Solitude
The air was sweet and calm as he sat, thinking. He had to stay here, in this space to keep the inner ugliness from surfacing. If he could just keep it locked away, conquer the beast, she would be safe in his arms again. He could hold and love her like he so desperately longed for.
The texture of the beads beneath his fingertips reminded him of the solitude that was afforded him here. It was safe to screw up. They wouldn't fault him. He was still learning. But he would make it work. It had to for her.