Just like that. Just like that, it was forgiven, and he was thinking of those ancient seals that had guarded his city. Shedu statues lording over the gates as kings might, and clay tablets buried beneath the entrance to any residence or palace in protection from evil. Shamash was thinking of the prayers addressed to him as he protected his city. Sippar was also his sister's city, perhaps leading to some of his possessive thoughts on the matter. All of those ancient ways had been remembered these long years, in case they would ever become necessary again. And now it seemed they had, even if Shamash didn't know why. Unjustly punished. That was the phrase he always had to remember. Those who were unjustly punished had always been his to protect, to guard and assist as he could.
Today was no different, was it?
"I'll start..."
When he reached for her, she didn't recoil. She let herself be drawn back to him. Shamash still couldn't believe that such a beautiful creature would have wanted him, would have the slightest interest in him. It was outrageous. Perhaps he'd been wrong all along. That didn't explain anything, but it did make it easier to deal with.
A bit.
"...soon."
There was time. She sighed in surprise, into his shoulder, when his hands began to wander - sighed, and then responded to those wandering hands in the way he'd hoped.