Abe Sapien and the Witch

Chapter 26

Chapter Twenty-six

(Authors note- Sorry guys, please excuse the late upload this week. I was at a comic con where I got to meet and have my picture taken with Doug Jones, aka Abe Sapien himself (as well as so many other awesome characters!) He is such a charming and sweet man, so at least I was late for a really good reason <3! And now, on with the show...)

She was sitting in the Orchard when he found her, her back to him as she sat cross-legged in the grass amid the tall trees, bathed in a rosy glow as the sun began to set. He still wore his work uniform, and her head turned to him as he pulled his breathing apparatus off.

Her face brightened as he approached and sat next to her on the grass, placing his breathing machine to the side. "Hello..." he said, his voice quiet and she nodded her hello, wary of his serious expression. Her eyes searched his, finding no answers and she reached her hand out for his, eager to connect with him.

He remained still, his eyes looking down and she lowered her hand, disappointed. He was gearing up to say something, and she was afraid of what he was about to say to her.

"You were engaged to be wed to Laufey?" he asked, his gaze not leaving the ground. Her mouth opened and closed again in a surprised gape and he continued, "I understand, you buried him deep down in your mind because you hoped you would never see him again?"

He looked up and she nodded, his heart aching at how beautiful she looked in this moment, so fragile and yet he knew he had to finish his sentence lest his question go unsaid. "Why didn't you tell me? I realise why not, at the start, but...once we were together, you could have told me...You didn't have to deal with all of those memories on your own."

She swallowed at the words, sensing not anger but disappointment in them and she edged closer, wanting more than anything for him to reach out and simply touch her. He remained still however, and she took in a deep breath and reached for his face, her hands cupping it between her bruised fingers. His mouth fell open as her thoughts flooded through his in a jumble of memories.

_I was promised to him before I was even born. I have nothing but hatred for that man, all he has ever done is hurt and humiliate me. I didn't choose to become his fiancée, that was something that my mother promised him to gain favour within the coven. I had no say in the matter, none...

It's not that I didn't want to tell you Abe, I just...wanted to forget the horrible memories of him. I only want you. You are the first positive thing that came into my life, my reason for happiness. He's not my fiancée, he's a man that I was chosen to marry. I hate him..._ she pulled away, hot tears spilling from her eyes and Abe leaned towards her, wanting to ease her suffering.

"I'm sorry, my darling, I just...When I touched you, I saw all of the things he has done to you, the way he has treated you...forced himself on you," he said, his voice a whisper now as he drew her towards him, " My heart broke for you. I needed time to process all of it, the thought of anyone doing those things to you, it angers me so much. I would kill him." He said, stroking the side of her head. "I have never known a feeling like the anger that is within me, and how I wish I could have sensed this sooner..."

_Abe_ she said, sitting back to look into his eyes, _I shut him away into the deepest parts of my memories because that is where he deserved to be.

I didn't want anyone to know about it, to feel...sorry...for me. Especially not you. You are my reason for joy, and I didn't want him marring that it any way..._

"I hope you will forgive me my behaviour, my distance. And to have to work away on an assignment with such terrible timing... Whatever comes, I promise you we shall face it together as a team. Alright?" he asked, bending to place a gentle kiss on the tip of her nose.

She let out a small laugh then, sitting up as she realised the sound of it passing her lips, remembering.

Looking into his ocean deep eyes, she spoke her first proper words without fear: "I love you, Abe Sapien. I always will, and no matter what happens, that will never ever change."