"I know," Devero says again. He squirms a little, trying to open enough space between them to cradle Koumyou's face, if he can. If Koumyou will let him.
(If Koumyou doesn't, Devero just wraps hiss arms around him again and resumes cradling his Sanzo close.)
Would he be as sanguine about Koumyou's sacrifice as he seems right now, if Koumyou's death had truly been permanent? No, of course not; Koumyou had felt all of his despair and grief during the retrieval.
But Koumyou's death wasn't permanent. His tether to the train had held. Koumyou had saved him from having to experience dying, had saved Buttercup as well, and now they're back on the train. For Devero's forward-focused, resilient heart, that's all that matters.
If the priest does look up, he'll find Devero's dark eyes looking intently into his. "--And I forgive you, my love. Thank you for protecting us."
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(If Koumyou doesn't, Devero just wraps hiss arms around him again and resumes cradling his Sanzo close.)
Would he be as sanguine about Koumyou's sacrifice as he seems right now, if Koumyou's death had truly been permanent? No, of course not; Koumyou had felt all of his despair and grief during the retrieval.
But Koumyou's death wasn't permanent. His tether to the train had held. Koumyou had saved him from having to experience dying, had saved Buttercup as well, and now they're back on the train. For Devero's forward-focused, resilient heart, that's all that matters.
If the priest does look up, he'll find Devero's dark eyes looking intently into his. "--And I forgive you, my love. Thank you for protecting us."