@tiervain said:
“ He doesn't ask permission when he swept her body close to him. He will be scolded, perhaps even slapped for his dare. Sylvain accepted this fact & the consequences that would come. His intent was selfish & only for his benefit. But he was gentle while cradling her close, as if that was an apology of its own accord. He would apologize. In a moment. He just needed a moment. Hopefully she understood. Hopefully... ”
In any other circumstance, Sylvain would have been right to be concerned about the consequences of his actions. Though her nature was gentle, there were certain antics of his that she would not allow herself to tolerate ... for his sake, rather than hers. He would never clean up his act if she enabled him, after all.
But something was different on this particular occasion. His approach had lacked his usual vigour -- bravado or not -- and there had been no crude remarks about how positively divine she looked; no mention of her radiant beauty. In fact, there had been no words at all. Only the arms that had reached out for and enveloped her.
She allowed the silence between them to continue for a beat or two, taking just a moment to consider her course of action, before allowing her arms to embrace him in turn. For now, and until he gave her reason to withdraw the comfort she offered, Mercedes would give him the benefit of the doubt. It seemed as though he needed it.
“ Sylvain, this -- this is a surprise ... Is everything alright? ”
