back between her shoulder blades. The fingers of his other hand threaded through the hair at the base of her neck. He rested his forehead against the crown her hair and let his own eyes close.

“Alright, Florecita. I’ve got you. For now.”

He didn’t know.

They were supposed to be strangers, but it felt like she already knew him down to his core. Like she already knew what was to come and she was trying to spare him the guilt. To grant forgiveness where he wouldn’t be able to.

One arm came around her so his hand splayed across her-

{{WHAT?!? NO! THOSE WERE YOUR BROWNIES!!! I DIDN’T GET TO SEE THEM!

{{WHERE ARE THEY THEN?!

{{You ate them, didn’t you? 😭

{{Because it makes me feel ALIVE!

{{

{{That’s his son!!!

{{But I’m nicer than Sanzo sometimes.

I’ve typecast myself. 🤣

Just let me see you for who you are. Just for now.”

together.

“Don’t you dare apologize.”

He gripped her shoulders in both of his hands and spun her back around to face him and earth met verdure again. He held her chin delicately between thumb and index finger, tilting her head up.

“Don’t hide your tears from me. I don’t deserve that.-

{{Oh. Well, shit. I guess I’ll just go sit in this corner and cry then. 😭

{{Are y’all ganging up on me?!