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There was something about your dreams tonight. Something off.
You were no stranger to the occasional nightmare. Sometimes they were nonsensical, things born from mild anxieties. The fears you had once as a child coming back to nip at your heels as you left them in your past. Reminding you they were still there.
Spiders. The dark. The monster under your bed.
But none of them could compare to the one fear you had that walked alongside you like a constant companion: being alone.
For the longest time, you had grown accustomed to being on your own. You were grown, independent, it was a source of pride. You adapted to being on your own and did well for it. But that nagging feeling of loneliness never went away. At times when you least expected it, it’d come knocking on your door.
Greeting you like an old friend.
You welcomed it. You knew it well.
And just when you were alone with it? It enveloped your mind, your senses, your thoughts, gnawing at them until they bled.
Tonight though, it felt different. More volatile. Hungry. Violent. The sound of angry voices screaming, like nails on a chalkboard as your feet felt like they were frozen to the ground. All crying how you deserved this, this painful loneliness, how you deserved none of those who filled the empty void around you. It was enough to make your bones feel like they were shattering at their core, your brain felt like it was being stabbed with icy needles.
You could feel the chill coming across your body. In the distance, glimmering almost golden eyes looking back at you. A wolfish smile. A strong yet empty hand reaching out for you. There was this strong want, no, need to run towards the figure. Something instinctive in you demanded it, pushing every fiber of your being to move.
Slowly, you could feel your feet unstick. It felt like there were lead weights tied to your ankles, holding you back. Your body felt heavy, like it was breaking under invisible pressure as your lungs felt like they were on fire. Breathing became more difficult, you could feel tears streak and burn down your cheeks.
And then, a voice. Deep, but strangely comforting. Familiar. Calling a name.
Your name.
Pressure. A firm hold around you, holding you tight.
The scent of the forests filling your lungs, relieving that aching burn in your chest. The sound of your name growing louder, the darkness finally fading, until you open your eyes. You feel your face against firm muscle, strong arms wrapped around you. And with it, something long and fluffy almost wrapping around you.
“There’s those pretty eyes.” A soft voice called, you could feel that embrace around you grow just a little tighter, but you didn’t hate it. “Easy, I got you. You’re okay, just breathe.”
Blinking, you looked up, met with the kind face you recognized so well; strong features, the same wolfish grin you grew to love, bright eyes that seemed to look right through you. That soft, auburn hair you enjoyed feeling between your fingers. And the best part, the two prominent wolfish ears that twitched upwards in attention.
“Valko?” You muttered, reaching up to wipe your eyes. You instantly felt the wetness on your cheeks. “What happened…”
“Think you were having a nightmare again, sweetheart. You were twitching a lot. I thought maybe holding you would help and then you started crying.” Soon, he tugged the sleeve of his housecoat down, using the sleeve to help carefully wipe the remaining tears away. “Same dreams? Or something different?”
Was it? You weren’t even sure at this point. But you knew one thing: it felt real. Too real. And the worst part, it could very well happen.
You could end up alone again. By yourself. You could very well wake up one day and realize you’re right back to how you started. And you’d have to learn how to do it all over again, being on your own. You felt those thoughts come crawling at you again, the panic beginning to set in. And perhaps Valko could sense it, keen as he was on your emotions, because you felt him hold you close, his long tail batting against you.
“Hey, hey…” He cooed, “C’mere. Talk to me, I’m all ears. Clearly.”
God he was so stupid sometimes. But it’s what you loved about him. He always knew just how to make you feel better.
“I… I had a nightmare that I was alone again. And you weren’t there. And that I’d have to be alone again. Learn how to be that way again.” You admitted, your voice getting shaky. The mere thought of Valko leaving, or god forbid worse, started to make you tremble in fear. “I don’t want to be alone again.”
“Oh sweetheart…” You felt his lips on the top of your head, gently kissing it. “I can’t promise I’m not going anywhere, I don’t want to do that to you. Anything could happen to me. To us. But I can tell you this.”
You could feel his hand under your chin, tilting your face upwards so your eyes could meet his. His gaze was so soft, adoring, loving. “So long as it's in my power, I’m not going anywhere. Right by your side is where I belong. Anytime you need me, for anything, no matter how big or small, you can call upon me. Okay?”
You knew you could. He had done so since the first day.
“Until my last breath, I’m yours.”
Until his last.