an air of stately melancholy

ladies, is this cringe?

"Enough!" His yell sounded through the empty home. "Have you forgotten your own abandonment? Or your own deviant actions? For six months you did nothing but make yourself a fool for a boy that brought you to this."

"How on Earth did I make myself a fool? I was in love. I was happy. And I broke some rules that were personally important for you, so what? Am I a fool for not making YOU happy? What an impossible task that is. Obedience is all that strikes you."

He bit down. Turned around and sat, or more like lounged on the single seater seat. "You're trying to push me away, but I'm not budging. That frustrates you so you... try rationalise it in your pessimistic fashion."

Their tones became quieter now.

"Don't try to explain myself to me. It makes me want to rip my hair out." She muttered, looking down in anguish.

"I'm sorry for what I said. I'm sorry..." he ran his hand down his face. "Listen to me," he uttered while looking at her, as she stood to the left of him. She refused to meet what she knew was going to be a horribly intense gaze. "I'm very sorry for everything." He thought it out in his head: up and leaving. His coldness. His exasperated discipline. His vileness in feeling what he did. His treachery. His immature and emotionally charged responses. His being here.

It was like she was holding out on embracing his words because she sensed his insincerity, though unsure where it lied.

She sniffled, and he watched as the silent tears running down her eyes were quickly being wiped away.

The noise in his head pleaded that he rise up and wrap his arms around her, and let her tears be soaked into his clothing, and all her worries be shared and absorbed by his mind. Allow me this. He begged in silence. Or better yet, kick me out, because I've become too weak at the sight of your distress to be able to contend that I have rationale left, that I may do something too eager.

"I'm sorry, Arethusa, to have hurt you like this."

"You- you didn't d-do this, it's-" She turned away from him. "Whywhywhy-"

She was questioning his apology, his saying her name, her terrible desire.

"What is it?"

Her head crossed indicating her disapproval at God knows what.

He sat up and neared her. "Please, talk to me."

"I won't."

"Please..." his voice was unrecognisable to himself. To beg at all would've brought him to mortification, but he has no such feelings anymore. "Please, Arethusa."

The way her name exited his mouth and sounded rolling off his tongue made her dizzy. 

"Do you hear yourself?" She turned to see his feet and how close he was, "you're nothing like I remember. You're-" as she went to walk past him he side-stepped in front of her. "I'm not ungiving anymore. I'm... willing to be honest."

Her face was in front of his chest, forcing her to face her temptation. "Why apologise?" She croaked.

"Because I've been especially harsh to you, only because what I wanted most was- was a version of you that doesn't exist. You are perfectly capable on your own... all there is to it is encouragement."

Their eyes snapped onto the other. They stayed there for a moment. She angled her head upwards to meet his sight, leaving her neck open for him to glide his gaze along, down to her more sunken collar, bringing concern in the gaze that lifted to her cheek that had a tear fall on to it. It took both by surprise when he lifted his hand to the side of her face and ever so gently wiped the tear away.

"Please come to me now." His request punctured her ear drums as he pulled his hand away while uttering, "I won't- there's nothing more I want than for you to let me- God, I-"

She wrapped her hands around his waist, all while she remained looking up at him. "Arethusa!"

"Yes, sir?"

"You..." he swallowed his words. "I hate having to see that mark on your face."

"Does it make me ugly?"

"Hideous."

She beamed. "Don't look then. Close your eyes."

"Will you let me take care of it?"

"If you insist." She hugged him and he returned her embrace.

His breath left him while in the clutches of her hold. He tried to return it back to a steady pace but he failed miserably, as he couldn't get his thoughts straight.

"I would... I'd- I'd do anything for you." He whispered into the crown of her head.

"A fool like me?"

"It wasn't right to call you that. It doesn't make you a fool to revolt. You're the best thing to come out of that godforsaken place." 

She hummed into the sweet scent of his chest. "I prefer you like this."

"Even if you may hate it or fear it. You're being more vulnerable than I am. I know that." She sighed.

"But if I... if I do that too, I'm- I'm afraid I'll say something I'll regret." I'll tell you something that'll scare you off.