Each moment only grows more impossible, more difficult. As Luster navigates her way through the painful knot of her memories, Heartfire can only watch as she grows more certain. For her sister, it is so very clear. As the haze begins to dissipate, she knows exactly what she wishes.

Heartfire could only dream of such clarity. For her, everything seems only to grow murkier.

When her face lifts, so shining and hopeful, Heartfire nearly flinches away. In that moment, she nearly turns and runs. For the first time in her life, she is sorely tempted to flee. To pretend this entire thing had never occured. Even though she knows she cannot.

Her entire chest feels hollow as she stares at Luster’s open, lovely face so filled with hope. She feels as though that vacuum might swallow her, until nothing is left of her heart and soul. Until she is truly the monster her sister would no doubt believe her. Even the ache has abandoned her, consumed by that yawning emptiness.

For a time, she can only gaze at her, vibrant blue eyes sharp, faintly desperate. That mask she has always so easily donned feels jagged and fragile now, as though a single harsh word could shatter it. As though she is only a breath away from breaking apart.

She hadn’t had time to rebuild her defenses since he had so recently torn them down. And perhaps it had been a mistake, to come here before she had the chance to do so. Because now that vulnerability eats at her, chipping away at her steely resolve.

It takes too long for her to respond. So long that she does not doubt Luster had begun to wonder. To place even more of the pieces together. It seems there is no right way to destroy someone’s world.

“He has been with me.” The words are brittle as they fall from her lips, the edges of them shattering as the reach air. “This whole time.”

i see your sins
and i want to set them free