Out of the Pan and into...

The last thing he expected her to do was agree with his inappropriate joke, but the small smile it gave him was worth it. She cleared up some of the storm clouds, but he knew a lot more time had to pass before he stopped hurting. He managed to let out the breath he'd been holding and Rhyme felt himself start to relax. Maybe they hadn't ruined everything.

She went on after a long pause where the two of them just stared at each other. He didn't know what to think as he swam in the dark blue oceans of her eyes, but recovered enough to listen to her eventual words. He barely held in a self depreciating laugh. Figured things out? Hardly, surely he and Tana's
Relationship would be more complicated with the addition of their spawn. However, it was easier than what he was dealing with here.

Can you forgive me? He felt his jaw drop open as he fell back into her eyes. If anyone should have asked forgiveness it was him. He should have been more responsible, or drank less or.. Kissed her less. His heart broke again. "Only if you will forgive me." He muttered back, not trusting his voice or actions in that moment. "I told you I'd always be here for you." He added as she gestured to their duties. Rhyme meant his words, those and how much he loved her. He would go through this aching pain a million times over to stand next to her.