Dead Empress Backwater don't make me beg

Backdated to 8/3, after this thread. For @Leo only.

Eros perked as the howl reached him, voice bringing on a familiar wave of butterflies within the teen's stomach. Unfortunately for him, he was much too far to reach the little gathering that thereafter converged on the border. By the time he reached their side of the territory, the meeting was clearly over. He followed Leo's scent, happy to find it headed inward rather than away again without saying hello.

Of course, he was oblivious to the true nature of the visit.

When he spotted the other boy, he grinned widely and picked up his pace, tail wagging in his wake.

"Leo! It's really good to see you!"

(This post was last modified: Oct 16, 2022, 07:58 AM by Eros.)

His paws felt almost as heavy as his heart, and his eyelids were not far behind, as he sought out the backwater itself to still his thirst before finding a place to settle for the night. Kateri had decided to head to the Cove straight away, with doting Archer at her side; So be it…! At least he didn’t have to feel conflicted about letting her travel alone at night; And she’s managed that before… A heavy sigh fell from the Vuesain scion’s lips as he paused, frozen in place. All of a sudden, his family had become very complicated, and he had no idea how to deal with it. He needed to get back to @Stella, he didn’t want her to be alone for too long, and they both needed rest. But he would take just one more moment, closing his eyes and breathing in the cool night air. Then a voice called out. Blinking back to reality, Leo looked around until he spotted a familiar, hefty figure approaching. With a sinking feeling in his stomach, he steeled himself against the storm of energy that was Eros Valle. Unable to muster a real smile, Leo could only greet the other yearling with a half-hearted wave of his tail, voice quiet as he answered: “Oh, hey Eros.” Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

Eros was just starting to get a little used to the way he felt around Leo, and then the other boy greeted him like that and it changed yet again, shifting in a way that made his stomach sick and caused him to consider something he never did; fleeing. It was all in his head though, wasn't it? It's not like the other boy was exactly bursting with fondness any other time. He was collected, cool while the young Valle fumbled around.

He tried to hide the fracture lines in his confidence, maintaining his smile even if it held the shadow of a grimace.

"Um. How's it going? You guys bring plants again?"

If he hadn’t been so preoccupied, he might have noticed the slight change in Eros at the less than enthusiastic greeting. As it was, he barely even met the other boy’s eyes, the faintest shadow of a smile on his lips. It fell quickly though, as the simple question brought reality crashing back at full force.   A sigh escaped Leo against his best efforts, eyes squeezing shut for a moment as he tried to think of the best way to break the news; yet again. “No, we…” he started, then immediately gave up. Exhausted and worn thin from fighting to keep his exposure all day, his shoulders slumped, back legs giving way as his tail hit the ground with a loud thump. Repressed tears burning in his eyes, he shook his head violently to try and clear them, yet he couldn’t keep his voice from cracking as he gasped: “My dad died!” Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

Leo's physical response to his question made it clear that something was wrong. Eros' smile fell away completely, brows knitting with concern as he waited for an answer. A step was even taken forward, but then the words came and the young Valle found himself freezing completely.

Aleister was dead?

Seri. He couldn't help but think of his best friend, who'd only ever seen his father a handful of times, and now the man was...

"I'm-," he stopped himself just short of apologizing, feeling it wrong the moment that first word left his lips. This had nothing to do with him and his feelings. He moved forward, quickly closing the distance between them, and attempted to embrace his fellow yearling. How did one comfort someone who lost a parent? Eros hadn't a clue, but damned if he wasn't going to try.

(This post was last modified: Apr 13, 2023, 04:00 AM by Eros.)

Of all the places to finally give in to his grief, Leo would never have guessed it would be on Eros’ shoulder. Nothing against the other boy of course, he was a good friend, but they didn’t know each other all that well, and for Leo, emotion had always been something reserved for his closest relations. But there was something about the empathy of someone who didn’t already share the grief, that finally broke the floodgates he had been holding up for so long. Burying his muzzle in Eros’ scruff to drown out his sobs, Leo let his tears flow, giving in, just for a moment, to the crushing darkness of his loss. He’d been the older brother all his life, the stoic son born in his father’s very image, always putting his siblings first, holding back his own feelings to protect them. But here, with only Eros to watch, he could let himself grieve openly, and he did. Once the tears had dried out, lightening the burden just slightly, he pulled out of the embrace, mumbling a hoarse: “Sorry.” He didn’t know what else to say, feeling embarrassed at his lapse – though only a little, he was too exhausted for anything more. Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA

Eros lowered his haunches to the ground, rooting himself to the spot to take however much of Leo's weight the other youth wanted to lean onto him. He was quiet, patient, waiting only for a moment that might tell him his friend needed something different. The sound of the other boy crying was impossible to block out, and the pure grief communicated with every sob would stay with him for a long time to come.

He tried to keep his thoughts just as still, but couldn't help think of his own father, of his mother being gone, of what it must feel like to be Leo right now, to experience a loss so severe. The dark thoughts were chased away and his focus returned to his agemate as he felt him begin to gradually calm, and then eventually shift.

'Sorry.'

Eros blinked, and shook his head.

"Don't be."

He spoke quietly, almost gingerly. As though he were walking a tight-rope between not being enough and taking up too much space. His tawny paws shifted under him, a plethora of questions at the back of his tongue and none of them feeling right. After a moment's hesitation, he finally settled on that which felt most pressing.

"Do yo-, do... you want me to leave or... do you want, company?"

(This post was last modified: Jul 12, 2023, 11:29 PM by Eros.)

His legs felt shaky, a dull ache thumping in his head, but the hollow pain in his chest was a little less severe – even if that was just due to exhaustion. But Eros’ soft replay actually prompted a pale smile from Leo, though one that didn’t quite reach his eyes. He shrugged one shoulder, still feeling like it was unfair of him to unload everything on Eros like this; but he didn’t have the words, let alone the energy to explain himself. It was done now anyway. All he wanted to do was sleep – his eyes burned from crying and his lids were heavy – at least rest would bring him a brief peace. And yet, when his friend offered to leave him alone, Leo answered instinctively; “No p-please… Stay? I don’t… I don’t want to be alone.” There was no point in acting stoic now, he might as well admit his worries: what images might encroach on him if his imagination was allowed to run rampant. “I don’t know i-if I can fall asleep… alone.” Thoughts ”Speech”

Lakela @DA