05-29-2020, 12:27 AM
Exhaustion was not an unfamiliar feeling to Aurum, although that wouldn't be a surprise to many. The male had a long and unfortunate history with both overworking himself and battling against vicious nightmares, and it seemed as though that history was doomed to repeat itself. Part of the lion, as soon as he collided with the soft ground beneath him, just wanted to sleep right then and there. It would've been so easy to just rest his head on his paws and drift off, not that it would've lasted particularly long. He doubted that, even outside of his suffocating home, his mind wouldn't choose to torment him with the death of one of his closest loved ones. Not that he very well could've given in to that little urge anyways, given Raymond's presence. The lion was a great many things, but he was very certain that he wasn't rude. Well, not unless the situation absolutely warranted it, that was. And seeing as he and Raymond had only had positive interactions in the past, he didn't feel like falling asleep at the dark furred male's paws would be proper of him.
Thankfully for him, it seemed like at least he wouldn't be forced to get back up to his paws, considering Raymond made the choice to lay down right alongside him. The motion warmed Aurum's insides for a moment, reminding him of long nights spent laying beside Moth and Roy, just talking with them about feelings. The reminiscing made a lump claw up into his throat, and he had to forcefully shove it down before he could respond, voice still scratchy, "Nah... I wouldn't give Leroy the satisfaction of making me cry." The statement drew a little laugh out of the angel, but it was just as hoarse and scratchy as everything else, slightly sharp as he tried not to cough afterwards. He looked down at his paws for a moment in thought, seemingly trying to figure out exactly how he wanted to say things, and to what extent exactly he wanted to share. Eventually he just decided to come out and say it, sighing heavily, "I was having... nightmares. About Moth, and about everything that happened. They've been happening ever since she died..." He kneaded the ground beneath him a little, his claws sinking in, out, in, out. Eventually, he continued, "...I keep feeling like I should've been able to help her."
Thankfully for him, it seemed like at least he wouldn't be forced to get back up to his paws, considering Raymond made the choice to lay down right alongside him. The motion warmed Aurum's insides for a moment, reminding him of long nights spent laying beside Moth and Roy, just talking with them about feelings. The reminiscing made a lump claw up into his throat, and he had to forcefully shove it down before he could respond, voice still scratchy, "Nah... I wouldn't give Leroy the satisfaction of making me cry." The statement drew a little laugh out of the angel, but it was just as hoarse and scratchy as everything else, slightly sharp as he tried not to cough afterwards. He looked down at his paws for a moment in thought, seemingly trying to figure out exactly how he wanted to say things, and to what extent exactly he wanted to share. Eventually he just decided to come out and say it, sighing heavily, "I was having... nightmares. About Moth, and about everything that happened. They've been happening ever since she died..." He kneaded the ground beneath him a little, his claws sinking in, out, in, out. Eventually, he continued, "...I keep feeling like I should've been able to help her."
— Reggan