I don't really like myself without you
Curisouly, he watches as Arael tells Medusa about her daughter. He had wondered where the filly had gone, but he assumed she was okay with Arael’s calm aura. Ironclad had only met Velahrn once, but the filly had not been very interested in him. Seems the girl just wanted to do her own thing. Ironclad was someone who understood that well at a very young age. From taking on his first mare, adopting Lakota, and even defending Xiomara. He understood the need to make your own decisions, but a young horse did not always make the best choices. Until Pike (and lately Lakota too), he had not understood what his mother had felt from his actions. He understands the pain he put her through.
He had the thought to give Arael some affection. Just in case she was missing her daughter. As he begins to steps forward, she mentions wanting the chance to be a mother again. His face almost instantly flushes as he feels the playful bump of Medusa. Ironclad smiles sheepishly as he turns his head to stare at his Queen with wide eyes. At the same time Arael asks Medusa if she had any little ones running around. He watches the reaction of his Queen, trying to judge how she felt about their future. Not that he could get all that by one look, but he was trying. It was obvious they were still getting to know each other, but he could see the way her body tensed. His brain tries to figure out what this might mean as she answers. Then their gazes meet. Ironclad feel the blood rush from his head as his face flushes. A soft nervous laugh leaves his lips, but the moment quickly passes as they move on to other things.
Not everyone in the herd needs to be bothering with his own troubles or the fact that their herd kept growing smaller. Just having these two mares alone lifts his spirits. With every moment he felt his troubles melting to the back of his brain for a time when he was alone. Arael coud see his worry so she asks and even goes to offer her own help. Seeing his frown reflect to her own mouth causes him to finally step closer to her. His muzzle reaches out to her to brush against her nose softly. He breaths in her scent with a deep breath before speaking. ”Please don’t trouble yourself with my troubles Arael.” He pulls away slowly, eyes staring into hers. ”If you must do something for me I ask that you never stop smiling. I love to see you smile.” Ironclad steps back, returning to Medusa’s side.
He gives his Queen a quick touch of her shoulder before looking between both mares. ”I think I will catch up with both of you later. I should go check on Lace and my daughters.” It seems like a good time to exit so the ladies could continue their conversation. With his last comment he almost hopes they gush over him while he walks away. A smirk spreads over his lips as he dips his head to both of them and travels away.