Noctisardor Bypass wünschen

laurel encircled him.
mahler tasted his own tears and the scent of her fur.
he closed his eyes. if he had within himself the ability to transport them both to sunnier climes then he would have done this, and swiftly. as it were, mahler possessed no such power. but as they lay together, some knots of hurt began to disentangle.
was this what he had always wished? was it specific to laurel? or was it only the part of bonding with a woman he did not understand.
perhaps in another life — 
but this was their current. he needed her as a friend. a companion. mahler desperately did not want to live however many days he had remaining in beholdenment to others.
he let out his breath. tension ebbed from his muscles. exhaustion took its place.
beneath his tongue, the gargoyle tasted the penny-rancid flavor of his own blood.
he could not help the sleep that climbed into his limbs. mahler wanted an escape, and laurel had provided it for him.