005 // video

[pacifyinghand]

[the device clicks on to record the Black Madonna's soft smile; it seems she's back home at last. one would be hard pressed to tell where she'd spent the past few weeks at all; not a hair is out of place, and that perpetual serenity remains uninterrupted.

when she speaks, the soft chime of bells accompanies the sound.Tell me, Discedo... if you

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[pacifyinghand]

[...

her face softens, and she smooths a thumb over his cheek] No wonder at all. It was always in you to open your eyes and live at last.

[13sugars]

[He missed that touch... so much. One hand moves to gently rest on hers, and his eyes close for a moment]

It's... still so surreal... to feel you again.

[pacifyinghand]

Sometimes... I forget how long it's been for you.

[her free hand is joining the other and smoothing hair from his face.]

I am so glad to be here, Abel. I don't think I could express as much properly in words.

[13sugars]

[Over nine hundred years without her... and with her before him now, he tried to comprehend how he could have gone so long without her. How he had managed it without losing his mind.]

You don't need to use words, this... this is just fine.

[Of all the times he wanted to kiss her... He just curled his fingers around hers]

[pacifyinghand]

[she slides to her feet, a fluid motion bringing her abruptly before him seated at the table, their fingers still entangled. she slowly withdraws hers from his, hesitating only a moment before sitting on his knee and embracing him.

she didn't want to think of the pain she'd left him in her absence. she had wanted him to find a happiness he deserved.]

[13sugars]

[For a moment, he... really didn't have any idea what to do. With her settled in his lap, there was a hesitation... before he carefully wrapped his arms around her, before finally pulling her in close, his chin resting on her shoulder.

This.

He missed this.]

I love you...

[pacifyinghand]

[she rested her head against his, eyes closing, more than content. the Abel she'd left behind would not so much as permit her to express an affection she knows he shares... the Abel she left behind was Contra Mundi, but so close to realizing he was anything but.

and this one...

her arms wound a little tighter.]

It's nice to hear you say it... You know I love you, too. And always will.

[13sugars]

[He'd never thought he'd speak those words. Not when he was young, not now... He didn't deserve that kind of affection. It was almost a guilty pleasure to hear her reply in kind, to admit that she loved him back...]

It... feels nice to finally say it.

1/2

[pacifyinghand]

[then...

he truly meant it... as love. they had said they love one another before... platonic, and familial. they would always be the closest one another had to family, after all - Cain, and Seth as well...

but, this...]

[pacifyinghand]

[even after so long...

he still...

--she pulled away, just far enough to look into his face, a little surprise in her eyes. perhaps it was cruel... all of this. to return to him after being gone so long, reopening wounds that would doubtless still exist when she - and he - left this place again. but it was a second chance... and she would pray for forgiveness, but she loved this man, and wanted to give him whatever she could, while she could.

so she tips her head slightly forward, hesitating once, before lightly brushing her lips to his.]

[13sugars]

[Even after so long, he still loved her. He loved her as deeply as he always had, perhaps even more so... Now that he could express it... tell it to her. How many times had he regretted not saying it to her before? Not saying it the way he meant it.

That was what this was. A second chance. The ability to try again, for her. To do it right this time... even if the time was limited and uncertain.

... The first touch of her lips against his almost seemed to snap him from whatever haze he'd fallen into. He nearly jerked back in surprise... but hesitantly relaxed, leaning back and returning that light, hesitant kiss.]

[pacifyinghand]

[his surprise, followed by the soft return that gesture, was so utterly endearing. he was so gentle, now... and she found her lips curving slightly in a smile as she rose a hand to tangle in so much silver hair.

she had never loved anyone else as she loved him. the fact that he still retained such strong affections after 900 years astounded her... but she understood it. would it not be the same for her, if their roles were reversed?

when she pulls away, there's a tiny heat in her cheeks... shyness? it's rare it's expressed, but it's there. the patron saint of humanity is utterly inexperienced in areas such as these...]

[13sugars]

[His own hands splayed across her back, pulling her in close to him as he felt her hand twine in his hair.

He'd seen it in his minds eye before. The embrace. The confession. The kiss. He'd played it and replayed it in his head... but that was no match for reality. Nothing imagined could compare to how soft she was, how warm her skin was, the feeling of her resting against him.

... The blush was unexpected though. The priest had one to match, all pink and shy. It wasn't as if he'd had any more experience!]

[pacifyinghand]

[the fact that he was shy as well was endearing... and also comforting. he was just as unsure as she was, it seemed - hard to believe, after he'd lived for so long, he had never pursued a romantic relationship with anyone else... or maybe he had? and it was simply her he was a little uncertain with...

it didn't matter.

she rested her head against his shoulder, exhaling a soft, little laugh.]

You're blushing, Father Nightroad...

[13sugars]

[Never. Never with a single other person, since her. It hadn't ever truly crossed his mind (despite appearances).

But no, that didn't matter at all now. He chuckled in return, closing his eyes as he rested his head on top of hers.]

So are you, Holy Madonna.

[pacifyinghand]

You weren't supposed to notice.