03-23-2022, 12:38 PM
The concern that etches itself across Bolder’s face pierces Saffron sharply. He wishes so desperately he could tell him it’s unneeded. Wishes there was a way to cover these insidious pale tines so that expression would never have had to settle. But Saffron cannot. He can only work to smooth his own expression instead. Can only try to pretend that the pity does not bother him even as it claws away his own insides.
Just like Bolder, he can’t explain away all the time that had passed. Can’t give any reason that matters why he had never visited him in Hyaline. How does one explain about the intense shame and guilt and worry his ailment had brought him?
How does he even begin to tell him about everything else that has happened?
Even if speaking did not already make his throat feel as though it were being burned by every word, telling Bolder of what had happened between their parents would. Saffron isn’t even sure he could adequately explain it, though he would try. Bolder deserves to know.
Habit almost makes him stretch to meet Bolder’s tentative foray with his muzzle, but as his lips try to curl into an automatic smile, the pain reminds him not to. Instead, he draws away, maintaining space between them. It’s hard. The curse wants him to touch his brother, but Saffron would not give in to it. Not in this. Not when it is his sibling who would suffer for it.
Instead he offers Bolder the briefest smile, pain making it disappear as swiftly as it had come. He takes a moment to respond to Bolder’s question, but when he does, Saffron’s hoarse words are steady and measured. “A lot. I’m… okay.” He pauses, eyes slipping closed. He needs to tell his brother about their parents more than he needs to tell him about his own woes. “Mom and dad… aren’t.”
Just like Bolder, he can’t explain away all the time that had passed. Can’t give any reason that matters why he had never visited him in Hyaline. How does one explain about the intense shame and guilt and worry his ailment had brought him?
How does he even begin to tell him about everything else that has happened?
Even if speaking did not already make his throat feel as though it were being burned by every word, telling Bolder of what had happened between their parents would. Saffron isn’t even sure he could adequately explain it, though he would try. Bolder deserves to know.
Habit almost makes him stretch to meet Bolder’s tentative foray with his muzzle, but as his lips try to curl into an automatic smile, the pain reminds him not to. Instead, he draws away, maintaining space between them. It’s hard. The curse wants him to touch his brother, but Saffron would not give in to it. Not in this. Not when it is his sibling who would suffer for it.
Instead he offers Bolder the briefest smile, pain making it disappear as swiftly as it had come. He takes a moment to respond to Bolder’s question, but when he does, Saffron’s hoarse words are steady and measured. “A lot. I’m… okay.” He pauses, eyes slipping closed. He needs to tell his brother about their parents more than he needs to tell him about his own woes. “Mom and dad… aren’t.”
Saffron
@bolder