He couldn't hold her any closer than he already was, not in their current position on the couch. He felt her shiver against him, though, and wished he could. If he had wings like Boreal's he could wrap them around them both and shut out the nightmares and the world beyond for awhile. If he had magic like Ru or Sah he could build a shield of ice or wind or fire to keep their fears at bay.
But all he had was his arms and his own stuttering heat beat, no less anxious and afraid than Alys's, and though he tried his best neither were enough to chase away the lingering trauma they had both endured.
He should have known that, of the two of them, Alys would be the one strong enough to find hope in the darkness. Tal swallowed hard past the lump in his throat, turning his head to bury his face in her hair and nodding. His cheek rubbed against her hair and he had to fight the urge to sneeze as his nose was tickled by fluffy strands. "Me neither. So we'll work t'get stronger'n any nightmare. Together," he promised, voice rough and still holding an edge of trembling, but nevertheless gruffly determined to forge a brighter future for them both.
~fin~
But all he had was his arms and his own stuttering heat beat, no less anxious and afraid than Alys's, and though he tried his best neither were enough to chase away the lingering trauma they had both endured.
He should have known that, of the two of them, Alys would be the one strong enough to find hope in the darkness. Tal swallowed hard past the lump in his throat, turning his head to bury his face in her hair and nodding. His cheek rubbed against her hair and he had to fight the urge to sneeze as his nose was tickled by fluffy strands. "Me neither. So we'll work t'get stronger'n any nightmare. Together," he promised, voice rough and still holding an edge of trembling, but nevertheless gruffly determined to forge a brighter future for them both.
~fin~
