In the closing of his eyes and the letting go of the breath that we both knew he was holding, I sense a small victory for my brother. His soul weighs heavy with the ink of abstract, his being woven together entirely but what only makes up a half of mine. We find in each other an equilibrium, a setting aside of wrongdoings in the name of familiarity and safety; even fifteen year my younger, the stallion before me is wise in his arcane darkness, a prophet of the shadows when all else have failed to meet said calling.
The soft brush of his lips against mine settles my stomach, though I'd not realized it's clenching. A sharp chuckle sends a billow of steamy breath around our closely held faces, its cloud cut into pieces by the branches of my antlers; many pieces of one whole. "Yes, because I of anyone was lacking in character." But I can tell by the way his smile lingers and by the almost tangible mental connection between us that he feels the same way; he knows me as none other might, once as a protector but now as an equal. My own eyes close momentarily at the thought. It's not a feeling I want to forget.
When my eyes open, the dawning sun is whisking away Khaedrik's shadows - or perhaps they are running from its radiance. My lips momentarily leave his to playfully bite at a thread of darkness lingering near his ear, a terribly odd coolness filling my mouth and making me smile at the alienness of it all. Of us. It's all I can think of some days, of how he's the only one who could truly understand my specific breed of darkness; Abysm might, in time, being a dreamweaver himself, but I hope he'll remain unstained by the voices and the weight. Lips tingling, I step forward and begin grooming Khaedrik's newly lightened neck, ears tipped back to hear what he has to say to my simple request.
"I would hardly use cloying to describe it, brother." My mouth lifts off his skin as I give my answer. "It is disgusting yes, but not for any excess of sweetness. I'd rather say there's nothing sweet about it." A scoff. "In fact, it tastes utterly sour."
But Khaedrik seems lost in thought, and so I pass the time by working at his fur and giving him the physical attention I am positive he is being denied in the other areas of his life. What at last seems to revive the stallion is the unnerving howl of his wolf; and my body, too, shudders in response.
How are all your children? It's absent still, his voice teeming with otherworldly thoughts and what I interpret as longing. Longing for what, I can't quite say... But it's one I try my hardest to meet.
Stepping back to consider his question, my eyes fall to the scenery before returning gently to Khaedrik. "Abysm will never be fond of me, but when he thinks I'm not watching, I can see that he loves his siblings - and that's more than I could have ever asked for. Velk is looking for his purpose, I'm a little suspicious that Valdis has been stolen by -- but nevermind that, that's the politics I was hoping to avoid." I chuckle, clearly unperturbed by my adopted daughter's potential abduction - because it's being dealt with, of course.
"And the triplets, well, they're yet young. Warlight is bright and determined and reminds me so much of Warrick. Sviko is young-hearted and absorbed largely in his own mind... I hope he doesn't stay lost forever. And Rhaegor - well, he's been out recruiting and he's trying so hard to make friends. But it's hard, with his mutism. He'll get through though."
I pause, ear flicking back. There's been another addition to this family too, came her telepathic voice from not far off in a nearby copse. A grin widens my expression, and I beckon the leopard with a swish of my tail. "There's also Panthera, though I certainly didn't birth her. My reward for runner up in the alliance."
The big cat stalks forward, purring almost louder than an avalanche; and without a mote of hesitation, her languid body presses and wraps itself around his legs, across his barrel, and then whips around and repeat. Throwing her weight back, the cat - more kitten as she meets one who I love so so strongly - stands on her hind legs and bats at his nose harmlessly, a kiss of a snarl revealing the teeth which she has used to save my life before.
My laughter rises in billowing steam as I watch the scene play out, but my next question is serious, delivered at the most inappropriate time all things considered, but that's what's special about us; there's no right time or place. There's only now.
"Do you think you'll ever have kids, Khaedrik?"
@[Khaedrik] WHY YOU GIVE ME SO MUCH MUSE
![[Image: kag]](https://78.media.tumblr.com/2e8039018ce4dff6112c167ec23e886a/tumblr_p72zjit7wC1s5a0qvo1_100.png)
dreamweaver