Exton

The water is warm, the spray a gentle splash against the tub's bottom. His hands wet from testing the water, Ob shoves them into his unruly mop of jewelled hair. He catches a glimpse of himself in the mirror and frowns. Some of the strands are still tightly coiled, betraying the Deamon's nearness to his surface thoughts. He concentrates, willing the Deamon deeper before stepping into their bedroom to collect his wife.

Lifting her easily, Ob presses a gentle kiss to Pandora's lips. "Mi amor... Mujer, I don't know why the Gods gifted you to me. I don't deserve you."

He kisses her again, silencing her before her words could escape. Her thoughts brush his and he claims those too, with a mental kiss, effectively quieting whatever she was going to say. her feet touch the surface of the tub's bottom before he lets her speak.

"Josephito..."

He cuts her off. "Let me tend to you. I have hurt you more than you know."

His hands are gentle, smoothing soap over her skin, caressing bruises left from the fierce grip of his fingers. He glances up, watching Pandora's eyes close as she relaxes into his care. Tears fill his own eyes at the marks he has left behind. He traces scrapes along her arms, where her skin rubbed over fine scales on his shoulders. With a grimace he has her part her legs.

The tender flesh of her inner thighs are abraded, strips rubbed sore from the rasp of scale over human flesh. Her mound is red and swollen from the pounding of his body on hers. There are small cuts along her vaginal lips from the constant contact with fine scales. He is grateful there was enough control to keep himself from growing barbs. With a shudder, Ob slides a soapy cloth over her abused skin.

Pandora winces, yelping at the sting of the soap on raw flesh. He swallows hard, Easing her legs further apart in an attempt to clean her as thouroughly as possible.

"I am sorry mi amor. Oh Goddess... I am sorry." She gasps in pain and he turns the shower head off so the water begins to fill the tub when he closes the drain. He eases her down onto her knees. When he gently moves her to was hher bottom, Pandora bites her lip. Shallow cuts mark where his fingertips had dug in. Once he has washed her clean, Ob eases her down into the water. He opens the drain and turns the shower head back on. The gentle splash of water relaxes Pandora. Ob helps her ease back against the tub. Once the water has drained away, he again stoppers the tub and turns the water back to the spigot.

Kissing the top of her head, Ob lets her soak in the warm water while he moves about the bathroom collecting supplies. He moves to the closet just outside the bathroom door and finds the healing balm Pandora has stored there. Once he has things arranged in the bedroom, He lifts her out of the tub and sets her on her feet on the soft bathroom rug. Warm towel wrapped around her body, Ob carries her to their bed.

Peeling back the towel, Ob helps Pandora spread her legs. Pain flickers across her face, but she hides it quickly. Ob's mind touches hers, chiding softly. Mi amor... you think I don't feel your pain? Do not hide this from me. I know what I did to you. I don't understand why you are not angry with me... or afraid of me.

She doesn't answer right away, but winces as he slathers the ointment along the raw wounds on her thighs. He takes his time, letting the herbs do their magic. He feels the pain subsiding slightly as the numbing agents take effect. Pandora sighs, and he gently adds ointment to the cuts on her sex.

"Mi amor, is it safe to put this on your lips? In your channel?"

Pandora nods and Ob works the balm between her lips, worried of what he has done deeper. When Pandora does not tense, Ob merges his mind with hers, gratefully finding no damage inside. He returns his attention to her mound, making sure she is well covered with the ointment. As he helps her roll over, Pandora stares at his bared chest. It takes a moment to realize she is looking at the sword shaped scar covering Allah's Light. The scar is glowing softly, warmth radiating from it. Pandora reaches out and traces over the radiant scar.

"This... this is why I don't fear you, even after... rough sex. Allah's Light wouldn't stay with you if I had a reason to be afraid. That, and I love you."

Resting her head on her now folded arms, Pandora smiles tiredly. "Sing to me?"

Obsidian smiles. Placing a kiss on the small of her back, Ob begins to apply the balm to her cuts. He sings softly, the words in his native tongue. The balm beneath his fingertips warms, soaking into the cuts. Pandora spreads her legs slightly and Ob massages the ointment he has previously applied. Warmth infuses the concoction, easing the stings still left behind. The scar on his chest pulses, bathing the room in light. Pandora murmurs softly, relaxing into sleep.

Ob wipes his fingers clean, and settles into a chair beside his sleeping wife. His tears fall unheeded. The words are soft, escaping on a sigh, but they are heartfelt.

"Thank You, Allah."

The scar pulses once more, then fades back into a pale streak on his chest.