Helen likely would have commented on the first part of his reaction if the second part hadn't come so quickly. If it hadn't also torn down all of his walls, all of her walls, and laid bare the emotions swimming between them. Her expression softens slowly because she knows that she has hurt him, yet again, and this time it isn't Nikola who needs to make amends for a wrong done. No, this time it is Helen who has something to make up for, to apologize for.
That last word and the way he says it, the emotion in his voice and that damned look in his eyes, that does it for her. For a few seconds, she stands there, letting her body and mind react. Because she knows what will happen, has known that this would be the result perhaps since she decided to follow him to New York and leave a scavenger hunt for him to use in the hopes that it would lead him to her. Yes, of course they have things to discuss. The key with them, however, is that most often words don't help. Most often, Helen and Nikola speak in actions.
Actions supplemented by words.
"You were never mistaken," she says softly, almost gently. He has been mistaken in things before and they both know it, but not in getting her help. Not in this.
A second passes before she moves. Arms unfolding, she takes the few steps towards him until she stands directly in front of him, reaches her hands to cup his cheeks, and presses her lips to his. It isn't the fleeting kiss that she gave him last time, but neither is it soft or gentle. Neither does it remain chaste. Her lips part, encouraging his to follow suit, and for a moment, she simply lives in their act, in this kiss.
Because neither of them would be able to say any form of those words -- I love you. I thought I'd lost you. You were dead. I'm sorry. -- but the emotions are there in the way she holds him to her. A long time has passed since she allowed herself an attachment that she knew might last. Charlotte Benoit had been a one night sort of deal, wherein they both knew it wouldn't, couldn't, last. But this... well, no one could blame her if she dared to hope.
Forgiveness is not something she deserves, not for what she has done to Nikola, and it is an interesting role reversal. But they have experienced worse. Whatever this is, whatever he may feel towards her now, she has faith in him, in the both of them. They never stay angry with each other for long.
no subject
That last word and the way he says it, the emotion in his voice and that damned look in his eyes, that does it for her. For a few seconds, she stands there, letting her body and mind react. Because she knows what will happen, has known that this would be the result perhaps since she decided to follow him to New York and leave a scavenger hunt for him to use in the hopes that it would lead him to her. Yes, of course they have things to discuss. The key with them, however, is that most often words don't help. Most often, Helen and Nikola speak in actions.
Actions supplemented by words.
"You were never mistaken," she says softly, almost gently. He has been mistaken in things before and they both know it, but not in getting her help. Not in this.
A second passes before she moves. Arms unfolding, she takes the few steps towards him until she stands directly in front of him, reaches her hands to cup his cheeks, and presses her lips to his. It isn't the fleeting kiss that she gave him last time, but neither is it soft or gentle. Neither does it remain chaste. Her lips part, encouraging his to follow suit, and for a moment, she simply lives in their act, in this kiss.
Because neither of them would be able to say any form of those words -- I love you. I thought I'd lost you. You were dead. I'm sorry. -- but the emotions are there in the way she holds him to her. A long time has passed since she allowed herself an attachment that she knew might last. Charlotte Benoit had been a one night sort of deal, wherein they both knew it wouldn't, couldn't, last. But this... well, no one could blame her if she dared to hope.
Forgiveness is not something she deserves, not for what she has done to Nikola, and it is an interesting role reversal. But they have experienced worse. Whatever this is, whatever he may feel towards her now, she has faith in him, in the both of them. They never stay angry with each other for long.