Despite her worries, that brief kiss to her knuckles made her lips twitch into a very small smile. Having him react such a way with her was always nice even if some would see it as a normal greeting. It was different for him. At least in this moment it was. But then he was releasing her hand and she let it fall gently to the rose she still held. She wished to grasp him once more but if he pulled away then perhaps there was a reason. And she would not push him, not now. Not after him pulling away after the kiss.
Nodding, she remained quiet. He could tell her all of his past and she would not stop listening. She wanted to know of him. Know everything there is to know about the man before her. And she was glad that he was willing to share it with her. As he stumbled and stopped speaking so soon she simply gave him an encouraging look. He could tell her anything. He stood and she so wanted to stand with him but decided to let him have that space. He must need it.
His first statement surprised her a little but she refused to let it show. Had that been why he wore the mask? Why did he not now? So many questions and yet now was not the time to ask them of him. He had to speak and she could not interrupt for fear of him stopping and leaving the subject all together. So she bit her lip and the talk of hating his mother upset her. Her mother had been so dear to her as much as she could remember her and it was saddening to think not all mothers were as hers were. She smiled a little as he continued on. Mirrors. So it would seem that enjoyment had started young and she recalled the one in her dressing room here and in Paris. How amazed she had been that first time she had saw him standing in it. Though her smile fell as it became clear how he had wished his face could change.
Architecture? It should not shock her but it did. He embraced the arts and surely such a thing was also an art form? Her smile blossomed once more as he mentioned being tutored given, from his brief talk on childhood, she could imagine how much that must have meant for him. How skilled her angel was. It only served to draw her more to him. And music. Oh his music. She would agree with that sentiment if she felt she could speak just yet.
And then thins turned dark again. This time she could not hide the gasp of shock as he spoke of them killing a pet and almost him. Oh how he thought he ruined her life. It broke her heart and she slowly stood, placing the rose carefully on a table. She did not step too close, just took two away from her chair, but she wanted him to see that she was here for him. How she supported him. The talk of the camp only served to make those tears she had been trying to fight fall. He was used. Oh how she wished she could take those painful memories away and give him the love he deserved. She brushed her tears away quickly and nodded a little as he mentioned medicines. He was a genius, she knew that much. It would make sense for him to study such a thing.
And then came the blow. The blow she had not expected. It took the air from her lungs fast and as he looked at her she simply stared back, her mouth opening wordlessly. She had to think. Murder was not something she would ever have accepted and yet this felt different. He was not a bad man...But his first? That meant there were others. She placed her hand on the table to keep herself upright as she continued to think it through. She had never expected that of him and yet perhaps it should have been clear.
He was a murderer.
And she still loved him with everything she had.
Slowly she looked up at him and pushed herself away from the table. She walked to him, though did not invade his personal space. Not yet. Those tears were shining in her eyes once more but she did not pull her gaze from him. She had to keep looking into those steeled eyes so he would believe every word he had said.