Where Memories Sleep [Vanyel, Violet]

She was finally coming to realize the truth. Even if he didn't know every single painful detail, he could tell in her eyes, how she spoke. For the time that she spent in her own head, thinking, realizing, and understanding, Vanyel continued to hold her close to him. He would be a safe place for her, somewhere she didn't have to make excuses, lie to herself.

In his arms, she could let it all out, never to be judged or ridiculed. He loved her too much to ever do that to her. As she finally asked the question, Vanyel's hand gently ran through her hair. At first, he hesitated. He didn't know why. He knew what his answer would be, it was the only one that made any semblance of sense.

"...No. They didn't."

His arms tightened around her, one wrapped around her back, and the other around her front. He had to rip the bandage off. It was the only way she was going to accept it, move on, and heal.

"...It's not your fault. Every kid deserves a parent. But...not every parent deserves a kid. You never did anything wrong, Vi. But, now...you don't have to listen to them. You can live life how you want to. You can eat all the things that your mom never let you eat, buy anything you want, learn new things, and just...start living your life. And...I'll be there with you. No matter what."