She had to get stronger. Strength - that was an odd word. She had lived her entire life thinking she was just that - strong, dominant, indestructible. She was larger than her parents with the strength to tackle her siblings any time. That was strength, but this kind of strength was different. It was a mental strength - the power to push through the hardest of times. All the vigour and brawn in her muscles would never help her with her suffering. She had to be mentally strong, yet somehow, that seemed more difficult than she expected. She felt so weak in her current state, like she was trapped in a cage surrounded by regret and self-accusations. The pain was too much to push through. Perhaps she would just drown in her shame and the denial to continue living.
But she needed to get through. She had to. His voice was like a light, leading her fallen spirit through the darkness. Though her spirit was weak and blind, she tried to follow that light. She would stay with him, help him create their new home and protect what they loved. Was there anything left to protect? She had a brother and he had a few siblings. The family that remained seemed so precious; would they be able to protect them? What if they couldn't? What if she let them down, again? "Riv..." she whispered, finally finding the strength to look up into his gaze. And when their eyes met, a desire blossomed within her. The realisation hit her, the sensation had finally been ignited. She was drawn to him, devoted to him, determined to rebuild their lives together. After all he had done for her, been for her in every situation, there was no way she couldn't hold him so close to her heart. "I love you."
