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"I'm sorry, but... it's over."
A chill ran through Sylvester's entire body, and he felt his blood turn to ice - and this was not the familiar, natural flow of elemental magic that he possessed. Everything felt so cold - he could have sworn that the ground he was standing on had just been frozen right underneath him.
Where was he? Why did everything around him look so... foggy? He had been running... what made him decide to flee and how far had he gotten himself lost?
"You... didn't mean that, right?" The wolf managed to speak, reaching out a shaking hand for a certain owl shapeshifter. Despite making contact with bare skin, he did not feel the gentle comfort that he had learned to associate with these touches - it almost felt like he had laid his fingers on thin air, hollow and non-existent.
The same words could be applied to the gaze in Viridian's eyes, the green orbs devoid of their usual energetic spark. His picture-perfect figure that gave off nothing but vitality and life now stood still as a statue, and even when no words were spoken, Sylvester could feel it hanging heavy in the air - disappointment.
He half-expected the owl to say something - Viridian was the most vocal of them all, and it was something Sylvester loved about him - but he didn't. Without another word, the blonde-haired shapeshifter turned away, leaving Sylvester frozen where he was standing. This couldn't be real - Virdian would never, ever once leave him behind, let alone from his own accord... right? The wolf felt himself opening his mouth to call his name-
"Don't bother talking to me anymore," the words that were spoken with the sweet, loving voice Sylvester was so used to felt like literal daggers to his heart. No, he couldn't have said that - he couldn't be leaving...
"This is your fault," another familiar, yet ever so foreign voice reached Sylvester's ears, which drooped further when he turned around to face his other winged partner. Nightlight, instead of greeting him with his usual shy smile and wave, wore an expression of equal devastation and simmering hurt.
Sylvester instinctively stepped forward with an outstretched hand, wanting nothing but to comfort the raven, only to be startled by the shapeshifter instantly stepping back and looking at the wolf with hostility in his eyes, something that Sylvester had never, ever believed that Nightlight was capable of feeling.
"Don't. Don't come any closer," Nightlight, as sentimental as he was, still, had tears running down his cheeks, but his usual periwinkle eyes were almost red with unmistakable anger. "You... everything went wrong because of you."
Without another word, the raven flew past the stunned shapeshifter as he slowly became a speck in the distance, just like how Viridian had left just a moment ago...
"Wait! I-"
"You will regret coming after us. Or anyone else." This voice belonged to neither of them - or maybe, it was both of them at the same time? Sylvester didn't know. All he knew was that darkness was slowly closing in, and the two figures belonging to the ones he loved most were willingly walking into it, just so they could be free from him, far, far away from where he was, and never to be seen again...
It's all your fault.
The voice echoing in his ears now reminded him of the truth - Sylvester had no one to blame but himself. He could feel countless eyes peering at him from beyond, all with the same judgmental look, and all of the mysterious figures repeating the same line with the same scornful tone.
"All your fault... hope you are looking forward to the years of isolation... you're used to it by now, aren't you...?"
"No," Sylvester whispered hoarsely, his voice barely audible over the violent, freezing wind that suddenly picked up around him. In the corners of his eyes, the darkness that laid over the horizon started closing in. There were no walls, but he felt himself suffocating - was it really a worse fate to die here than accepting that they were gone forever, and he was the reason they left?
That question remained unanswered.
The shadowy tendrils that engulfed the dream never touched the wolf as he opened his eyes and instantly bolting from his position, his gaze unfocused and panicked. The pain in his chest felt very much real - how could he not feel anything but agony as the fact that the two most important shapeshifters in his life have left him alone? How could he even live knowing he was the reason they left?
Rays of moonlight that entered through the window caught his attention, and through his gasping, Sylvester slowly registered his surroundings again. The real feeling of soft fabric pressed against his skin sank in, and he realized that he wasn't actually running or calling after anyone, but rather safe in his own bed. A few movements in his peripheral vision reminded him that his partners were not gone at all, they were right next to him, in the same room and house they all shared.
Sylvester blinked away the haze of terror that clouded his vision, only to be met by an all too familiar pair of shining, periwinkle eyes with a concerned look in them.
"... Silver? Are you alright?"
Nightlight. The raven had slowly sat up and inched closer to the stunned shapeshifter. His eyes showed no trace of anger or pain, being their usual calming shade of blue. He wasn't mad at Sylvester, he wasn't leaving - he wasn't gone. He wasn't alone. He wasn't left behind. None of those actually happened. It was just a nightmare, like any other.
So why was his heart still pounding with fear and a deep, unsettled ache?
"Hey... it's okay, my love. I'm here for you," the raven whispered as he wrapped his wings protectively around Sylvester. It was then that the wolf realized hot tears were streaming down his face. In his conscious state, he would have never cried over something like this - only dreams related to his past or flashbacks with fire could have brought him remotely close to this state.
Choked sobs escaped his throat as the force of reality finally hit him, shattering the remnants of the dreamscape that occupied the forefront of his mind. Sylvester didn't even realize he was shaking until he was frantically trying to wrap his arms around Nightlight, his pained cries now muffled as the wolf buried his face against his partner's chest.
The raven didn't understand what had happened - Sylvester had never broke down like this, not since the time when they first learned of his fear of fire. In fact, it was the opposite - there had been multiple times where he and Viridian had to encourage the wolf to reach beneath his cool exterior and allow himself to cry when he had too much emotions bottled up.
Needless to say, Nightlight was extremely worried, but he remained silent as the smaller shapeshifter in his embrace continued sobbing. His concern only increased tenfold when he felt Sylvester visibly shivering as he gently stroked his partner's back in an attempt to soothe him slightly.
The raven glanced over to the other side of the bed and noted that Viridian was still fast asleep - he was slightly relieved to know that, as Sylvester probably didn't want any more excessive attention right now. Even while crying, the wolf wasn't loud enough to stir the slumbering owl from his sleep, quite unlike the times when Nightlight himself had woken up in his night terrors, where both of his partners would be awake and by his side immediately.
He was only hoping that he was comforting Sylvester the same way now when he really needed it.
"... Nightlight... do you... hate me?"
The quiet, feeble voice that was almost unrecognizable spoke up after some time, and Nightlight looked down in shock as he was unable to comprehend what his lover had just asked him.
"Of course I don't, Silver. I love you... and I don't think I can ever feel otherwise." The raven had proceeded to plant a kiss on the crying shapeshifter's forehead to affirm his point.
"... and you're... not mad at me?"
Nightlight looked into the wolf's amber eyes, fear and pain shining through behind the tears. He brushed away some of the ones falling down Sylvester's face with a few fingers.
"Never. How could I ever feel anything except affection for you, my love?"
The white-haired shapeshifter didn't respond. Instead, Nightlight felt the warmth of his tears soaking into his chest again as Sylvester once again broke down into a series of sobs at his response. He was really worried now - he wanted to know what had gotten the little shapeshifter in his arms so upset and scared that he was still trembling, his skin unnaturally cold to the touch.
"Hmm? Is something wrong?" A sleepy voice caught Nightlight's attention as he saw Viridian slowly blink open his eyes. It took him a bit, but Sylvester noticed this as well - and the raven knew that by how he suddenly froze, his cries coming to an abrupt halt.
"It's okay, Silver. It's alright," Nightlight whispered into the wolf's furry ears. He wasn't sure how Sylvester would feel about showing this sudden vulnerability all at once - but at the same time, he was relieved that he would soon receive another much needed source of comfort.
Sure enough, the owl's night vision caught sight of the tears running down Sylvester's face immediately, and without a second thought Viridian was by their side instantly. Nightlight saw his partner's face twist in obvious worry as he, too, felt the tremors from the wolf's constant shaking.
"Silver... darling, I'm here. I'm here, you don't have to feel scared..." Viridian said in a soft voice. Nightlight had gently let go of Sylvester while slowly easing him into the owl's own embrace. A look of almost terror flashed across his face, before the distressed shapeshifter instantly wrapped his arms around his other winged partner tightly, almost deathly afraid to let go.
Viridian was nowhere as tall as Nightlight was, but he was still decently larger than Sylvester, and he still managed to fold his own wings completely around the wolf who was now crying audibly. The owl returned the hug immediately, hoping that his gestures of affection would be able to transfer some warmth into the small shapeshifter's body.
"... you didn't leave me," Sylvester said, his voice now nothing but a raspy whisper through his falling tears.
"Of course not. I'll never leave your side, dear." Viridian combed through strands of the wolf's white hair on his head, letting his fingers scratch his ears comfortably as they lingered.
"... I... didn't upset you..?" The voice, filled with so much fear, coming from the usually calm and composed Sylvester broke the owl's heart. He leaned in and pressed a kiss onto his partner's cheek before affectionately caressing his tear-streaked face with his free hand.
"You could never upset me, Silver. You're perfect in your own way."
These reassurances seemed to calm the wolf down slightly, as Sylvester was no longer shaking violently as he was when he first woke up. Viridian continued to whisper kind words into his ears, adding a few gentle kisses in between.
As Sylvester felt the soft, warm feeling of the owl's wing feathers around him, the chaotic swarm of fearful thoughts that plagued his mind finally began to recede. He wasn't alone - he never had been. Whatever he saw... it didn't matter, Viridian and Nightlight were not gone, they were right there by his side, welcoming him with their loving, open arms...
"How are you feeling?" Sylvester felt Nightlight's fingers intertwining with his own as he held the wolf's hand and looked at him with a small smile. The wolf suddenly felt enough strength to squeeze back in response, feeling the warmth seeping through his frozen bones.
"... I don't know. ... scared." He admitted, his voice still thick with tears. They were almost on the verge of spilling again, all it took was a split second of an image of the dream forming in his mind. However, those images faded away as soon as his sensitive ears picked up Viridian's loving voice, chasing away the terror that once ensnared his heart.
"Everything is okay now, Silver. I won't let you go." Those words melted away the icy feelings of fear that gripped his very soul, and Sylvester felt himself relaxing and eventually going limp in his beloved owl's arms. Nightlight leaned in and tenderly kissed the wolf's forehead again, causing Sylvester to finally let out a shaky breath that he didn't realize he was holding.
"Bad dreams?" He could only nod as Nightlight's face slowly shifted into one of sympathy. "Oh, I'm so sorry you had to go through that, my love. I know you must have been terrified."
The sweet, loving words were enough to make the emotionally drained Sylvester tear up again, his vision once again being clouded as Nightlight moved closer and lifted the small wolf into in his lap, Viridian giving him another kiss on the cheek before he let go.
"... it felt too real," the shapeshifter said quietly, the lingering pain still haunting the corners of his mind. "I... I couldn't tell if anything I saw had happened, and I thought... I thought both of you were gone..." His voice slowly cracked as he blinked away the fresh wave of tears.
"I understand. But, we can help you with that, my love," Nightlight said with a reassuring smile, before he reached out and held both of Sylvester's hands in his own. "I know, some dreams can be horrifyingly realistic, and I know you're hurt, but you couldn't feel this in your dream, right?"
He was right. The contact he had attempted to initiate earlier in his nightmare was met with cold, empty space - unlike this grounding, warming feeling that radiated through his body whenever his raven held him close. Even though their voices sounded real - they rang hollow, witthout their accompanying personalities that Sylvester had grown to cherish. Their expressions, no matter how horrifying, could have never been real, for they would never fit with how Viridian's gorgeous green eyes sparkled whenever he was near, and how Nightlight's beautiful periwinkle orbs carried his gentle affection and shyness.
"Silver, darling, I don't know what you saw, but I can show you that none of it was real." Viridian moved closer, his hands steadily cupping either side of the wolf's face, before he leaned in and kissed the white-haired shapeshifter on the lips.
The action instantly alleviated any doubts Sylvester had about reality - nothing could have felt more real than this almost otherworldly comfort rapidly filling his heart as he reciprocated the gesture. As they broke the kiss to catch their breaths, the owl had gazed so lovingly into his amber eyes that Sylvester felt himself blush before they closed the distance with another deep, heartfelt kiss.
The two of them continued this for a while, their gestures of affection being so intimate and sensual, yet conveying nothing but comfort, reassurance and a mutual bond of love for each other. At the same time, Nightlight had been gently scratching the ears of the wolf who was still nestled in his lap, his fluffy silver tail now comfortably curled around himself.
The tension in Sylvester's body had finally faded away as exhaustion sank in once more, causing him to lean back against the raven's chest as he yawned, his head now feeling heavy from the rush of emotions he had just been through. Nightlight giggled slightly at the adorable sight while Viridian laughed affectionately.
"Aww, someone's tired. I think it's about time we get some rest again..." Sylvester couldn't even respond, he doubted he even heard the rest of their words as he fell asleep instantly in Nightlight's strong arms. Both of his winged partners had smiled at the sight of the peacefully sleeping wolf, contented and happy to know that their presence brought him a feeling of safety.
"Rest well, my love," The raven whispered after he gave Sylvester a final kiss on top of his head. He gently laid the shapeshifter down on their bed again, ensuring that his head was comfortably laid on the soft pillow. Viridian had proceeded to do the same once Sylvester was properly tucked into the warm blankets again.
"I love you so much, darling. I'll always be here for you." The owl brushed away a few strands of hair covering his face before finally smiling and pulling away. He sighed contentedly as Nightlight wordlessly pulled him into a hug, feeling the tiredness catch up to him as well.
"He'll be alright," Viridian said sleepily as he laid down beside the wolf, Nightlight following suit as he kept his arms around the owl.
"Of course he will." The raven smiled back at Viridian who turned around and cuddled into his chest, prompting him to gently envelop the shapeshifter in his black feathered wings before he felt sleep claim him.
"Good night, sweetheart." Nightlight could hear his partner murmur before he kissed the top of his blonde head and responded,
"Good night, Viri, my love."
Although none of them were awake to feel it consciously, the three of them were surrounded by a calming veil created by their love for each other, each of their auras radiating nothing but care and affection. And as the long night dragged on, these feelings would shield them from any potential nightmares, eventually sending them all into a deep, dreamless sleep, safe and comfortable in each other's arms.