Sullivan gasped. "BOO! BOO, YOU'RE ALRIGHT!"

He rocked me in his arms. I could feel his chest heaving as he swallowed his sobs, and the lump in my throat slithered its way up into my conscious.

He loves me.

My vision blurred.

He truly loves me.

My cheeks flushed.

No no no, I mustn't cry. I will not cry. Only children cry.

My eyes grew wide and luminous.

"Boo?" Sullivan asked, worry in his voice at the sight of my unspoken distress.

I tried to speak, but nothing came out. Only sounds and distorted cries and croaks.

Two white pearls tumbled down my cheeks and shattered on the floor.

I will not cry. I will not cry. I will not... Cry...

I buried my face into Sullivan's fur. I clung to the blue threads as they tangled around my clawed fingers. My sobs were a stifled whisper, the concrete dam in my soul finally cracking and crumbling, its foundation collapsing and disappearing, washed away by my tears.

My life behind me meant nothing.

And as those hot tears poured down my face, my anger washed away. I felt new. I felt fresh. I was finally awake. I was finally, finally, ready for the new day, ready for a new life.

If only every moment could be as pastel.