In the dark, Aquillius dreamed a dream.
Mereo’s high redstone walls filled his vision as he played a game with his siblings. In the way of children, the game had dissolved into a wrestling match. The high laughter sank into the stones, where mother and father watched them play. The sun warmed their wiggling little bodies. He was breathless with joy, bouncing away from Alivia and nearly running right into Cornelius. He laughed and he laughed and he laughed. Mother and father looked at each other in the way of loving parents and husband and wife alike.
He slowed at the edges of the play, watching as his sisters and brother tumbled together.
The canyon was empty. All except him and the voice. Aquillius stood in one place, one paw poised above the dark ground.
Smaller, with two bright eyes and a half smile and a shy face. Aquillius couldn’t help but stare at the smaller, younger version of him. He’d never even seen his face when he smiled.
He hadn’t smiled in a long time. The prodigal son licked his nose, staring at the boy who was.
A touch started him, and he opened his eye to find the boy him pressing his forehead into his chest.
In the waking world, a day and a half after he had laid down, Aquillius’s fever broke to the exclamation of his healer, and a single tear slipped from his eye to caress the small smile that found a home on his face of stone.
Mereo’s high redstone walls filled his vision as he played a game with his siblings. In the way of children, the game had dissolved into a wrestling match. The high laughter sank into the stones, where mother and father watched them play. The sun warmed their wiggling little bodies. He was breathless with joy, bouncing away from Alivia and nearly running right into Cornelius. He laughed and he laughed and he laughed. Mother and father looked at each other in the way of loving parents and husband and wife alike.
He slowed at the edges of the play, watching as his sisters and brother tumbled together.
Its not real, you know.
The canyon was empty. All except him and the voice. Aquillius stood in one place, one paw poised above the dark ground.
It never was. Maybe once, but you left that far behind you.Small steps behind him.
You could find it again.He turned around and locked eyes with himself.
Smaller, with two bright eyes and a half smile and a shy face. Aquillius couldn’t help but stare at the smaller, younger version of him. He’d never even seen his face when he smiled.
He hadn’t smiled in a long time. The prodigal son licked his nose, staring at the boy who was.
I can?He asked, voice small. In the corner of his eye, the demon lurked in the shadows of the fallen empire. Her broken crown lay at his feet. Pain laced down his shoulder and he inhaled sharply, closing his eyes.
A touch started him, and he opened his eye to find the boy him pressing his forehead into his chest.
Of course you can.The eaglet spoke to the raven. He lifted his head to look up at him, giving him a smile.
You just have to look.He put his head back to his chest and Aquillius blinked down at him, before embracing the boy he was, awkwardly but earnest.
In the waking world, a day and a half after he had laid down, Aquillius’s fever broke to the exclamation of his healer, and a single tear slipped from his eye to caress the small smile that found a home on his face of stone.
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from a pure and noble heart - by Aquillius - April 16, 2023, 12:12 PM