[ No, she wants to say. He has every reason to mistrust her and to know of her crimes. She is a coward, running away instead of facing the truth and letting the world know what she has done, the path she has taken. He shouldn't respect her, shouldn't even begin to apologize. And she starts to tell him this...but then he pulls her closer by the arm and envelopes her in a hug, and whatever she wishes to say dies in her throat.
It has been too long since she's had real contact with anyone, much less someone who is giving her the chance and the ability to continue to remain silent. And most of all, he is glad that she is alive, and that is what cracks her defenses so thoroughly.
Neria's breathing is shaky in his hold and for several moments, she remains still, too stunned to move. But then she wraps her arms around him in a tight and warm embrace, and refuses to let go. Her eyes sting from a well the threatens to burst and she begs herself, rages against a true dissolution of her mask, and buries her face in his shoulder.
Maker, she is so weak. ]
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
[ He told her not to apologize but she can't stop, not now that she is being offered such kindness. It compounds her guilt, even if she wishes it wouldn't. ]
I'm... Please, I should have been here sooner. I should have done something sooner than this.
[ For all they know, the world could be ending, and here she is in the eleventh hour to aid what might be a losing cause. It will be worth it, she knows, but she hopes it will be enough. ]
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It has been too long since she's had real contact with anyone, much less someone who is giving her the chance and the ability to continue to remain silent. And most of all, he is glad that she is alive, and that is what cracks her defenses so thoroughly.
Neria's breathing is shaky in his hold and for several moments, she remains still, too stunned to move. But then she wraps her arms around him in a tight and warm embrace, and refuses to let go. Her eyes sting from a well the threatens to burst and she begs herself, rages against a true dissolution of her mask, and buries her face in his shoulder.
Maker, she is so weak. ]
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
[ He told her not to apologize but she can't stop, not now that she is being offered such kindness. It compounds her guilt, even if she wishes it wouldn't. ]
I'm... Please, I should have been here sooner. I should have done something sooner than this.
[ For all they know, the world could be ending, and here she is in the eleventh hour to aid what might be a losing cause. It will be worth it, she knows, but she hopes it will be enough. ]