The words didn't register at first, they were just sounds that didn't make sense because he was never supposed to hear them. That was the point, that was the reason, and as hard as he'd struggled to find the true path, at some point he'd just gotten on it because he forgot they were anywhere else but branded across the heart he fought to cut free of his chest.
He'd done it without realizing, held his heart aloft and proud.
And then he understood the words.
It happened openly across his face--the confusion, the blank look...then the dawning comprehension, smoothing out the puzzled furrow of his brow and leaving him slackjawed, shocked to his core, breath stuttering audibly in his chest.
"...how 'bout that."
She had that shaky, animal, brilliant smile touching her mouth, and it stole more of his breath as he smiled back and sniffed, suddenly unable to draw air through his nose--blinked, and felt fire slide down his cheek in a single tear.
Reaching for her hand, he drew it to his chest, laid it flat against that swell of pectoral muscle she'd once pierced with her fingers to wrap them around his beating heart, then leaned in and kissed her with all of the joy, shock, and adoration he could pour into a press of lips.
"I got my heart back. Twice--I love you, too. Ember's Breath, I love you..."
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timeasmymeasure
Re: 9/21 - around 7:30
Date: 2018-10-06 02:43 am (UTC)He'd done it without realizing, held his heart aloft and proud.
And then he understood the words.
It happened openly across his face--the confusion, the blank look...then the dawning comprehension, smoothing out the puzzled furrow of his brow and leaving him slackjawed, shocked to his core, breath stuttering audibly in his chest.
"...how 'bout that."
She had that shaky, animal, brilliant smile touching her mouth, and it stole more of his breath as he smiled back and sniffed, suddenly unable to draw air through his nose--blinked, and felt fire slide down his cheek in a single tear.
Reaching for her hand, he drew it to his chest, laid it flat against that swell of pectoral muscle she'd once pierced with her fingers to wrap them around his beating heart, then leaned in and kissed her with all of the joy, shock, and adoration he could pour into a press of lips.
"I got my heart back. Twice--I love you, too. Ember's Breath, I love you..."