i’ve been both a saint & a viper
She somehow sees past the brooding darkness that surrounds him, a feeling that cloaks him not only physically. Her heart is so enraptured with him that perhaps she refuses to see what truly lies before her: a broken man with a broken mind, where his will and his intent do not matter. The devils in his mind truly control him and as she curls into him he grimaces visibly, wondering why they would allow such peace and happiness to thrive in their darkness - what do they have planned for him? For Keeper?
But he is selfish; he swathes himself in darkness and with her warmth, allowing both to mingle among each other. He knows he cannot have both - how can he? - but the mortal part of him is greedy, pulling her into his shoulder with his blue mottled neck curling around hers, brushing against her body like it is life itself (and it is). She smells of rich earth and open air, of freedom and peace, and he swallows her whole - engulfing her despite the shadows that watch with hidden, cheshire smiles and haunting howls of delight.
She is so innocent, so perfect; how is it that he stands in her presence as he is now? A broken shell of a man, a puppet on strings for the darker parts of his own mind - one that has committed sins that he would not dare confess to her. He is darkness and she is light, and he knows he should keep her away, flush her out and force her away from him, but he wishes to drown in her presence despite it and pretend he is still that man she remembers - a quiet, introverted cave dweller with a heart of gold.
Perhaps he is still that man, but they would never let him remember it.
Her beautiful mouth speaks his name and he trembles, ready to bend before her and do whatever she asked of him. His own lips have already peppered her neck in ferocity, soaking in the warmth of her and the scent of her, greedy and unrelenting. I love you. The confession sends him reeling.
They howl with laughter in his ears; the hot and putrid drool from their gnashing jaws click beside him. The stallion pulls her in close, tightly, holding onto the peace that Keeper brings him by her presence and confession alone - loved, of all things - clinging to her for hope.
They are suddenly overwhelming in the way they drag themselves across his haunches and ribcage and he cannot ignore them any longer.
“Keeper,” he begins, but his voice is not the same. It is dark and twisted, full of regret and deep sadness. I love you, are the words that wish to spill forth from him, hanging tightly onto his bated breath, desperate and true. But it is not what leaves his mouth. “It should not be me.” It’s all he tells her, still stroking her with such affection and longing that it proves his words false, heated and desperate kisses littering her neck and jaw.
Balto
@[keeper]