4.1

[sighsheavily]

I can't believe this... I actually like these.

[these being reference to what clothes she's picked at within the room they're holed in for hours indeterminate. she's pulled on a pastel gown and finished fiddling with the fiddlier bits, smoothing out the drapery in front of the floor-length mirror.]

The color is a shame, and I doubt this'd be of use if I get dropped in that bloody maze again, but still...

[it's nice. it feels nice! no more denim and excess buttons...

gads, the rhinestones making cactus blossom patters are kind of tacky, though. she oughtn't complain; it's a step in the right direction.]

Comments

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...After you were gone...when I clawed my way out of the grave I was left in...

...I wasn't...I wasn't very heroic...

[sighsheavily]

If it was even half as bad as what you wrote... You dug your way into a fresh hell. [her head tilts so her temple is resting against his back.]

And still you made it here...with your heart bruised, but still intact.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Heh...I can't tell if you're too forgiving or you're just too forgiving of me...

But I won't ignore what you're saying by spouting something stupid like 'I'm not worthy of your forgiveness.'

I don't want to be that guy anymore...

[sighsheavily]

[she smiles faintly.]

Darin, I can't...forgive you for those things. Any absolution that truly matters...it comes from within in the end, doesn't it? Even if it starts from somewhere outside.

The heavens could split open, and Aniel or, or some other heavenly body could come and say your slate is clean, but...it would only matter if you believed it.

Right?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...Yeah. Exactly. It's never enough until I feel like it is.

[sighsheavily]

The most I can do...is keep you from flaying yourself for it. [her hands move under his, palms pressing and fingers splaying out against his shirt.] So before you can beat your back or your breast in some distorted idea of atonement...I'll have to get in the way.

All of the walking ahead you have to do...still has to come from your own feet.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He manages a short laugh.]

Please...I've had enough of being taken apart. By my own hands or not. And I spent more than enough time beating myself up.

...I've got people to live for now.

[sighsheavily]

Thank goodness.

[her tone is soft, masking much of the relief she feels. he'd looked so...worn when he handed her those notes; he may have been able to pull a smile after-the-fact, but it's still been quite recent.

she needs to forgive herself, too, for not being there to help.]

I'm glad I'm in love with...such a strong-hearted...strangely sensible man.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I can't believe you're calling the man who threw you into the air to catch a rope 'sensible.'

[sighsheavily]

That's why I said strangely sensible. I didn't say consistently sensible.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

You know what? I'll take it.

[sighsheavily]

[with a little laugh in her voice:] You're welcome, I suppose! Brave, heroic, and...strangely sensible.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Don't forget 'madly in love.'

[sighsheavily]

Hmh-! Brave, heroic, strangely sensible, madly in love, well-dressed and well-groomed, talented...

[forgeabettertomorrow]

Now hold on...a few of those things are because a certain lady seemed to think I wasn't capable of brushing my hair or dressing myself~

[He turns in her arms to face her with a playful smirk.]

[sighsheavily]

[she slacks her hold for him to do so, her mouth twitching on one side with some bashfulness.]

Right... Highly trainable, then?

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I think 'adaptable' sounds better. I mean, I'm your bo— ...partner. Not a pet.

[sighsheavily]

[embarrassed:] O-of course! Adaptable and...and quite patient, honestly.

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[He places his hands on her hips and lifts her easily so they can look each other in the eye on a more level field.]

Hey, I can be patient when the reward justifies it...

[He pulls her in close against his frame. Close enough that their noses are practically touching.]

You've always been worth the wait...

[sighsheavily]

[upon being lifted, her arms have to shrink toward herself before resting on his chest, hands on his shoulders. it's still disarming to be swept up so simply and doubly so in the face of sweet words; she has to swallow her heart back down her throat.

the surprise fades and her expression softens, face red. she can't come up with any counter or smart remark in light of his words, so she instead just tilts her head and kisses him.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

[A soft sound escapes his lips as he kisses her and he holds it for as long as either of them can go without breathing. But when the need for air finally comes, he only pulls away enough that they can both still feel the heat of each other's lips on their own.]

So...do we want to get back to work...?

Or do we owe it to ourselves to relax for a little...?

[Because he knows they both have workaholic tendencies.]

[sighsheavily]

[her mouth purses a little in something of a pout as she considers.]

Stepping out of this room...will make time move forward more certainly. And the work will begin.

[...]

Are you ready for that?

[is she?]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

...I wouldn't mind freezing time with you for a little longer...

I'm sure we can find something to keep ourselves occupied.

[sighsheavily]

And...we promise not to feel guilty about it later? Right? For making everybody wait.

[with the burden of responsibility comes the shame of indulging...or was that just her.]

[forgeabettertomorrow]

I promise. Do you?