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The first thing he noticed was the subtle jump she made whenever he placed an arm around her waist lovingly.
And her ever-so-present attentiveness.
How she would always seem on edge when it came to his proximity. As if she knew, somewhere deep inside her, that this man had the capacity to hurt her.
He would never do such a thing.
Looking at her from afar, he came to notice that her extreme detail when it came to cleaning not only applied to their home. But to her own body as well.
Same routine every day. Not a single hair out of place before heading out the door. Her rose scented fragrance leaving a trail behind her.
So utterly captivating...perfect in every sense. Perfectly coordinated outfits and subtle makeup.
Everything about her was endearing.
Inviting almost.
Almost.
.....
She let him in.
In her sweet essense and sun-filled days. To adorn the marygold hues of her life. All that was precious to her and more, including him.
Being loved by her meant to be appreciated in ways he had never known.
How she would notice the most subtle of things about him and had done anything in her power to keep him happy. Keep them happy. She had been the perfect addition to the Forger family, truly devoted and never disgraceful. There was a reason Anya adored her as if she had birthed her herself.
She was magnificence in all essence of the word.
Falling in love with her had been the easiest thing he ever did. Who wouldn't fall for his gorgeous, amazing, kind, strong and graceful wife?
He had once told her that she was the image of perfection, to which she rejoiced. For him she was. It was the most simple of truths.
If only he'd known how truly damaging those very words could be.
.....
He wishes he had noticed sooner.
He still wishes sometimes he hadn't asked the cursed question. Not when he replayed the look on her face.
He'd known she was an estranged woman when it came to love and being pleasured. He'd yet to understand why.
When asking is she had ever been loved he didn't carry malice within his question. She'd been private with her own history as much as him.
But he had to know.
Was he truly the first to captivate her heart?
Would he be the first to greet her body in the heights of pleasure?
He questioned whether or not she had understood his words, but as soon as he looked her in the eye he knew.
The answer could be easily found in her watery orbs.
Mistaking an open wound for a scar had been his downfall.
.....
Coming to terms with the truth had been the hardest part.
He felt the softness of a skin that had been exfoliated excessively and the contrast of her calloused hands gripping his own as she held onto him for dear life.
He couldn't bring himself to ask any more questions
He'd had a dream of a world where children didn't have to cry.
But now he wishes she had.
For when he looked in her eyes he could see not the visage corresponding to a 27 year old woman, but that of a child. Years of hidden grief and unexpressed cries of help.
The familiarity of loneliness he could relate to. The tears on her cheeks were not too different from once he had seen several times.
The hurt and neglect....repressed anger. Only the slightest of hope glimmering in his direction.
So he let her hope.
......
Hands fluttered over her skin as he adorned her body with his own affection. Her own hands gripping the sheets in anticipation.
In between whims, he would whisper the sweetest of words to her, imprinting his adoration for her in her mind. His lips caressed her body gingerly, placing small kisses all throughout her.
Cleansing her of anyone who ever dared to lay their hands on her, their touch now gone, forever, replaced by his own love, encasing it so she would know.
He had to let her know.
He entered her, making sure to take in every single gesture of hers in signs of pain or discomfort, kissing her temple softly as he made his way into her. He stopped the moment he felt her cheeks wet his own.
"Hey...hey...its over. I'm here." He whispered as he looked into her pools of ruby that adverted from his own.
"Look at me."
Her eyes, beautifully alluring, magnificent eyes fit for someone as charming as her.
Somewhere deep inside them, behind all the love and lust he could still find the same tinges of fear he had seen for as long as they'd been together.
"You've protected yourself all these years....have been strong even when times demanded for you to frail."
"But please know...you don't have to do it anymore....now you have me. And..."
He paused, grasping her hands in his own kissing her knuckles.
"I can assure you, my love. As long as I'm here....No one can hurt you anymore, Yor."
He spoke gently, finally setting her free, offering to carry her most intimate of burdens.
She cried happy tears as she gave him all that she was and more.
Only his love remained, for he believed that with every kiss and heartfelt word, his wife was once step closer to releasing herself from all those years of torment.
Covering her heart in kisses, Loid hoped for her love while protecting her beautiful glee and for the first time since they'd met, he found no trace of the fears that chained her anymore.
For once in her life, she allowed herself to be taken care of, letting Loid appreciate her all the more and he deposited his overflowing affection for her continuously.
She too believed that she could smile again....just for him.
So she did.