#voice work

… you're still awake, my dear. i told you not to wait up. the circus runs late.

(a pause)

you smell like sleep. warm. safe… so comforting. i just wanted to come inside but… i stood outside your window before i came in. listening to you breathe in and out. watching how… beautiful you slept.

did you dream of me? no. don't answer. i’d rather imagine you did.

my one and only.

these hands… these claws have broken humans. such bad humans. humans who have spoken your name in ways they should not have. stared at you too long… with those lecherous eyes… i won’t tell you what i did… you may think less of me… but i would do it again… maybe even worse… no… i’d do far worse.

(slow exhale)

but with you, my one. i can’t even hold too tightly… my hands… they tremble so much. cradling you. i can break you… i can break you, my love…