Shadow Love

"I can help you start over," he whispered, his voice soft enough to force you to strain to hear. "You'll regret it though, they /always/ regret it"

His voice sounded sad you thought, so sad. Like he was drowning just standing there, figure half-hidden by the shadows the dim candle light casted. You spoke then, voice soft as though speaking to a frightened animal

"Why would I regret it? What's the regret about a fresh start?"

He sighs then, the sound heavy with his grief. "Do you wish to see my appearance?" Something about his tone of voice frightened you, made you uneasy but you found yourself agreeing anyway.

He stepped free of the shadows, into the dim light. You saw his face first, pale, paler than anything you'd ever seen. So many eyes, ever changing, never staying quite the same and they all seemed to bore directly into your soul. Your very core of being, you felt exposed in a way you never had before. He had no nose, just thin, gill-like slits where kis nose should've been. And his mouth, oh good god kis mouth! Paper thin lips hid the inside but when he opened his mouth... You screamed before you could stop yourself and his mouth snapped shut. Shame slid over his features, harsh and painful. The look made you ache for this... This creature.

You took a deep breath and took in the rest of kis appearance. He was tall, impossibly so, easily towering over your 6 foot self. Yet. despite his height, he was thin and appeared to be malnourished.

He moves to step back into the shadows before you can stop him, he's already disappeared into the shadows. You sigh before ducking your head ashamed. "I-im sorry for screaming. I just wasn't expecting-"

He sighs again, "it's fine...most fear me. I suspected you would be the same." A pause then and you can hear the rustling of cloth. "Do you still wish to start over? You understand the terms yes?"

You press your lips together, "would I be able to see you again? To remember you?"

He laughs, the sound is anything but joyful though. His laugh is heartbroken and brittle, wheezing out of his lungs like it physically hurt him. "seeing what you have seen why would you want that?"

You offer a timid smile then, "I want to be your friend," your loud exclamation bounces off the walls of the small room and he flinches at the noise; forcing an apology for shouting from your lips. “I did not mean to be so loud, the noise hurts you doesn't it?”

He nods slowly, “Very much so yes.”

You nod, “I’ll be quieter then.”

He blinks at you slowly, tilting his head to the side. “You truly wish to be my friend… why?”

You smile gently “Why not? Everyone needs a friend, and it seems like you’ve been without for far too long.”

He sighs softly, it sounds like wind blowing through a cave. “I-” he pauses and looks at the ground, suddenly seeming much younger than he is. “I’ve never had a friend. Most found my appearance too gruesome and the rest were merely using me for my powers.”

You frown softly, “that's horrible.” Stepping forward your frown deepens when he flinches back. You holds up your hands gently, palms out towards him. “It's okay, i won't harm you. I was just going to hug you.”

He blinks, “I- seeing what you have seen you still wish to hug me?”

You smile and nod. “Of course, everyone deserves a hug. Besides, you are quite beautiful in your own way.”

He laughs, bitter and broken and quite. “You truly think i am beautiful? You’ve just screamed upon seeing me, do not lie to me.”

You sigh softly and look at the ground ashamed. The cobbled floor stares back at you, seeming to glimmer slightly in the dim firelight. “I hadn't meant to scream, i was startled is all. Your appearance is not one i am accustomed to seeing.” looking back at him, you study him for a moment, before offering a timid smile. “I really am sorry for screaming. I shouldn't have screamed, you can't help your appearance anymore than i can help mine; and you are beautiful, in your own special way. Everyone is beautiful in their own way.”

He frowns at you before stepping into the light once more, ever shifting eyes boring into you and you can't help but shiver. “In what way am i beautiful the, little human?”

You step closer then, hands dropped to your sides. “You're beautiful in the way that you have so selflessly helped everyone that has come before me, even when all they seem to seek is to harm you. Your appearance is always changing, never staying quite the same yet, despite that, your eyes are the prettiest i’ve ever seen. You’re just as beautiful as any angel, fallen or not, and i doubt there is anything you can do to make me think otherwise.”

He blinks at you, tears filling his eyes as he surges forward to envelope you in a hug sobbing softly. His form jerks with the force of his sobs as he clings to you. You curl your arms around him gently, rubbing a reassuring hand along kis spine.You begin murmuring softly, nonsensical reassurances meant to comfort him.

he pulls away after a bit sniffling, “You… You truly wish to befriend me, don't you?”

You smile nodding “Absolutely.”

He sighs softly nodding “i would very much enjoy that i think. Do you wish to return home?”

You shake your head no. “That house was never a home, i’d rather stay with you if it’s all the same. Besides, it's much nicer here.”

He blinks at you before smiling softly, “Of course. I can show you to your living quarters.”

You laugh softly, “There’s no need to be so formal, we’re friends. Just my name will do, unless you think of a kickass nickname.”

He smiles and nods softly, “Oh, of course…” He’s quiet for a moment before looking back at you. “Would you like to know my name?”

You reach over to squeeze kis shoulder gently, “Only if you’re comfortable with sharing it.”

He nods offering a timid smile. “My name is Quintorzak.”

You hum softly, “It's very interesting. Quintorzak…” You hum testing the way your mouth forms around his name before nodding. “I like it.”

He smiles, “Thank you. Your name is very good as well.”

You smile and hook your arm through his. “Shall we then?”