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The night approached and embraced the lake with a chilly wind, playing with the leaves and making up tunes as they brushed the grass, showing stars in the sky to those who cared to look up. Dess lay on the ground, grass and flowers embracing her body from all sides, merging into one. Getting her clothes or hair dirty was the least of her worries for now; while her brain was occupied with replaying hurtful words her mom said today, she found comfort in grazing the grass softly and letting it all out in the middle of nowhere, all alone. She fought with her mom a lot, but it ultimately meant nothing -- it wasn’t unusual, and she knew her mother wanted the best for her. Dess felt like a failure at times, feeling like she’s worse than her younger sibling in many aspects. But she loved Noelle so dearly, as well as her mom. It just happened that things got rough from day to day and everybody needed a rest sometimes.
Sometimes, a shoulder to wipe your tears into was needed; or a close, warm embrace, feeling like the whole world is against you, yet you’re still being carefully cradled by the one that loves you the most.
Asriel felt awkward. Sitting up, his eyes grazed over the girl. The girl, who couldn’t understand that she was okay -- definitely not a failure, and that everything will be fine one day. He wished his love could be felt, not just seen on the surface, or have a better way with his words to reach Dess. But she wouldn’t listen anyway. He caressed her, grazing his hands over the soft locks he loved so much. He loved every single part of her, and he wished Dess could see herself the way he sees her. He could hug her and talk non-stop about how she’s not a failure, or that she is the prettiest girl in the world. Maybe when he repeats it for the 100th time, it will finally get to her.
“Do you want to talk about it?” he asked gently, nearly whispering into the cold night air.
A pause, followed by silence – Dess turned her head away from him. Before Asriel could open his mouth again to offer a different solution, she grasped the hand that was in her hair, squeezed it and whispered “Stay.”
And Asriel did, like before, and hundreds of other times. He lay next to her in the cold grass and listened to her unsteady heartbeat. He knew, after a time, she would turn to him and embrace him, followed by a kiss or two, and that would be it for the day. Dess wasn’t easy – but nobody is. Everyone processes feelings differently, and he was more than eager to give her time. She was there for him countless times, so this was the least he could do.
He buried his muzzle in her silky hair which smelled heavenly, like a night full of stars or simply vanilla, inhaled and stayed there, thinking of what might be going on in the girl’s mind. Eventually, she hesitantly turned to his side and slowly embraced him, crying into his hoodie -- the one she would later steal and wear on a daily basis. And he thought to himself, maybe it’s going to be okay. Asriel pressed a light kiss to the top of her head -- a silent promise in the cold night air -- and let her worries soak his clothes.
Maybe for now, this is enough. And whatever happens, Asriel had a feeling that they will be fine.