04-26-2022, 11:34 AM
As he watches the anger and hurt wash across his brother’s expression, something inside him withers. He swallows back the guilt, wishing he could take it on himself instead. He does not know its cause though - that his brother believes Saffron had pulled away because he believed Bolder somehow cursed - or the guilt would have twisted even more sharply inside him. He would have explained the truth.
But he does not know, so he cannot correct those painful misassumptions.
As he watches the darker color writhe across Bolder’s wings, Saffron wishes desperately he could offer his brother a comforting touch while knowing it is impossible. Instead he can only offer it in the sorrow of his gaze and his broken words. “She… wouldn’t have,” he replies scratchily, the words coming more easily now. They are still painful, but practice seems to make this less difficult to force out. “She wouldn’t want you… to worry.” He pauses, throat working as he forces his own upset back down. “Mom and dad… aren’t together anymore.”
Saffron’s concern only deepens as his brother’s body is nearly swallowed by shadow. He hadn’t wanted to cause Bolder distress, but he had deserved to know. Perhaps it would have been better coming from another sibling. From one that could touch him and comfort him properly. One that wasn’t cursed as Saffron is.
And then Bolder stops dancing around the other problem, asking about Saffron’s deepest shame. He had expected it. How could he not, when it sprouts so plainly from his body? But still he shrinks in upon himself, wishing Bolder hadn’t asked. “They’re contagious,” he says swiftly, eyes dropping to the ground. A warning and an admission. But it’s not enough, he knows. And this is Bolder. If anyone could understand, it would be him. “I…” he swallows painfully hard, gaze darting, refusing to meet his sibling’s eyes. “I failed… at something. And was cursed.”
But he does not know, so he cannot correct those painful misassumptions.
As he watches the darker color writhe across Bolder’s wings, Saffron wishes desperately he could offer his brother a comforting touch while knowing it is impossible. Instead he can only offer it in the sorrow of his gaze and his broken words. “She… wouldn’t have,” he replies scratchily, the words coming more easily now. They are still painful, but practice seems to make this less difficult to force out. “She wouldn’t want you… to worry.” He pauses, throat working as he forces his own upset back down. “Mom and dad… aren’t together anymore.”
Saffron’s concern only deepens as his brother’s body is nearly swallowed by shadow. He hadn’t wanted to cause Bolder distress, but he had deserved to know. Perhaps it would have been better coming from another sibling. From one that could touch him and comfort him properly. One that wasn’t cursed as Saffron is.
And then Bolder stops dancing around the other problem, asking about Saffron’s deepest shame. He had expected it. How could he not, when it sprouts so plainly from his body? But still he shrinks in upon himself, wishing Bolder hadn’t asked. “They’re contagious,” he says swiftly, eyes dropping to the ground. A warning and an admission. But it’s not enough, he knows. And this is Bolder. If anyone could understand, it would be him. “I…” he swallows painfully hard, gaze darting, refusing to meet his sibling’s eyes. “I failed… at something. And was cursed.”
Saffron
@bolder