Re: Clio & Gabriel | Late night/Early morning into Day 3
Clio might have been lost in despair, in traumatizing memories, but she still noticed the look of rage that moved across his face as she spoke. It was so much, she had revealed to him things she had never told anyone. Not even Cyd knew these secrets. Not because she didn't trust her sister, but because she was ashamed. Letting Jerome do that to her was pathetic, and if she'd told Cyd about Krys' dad then she would have never been able to look at him again. And Clio knew how her sister and Krys felt about each other, even if there was so much getting in the way of them being happy. Namely them.
As Gabriel gently lifted her face, there was shame in her tear-filled eyes. Of course he wouldn't blame her. Clio knew he was right, but the guilt had been built up for awhile now. It was hard to see anything but what she had made of him, the terror in his eyes as he'd looked at her but not really seen her. He'd always said she was nothing but a monster, worthless, and in the end she had proven him right. "I might not have done it on purpose, but I did want to hurt him," she managed, the shame clear on her tear-streaked face. "I know he was hurting me, but I would envision it almost daily before then. I would imagine all the ways I'd get him back whenever he'd hurt me. So I think on some level, I did want that."
Clio knew Jerome was dirt, worse than dirt, but she didn't want to be the type of person who hurt others whenever they felt wronged. "I know you wouldn't, of course you wouldn't," she said softly, looking up at him with earnest emotion in her pretty eyes. "But I don't know for sure that I won't hurt you." She shook her head, wishing she could properly explain her fear. "Even if we're just fighting and you're not hurting me, what if that heightened emotion is enough to bring the powers out again?" Biting her lip, the worry was clear in her eyes even as she forced herself to hold his gaze instead of lowering hers in shame.
"I haven't. I've been too ashamed," she admitted. She knew Cyd would help her with anything, even hiding a body if need be, but her own guilt and fear had kept her from going to her sister. What if knowing what she had done made Cyd fear her or look at her differently? She was about the only member of her family that actually cared about Clio. The gentle kiss eased some of her guilt and shame, the memories fading as they were overcome by the sweet feel of Gabriel's lips.
"Not on purpose," she murmured, her lips moving against his as she kept her forehead close to his. "But I would never forgive myself if I did something to you without meaning to. If I caused you any sort of pain. If I ruined that brilliant mind and spirit of yours," she said softly. "You mean everything to me."