Trial and Triumph (A winterwitch story)

Acceptance

It had been less than a day, and yet it felt like years to him. Every breath he took he could smell her rosemary scent, everything he felt reminded him of her in his arms. Everywhere he looked he saw her, like a phantom. Finally, that evening, maybe only a day afterwords he couldn't take it anymore. They hadn't spoken since that moment, since she saved him. Saved him. He puzzled. Who would have thought that the convulsing baby bird of a girl he'd seen in the woods would save him. 

Knock, knock he hit her door

"Yes?" She turned to look at him. "Hey, I, uh, I just wanted to..." He stuttered, then, mustering his confidence "Thank you" He stated, simple, plain and true. "Really Bucky," she smiled, tilting her head to one side so that her hair swung to follow it. God, he couldn't concentrate on her when she did that. How did she do that with her eyes? So vulnerable and yet so defiant. She was weak and indestructible, the perfect enigma. And her hair, god her hair! There was this one strand lying perfectly on her cheek. He wanted to reach over and tuck it away. That hair was driving him crazy, or maybe it was all of her. He wanted more than anything to reach out and touch her. He started to walk forward, entering her room. "I saw it," She said softly, "Everything." With that her gaze met his and her brows furrowed into a concerned glance. He slid down next to her. "Yeah." It was all he could say, how do you respond to something like that?  "And if its the only time I ever get to say it, I think you're strong, and brave and incredible." He stared at her, shocked. How could she see everything, all the lives he took, all the things he destroyed and still accept him?  He was so overcome by emotion and gratefulness that he immediately pulled her into his arms. They sat there for some time, him just holding her in his arms, in silence. With some unspoken thing between them but a general understanding that made it all tolerable.