Ouroboros Spine [m] i’m in the trees, i’m in the breeze, my footsteps on the ground

For a great stretch when Valiant’s words ended, the doe was silent. A glance upwards would show she was wide eyed, struck dumb by the sincerity he seemed to wield so effortlessly.

I’m not worth this, everyone leaves me, don’t you know? the harsh jumble of her own emotions bit bitterly at her heart, at her mind, at the corners of her eyes where tears wished to form. She did not say these things, but her jaw worked as if it wanted to. Vairë had experienced a thousand things in life, a sweet talker was nothing. Her previous husband, her mother, her sister, all of them said things so sweetly but never meant them to her. But Valiant did, the sincerity in his voice was so real she could almost taste it on her tongue. Her throat clicked when she tried to swallow.

I’m not worth this, there’s something wrong, everyone always leaves. Will you leave too? What will I do when you do? A brush of beige fur against her shoulder.

This one, hummed old doe, means his words. If he does not, you drive him from the herd. You make things so difficult, girl.

Delicate paws, drifting, dancing, crossing the snow with intent until she stood right in front of him, expression vulnerable, the pain of a thousand comings and goings written into every line, every twitch, every expression.

Then, it broke into a tremulous smile.

I want you too. It was a simple thing to utter, despite the flush it brought, something more innocent than the deeper flame beneath her skin.

Ever since you indulged in conversation about baby names, of all things. I am trusting you with this, setting her heart in his hands, bruised and battered thing though it was, please don’t break it.