Location: The Shimmering Shore The warmth that Indigo had offered her since she lived in The Hallows was comforting. She never imagined that she would have bounced back this quickly. Been in higher spirits or sleeping next to another man that she was refusing to believe she would feel more for. She could only lie to herself so much, but she was digging a deeper hole while ignoring the thoughts. As the night was early, and everyone was moving to their dens and patrols were being switched over, she found Indigo before he could come in to call it a night. "Did you mind going for a walk with me?" It seemed like a silly invitation while everyone was getting ready for bed. But she wanted to get a little more alone time with him. "I've heard of the shinning beach to the west of us, I wanted to go see it." It made sense to check it out at night, but she felt bad also taking up Indigo's precious time, even if he would be in the castle cuddling with her anyway. She didn't want to make him feel like he had to, her voice was questioning or acting like him spending this time with her wasn't important. She after all was trying to avoid catching any feelings for the male that took her in and gave her a home. And while she would probably dwell on the rejection if he had, she would tell herself it was better that way, to not go on midnight walks with Indigo. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo felt oddly more at peace after Duchess joined the Hallows, he couldn’t say the exact reason why but her simple presence soothed the massive beast of a wolf. Life hadn’t really changed so much, Indigo continued to do his duties for the Hallows as he always had. He patrolled neurotically, in no small connection to losing Rue. The boy hadn’t missed a patrol since then, and he wouldn’t ever going forward. There were too many lives depending on him. He was finishing his petrol and making his way back to the castle when his bright blue eyes fell on Duchess and her dainty form.

Indigo didn’t hesitate to stop for her, the girl could ask anything of him and Indigo would have tore the world apart to provide. He didn’t understand the emotions that built beneath the surface, but he did know the effect she had on him. The end of the day was approaching but her sweet request would not be denied. Indy nodded slightly as she continued, speaking about the shimmering shore and her desire to see the brilliant land.

Honestly he was glad that she decided to ask him along with her, he much preferred being beside her on adventures outside of the Hallows. Anyone could have escorted her, but Duchess had asked him to come along with her. There was an odd flutter in his chest, but he ignored it and instead embraced the feeling that Duchess gave him just by being beside him. ”I’d love a walk with you.” He told her honestly. There wasn’t any hesitation as he nuzzled her shoulder softly before leading the way there. ”I think you’ll really like the beach. I bet it's beautiful at night, if we’re lucky the moon might fight its way past the clouds.” Indy added as he swished his tail at his hips and allowed himself to begin to unwind. The threats that were out there waiting on them wouldn’t pause for a midnight walk, but Indigo could allow his guard down enough to relax with the violet marked girl.

It seemed he hadn't really known the shimmering shores to the west, but that was okay because then it gave them the opportunity to experience it together. She smiled back to him at his thought, "I thought I was lucky." It was more of a joke than anything, but he had said so when she found the marigold flower back at the oaks. Only this time, she wasn't expecting the moon to be crushed to pieces if such beauty was admired by them. At least she hoped it wouldn't end that way, then maybe she would be unlucky insteady. She exited the castle with Indigo, scaling the castle walls to the west and eventually moving down the hills to the shore. The plains would blend to sands as they approached, but she was getting a little disappointed as she wasn't noticing the glowing of the shores just yet. She remained silent for the most part, but she wouldn't have been opposed if Indigo wanted to talk to her during the trip. They were close to the castle, and any fear that they would be in trouble was washed away knowing that the pack would be there for backup if they needed any help. She felt just as safe with Indigo though. Her face lit up as they approached the beach, the bright, glowing blue of the shoreline shinned brighter as they neared the water front. She wouldn't stop until they came close enough to admire the beauty of the shores up close, but didn't want to sit down in the damp sand or freezing ocean waters. She sat settling beside Indigo, first looking along the coastline before looking back to him with a bright smile. But she would move her gaze up towards the sky, the clouds had yet to show the moon and her face turned a little more sad thinking that Indigo wouldn't have his own wish. Walk "Talk" Think

Indigo chuckled as she spoke, a grin remained afterwards. ”You are indeed.” He assured her despite the humor. He knew that this time there was even less chance of finding any living flowers. Maybe they would be allowed a glimpse of the moon, but he wouldn’t be devastated if it was another dark night. Someday the sky would clear. The pair of them didn’t waste anymore time lingering within the castle as they headed towards the shimmering beaches. Indigo took the chance to mention the Armada and introduce the idea of his family there. Aslatiel didn’t hold back telling those she trusted about the relationship they shared, but Indigo was much more reserved. Resin was the only one who he had trusted the secret with.

Maybe that was his way of coping with the whole situation. It tore his heart to pieces, but he was beginning to find his feet again. The Hallows helped him find himself and to become a wolf that could live without his other half. Indigo never felt truly complete, but walking over the hills with Duchess simply telling her about his family, he felt like he came close. He did confess that he’d left his homeland before even learning his siblings names. Indigo told her about his meeting with his little sister Briar not so long ago. He ended with the enjoyable time he’d spent with the younger Fatalis.

Then the light from ahead began to glow at the horizon. Indigo found himself more focused on her vibrant features as she brightened him more than any glowing sand could. But even in such a perfect moment he couldn’t forget the missing presence beside him. Indigo was enamored with the star splattered girl, but his heart still clenched for Aslatiel.

He hid the emotions as Duchess gaze moved amazed from one point to the next. He smiled down at her, and curled around her as he lowered his massive frame into the sand. Her dual toned gaze was looking to the clouds above them, much more likely to dump snow upon them than to release the moon from its prison. ”What do you think?” Indigo asked quietly, the question reverberating deeper in his chest than on his lips.

Duchess would listen to all that Indigo wanted to tell her about his family and the likes, but she didn't have much to relate with. Her parents had abandoned her at an incredibly young age, and all she knew was the life she shared with Draco. They stayed away from others for the most part, that was until he became a little older and felt Duchess couldn't provide for him anymore. She rested more as Indigo did, her tail curling tight against his back thigh as they settled. She placed a paw over his while she looked up at the sky, it only seemed natural with the time and nights they had spent together. She glanced at him briefly with only a tiny pull at her maw as he asked her what she thought of the place. She looked out at the glowing shore, not sure exactly how she wanted to feel. Though not just about the shores, but about Indigo. "It's beautiful but," she paused only a couple seconds, "It makes me feel sad too." She wasn't sure exactly why the shores made her feel that way. Maybe it wasn't the shores at all. Maybe it was Indigo. She was trying hard to keep an emotional distance from him, but she was desperate for his attention. She tried to play off and ignore that their cuddles and time together wouldn't turn into more, but she was only kidding herself. She didn't know Indigo may have been oblivious to what he was doing to her. "It wasn't that long ago that I had been left on my own..." She was wary about what she wanted to tell him. She didn't want Indigo to pity her, or feel more like he had to replace something for her. She would have rather them have their own friendship, or relationship, rather than sit down and compare or try to fix what had been done to her. "But I can't shake the sense of loneliness I have. Even when I'm beside you." She finally brought her gentle gaze back to him. She wanted more than just a friendship, even while Indigo stayed beside her at night. It seemed that wouldn't be enough. Walk "Talk" Think

Duchess made herself comfortable beside him, like had become natural for them. Indigo wanted to be close to her, she helped chase away the lonely feelings. She was a warmth in the coldness of the world and a light in the darkness. Indigo always felt empty, but it was less so when he had Duchess, or Cosette, beside him. His bright blue gaze lingered here on his sky marked friend and the smile that didn’t quite fit her demeanor. She answered his question and trailed off for a long moment. When she spoke again Indigo wasn’t entirely sure what she meant.

After a sweep of their surroundings his bright eyes returned to her pretty face, his own tilting slightly and dark ears perked towards her. Indigo couldn't deny he enjoyed having her in the hallows with him. Someone like her deserved a much better lot in life than what she had been given and the yearling wanted to help provide that. He didn’t owe her anything, but something made him feel protective of her.

She told him that she was alone, and she elaborated softly then. She told him there hadn’t been much time since she had been left to fend for herself. Indigo listened, as she lingered in her thoughts he put his maned head on her paws. He looked up at her as she told him about the deep loneliness that she felt, even as they spent their time together. ”I…” Indigo started softly, his voice quiet as the cold night around them. ”I know the feeling.” The Fatalis boy hadn’t figured out how to rid himself of it. Even having Duchess and Cosette hadn’t touched that sense of being alone. He couldn’t help her if he couldn’t figure it out for himself.

”I’ve never been able to fix it.” Indigo confessed as he lowered his eyes and relaxed against her. Misery loved company, and Indy wanted hers. Affection and company.

Indigo's touch did little to affect her now, other than her craving him more. She only looked back to him as he lingered, admitting he understood the feeling. But that he had never been able to shake it. She knew little of what actually happened to him, and she could only assume it was something of her own situation. There may have been a day she would learn the inner makings of Indigo, but she didn't expect it tonight or any day soon. She didn't want to push him, he had after all spoke freely about his family back in the Armada. Her front paws shuffled to curl around one of his own, pulling it in to get him to face her just  a little more. Her own body stirred so she would be comfortable in the slight angle she was turning toward him, "I think I know what can help...." Duchess thought that Indigo was much like her. Knew all that she knew. That they wouldn't grow in opposite steps of one another. Because she felt they held the same abandoned heart she thought Indigo was on the same wave length of relationship knowledge, or at least was feeling the same way she was feeling about him. Indigo never made it hard for her to reach any part of him, so she wouldn't strain to push her face up to his own. She paused not even an inch from his own muzzle, her eyes looking up at his in a light flutter as her stomach mimicked the same. "Indigo..." She did not think for a second that her pushing into the next level, even so soon, would cause him to run off. Maybe her own inexperience, or maybe because she felt like he would have wanted her that way. It didn't matter what reason it was, she was sure Indigo wouldn't back away from her. She finally pushed her muzzle gently into his, her eyes closed as she went to kiss him. She didn't want it to be too deep, she didn't want to get lost in it. She didn't think they were ready for that yet. She just wanted to give him that offer so they could move on from there. She pulled her face back just slightly, but she didn't open her eyes yet. While she believed Indigo would reject her, she didn't want to open her eyes to see that he had, now that it had been done. Walk "Talk" Think

Neither wolf truly knew the other one, their time together was sparse and both wolves were hesitant to offer up those deeper secrets that truly made them the way they were. Duchess pulled him closer after he spoke, being like this with her was already so easy. She did help to ease the deeper emotions, even if it didn’t feel like the feeling would ever truly leave him. He didn’t resist at all while she shifted slightly and brought his features to better align with her own. Indigo was naive when it came to relationships, he only knew one and he had been fumbling along beside Aslatiel since before he could remember. He knew what love entailed in theory, but his comfort zone was in these easy snuggles and affection he shared with Duchess.

She didn’t leave him hanging, as their eyes met she spoke again, hinting to a solution. Indy remained silent, but held onto her as she held to him. He blinked lightly as she closed the distance between their dark muzzles, His name was on her lips, different than any time she had spoken it before. Indigo felt himself hold his breath almost instinctively as time seemed to stop between them.

Then their lips met. Indigo closed his eyes slowly, resisting the urge to melt into the motions. The brush against his muzzle was brief, but spoke volumes. Duchess moved with a subtle confidence. She knew what it was she was doing. This wasn’t so far from uncharted territories that Indigo was stunned, but he felt his cheeks flush and his heart quicken its pace in his chest. The fluttery feeling swiftly overwhelmed the empty one, but he had a hunch it wouldn’t be smothered for long.

Indigo blinked open his blue gaze to find her eyes still closed, and without hesitation he leaned in again. Stealing his own kiss as he shifted, feeling the desire to just be closer to hold her tightly against his chest. To not feel so alone. Indigo resisted the urge to fully indulge, he gave Duchess a sweet and slow kiss as he lightly wrapped his arms around her shoulders and pulled her closer.

Mature for thoughts of sexual trauma Indigo would put her worries to rest as he went in for another kiss, not pushing into it too much like she had. The sands under her molded to her body as she turned to face her chest in to his. His own paws grasped around her in a tight hold and her body fit like a puzzle piece into his. She had told herself she wouldn't let this happen, but of course she knew deep down she couldn't stop herself. Or Indigo, if he had chosen it first. She would let him take the gentle kisses as long as he wanted, the glow of the shimmering beach only a faint memory in the back of her mind, etching this moment in her history. She would always remember this moment here with Indigo, whether they went into an everlasting relationship or it ended tomorrow. The thoughts of her abandonment a distant memory now in this moment. But the way Indigo was holding her, her body into his, her willingness into him even while she was keeping their affection subtle. It made her young body ache. She wasn't ready for anything beyond this, but she wanted more. Or maybe she just wanted to please him. The thoughts were twisted and deranged, only the idea that he would stay with her if she had taken it further came from what she had lost only a season or so ago. But she knew Indigo wasn't this way, and her body was getting too far ahead of her mind. She start to tremble, shaking lightly under him as she pulled away. Her eyes opened but she didn't want to look at him. She didn't want him to see her this way, and she didn't want to talk about what made her this way either . She could have tried to write it off as the cold, but that was highly unbelievable. But she didn't let go of her grasp on him either, she didn't want to separate herself from him. Walk "Talk" Think

Their movements were soft and hesitant as they explored the natural next step ahead of them. Affection came easy but was this love they were fostering? Indigo didn’t think much about the potential heartache he was making, only that for the moments their lips met he didn’t have to seel lonely anymore. He connected to Duchess, and he wanted to have her in his arms. There wouldn’t be much that could make him forget these private moments together, not that he had any idea what more he wanted. The boy was satisfied laying there in the sand with her, he wasn’t ready for more than close snuggles and innocent kisses.

He hadn’t expected her to be right, loneliness was like an unstoppable parasite, he never got rid of the feeling, but it disappeared as he held here there on that magical beach. Indigo wandered into unknown territory. He was going to wear the mask, but with Duchess it almost slipped. He could very nearly show her what was really lingering beneath, but he stopped. Instead he let the moment be that perfect glimpse of bliss.

That feelin disappeared as she began to tremble beneath his grasp. Indigo nearly pushed her as she began to pull away, but as he watched her all he wanted to do was hold her close again. She didn’t pull completely away, Duchess held onto him even as she pulled away. Indy wouldn’t keep her but he did squeeze her tighter. ”Shh, Duchess.” He didn’t know what was going on, but he’d do anything to keep her from hurting.

Indigo’s whispers soothed her even through her trembling. He held her tight with the willingness to let her go, but him holding her was making her feel better in due time. She pushed her face into the thick mane of his chest, waiting for the new-found emotion to subside. The lighter winds had started to become blistery, only on a portion of her back given she was tucked into Indigo’s warm embrace and against the sands. She didn’t want to linger long after her panic attack had finished. Maybe if the nights were warmer and cozier. But not in this never ending ice age. Her face pulled back from Indigo’s pelt, finally speaking after the last thing she had said was his name, "I think I’m ready to go back now. It’ll be warmer at the castle." her voice was quiet to his ear, as if she could fall sleep cuddled into him here. Sure that might be okay for her, but it certainly wasn’t ideal for him. Walk "Talk" Think

When she didn’t pull away from him, Indigo held onto her more tightly, lowering his head over hers. He lingered there protectively, keeping the wind from her body and keeping the bad feelings at bay. Not that he knew what he was chasing off, but it didn’t matter. Whatever she felt in the past it wasn’t here now and he refused to allow anything to hurt her, especially past wounds. Indigo would have kept her there all night, he wasn’t wet so he didn’t care about the cold. For a long time he didn’t even have a den to retreat to, this was nothing.

Her body ceased to shake, and Indy felt a bit of relief. He didn’t loosen his grip and instead he nuzzled into the curve of her cheek. They lingered there for a long time, and Indy wouldn’t have moved at all had she not pulled away to meet his gaze once more. Her voice was even softer, as though the episode had fully taken the energy from her. He could have stayed, but he didn’t want her exposed to the chill any longer than she had to be.

Indigo didn’t move, there was something special about holding onto her here in the middle of nowhere. She meant something to him in that moment and he was different to her in the solitude that was the shimmering beach. Indy was sluggish in wanting to return to civilization. ”As you wish.” He told her quietly, feeling as though they had only just arrived. They were here for her though and he wouldn’t dream of wanting to disappoint her. ”Shall I carry you?”

She still didn't let go of him just yet, letting him agree to the terms and of course offering her the ride. She was in much better spirits than she was just moments ago, but she still wasn't entirely happy. Indigo made her feel better, and at least his embrace helped calm her more. "That sounds nice." She tried to force a smile, but it wasn't that believable. She wanted to wait until Indigo was ready, but she almost knew if she waited for him they would have stayed here forever. One of her paws that had already been against his chest gently pushed at him so he could let her up. And she wouldn't mind the mount and ride back to the castle. It once seemed like a weird, enjoyable activity. But it was starting to become more regular in the times they were outside the castle. It didn't seem like a silly thing anymore. She did like burying her face into Indigo's mane, especially in the cold winter's night. Walk "Talk" Think