“I'm sorry. I souldn't have shut you out. I know you're hurting, too. ""Permission to speak freely, Sire ?""Granted.""You're an asshole," she said and hugged him.”

“Please," I tell her. "Please forgive me. I'm so sorry that I hurt you. I'm so sorry that I've been an asshole and that I shut you out. I didn't know how to handle things without being self-destructive. Self-destruction is all I've ever known. Deep down, it's what I felt like I deserved.”

“I'm sorry if I pissed you off.I'm sorry if I acted like a fucker.But I'm not sorry for chasing off that pansy ass that used to have what's mine.Because you're my girl now and I won't have that asshole sniffing around where he doesn't belong.”

“It's a good thing you're an aging orphan," he murmured, gently pushing the hair away from her face. "I don't have to wait around to get anyone's permission.""Permission for what, you rat bastard?" she said. "Such language, dragon. I'm afraid you're going to have to marry me.”

“I'm sorry that you're still hurting.”

“You're going to be sorry you didn't open the door, because I just crawled along that piss-covered floor and now I'm going to hug you.”