Peacekeepers

Chapter 58: The Plan

"Leave you?" Ominis said quietly, shaking his head in shock. "Diane," he started, but hesitated when she let out a soft sob she had been trying to hold back. He let out a soft sound of worry and moved closer to her, reaching out to her and pulling her into his lap, setting his forehead against hers lovingly.

"You know I would never leave you, Diane." He said firmly, wrapping his arms around her. "Why would you even think that?"

"I don't know." Diane whispered, her breath shaking as she tried to calm down. "I just felt so terrible that you... I was afraid you didn't feel like I loved you as much."

Ominis let out a small sound and closed his eyes, making a weak smile as he remained close to her. "I think we all have our issues we have to work through, still." He whispered softly.

Sebastian moved closer to them, wrapping his arms around them both and hugging gently.

"We've all been through... a lot." Sebastian whispered, resting his cheek against Ominis' as they embraced. "It's left its marks... in more ways than one." Sebastian glanced down at the hint of scars that were visible at the nape of Ominis' shirt from beneath his shirt.

Ominis let out a small sound at that, his pale eyes turning sad. "I didn't mean to get all this so messed up-"

"No, Ominis." Sebastian said firmly, reaching up with a hand at his cheek. "You have to stop blaming yourself for things, this one is on me. It was my idea... and I should have thought about how you'd feel."

Ominis closed his eyes and leaned into Sebastian's hand, nodding gently.

"You two both mean so much to me," Diane whispered, still hugging Ominis as she set her head on his shoulder. "I don't know what I'd do without either of you."

Sebastian smiled warmly, reaching over to gently tuck a lock of curly hair behind her ear. "I feel the same, flower. It's why... it's why I wanted you both to be Sallows, so I could have you two forever."

Ominis bit his lip and let out a weak laugh as tears stung at his eyes. "How the hell are you always so damn charming?"

Sebastian laughed softly, touching his finger to Ominis' nose gently. "Good thing I am, too. It digs me out of lots of holes I fall into."

"But Diane, why did you think I would leave you, though? I'm really worried you thought that." Ominis asked weakly, refocusing on her.

Diane looked down sadly, letting out another wavering breath. "You... you two have to remember... all my life I was told how horrible I was, how useless I was." She looked down in pain at the memories. "I was thrown away because I was so useless."

She gasped as large hands cupped her face, and she looked up into emphatic dark eyes.

"You are not useless." Sebastian said firmly to her. "You never were. You're beautiful and talented, and you're so much stronger than you think you are."

Diane let out a soft sound as tears came again, feeling Ominis kissing her cheek gently.

"Sweetheart, you made me see that there's so much more to life than what I thought there was. How can you possibly think you're useless? You help everyone around you... and I know you would, even if you weren't a Keeper. It's just who you are." Ominis said softly against her.

"Your father just didn't understand that people have more to them than fighting strength, flower. That wasn't your fault, that was his." Sebastian said, still holding her face gently.

Diane sniffed softly and closed her eyes, reaching for both of them and taking hold of their shirts as if anchoring herself in the moment. The reassurances did help a lot... but she had a feeling it would still take time. It wasn't something that could just be changed overnight.