I woke up one night to the sound of crying. Next to me, Leo Valdez sobbed quietly. I felt the pull at my heart I always felt during these nights when I saw Leo sad. But I immediately regained my composure. I was Reyna Valdez. I showed no weaknesses. Pain, memories, sadness. They all escaped through weaknesses.
I wrapped my arms around him and pulled his body closer to mine. He stopped for a moment when he realized I was awake, but when I stroked his hair and hugged him tight, he began to cry harder. It was at night when his shield of emotions betrayed him. During the day, he enveloped himself in a fragile shell of humor, to mask what only I could see lay beneath.
He was sad, so sad. Things had cut him so deep there would always be a huge scar. But of course, he wouldn't admit that. He wouldn't even dare to show weakness, because weaknesses could be used against him. And he knew that all too well. But he could tell me, he could show me. And that made me happy. I was determined to heal him the best I could.
He rolled over so he was facing me, tears rolling down his cheeks, the most terrible look I could ever think of displayed on his face. He crashed his lips to mine, desperation, need, loneliness all displayed in a single kiss. I returned passionately, wrapping my arms around his neck. He pulled back and studied my face hungrily, as if I was the only human left on earth.
"I love you," I whispered to him. He buried his head in my chest and started to cry. And I didn't say anything. Because I knew that words weren't what healed. Being there, listening, hugging, loving, that was what healed. So I let him lay there, crying, being sad. And I knew that he was healing. The hurt in his life was being replaced by love. So I cried with him, too, hoping to get rid of the rigid bitterness of life.