The Withering

Fou d'Amour

The rhythmic sound of hooves on the path was soothing, a steady counterpoint to the whirl of thoughts in your mind. It had been days since you last saw Ydris, and although the recent whirlwind of events had kept you occupied, a deep sense of longing tugged at your heart.

You missed him. It wasn't just the abruptness of his departure or the unanswered questions, it was the simple absence of his presence, his laughter, and the way he made everything seem a little less daunting. 

The quiet moments you had shared, the easy conversations, and the comfort of knowing he was nearby, were all things you realized you had grown to cherish more than you had expected.

You thought about the way he had held you, the softness of his lips against yours, and the warmth of his embrace. Those moments had been deeply meaningful, even if you hadn't put them into words.

The discovery of Grim and the subsequent realization of the illness's spread had been overwhelming. Yet, amidst the chaos, Ydris's sudden exit had left you with more than just concern. 

It had left a void. His pained expression, the way he had retreated so abruptly, it all seemed out of place and deeply unsettling.

You remembered the way he had looked at Grim's wounds, his face contorted with something beyond mere concern. It was as though he had glimpsed something that was deeply personal, a reflection of his own struggles or fears. And then, he had left, leaving you with an unanswered worry gnawing at your thoughts.

As you approached his circus, you hoped that time had given him some clarity or relief. The journey had been necessary, but you couldn't ignore the lingering concern. 

More than that, you yearned to reconnect, to bridge the gap left between your last encounter and now.

As you neared the circus, the fading light of dusk cast a golden hue over the colorful tents. The show had just concluded, and the last of the audience was filtering out, chatting animatedly about the performance. 

You could see Ydris emerging from the big top, his figure silhouetted against the backdrop of the setting sun.

His hat tipped at a jaunty angle, and he was dusting off the remnants of glitter and confetti from his coat with practiced ease. For a moment, he looked every bit the performer, the master of illusions and wonder. 

But then, as his gaze swept over the emptying grounds, it landed on you.

In an instant, his demeanor shifted. The tiredness of the evening seemed to melt away as his face brightened with recognition and a soft, genuine smile. He didn't hesitate. 

The usual calm and collected air he maintained was replaced by an open warmth as he hurried toward you.

"Oh, my heart!" Ydris's voice was a mixture of surprise and relief. 

Before you could react, he had closed the distance between you, pulling you into a heartfelt embrace. His arms encircled you with a tenderness that spoke volumes more than words ever could.

For a moment, the world outside seemed to fade away. All the tension, the unresolved emotions, and the days of separation melted into the simple joy of being in his presence again. You felt his breath against your neck, the steady thrum of his heartbeat as he held you close, and the soothing comfort of knowing he was here.

When he finally pulled back, you noticed something in his appearance that hadn't been there before. 

His usually vibrant complexion was slightly pallid, and there was a weariness in his eyes that hadn't been present during your previous encounters. He looked like he hadn't been sleeping well, and the subtle tremor in his hands didn't escape your notice.