❝Nor from hell one step more than from himself can fly.❞
[X AMBASSADORS ¤ RENEGADES]
DIALOGUE
#853c41
¤
The halo of white rushed from her and she stood and fell and stood again and he just stared, wait she can't be vertical yet. Before he could protest, before he could course her back into bed she closed the distance between them. His arms fell away in immediate acceptance when she pulled him into an embrace. Zero teetered a little, but he kept his balance, held her with an arm around her waist. Intense heat shimmered through, his breath hitched.
Loretta apologized, something about causing him pain, what? She thought she was worthless, how? He closed his eyes reflexively, thrown once more by her words. Then he set her on her feet so that his hands rose lightly, hesitantly, cradling either side of her face. He sighed, found himself drinking the air deeply, suddenly tasting the scent of her and smelling the rich dark metallic blood slipping down her arms. He swayed, but he clenched his teeth and kept solid.
He tilted her head so she could meet his gaze. She had such an apologetic look on her face. As if all this had been her fault. He never wanted to see her look like that. "You should respect yourself more." His voice soft. He was secure in her arms, like home. He yearned for that. The direct gaze that'd support and give him strength. For so long he taught himself to feel nothing. And she made him feel. It'd hurt. To feel again. But he'd been glad of it. He was glad of the pain. It made him long for her. His stomach fluttered, his heart seeped with warmth and sent his pulse soaring.
Zero leaned forward before he might think to do otherwise and pressed a kiss to her soft lips.