If I could have kept my wings around you and shielded you from the world and everything out there that hurt you I would have. "I love you." I whispered because I felt like you needed to hear it again. If it helped I would say it over and over again until I had no breath left in my lungs because I hated it when you were sad. I hated the way your breath shook and, in a way, how you leaned into me like you had been deprived of a gentle touch and a kind word. I didn't want to unwrap my wings from around you, but I knew I had to. As much as I wanted we couldn't stand like that forever.

I watched you as you took my feather and stuck it into your mane, and I couldn't help but smile as I remembered the last time I'd given you a feather. I'm pretty sure you thought I was trying to stab you with it. But thinking about that time made me think about Dragomir, the one that had found us on the border. He had one of my feathers, too, but it was one that he'd found when I was sick because of the darkness. He had been a source of strength for me when I had hated myself for the longest time. As I stood there watching I couldn't help but think that he was right when he said that anyone who loved me would forgive me. I'd been so scared after what had happened that you hated me. You have no idea how much of a relief it was to know that you didn't.

"Ji...y'know. They probably miss you."

"I doubt it." I said honestly. "I don't... I'm not important there." I moved my shoulders in a way that resembled a shrug. To be perfectly honest I didn't really feel like going back, not now that I'd finally found you again. Who knew when I'd see you again and what those circumstances would be?

"Your...your son probably wants his ma."

My face fell because I knew that you were right. I had been away from Ryuu for so long because I had fallen to pieces. "I know." I said weakly. "Cera's watching him for me." It wasn't as if I'd left him alone, but that was only a small comfort to me. I lifted my head and looked at you again. "Promise me that you'll come see me." I requested. "I don't... I don't want to go so long without you again." Because in that moment I think I realized just how much of a bright spot you were in my life; my best friend and my better half. "Promise?"

"."

@[Roskuld]