“I wish I was as beautiful as the emotions you make me feel every day.” Her eyes were lighter though still melancholy; it was another moment of vulnerability she showed him. She unfolded the layers and tore down the walls she had built so long ago before, to show him. She was his and he was hers and that in so many ways provided the safety she needed.

He watched her, like he always did, “I only wish you could see yourself as I do. I only reflect what you give me, you are the very beauty you seek…" 

"I’m broken, there are only cracks when I look in a mirror, I’ve no idea what you see.” Her tone was honest, as was the confusion in her eyes. 

“Those are lines; you are the embodimet of the story. Each pain and tear, and laugh and euphoric love, it’s all written there. You focus on the parts as if magnified, when the world and anyone willing to look can see the whole masterpiece.” He wrapped her up in his arms pulling her body securely to him, as his words wrapped up her mind.

“And if you only see through rose tinted eyes?”  She curled to him, her body fitting to his easily. 

“I don’t deny the bias, love. I’ll teach the world to love you as well if need be, for you won’t ever not be the beauty we so often seek.” They rested then, in each other’s embrace.

Next Chapter: As If