#[ mjrn really turned him into a big puppy omfg. LOOK at him and the way he LOOKS AT HER! ]

[tenebriism]

Admittedly, that entire ordeal had been... CHAOS. Mentally, physically, emotionally for himself and everyone around him. Had he any recollection of the moments leading up to it, during, and even AFTER, they were foggy, at best, mayhap because he oft endeavored NOT to remember them if he could. The pieces were better left scattered, for there is no small amount of SHAME to be had in his foolishness and his recklessness.

Yet, she does not BLAME him for it. She does not scold him, and had never left him alone to deal with the consequences. Only has she ever sought to UNDERSTAND him, and to help him with an internal war he had tried so hard to fight all on his own, only to be swallowed by the overwhelming pain of it all.

" ... I do not deserve such words, " he mutters, knowing she will DISAGREE with him. Likely, she knows their differing stances shan't sway him any, for he shall always be unfathomably HARD on himself, when secretly, he yearns for a softness he has scarcely been shown to balance it out. The woman who stands before him, caressing his face and easing creases once thought to be PERMANENT, seems more than willing to be just that. " Your heart is just that good... it always has been. A purity near blinding, radiant... I've yet to figure out how it does not BURN me. It only draws me to you further, when once, I had tried so hard to deny myself of it to a point it hurt... "

The HEART takes permanent residence on the backburner when it comes to survival. It is hard to understand, and nigh impossible to satisfy or quell. It yearns for much and more and it has no PLACE amongst other priorities like strength, skill, resilience...

" I pray I, by some gracious miracle, continue to be worthy of your love. I want to be better... strive to be, in honor of the second chance at life I was only given because of you. " And many others, of course, like Aymeric and Alphinaud, but he knows he would not still be here were Mjrn not resolute in staying in his corner, as well.

His eyes are gentle as he beholds her, somehow softening even further than when they'd first decided to turn this evening into a sentimental occasion, and as he leans in to seize her lips, the husky utterance of an " I love you, too " eases from betwixt his own.

The gentle caress of his thumb across her cheek was enough to help her relax further, and a small smile crept against her lips. Estinien's words brought her more comfort than Mjrn had anticipated, and it nearly brought her to tears once more when he pulled away his hand only to bring her closer. Tucking back her ears, she leaned into his chest and wrapped her arms around his torso, his warmth easing the tension in her muscles.

Bright blue eyes closed in contentment at the feeling of his arms holding her, wanting to bask in the moment forever. Even the rhythm of his heartbeat soothed her. His question of why prompted her to lift her head, noticing he didn't meet her gaze. Soon, she lifted both hands to cup his face and gently coaxed him to look at her.

"Perhaps I should reword my previous statement. I realized how much you meant to me when you broke free from Nidhogg's grasp, begging me to kill you." She paused briefly, closing her eyes slowly before opening them once more. "Do you remember what I told you…? When I rushed to remove the eyes from you along with Alphinaud?"

If he failed to recall, Mjrn's expression would grow tender and loving. "I told you I would rather die than lose you too, that you were important to me." There was another pause as she allowed the Elezen to remember that moment. "You claim you are not a good man, but I disagree. While it is true that you can be fiercely stubborn and aloof, you are also kind, loyal, and honest. I have seen firsthand how much you have grown since we met, and words cannot describe how proud I am to be your friend and ally."

Her thumbs caressed his sharp cheekbones sweetly, her eyes crinkling with affection and warmth. "I fell in love with you because of who you are, and I accept you, flaws and all."