[private] someone's marching through the fire to find you; ilka

[Shahrizai]

We're caught in the crossfire

of the war inside our soul

Her touch is a balm, soothing the ragged edges of his being. If he ever paused to consider it, he might find it frightening how much of himself is entangled in her well being. He would not wish to exist in a world where she did not. Is not even certain could carry on without her by his side.

It is only natural then that his greatest fear is any kind of harm coming to her. The burden he places on her shoulders is an unfair one, but he cannot seem to help himself.

As she pulls back to place gentle kisses at the corner of lips and down the angle of his jaw, Shah can feel something loosening inside of him. His own mouth trails down the soft curve of her neck and slim shoulders, pressing close as she finds the thrum of his heartbeat. And just as she had wished it, her love steadies him, soothing the wild fear being separated from her had inspired.

Her words bring a smile to his features and a familiar warmth to his brown eyes. After a moment, he exhales slowly and deeply against her skin. “I am glad to hear it,” he murmurs against her, eyes sliding briefly closed. “I love you too much to let you go.”

As her smile fades into pain, a matching ache rises in Shah’s own chest. Though she tries to mask her tears from him, he knows they are there all the same. Knows because he too feels it. The anguish of a parent who cannot possibly protect their children from all the trials this world has to offer. As he holds her close, eyes closed against the darkness, he consoles her in the only way he knows how.

“Me too.” His voice is soft and gruff with emotion. “But we raised very strong and capable children. We must hope that is enough until we can find them.”

Shahrizai

@[Ilka]