Sorry for the delay, had a busy Saturday.
Eleven.
He eyes her warily, trying to search her face for something, a sign.
What should he expect? Devoted love? Affectionate friendship?
What's worst, he doesn't know what he wants from her.
His heart beats faster, whispering (through rushes of blood to his head) to embrace her, to embrace spring and the thaw.
His head screams (through adrenalin rushes) to let her go, flee into the shadows, return to cold winter.
It's safer than the openness of spring.
He is still staring at her, aghast.
Then, he doesn't even know how he manages it, he speaks to her softly, asks her what she means by that. It's an improper and almost rhetorical question, but he can't help it.
His soul pleads her to have mercy on him.
He feels weaker than ever, his firm resolve is slowly starting to dissolve, to soften.
She is looking back at him with reddened cheeks, enticing him even more.
It's her eyes, he decides. They are crystal clear, but not icy blue, not cold... more like warm and welcoming blue - the same shade the sea had that day at Brighton.
She isn't fire, he thinks. He has misunderstood her nature all this time.
She burns bright, yes, but she's more like water, calm and mild, impetuous and violent.
She's no goddess, now he knows. He can see her faults reflected in her eyes, written all over her mortal skin.
Elsie suddenly stands up, nears him tentatively. She reaches out to touch him, yet she doesn't burn him. Her touch is soothing, comforting.
Her little hand fits perfectly into his.
He sighs in defeat, squeezes her hand to grant her victory. They're both sinners, he thinks.
But she's his guidance to escape from the cold, frozen heart of burning Hell.
And he accepts her willingly.
So... it's finally happening, isn't it? Our Charlie is slowly melting.
I'd love to know your opinions on this chapter in a review :)