I can see for miles, miles, miles
Although he craves nothing more than affection, gentle touch is not something he is use to. Magnus’s embraces and nudges were different, it was the bond between father and son that made them easy and expected. However he has never been touched by a female, not by a mother or a lover. The gentleness of her cheek against his shoulder makes his entire body go stock still, not sure if he should even breathe for fear that she will be disrupted and pull back. The muscles tighten beneath the layer of skin, looking for all the world a statue as she leans against him and speaks about the tree. There is a pounding in his ears and her words are muffled and hazy. He dares to arch his neck and tilt his head to look at her, not knowing that perhaps this is the last time he will ever be able to lay both eyes on her again. A ghost of a smile on his lips at her gentle teasing of the fruit and unable to keep the flash of worry in his gaze at the thought of such a situation. To eat the fruit and be completely exposed, unable to keep the box locked with all his horrible memories. ”I don’t quite have the appetite for that.” He laughs, a rather nervous quiver woven in the soft tones. ”But you can ask me any questions and I promise to tell the truth.” He doesn’t want to hide anything from her but somethings are better left unsaid and forgotten.
She pulls away and there is a sudden ache where she had once been. It confuses him and he looks at her and doesn’t see what he had first saw standing there in the moonlight. Although the brightness of daylight makes her less ethereal and her translucent skin almost seems to disappear, making her insides look exposed and real, he isn’t disgusted by her. Those glittering bones of her wings still sparkle and there’s something familiar about her vulnerability. It reminds him of… himself. He wants to protect her from the cruelty of others, wants to make sure that she never goes through the horror and abuse that he has gone through his whole life. ”I don’t feel sad when I’m with you.” He quietly responds as his gold-flecked eyes calmly meet her raw pink ones. And it’s true, in the short time they have spent together, worrying and carrying about her feelings and her fragile body has made him forget about himself and his own problems.
There is a flame of hope that flickers in his chest when she looks around the Gates and considers calling it home. If only he knew what danger he might be putting her into and the cruel hand of fate that laid before him… Perhaps he would have taken back the offer. He is blind to the future and can only see a world of possibilities for them both, a chance of connection and friendship and happiness. ”Of course you can stay. I want you to stay.”
Ledger