Dengar frowned and sighed. "I...don't understand Irri." He admitted. "I will respect you...I just...thought we were closer then before."

Irri swallowed, uncomfortable, feeling like she was letting him down... But at the same time, she was actually scared to show him... She looked down at the peach in her hands and slowly set it down, feeling her cheeks heat up. "I don't..." she breathed. "Want you to think... less of... me..."

Dengar sat up. "You saved my life. Twice. You're my guardian...and my best friend." He smiled at her. "I would never think less of you."

Irri didn't look up to see his smile though, staring at her hands in her lap. "You say that now," she whispered quietly. She felt horrible saying that, like it meant she didn't have faith in him but... all the same she couldn't really believe him.

Dengar frowned deeper at that. "You really think that you could do anything to poison how I feel about you?" He whispered. "You really think that whatever is behind that veil could...sever the only good thing I have left in my life?"

Irri swallowed again and looked up at him, her eyes moist with held back tears. "I'm sorry," she whispered, unable to think of anything else to say.

Dengar's jaw tightened and clenched at those words. He felt like he was biting his own tongue off. He pushed the tray back and pushed the covers off of him. He turned to sit up and stand.

Irri jumped a bit at the sudden action but moved over to him, gently stopping him. "Please, Dengar," she whispered, a tear escaping her and slipping down her cheek to the veil. "Don't... I just... I'm sorry I'm so... scared..."

Dengar looked up at her. He felt a surge of pain in his side. He pulled her down though and swallowed, closing his eyes. "Kiss me Irri... my eyes will not open... just kiss me." He pleaded. His hands moved to the side of her face. "Don't be scared..."

Irri stilled for a moment, staring at him. But at least the shock of that request kept her from jumping at his touch. She hated knowing though that he could probably feel the unevenness of her cheek under the veil as he put his hand there...
For what seemed like eternity, she couldn't move, feeling her blood course to her face, hearing her heart pound in her ears.
But finally, almost as if she wasn't feeling herself move the veil out of the way, she closed her eyes, gently pressing her lips to his.
Her lips too, were uneven, hardly smooth, and she felt dizzy with embarrassment. She pulled back after a moment, the veil falling back into place, damp with a few more tears slipping down her cheeks.

Dengar noticed, though he kept his eyes closed as she slipped away. A smile replaced the pucker, and his lips parted. He reached for her, almost grabbing her to stop her from pulling away. His brow curled back and he finally managed to pull her into a hug. His eyes still closed.

Irri swallowed a little as he hugged her, unsure about this... But after a moment, she slipped her arms around him and hugged him back, tightly. She didn't want him to let go...

Dengar relished the contact, and only tightened his hug further as she had done the same. "I would be blind forever if I got to kiss you every day, Irri." He whispered. "If that is what it will take."

Irri shook her head a little, burying her face in his shoulder. "Thank you," she whispered quietly.

Dengar nodded and kissed the side of her head. He could hold her forever...he really could. "No... thank you. For trusting me."