a gift vignette for my boyfriend, who's been having a rough few days. I love you, Hon~

Cael ©
Stephy ©
Val and this story © me.

~~~

they were angry tears at first. hot and heavy and wet. they dripped down Cael's cheeks and fell off his chin, hitting the ground with a tiny splash. then with a shudder they became shaking sobs. his shoulders trembled and he curved his back, hair bristling and tail flicking wildly.

it just didn't seem to end. every day it sometimes felt like. why couldn't people see him for who he was? assumptions, accusations, pointed questions, flat out ignorance and arguments... none of it was necessary. it felt like daggers being jabbed into him every time. he tended not to show how hurt he was to their faces. he didn't want them to think they won. that they had phased him. but after dealing with them and putting them in their place, he would go off alone and cry.

Cael's head was spinning, mind racing with all kinds of thoughts and feelings. he clutched his forearms and dug his fingernails in until he bled. the bright glowing pink blood bubbling and dripping down his arms, mingling with the dirt of the park under the bench. he bit his lip, and struggled to breeze. he kept cycling from angry to sad to hurt to panicking. a grape-coloured mouse reached a napkin up to him to blow his nose. he gently took it, still shivering, and blew hard. with a sniffle he bunch the sopping tissue in his hand.

just then, the air around him grew colder. a gentle hand was placed on his shoulder, and another offered to take the tissue for him. he complied, and Val gingerly accepted it and it burned up in his hand to nothing but ashes. then the elf wrapped his arms around Cael's shoulders and nuzzled him.

"I looked everywhere for you. I'm so glad I found you. are you ok?"

"I will be..." Cael hiccuped back, nuzzling his undead boyfriend and blushing. "it just hurts right now, but I'll be fine."

"I'm always here for you."

"thankyou," he said, and began to sob some more. "I know you are, and I appreciate it." Val hugged him tighter and lifted him into his arms. the tiny cat faerie clung to him, curling up, his tail coiling. Val sat down and cradled Cael in his lap, rubbing the fae's back.

"I love you, Cael. no matter what happens, I'll take good care of you."

"you're a good." Cael replied with a sleepy voice, smiling despite himself. he nuzzled Val's chest, wiping his last tears on the elf's shirt.

rocking him like this for a long moment, the two lost track of time as Cael drifted in and out of consciousness, napping in Val's soothing embrace.