Zeir's hand rested gently on the back of her head, guiding her closer until her cheek pressed against his chest. "You're not wrong for feeling hurt," he said softly. "Just because you understand something doesn't mean it won't hurt."
Roxanna's fingers tightened against his clothes as her tears soaked into them.
"You can understand her and still feel pain," Zeir said. "After all, those two things can exist together."
He paused for a moment, his voice turning even softer. "And you're not a bad person for wanting to be loved."
At his words, Roxanna's shoulders trembled again. This time, she wrapped her arms around him tightly, holding on as if she might fall apart if she let go. She hugged him so tightly that it became hard to breathe. If she could melt into him, she would have done it without hesitation.
"It's alright." Zeir gently stroked the back of her head, brushing his fingers through the strands of her pink hair. "If you want to cry, then just cry out loud."
