explored the soft curve of her and he breathed in her lovely herbal scent. He closed his eyes as he savored the way she overloaded his senses.

Her breath left her as Indigo responded, moving back into their kisses she carefully let herself go as she relaxed in his hold. She was a little more vigorous now that she had her peace of mind, but still somehow gentle as they continued their own dance. A feeling she felt like was new again, as if her and Indigo had never been together. And she almost wanted to replace this with the memory of their first time. They had shared a lot of other good times, but to her this one felt entirely different.

Her chest and body gently moved across his while they shared each other's lips. Somehow her much smaller frame fit into his, he helped as his paws ran the length of her. Her body tingled where he touched her, she would never grow accustomed to the feel of him. Duchess had typically taken her place under Indigo rather than any other way, potentially because of her inexperience. But this felt right, she liked being controlled by him. Here on the abandoned island, tucked away in their own solitude of paradise, she still felt no different. "Do you want me Indigo?" She spoke through a quiet exhale, her breaths heavy in her silence. She gave him room to answer if he wanted, but continued knowing his answer, "Take me, I'm yours."

She positioned her lower half with his, stopping as if teasing, or daring him to go on. Her eyes lustful now in the final moments before, she relaxed in his arms, exposing herself to what he wanted to do with her. This time there wasn't hesitation, her demons hadn't ruined a single second of this. She wasn't tense when he started as she had been every time before, and finally everything felt pure. Maybe Indigo had finally fixed her.

-Fade?-

"Duchess"

Duchess is an !M rated! character for themes of Depression. Please Discord me if you have concerns.

Duchess melted against him as he assured her that he was fully healed, there wasn’t much she could do to hurt him at this point. As soon as her worries were soothed she dived eagerly into his affection, relenting the tension se held as she moved with him. Duch looked and felt at ease nestled beneath him, there was no hint of trembling or fright, no sign of the traumas that she had once experienced during intimate moments. She was confident and trusted him completely. Indigo would never hurt her, and more than that wanted her to feel just as good or better than him when they were together. He loved the look of joy and more so the easy bliss that overtook her expression as heat built between their bodies. The feeling of her heavy breaths against his chest, the near gasping sound igniting that burning plame. She questioned him softly and he was forced to pause, taken off guard but wanting her all the more for it. Indigo’s actions were obvious but hearing the words said intensified his craving. ”Yes,” He answered breathily, almost a growl as he held her tighter.

What really drove him over the edge was her follow up statement, a command almost, that she was his to to take as he would. To further prove her point she pressed herself against him temptingly, she relaxed herself against him and welcomed him completely into her world. There was no tension to her muscles or fear in her gaze as she looked up at him, Indigo grinned as he leaned forward to kiss her again. He moved carefully as he joined their bodies together and finally was able to indulge in her again. Though he’d tried to ignore the suggestive thoughts, being with her again really was better than any time previously. Like holding back had increased the pleasures of being together.

-fade-

Indigo held her close as he caught his breath and appreciated her gentle presence after such an intense experience. He nuzzled into her cheek, unwilling to release her. He knew how close she wanted to remain afterwards, and he felt it too. It wasn’t enough to be intimate, being close afterwards was equally as important, sharing the comedown was as needed as the build up. He traced his toes over her arm almost absently while he lay surrounding her. She fit against him snugly, and looked just as beautiful in the dappled light now as she had at the height of his efforts. The smile she put on his face wouldn’t be easily knocked off. As Indigo let his bright blue eyes settle on her sweet features he sighed heavily and relaxed against the twisting carpet of roots content and satisfied. ”That was worth every second I had to wait.” He chuckled as he pressed his forehead to hers and squeezed lightly.

Afterwards Indigo held her closer than he ever had before, or at least it felt that way. Her breathing had been a little labored too, mostly from the loss of her own breath in their moments. She clung to Indigo as he offered himself to her. She was cradled into him as her eyes rose to meet his, matching his content smile as he still admired her in the aftermath. She expected nothing else from him. As maybe inexperienced as Indigo was before he met Duchess, he did know how to love. She figured maybe it was because it was how he wanted to feel. And she tried her best to return the emotions. Even if that was letting others into his life.

Her eyes closed as their foreheads met, and she too met his chuckle with a quiet giggle in return. "Me too." Her claws brushed into his mane a she wiggled into him slowly, she was comfortable here but she still had that dark feeling, a feeling she was starting to get used to pushing back into her mind. As much as she loved Indigo and that he may not have had extremely high expectations in their relationship, she did build the strength of their relationship around sex. It was what Draco expected of her when she couldn't follow through. She hadn't expected Indigo to turn on her had she ever rejected the notion. But she couldn't help that fear of the thought, or get rid of the empty feeling inside her after they spent this time together. She was hiding it well this time at least.

She laid there with Indigo for what felt like forever. Her claws brushing through the rough mane that had been sticky from the ocean, she gentle nibbled at his chest and neck with the same ambition. All of it worthless when they would go back through the sea to get home. Her neck gently leaned back to look back up at him, "We can go explore some more of the island? Find some where to call it a night." She looked around the room a moment, "We could always come back here too."

"Duchess"

Duchess is an !M rated! character for themes of Depression. Please Discord me if you have concerns.

There wasn’t much thought beyond the satisfaction he felt laying with her there, nestled in the private room miles and miles from another wolf. It was quiet beyond the birdsong outside and after the long journey, being still like this had its benefit. He closed his eyes as he held her and got lost in the gentle touch of claws against his chest and the feeling of her brooming his messy mane. She agreed with him, a grin on her features as she did. They relaxed there together for a long time, just letting the sounds of the forest settle over them, enjoying one another in the quiet afternoon. Indigo very nearly falling asleep to the rhythmic motions of Duch’s soft grooming.

Eventually Duchess spoke and Indigo blinked open blue eyes. ”Is that what you want to do?” He asked her almost lazily with a yawn. ”I want whatever makes you happiest here.” Indigo continued, shifting again so he could nuzzle against her dark cheek. He did not measure the value of their relationship in the sex they had, for indigo being intimate was a special bonus he was privileged enough to share with the wolves he cared the most about. What he wanted most was to see Duchess smile, he wanted her to find happiness just like he wanted for the rest of the wolves in their band. Every one of them was special and special to him, and he hoped he conveyed that in the way he treated them.

”Think there’s some exciting finds out there?” He asked her curiously, wondering if they might find anything exciting out on the jungle and the ruins. Maybe they’d find someplace prettier than their flowering room.

Duchess hummed through a smile when Indigo mentioned the happiness of her. With all the time that had passed, she had nearly forgotten about the girl from the Armada she had smelled vaguely on him. It did at least make her feel like she was the most important in his life as untrue as that was. She overlooked the talk the had the night that he brought Gypsy home. If he wasn't able to be with this woman, than how would it be possible to be with her now? Maybe Duchess didn't truly understand everything that Indigo had opened up to her about during that night. It had ended well for them anyway.

When he asked if there could be anything exciting, she smiled with her head resting against him, "Don't you think it would be nice to sleep under the stars?" It was a genuine offer, but her voice was a bit teasing too. She wouldn't expect to find anywhere better than here, and she wouldn't want to sleep exposed on the beach even with Indigo. But her thought of either the stars or this room felt romantic to her.

She pulled away from him, very reluctantly like they were glued together. And then she started their way back out of the monstrous building. It took longer to move around the building than finding the room they had inside. Duchess would move away from the beach and into the forests, though maybe that was contradicting with wanting to sleep under the stars. There were many odd objects that had been buried into the soil over time, but she wouldn't bother inspecting them too closely. More center of the island, the sun started to set and the trees were darkening the scenery around them more than if they were out on the shores. She stopped for a moment, looking back to Indigo before looking up at the changing sky above them.

Not much longer after admiring the colors of the sky, they came across another smaller building, one that had no roof at all. Vines and roots had completely taken over the walls making it look entirely plant based but the broken windows and door were still open holes. Duchess smiled to Indigo again before entering, laying down in the center of the vines and moss and lifting her paw suggesting for Indigo to join her while they laid on their sides. She grabbed him and cuddled close when he joined her. When she was comfortable there holding him and being held in return, she looked up at the still changing skies above them, completely clear of any tree tops directly above them, "Was I wrong?" She referred to sleeping under the stars, in this case watching the sky change was a beautiful scene. But soon the stars would completely cover around their heads.

"Duchess"

Duchess is an !M rated! character for themes of Depression. Please Discord me if you have concerns.

Indigo was with Duchess in part because of the memories he tried so hard not to think about on a daily basis. He would always feel pain as long as he was separated from Aslatiel. She was literally his other half, born together they were complete only when they were together. His sister was the keeper of his heart, though he knew Duchess wasn’t completely aware of that fact. He’d mostly forgotten, so easily distracted by the intimacy they shared and the perfect little moments they were allowed together like this. Not that he could ever truly forget about Aslatiel, it was easier when they were apart to focus on the woman in his arms.

”I think it would be,” it agreed softly, satisfied wherever they were really. He hadn’t forgotten the nights he spent below the stars, trying to find his place in the Armada. He chased the memories away, he didn’t have a bad childhood, he really didn’t. But Indigo had always felt like the odd one out, now that he looked back he was more grateful than ever that he had found a group of wolves that found their place beside him. One where they all belonged beside him and he had found his place beside all of them. Indigo couldn’t find his place because he had to make it himself.

She pulled away slightly but he felt the same draw towards her, he didn’t want to let her go now that he was allowed to have her in his arms again. He sighed softly and lifted himself to his paws, still feeling the after effects of being with Duchess, the lingering fatigue and tingling of his limbs. He followed after her, careful to keep his attention on potential threats byond that might threaten the pair of them. Darkness was descending on the island, but he was even more certain they were the largest predators here. There was no threat to them tonight.

He followed her to another ruined building, but this one was completely overgrown. The roof was gone, but plants and vines covered it entirely. They would be situated underneath the stars and in complete privacy. He followed behind her, watching as her thin frame slipped into the almost magical little building. She floated to the middle of the room, dappled in the fading light as her pretty paws sunk into the soft mosses beneath. She summoned him and Indigo closed the distance between them, nuzzling against her as she grasped for him, and pulled him close beside her there on the greenery of the floor.

He held her to his chest, glad to rid the rest of the distance between them. She made herself comfortable and he relaxed against her as they were welcomed to look up into the changing colors of the sky above. ”No, not wrong at all.” He assured her with a soft chuckle as his attention shifted easily from the stars above to her to the soft dual tones of her eyes. ”It’s beautiful here, almost enough to distract me from you.” He teased her softly as he reached down to steal another sweet kiss.

Her eyes pulled from the sky as Indigo mentioned her, humming as she met his gaze and couldn't help the gentle grin on her maw. Her eyes flicked down to his body before coming back up to his face. She felt her own beauty and the sparkle in her eyes as Indigo looked at her. She often felt like she wasn't good enough for Indigo, but here in this moment she felt just as he was treating her. It wasn't the first time that he made her feel this way, but it always made her tingle and melt inside.

She met Indigo as his lips came to hers, she gently kissed him for a long moment before pulling away carefully to rest her cheek on his arm and continue to stare up into his crystal eyes. The sky above them had become bright with the stars that glistened above them, but her eyes were lost in Indigo.

"Indigo..." One of her paws reached up into the fur of his chest, like she could touch his heart inside. Her eyes gently searched over his face and once more looked back down to his chest where her paw had laid. She took a natural breath before returning her gaze once again up to him. She felt a slight bit of nerves stinging under her skin, but her body was relaxed into him and her face still held that content grin, "I love you."

"Duchess"

Duchess is an !M rated! character for themes of Depression. Please Discord me if you have concerns.

Indigo was becoming more talented with shutting everything out but the present moment. He felt better when the past and the future didn’t exist, just the beauty and wonder of the moment. Living in the moment was more exciting as he explored the island with Duchess, and explored Duchess on the island. She met him in the kiss, as he leaned down she lifted up and their lips met easily. He fell into her affection, blissful and pure as the clear sky above them. They kissed for a long moment but neither really pressed any deeper than that. Duchess pulled away slightly so she could rest her head on his arm. Her dual toned gaze sought the depths of his own, like she could see through him and deeper into his mind and soul.

She uttered his name and lowered her eyes to where her paw was placed over his physical heart. Had he not lived the past he had Indigo should have felt intense pulsations of excitement and wonder as he guessed at her next words. Instead he was suddenly confronted with the vast empty space he always hid. Especially from himself. Indy held back a real gasp of surprise at the sudden emotional bottoming out after enjoying such intense emotions with the girl in his arms.

”Duchess,” he returned softly as she uttered those three words he’d wondered for so long now if she felt. ”Naiche told me he loved me.” Indigo closed his eyes and willed himself back to moments ago when everything was perfect. Before he realized what he was really doing. His selfish ways were swiftly catching up with him. There was nothing he could say to her words that would satisfy what she wanted to hear in return. He was never good at hiding the truth.

”I... love you too,” he did, in his own way. There was only one that held to his heart though. ”But, you know there is no heart inside my chest to give you.” He felt guilty suddenly, he’d been leading her on when he’d been so negligent. ”Do you want the full truth?” He asked her quietly, after long averting his gaze ashamedly. He’d told Segin so easily, now he was cursing himself for holding back so long from Duchess.

Duchess hadn't noticed the turn in the air until Indigo spoke more. And slowly her smile faded. He had said it back, maybe a little reluctant. Her eyes moved away from his, as did the paw from his chest. But she still laid there in his arms, her paws still grasped onto him. This time her deep breath was harsh, like she was holding back her emotions as if to save Indigo. She couldn't find it in herself to look back up at him.

She couldn't understand his feelings. They had been together all this time since he came home from the Armada. She and the rest of the band helped him through his recovery. He had given her so much since then. She didn't understand how there was no heart to give. She may have felt some sort of anger or guilt, but it was all tuned down into silence, impossible to see what she was holding inside.

Indigo offered her the truth, but she didn't want it. "I do know." She confessed, but she didn't know the whole truth, she had only assumed. She knew he was sleeping with someone when he went to The Armada. She didn't know if it was the girl that "had his heart" or who the girl was at all. "I don't think I want to hear you say it." She hadn't known about him and Segin at least that deep, but for whatever reason the fact that they all lived together and cuddled every night and that Duchess had to share Indigo now, it had subsided any kind of jealousy she could have had towards the rest of the band. Or she was holding it back, she never addressed it in her mind. She was too focused on her time with Indigo.

She tried to steady her breath and hold back the tears, it was more out of frustration and trying to hold everything back. "I can't live without you, Indigo."

"Duchess"

Duchess is an !M rated! character for themes of Depression. Please Discord me if you have concerns.

He didn’t want to say the words, he really didn’t. But he was too honest for his own good, or maybe even worse for Duch’s good. She recoiled slightly, lifting her paw from his chest and avoiding his gaze. He would never intentionally hurt her and when faced with two evils he chose the lesser. Trying to tell her the truth, and she knew. Or mostly knew, guessed at what else was going on when he was not beside her. Or the truth about who held his heart and why he was so far away from her. Duchess refused him, not from his lips. Indigo quieted, but as she didn’t make any move to get up he still held tightly to her thin frame.

Tears filled her eyes and after everything she still told him that she could not live without him. Indigo closed his eyes, furrowing his brows and cursing himself for this mess he’d so happily blundered into. Duchess deserved more than he could give her, and yet here he was continuing to hold tightly to her as she clung to him. ”You don’t have to.” He assured her. For days at a time he left her side, but would always return. As long as she wanted to be in the band, he would be in her life. ”I’m here.” He reminded her again as he pressed his muzzle against her jaw and held his head over her protectively. ”I’m sorry.” Sorry that he couldn’t give her everything. Even more sorry he was put in this position to begin with. There wouldn’t ever have been any hurt if he had been allowed his heart’s true desire. He'd dove into her because she was his quick fix, the bandage on the surface, his solution to having a normal life. He took so much more than he gave and he couldn't help himself.

Duchess still clung to him as he held her tighter, apologizing, it honestly meant little to her. But if he was still here, if they were still together, she could suffer through the rest of it. She could suffocate the thoughts and resentment that was slowing building around him. She wasn't really okay with sharing him with the band, but she would for him. She would do anything for him. It was what Draco did to her, it was what Indigo did for her, she couldn't let go of him.

Her forehead brushed into his body until everything was dark, everything was lost. Under the stars, in Indigo's embrace, she was tired from the travel and the emotions. And sleep ended up taking her.

-Time Skip-

Duchess had woken up mid-night or early morning, the sky was still only lit up by the stars that shined down on them. Her back was into Indigo and she cradled one of his gigantic paws and was wrapping in him. Nothing specific had woke her, just light on sleep maybe. The sounds of crickets and all the insects of the island filled her ears, and eventually the sounds of Indigo's breathing tuned in. She laid there for a long few moments, her mind empty and just listening and breathing with the noise around her.

She had hoped maybe Indigo woke up with her, but she hadn't stirred. He hadn't either. Unless he was in the same state she was in. And after what felt like forever, she carefully rotated in his arms to face him. Her not-so-tired eyes gleamed over his face, only she bore no smile right now. Still the memories of their last conversation on her mind. She gently reached up and nibbled at his jawline, her body carefully moving into his. A part of her didn't want to disturb him, another large part of her wanted him to wake up. She wanted to forget. Forget about the other woman, feel like she was the top of his world again. She was desperate for what he believed he couldn't give her.

"Duchess"

Duchess is an !M rated! character for themes of Depression. Please Discord me if you have concerns.

His apology trailed off into the darkness and then there were no more words. He could feel the tension in Duch’s form but she pressed her features into his mane and eventually relaxed into sleep. He held her for a long time, taking a while to get to sleep himself. Left alone with his thoughts as he stared up at the sky uncertain about everything again. What was he doing to Duchess. He cared about her, but it felt like he was tearing her apart. He found the mask and put it on because he had to, he couldn’t be alone, he had to feel loved, but it was selfish because of what was happening to Duchess. She held onto him tightly, and he wouldn’t let her go as long as she held onto him. Maybe that would be enough.

Eventually he had fallen asleep, but didn’t stir as Duch woke up and silently took in the night around them. As she shifted in his arms he blinked open his eyes, able to see her bright eyes lit up by starlight. Her expression was taught, but she didn’t linger on his features for long. Duchess leaned forward to nibble along his jawline as she molded her body to his. He rumbled softly, his thoughts before he fell asleep long gone as her silent suggestion captured his attention.

One dark paw trailed up and down her spine as she pressed close. Sleep still wrapped his head but desire took the lead. A low needy growl settled through his chest. He shifted his muzzle so he could return her affection, easily getting lost in the wrong choices. Duchess wanted him, and he was weak to do anything but take her advances. Their relationship was full of holes, but how could they be sinking when being together felt this good. Sharp claws parted her fur as he pressed them against her skin, the desire she summoned deep and dark especially as he realized what he was doing was wrong, and pressed forward anyway.

This moment was no different than their last in the flower room, even with the troubling feelings that were at bay. When Indigo offered her the same kind of affection, she lived in it. She was always at the mercy of Indigo, she had shown him time and time again by giving him the opportunity to take advantage of her while she exposed herself, not that she didn't want it. Showing him her vital lifeline under her throat, it was a second nature to her when he held her so close. She saw him as the beast he was made to be, but still she trusted him with her life, even if she had hidden doubts about other things.

She motioned him with a gentle push of her paw to roll over on his back, but she wouldn't leave his frame. Still clung to him like she couldn't be unattached. Her paws dug into the curves of his shoulders as she became more heated in the kisses she offered. They were both drowning things that needed to be addressed. Maybe it was no secret to either of them. But Duchess could do this everyday, turn her back on her true feelings to be beside Indigo. As much as he may have been breaking her, he had fixed her too, and he still was. They had drove this far, to Duchess it was like she could never go back.

Through the loss of her breath as she pulled her lips away from his with barely a nose still between them, she whispered as if someone could hear them, "What can I do for you?" A gentle teasing smirk, but she begged him with her eyes. Duchess was always at the will of him, in these moments or on a usual duty. And she would always be willing to make them forget what could have been so wrong about what they were doing.

"Duchess"

Duchess is an !M rated! character for themes of Depression. Please Discord me if you have concerns.