The clock ticked steadily, despite the stillness of the hands. The second hand jumped slowly, trying to no avail to turn through time. He sighed, running his hands through his platinum blonde hair, messy from repeated use of the same gesture. He was waiting, clear grey eyes locked on the portrait. Waiting for her, although he had his doubts that she would even come.
She swayed back and forth, rocking on her heels as she faced the portrait. Her chocolate brown eyes were unfocussed and glassy with unshed tears. Her breath came in short gasps, her broken heart only barely beating as she fell apart on the threshold. Opening her mouth enough to form words for the first time in hours, she uttered the password, the portrait swinging open, pity evident in the eyes of the group of women painted upon it. She was barely holding on.
He was on his feet before the portrait had even opened, reflexes having caused him to jump upright at the slight movement. His eyes found hers as the heavy timber frame swung open. His searching gaze found hers, expecting her to be guarded but finding an open book instead, her pain over the last few hours clearly evident.
She swayed again as she lost her grip on the door, her knees buckling as her body gave out. A sob was wrenched from her body as she dropped, the tears flowing freely, streaming down her cheeks. Self-hatred and loathing coursed through her veins like fire, the words that her supposed best friends had spoken to her through the day echoing loudly in her mind.
He caught her before she hit the floor, his grip firm but comforting on her upper arms. Stepping backwards carefully, he pulled her into his chest, holding onto her as she fell apart. He felt helpless in the moment, but knew with time he could put her pieces back together.
Her tears flowed thick and fast, uncontrollable sobs and hiccups escaping her. Her breathing was unsteady as she broke down, pressing herself against his embrace. She tilted her head so as not to ruin his shirt, her ear pushed against his chest. The rhythmic beating of his heart soothed her, helping her to find comfort and healing in the pain.
He held her steady, his hands moving in a soothing pattern across her back. He tipped his head downwards, whispering softly into her ear as she sobbed, her tears soaking and staining his shirt. She was his reason for staying around, and his reason for hanging on another day. He couldn't imagine waking up and not finding out what she would throw his way that day, it was what gave him meaning.
She quietened down after a while, her sobs not as evident, though her body still shook. He was telling her that it would be okay, that she would be okay, and she was slowly starting to believe him. No matter that she may have lost her way, she still knew her way back home, back to him.
They stayed in each other's embrace for hours, the broken clock no longer attempting to keep track of time. They both knew that it wouldn't be easy, but she had thought there would be more acceptance. His lips never stopped moving against her ear, whispering sweet nothings to her long after her tears had stopped.
"It will be okay"
"I'm falling apart"
"I've got you, I'm not going anywhere"
"In your name, I find meaning"
"It will be okay"