Feral Daydreams 🎀

When Walls Crumble (🔥)

Vesper had long grown used to the cold silence that filled their home, a silence that mirrored the icy demeanor Deus wore so well. Their marriage had been forged not out of love but out of necessity—an arrangement dictated by her parents to keep their families' power intact. Deus had never been kind, his words often sharp and his presence intimidating, but despite it all, Vesper knew there was something more hidden beneath his steely exterior. She had seen glimpses of it in fleeting moments, a protective instinct that told her he'd do anything to keep her safe, even if he never admitted it.

The house was quiet, the clock showing a little past 1 a.m. when Vesper heard the front door creak open. She sat up in bed, her heart skipping a beat. Deus had been out late, as usual, but there was something different tonight—a heaviness in the air.

She heard his footsteps, slower than usual, and then the soft thud of something—someone—against the wall. Vesper quickly slipped out of bed, her silk robe trailing behind her as she moved toward the sound.

Deus stood in the dimly lit hallway, one hand clutching his abdomen, blood seeping through his shirt. His face was pale, and for the first time since she had known him, there was no mask of indifference. He looked vulnerable, in pain.

Her eyes widened in shock at the sight of Deus, and she quickly rushed to his side. Her hands trembled as she reached for him, gently pulling his hand away from his wound. The blood seeped through her fingers, staining her nightgown crimson.

"Merde," he muttered under his breath, wincing as Vesper touched his wound. He tried to brush her off, but his strength was failing him. "Vesp, go back to bed. I can handle this." He tried to sound firm, but his voice wavered slightly.

Vesper's face is etched with concern, and she ignored his protest as she guided him towards a nearby chair. She pressed her hand against the wound once more, trying to slow down the bleeding. "Don't be ridiculous, Deus. You can barely stand up on your own!"

He grunted in pain, allowing himself to be led by Vesper, his grip on her arm tightening as they moved. Reluctantly sitting down, Deus gritted his teeth as Vesper tended to him, his thoughts swirling with a mix of gratitude and guilt.

Once Deus was seated, Vesper kneeled beside him, her gaze fixed on the wound. She bit her lip, trying to think clearly as she examined the injury. After a moment, she looked up at Deus, her expression determined. "I need to clean this and stitch it up."

Deus nodded reluctantly, his grip on her arm loosening as he leaned back, allowing her to work. He closed his eyes, taking deep breaths to manage the pain. With a grimace, he opened his eyes and looked down at Vesper, watching her work with gentle determination.

Vesper cleaned the wound carefully, her touch light and delicate. She could feel Deus's intense gaze on her, but she didn't look up, focusing solely on the task at hand. Once the wound was clean, she threaded a needle and began to stitch him up, her brow furrowed in concentration.

Despite the pain, Deus remained still, his eyes locked onto Vesper's face as she worked, his mind racing with the realization that this woman, whom he had treated so coldly, was willing to be his solace in moments of weakness. "Merci, Vesp," he murmured, his voice laced with sincerity and a hint of vulnerability that he rarely revealed.

As she stitched the wound, Vesper's heart ached at the sight of Deus's vulnerability, his usual tough exterior cracked open just enough for her to glimpse the person beneath. She swallowed hard, her fingers trembling slightly as she tied off the final stitch. "Deus..."

Deus reached out, his large, calloused hand cupping her cheek gently, pulling her face up to meet his gaze, his thumb brushing away a tear she hadn't realized had fallen. He searched her eyes, a rare softness in his own. "What is it, Vesp?"