It was not so much that things hurt less like this, it was that he could feel Neria letting all of it in, and never flinching from it. It was something, being seen, utterly without fear or rejection.

It was something, seeing, and never closing off.

Even if Kell did not delve into details, history, specifics, he did not truly need to. Instead he let the storm roll through.

They were all broken people, broken in ways that would never truly heal over or be fixed. But it was truly something... being loved, loving, forgiveness. Even like this. Even as they were.

Absently, Kell turned his head to touch his lips to her thumb, soft as silk.

Around them, this place was a sanctuary, through and through. All they had was what they had brought with them, and piece by piece, Kell felt the storm calm.