Page 17 of Peaceful Chaos

I take his face in my hands, forcing his eyes back up to mine. "No. You were forced to do horrible things, and horrible things were done to you. It's time you stopped punishing yourself for what my father did. He's the guilty one here."

His eyes close as he lets my words sink in. "Do you want me to tell you about my flashback?"

I can sense he needs to tell me, but he also wants to be pushed. I can't do that to him. He's been forced to endure too much in his life already. "If you want to, but Sin, it has to be your choice. I won't let anyone take things you aren't ready to give ever again. Not even me."

He nods. "I want to tell you." And he does. He repeats parts of the story he's already told me about being sold over and over again. When he adds the details about the pain he suffered, the feeling of the blade entering his skin, I can't fight the tears as they roll freely down my face. I don't miss the single tear that rolls down his either, and I think it might be the first time he's ever let himself cry.

"I love you," I whisper when he's finished.

He blinks in surprise. "After hearing all that you still love me?"

"More even. You and I were forged in chaos and violence, but in you I have found peace. No matter what more we have to suffer, we will rise above, together."

Odd how I keep thinking I’ve reached the depths of my love for him, then something like today happens and I realize there's no limit to how deep I will fall for this man.

He kisses me. This time when we come together it isn't with a need to escape, but in celebration of being found.

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