The foundations for good health and love have been laid by his father. Abysm knows there are things (beings, gods and monsters) to be afraid of. Father has taught him that much too. But how can he truly ever fear anything when he can turn dream to nightmare with the blink of an eye?
Abysm reaches up and over to Rapt’s withers where he starts chomping in quick shirt rows with his teeth. How many times had his father towered over him and smoothed the unruly fuzz of his baby fur? Countless, he knows, remembering. Now he is of a height where he can return the favor as he grooms out little bits of dirt and dust until his father is radiant in creamy gold again.
“You really should take better care of yourself dad.” he mumbles around a mouthful of fur. It just slaughters the thick red muscle in him to see his father unkempt when he is not there. Rapt lived more - lived better - with Abysm by his side and the growing boy knew it. As much he’d love to stay by the stallion’s side forever, they both knew that wouldn’t happen. It was just something they never talked about and Abysm pretended that every time he came to the meadow after leaving, Rapt would be there to welcome him back.
(A nasty little part of him whispered that he knew better but the colt ignored it.)
He sighs. The press of father’s muzzle to his fur is a great comfort and Abysm finds his head sinking to the familiar hollow of his father’s back. “Would I though?” He can’t help but think that maybe he never would have wondered at all if he didn’t dream of a faceless mother every night who loved him. It almost isn’t fit for her to get to know him - it steals both time and himself from his father’s side but he knows the old (not entirely true in the sense that Rapt is ancient, no not at all) man is right.
Abysm stares off into nothing, just enjoying the closeness that they share. It steels his resolve to return to his mother in her mountain stronghold later on. Even as his father says it is good of him to go if for nothing else then to learn how to better use his gifts. This begets another sigh. “I suppose so.” The agreement feels forced. He’d learn on his own and make mistakes along the way. It’s that jaded teenage opinion that he can do it all on his own but Abysm would forever be his father’s son and he respected Rapt’s word above all else.
@[rapt]
i would do anything for love,
but i won’t do that