Truth

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She wasn't sure that he was even still there, or if this bomb she dropped actually drove him away. She looked up... he wasn't there. She deflated again, shoulders slumping, arms hugging around herself, squatting down as her legs gave out. Tears flooding over her cheeks as she gave into the loss.

Can's head spun, then started to ache a bit- trying to understand her, to remember that so much of this is truly in the past and that he'd granted forgiveness to both Sanem and his brother already. He tried not to let himself get worked up over things that have already been resolved, but  the effort was great. While she had bowed her head in apparent shame, he had shifted to the other side of the pier and all but collapsed to sit with his back to her, legs back over the side.

After a moment, when his seething fury and biting pain had faded, he heard her soft, breathy cries. He looked back over his shoulder to see her hunched down and shaking through her weeping sobs. He came undone- he couldn't o it- couldn't go through all that again- couldn't be without her. He couldn't not go to her. He had to be with her- comfort her and just keep her. He found himself at her back, crouching behind her and brushing her hair from the back of her neck-

"Sanem." he whispered at her ear, sliding his arms around to envelope her in his protective clutches. She gasped and jolted with surprise and relief. "Can!!" She grasped at his arms wrapped around her and bent her head to kiss them as they held her.

They rose together and she spun in his embrace, "My life!"she gasped- rising to wrap her arms around his neck and shoulders while he lowered his to her waist and tightened them, lifting her closer to him yet. They buried their faces in each others' necks and she wept- partially in guilt, but also relief that he hadn't left her. "I'm so sorry Can!" nuzzling further into his neck, still too ashamed to look him in the eyes.

He returned her nuzzle, rubbing his cheek to her hair, his own wet eyes gazing to the distance - not focused on anything at all, his vision blurred by his tears. "The source does not matter anymore, Sanem. It has all been done- Forgiven. Please. Don't cry, my life."

She squeezed him tighter- not sure how to proceed in her atonement. "Can- I was so scared. Have been so scared... when I saw how you reacted with Metin's misstep, I knew I would share the same fate- or worse- I was weak & selfish and just couldn't tell you how badly I had destroyed your trust... it is why I had pushed you away for so long- running from you- I- " He pulled back to look at her and she met his gaze. He saw the worry there- the fear, the guilt.

Her took a hand and stroked her hair and face- wiping tears away as his own finally fell. "I understand all now. Yes, I feel anger, betrayal, sadness, loss..." he trailed off, looking again out past her over the water- then- "all these feelings - they are overwhelming, and justified-" She nodded "I know Can- I can never express to you the sorrow and guilt I've carried- will probably always carry-" He silenced her with his thumb, wrapping around from her cheek to press her lips closed as he stared down into her eyes, with intent.

"All these feelings, Sanem... They are nothing in the end- they don't hold a candle to my feelings of love and passion for you... even now, in your guilt and sorrow- especially now, in your strength, courage, and honor in confessing to me, willing to accept whatever punishment I would bestow."

She took pause, searching his face- "Can?"

"Your own conscience has punished you greatly- I can tell. You have been harder on yourself than any retribution I could hold against you- The purgatory you've held yourself under is greater than any torture I would be willing to deliver. I love you Sanem. I cannot help but to love you- You are my one and only, my beloved, my everything, my life."

She truly didn't know what to say. She didn't deserve his forgiveness, his kindness, his love. "It took me longer to see it, understand it, but- you are mine, Can. My all, my world, my sun, moon and stars. You are my life; and I'll spend mine proving it to you until the end of days." She kissed away the tears from his cheeks and he closed his eyes to drink in her touch. He craved her touch and always would. He craved her love and always would.

"Let us never leave each other" he breathed. "Never"- she just finished the word as his lips captured hers; and they were home.

-fin-