[She sucked in a deep breath, Chariot's reassurance washing over her. She exhaled. Breathed again, just sort of holding that burr there as its spines reached out to sting both of them.]
[That scar was never going away. It stood as a permanent testament to what they endured, same as the warped flesh ringing Fang's wrists and neck. Kaede's anger stood out in her mind again as her freshly healed wounds throbbed and that guilt began to well again.]
[Another breath. The warmth of the water, the warmth of Chariot stood out, too, accepting and patient and loving. Hesitantly, Fang's hand slid lower to her marred leg to settle on its contours.]
[Fang had to learn to live with this. She couldn't go on drowning in it or hiding from it. Something in the bitter events of this evening had reignited the embers in her heart, but they were still weak. Fragile, like the broken glass her soul was made of. They couldn't yet fight off the torrent of guilt.]
[But maybe Chariot's warmth was enough to shelter it. One more breath, while Fang's fingers gingerly traced her lover's injury under the water. She turned her face into Chariot's hair, murmuring while her other arm curled her Bonded tighter to her.]
Give me a minute? Please.
[Fang had to do this. She couldn't keep living at this demon's mercy.]
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[That scar was never going away. It stood as a permanent testament to what they endured, same as the warped flesh ringing Fang's wrists and neck. Kaede's anger stood out in her mind again as her freshly healed wounds throbbed and that guilt began to well again.]
[Another breath. The warmth of the water, the warmth of Chariot stood out, too, accepting and patient and loving. Hesitantly, Fang's hand slid lower to her marred leg to settle on its contours.]
[Fang had to learn to live with this. She couldn't go on drowning in it or hiding from it. Something in the bitter events of this evening had reignited the embers in her heart, but they were still weak. Fragile, like the broken glass her soul was made of. They couldn't yet fight off the torrent of guilt.]
[But maybe Chariot's warmth was enough to shelter it. One more breath, while Fang's fingers gingerly traced her lover's injury under the water. She turned her face into Chariot's hair, murmuring while her other arm curled her Bonded tighter to her.]
Give me a minute? Please.
[Fang had to do this. She couldn't keep living at this demon's mercy.]